The Final Battle of 《SFIA》 Begins!
♯
“Hey, hey, Hiroto-kun♪ Who do you think is the cutest among us?”
The first week of August, Saturday—.
The one who said such a thing with an upward glance while boldly showing off her swimsuit in front of me
was none other than the cunningly cute little devil senpai, Akizuki Noa.
By clasping her hands behind her back, she subtly emphasized her chest, and her swimsuit was
the so-called one-piece type. It had a soft orange hue, perfectly matching Akizuki’s bright image.
With a pareo skirt attached, the exposure was kept in check, but the impact of her chest was, as expected, far beyond her uniform.
Furthermore, even when blown by the sea breeze, her chestnut-colored, fluffy twin-tails remained intact.
“…Uh, well.”
Normally, it’s not an outfit you’d ever get to see… but in this setting,
it didn’t feel out of place. After all, we were at a beach located in Academy Island’s District 18.
Academy Island—officially named “Shikishima”—is an artificial island, Aqua Float, located far south-southeast of Tokyo Bay.
Initially existing as a standalone island, District Zero, it is now surrounded by a total of twenty academic districts spiraling outward.
As a result, the younger districts on the outer perimeter all face the sea.
For the academy’s promotional slogan or to attract tourists,
every district is beautifully maintained.
In short, we came to play at one of those districts… but as evident from her provocative question earlier,
it’s not like Akizuki and I are here alone.
“N-Noa-senpai, you can’t ask something like that! Compared to you senpais,
I’m bound to lose… and, I mean, Shinohara-senpai, aren’t you staring too much!?”
“…Even if you say that. Should I just close my eyes or something?”
“I’m not saying that much. But, just… g-go easy on me! Please, go easy!”
The junior girl who raised her voice while tightly clutching her chest with her right hand—
Minakami Mari.
While telling me not to look, she stood right in the center of my field of vision, naturally also in a swimsuit.
However, she had thrown a T-shirt over it, and while her outfit was casual, her skin exposure was relatively modest.
Even so, just the clear outline of her figure must have been quite embarrassing for her.
Her cheeks were already flushed as she complained with her eyes closed.
To Mari, Akizuki turned around with that cunning smile still on her face.
“Ehh? You’re wearing a shirt, so there’s no need to go easy or anything. You gotta be more daring♡”
“D-Daring… you mean, like what?”
“Hehe, like this♡”
“—Nya!?”
Quick as a flash, Akizuki slipped behind Minakami, grabbed the hem of her T-shirt,
and lightly lifted her arms. In that fleeting moment, all sorts of things were revealed. A refined figure, a surprisingly bold swimsuit.
A smooth stomach, a chest protected only by the swimsuit, and a bright red face came into view one after another.
“Tch, t-that’s… that’s a foul!! Nothing naughty, Noa-senpai!”
But that sight lasted only a moment, as Minakami hurriedly pulled the hem of her shirt back down.
She glanced at me for just a second before throwing words of protest at the culprit, Akizuki.
…Her way of addressing her has changed, so they must be getting closer, but it seems the road ahead is still rough.
“Eh, what, what, is Shino gonna give a fashion check!? Then me too!”
At the same time, leaping out next to Minakami was the gal-type JK with flowing blonde hair,
Nanase Asamiya. Her swimsuit was a straightforward black bikini.
It was quite a bold outfit for a high schooler, but as the former charismatic model “Nanase-tan,”
it suited her so well it made me blush involuntarily.
Even so, Enomoto, standing nearby, seemed to have some complaints.
“Hmph… Fashion check, my foot. Don’t you think it’s shameful to stand in front of people
with just a thin piece of cloth like that? By the way, I’m embarrassed just standing near you.”
“Ehh? Come on, Shinji, you’ve been saying that this whole time.
Sure, it’s a bit flashy, but it’s the beach, so everyone around is in swimsuits too, right?
It’s not embarrassing at all.”
“Tch, to think my childhood friend has become such an exhibitionist…
By the way, what happened to the swimsuit you bought the other day? I went out of my way to pick it for you.”
“Tch, that one… um, I was thinking I’d wear it when it’s just you and me…”
“…What are you mumbling about? I can’t hear a thing, Nanase.”
“! I-I said I can’t wear something with such bad taste! Ugh, stupid Shinji!”
Nanase, who had been fidgeting with the hair around her ears, puffed out her cheeks,
frustrated by Enomoto’s obliviousness.
It was in that moment, distracted by their usual banter—
“—Sorry to keep you waiting, Master.”
“!”
Feeling my heart leap at the voice from behind, I turned around, trying to stay calm.
And… there stood Himeji. Himeji Shirayuki. The brilliant and obedient silver-haired maid
who serves me, the false 7-Star, and assists with all sorts of matters.
Her outfit, of course, wasn’t a maid uniform. She wore a red-based bikini
with a pastel yellow parka draped over it. Her silver hair danced in the wind, adorned with a headband instead of a headdress,
giving an overall subdued look… but even so, the impact didn’t soften. Her thighs were fully exposed,
and every time she raised her arm to hold her hair, her stomach and shoulders came into view. My heartbeat was loud,
my pulse was racing, and words just wouldn’t come
We stared at each other for a while—and then, I finally noticed. Normally,
Himeji always has a cool expression, but today there’s a slight change.
She’s fidgeting, her cheeks faintly flushed, occasionally glancing at me…
and repeating. In short, she’s embarrassed.
(Wha, what’s that? So cute…)
“Um… I’m sorry, Master. It’s embarrassing if you stare so much.”
“…Tch, s-sorry!”
At Himeji’s remark, my face suddenly heats up, and I quickly turn away.
