The day before the opening ceremony of the <<World Martial Arts Tournament>>.

Participants and companions, including Hayato and Emilia, took off in 2 aircrafts towards Calbrera Island where the venue was located, while being sent off by many residents of Little Garden. Calbrera Island is originally an uninhabited island, located on the eastern coast of the continent of Liberia, on the side of the?Sunshine State?District.

Along with the decision to hold the <<World Martial Arts Tournament>>. It was purchased by Warslan Company from an individual owner, and development was advancing at a quick pace.

It’s said that in the future people will come and go from the moon base and the earth as this will not only be used as a souvenir facility but also as a sightseeing facility.

The air trip from Little Garden to Calbrera Island is a little over four hours.

Members who are focused to participate in team battles are on board of the personal airplane <<WL – 03>> and the rest of the people who are being transported in a jet airplane, landed around in the afternoon at a temporary airport built on Calbrera Island.

Little Garden attends together with more than thirty households.

First of all, they will move on a reserved bus to the hotel that they are lodging.

It’s a beautiful beach that you can’t think that people’s hands didn’t get in until several months ago.

After five minutes, the bus stops as soon as it reaches the section where buildings of thirty or forty stories are lining up, including those still under construction.

It can be seen from the window that its height is near twenty stories high, and from the style of the gate that it’s a splendid hotel.

– So this is the hotel that we are going to lodge, right?

Emilia asks Claire who is sitting in the front seat.

– Yes, as you said desuwa.

At the same time Claire replied, Hayato noticed that Warslan Company’s company badge was drawn on the signboard of the hotel. It’s possible that Warslan Company is doing the administration.

– However, it is only for the members who participate in team battles desu. The other members will be at the hotel that can be seen over there masuwa.

Claire turned her index finger towards outside the window. Beyond there a hotel of around 15 stories high is located, and it would take near 3 minutes on foot from this place to get there.

– After all it is the same as with the airplanes, the place that we are lodging is different from Hayato-san and the others.

Noah murmured that mixed with a sigh.

While the hotel in front of them looks like a five-star super luxury hotel, the one that they are going to stay at seems to be a three-star rating.

– Oh well, in the end we are no more than attendants.

It was Shuemei who said so in order to soothe.

From the first year of Little Garden’s Martial Arts Department, Ryu Shuemei and Noah Sheldon, and together with those two, Alphonse Brewstadt, are the attendants for the <<World Martial Arts Tournament>>, and together with Hayato and company, were visiting Calbrera Island.

Speaking of those three, it was because they raised their hands when the Student Council was recruiting attendants.

Those three people were chosen in consideration of the results of the people closely related to the participants of the <<Campus Martial Arts Competition>>.

– But even us, for the time being, will participate in the tournament..

– Well, that can be so but..

Indeed――

Both Shuemei and Noah are supposed to participate in individual battles of the <<World Martial Arts Tournament>>.

Shuemei, Noah and Alphonse were told about that after having decided to become attendants.

– Participate in a single match and try your own power.

That was suddenly told from Claire.

Naturally the three of them as well as the students of the Martial Arts Department from different years, were surprised.

It was because they couldn’t remain as one of the best 16 of the <<Campus Martial Arts Competition>>, let alone finalists of the tournament.

But Claire said that [the result doesn’t matter], and a relieving air started to flow.

– It is a great opportunity to try out how much ability you have, a test outside the school is a good experience.

Something similar to that.

– However, I believe that you should fight for the name of Little Garden in order to not besmirch its name masuwa. Have you understood desuwane?

Despite being nervous about the words of Claire, Shuemei and the others answered firmly with a [Yes!].

And thus, the reason why they are in this place.

Of course, there are also a few people who are attending to participate in single matches by their own will. Kenzaki Touka is one of them.

It looks like she heard the story of Shuemei and Noah. Claire said to answer the conversation of the two.

– Although certainly the hotel’s appearance and status are different, it does not change that it is from the same keiretsu* of Warslan, and the food served during the morning, noon and evening is the same.

