Hanamizuki, Because Flowers Are Not Just Beautiful
Chapter 13: The First Round of the Magic Tournament Begins!
The magic tournament was held after the graduation party of the seniors was over. As well as being a talent arena for young witches to compete and learn from each other.
“Finally the Hanatarou academy tradition is back! Yep, the magic tournament to commemorate the graduation day of our 3rd class senior brothers who graduated first from our beloved academy! I am your commentator, your most cute principal of the universe, the beautiful Carnation!”
Hanatarou Academy is a big one. The academy has a giant stadium that can accommodate more than 5 thousand spectators. The stadium is now full. In the middle of the stadium has stood a group of representative students of each class from the 1st and 2nd grades. Class 1 consists of 6 classes, A to E, as well as class 2 which amounts to 6 classes, A to E. Each class representative is 3 people.
“Of course you still remember the rules and conditions of this tournament. This magic tournament consists of 3 rounds. First is the agility test, second is the magic ability test, and last is the one-on-one dueling round. Every year we as teacher staff and also the judges who are none other than your class brothers compose different types of exams. So too with this year. This tournament will end if the third round is a one-on-one duel, only one participant remains. Can't wait, what's the tournament like?”
The atmosphere of the stadium was boisterous again with the cheers of the team supporters and the shouting voice of the girl who was so excited.
“Yo! You guys are ready, right?”
“K-we are still nervous, sensei~”
The class that Riri built was class 1-E. Yes, the lowest class. Represented by Amaryliss, Elder, and Iris.
“What teleport magic does sensei teach that will come in handy in this first round? Sensei said labyrinth right?”
“What's with that black gray hair of yours sensei? Sensei is in good health, right?”
The question from Iris and Elder was only answered with Riri's grin. Then he lifted his thumb with confidence.
“Trust me, in addition to teleport magic, right I have also given special training at that time! It must be useful!”
“B-useful from the moment anyway..your special training is...”.
The special training that Riri gave was indeed quite tiring and.
***
“B-camping?”
“Yup, but only until later in the afternoon when school hours come. In other words, you will be camping for 5 hours, starting from 12 o'clock right this afternoon!”
“Sensei, what does your special training mean anyway?”
Amaryliss folded her hands in annoyance. Riri simply replied with a smile.
“Hehe, of course, is special, because you are not camping in the forest or anything, but a dimension I have painstakingly made for you!”
“D-dimension?”
“That's just cepet get ready! I'll prepare a surprise for you, kkk~”
His students just nodded in confusion. After all finished preparing all the equipment, Riri raised his right hand.
“Well get ready to get into my surprise! You can't get out before you finish what's inside! Hohoho~”
Their classroom changed. The number of students in that class of no more than 20 suddenly separated entirely. They have entered into the dimensions of Riri's creation. Dimensions that look like a dark forest lush tall trees around it.
“D-dimension what the hell is this..”.
Amaryliss walked slowly towards a river. How shocked when he saw his reflection in the reflection of the river water.
“A-what is it? Is that me?”
“Yes, it's you.”
Amaryliss was surprised when her reflection in the river sprang up, then stood in front of her.
“A-what the fuck is this?! Is this space and time magic that creates a terrifying imagination?! What are you!?”
The Amaryliss shadow in front of him had only white and black. His eyes are sharper too.
“By just looking at it, you know? I am you, in another world.”
“A-what?”
“Well, the game has just started.”
“S-sensei!? You're here, right?! What does this game mean!?”
Shouted Amaryliss exasperatedly. Unfortunately, the surroundings are quiet, there is no one.
“Why are you looking for one that doesn't exist? Isn't there me here?”
Unbeknownst to Amaryliss, the black-and-white shadow suddenly stood behind her and touched Amaryliss' cheek.
“No!! What the hell are you!?”
Amaryliss hurriedly jumped away from him. Her shadow only smiled disdainfully.
“You're human, right?”
“Hah?”
“Man has a dark and light side. Color black and white, yin and yang. I am your dark side, Amaryliss-chan.”
“K-you said...my dark side?”
“You don't want me to beat, do you?”
“A-what did you say?!”
“If you lose to me, then you will bear the shame of your whole life for losing to yourself.”
Amaryliss clenched her hands.
“Oh my beautiful flower spirit Amaryliss! Show me your form!”
A little girl appeared in front of Amaryliss, her face was similar to her, the only difference was her height and shorter hair.
“Pagi~ onee-chan..”
