Wizard.
Magic?
Wow, magic.
“What is magic?”
Is that too basic a question?
『It’s broad, but what you’ll experience is practical combat magic.』
Oh, such a dull name.
『It doesn’t take much power to kill a person. Just one deadly wound is enough to take a life.』
“That’s true.”
『Quick casting, accurate hit rate, and guaranteed lethality.』
A well-dressed demon moved their hand as if wielding a staff.
Whoosh, smack!
『The stylishly launched magical bullet has a speed comparable to that of a bullet. Magic beyond that is just excess.』
Huh.
A gun?
Huh?
Did I hear that wrong?
“Wait a second. So, should I think of a wizard as a gunslinger who doesn’t need to reload?”
Surely not?
『That’s roughly correct. Since guns can’t fire continuously, magic is far more useful.』
So, I have to fight now…
Against an opponent wielding an automatic rifle?
In an open area, fairly?
Really?
Pastel’s eyes rolled.
“I, I actually liked magic.”
She waved her arms.
“So awesome, fantastic, and great!”
She struck a pose as if shooting a gun.
Bang bang bang.
The demon looked down at her pityingly.
『You have no talent for magic. You wandered around without even realizing the magic etched on your back.』
“What, how is that possible?”
Is my life easy mode not even starting before it ends?
A leisurely life in another world starting with an automatic rifle?
There was a knock at the guest room door.
Ugh.
“It seems they’re ready.”
The demon transformed into a sword.
『Go.』
Wow, so decisive.
Pastel left the guest room and arrived at the training ground.
The training ground was surrounded by stairs. Young nobles had gathered around, chatting.
Pastel wrapped her head and raised her hand high.
“Attention, friends! Attention!”
She clapped her hands to gather attention. Confused glances were directed her way.
“I think Pastel will win, hands up!”
Pastel looked around with shining eyes.
Several hesitantly raised their hands.
Oh, oh.
“I think Melissa will win, hands up!”
Hands shot up in a wave.
Ugh!
Something’s not right.
Melissa Camerott.
A shining star of magic and a candidate for the great wizard.
The world fondly referred to her as.
“The Sixteen Sparkles”
Oh, that nickname sounds harmless?
Suddenly feeling like I can give this a shot?
『It means shooting sixteen rounds in a single casting.』
What a cruel nickname?
Isn’t it too straightforward?
This is totally it.
“I have a magazine of sixteen rounds.”
Where did the perspective of those hit go?
The sound of shoes echoed.
Melissa walked into the training ground. Her wizard’s robe swayed.
Oh.
The professor stood in the center, uninterested.
『Being a wizard isn’t difficult. You just read the incantation, figure out the trajectory, and cast it.』
Pastel calmed her mind. It wasn’t a life-or-death duel like in a mansion, so she reluctantly gathered her scattered focus.
Is it even possible?
I don’t know how to predict the incantation’s trajectory.
The professor held a coin in his hand.
As if reading the expression, the demon spoke.
『I’ll tell you the trajectory.』
The coin was tossed.
『Strike the light.』
The sound of the coin echoed.
Pastel stomped her feet.
The wizard swung the staff without hesitation. Smooth curves left marks in the air.
It twisted and turned, wielded in space.
In less than a second.
The staff roughly pointed at Pastel.
Golden hair fluttered. The robe billowed.
The magic’s chirp resonated through the air.
『Left arm.』
The meaning was heard without voice.
Pastel swung her sword as nothing flew at her. The sword stroke cut through the air.
Light flashed in the atmosphere.
A magical bullet rushed like lightning, skimming Pastel’s sword stroke.
In that brief moment, the girl twisted her posture awkwardly. The sword path was finely adjusted. The grazing magic bullet sliced through, exploding in light.
『Right leg.』
She swung the sword. No, her intuition twisted the sword path. The magic bullet flew up and seemed to get sliced away. Light erupted.
『That’s it. Left shoulder.』
Instinct and sensation.
Intuition and certainty.
The absolute realm built by talent.
An accurate sword stroke deflected the magic bullet. The remnants of light rippled. Pink hair was dyed in light.
Sixteen charges.
Sixteen sparkles.
Waves of light adorned the pink girl.
Steps crossed the training ground.
The sword gleamed.
The blue eyes widened.
The sword tapped gently at the nape.
Melissa’s lips trembled.
“How did you manage to dodge sixteen twists?”
Pastel released a rough breath.
Then, contemplating, the corners of her mouth lifted.
“Talent.”
Hehe.
『Oh dear.』
Melissa dropped her head.
“I lost…”
I won, I won.
I waved both hands at a few who had cheered from the beginning.
“Thanks to you guys!”
Cheers erupted. The number of people had increased from before.
Oh, did I gain more friends?
As she waved her hands, she turned back to Melissa.
She extended her hand towards the perplexed girl.
“You did well too. It was just that I was your opponent. Right, friend?”
At the last word, Melissa hesitated.
Avoiding her pink appearance, she looked down at the shadow and turned away.