And at the end of my gaze is Akizuki, sporting an impish “Ehehe~♡” smile—
“So, I’ll ask one more time, Hiroto-kun♪ Who do you think is the cutest
here?”
(This… this is one of those situations where saying something careless could
be dangerous!?)
—That’s what I was thinking.
♯
The Academy Island Summer Large-Scale Event, the Summer Festival 《SFIA》—
A massive 《Duel Game》 where approximately 250,000 high school students
from the island’s academies participate, vying for their districts’ prestige,
has reached its final battle.
The 《SFIA》 started with about 100,000 participants in the First Stage,
narrowed to 10,000 in the Second Stage, 100 in the Third Stage… and now,
after the Fourth Stage Semifinals concluded two days ago, only sixteen
remain. From Eimei, it’s just me and Minakami. This group will fight in the
final battle—but due to the intense schedule from the First Stage to now,
and for the organizers’ setup and other reasons, 《SFIA》 is currently in a
brief rest period.
The final battle begins on Monday.
The rules for the 《Duel Game》 will be announced this evening.
So, mainly Akizuki and Asamiya, the third-year duo, started saying things
like, “It’s unthinkable not to go to the beach during summer vacation!” and
thus, we ended up heading out to have fun as a big group.
…Well, that’s the context, anyway.
After thoroughly enjoying the summer beach, we moved to a reserved
ryokan.
The current time is 7:30 PM. Having returned from the large baths—men and
women separately—we’ve gathered in the relatively spacious room, the girls’
room. It’s an elegant Japanese-style room with tatami mats. In the center is
a round chabudai table, surrounded by six of us.
“—Now then, refreshed, shall we begin the strategy meeting for the final
battle?”
The first to speak, with her usual cool expression, is Shirayuki Himeji,
sitting next to me. She’s in a yukata like everyone else, her silver hair tied
high in a ponytail. Perhaps due to her clothing or a different shampoo, there’s
a faintly sweet scent that seems stronger than usual.
“Yeah. First, we need to review the rules… but from what I’ve seen, the
final battle seems to be based on a real escape game.”
As I speak, I operate my device to project the text of the final battle’s
rules. …We’ve each skimmed it before heading to the baths, but as the grand
finale of the large-scale event 《SFIA》, it’s predictably complex. I wanted us
to go over it together again.
The rules are as follows.
【《SFIA》 Final Battle—《Tower of Legends》 Rule List】
【This 《Duel Game》 is an “Escape Game × Dungeon RPG” with sixteen
participants. Players are divided into four “Factions” to conquer the “Tower.”
The faction that reaches the top floor first will be the winner of the 《Tower
of Legends》 and, by extension, the Summer Festival 《SFIA》.】
【The stage of the 《Duel Game》 is the circular 《Tower of Legends》 standing
in Academy Island’s District Zero. It consists of ten circular floors stacked
around a central pillar. Each floor has rooms arranged in two concentric
circles, inner and outer, dividing the circle at regular intervals. However,
the number of rooms varies by floor.】
【Movement within a floor is done via “Doors” in each room, while movement
between floors uses “Elevators” present in limited numbers on each floor.】
【All doors in the tower have “Conditions for Opening.” These conditions are
semi-random with fixed difficulty and change periodically. Successfully
opening a door grants EXP (Experience Points, detailed later) based on the
opening difficulty, and may provide information about the 《Duel Game》—
called “Fragments”—or items. The same applies to activating elevators.】
【Players start the 《Duel Game》 from different rooms on the first floor.
However, players from the same district can begin in the same room.】
【Communication between the tower’s interior and exterior is, in principle,
prohibited.】
…Reading this far, I let out a breath.
“For now, these are the basic rules. The final battle, 《Tower of Legends》—
players clear door-opening conditions while exploring floors, use elevators to
ascend, and the team that reaches the top floor first wins. The framework is
pretty straightforward.”
“Indeed. In one word, it’s a 《Duel Game》 about ‘climbing up relentlessly.’
However, all doors to adjacent rooms are locked, requiring conditions to open…
it’s truly a real escape game. And the ten-floor tower setting is straight out
of a dungeon RPG.”
“Yup, yup. Like, I haven’t played it, but it’s kinda like that dungeon game,
right?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
To be precise, it’s not like that dungeon game where “the structure changes
every time you enter,” so it feels closer to something like *World Tree
Labyrinth*… but anyway, that’s the gist. Find the elevator to the next floor
and aim to reach the top faster than anyone else.
“But… at least I can start the 《Duel Game》 with Shinohara-senpai, right?
That’s a relief.”
Gazing at the rules, Minakami says this, sitting diagonally to my left.
“I was a bit anxious about doing it alone… so, um, please take care of me,
Senpai.”
“…Y-Yeah, of course.”
Her flowing black hair sways as she bows, causing a slight flutter in my
heart. Up until the Fourth Stage Semifinals, she was fiercely antagonistic, so
being relied on so openly catches me off guard.
Ignoring my inner turmoil, Asamiya, arms crossed over her chest, cheerfully
continues.
“Yup, yup, it’s definitely lucky that Shino and Mari can start in the same
room.”
“Well… lucky or not, it’s probably one of the advantages given to districts
that sent multiple players to the final battle. It’s been quite chaotic this
year, though…”
To Enomoto’s comment, I mutter, “…Yeah,” and shrug.
“Chaotic” refers to the number of academies that passed the Fourth Stage.
Normally, it’s narrowed down to about five districts by this point, but this
year, ten districts are competing in the final battle—a chaotic clash of
various agendas.
(…Well, ignoring districts, 《Hexagram》 is overwhelmingly dominant…)
Thinking this, I shake my head slightly. There’s no point dwelling on
《Hexagram》 now. First, we need to fully grasp the rules.
