A military official stepped forward and said a few words. Then the starting cannons fired, and the competition began.
Today marked the opening of a ten-day magic competition featuring five events each for men and women in the official division, along with five events each for men and women in the newcomer division—for a total of twenty events.
The first day's events were the preliminaries and finals of the official division's Rapid-Fire Shooting, as well as the preliminaries of Surfing Race.
The organizers had chosen official-division competitors for the opening day so the spectators who had traveled from afar could enjoy a more exciting show.
As for why Saegusa Mayumi was the first to compete, it was entirely because one woman from First High School had such overwhelming personal charm.
Having her go first could instantly heat up the atmosphere throughout the venue.
Most of First High School's competitors who weren't busy were also watching Saegusa Mayumi's match from the stands. As for Kudo Mitsunobu, he was down below helping Saegusa Mayumi stretch.
"Mayumi, you're really flexible!"
With Kudo Mitsunobu's help, Saegusa Mayumi touched her toes with both hands. At that moment, she looked like a closed shell.
At least in Kudo Mitsunobu's eyes, even people who trained specifically in dance would struggle to manage the pose Saegusa Mayumi was holding.
"Mm, that's enough!"
Saegusa Mayumi felt she had stretched as far as she could, so she signaled for Kudo Mitsunobu to release the large hand pressing down on the back of her neck.
Saegusa Mayumi stood and stretched her back, then shook out her arms.
"I've been training my flexibility since I was little."
Once she was ready, Saegusa Mayumi took the rifle-type competition CAD from Kudo Mitsunobu and prepared to go onstage.
"Good luck! Let me see the