*TN: Conglomeration of businesses linked by cross-shareholdings.

– Eh? Is that so!?

It was Alphonse that go up without a moment’s delay, and gave a happy voice.

– Surely, there will be plenty of delicious things, isn’t it??

– Ufufu, you are looking forward to it desuwayo. Besides, those who stay at that hotel are authorized people from Little Garden and Warslan Company. There are officials of Liberia and Federation of Britannia, but they are friendly people, and because security is also solid, so it is fine to say that you can rest assured at that place desuwa.

In other words, the possibility of terrorism and conflict to occur it’s said to be extremely low.

– After that.. oh right desuwane. Sakura-san and Karen-san will be at the same hotel as ours, but I have heard that there is a business meeting right away――

– Claire-sama, it seems that the pickup has just arrived.

The eyes of Erika who said that, are pointing outside the window. It was Sakura who gave a voice afterwards.

– Really, Souffle!?

′- Yes, it’s Souffle-san.

Karen said following Sakura.

So when Hayato looks outside the window, he can see Souffle Clearrail coming out from the hotel bringing two hotel-keepers with her. Souffle is Sakura’s and Karen’s manager.

– Members of team battles will descend here masuwa. In this way the bus will take the rest and head for the hotel to stay masu. You are free to do what you want after arrival. However, those participating in single matches should take time to rest for tomorrow. Just because the meals are delicious, overeating is strictly prohibited desuwayo.

Smiling while saying that, Claire continued.

– Well then, see you tonight―― let’s meet at the opening ceremony.

Preliminaries for single matches will be held shortly after the opening ceremony.

So Claire went down from the bus by blasting. Subsequently Hayato and Emilia also bid farewell to Shuemei, Noah, Alphonse, and Touka and got off the bus.

Karen and Sakura also get off the bus.

Then Souffle who was approaching, called them out.

– Claire-san. Hayato-san and everyone, it has been a while. Thank you very much for bringing along Sakura and Karen until here.

After saying so, and lightly lowering her head, Souffle sets her eyes to Sakura and Karen.

– You will be moving to the stadium soon. Just take what you need now, and deposit the rest of your bags here. I will bring you to the room.

– Understood. Karen-chan, have you separated the necessary luggage?

– Yes, it’s done.

Sakura and Karen took out only small items such as small bags, wallets, PDAs, and gave into custody the suitcases to the hotel-keepers.

– Well then Nii-san, see you later.

– See you then, Hayato-kun.

The two of them and Souffle got into the courtesy car and begin to move.

After seeing them off, Hayato and everyone of the members participating in team battles, decided to check-in in their respective hotels.

– Oh, my room and Hayato’s room are next to each other.

– U?, mine is at the upper floor.. hey, Fritz. Will you exchange room with me? My room is next to Latia’s..

– Emilia Hermit, what are you talking about masuno? It is decided that men and women are in different floors.

– ..eh? For real?

– It is obvious desuwa.

Claire sighs like being amazed.

– Besides, we have not come to sightsee desu. Because as members of team battles, as representatives of the organization, and unlike other people, we will be in trouble if we do not possess a firm awareness masuwa.

– Yeah yeah, I know I know..

Emilia clogs her ears with both hands to not hear the scolding. From there, Erika butted into the conversation.

– Claire-sama, the time for the representative meeting is approaching.

– It’s already that time desuno?

Claire checks the time with the PDA.

The time for the meeting has certainly drew near.

– The representative meeting is supposed to be for the three members of the Student Council masu. Each of you are free to spend your time until the friendly reunion at night desuwa.

– ..then, does that mean that we can look around this island?

– That is correct, there is no problem wayo.

Claire replies to Emilia’s doubt.

– However, you must absolutely not spend your time beyond the friendly reunion. Are we clear desuwane?

After Hayato and the others returned an answer. Claire, together with Liddy and Erika, climbed the elevator while rolling the suitcase themselves. They will go to the meeting after putting their luggage towards their respective rooms.

– Well then, Hayato. Let’s go to put the luggage in our rooms too. After that, let’s gather here in this lobby.

