The afternoon session is a "Golem competition" in which participants throw a ball at a target 50 meters away and compete in accuracy.

The diameter of the circular target is 3 meters, and concentric circles are drawn on it.

Within the 3-meter circle, there are three circles of 2 meters, 1 meter, and 30 centimeters, each with a different score.

The outermost 3-meter circle gives 10 points, the 2-meter circle gives 30 points, the 1-meter circle gives 60 points, and the 30-centimeter circle gives 60 points. 60 points for the outermost 3-meter circle, 100 points for the 1-meter circle, and 100 points for the 30-centimeter circle.

After one practice throw, each player can throw three times, and the two highest scores are counted for the points.

First, practice. The players go around in order of their numbers.

Now, each player has finished practicing. First, let's start with number 1, Stahlritter!　He's ready to throw ......!　30 points!

It's not easy to get the hang of it after one practice, but Stahlritter hit the target out of the blue.

You can see the blue marks on the target.

Next up was number 2, Zabela. He threw it!　Thirty points!

Both number 1 and number 2 hit the target. Excellent!

I thought the high scores would continue, but then came numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6 in a row, all without scores.

I guess it's difficult to score runs.

（I can't see it well, but I think the balls you're throwing aren't round, Reiko.)

（Yes, Father. They are irregularly shaped.)

(Yes, Father.) That's because the target is colored when it is hit, so the structure is an iron ball as a core, and a cloth containing ink is wrapped around it.

The second throw is made with red ink, and the third throw is made with black ink.

The second throw is a ball of red ink, and the third one is a ball of black ink, but because of the air resistance, the ball does not go where the player wants it to go.

Number 15, 10 points!

Number 16, ten points!

However, there were a few who scored on their first throw.

And number 40.

30 points!　The third one with 30 points!

Donald Callow's old warrior (Altkrieger) is a good performer, Jin thought.

Then came number 41, which also caught Jin's attention.

Another 30 points!　That's four!

(As I thought, this guy can't be underestimated. ......)

Jin was even more alarmed.

And now for the second round, starting with number 41!

grabs a red-colored ball this time. He then throws .......

Oh, wow!　100 points!　He got 100 points!

(I knew you were a quick learner. ......)

The fact that he is not only a quick learner of a particular technique tells us that his control core has a lot of processing power.

Jin would like to analyze it carefully at his side.

The test proceeded.

I did it!　I did it!　Altkrieger 40, you scored 100 points!

Altkrieger seemed to have improved his accuracy the second time around.

And No. 35, Iron Warrior, got 30 points, and No. 16, Blue Knight, also got 30 points. The top team scored well.

The top players were surely scoring points.

Both No. 2 Zerberer and No. 1 Stahlritter scored 60 points.

For the third and final time, for crying or for laughing!

This time it's the third and final attempt! He throws a black ball.

Too close!　Stahlritter, number 1, he's down to 30 points!

The first time was 30 points, the second time was 60 points, and the third time was 30 points. The first time was 30 points, the second time was 60 points, and the third time was 30 points, so adding the top two times, 30 + 60 = 90 points, which is the score for the Steel Knight (Stahlritter). This is the score of the Steel Knight (Stahlritter).

Zerberer, No. 2, again with 60 points!

Number 16, the Blue Knight, 30 points!

Number 35, Iron Warrior, with 60 points!

Number 40, Altkrieger, too bad!　Sixty points!

The last time he scored 100 points, but this time, the ink ball seemed to have been poorly made, and the trajectory of the ball was not set right, so he ended up with 60 points.

And the number 41.

[Claire] I threw it!　...... I did it!　Another 100 points!　This is amazing!

At this point, was in first place.

After all.

1st place, Phantom, 100 + 100 = 20 Zero points

Second place: The Old Warrior (Altkrieger) 100 + 60 = 16 0 points

3rd Zerberer 60 + 60 = 120 points

4th Steel knight (Stahlritter) 30 + 60 = 90 points

4th Iron Warrior (Iron Warrior): 30 + 60 = 90 points

The fourth place is the same ratio.

The popular "Blue Knight" ranked 8th with 60 points.

Now, the target shooting is over, and today's competition is over. ...... commentator Mr. Tolff, you have narrowed down the top ranks.

That's right. The lower ranks have no points, so it will be difficult for them to recover from this.

Tomorrow, we'll have free skating and mock trials.

I'm looking forward to it. Especially the free style competition, where each contestant will show his or her own unique style.

It's almost 4:00 p.m.

Then it's time to end today's broadcast. The commentator is Mr. Torfedest, a.k.a. Torf, and I, M.S. Saston, a.k.a. M.S. Shi, your host.

See you tomorrow.

Thus ended the first day of the Golem Competition (Gompetition).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Hmmm... ......"

Jin was sitting on the sofa in the guest room prepared for him, pondering.

"Brother Jin, what are you thinking about?　Why don't you take a break?"

Just then, Elsa came in with a glass of crimson-colored fresh juice.

"Oh, thank you. I was thirsty."

"Mmm."

Jin received the juice from Elsa and drank half of it in one gulp.

"This is delicious. But I've never tasted it before.

"It's <>. It's made from a fruit from the Kingdom of Celuloa called Zakul.

Elsa explains that it tastes too sour on its own, so they add sugar to adjust the acidity.

Since sugar is used, it seems to be classified as a luxury beverage.

"It's sweet and sour and delicious.

"Mmm, but it has sugar in it, doesn't it?　I bet the original juice is sour. ......"

Correct.

was a fruit similar to what we call in modern Japan.

Jin drank the other half of the juice and said thank you to Erza. Then he continued,

"At ......, you know. I just noticed number 41 who jumped in this time. That's probably not the same one that showed up in the Kingdom of Egelea.

I mentioned what I had noticed during the daytime competition.

"What do you mean ...... Oh, <>?"

Jin nodded.

"Correct. I didn't even feel like I was using gravity magic. He's just a little heavier, not five times heavier."

"You mean there's more than one ...... mystery golem?"

"That's what I was wondering."