“Everyone~ How has your year at Blue Sea Academy been?”
This energetic opening line came right after the crisp notification sound.
Chiyo Haori and I turned our gazes toward the source of the voice almost simultaneously. With such a sudden yet highly penetrating voice, it was actually harder not to be drawn to it.
“Even though every year has been tough for everyone, whenever the BHAO KNOCKOUT comes around, Niya-chan gets super motivated~ I bet you all feel the same way, right?”
In the center of the competition venue, an AR projection revealed a “smiling flower.”
It wasn’t just a smiling expression. Looking directly at the virtual character made it feel like your entire field of vision would be filled with dazzling smiles—it was an image composed of countless smiling sunflowers, each connected to one another through metal flower pots.
Without exaggeration, this was a character that constantly radiated SHINING light. Just standing there was enough to pull people’s emotions along with her.
“Ooooh~!”
After only a brief moment of distraction, a synchronized cheer swept through, nearly drowning out my hearing completely.
“We’re super motivated too, Niya-chan!”
“Ah~ Just seeing Niya-chan’s smile is enough to satisfy me~”
……
……
“Using the academy idol as the match host is indeed a great way to hype up the atmosphere.”
I watched the audience gathered in front of the virtual display screens with an obviously disinterested expression.
By the way, the spectator area itself was quite extravagant—a cubic stage surrounded by screens on all four sides, with Niya-chan’s AR projection device in the center. The screens facing each direction simultaneously displayed all duel footage from the BHAO world.
Currently, it was the “preliminary round for the lower tiers.” The school-wide knockout stage and the KI EVENT (King Encounter Tournament) afterward would also be held here.
Considering the actual battles took place in the virtual world, this scale of spectatorship was already quite substantial.
“But there are really a lot of spectators for this year’s preliminary round.”
I remembered that last year, since my grade wasn’t qualified to participate, I had accidentally avoided the whole thing. Back then, even with the academy idol hosting, the audience was sparse and couldn’t compare to the knockout stage at all.
“That’s because there’s another popular idol participating this year.”
Chiyo Haori stood with hands on hips, eyes sparkling as he stared at the main stage, his enthusiasm clearly several times higher than mine.
“I heard it’s a student in the same year as us. She was noticed by the KING of SNOW WALTZ and became one of her close aides!”
“SNOW WALTZ… the only idol-class territory in the BHAO world.”
The concept itself was a bit confusing. Rather than a territory, it was more like a virtual idol group with the KING as their leader.
“Mm-hmm! And I heard that KING’s strength has reached a level that can only be described as ‘world-destroying’! I really want to face her in battle once!”
Chiyo Haori completely ignored the special nature of that territory, his fighting spirit fully ignited instead. Thanks to that, he seemed to have completely forgotten about the handshake from earlier and was now fully immersed in his own chuunibyou battle fantasies.
…A careless battle-girl character.
No, battle-boy.
After forcefully correcting the gender perception in my mind, my gaze naturally returned to the main stage.
The small talk was over, and Niya-chan began explaining the rules for this preliminary round.
“This year’s preliminary round for the lower tiers is a bit strict~ Niya-chan actually doesn’t want to make everyone sad, but these are the rules set by Blue Sea Academy, so… Niya-chan can only apologize to everyone first!”
With those words, the virtual character on the stage bowed deeply. After a brief lowering of her head, the mournful expression was instantly replaced by a smile.
“Now, Niya-chan will explain the rules!”
Before she even finished speaking, five plump sunflowers appeared around her, all facing the same direction as she was.
“First, every participant starts with five initial points.”
It’s not a deduction system anymore? I remember it used to be that you were eliminated once you reached zero.
Rule changes weren’t unusual under the Student Council and BHAO Club system. Just as I adjusted my thinking, Niya’s voice came again.
“When you defeat an opponent, you can seize one point from them. Pay attention, Niya-chan said ‘seize,’ not ‘obtain.’”
She waved her right hand and sprinkled pollen onto one sunflower, which instantly transformed into a ferocious sunflower lion.
“The base seizure value is one point. Additionally, every player has one chance to actively challenge another player. In that challenge, you can bet any number of points you want.”
As she spun, the remaining four sunflowers transformed into lions one after another.
“In other words, that one opportunity can allow you to make a comeback. Of course, provided that the opponent actually has the points you want to seize. And once you lose all your points…”
She tossed out a piece of meat, and the pack of lions immediately pounced and tore into it.
“Then you can only be eliminated from Blue Sea Academy.”
In the midst of the wild scene, Niya-chan showed a slightly saddened expression and let out a soft sigh.
“Those are the rules for this year’s preliminary round~ Everyone, please make sure to use that precious opportunity carefully, okay?”
…How black-hearted.
Watching her deliver such a cruel rule with an unchanging expression, I couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
However, the atmosphere in the venue only grew more excited.
This was probably part of Niya-chan’s idol style.
“Oh, and here’s some good news~ The top three players with the highest points will advance to the school-wide knockout tournament. There’s one extra spot this year compared to previous years!”
After a short pause, she immediately sped up her speech.
“Then—the preliminary round for the lower tiers now officially begins!”
“The first match of Group A is between ‘UNKNOWN NAME WARRIOR’ and ‘WATER FENCER’! Please look forward to it!”