Operating my device again, I look at the continuation of the projected text—
【There are four “Factions” in the 《Tower of Legends》, and players belong to
one of them: Angel, Demon, Kingdom, or Revolution. The activation condition
for the four elevators leading to the second floor is “gathering four
players,” and the initial faction is determined by which elevator is used.】
【Each faction has a fixed cap of four members. Faction changes are possible
via methods described later, but except for ability-based exceptions, a state
of “not belonging to any faction” is not allowed.】
【Faction Change: If even one member of another faction is in the same room,
a player can select the “Transfer Request” command from the device menu.
The transfer request is executed without anyone knowing, and after one minute,
it is automatically approved only if “the transfer does not violate any
faction’s member limit.” Even if both factions already have four members, a
swap is possible by “forcing” a transfer request via skills or similar.】
【In the 《Tower of Legends》, “EXP” and “Skills” are shared within a
faction.】
【EXP: The only resource in this 《Duel Game》. It can be earned by opening
doors, activating elevators, or engaging in combat with other factions. It
has three main uses. First, “Forced Door Opening.” All doors have a
“Forced Opening Cost” separate from normal conditions, allowing players to
bypass conditions by spending set EXP. The second use is “Avatar
Enhancement,” detailed later. The final use is “Skill Acquisition.”】
【Skills: Within the 《Tower of Legends》, players can use countless
“Skills.” Each skill has prerequisite conditions, and acquiring it requires
meeting those conditions and spending set EXP. Acquired skills belong to the
faction, not the individual, and can be used by any member. EXP costs apply
only to “acquisition,” after which skills operate on a cooldown system (no
usage limits).】
【All actions in the 《Duel Game》 are generally performed as a faction. If a
faction splits across multiple rooms, one group is considered the main
faction, and only the main faction can use EXP or skills. To split a faction
freely, skills like “Parallel Movement” are required.】
“Hmm, hmm…”
Akizuki, swaying her hair while reading the rules, places a finger near her
chin.
“So basically, the final battle splits into four teams, right♪ Angel, Demon,
Kingdom, and Revolution… You get sorted into teams when moving from the first
to the second floor, and after that, you can transfer under certain
conditions. In that case, faction-switching abilities could be pretty handy♡”
“Yeah, you could even jump to the winning faction at the last moment. Even
without that, ‘how strong a faction you can build’ is a pretty key point.”
“Y-Yeah, exactly. EXP and skills are shared within the faction, too…”
Minakami says thoughtfully. …As she points out, this 《Duel Game》 has an
even stronger “team battle” focus than the Fourth Stage Semifinals. Who you
gather on the first floor and what composition you take to the second floor
and beyond—that’s what will decide the outcome, no exaggeration.
At that moment, Asamiya, sitting across from me, leans forward over the
chabudai and raises her hand enthusiastically.
“Hey, hey! Shino, can I ask something? So, this Angel and Demon stuff, didn’t
they show up in the 《Duel Game》’s promotional video too? Does it have
anything to do with the strategy?”
“Ah… this?”
To Asamiya’s casual hair-flip, I respond while lightly touching my device’s
screen.
She’s probably referring to a video released alongside the 《Tower of
Legends》 rules. Not the rules themselves, but the world-building or
“flavor” elements.
The story of the 《Tower of Legends》 is, in a word, classic fantasy—an
overused trope. A world being eroded by an unknown force, the “Demons.”
Having lost vast populations and territories, the “Kingdom” recruits heroes
to defeat the Demons, launching an all-out war. Enter the “Angels,” a group
of rulers from the azure heavens, intervening in the conflict. But humanity
isn’t united. Inspired by supernatural beings like Demons and Angels, those
awakened to a power called magic—heretics exiled from the Kingdom—unite
under the banner of “Revolution,” picking fights with Angels, Demons, and
everything else.
Thus, the world was plunged into a maelstrom of war among four factions.
The factions are evenly matched, and even centuries after the first clash,
no resolution has been reached. Exhausted, they turned their attention to the
legend of the 《Tower of Legends》. Long before humans inhabited this land, a
certain Death God created an inescapable prison to confine a “Girl from
Another World”… Freeing her would grant control over the entire world.
“And so, gathered to conquer the tower are people from the same otherworld as
the imprisoned girl… namely, the players who made it to the final battle.
That’s the setting of this 《Duel Game》,” Himeji says in her cool tone as the
PV ends.
“In essence, it’s a proxy war. The four factions aim to conquer the 《Tower
of Legends》 to claim this world, but the imprisoned girl is literally from
another world, so they can’t even perceive her. That’s why Master and the
others strive to reach the top in their place.”
“Yeah. So, it’s definitely tied to the strategy. The Death God appears in the
later rule text as a key term, and the whole ‘freeing the girl’ thing is the
core of this 《Duel Game》.”
“Indeed. If so, the ‘Fragments’ gained when opening doors might be hints
about that. Escape games typically involve strong ‘puzzle-solving’ elements,
so we should assume all provided information has meaning.”
“…Hmm, true.”
To mine and Himeji’s comments, Enomoto, with his usual sour expression,
slowly crosses his arms.
“That was a surprisingly decent question for Nanase. Did you eat something
off?”
“H-Huh!? ‘Surprisingly’ is totally uncalled for! Besides, Shinji, you haven’t
said anyth—”
“Ehehe~ Don’t get too mad, Mya-chan♡ The prez is just sulking ’cause he got
beaten to the punch♪”
“Huh!?”