“I’m not so sure.”
The girl left without stepping on the shadow.
Huh?
Was I rejected?
#
Having arrived at the Sky Island, a transit point between the human realm and the demon realm.
The Sky Island was vast. One region seemed to be an expansive land lumped together under the name of an island. Clouds enveloped the land, as if wrapping the heavens.
“Sky Island, wow.”
A whale-like airship repeatedly sank and floated, imitating a whale. It transported goods and amassed wealth through price fluctuations.
“Airship, wow.”
The road was neatly covered with white tiles. Buildings with white roofs stood in rows on either side. Carts laden with goods continuously left the dock.
“Planned city, wow.”
Restaurants for merchants and sailors surrounded the dock. The streets were filled with food. Delicious scents covered the roads.
Grilled chicken skewer stands.
Pastel swallowed a drool about to flow.
Just one?
Just one?
“How much magic stone is left?”
The demon pulled a pepper shaker from the luggage. When shaken, magic stone powder rattled.
I had already exhausted all the magic stones extracted from the underground chamber that sealed a great demon.
Gold was melting in my belly.
Pastel trembled, extending her hand, then gracefully curled up.
“I’ll try to save…”
She staggered toward the assigned temporary residence.
“Ugh, when will the combat test be? The test takers from the demon realm should be hurrying over.”
『If there’s a problem with the airship, getting a new one will take time.』
Ah.
Hmm.
“Then let’s just act like an already registered student.”
There’s no way I’ll fail?
She rummaged through the academy, poking her head around, until she reached a shabby place.
Pastel keenly observed the Student Council corridor.
“What’s with the atmosphere?”
Why does the darling of student power feel so desolate?
She traced her fingers along the window frame.
Dust greeted with a “Hello!”
“You too, hello. So, you’re the actual resident of royal property? I’m a new tenant, is there any discrimination?”
The Student Council door slowly opened.
Huh?
A senior male student in pajamas peeked out with sleepy eyes. Then he locked eyes with Pastel.
“Don’t make noise in the corridor.”
His voice was weak.
Oh.
“I’m sorry.”
She bowed her head.
The senior turned his body toward the Student Council room. Small steps followed. The door closed.
Oh, the Student Council room.
It’s completely dusty.
There’s hardly anyone here.
After following him in, Pastel looked around.
The senior stopped, his pillow laying on the sofa, and stared at Pastel with a dazed expression.
Bow.
“Hello, senior. I’m a prospective freshman. How do I join the Student Council?”
If you’re a student, you should join the Student Council.
But why are there hardly any people?
The senior’s expression turned weary. Ignoring her, he lay back on the sofa, pulled the blanket over himself, and murmured.
“You are the top in written exams, right?”
“Oh, yes.”
“If there are no regulations, you should pass without issue. There’s a stamp in the drawer, so just join as you like.”
Soon, the senior became silent as if he had fallen asleep.
Huh?
Pastel approached the sofa on tiptoe. Her breaths grew light.
Upon closer inspection, there were magical papers scattered around that had nothing to do with the Student Council.
Huh?
She rummaged through the drawer and found the approval stamp.
The hefty weight of authority.
Is it really here?
She searched for the joining documents and stamped them down. The red seal completed the paperwork.
Is it really stamped?
Pulling out a plain sheet, she stamped it.
Bam.
Student Council President.
Huh? Huh?
Current total members of the Student Council.
Student Council President, Pastel.
Total 2 members.
Huh?
Pastel stared vacantly, enchanted as she moved the quill pen back and forth. She created new documents and stamped them down.
She unfolded the completed documents.
Pastel Lovecraft.
Position.
Co-Vice President, General Affairs Manager, Planning Manager, Public Relations Manager, and Service Manager, Leadership Manager.
Huh?
The documents sparkled.
Super item.
“Ugh, I can’t sleep any longer here.”
The Student Council President stood up. She patted her waist, staggered, and picked up the staff that was lying on the floor.
The staff swung. The wind blew. The papers were organized and floated in the air.
A key fell from above Pastel’s head.
Ouch.
The unprecedented documents fluttered.
The Student Council President glanced down at her.
“Oh, you stamp well. Talented newcomer. I can’t come in because I’m busy. You should have work to process. Just stamp like this and pass it to me. Keep the door locked and don’t call me unless it’s necessary.”
The Student Council President left in a rush.
The newcomer was left holding the approval stamp.
The wind blew.
Gasp.
Pastel trembled, holding the approval stamp in both hands.
Shiver shiver shiver.
Whoa, power.
The authority of the Student Council suddenly landed in my hands? Is this okay for a newcomer?
Ahhhhh.
Pastel felt crushed under the weight of the dazzling approval stamp.
What if someone takes this?
The power to use as I wish, isn’t this too much for a newcomer? How incredible is this authority?
Suddenly, a growl from her stomach echoed.
Grrr.
Her stomach cried out for energy.
The gold named magic stones.
Pause.
Is this really power that I can use as I wish?
