Once Upon the Hallway Grail War

I have a confession.

I didn't want to involve myself in the problem at all. It was only an option, and I didn't exactly lock myself in yet. I might have my chances if I pulled a reversal─where I would join their faction and call it a day. Truth is─whatever move I made in the moment, it wouldn't have made any difference.

As soon as any output has been hindered, a mage can only consider being beaten aside.

Otherwise, nothing happens at all because we were conditioned that our only weapons were magic.

Unless someone in the crowd has seen the system absurd and trained himself out from what's normal, then I'm halfly doomed.

From both perspectives, I'd like to avoid rumbling with my fellow mages.

I could avoid it by the bandwagon betrayal plan, like I said.

It turns out I am not the kind of person to know about social parties but ditch parties─so the sight wasn't any fun at all.

Yeah, it's my stopping point.

I've always known that I'm quick to bail out on problems. I could be a shit fuck of an escapist, exerting a huff of cowardice even when I could solve almost each and every problem thrown at anyone and everyone. When it counts, I do not hold onto naivete for such times─which I hate in all possible angles.

It might be fun if I'm one of the opposition.

I could force Miss Ayanami to leave school, but the possibility has decidedly become impossible.

Considering that I have the reliance of a number─the loathsome deity Hotei, our spider instructor, and most recently my accomplice's twin brother─I can't crush their hopes, can I?

Well, it's not a noble thought and in any case, if I join this opposition group─I'd clearly be turning against myself.

May they be direct or indirect supporters of our villainess, if I raise the white flag then and there, I'd be bitterly slapped in the face.

Scary eyes: the coordinated line of mages readied their resolve and knuckles. Their eyes darted towards me, as if I'm about to be hunted. They weren't dumb enough to think they've turned their tides─a plan has been laid and the schemer observes from elsewhere safe.

It would have been easier if they were disposable small fries, but they don't seem to be the way at all.

My disadvantage weighs down the scale, a forefront dilemma, but there's nothing I can do but to exert my chances and plan contingencies.

And so, I plunged through from a no-plan surprise maneuver.

Here's the thing.

I've always seen the system as absurd, prompting me to take aikido and jujitsu lessons.

Next thing I knew, a coordinated jab was thrown in my direction.

Power Mages are scarce in the school: the only one to exist in the neighborhood right now would be my reclusive sister.

In all likelihood, none of them has taken interest in studying physical combat.

I wouldn't know what can happen aside from intense battlecries as they wave their fists, maneuver for both maladroit and intensive alike.

When a certain first year aimed for my head, I blocked his punch.

I readily stepped forward, wedged my hand onto his underarm─and flipped him down the floor. It's normal to pin him down, and carefully assess his motivation to fall out. I could have done so if he was only my opponent, the next moment, I had to leave him be and repress the second body shot.

Rinsed and repeated, naturally, variations for each but essentially the same maneuverability.

It's within calculations.

Well, some people definitely know martial arts one way or another. It's not unforgivable even, most have invested decent skill points… I'm receiving harm despite the resilience. I'll take it that I'm only standing because I'm assuming a defensive stance.

I don't know if it's my keen senses as a trained combatant, but my survivability when facing amateur opponents is high.

After taking another man down, another high kick ran rampant.

Physical rushes cast upon, the best way to prevent any damage is a stopping force. Something like a wall of wind or an impregnable shield. Invoking imagination, it'd be nice if a portal emerges overhead and drops me a shield… magic is sealed at the moment, I get it.

"Spirits of the fireflies, heed my call and unleash your apostle's caged vengeance!"

Spoken spells, and a quickly chained spell circle: reality took the bitch role─as if an act of contempt, a charge of concentrated mana suddenly overtook the space.

A chilling sensation ran through the arms going up to the head.

A trabeated bolt of fire aimed for my torso: some deja vu concerning Miss Ayanami's psychical denomination came to mind. I only dodged, the classic avoidance by a hair's breadth having been activated. Smell of mana wafted out of the flame─and someone was heard clicking their tongue.

Black Magic.

All processes either declined themselves or has hastened.

Withal, the barrier erected for the campus has been pinpointed for one person alone.

