The whole capital was drowning in magic and festival hype.
Colorful rental brooms zipped overhead.
Magic horses pulled glittering carts.
Wind and fire spirits danced in the air, visible only to those who knew how to look.
Everyone was grinning like idiots because "Ray's Birthday" was right around the corner.
Char walked beside me, practically bouncing.
"Jirei-kun, look! Hero Manju stall! I wanna try one!"
Long line.
"I'm heading to tournament reception. Buy it if you want."
"But then I won't be with Jirei-kun…"
She deflated instantly.
Cute, but I wasn't falling for the puppy eyes today.
A few days ago I made a shady deal with Luna and Yuri.
Today was the Magic Tournament check-in.
Char insisted on closing the shop to "cheer me on," so here we were together.
We reached the venue.
A creepy mascot with bulging eyes held a sign:
"Participants →→ (No spectators beyond this point)"
I waved at Char. "See ya."
The mascot was terrifying.
Whoever designed that thing should be arrested.
Reception was surprisingly empty.
My turn came fast.
I slid over my participation ticket and started filling the form.
Tournament alias: Ray Rojira.
Affiliation: Royal Magikosmaia Magic Academy.
Recommender: Principal Ardi.
The receptionist's eyes nearly popped out.
"Principal Ardi personally recommended you!? That's huge!"
…That damn cat's name carries way too much weight.
To me he's just a clingy furball with bad manners.
"Hurry up, please."
People were starting to stare.
"S-sorry! Um… alias 'Ray Rojira'… I hate to say this, but maybe pick something else?"
She looked genuinely scared. "You really shouldn't use Ray-sama's name…"
"Who's Ray-sama?"
She gasped like I'd murdered her family.
"You're in Magikosmaia and you don't know Hero Ray!? You've wasted half your life!"
She pointed dramatically at an enormous bronze statue in the plaza.
Three adult men tall.
Full ornate armor.
Long sword.
Face so handsome it hurt to look at.
Pose screaming "I'm perfect."
"That's the hero who saved this country! Red hair, kind heart, still has a massive fan club!"
She was basically vibrating with love. "During the Birthday Festival everyone dyes their hair red to honor him!"
Red hair…
Back in my cringey teen days I wore a red wig here once.
Dark history. Never again.
"Anyway, I just picked the name randomly. I'll change it if it's trouble—"
"NO WAY! You can't just—"
She kept ranting.
I tuned her out and finished the paperwork.
Come to think of it…
Eve's crush is also named Ray.
Probably coincidence.
Common name, right?
…Right?