My Classmate Became My Familiar - Chapter 2.5
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Chapter 2.5
The more you want to avoid, the quicker it’ll come.
It was the next day. After the recess, we went straight to the Forbidden Zone.
Our team consists of three members: Fujiwara, Ryoka, and me.
“We’re students of the International Mage Association, here to participate in the mission to destroy the inter-dimensional contact point. Here’s our permission slip.”
The entire Forbidden Zone was covered by a powerful warding system. To enter, you have to show a permit to the administrator.
I showed the permit issued by the school to the person in charge.
“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about you. This way, please.”
The man handed me a terminal.
It was a tablet device with a large liquid crystal display, a kind of magical instrument. On the screen was a map of the first layer, with the location of the contact point, our destination, marked.
The map kinda looked like a donut with the entire centre area blackened. Once we approached that area, we would be in the second layer.
“The first layer’s monsters aren’t too strong, but don’t let your guard down. There are still many of them. If anything happens, please send out a rescue signal from that terminal. Once we receive the signal, we will send help immediately.”
The man said as he operated the console in the choke point and opened the gate.
A huge, magically-treated iron door, several tens of centimetres thick, opened with a bang.
The Forbidden Zone was doubly enclosed by large walls and magical barriers, separating it from the outside world.
“In addition, many students have come to the first layer for quests today, so if you are going to use area magic, please make sure to check your surroundings. If you check your terminal, green markers will appear on the screen, indicating the location of other terminals in the Forbidden Zone, or in other words, other sorcerers, so please refer to it prior to doing it.”
When I operated the terminal, nearly forty green markers appeared on the map on the screen. There were indeed many. However, because the first layer is large, the density is not that high, and there are not many markers around my destination.
“Have a good day.”
When prompted, the three of us walked through the gate side by side, and a few moments later, the massive door closed behind us.
What I saw before was a desolate cityscape, weathered from exposure to the elements.
In fact, this Forbidden Zone was now but a shadow of its former self. Before the advent of Crosspoint, it used to be a busy shopping district with many people. The skyscrapers and the wide multi-lane roads were an eloquent testament to this past.
However, it was strange how much the place had decayed, even though it must have been less than twenty years since it appeared. Maybe the flow of time was different from the outside due to the boundary interference. I think I heard something like that in class, I think?
It was a hazy memory because I wasn’t taking it seriously.
“Hey, what’s with the glasses?”
When I put on the Zeus I brought, Ryoka asked me in an amused tone.
“This? It’s a magic tank. My friend in engineering made it for me.”
“Well, it’s unusual for you to wear glasses. Though, it looks quite good on you. Definitely a handsome face.”
Ryouka flattered me, but I wondered what her reaction would be if she found out that it had an obscene clairvoyant function. At the very least, she would withdraw her tomboyish nature.
I ain’t gonna say it and I ain’t gonna use it.
How could I waste my magic power in such a dangerous place? If I indulge in these desires for too long, I’ll run out of magic power when the time comes.
“So, where’s the inter-dimensional contact point?”
Fujiwara asked as she looked into the terminal I was holding.
“Hmm, the map says it’s more than three kilometres away. It’s going to take quite a while to get there on foot.”
The blue marker that indicated our location and the red marker, our destination, were quite far apart.
“Is that so? Well, we should just take it easy. We’ll go slowly through the areas where there are few monsters, destroy the inter-dimensional contact point, and go home. It’s perfect for a stroll. Besides, I don’t mind the atmosphere here.”
“Oh, come on, that’s just too boring,” Ryoka said.
“We’ve come all this way to find out who’s better. I’ll leave the destruction of the contact points to Ashiya-kun of the Department of Boundary Interference, and we can compete in the number of monsters we can hunt.”
“… I don’t mind, but doesn’t that put me at a disadvantage since I can’t stay away from Ashiya-kun?”
Fujiwara pointed out, and Ryoka cowered.
“You’re not serious? You’re not the only one who’s at a disadvantage. You have the foul power of the demon, and I’m just a human being, you know?”
“Mmm.”
“Well, I don’t wanna ask any further. Who’d have thought that the top-brass in the East are cowards? After all, I’m known in the West as the tolerant Ryouka-nee-san.”
Fujiwara clucked her tongue at Ryoka, who laughed at her.
“If you insist, I’ll deal with it. I’ve been wanting to settle things with you. I don’t want you to think you’re better than me because you’re wrong about the facts.”