The girl greeted the shadow of Amaryliss in front of her with a plain face.
“Ama-chan! I'm here know!”
“Whose front is that?”
“P- Anyway we have to beat him! Give up all your abilities!”
Similar to Amaryliss, the shadow also has the exact same flower spirit, only the color distinguishes it.
“If this happens, why bring all camping equipment? Stupid riri-sensei!”
When the time has shown at 6 pm, Riri's artificial dimension disappears.
“Hoam...has finished yes?”
Riri looked at the tired look on the faces of his students as he rubbed his eyes, the camping equipment still on their backs.
“Where, exciting right?”
“SERU WHAT IS IT ANYWAY?! KEEP DOING WHAT TOLD US TO BRING CAMPING EQUIPMENT!? WHY DOES SENSEI HIMSELF EVEN SLEEP!?”
Riri was just grinned when all her students protested.
“Ehem, so, already lost yet?”
“K-lost?”
“If you have, then you understand right?”
The whole class was silent.
“Why...sensei asks us to beat...our own shadow…? That's too impossible.”
All the schoolgirls who heard Iris' words nodded slowly. Riri just folded his hands together while moving his right index finger.
“At least you guys already understand why I give this kind of training.”
Look Riri's eyes turned serious. His students were surprised to see him.
“I feel your idealismE who hates men has begun to diminish. The proof is you want to get this exercise from me?”
Riri returned to grinning mischievously.
“I-itu—”
“Yap, enough practice today, see you tomorrow!”
***
“Look, if we lose because of your useless training, I will make a calculation with you once again!”
Amaryliss pointed at Riri boldly. Riri simply replied to him with a grin.
“Haha, can too. But I'm sure you guys will definitely make it in this first tournament!”
“Eh?”
“To all participants, please enter the arena immediately!”
Yet Elder still felt an uneasy aura around him. The feeling of self-confidence that is still felt.
“Come quickly hurry up!”
Riri said to the 3 students who looked still hesitant. Seeing that suddenly Riri patted their back.
“Aww!! What are you doing sensei!?”
“You can definitely! Class 1-E is no longer the same class!”
Riri's words made Amaryliss, Elder and Iris dumbfounded, let alone the look in Riri's eyes looking at them confidently.
“I-iya...right..we..
Looking at the Elder who was starting to rise from his doubts, it seemed to seep into Amaryliss as well as Iris. They nodded to each other 3.
The 3rd rushed towards the arena. Riri felt their spirits rise even though not completely.
“Looks like you're really fit to be a teacher huh, Riri-kun!”
“W-whoaa! Carnation-ne—eh senpai!”
Riri jumped as Carnation suddenly got behind him without a presence.
“Hee want to call me nee-san? You may! I miss Riri-kun's cute call to me!”
“A-what are you doing here? Aren't you the tournament commentator?”
“You yourself why are you here? I almost announced you couldn't attend!”
“Hee you already know that my advantage is always ready on the important day?”
“I-iya anyway but why is your silver hair so blackened so?”
Riri touched her hair. “Senpai forgot? Back when I was on a lot of teaching assignments, this black gray hair made all my silver hair covered! After it was lost by itself and—”
Suddenly Riri's body shrugged, but with a swift Camelyum that appeared in human form immediately held him back.
“Master!”
“No, what I said!”
Riri just grinned while raising her right hand.
“What, it's okay, I was just a little dizzy earlier.”
“Really?”
Riri stood up straight and nodded.
“After all I don't want to break the spirit of the 1-E.” class children
“Riri, Camelyum-chan has told me that you have one ultimate style, but can only be used once because it drains a lot of mana. So that's why you fell asleep for 3 days?”
Riri straightened her neck. “H-finished you yourself know that I suck in magic—”
“That alone can't force yourself to do that! You have Camelyum to be your partner, right? So you two should work together! You don't have to try yourself, do you?”
Riri simply replied to him with a grin.
“Iya yes... I want to see as great as this tournament, until later—”
Riri walks away from Carnation and Camelyum returns to Riri's necklace. Carnation only sighed resignedly.
“That kid from the past was stubborn indeed.”.
***
“As previously announced, the first round is a test of dexterity. For this dexterity test, the special stadium of Hanatarou academy has prepared a giant labyrinth that every participant will pass!”
In the middle of the stadium stands a giant maze of green with various flowers on each wall of grass. From above it looks more beautiful.
