The S-Class Mage is a Gyaru!?-Chapter 39: Arcane Symposium, Part Nineteen

Chapter 39: Arcane Symposium, Part Nineteen
{Reina}
My platforms click against marble like angry punctuation marks as I storm off the stage. Each step echoes with frustration, matching the pounding in my chest.
[I can’t believe this shit.]
The worst part isn’t even losing. I didn’t care about winning this stupid competition - it was just another thing Dad forced me into, like those endless business dinners where I have to pretend I give a fuck about stock prices. But losing to a cheater? To someone using an amplifier like some desperate wannabe?
[That’s just fucking insulting.]
My tail lashes behind me as I walk, probably making me look like an angry cat. Which, fair. I am an angry cat right now. Some first-years actually jump out of my way - guess my murder walk is on point today.
"Yo, princess!"
[Great. Just what I need.]
Akari and Haruka bounce over, their tits defying gravity with each step. Akari’s got a concerned look while Haruka’s practically vibrating with leftover adrenaline from watching the fight.
"You okay?" Haruka asks. "That was some bullshit back there. Like, even I could see something was up with her magic."
"I’m fine." I try to make that convincing but I fail to stop my ears from flattening against my head. A few strands of my dark hair fall across my face. "Just... whatever. It doesn’t matter."
"Doesn’t matter?" Akari’s pink eyes flash. "That basic bitch used an amplifier on you! Same kinda shit as that Silence spell they tried on me. They’re not even trying to be subtle anymore."
I blink, my tail actually perking up in surprise.
"You noticed that too?"
"Please," Akari flips her hair. "That necklace was practically screaming ’I’m a cheating ho’ energy. Like, at least try to hide it better?"
Despite everything, I feel a smile tugging at my lips.
"Yeah, well..." I adjust my choker. "In any case, good luck with your match. Try not to get ’accidentally’ disqualified."
"Oh honey," Akari grins. "They’re gonna need more than some basic bitch amplifier to stop this show. Trust."
"Fuck ’em up, baby!" Haruka smacks Akari’s ass as she heads toward the stage.
"Time to serve these hoes some humble pie~" Akari calls back, her platforms clicking like a countdown to destruction.
I watch her go, something like hope fluttering in my chest.
[Maybe Dad won’t be too disappointed...]
But who am I kidding? He probably will be.
---
{Akari}
[Show time, baby.]
My platforms click against marble as I strut onto the stage. The crowd’s buzzing like a hornet’s nest after Reina’s match, but I barely hear them over the sound of my own heartbeat.
[Come on, ’Kari. You’ve got this. The Paired Resonance Trial, all that time with Haru practicin’. Ya got this, ya got this!]
Miyuki stands opposite me, looking like she’s got a stick up her ass as usual. That perfect posture, that pristine uniform...
God, it’s like looking at everything I refuse to be.
But, even from here, I can see how her hands are shaking just a little.
[Nervous, princess? You should be.]
I take a quick second to flash my girls both a quick peace sign, making sure to pop my hip just right. So many cameras. So many people in the audience.
"Any questions about the rules?" Professor Sato’s crusty ass voice cuts through my thoughts.
I shake my head. Miyuki does the same.
Professor Sato nods.
"Begin!"
Immediately, this bitch launches like, five different spells at me.
They’re coming in hot, all glowy and shit, but I’m already moving. I’ve seen enough MMA to write a whole book on magical duels. It’s all about rhythm.
I remember what Prof Zhang said, about how dispersing spells ain’t about just blocking. It’s about catching that mana, making it yours, and basically telling it "bye bitch." So when Miyuki’s first spell looks like it’s about to hit my chest? I catch it with my hand and that shit just dissolves.
Her eyes go wide.
[Yeah, bet you didn’t expect that, did you?]
The second spell meets the same fate. Then the third. Each time, I’m not just blocking, I’m letting the mana spread around me, warming me up while Miyuki’s frustration bubbles.
"What’s wrong, prez?" I flash her my sweetest smile. "Thought this would be easier?"
Her perfect mask cracks just a little. Her next spell comes out sloppy, wild.
[Ohhhh she maaaad~] I smirk to myself. [Good. There’s, like, this weird misconception that being angry makes you a better fighter. It couldn’t be more wrong. Being angry just leads to mistakes.]
But then I notice something weird. Like, REAL weird. Every time she casts, there’s this... echo? Like someone else’s magic mixing with hers.
[Wait a fucking minute.]
I disperse her next attack and that’s when I catch it - just for a second, I see another pair of hands overlapping with hers, all ghostly and shit.
[You’re kidding...]
Someone else is casting THROUGH her!
[Ohhhh, you sneaky bitch!]
"Yeah? Okay, okay. Come on! Stop holding back!" I call out, letting my mana swirl around me. "Show me what you REALLY got! Or should I say... what your friend’s got?"
Her face goes white. Like, not cute pale - we’re talking "just saw a ghost" white. Which, considering what I just spotted, is a bit ironic.
"You..." She grits out between perfect teeth. "You have NO idea what I’m capable of!"
The ghostly hands appear again as she launches her next attack. This time I’m ready.
[You know what? Fuck it. How about...]
I don’t just disperse the spell. I grab onto that third mana and PULL.
The result is... unexpected.
Suddenly, the air around Miyuki shimmers and I catch a glimpse of Professor Sato’s magic, clear as day.
He’s been feeding her power this whole time!
[Ah, so that’s it, huh?] I nod to myself. [Got it. Got it.]
From the crowd, I hear Haruka’s voice:
"FUCK HER UP, BABY!"
[Don’t worry babe,] I think, readying my next spell. [They’re gonna need more than just sharing mana to take me down.]
Miyuki’s looking real nervous now. With good reason, actually.
[Let’s see how you handle THIS.]