Maidens of Cygnus - Volume 4 - Chapter 3.3

Compared to the students, those adults were eating better — in the sense that the food was more expensive — while voicing their complaints.

“Looks like another dropout. Even though these are just ‘games’ in the end.”

“This by no means acceptable for battle.”

“Truly pathetic. And Yamato-sensei even took his time to grace them with his presence...”

The ones buttering up Yamato Michitomo, a member of the Senate, are civil servants for the ministry of defense. They’re high officials for the ministry of defense in charge of capital defense plans and they know Yamato is a member of the Senate.

“They’re still high schoolers. They’ll be good once they train the parts they’re lacking in.”

Yamato’s tone was soft. However, what he said was clearly reproving the other three for their impatience.

“You are very right, sensei. It is as you say.”

Right away, one of them revealed himself a sycophant.

“You truly have a keen eye, sensei. You can achieve nothing without practice, magicians should be the same.”

Another one followed with no delay.

“Incidentally, sensei, have any fortunate youngsters caught your eye?”

Thinking that flattering him further would be distasteful, the third casually changed the subject.

“Let’s see... It’s unfortunate we can’t scout them, but sure enough, the Ten Master Clans are just different from the rest.”

“The youngest daughter of the Mitsuya Family, correct?”

The very first one Yamato brought up was Shiina.

“Also, the efforts of the countryside students stand out.”

“Ninth High students have a strong preference to stay in their hometown, but I believe it’s not impossible to pull them to the capital if you recommend them, sensei.”

“No, defense of the borders is important too. The schemes of the people of Kumamoto are of no harm to the national interest.”

That the Kumamoto camp’s division management had been making moves on Ninth High at an early time this year is an open secret among them.

“Anyway, they are still high school students. There is no need to rush to conclusions.”

“It is as you say. We shall continue seeking capable people.”

“Good. I am going back to Tokyo, please check the afternoon matches properly.”

The three replied in unison “You can rely on me” to Yamato’s words.

◇ ◇ ◇

The day’s final results for First High were a dual win in Crowd Ball. In Speed Shooting, both boys and girls finished second with no issues. Aki, the Speed Shooting girl, got rather close, but in the end could not reach Ninth High.

The boy side also miscalculated. Though he surpassed the score of those considered the greatest rivals, Third High, in the end a Second High competitor turned the tables on him.

But, with the double victory in Crowd Ball, and with both Speed Shooting boys and girls ranking higher than Third High, who regarded the event as a source of points, the difference in overall points to the first place Third High decreased from 120 points to 30 points and the position in the rankings went up from third to second too.