The elder, Amaryliss, and Iris stood in front of the starting line aisle. Followed by other participants on the left and right sides. Behind them were Alstromeria and Typha who were in charge of observing the course of this first round.
“Hey isn't that E class kids?”
“Why are they following?”
“Confidence once they?”
“Don't they already know they're going to lose?”
Amaryliss was silent at the whispers of his opponents from another class. The elder beside him held his hand.
“This time we can definitely, Riri-sensei already trust us.”
Amaryliss and Iris nodded. They looked forward to each other bravely.
“This first round rule is, you must find your way out of this labyrinth. Unfortunately it wasn't easy, because we set up a trap magic inside. Be careful, in here will be a lot of unexpected things will happen lo...so get ready!”
“Uh...says Miss Carnation is scary yes.”.
“Of course this round was given a deadline. It's 90 minutes! Started from now!”
The sound of gunfire sign of the match began and saweran cherry blossoms also marked the start of this match. All the participants ran into the hallway.
“You can definitely, I'm sure.”
Riri who watched the 3 students began to enter the hallway from the top stadium, where the gathering of teachers and security staff, and also the room of the jury aka 3rd grade children.
“Oh, so you're the 1-E homeroom intern?”
Some 3rd graders glanced at Riri with a dislike look. But Riri replied with a polite attitude, he bowed his body and gave his greetings.
“Salam knows the alumni. I'm Riri Hanamizuki, the intern teacher in the E—” class
“No need to introduce ourselves, we won't see you again after this tournament is over.”
Said one of the students there with a ketus. Riri who was still bowing just smiled.
“You are still students, it is impolite to call a teacher like that.”
Riri raised her face and put on a lame face.
“A-what did you say?!”
“Sst, no commotion during the tournament.”
Suddenly in front of Riri appeared the little girl who blocked Riri with her sword and put a sloppy face on the 3rd class student.
“D-he started first! Who told the hell there was a man in this special academy?”
The student sat back in his place and glanced back at Riri who waved and smiled (full of victory).
“They do suck ya Typha-chan—”
“Sisswi 3rd grade is indeed so Riri-san, when they know you will be a teacher here, they look dislike.”
“But what are you doing here? Aren't you watching this match with Alstromeria?”
“I'm just taking a walk for a while. Too long standing it's boring.”
***
The green labyrinth filled with flowers had turned into a mist and dark. All participants are separate. The goal is only one, find a way out.
“What kind of magic will come out..?”
It had been 30 minutes since the start of the first half. Amaryliss walked through the maze slowly. There are many turns in front of him. Of course this is the first time for the 1-E class to enter the tournament again after a long time not participating because ‘always lost’.
“Do I have to try that teleport magic…? But what should I imagine to use it?”
Amaryliss stepped on something. A blue flower petal. Iris Flower.
“Huh? Was that big chest through here?”
BRAAKK!
“S-what's that sound?”
Hearing a loud voice not far from him, Amaryliss ran around looking for the source of the sound.
“Hold miss Iris!”
“Why? Confess defeat? Don't expect that Riri Hanamizuki will come here and help you again!”
It was indeed Iris, who was fighting with one of the members of Kuroi Uta, Foxglove.
“A-what is it? W-who is he?!”
“K-you?! Don't shut up, help me!”
“Hah?”
“Because of you!”
The foxglove attack leads to Amaryliss who is completely unprepared.
YO!!
The cannon attack launched by Foxglove was successfully repelled by the spirit of flowers belonging to Iris.
“You why is it silent anyway?! Quickly get out your flower spirit, fool!”
“A-what did you say?! Just saying I'm stupid! Who is she anyway? Participants too?”
“Have you finished talking ladies?”
The Foxglove fired its cannons back against Iris and Amaryliss who were running around.
“If not fought he will shoot continuously! We have to find the exit from here!”
“Iya I know!”
YO !! YO !!
“Gee the flower spirit of Amaryliss! Bring out your beauty!!”
The spirit of Amaryliss flowers appeared and fired a rapid fire at Foxglove.
“While it could overwhelm him! Now tell me what is it?!”
“Rigger boy! I can find you anywhere!!”
Amaryliss and Iris hid in the hallway some distance from the Foxglove site which was obliterating the fire that burned it because of the Amaryliss attack earlier.
“He's a freak who attacked me the other day! And who beat him..”.
“You right?! How to beat it?”
“T-no...Riri-sensei did it..”.
“Hah?!”
“Rigger boy! I'll kill you!”
“Wire!!”
