Iris's perspective:

Finn-nee messed up, didn't she? I tried to console her, but she's still feeling down. Well, since we didn't introduce ourselves, I think it's okay. After taking a short break, I'll go back to the training ground and try punching the combat equipment. Based on my basic abilities, I should be able to put out around 40,000 if I go all out, but since I can't show that kind of number there, I'll try with 10,000.

"Sniff sniff, mmm, there are evil beings around here. I'll go defeat them, Finn-Iris.”

“Huh? Wait, Rikka-san.”

“Ahaha, it's okay. I'll take a walk after defeating them and come back.”

“Eh, she's already gone. What should we do, Finn-nee?”

“There's nothing we can do. Let's go back to the training ground together. Sigh, let's try not to stand out."

Well, Rikka-san should be fine.

But as Onee-sama said, the evil beings have invaded. When I heard about the infiltration method other than brainwashing, I was surprised and thought, "No way, it's such a simple method." That method was to use a magical device that converts the leaked evil energy from pretending to be human into magic power. From our human perspective, I wondered why they hadn't used that method to infiltrate before. When I asked Onee-sama about it, she said:

"Maybe for the evil beings, it was okay to disguise themselves as those who oppose them, but their pride got in the way of using magic power instead of evil power. So maybe they haven't used it before, or maybe they haven't developed it."

So there's pride in every race. Speaking of which, I completely forgot that Rikka-san was originally a griffin since she's been in her beast form lately. Her instincts have completely disappeared now. Onee-sama's cooking definitely had an influence on that. Oh, it's been about 30 minutes. Let's go back to the training ground.

"Finn-nee, let's go back to the training ground soon. Please watch from the side, Finn-nee.”

“Okay."

When we returned to the training ground, the place for mock battles was clean. That nobleman wasn't there either. Well, he exposed such an ugly side of himself, so he probably won't be able to go outside for a while. It's kind of pitiful. Many people had gathered around the combat magical devices that we were aiming for.

"Oh, we're going to have to wait quite a bit for this.”

“Yeah, everyone seems to be having fun. The tournament must be like a festival for the students."

"Finn-nee, look at that sign.”

“Hmm?"

There was a sign next to the combat magic tools we were queuing for, and it read:

"[Limited to 12 years old and under. For those who exceed 1000 points, we have prepared wonderful prizes.]"

"---Iris, are you going to do it?”

“Well, I'll turn 13. Then it shouldn't be a problem.”

“Are you sure about that?"

I'm sure it'll be fine. The four boys in front of me seem to be getting excited about that prize.

"Hey, if we get close to 1000 points here, we'll get attention.”

“Why not go over 1000 points and send the prize to that girl?"

"Hey, Hans. Don't you have any girls you want to send it to?”

“Huh, no. Besides, I don't think 1000 points is possible."

"Hans, show more confidence. That's why Zoe makes fun of you, you know.”

“Haha, I know, but when it comes to hitting people, I just can't put in any strength."

"Oh, crap, I gotta go to the bathroom. Hans, hold our place in line.”

“Me too.”

“Yeah, got it."

Saying that, the three boys left the line.

This Hans is too kind. But with that, he can't protect the girl he likes.

"I'm sorry, I overheard your conversation earlier. My name is Iris.”

“Huh, ahaha, did you hear that? I'm Hans. Nice to meet you."

"Do you dislike hitting people?”

“It's embarrassing, but yeah, I'm not good at it. I just can't help but loosen my grip on my strength."

"My Onee-sama says that being kind alone isn't enough. Sometimes you need to have a strong heart that can stop your parents or best friends, even if it means hitting them, when you're facing a crisis. If you're too kind, you won't be able to protect the people you care about. You need to imagine a hated opponent when using this magic tool, and release all your magic power into your fists. The magic tool won't break under any circumstances! Please try to do that."

Perhaps my words had an effect, as Hans tightly clenched his fists.