“Wha… Don’t say stupid things, Akizuki. We’re still in the middle of
reviewing the rules, you know? And from here, it’s even more central to the
《Duel Game》. No time to waste on nonsense.”
“Ehh? Geez, as unyielding as ever♡”
To Akizuki’s words, Enomoto snorts, “…Hmph,” masking his expression.
Then, he operates his device to project the remaining rule text.
【Roles: There are three “Roles” in the 《Tower of Legends》, and players must
choose one before the 《Duel Game》 begins. Most skills in the 《Tower of
Legends》 can only be acquired by specific roles. Additionally, when using
skills acquired by other players, their effects are halved unless the role
matches.】
【Role 1—Summoner.
A role specialized in combat with other factions. Can acquire “Avatar”-
related skills. Non-Summoner players can summon avatars, but skill effects are
limited.】
【Role 2—Explorer.
A role focused on tower conquest. Excels in scouting enemy factions or
elevator locations, particularly in information warfare. Can also attack
through interference or traps.】
【Role 3—Supporter.
A role adept at auxiliary actions that Summoners and Explorers can’t cover.
Can acquire skills for boosting EXP gain, communicating with other factions,
or facilitating faction transfers.】
【Avatar: A summoned doppelgänger controlled by the player. Its default
appearance is the player’s own, but players can set it to another player’s
appearance from the same district and gender. By investing faction EXP, base
stats and total EXP can be enhanced. If a player switches factions, the avatar
moves with them, but half the invested EXP is returned to the original
faction.】
【Combat: When multiple factions enter the same room, combat begins
automatically if any faction initiates a “Combat Request.” Combat in the
《Tower of Legends》 is a turn-based skill battle using avatars, with details
disclosed within the 《Duel Game》. The winning faction can seize half of the
defeated faction’s EXP and choose one of the following penalties to apply:
- Player Poaching (Force one enemy player to use “Transfer Request”)
- Stalling (Immobilize the enemy faction for one hour, blocking movement,
skill use, etc.)
- Item Theft (Take one item from the enemy faction’s inventory)】
【As evident from the rules, losing combat in the 《Tower of Legends》 does
not lead to elimination. However, a hidden role called the “Death God” exists,
possessing skills to eliminate other players. The Death God is assigned to
players meeting specific conditions, but details are undisclosed at this
time.】
【Abilities can be registered up to three, as usual. Like the Fourth Stage
Semifinals, all players except the winner lose one star, and all stars
confiscated thus far will be distributed to the four winners of the 《Tower
of Legends》 and their district, along with 《SFIA》’s official reward, the
“Orange Star.”】
“…That’s it.”
As everyone looks up, Himeji speaks in a whispering tone.
“As with the faction discussion, some rules likely won’t be revealed until
the 《Duel Game》 begins and exploration progresses. At any rate, the Death
God in the 《Tower of Legends》 has the power to eliminate others, but in
normal combat—despite penalties—elimination doesn’t occur.”
“Yeah. And I doubt the same person holds the Death God role forever. Otherwise,
it wouldn’t work as a 《Duel Game》… So, what we need to focus on now is the
standard roles. Minakami and I should at least decide our roles by tonight.”
“Y-Yes!”
Addressed by me, Minakami straightens her already straight posture with a
quick response.
“Um, first, just to clarify… since we start in the same place, we’ll be in
the same faction, right? You and me, Shinohara-senpai.”
“…? Yeah, obviously. There’s no reason not to team up.”
“R-Right! Ehehe… sorry, that was a weird question!”
Minakami reacts oddly to my slightly confused answer, her expression seeming
slightly happy, but since it’s unclear, I steer the conversation back.
“Well, since there’s two of us, we should at least diversify our roles. That’s
another strength of having multiple players from the same district… By the
way, what do you want to do, Minakami?”
“Um, yes, let’s see… I…”
Pausing to swallow her words, Minakami lets her flowing black hair sway as
she looks around at us.
“I have two goals for the final battle. First, to lecture Kaoru-san and the
others… the 《Hexagram》 seniors. I’ll make them stop wielding fake justice
and apologize to everyone on the island. Of course, I’m guilty too, so I’ll
apologize with them…!”
“Serious as ever.”
“Being serious is a good thing. …And my second goal is to repay the Eimei
seniors. Shirayuki-senpai, Noa-senpai, Shinji-senpai, Nanase-senpai, and
Shinohara-senpai… To express my gratitude to all of you, I’ll absolutely
secure victory for Eimei Academy.”
Minakami clenches her fist tightly. It bugs me slightly that I’m the only one
called by my surname, but whatever.
“Anyway, those are my two goals—maybe a bit ambitious for a 3-Star like me.
But if I limit my abilities… if I focus all their effects on one thing, I
might be able to stand toe-to-toe with the high-rankers.”
“Focus ability effects on one thing? …Wait, you mean—”
“Yes. I call it 《Hexagram》 Slayer—I want to be a Summoner, Shinohara-senpai.
I’ve prepared an ability that makes me insanely strong only when fighting
《Hexagram》 seniors, to face Kaoru-san head-on. I’ll keep my other abilities
defensive as usual, but this one… it’s a declaration of counterattack, as you
taught me.”
Minakami says this, staring straight into my eyes.
…Truly, she’s a strong kouhai. The pain of being betrayed by someone she
trusted can’t possibly heal in just a few days, yet she’s rallying her sense
of justice to stand with us.
Perhaps moved by her resolve—or not—Enomoto quietly speaks up.
“…‘《Hexagram》 Slayer’ sounds a bit vague, but they conveniently wear
matching emblems. If the effect triggers based on that, it’s feasible. I can
help with ability creation and tuning. Nanase over there can be a test
subject or at least make things lively—I’ll have you fully committed tomorrow,
Minakami-imouto.”