Amaryliss and Iris ran again after hearing the sound of cannon fire from a distance.
“Hei! If only running for free! How could he just appear and how could Riri-sensei defeat him?!”
“I-it..I accidentally thought of that person when Riri-sensei defeated him.. But I don't know why he suddenly appeared!”.
“Don't this one of these labyrinth trap magic?”
“Delusion magic?”
“Ya!”
Amaryliss and Iris stopped running. They are back with Foxglove.
“Why stop? Already admitted to losing yes?”
***
“The remaining time is only 20 minutes! There were already representatives from grade 2 A, C, and D who had made it out! What about the rest?”
The audience could not see clearly how the participants were fighting for a way out, because the labyrinth was covered in thick fog.
“So this was deliberately yes..the idea who the hell is the first test of this labyrinth?”
“That was one of the ideas of a 3rd grader, he said he was inspired by his novel Harry Potter.”
Riri patted her forehead. “Your imagination is amazing whoever you are Miss!”
Riri was still standing next to the judges, the 3rd grade children. One of those holding a Harry Potter novel bowed in shame.
“See, surely the class 1-E failed again, the time is only 20 minutes away, definitely will not have time to find a way out! We have made the labyrinth as difficult and interesting as possible to pass, right?”
“True!”
Riri who heard it became upset.
“Can you guys be quiet? You think my students will fail?! Just look, if they succeed, retract those words!”
“What did you say?!”
“Sorry, no fuss here.”
Again Typha passed it with her tiny body.
“I'm so helped you're here, Typha-chan.”
“Give me, Riri-san.”
Seeing that Typha and Riri looked familiar, the 3rd class student who always had a fuss with her was upset.
“Hei Typha-san! Why are you so close to that guy?!”
“Because I like Riri-san.”
Riri jumped in shock. “W-woo, k-you said what the hell Typha?!”
Typha just winked innocently. “I'm serious.”
Riri smiled stiffly. “K-we just continue watching it..”.
***
“Where else do I have to turn? Time is running low..”
In front of the Elder again turns and turns.
“Gi-how is this? I must have made a wrong turn again!”
“Trust me, in addition to teleport magic right I have also given a special training at that time! It must be useful!”
“Magic teleport...but how? I don't even know what this labyrinth exit looks like if I want to use it!”
Suddenly the Elder stopped. He saw his palm. When holding Amaryliss's hesitant hand.
“Amary-chan—”
“E-Elder-chan!?”
Suddenly Elder was already in the middle of Amaryliss and Iris who were facing Foxglove.
“Hwaaa! Wh-what is it?!”
“Elder-chan! You're using teleport!”
“K-giggler so—”
“Good that you are here! Your spirit can eliminate hallucinations, right? Let's get it out quickly!”
Pinta Amaryliss, without even having a chance to ask Elder directly took it out.
“Our beautiful flower spirit, beautiful and graceful Sambucus nigra, take out your form, and show your beauty!”
A tall man with blonde hair appeared. Carrying a long slender sword. Spirit flower Elder.
“Greetings ladies, and—eh!? W-why did I show up in a place like this?!”
“S-it's Sam-kun! Quickly remove your power and destroy the hallucinations up ahead!”
“B-good Elder-sama!”
The man readied the horses with his slender long sword, and dashed towards the Foxglove who was ready to attack the cannon back.
THE SRATTSSSS!!!!
Sure enough, the Foxglove vanished instantly after the Elder's slender sword slashed at him.
“True, just hallucina—”
“Elder-chan! Your flower spirit is so handsome!”
“A-anu..”.
Iris seemed to sparkle to see the spirit of the Elder flower which was in the form of a blond and tall man. Elders rarely bring out their flower spirits at school.
“Dengerin me dong hey big chest!”
Amaryliss's grumbling was irritated. He looked at his watch, 10 minutes left before the first half was over.
“H-hey! We need to find the exit! The remaining time is a little!”
“T-but where else should we go?”
“Ehem~”
Sambucus cleared his throat with his heavy voice. “Elder-sama, I was surprised because you called me in such a strange place, apparently you guys are having an exam huh?”
“S-Sam-kun! Use your ability to find the right path! C'mon!”
“He? Isn't that cheating? Is this a labyrinth? Not cool dong if I help—”
“Till half way! I beg!”
The elder rubbed his hands together begging. Sambucus took his breath.
“Aah I did not have the heart to refuse my non request. Alright Elder-sama, I will just give you a hint, then please find a way out!"