Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone's Hearts ~ - Chapter 323

323. Final Match

While we were talking, Goot arrived in the waiting room. He had a somewhat tense expression. It looks like he’s also nervous, just like me. Yeah, yeah, we’re in the same boat. It made me feel better!

Just as I was staring at Goot, Ashley-san, who was standing beside him, noticed and lightly patted him on the shoulder, calling his name. Goot looked up in surprise, and our eyes met, so I smiled at him. I was thinking about calling out to him, but I also thought it might interrupt his concentration.

“Ah, u-um!”

But just from making eye contact, he blushed and froze. Is he that nervous?

“It’s okay to be nervous… but let’s do our best! Goot! I’m not losing!”

I wasn’t planning to call out to him, but I changed my mind! Because he wasn’t moving at all, so I called out to him from a distance. He was startled and then seemed to reboot. I’m glad, I’m glad.

“Y-Yeah! I’m not losing either!”

We both declared that we weren’t going to lose, and it felt like some of the tension had eased. Yeah, this is a good amount of tension.

『Sorry for the wait! The preparations are finished, so let’s start the finals of the underage division! 』

『Now then, I wonder how our Goot’s going to fight.』

『Our Meg’s the cutest of all!! 』

『…They haven’t even come out yet, and that’s irrelevant, Demon King-sama…』

Oh, the commentators are Diega and Father-sama. Please, don’t do what Father-sama and Mara-san did! It was so embarrassing! Just as I was trembling, thinking about that, I felt a warm hand on my back. And that person, without a word, gently pushed me towards the venue. So dependable!

I glanced back and grinned, as if saying, “Leave it to me!”, and Gil-san, his eyes softening, also smiled. I’m going to do my best, without pushing myself too hard, and win! It’s finally time for the finals!

『The contestants have entered! Goot, the Lightning Speed Dog, from Annulus, and Meg, the elf, from Ortus! Wow, the venue is buzzing with excitement! Is it because it’s the final match?』

『Haa, Meg’s so cute. My daughter might be an angel…』

『Oi Goot! Don’t embarrass yourself!』

The moment I entered the venue, I heard the voices of the announcer and the commentators, and I felt my energy drain. Father-sama, honestly! Just as I was trembling from embarrassment, Goot, who was walking next to me, was turning pale. Diega’s probably incredibly strict. We’re both trembling… with completely different expressions.

“To the front.”

And then Kron-san’s calm voice brought us back to our senses. She really is perfect for this job. Goot and I pulled ourselves together and stood in our designated spots.

“…Begin!”

I think we both started moving at the same time, at Kron-san’s signal. I’m leaving my defense to Rai-chan. So it all comes down to… whether I’ll be able to follow Goot’s movements. I could hear crackling sounds around me, so he’s probably already attacked me a few times. Rai-chan’s working hard!

But… hmm, I still can’t see him properly. I can see afterimages… no, no, don’t give up, Meg! It’s not just about seeing, I have to sense his presence. I’m going to focus, now that I’m being automatically protected!

『Meg’s suddenly stopped moving! What’s going on?』

『I’m sure she’s leaving her defense to her spirits. She’s probably focusing on reading her opponent’s movements.』

『All his attacks are being blocked… it completely negates Goot’s strengths. He needs to think of something! This is a good opportunity for him to improve!』

I gradually started to understand as I concentrated. I still can’t see his movements, but… there’s a pattern. It’s not exactly the same every time, he’s changing it up slightly, but… his attack pattern’s basically the same. He comes straight at me, and then goes directly above or below. He pretends to come this way and then attacks from a completely different direction. Okay, so next…

“Above!!”

“U-Wah…!”

Just as I shouted, raising my hand, Ryoku-kun stretched vines upwards from the seed I was holding. I’d asked him to spread it out as much as possible, so we were able to instantly capture Goot. Yes!

『Oh! Meg’s finally captured Goot! Goot’s in trouble!?』

Just as I was about to tell him to throw Goot out of bounds, the vines, with incredible momentum, stretched towards the edge of the venue, carrying Goot.

I thought I was prepared. That even if he somehow manages to break free, I’d have Fuu-chan or Shizuku-chan push him out.

“Ugh! It’s not over yet…!”

But I never imagined Goot would do that. No, I should have realized! I wasn’t prepared enough!

『Goot’s not giving up! It looks like he’s going to use a large magic spell! A huge magic circle’s appeared at his feet!』

────A magic circle.

The moment I saw that, I froze. It’s different from watching in the spectator seats. Because it’s right before me, and it’s aimed at me.

I know, I know. This isn’t like that time. And that it won’t be anything serious, because it’s Goot’s magic. It’ll probably be lightning or something, because of its attribute.

I know all that, but… logically I understand—

“A-Ah! N-No…! Nooooooo!!”

My magic power went out of control. I could hear the spirits calling out to me.