“…! Y-Yes! Thank you, Shinji-senpai! And you too, Nanase-senpai!”
“Wait, not a test subject, I’ll help properly too! Mari, back me up here!”
Watching this reliable exchange with Asamiya caught in the middle, I quietly
ponder. …That settles Minakami’s direction. No matter how much we strategize,
we’ll inevitably face Saeki. Preparing for that is essential.
But—as expected, or rather, obviously—the final battle won’t be that easy.
“There are sixteen left in 《SFIA》… every single one is someone we can’t
underestimate.”
To my sigh-laden mutter, Himeji, sitting beside me, continues, “…Indeed.”
“First, as Minakami-sama mentioned, the 《Hexagram》 members. Self-proclaimed
‘allies of justice’ who’ve falsely accused Master, and a deeply fated rival
for Eimei Academy. Their members are led by Saeki Kaoru, with Ishizaki Ako-
sama from Oumi Academy’s third year, Yanagi Souma-sama from Otowa Academy’s
second year, Yuikawa Kanade-sama from Ibara Academy’s third year… and
Akutsu Miyabi-sama from Suisei Academy’s third year.”
“…Miyabi-senpai is strong.”
Minakami, the only one with insider knowledge, quietly speaks up.
“She’s sharp-minded and incredibly reliable as an ally. It’s almost scary, like
she sees through everything… She feels like the ‘shadow leader’ supporting
Kaoru-san.”
“Yeah, I kinda get that. Noa was on the same team as Akutsu-chan in the Fourth
Stage Semifinals, and… she’d steer discussions with just a single comment,
super naturally. If she’s doing that intentionally, that’s kinda terrifying♡”
“I think she can. That’s the kind of person Miyabi-senpai is.”
Hearing their conversation, I inwardly reel. If Akizuki’s story is true,
Akutsu is someone “even Saionji couldn’t fully control.” She’s definitely the
second-highest priority after Saeki.
“And… excluding 《Hexagram》, the biggest threat is probably District Seven.”
As my thoughts reach that point, Himeji, resting her fingertips on her cheek,
softly murmurs.
“Shinra High School, ranked third among academies. The powerhouse that sent
the most players to the final battle. Their members are Kirigaya Touya-sama,
Fuwa Mitsuru-sama, and Fuwa Sumire-sama.”
“…Hmm. About those two FuwAS, I looked into them since their names were
unfamiliar. They’re twins in Shinra’s second year, both 4-Star players… but
I couldn’t find more than that. This is their first official match, and they’ve
never been mentioned before.”
“I see. I don’t know what relationship the twins have with Kirigaya, but
just having more numbers is undeniably a threat. In that sense, Ouka is
similar…”
“Ehehe, we already know the 《Empress》 is super strong, don’t we♡”
…Exactly.
Those are the standout threats, but solo players are by no means negligible.
The 《Oni Shrine Maiden》 Kururugi Senri, the sleepy-eyed “former strongest”
Minami Shizuku, and Amanezaka’s dark horse Yumeno Misaki… they’re all tough
opponents.
Thus, for a fake 7-Star like me to surpass them, I’ll need some tricks.
“The tower, the stage for the final battle, seems to block external
communication. Well, that’s expected with the puzzle-solving elements… but I
want to do something about this.”
To my slowly exhaled words, Enomoto nods, “…I see.”
“I’ve heard the final battle will be broadcast on 《Libra》’s channel with a
two-hour lag. If we could communicate between the tower’s interior and
exterior, it’d make tracking other factions’ progress or strategies much
easier. Plus, once the 《Duel Game》 starts, we plan to move against
《Hexagram》’s collapse. We’ll need at least minimal coordination.”
“While the oni’s away, huh?”
“Exactly. After all, 《Hexagram》’s leader and her right-hand are both
‘trapped in a place with no communication’—the perfect chance to clear the
stain on Eimei’s ace from last year. It’s time to take down 《Hexagram》.”
“Ehehe, yup, yup♪ Noa’s gonna totally crush them♡”
Enomoto declares with unwavering conviction, while Akizuki says something
ominous in her cutesy tone.
“But, coordination… how? All communication gets blocked, right?”
“Yeah, that’s how it’s supposed to be. Isn’t it impossible…?”
“No, not quite. Think about it, you two. Even if communication is blocked
between the tower’s interior and exterior, it’s not like it’s out of range.
Devices work inside the tower, and the 《Duel Game》 is broadcast across the
island—to the outside. So, it’s a matter of permissions. Players’ devices are
restricted to tower-only communication, but 《Libra》’s devices aren’t… And
here’s the thing: it’s always been ‘near real-time’ streaming, but this time
it’s ‘two hours delayed.’ Doesn’t that sound like they’re saying it’s okay if
two-hour-old info leaks?”
“…! So, only those who notice this get an advantage!?”
“Yeah. In other words—”
—It’s not a violation.
Cutting off there, I pick up the device on the table. Signaling “quiet” to
the Eimei members, I call a certain someone.
She answers immediately.
‘—Hanya? Could it be, Shinohara-kun-nya?’
“Yeah. Sorry for calling out of the blue, Kazami. Got a sec?”
‘Sure-nya! I was just taking a break-nya! You’re lucky, Shinohara-kun-nya!’
The girl responds energetically to my question—Kazami Suzuran.
She’s an ace of 《Libra》, the Academy Island’s official organization. A
second-year at Ouka Academy in District Three, like Saionji, she’s active as
an event MC and referee. Considering it’s the busy period right before the
final battle, catching her on the first try was indeed lucky.
But, well, anyway.