Ryouka clapped her hands happily at Fujiwara, who replied to her selling words.
“That’s great! Now that we’ve got that out of the way, how about a bet?”
“Ha? Like, whoever wins gets all the money?”
“That would be interesting, though.”
Then Ryoka glanced at me.
“If I win, I’ll get Ashiya-kun. He has to join the West and become my right-hand man.”
Huh, me?
Did you have multiple screws loose?
I had been keeping quiet because it was their matter, but now they were dragging me in…
“Oi-Oi. Give me a break!”
I smiled and refused, but Ryoka put her arm around my shoulders and held me close.
“You know how much Mari adores you, right? I wonder what kind of face she’ll make if I take you under my wing? It’ll be very interesting, don’t you think?”
“What? You and the president don’t get along well?”
Ryouka gave a shady smile at my question.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that the people around her, who think she’ll be the future head of the Sanjo family and believe that she deserves it, are not very nice. After all, thanks to her, I’m always treated as an accessory. Even my parents are telling me that I have to support Mari in the future. It’s just unfair.”
“It is fair,” Fujiwara stated.
“The difference between you and the president is as great as that between heaven and earth in terms of your capabilities and natural talent.”
Unusually, Ryouka didn’t say anything back. In fact, she even smiled self-deprecatingly.
“Of course, I admit that she’s too good. I’m no match for her in terms of magical talent, but that doesn’t mean that I should be under her thumb unconditionally. I’m going to stab that woman with something other than talent. I’m going to take control of the Sanjo family and eventually the West Japan branch.”
Ryoka whispered in my ears, “And I need you to do it.”
Me? Why?
… Oh, because of Fujiwara…
I suppose this girl wants Fujiwara, who has the power of a demon.
“Hmm, I don’t think a guy like me would be of any use to Ryouka’s high road.”
“Are you being modest? Ashiya-kun, if you choose me, I promise I won’t hurt you. I’ll do anything for you. I’ll even make you my lifelong companion if you want. Not only will you have a position in the West, but you’ll also be the husband of the head of the Sanjo family. Besides, if I do say so myself, I’m pretty good, aren’t I?”
The feel of her breasts pressed against my back. What a cheap trick. Only a fool would be lured to such a thing. But, but, but this was more bountiful than expected…!
Maybe I should just be an idiot.
“This is ridiculous.”
When I got dizzy, Fujiwara grabbed me by the neck and pulled me away from Ryoka.
“This is a challenge between you and me. Ashiya-kun has nothing to do with it!”
“Whoa. The owner has to take the responsibility for the misbehaviour of the familiar. Or are you just bullshitting me because you have no chance of winning? Huh. Who’d have thought that Chikage Fujiwara is such a coward!”
“… Okay. I’ll take you up on that cheap provocation. But when I win, you’ll remember me. I’ll make you regret that you were ever born.”
It was still about me, but the conversation was going on without my intervention.
“Wait a minute. I won’t join any faction…”
When I tried to break the strange flow, Fujiwara stared at me as if I were an idiot.
“If we don’t lose, there’s no problem, so what are you complaining about?”
“Um, you see…”
“Ha? So, you think I’m going to lose, Ashiya-kun?”
“I have no idea how good you two are. I’m just a small fish. But even if Fujiwara is better than her, it’s not like you could win ten times out of ten, right?”
“There is. If we fight ten times, I’ll win ten times, and if I do it a hundred times, I’ll win a hundred times then. That’s how superior I am to her. And now that I have the power of a demon, there is no way that I can lose.”
Are you a child? Fujiwara’s assertion was just cringy, but as expected, Ryouka seemed to be offended by the direct condescension and let out a laugh.
“That’s what I’m talking about! Talk big while you still can! If I get Ashiya-kun, you, his servant, will automatically become mine too! I’ll discipline you well on Ashiya-kun’s behalf!”
“Haa? Don’t count your eggs before they’re hatched. On the contrary, I will teach you the harshness of reality to the marrow of your bones.”
And thus, the two brilliant women were ready to cut each other’s throats.
In front of the power of the woman staring at me with blue streaks in her eyes, I couldn’t say anything, nor would I be listened to. Maybe I’ll get punched out if I interrupt her.
“Oh, shit! Fujiwara, I’m really counting on you! Don’t lose!”
“Foolish question. You have a magic tank this time, so I can afford it.”
Fujiwara waved her hand and glared at Ryouka.