– That means, that we are going to look around the island without taking a rest? Are you really fine with that..?

Hayato said, amazed.

He was so excited, with his heart going *DOKI* *DOKI* about leaving Little Garden for an extended period of time to then head to Calbrera Island that he could not sleep well yesterday. Therefore, he thought that he would take a short break if he entered the room.

– I’ve got tired of moving, but we are not fighting tomorrow. From tomorrow the number of ordinary guests will also increase, so if we go around watching the island it has to be today.

– That certainly might be a reason, huh.

Hayato is convinced by Emilia’s words.

There is a certain feeling that he wants to see the island, and then it may be good if it’s today.

Similarly to Hayato, Latia also thought.

– In that case, can we go look around the island together?

She asked to Hayato and Emilia from the side. Then she looked at Fritz.

– ..of course, you also want to go look around together?

– If you say something like that, then I will go with you but――

While answering to Latia, Fritz looked at Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri.

– Are you coming with us?

– I’m not going.

– I think’ the same.

Nakri immediately showed consent to the words of Krovahn who responded frankly and continued.

– Sorry, but I won’t be with you, even if it’s going around the island.

Nakri walked to the elevator and pushed the button. The door opens soon and goes into it. Those three, Nakri, Krovahn and Nesat live under the same roof in Little Garden. Similarly, the same room was specially prepared in this hotel. It’s because that person can easily monitor the movement of those three people.

Though they did great efforts in the?Third Attack, the monitoring of the three people was not solved. Therefore, the three rooms are on the same floor of Claire’s room and the members of the Student Council’s rooms, and a surveillance camera is also installed at the entrance.

Following Nakri, Krovahn also enters the elevator.

However, a person――.

Only Nesat doesn’t move.

She stood still and stared at a certain boy.

It’s Kisaragi Hayato.

Hayato noticed that glance.

(Perhaps she wants to go with us?)

To Hayato, her eyes seemed to appeal so. Thinking about making sure of that, Hayato tries to call her out.

– He――

However, his voice was drowned out by the voice of Krovahn that puts over him.

– Hey, Nee-chan. Why are you standing there doing nothing? Let’s go.

– ..Ah! Yes, got it..

While looking back at Hayato and the others several times, Nesat gets into the elevator.

The door of the elevator closes, and the trio disappears.

(After all, she might wanted to go..)

Hayato thinks so, that is, because he noticed that she was turning her little sorrowful face at him. But still, he couldn’t call her out.

(I should have called her out, right..?)

A voice caught on Hayato who was thinking about that while looking at the door of the elevator.

– Is something wrong, Hayato? Come and get in, we are already here.

It belongs to Emilia.

– Eh..? Oh, right..

Looking there, Fritz and Latia were already on the elevator. Hayato got into the elevator with Emilia who called him out, and ascended towards the floor where their rooms were.

Fifteen minutes after entering the room assigned to each one. Hayato and company, that means 4 people, are in the lobby where they promised to gather and went out to sightseeing Calbrera Island.

While the city is wrapped in a bright mood ahead of the festival, the figure of security guards and Liberian army wearing heavy equipment is in sight, probably as a precaution of terrorism.

Nevertheless, when Hayato and the others passed by, smiles accompanied with [Good job] or [Are you participating? Do your best] and the like greet them.

That’s because Little Garden is also one of Liberia’s companies. If they were representatives of another organization or country, it shouldn’t be the same.

– Ah, err...!

Suddenly a voice was calling them, and so Hayato and the rest stopped their feet without thinking. Then turned their eyes towards the direction of the voice. Standing there, it was a boy.

Looking at him, his age seems to be less than ten. Behind him, the figure of his parents, and a little sister could be seen. As soon as the bow saw Hayato, he immediately rushed over with a cheerful expression.

– Um, you are Kisaragi Hayato, correct?

– Well, that’s right but..

– Truly? Hooray! May I have a sign if you like?

– Huh?

Hayato rounds his eyes to the boy who thrusts before him a memo and a pen.