“Hey, Kazami, I’ve got a question about the final battle… Avatars, the ones
used in combat. How do they work? You’re not gonna say they’re all AI, right?”
’Good question-nya! Avatar operations are handled by 《Libra》 members using
motion capture-nya! They move super smoothly-nya!’
“I see… So, that means the ‘person inside’ the avatar is outside the tower,
right?”
‘Yup-nya, that’s all I’ll say-nya. Any more would be favoritism-nya!’
Kazami says this with a slightly playful tone.
Her reaction confirms my earlier deduction, and I press further.
“By the way, how’s that handled? You know, third-party involvement in a 《Duel
Game》 is against the nature of a star-taking game. Your usual activities are
fine since they’re ‘neutral,’ but participating as an avatar indirectly
supports players.”
’As expected, Shinohara-kun’s sharp-nya. That’s why everyone operating
avatars participates in the 《Duel Game》 as ‘pseudo-players’-nya. Of course,
voice communication is disabled, and we just follow instructions, but… what’s
up-nya?’
“…No, that’s enough. Thanks, Kazami. I’m looking forward to the final battle.”
‘Nya!’
Hearing her spirited reply (?), I lower the device with a slight smile. …Just
as I thought. Like Shiina did in 《Astral》, the 《Tower of Legends》 avatars
have “people inside.” That makes avatars the only window connecting the
tower’s interior and exterior.
“H-How’d it go, Senpai…?”
As my thoughts reach that point, Minakami speaks up worriedly. It’s no
wonder she’s anxious. If we lose here, her justice will be denied, and
《Hexagram》’s “false justice” will solidify its position.
But—no, because of that—I grin and say,
“Relax, Minakami. …Just now, the perfect ally joined our faction.”
♯
“Kuu… suu… ehehe, Onii-chan… munya…”
—10:00 PM.
After wrapping up the strategy meeting with the Eimei members, Himeji and I
moved to another room.
A slightly larger room in the same ryokan. We haven’t told Enomoto and the
others, but two 《Company》 members, Kagaya-san and Shiina Tsumugi, are
staying here. They’ve secretly tagged along to smoothly handle strategy
meetings and ability construction.
As you can see, though, Shiina is fast asleep, snug in her futon.
“Well, we were playing all day, so… she’s probably exhausted.”
“Indeed… That said, Kagaya-san, you look sleepy too.”
“That’s right. Just like Tsumu-Tsumu, Onee-san doesn’t have much stamina either… If I take one wrong step,
I might end up clinging to Hiro-kyun and falling asleep like Tsumu-Tsumu did before, maybe?“
“…Please stop trying to seduce Master like that, everyone.”
Himeji says this with a somewhat pouty expression, to which Kagaya-san responds with a playful “Sorry, sorry.” …This person, aside from her complete lack of life skills, is actually incredibly beautiful, so I wish she’d be more careful with such remarks.
Well, anyway.
“I heard the details from Shirayuki-chan. In short, you want an adaptive ability that changes effects based on your allies in the same faction… right?”
—Exactly.
First, as a premise, when I went through the rules of the final battle, the first thing that struck me was the “high randomness.” Players from the same district start in the same room, that’s the bare minimum guarantee, but who ends up as an enemy or an ally is entirely up to luck. In the worst case, I might even have to team up with Saeki or Kirigaya.
“…That’s precisely why.”
At that, Himeji quietly continues.
“If various situations can arise, we need to be able to handle all of them. However, we can only register up to three abilities… So, based on Master’s idea, we devised an ‘adaptive’ ability. For example, if a player from Ouka Academy is in the same faction, it triggers effect A; if Otowa is there, effect B… an ability with multiple effect slots.”
“Yeah. That way, adaptability skyrockets, and it becomes easier to strategize faction-building by recruiting players that match the desired effects. We want to achieve this using future sight’s ‘action prediction’ and the splitting effect’s ‘degraded copy’—in other words, using two colored stars. Naturally, it’ll take up two ability slots, but theoretically, it should work. …However.”
“The issue is whether we can make it in time… I’m fully aware this is quite a reckless request.”
“Hmm… Mmm…”
Kagaya-san, hugging a cushion and crossing her arms, lets out a troubled sound in response to our demands. …This is probably the optimal solution for me. I’ll have to swallow some compromises, but that means I’ll be forced into a correspondingly tough fight.
Receiving my gaze, almost like a prayer, Kagaya-san—
“…It’s tough.”
“Ugh… As expected, huh?”
“Well, yeah. Even if we set effects per player… no, per district, that’s ten patterns, right? And they all need to be genuinely useful while keeping the capacity from spiking too high. Doing that in one day is, frankly, impossible. …If it’s just me alone.”
“Right… Wait, huh? ‘If it’s just me alone’ means…”
“Yup! In other words, we’ve got this in the bag! Right now, Hiro-kyun and Shirayuki-chan are here, and above all, Tsumu-Tsumu’s with us! We’ll perfectly fine-tune it, so just wait, Hiro-kyun!”
“Ah… Yes, thank you very much.”
I bow my head to Kagaya-san, who flashes a peace sign, letting out a sigh of relief.
(With this, the preparations are set… but I need to coordinate with that person too.)
Thinking that, I pull out my terminal from my pocket.
Late at night, after confirming Enomoto is fast asleep, I step outside.
[‘—I understand your strategy.’]
The person I’m talking to through the terminal is none other than the former 7-star fake heiress, Saionji Sarasa. We’re each other’s greatest rivals, always provoking one another whenever we meet—like enemies putting on a performance. But in truth, we’re liars bound by a secret that, if exposed, would mean “social death.” If either of us loses a star, it’s ruin, so coordinating for this [Duel Game] was essential.
