“For
the reasons outlined above, we have concluded that, in the near future, the
existing stage facilities will no longer be able to keep pace with the
evolution of the Star Martial Arts Festival. And so, this time...”
On
the platform of the opening ceremony, the speech of Madiath Mesa, chairman of
the Star Martial Arts Festival organizing committee, continued.
Minato
was now standing on the stage of the Sirius Dome, the very place where the
final match, fought for the championship, would also be held. Just thinking
about it made her feel a boiling surge rise from deep within her body.
And
then, when she let her gaze wander, she saw countless teams standing on the
same stage.
Among
them were several powerful teams widely regarded as favorites to win.
Team
Enfield of Seidoukan Academy, including Amagiri Ayato and her partner Julis-Alexia
von Riessfeld, who had conquered the most recent Phoenix Festival.
Team
Huanglong of Jie Long Seventh Institute, boasting the top disciple of the
Wanyou Tianluo, Fan Xinglu.
Team
Androcles of Arlequint Academie, who had declared they would unveil a new and
special Lux at this Gryps Festival.
Team
Lancelot and Team Tristan, also known as Lifrodes of Saint Gallardworth Academy,
who had helped Minato and the others earlier.
From
the same Queenvail Girls’ Academy as Minato’s team were Team Merveille and Team
Rusalka.
And
from Rewolf Black Institute came the mercenary students’ Team Helion, led by
Roverica and the others.
By
any ordinary measure, none of these looked like opponents that Minato’s Team
Kaguya could hope to defeat.
But still... even so!
Minato
quietly closed her eyes.
Behind
her eyelids rose the image of the vast, enormous moon she had gazed up at along
the coast when she was a child.
That
was Minato’s dream. A dream she absolutely had to fulfill, the dream she shared
with her father. A symbol she had to fight for and claim.
But
now, it was no longer just that.
She
slowly opened her eyes.
Beside
Minato were her comrades who would fight alongside her, and each of them
carried dreams of their own.
That
was why they fought.
As
Minato clenched her fist tightly, she suddenly felt a gentle hand placed over
it.
Startled,
she turned to see Chloe gazing straight into Minato’s eyes.
Then
Yuzuhi, Sophia, and Nina also placed their hands on top, one after another.
Even
without words, everyone’s feelings, their resolve, came through clearly.
That’s
right.
With
this team, with these companions, there was no opponent she needed to fear.
At
the very least, Minato could say with pride that this was the best team
imaginable to her.
As
Team Kaguya silently nodded to one another, Madiath on the platform proclaimed
in a ringing voice.
“Then,
hereby, I declare the opening of the 24th Gryps Festival!”
As
if answering that call, a tremendous roar of cheers and fervor from the packed
audience enveloped the Sirius Dome.