– ..a sign, me?

The boy nods with confidence.

– Hayato, sign it up.

– Err, but I, signing..

It’s Emilia who launched a lifeboat from the side to Hayato who is confused and can’t get a hold of that thing.

– Hayato, shouldn’t you write your name?

– Ah! .. But..

– Look!?Fan service is fan service!

– No, even if you say?fan..

Hayato received a pen and a colored paper from the boy.

– ..but, how is it that you know me?

– Perhaps, you saw that CM*?

– Ugh..

Hayato’s chest hurt when he was told about the CM.

That is at the end-of-year――

It is just before Christmas. Hayato suddenly was called by Claire and asked him to appear on the CM to announce the <<World Martial Arts Tournament>>.

Of course, Hayato refused.

It was because he didn’t think that it was his job. However, it was already decided and against his own will and with no possibility of being substituted, he was forced to shoot.

It’s possible to say that the result was terrible. He fumbled his lines completely, and his facial expression was stiff.

But that is actually being broadcasted on TV now.

Of course Hayato couldn’t watch it properly. When it’s about to be broadcasted, he changes the channel immediately. It’s like a trauma.

– That’s a reason, but I’m a fan of Hayato since before that. Actually I, at that time, I was staying in the Zwei Islands――

– Eh? That’s..

– Yes, it was at the time for the attack of the Savage. It was Hayato-san who helped the participants who came to the concert like us at that time.

– What? How is that you know that? Perhaps you saw the video of the battle that was circulating on the net?

Emilia asked visibly surprised. Because the battle of the Zwei Islands isn’t written in the profile information of Hayato published for the tournament.

– Well, Sakura-san and Karen-san were talking about Hayato-san in a magazine interview. In that, it’s written about the time of the Zwei Islands.?Thanks to Hayato-san, we can still be alive, and we can sing our songs――

– Those guys, saying such things..

– I think so too. Because of Hayato-san, I’m alive now.

– No, it was thanks to everyone else... At that time, I was still just a novice.

– But, it’s certain that Hayato has defeated the Trenta at that time. Come on, give your signature quickly.

– Eh? Ah..!

Hayato writes [如月ハヤト]* on the colored paper.

– I guess this.. is fine, right?

Hayato timidly returns the memo pad.

Then, the boy’s expression shone like the sun.

– Th, thank you very much! The rest, that is..

Fritz seemed to understand what he was trying to say looking at the boy who held the colored paper with great care, while his body squirms.

– Hayato, it’s a handshake. Am I right, boy?

– Ye, yes!

– You first, Hayato.

– Oh, okay..

Hayato stretches his hand towards the boy. To that hand, the boy grasped it tightly.

– Hayato-san, me too.. that.. in the future, I want to be a Slayer and save someone, just like Hayato.

– I, I see... That.. I also said such a thing, that if you want to become one, then I think you will surely be one. The Hundred will respond to the feelings of the user.

– The feelings of the user, you say?

– Yup, if you really want to be a Slayer, then you’ll become a Slayer. So, believe in yourself and do your best!

Following that line, it’s Emilia that said so. Finally, the boy said.

– ..Hayato-san. Please do your best at the tournament! I am rooting for you!

– Ye-yeah...

After shaking hands, the boy went back to his family.

– Hayato, we can’t lose if it comes to this, don’t you think?

*POP*, Fritz clapped his back. Subsequently, Latia also hits his back.

– Don’t betray the?fan’s?expectations, okay?

– Don’t put more pressure onto this..

Emilia, Fritz and Latia gave a laugh when they saw Hayato showing a troubled look.

Hayato and everyone stepped forward towards the stadium where the opening ceremony will be held tomorrow. There, a lot of food stalls are lined up like in a festival, it was what they heard from the security guards.

After walking the road between buildings made of brickwork that continued from the hotel, and crossing the bridge, they can see a scenery full of nature and a huge stadium.

The surroundings, are also big parks.

– As you can see, there are various food stalls just like we have heard, it’s exactly like a festival!

– Yup, that’s true.