Saionji, on the other side of the terminal, continues in her usual confident tone.
[‘An ability that encompasses multiple effects… In short, since we don’t know what Saeki or Kirigaya might pull, you’re preparing to handle any situation, right?’]
“Yeah, something like that. …So? What’s your strategy?”
[‘Me? I’m going for a straightforward approach. If I had to say, I’d focus on the world’s flavor.’]
“…Flavor focus? What’s that?”
[‘The [Tower of Lore] isn’t just a dungeon RPG—it’s a ‘real escape game,’ right? So, I think the puzzle-solving elements aren’t just a side feature. A girl trapped in the tower for centuries, with no one able to save her… Does that even make sense? In a world with magic? If no one’s reached her, doesn’t that mean there’s some condition to reach the top floor? …Something like that.’]
“Oh… I see, that’s what you mean.”
[‘Pretty good perspective, right? Hehe, go ahead and praise me, no need to hold back.’]
“As expected of the colorless 6-star VIP heiress.”
[‘Hey, why are you provoking me when it’s just the two of us, you idiot Shinohara!’]
Saionji snaps back with an irritated tone at my reflexive taunt, a habit of mine. …But honestly, that’s an impressive perspective. If breaking through the top floor requires specific information or items, securing those would mean an absolute victory.
[‘Ugh… Anyway, that’s the deal. My role is puzzle-solving. I’ll secure whatever’s needed to clear it and make sure no one else wins. I’ll leave dealing with Saeki to you, Shinohara.’]
“Oh, how generous of you. If it’s a gift from the ‘Empress,’ I’ll gladly accept. I might even let you join my faction after I take down Saeki, if there’s room.”
[‘Hehe, you could just admit you want to play the [Duel Game] with me.’]
“Hah, as if I’d ever say that.”
Trading our usual banter, I quietly turn my thoughts inward. …It goes without saying, but this [Duel Game] is a critical moment for us. For me to remain a 7-star, for Saionji to remain Saionji, we absolutely cannot lose to anyone.
(I know [Hexagram]’s schemes are kicking into high gear… They can’t back down either, so they’ll make their move here. Kirigaya’s probably frustrated too. With the twins involved, both sides are dangerous. And while we’re dealing with that, there are tons of others ready to snatch victory… Yet, Saionji and I can’t openly cooperate. We have to act like fierce rivals on the surface while ensuring both of us win in the end.)
What is this, I can’t help but want to complain about the sheer adversity. It easily surpasses the crises in [Astral]. Since arriving at Academy Island, this is undoubtedly the greatest pinch I’ve faced.
—But even so.
“Well, I kinda trust your strength.”
[‘Oh? I trust yours too, to an extent.’]
Exchanging our usual tones, we both hang up simultaneously.
♭
“~♪
♪“
“…Huh, what’s up, Yuzuha-san? You seem awfully cheerful.”
“Of course I am, yup. After all, it’s the final battle of [SFIA] coming up, right? With half the districts still in the game, it’s unprecedented. I’m thrilled to see what kind of [Duel Game] we’ll get!”
“You’re so carefree. I thought you’d be worried sick about your little brother losing. With the [Hexagram] thing too… Is it really okay to let that slide?”
“It’s fine, isn’t it? They haven’t clearly crossed any lines. Those kids have an impeccable sense of balance. As for Hiroto… Hmm, is this still a bit too easy for him?”
“W-What… Are you a sadist, Yuzuha-san?”
“No, no. That’s not it. Hiroto’s cooler when he’s in a pinch. And… Don’t you think a large-scale [Duel Game] like this is more fun with a bit of chaos?”
“…That’s not something the head of the management department should say, but… I kinda get it.”
“Right? That’s why I like you.”
“Haa… By the way, who do you like more, me or your brother?”
“Hiroto.”
“Yup, I knew that already~”
♯
[‘August 8th, Monday—[Libra] Kazami Suzuran announces 9 a.m. nya!’]
[‘Many must have been eagerly awaiting this day nya. Two weeks since the opening ceremony, the summer festival [SFIA] has been heating up like crazy nya…!’]
[‘First, the 1st Stage [Random Chase]! The battle kicked off with a [Duel Game] testing your skills by photographing targets nya. Then the 2nd Stage [Rate Radar]—a [Duel Game] manipulating weapon values! This is where dark horses started showing up nya!’]
[‘The 3rd Stage, a district-based info war [Blank Code], saw districts sending their strongest players for limited advancement slots. The 4th Stage semi-final [Drop Out Tamers], with a hundred participants, delivered clashes on a Big Bang level, still fresh in memory nya!’]
[‘—And! And and and!!’]
[‘This grand event [SFIA] all comes down to this final battle—[Tower of Lore] nya. The participating players are the sixteen who survived the gauntlet! And the winner of [SFIA] will be just one faction… meaning, at most, four people! Only four out of 250,000 will stand at the top nya!’]
[‘So—everyone, are you ready nya? By the way, I’m totally ready nya! I was too excited to sleep last night, and my heart’s pounding doki-doki-doki nya. And I know I’m not the only one feeling this way nya!’]
[‘Until the finale, all that’s left is to charge forward—’]
[‘[SFIA] Final Battle [Tower of Lore], begins here—nya!!!!’]
“N…”
—August 8th, Monday, 9 a.m.
As the [Duel Game] begins, my vision clears, and I stretch my arms with a blink.
I glance around—the interior of a somewhat sterile room comes into view. A slightly warped rectangular room. Looking closer, one of the two curved walls and the other two sides each have a pure white door installed. And right beside me, standing close as if snuggling, is a black-haired beautiful girl.
