At the start of the first round, the character controlled by Eriri launched a fierce assault, and the fight looked almost completely one-sided. (Continued)

"Come to think of it, being the center of everyone's attention isn't so bad."

A sly, cat-that-got-the-cream smile appeared at the corner of the girl's mouth as she gazed at the white clouds beyond.

The only problem was that the higher you climbed, the harder you fell.

"So, Seeker of Truth, lead us to victory!"

She and that person had once again found that sense of mutual understanding that came from sharing each other's fortunes and misfortunes.

Meanwhile.

The other students in Shuchiin's middle school division had also heard that Dekomori Sanae was taking part.

As the only middle schooler, she stood out so much that it was hard to believe.

"Dekomori-san, are you serious? The Basketball Club students are all monsters! You'll get hurt! Those guys are practically 'demon lords' to people like us!"

During class break, besides a few girls, a boy she got along with reasonably well had come over to try to talk her out of it.

In Dekomori Sanae's mind, the boy's character setting was probably that of someone who carried the Brave's luggage.

"Don't underestimate me, Lord of Toys! They're nothing but demon lords. They're no match for the Thunder Hammer User, death! Besides, this time I'll be fighting alongside my master and Lord Sage. No matter what enemies lie ahead, there's nothing to fear, death!"

She chopped the air with her hand and spoke with impassioned conviction.

"Could you not call me 'Lord of Toys'? It's pretty embarrassing."

The boy in front of her looked a little awkward.

"But if that 'Sage' really is as monstrous as the rumors say, maybe you really can win..."

"Of course, death! Lord Sage is our pride and joy!"

"Must be nice. I wish I could express myself like that person, too."

He murmured, his eyes full of envy.

But after imagining it for a moment...

"Never mind. I'd definitely get beaten to death and dumped in Tokyo Bay."

He didn't have the confidence or ability to face such a terrifying storm.

Time ticked by.

With every passing minute and second, the waiting crowd grew more anxious.

Until—

"Ding~"

As the school bell rang, the tension became even more suffocating.

Never before in Shuchiin's history had anyone done anything like this, and never had anything drawn so much attention.

This was no longer just a game. They were witnessing—

The birth of a king!

"Let's go."

Without needing to say more, Hasegawa Izumi exchanged a look with Chika and Rikka, who had come into the hallway with him.

The girls' eyes were resolute. They had transformed into warriors!

The time they'd had was indeed short, but their training over the past few days had brought remarkable results—enough to astonish everyone!

The battle ahead would show Shuchiin something none of them had expected.

"Stop pushing!"

"There's no room for that many people in the gym!"

"That's enough! Stop right there!"

After school, students eager to watch the spectacle flooded toward the gymnasium.

But there were too many people. The gym couldn't fit them all while the game was going on.

The situation was so urgent that even the Student Council had to step in to manage the crowd.

In the end, reality prevailed. The hierarchy at Shuchiin High School was especially clear, so they quickly ruled that a large portion of the students would be kept outside.

"Everyone, don't be too disappointed. The Student Council prepared a livestream in advance for today. If you're interested, come this way."

The Student Council President promptly appeared and ushered everyone away.

Though they couldn't watch in person, this was a reality they could accept.

The gym was cleared out.

Fewer than fifty people remained.

"Good afternoon, Shinomiya-san."

"Hello, Sawamura-san... Are you here to watch Hasegawa's game?"

Eri and Shinomiya Kaguya happened to run into each other in one corner of the gym.

"...Yes, that's right."

Eri glanced around. Once she was sure no one was nearby, she nodded in confirmation.

"You really are going to a lot of trouble."

Seeing this, Shinomiya Kaguya analyzed the situation and came to the right conclusion. She smiled faintly.

"Are you interested in this game too, Shinomiya-san?"

Eri completely ignored the remark, her eyes flickering as she changed the subject.

"Yes, of course."

Shinomiya Kaguya nodded firmly.

"Why?"

Eri's expression suddenly turned wary.

If it was Shinomiya, this could get tricky!

"Because... my intuition tells me Hasegawa-kun will be standing before me before long..."

Hm?