Emilia responds to Latia who looks around the park and shouts happily.

– Moreover this is a development?concept?called Gulf City, it is really a beautiful town, isn’t it?

Although the size is quite superior, including the stadium and the buildings on this island, it gives an impression that the atmosphere they feel there is somewhat near to Little Garden, and that is probably because Warslan developed it. The experience at that time, should of course be utilized.

There is only one point of difference, and that is, the river that flows everywhere in the city. It’s said that all of it can be used as a canal.

– Oh, it looks like we can board the ship from there!

Latia’s finger indicated a small pleasure boat that comes and goes from this place.

– What do you think? Aren’t we going to get on that?

– Why not? Hayato and Fritz, you are fine with it too, right?

– Indeed.

– I don’t mind it.

Hayato and Emilia, Fritz and Laita, each one of them pay the fee and board the pleasure boat. The course goes around Calbrera Island, and it is only available for 4 people.

– From what I can see, the customers are Slayers from Little Garden, huh?

Immediately after setting sail, the voice of the man as the sōda-shi* cried out.

– Yes, that’s right. You realized it nicely.

When listening to Fritz’s answer, the sōda-shi gave a loud voice and laughed.

– As soon as I saw that uniform.. come to think of it, didn’t you guys appear in the tournament’s CM?

– Ah! Oji-san, you watched it!?

It was Emilia who gave a happy voice.

– Yeah, because it was being displayed in various places.

– Uugh, it was being displayed so much..

In addition, when he remembered what happened at the time of shooting, Hayato felt bitter.

– The Hayato of that CM was soooo cool, so don’t feel depressed. If you like, want to watch it now?

– Uwaa, stop it!

Hayato rapidly stood up to stop Emilia who tries to play the CM on the PDA. Then, the ship sways greatly.

– Uwaa!?

– Kyaa!?

Because of that Hayato fell down. Emilia also falls down as she was pushed by him.

– Ow ow ow ow..

Realizing it, he was in a posture like pushing down Emilia. It’s the opposite posture of New Year’s Eve time.

Besides, Hayato’s right hand is grabbing Emilia’s breast from above the uniform. Hayato has not noticed it yet.

(What is, this..?)

Hayato moves his right hand.

Thereupon, a sweet voice leaked out from Emilia’s mouth.

– Waai.. Haya..uunh!

– Eh..? Ah! Sorry!

Hayato, who grasped the situation, hurriedly released his hand and apologized.

– Leaving that aside, are you okay?

Hayato stood up and stretched his hand to Emilia.

– Y, yeah.. I’m okay.

Emilia takes his hand and stands up.

– Brother, please stop doing whatever you want. The ship will roll over, okay?

While laughing, the sōda-shi said.

– I’m sorry..

Even though it was a joke about the ship rolling over, it didn’t change the fact that it was a dangerous act. Hayato obediently apologized and sat on the seat again.

Then, the ship starts to move again.

After a while, the old sōda-shi man resumes talking.

– Anyway, I’m happy to give a ride to an amazing Slayer that appears on a CM. Besides, there was something I wanted to say to your company.

– By “company”, do you mean Warslan?

– Yes, that one. The space station, this island, the scenery of this?Sunshine State?district, almost everything changed because of Warslan.

The tone of his voice it’s not like he is blaming them. While smiling, the sōda-shi man said that.

Nevertheless, Fritz responds as being in shame.

– No, we apologize for that.

– You don’t’ need to apologize. I also liked the original familiar scenery for many years, but I think that the development of culture and technology can’t be stopped. Thanks to Slayer-san and everyone this world is also protected from the evil hands of the Savage, and I’m also thankful to Warslan for the job that I currently have now.

– We really appreciate those words from you.

– Well, leaving out that, I will support you in this tournament. To come up with a talk like this, it’s an encounter worth of treasuring*.

– If that’s the case, then we must win the championship.

– Yup, definitely. The championship.

Emilia nods facing to Latia.

– We can do it!

That said, Emilia pushes up her fist towards the sky.

– Yeah!

But only Latia got on board.