Oh, oh?
『Power is money.』
The demon that had appeared before quietly took the approval stamp from Pastel’s hand.
『If you look through the Student Council’s authority, there are many opportunities to make money. If you secretly misuse and abuse it, you could touch vast sums of money. Enough to fill your stomach with magic stones.』
The demon looked down at Pastel, who was gazing at the stamp with a complicated expression.
『Young Craft.』
Its red eyes fixed on her.
『There’s an easy path here.』
The approval stamp shook.
『A path to fill your belly with gold through immorality.』
Wow wow wow wow.
A proposal for corruption!
A devilish suggestion…!
Pastel clutched her head and walked around the Student Council room.
You’re saying that when I want to eat chicken skewers, I’ll have money to sprinkle magic stone powder to my heart’s content?
Wow wow.
Chicken skewers.
Her salivary glands tingled. Her body urged her to fill her belly immediately.
Her hands flailed about uncontrollably.
Should I get my hands dirty or not, that is the question.
As Pastel thought this, her hands unintentionally opened the pocket she held and she gobbled up the candies inside.
She quickly chewed a handful.
The sweetness spread.
Just as she was enjoying it, she suddenly paused.
Huh?
She looked at the pocket she was holding.
Black magic stone.
She carefully examined the pocket.
For academic research in the department of magic.
Gasp.
When did what was on my desk get in my mouth?
Embezzlement of public funds and corruption.
Her hand had made a reckless act.
Is this my calling?
Am I, perhaps, a genius in immorality?
『Hah, what test could I give to a starving child?』
The demon approached with a deflated expression. It casually dropped the approval stamp in her hand.
『You should fill your stomach first. Just go ahead and eat the rest.』
“Really?”
Gulping.
This sweet flavor, like the rain in a drought.
After a while, she finished the magic stones.
In the meantime, the demon had organized some documents.
『You can abuse these under the Student Council’s authority.』
The Student Council’s autonomy of budget allocation.
The right to use airships affiliated with the academy.
The authority to enter the demon realm for official purposes.
Huh.
『With these rights combined, you can engage in smuggling.』
S-smuggling?
What a massive term.
『Embezzle the budget to purchase trade goods from Sky Island. Then enter the demon realm under the guise of official business, hiding them in the Student Council airship. There, sell the trade goods and buy unrefined magic stones to return.』
Wow wow.
『During this process, the enormous taxes that would normally be applied to trade can be avoided. Because it’s smuggling.』
The demon pointed at the documents.
『Conveniently, there’s also official business to use as the purpose for entry. Due to this issue with the demon realm airship, one test participant got stranded in the demon realm. The Student Council has made an urgent transportation request.』
She swallowed.
“How much can you earn from smuggling once?”
『Hmm, it’s not exact, but right now it would be about this.』
Two fingers were held up.
Two times.
Gasp!
“One time?!”
『Since it’s smuggling, the Student Council’s budget will double. You can refill the existing budget and keep the remaining half for yourself. That should give you enough leeway to find an opportunity for money that’s not immoral.』
Double means that if I go once more, it’ll be four times?
Wow wow.
“Got it!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Let’s try it! It’s just eating money!”
Going back and forth between the demon realm and Sky Island will double the capital?
Wow.
This seems easier than swimming with my feet on the ground.
Catching crayfish and eating magic stones, oh yes.
Once she crossed the line, her thoughts flowed like water.
Am I perhaps destined for this?
The demon looked bewildered.
『No, it’s just this once.』
It was a definitive voice.
『Just once.』
Pastel also replied firmly.
“Yes!”
Of course!
Pastel nodded like a kid who asked for permission to play games during exam periods.
#
On the day of smuggling.
One, two, three!
Pastel spread her arms wide.
Ta-da.
The airship of the dock appeared before her.
A little whale.
“My airship!”
Wow.
『…It’s a school property.』
She flung open the hatch.
The hold was packed with various spices and luxurious fabrics.
“My trade goods!”
Wow.
She was already feeling full.
『…It’s school budget.』
Our airship was flying. It had taken the sky route to the demon realm.
Whoosh whoosh.
Leaning against the railing, her pink hair fluttered in the wind.
“Survival trade!”
『No, haah. That is correct, but…』
The demon, with a bewildered expression, approached and raised a finger.
『Just this one time.』
The finger moved as if emphasizing its point.
『One time.』
“Yes!”
Pastel nodded.
“But what’s good about smuggling?”
『…You can avoid a 50% tax rate.』
Gasp.
Transporting trade goods secretly and going to the demon realm under valid reasons is much better than regular trade?
“Quickly! Let’s go to the demon realm and bring that poor test participant back to the academy!”
She urged the demon, whose expression became complicated.
The wide blue sky stretched ahead.
Surely, a bright future awaits?
After a while, Pastel’s eyes widened as she beheld the bright future.
Skull patterns fluttered.
“Pirates…!”
Ahhhh.
『There are pirates, and I’ll teach you about multi-player battles.』