Nicely executed, no realization given for the sudden movement.

"Ha-ha, things just got out of hand."

All of them could use magic now.

All the while, I'm limited to my slight knowledge of jujitsu.

They won't be charging forth anymore.

Everyone backed off when I realized the trouble─and they didn't waste time chanting their spells. The first year's hallway became laden with layers of spell circles: the vanguards sporting Black, the middle group ready to cast their Time chains and Light shields, and the backmost conditioned to observe and heal… all so coordinated I could have frowned.

Even the others I've knocked down recovered from their fall, and regrouped to act as interceptors.

Wouldn't the situation call for an aggressive nail-biting procedure?

It was excruciating for me to even allow people to back me in a corner.

It'd have been unfruitful for them if I wasn't captured or battered out to unconsciousness. I'd like to think it didn't concern death, because I was a highly acclaimed figurehead─and I don't suppose they want to be criminals. Granted, without any hesitations, a volley of "coordinated" projectile conjurations.

Nothing to do but dodge and parry their cordial manifestations.

I'd be swift in my feet alone, letting me lean to my left as if I was trying to stick my body in a wall in that very corridor.

The moment I leaned, a charged voltfire passed over, slightly hitting my abdomen… and took a button off my uniform.

Intuition has to take anyone leaving holes in my body.

At the end of it, I'll be murdered.

There's a lot to think about the situation, but I'd thought of them holding back from clogging myself with thoughts.

I…

It was time to discard the needless pride─and cheat, as any other person with resources would do.

It was a sea of mages albeit budding first year students, there was no expanding my chances. Soon after I dodged the glades of ice, more power projectiles such as knives of wind, fireballs, exploding water balloons, and more of different varieties, ran through as if that certain crowd weren't giving the littlest fuck if they'd destroy a school property or two. I'm only relying on my instincts─cumbersomely on a tantamount of stress that in the next instant, the place had gone stiff and what should be animated got inanimate.

Back when moments ago, the crowd were crazy over trying to hit their target.

Now, they were cordially frozen in time, unable to execute their plans any further.

Helping hand from one of the Seven Gods.

Courtesy of Benzaiten: abiding from an undisclosed agreement hooking Hotei as a coordinator.

I had no choice.

I could only look forward, walking and geared to see wretched villainess, most likely, waiting in the classroom holding the mysterious new student hostage.

Again, it's a wishful thought.

I didn't really want to see her so I hoped to open the door without seeing them.

It would have been easier if the Gods didn't act like the Watcher and cooperated on a sympathetic relation, either sharing with the events or whatnot… I'd have to literally sacrifice memory in order to command them, and firsthand information costs more than stopping time so─ditch it.

Once I reached the knob, I asked Benzaiten to accelerate its time, enabling me to open it and enter inside.

I sold him another fragment of memory.

Again.

Ayase Kyoukaisenjou lifted Nayami Ayanami, strangled in suspension.

Only the two remained, our desks and chairs were destroyed and scattered everywhere.

As Tsukuyomi said, no other student from our class remained.

Also, I haven't seen any of my classmates lurking outside the classroom.

Tsukuyomi must have been the closest person in the zone.

Not to mention, I still have to be wary of whoever was the strong Space Mage who was able to vindicate seasoned mages out of the picture.

For another─did they miss out on transporting Aya and Miss Ayanami out of the classroom?

Alright, again, there's no use thinking about it.

I touched Aya's shoulder.

Immediately, I had her time accelerate to my time in order for any attack on her body take effect, immediately.

Due to my slowness anyway, she felt my hand before I could take her down. She leaned on her shoulder blade, immediately removing my left hand away. Seemingly plausible for her to remove my grip, I let go of her─but lavishly wasting another memory sacrificed.

Benzaiten altered her gravity and pressed her to the wall.

"Yukihime, how in hell?!"

No other expression─Aya would have only been bedazzled, which her countenance screamed for the matter.

I stood in front of her: now, what else can I say aside from what happened?

"I hate to say this but, in our world written in a word processor." I know as she knows, damningly out of everyone else who should know. "You simply can't hold a candle over a deus ex machina."