『Master! It’s okay! It’s okay!』

『This isn’t like that time! It’ll be fine!』

『Eh? Eh? What? What’s wrong, Meg-sama!?』

『Meg-samaaa!?』

Shou-chan and Homura-kun were frantically trying to calm me down. Rai-chan and Ryoku-kun seemed troubled. That’s right, you weren’t with me back then. Sorry for making you worry! Calm down, calm down, Meg! This is bad!

『Master, calm down and take a deep breath. I’m sure everyone will figure something out if we just get through this match.』

Shizuku-chan calmly gave me that advice. That’s right, deep breaths. I slowly exhaled… and then looked around. Wind’s raging throughout the venue because of my magic power. Only those who are incredibly skilled would realize that it’s not caused by magic. So it doesn’t look like the spectators are panicking.

Ah, but Father-sama and Dad must be worried. And Gil-san and everyone else. Reki’s probably going to scold me later. Well, whatever, I’ll accept it.

Calm down, Meg. Look at Goot. He’s wide-eyed because of the sudden gust of wind, but I’m sure he thinks… that I used wind magic to erase his magic circle. I think. Or rather, I’ll make it seem like that’s what happened.

“Fuu-chan…!”

I somehow managed to suppress my magic power and called out to Fuu-chan. Shou-chan, reading my thoughts, transmitted it.

『Okay! Got it!』

But it’s dangerous to move, with my magic power like this. I’m sorry… The spirits, when I said that, chuckled.

『It’s fine! Because it’s Master’s magic power! Even if it’s out of control, it’s still Master’s!』

Their words, a bit provocative, made me want to cry. Sorry that I’m still so immature. But thank you for accepting me, just the way I am.

“…Please!”

『I’m going!』

I suppressed my magic power to the very limit, and then shouted. Fuu-chan then energetically flew towards Goot. It was easy to capture Goot, who’d been frozen because of the wind created by my magic power. Fuu-chan, taking advantage of the momentum, and using its own wind, instantly pushed Goot out of bounds.

Goot landed with a thud, and the wind gradually subsided. And so did my rampaging magic power.

…The entire venue was silent. D-Did I fail to gloss over it? I’m sure some people noticed, but I’d thought I’d be able to trick the regular spectators, that I’d just used a larger magic spell…

I was worried, so I quietly called out, “Kron-san.” She’d been staring at me, looking concerned, and was startled. Ah, so you also noticed. Please understand my intentions! Just as I was staring at her, sending that message, the perceptive maid nodded slightly.

“The winner, Meg!”

At Kron-san’s declaration, it felt like time started moving again in the venue. And then a few seconds later, deafening cheers erupted. Wow, that’s incredible.

That’s right! What about Goot!? Is he okay? Did my magic power affect him? I hurriedly rushed over to Goot, who was sitting there.

“Goot! I’m so sorry, are you okay!? I messed up… I lost control…!”

It might not be a convincing excuse, but it’s not exactly a lie either, that I couldn’t control it. Please forgive me!

“Eh, uh, I-I’m fine.”

“Really? You’re not hurt anywhere?”

I was worried because Goot, still dazed, just answered like that. I anxiously looked him over. Wow, the medical team’s incredible, always so calm.

“I-I’m really okay! You’re amazing, Meg. I wasn’t a match for you at all.”

“Eh…?”

Goot suddenly took my hands, which had been flailing around uselessly, and held them tightly. Now I’m the one who’s dazed.

“I realized… just how weak I am. But it also gave me confidence, that I can get even stronger! Thank you!”

“Eh? Eh? Ah… thank you…”

He then happily swung our hands back and forth. I was still bewildered, but Goot seemed so happy that I also gradually felt happy.

“Hehe~, I see, so you can talk normally, Goot. I guess you’re used to me now.”

“Eh? …Ah, w-wah! S-Sorry! I suddenly grabbed your hand… uwahhh, I’m sorry!”

He suddenly came back to his senses, his face turning bright red, and his dog ears and tail popped out. Huh? Maybe… he was just being himself because he was so excited? I hope he’ll feel comfortable enough to be like that with me from now on.

“Why are you apologizing? I like you better like this, Goot!”

So I held onto his hand, preventing him from pulling away, with that wish. And then said, “Thank you for that match.” Goot, his cheeks still slightly red, smiled and said, “You’re welcome.”

『What an adorable friendship! It’s so nice to see them shake hands after the match! But that was an incredible match! As expected of the Demon King’s daughter! The winner of the underage division is… Meg, from Ortus! Everyone, let’s give her a round of applause!!』

And then Karina-san’s cheerful voice declared the end of the underage division. I see, I won the championship… well, that’s not what’s important right now. But I won!

Eh, the championship!? That’s amazing, right!? I almost celebrated, but then I stopped.

Because… I’m sure I’m going to be scolded by the guardians! Hieeeh~…!