"And then he'll issue me the same challenge."

Oh.

The girl's brows relaxed at once.

"In that case, I can see why. You've won the national championship several times in middle school, so you're definitely one of Izumi's targets."

Eri agreed.

Hasegawa Izumi wasn't plotting anything. He'd already told everyone what he was after, so it wasn't hard to imagine.

"Sawamura-san, it seems you have a lot of faith in Hasegawa-kun."

Shinomiya Kaguya's lips curled slightly.

"Hmph! Who would believe that idiot?"

Eri blushed and turned her head with a snort.

Doubt him first, then believe him!

Doubt him again, then believe him again!

That was how she operated.

Shinomiya Kaguya had been hoping to pry some more information out of her, but the next moment, both teams emerged from opposite sides of the gym, instantly drawing their attention.

At the same time, the voice of Asahi Shizuku, the News Department's host, came over the loudspeaker.

"Before the game begins, let me introduce the two teams..."

36 ZONE!

"First, wearing black uniforms, is Shuchiin High School's Basketball Club. Number 1, the club president, Hyuga Konji. Next, number 4, vice president Hiiragi Gosho; number 3, Kato Eiji; number 7, Akamine Rōnin; and number 9, Kurosaki Kawa."

Leaving out the teachers and coaches, Asahi Shizuku went straight to the starting lineup.

"Next, wearing... um, wearing gym clothes, is the Far East Magic Society. Number 1, team captain Hasegawa Izumi; number 2, Takanashi Rikka; number 3, Fujiwara Chika; number 4, Dekomori Sanae; and number 5, Nibuya Morika."

They hadn't had time to make uniforms specifically for this game, so they'd simply worn the school's gym clothes and pinned on numbers.

That would have to do.

As the two teams gathered at the center of the court, the contrast between them was unmistakable.

The players on the left were all huge, burly guys. On the other side, the only one who could hold his own was Hasegawa, the lone boy, but even he was a head shorter. As for the girls, there was simply no comparison.

In terms of physical build, they weren't even in the same league.

In a contact-heavy sport like basketball, that was already a massive disadvantage from the start.

Even so.

"Look, Hasegawa and the others aren't fazed at all. If anything, they're fired up!"

"That lawless rebel is one thing, but Fujiwara and the others don't seem scared either."

"Maybe everyone understands that the Basketball Club won't make any really rough moves against girls. Otherwise, one spit from each of them would be enough to drown the whole team."

The spectators nearby were sizing them up and discussing them.

Though the Far East Magic Society was physically weaker, they had no shortage of spirit or presence. They didn't look worried or afraid at all.

"Interesting. Has Fujiwara really been whipped into shape that much in such a short time?"

Shinomiya Kaguya looked over her closest friend, her expression full of interest.

I can't believe he found so many chuunibyou friends. And Chika-chan, why do you have to get involved in everything?!

Eri was ranting internally.

On the other side.

The ten players faced one another. Hasegawa Izumi and Hyuga Konji met each other's gaze, both brimming with confidence.

Each side had faith in its own abilities.

"The third match in the Path to Kingship, Shuchiin High School's Basketball Club versus the Far East Magic Society, is now underway!"

Asahi Shizuku's voice rang out again.

The referee on the court said, "Bow!"

"Please take care of us."

Both teams nodded slightly.

After the formalities, the two sides were about to face off in a battle of the best.

They took their positions on the court.

As expected, you're the one taking the jump ball?

Standing in his semicircle at center court, Hyuga Konji watched Hasegawa Izumi approach. He wasn't surprised.

If it were a girl, there'd be no need to think about it—she'd have no chance of winning the jump ball. Only Hasegawa, the lone boy, had a chance.

Now all that remained was to see whether this guy, with his monstrous physical abilities, really had no openings!

"Peep~!"

The whistle blew. The referee tossed the basketball high into the air and stepped aside.

Hyuga Konji leaped without hesitation, trying to give his team the advantage.

Hasegawa Izumi moved a moment later.

Though he was at a height disadvantage, he displayed astonishing leaping ability and explosive power. Moving faster despite his late start, he reached out and touched the ball first.