Amidst cheers of victory for Mari Watanabe, Mayumi Saegusa and Chiba Yeyou also left their seats and went to the contestants' preparation area, awaiting Mari Watanabe's triumphant return.
"I'm back!"
Mari Watanabe looked excited, which was quite different from her usual calm and composed personality.
"With your skills, you could win even if someone else were your mechanic. Why are you so agitated?"
Seeing her friend's excited expression, Mayumi Saegusa looked at her with some confusion.
"Besides, you've participated in the Nine Schools Competition before, and you won, didn't you?"
"Besides, that was the finals, this is just the preliminary rounds, is it really necessary to make such a fuss?"
The more Mayumi Saegusa explained, the less she understood.
"You don't understand. In the past, I won because I had to fight with all my might, but this time I easily crushed my opponent!"
"That's a complete rout!"
"Crush!"
Do you even understand what "gold content" means?
Mari Watanabe expressed her feelings to Mayumi Saegusa in a somewhat exaggerated way, which, in Chiba Yeyou's opinion, was simply a feeling of exhilaration.
After all, this is not even a competition of the same level; it's like high school students bullying elementary school students.
"Mmm!"
"Although I still don't quite understand, congratulations anyway, Mari!"
Mayumi Saegusa smiled sweetly, genuinely happy for her friend.
You'll understand when you experience it.
At this point, Mari Watanabe turned her gaze to Chiba Yeyou.
Congratulations, Watanabe- senpai!
" Chiba Yeyou, I want to extend a formal invitation to you. I hope that after you graduate, you can come and work for my family. After this competition, I have a deep understanding of how powerful you are as a maintenance engineer. Without exaggeration, between two people with a certain difference in magical talent, the one with less talent, with your help, can definitely reach the level of the one with more talent, or even surpass them!"
Mari Watanabe's expression suddenly turned serious, and the more she spoke, the brighter her eyes became, and she realized that her invitation was an absolutely correct decision.
" Mari!"
Mayumi Saegusa glared at her best friend who had pouted at her, clearly annoyed.
From an angle unseen by Mari Watanabe, Mayumi Saegusa quietly reached out her small hand and tugged at Chiba Yeyou's clothes.
Mayumi Saegusa Chiba Yeyou glanced at Nanagusa Mayumi with amusement.
"Ah, hahaha..."
Mari Watanabe was a little embarrassed, but she still looked at Chiba Yeyou and waited for his reply.
"Uh, let's forget about it!"
"I don't plan to go anywhere and work for anyone. I'm also confident that I'll have a good future."
Chiba Yeyou was left somewhat amused and exasperated by Mari Watanabe's sudden invitation.
Just kidding, what do you Watanabe family use to attract yourselves?
I, Chiba Yeyou, am definitely no worse than Tatsuya Shiba!
Are you going to sell yourself to me?
"All right."
When Mari Watanabe heard Chiba Yeyou's answer, she was somewhat disappointed, but then she thought it was normal; they were only in their first year of high school, and there was still a long time ahead of them.
Hearing Chiba Yeyou's reply, Mayumi Saegusa's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was relieved, and her pouting lips relaxed, replaced by a smile.
"Okay, although I'm a little disappointed, I still hope that if you're considering this in the future, you'll give me priority consideration to come work for me. The compensation is excellent!"
"It's a bit too hasty to bring this up now; there's plenty of time!"
Mari Watanabe smiled and looked at Chiba Yeyou, but that look made Mayumi Saegusa a little irritated.
However, the thought that this girl had a boyfriend Mayumi Saegusa secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
"Let's go grab something to eat and replenish our energy. Mayumi Saegusa is also participating in the preliminaries later."
"Okay, that's perfect. You'll see why I'm so excited soon enough."
Mari Watanabe said to Mayumi Saegusa a grin.
Mayumi Saegusa Mari Watanabe's anticipation was completely fueled by Mari Watanabe.
The three of them walked towards the restaurant, chatting and laughing.
Speed Shooting Preliminary Rounds
"How's it going?"
"Final adjustments are underway."
Upon hearing Mari Watanabe's question, Mayumi Saegusa looked at the CAD software on the machine and answered.
"Alright."
The clattering of Chiba Yeyou's keyboard keys abruptly stopped.
I'll go this time.
As is customary, CAD is submitted to the Operations Committee for testing before each competition to prevent cheating. After all, it is a major magic event in Japan, and they need to save face.
In the morning, Mari Watanabe's CAD was inspected by herself, but in the afternoon Chiba Yeyou suddenly remembered that the Operations Committee wasn't very good either. The guy in charge of operating the inspection machine was a traitor, and no one could guarantee that he wouldn't tamper with Mayumi Saegusa's CAD if she was involved.
"I can handle this myself, no need to trouble you."
Mayumi Saegusa felt that getting tested was just a quick thing to do, and there was no need to make Chiba Yeyou make an extra trip.
"Alright, I'll go. You rest here for a bit."
Chiba Yeyou picked up the CAD software from the control panel and headed towards the Operations Committee's tent.
"Hey, I don't even get this kind of treatment!"
The two who remained looked puzzled, and then Mari Watanabe began to tease Mayumi Saegusa.
Mayumi Saegusa what was said, and raised her little fists to punch Mari Watanabe's chest. Cough cough, it was a bit of envy and jealousy.
Upon entering, I saw many students queuing up for testing.
At the front of the line was a desk, on which a machine was constantly running, emitting faint glows. Strings of data and lines of different colors on the indicator screen showed whether the CAD software was functioning properly.
"Next!"
After everyone in front of her had finished their tests, Chiba Yeyou finally saw the guy in a blue work uniform with a serious expression.
The CAD file was placed on the testing platform, and the screen displayed a photo of Mayumi Saegusa and her school information. As the machine ran, a blue line, like a wave, swept across the CAD file, constantly checking whether it contained any magic or cheating methods that exceeded the competition rules.
The operator remained calm, slowly made a record, and after the inspection, transferred the CAD file belonging to Mayumi Saegusa to Chiba Yeyou.
You're smart to know what's good for you!
In that case, let Tatsuya Shiba.
Seeing that this guy seemed quite honest, Chiba Yeyou didn't say anything and turned to leave.
After all, even if he wanted to find out who it was Chiba Yeyou had no evidence, and besides, he didn't even have that kind of idea.
"Hey!"