That was kind of frustrating.

Emilia inflated her cheeks and stares at Hayato and Fritz.

– Come on. Hayato and Fritz, join us, join us!

– You are right, motivation is important for things like this!

Both Emilia and Latia were drawing closer, so Hayato and Fritz prepared themselves with an ‘It can’t be helped’.

– Okay then, let’s do it once more. We can do it!

This time, the three of them with a “YEAH!” gathered their voices.

– That was very fun. The old man was a nice person.

– When he recalled the moment of the shooting, I suddenly got tired..

After they toured Calbrera Island in the pleasure boat doing a circle lap around it.

Hayato and the others descended from the pleasure boat and turned around the island on foot.

The place where Hayato and his friends are heading now is the square they found while on board of the pleasure boat.

There were many street stalls and food stalls lined in a row.

Even though the tournament starts from tomorrow, although there are many things being prepared yet to see, some of them have already started business in that place. Food stalls selling kebabs*, others selling pizzas* and hot dogs*.

A food stall grilling huge meat, and food stalls selling drinks including alcoholic beverages. It can also be seen street stalls and others that are drawing portraits.

There were open air stalls* selling original T-shirts, caps (hats) and shot glasses of this competition.

– Fuu fuu fuu.. the thing over there, looks interesting, isn’t it?

It’s Latia who said so to the shooting stall that lies ahead of her line of sight.

It’s the typical type where you aim to something with an air gun.

Speaking of the target practice of Yamato, the gifts themselves are arranged side by side. However, in this stall, silver-like boxes were arranged in order from large to small ones.

It seems to be a mechanism where if one of them is dropped, the number of the tag in the box is checked, then you will receive a prize of the same number decorated on the prize shelf.

Gun aimed at the prize, this is a type of a one handed air gun by looking at the restrictions written on the explanations sign.

It seems like with this method, the prize will not be destroyed by its power.

– Are you fired up?

Fritz asks in regards to Latia.

. Uh huh, exactly.

– So, maybe I should try it too?

Continued Emilia who said that.

– ..what about you, Hayato?

– I’m fine. Shooting isn’t one of my specialties. Maybe Fritz should give it a try?

His Hundred is a?Long Shooter?type, so he handles huge rifles.

However, his reaction wasn’t affirmative.

– Hmm. I’m?gonna?take a look for now.

He said so with a cool expression.

– Right then, it’s just the two of us.

Emilia and Latia approaches the shooting stall.

Then, the shopkeeper of the shooting stall frowned as if he was in trouble.

– No way, my first costumers are Slayers..

– Perhaps, we can’t do it because we are Slayers?

– ‘Can’t do it’, I didn’t saay that but.

To the question of Emilia, the shopkeeper answers with a bitter smile.

– Besides, you are Slayers of Little Garden. You are the favorites for the championship, so I’m guessing that the students are receiving training as regular mercenaries. You even have shooting, am I right?

– Well, it’s true.

Looking at Latia which makes *FUFUN* with her nose full of self-confidence, Fritz sighs as if he was amazed, and put his hand over her head and strikes it with a *PON*.

– Being proud, but you are an amateur.

– Shut up..! So, how about it? Can we do it? Or is it a no no?

– Okay, in order to confirm the ability of Slayer-san, you can do it for the time being.

– All right! Then, let’s do it, Emilia.

– Yup!

Latia and Emilia who paid with money, each one received a gun.

– It’s lighter than the gun we use for practice.

That was the impression of Emilia holding the gun.

– Is that so?

Latia who doesn’t seem to catch the difference, tilts her head in puzzlement.

– Well, in the end it’s an air gun. An ordinary gun and a produced one are different. In the first place, there are many types of guns.

Fritz cuts into the conversation from the side.

– Try shooting once for now, I think with that you can check the feeling.

– So I have three tries, huh..

If she hits even once, then it will be the end at that point.

It’s the form of getting the prize of the number in the dropped box.

Of course, there’s no bullet for test shooting.

– For now, I’ll be the one to proceed. F-->>

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