"I absolutely don't want to be hated by him! Think of the magical tool as your hated enemy. Envelop your whole magical power into your fist and release it. Alright, Iris, I'll give it a try. Thank you, I feel like I've let go of something."

After that, her friends came back, and they continued with trivial talk.

"Hehe, as expected of you, Iris. You hit his weak spot right on the mark.”

“The atmosphere reminded me of Ariel-san and Shuri-san. I couldn't just leave it alone."

Oh, it's Hans's turn now.

"Hey, Hans, do your best.”

“Yeah, go all out like you're thinking of him.”

“That's right, that's right. Do your best!"

Hans took a deep breath and concentrated all his magical power into his fist, just like I told him. Hehe, he's able to envelop his magical power now. It's up to his heart now. And then---

《Dooon》

Everything around us became quiet. The number had reached 4000. Amazing.

"Haa, haa, haa, how was that!"

"Hans, that was amazing!”

“You got 4000, 4000!”

“Hans, you can do it if you try!"

《Ooooh》

The excitement was incredible. Hans came over to me.

"Iris, thank you. Thanks to you, I feel like I've let go of something!"

"No, no, Hans-san, please look at your status. You should have acquired the 'magical power envelopment.' Please use it to protect your girlfriend."

"Huh? Oh, it's true. Is the sensation I felt earlier the magical power envelopment? Iris, thank you!"

Hans left with his friends.

Next, it's my turn. I'm sorry for Hans, but I have to confirm it for myself.

《Dgoooon》

"Alright, as expected, it's 10000 points."

When I looked around, everyone had their mouths wide open. Huh? Why? A student came over.

"C-congratulations? Do you want the prize?”

“Oh, I'm 13 years old, so I can't get it.”

“Wow, you're not a student here, are you? That's amazing."

"No, I just learned some tips from my Onee-sama and put them into practice. I also taught that skill to Hans earlier, so if you tell him, he can acquire the 'magical power envelopment' skill. Even if you don't have the 'body strengthening' skill, that skill is easy to acquire. If you train, you should be able to exert several times your basic ability. It's a must-have skill for magic users."

"What? I didn't know there was such a skill!"

Upon hearing that, the students rushed over to Hans.

"Iris, you're causing a commotion in a different way. That boy, Hans, from earlier is starting to look pitiful. You're starting to resemble your master, too."

"Oh? I didn't expect to cause that much of a stir. Come to think of it, Onee-sama caused a similar commotion in Sphereart."

"Hehe, I did it. What should we do?"

"Well, let's run away from here."

"Eh, what about Rikka-san?"

"If it's Rikka, she'll notice right away."

"That's true."

And so, we escaped from the school. Hans-san, sorry, we'll leave the rest to you.

We returned to the plaza.

"We can't go back to the school anymore, can we?"

"Yeah, but we had a good time, so it's okay."

"That's right. The school was fun."

"Hey, Finn-Iris! Why aren't you at school?"

"Oh, Rikka-san. Sorry, I caused a bit of a commotion and ran away."

"Geez, what were you doing while I was taking care of the evil tribe?"

"Rikka, what happened to the evil tribe?"

"I took care of them all. There were about 10 of them, and they were discussing something about the future, but it was too troublesome, so I defeated them all."

Wait, they were discussing something about the future?

"Rikka, what were the evil tribe talking about?"

"I don't know."

Uh oh, that's not good.

"Hey, Rikka-san, that's not good. If Onee-sama finds out, she might say something like, 'Why didn't you ask before you defeated them?' and use her Grigri on us."

"Oh."

Rikka-san's face turned blue.

"Iris, what should we do?"

"I, I can't help with that."

"Maybe we should just punish ourselves?"

What is she saying?! I don't want that!

"Hey, Iris, let's ask Lich-san if these actions warrant punishment."

"That's a good idea. Let's communicate with her right away."

After communicating with Lich-san, he said that the lower-ranked evil tribe’s members didn't have any important information, so it's not a problem. He even praised us for defeating them. After hearing that, we breathed a sigh of relief.