The S-Class Mage is a Gyaru!?-Chapter 33: Arcane Symposium, Part Thirteen

Chapter 33: Arcane Symposium, Part Thirteen
{Akari}
[Holy FUCK, they went all out for this one.]
The arena is massive, like someone took Tokyo Dome and decided it needed more big dick energy. Floating platforms hover at different heights, their surfaces gleaming like fresh chrome, while magical barriers shimmer between them like aurora borealis on crack.
[Seriously, who designed this place? Was this in Crescent Moon all along?] It jumps out at me then that I haven’t actually seen ALL of the university yet.
Hundreds of spectators pack the stands, their excited chatter bouncing off the dome ceiling. I catch snippets of conversation that make my smirk grow wider:
"Is that her? The S-Class gyaru?"
"No way she’s stronger than Miyuki..."
"Damn, look at those legs though..."
[At least they’re appreciating the view~]
Near one of the starter platforms, Takeshi’s massive form draws some attention too. He’s explaining something to the Shimizu twins.
"The platforms respond to mana output," he’s saying. "My cousin competed last year. Said the trick is finding the right balance between-"
"Showing off and saving energy?" one twin finishes.
"Obviously," the other adds with a giggle.
"Uh, yeah," Takeshi replies, looking away to keep gazing at the arena.
More competitors file in, each trying to look more confident than they feel.
[They sure took a while with the exam. They’re probably mentally exhausted, coming into this next stage like this.]
Some guy’s literally shaking in his boring-ass loafers. This other girl with rainbow hair is practically vibrating with excitement.
"This is so fucking cool," she squeals to her friend. "Like, actual combat magic!"
"Nah, that’s next stage," someone corrects her.
"Ohhhh... Still!"
Movement catches my eye.
Lily’s minions are huddled together, probably plotting some basic bitch sabotage.
But before I can investigate, Professor Zhang’s voice cuts through the chaos.
[I mean, seriously, they really want a show, huh?]
"Stay close," Professor Zhang, who it seems will be taking over for this part, tells us as she leads our group inside. "Due to the... excited audience in attendance, it may be difficult to hear me. But, I will not be repeating myself. So, do your best to listen."
I spot Haruka in the crowd. She blows me a kiss and I catch it with a wink and a smile.
"The Mana Endurance Trial," Professor Zhang begins, "is designed to test your magical stamina. You will cast spells until your mana depletes. Simplicity itself, right?"
The competitors all slowly nod at her. Zhang continues.
"See those platforms? The platforms will rise according to your mana output," she continues, gesturing to some floating blocks. "The higher you maintain your position, the better your score."
Lily raises her hand, all innocent schoolgirl energy.
"Professor, what spells should we use?"
Zhang smiles.
"Ah, that’s the good part. See, knowing this is about magical endurance, you may be tempted to cast weak spells for a few hours or something. But, the real point of the test is to see how much magical stamina you’ve got when you’re trying your best. In other words, if you just use, say, a basic illumination spell, those platforms won’t go up much. You’re going to have to go all out, and
stay
all out, in order for those platforms to move."
[And the point is to see how long we can hold that for. I got it.]
My eyes drift to Reina, who’s looking paler than normal.
"Worried, princess?" I whisper. As I get close to do that, my hand accidentally brushes against hers.
"Shut up," she hisses, but those ice-blue eyes betray her panic. "Some of us didn’t spend half a week practicing for this."
[... Ouch. To be fair, she’s kinda right.]
"So," Zhang turns toward us with a grin. "Who wants to go first?"
I grin back.
[Time to-]
"I will!" A voice calls out before I can take a step forward.
Lily beat me to the punch.
[FUCK!]
I feel like I now know what blue balls feel like.
[Well, shit. Guess we’re watching the show instead of being the show.]
The barriers between the platforms shimmer brighter as Lily takes her position. Just like they went all out in terms of presentation, they also went all out in terms of safety. These things could probably stop a nuclear blast.
"Begin!" Zhang’s voice echoes through the arena.
Lily raises her hands, and holy shit, she actually knows what she’s doing.
Magic streams from her fingers, pushing forward onto one of those barriers. It’s Second Circle magic, I can immediately tell. Something like a constant force blast. Like the mana projectiles Zhang used against me in practice? Like that, but a constant stream instead.
[... Okay fine, that’s actually pretty impressive.]
The platform under her feet starts rising, responding to her mana output. Now I get it - the more power you pump out, the higher you go. Simple but effective way to show normies just how impressive this actually is.
Sweat starts beading on Lily’s forehead as she maintains the spell.
Her arms are shaking but she keeps going. For a moment, all that acting fades away. Gone is the innocent schoolgirl, replaced by a face of pure concentration. The real Lily is showing, for everyone to see... Though, the mana blast is probably distracting from it.
[Damn. Girl’s got more balls than I gave her credit for.]
Seriously, the magical energy she’s putting out is no joke. You can practically taste the mana in the air, making my skin tingle. Her platform keeps rising, foot by foot, while she grits her teeth and powers through.
"Agh..." I can hear her gritting her teeth. She clutches her arm desperately trying to keep it in the air. I can see her whole body trembling.
And, finally, her knees buckle. The spell cuts off and she drops to all fours, gasping.
Zhang, who has some little machine in her hand and has been aiming it at Lily all this time, looks down at it. Her brows twitch.
"Eight thousand points!" Zhang announces.
Some guy behind me whistles.
"Holy shit, that’s one of the highest scores in years!"
[... Fuck me.]
I have no trouble believing that, given the way Lily looks right now. She’s basically a puddle. Her minions have to pretty much lift her off the stage.
But, just as she passes me by, she throws a smirk my way.
"Good luck, gyaru," she stops to say. "Have fun trying to beat that."
Before I can say anything, she continues... Or, rather, her minions continue carrying her away.
[Oh yeah? Watch me.] I crack my knuckles. [It’s showtime!]