“Whoa!”
“H-Huh? What’s wrong, Shinohara-senpai, why are you so startled…?”
“I mean… I’d be startled, I couldn’t see anything! Why aren’t you surprised?”
“That’s obvious. Because… I’m the one who walked over to you in the dark since I was scared.”
“…At least say something.”
I genuinely didn’t notice because she didn’t say a word.
Anyway, now that the [Duel Game] has started, let’s organize the situation—[SFIA] Final Battle [Tower of Lore]. This [Duel Game] takes place in a ten-story tower, and the players’ sole and greatest objective is to “conquer this tower.”
Minakami and I were brought here about ten minutes ago. At 7 a.m., we visited the gathering point in District Zero, were guided by staff to the circular tower serving as the [Duel Game] stage, and waited in individual rooms on the basement floor for several minutes. With our vision completely blocked by the terminal’s “Blind” effect, we were put on an elevator, and before I knew it, we were in this room.
“The [Duel Game] has started… Probably, Kazami’s giving some grand opening speech outside right now.”
“Oh, right. I love those kinds of things, so I wanted to hear it this time too…”
“Well… That’s, you know. Once the [Duel Game] is over, you’ll hear it plenty in the highlights.”
Minakami’s lips loosen with a “True” at my playful reply. Then, without a word, we both pull out our terminals and start checking various information.
“For now, there seem to be six basic options. [Map], [Faction Info], [Skill Acquisition], [Combat Request], [Transfer Request], and [Communication].”
“Yes. [Map] is probably literal… but it doesn’t even show info about this room. Maybe we have to manually fill it in?”
“No… That’s not it. We probably need a skill. Otherwise, the value of explorers would be diminished.”
“Oh, that makes sense! Um, the next one, [Faction Info], is also literal, right? Since our faction isn’t set yet, it only shows my info, but things like held EXP or acquired skills… that kind of stuff is listed.”
“Yeah. And the next option ties into skills. [Skill Acquisition]… Skills acquired here get added to ‘acquired,’ and only then can you use them.”
I recall the rules as I speak. In [Tower of Lore], EXP is only needed for “acquiring” skills. Once acquired, a skill becomes the faction’s property, usable without cost, though with a cooldown time before reuse.
With that in mind, I open the [Skill Acquisition] option, and an overwhelming number of skills are projected before my eyes. Organized in a tree structure under broad categories like Tamer, Explorer, and Supporter, each skill has individual acquisition conditions, clearly color-coded to show what’s immediately obtainable and what isn’t.
“Wow… There’s a ton, senpai.”
“!?… Y-Yeah, you’re right.”
I flinch at her whispered voice but suppress my surprise and nod. …At some point, Minakami had put away her terminal and was peeking at mine from right beside me. It’s certainly more efficient this way, but her natural closeness makes my heart race. Despite her first-year youthfulness, Minakami’s gesture of brushing her hair behind her ear feels mature and refined.
“? Um… My role is Tamer, and you’re Supporter, right, Shinohara-senpai?”
I nod in agreement.
As Minakami said, my chosen role was “Supporter.” Since [Tower of Lore] isn’t a simple district-versus-district battle, we need to think in terms of four-person factions. Powerful standalone roles like Explorer, which excels in solo action, or Tamer, essential for combat, are likely choices for players who advanced to the final battle alone. I figured I’d have a good chance of being recruited even if I didn’t pick those.
Anyway, I turn my attention back to the skill list.
“Looks like ‘Mapping’ is an Explorer skill, as expected. There’s also ‘Searchlight’ to detect nearby factions and ‘Elevator Search’ to locate elevators.”
“Perfect for exploration. It’s got plenty of disruption skills too, so it feels very versatile. For Supporters… Let’s see, constant-effect buffs are pretty strong. ‘EXP Gain UP’ slightly increases rewards when opening doors, and ‘Frugality’ reduces EXP consumption. Both are prerequisites for higher-tier skills, and leveling them up makes things more efficient!”
“Not bad. Besides buffs, there’s ‘Remote Communication’ for contacting other factions, which could be handy. And ‘Parallel Movement’ for splitting the faction… but…”
Checking [Faction Info], I see a similarly named skill already listed as “acquired.” “Parallel Movement EX”—available if at least one other player from the same district is in the [Duel Game]. Cooldown is infinite, apparently.
“…A one-time trial version of ‘Parallel Movement.’ That’s an advantage, I guess.”
I nod slightly. Might as well take what’s offered.
After reviewing Supporter skills, I shift to Tamer skills.
“For you, Minakami, it’s probably avatar-related skills, right…?”
“Yes… ‘Avatar Summon’ is a skill anyone can take, but unfortunately, it requires ‘reaching the second floor’ as a condition. And all Tamer skills require ‘Avatar Summon’ as a prerequisite… So, I can’t do anything on the first floor.”
Minakami’s shoulders slump as she speaks. …She’s probably eager to make up for her “debt” from the 4th Stage semi-final. I think there’s no such thing as debt among district allies, but I know how stubborn she can be.
“Well, then just shine starting from the second floor. You’ve got your eye on some skills, right?”
“Ah… Yes, of course! Short-cooldown skills like ‘Ice Rain’ or ‘Blaze Orb,’ ‘Sacred Weapon’ which can be a finisher depending on the situation, and for defense, ‘Round Shield’ or ‘Backstep’ are tempting!”
“Whoa… You’ve already checked all those? That’s fast.”
“I-Is it? Haha… Actually, I really like grindy games like dungeon RPGs. So, I got a bit excited…”
Minakami trails off as if embarrassed, but her expression brims with uncontainable excitement and anticipation. I can’t say I don’t get it.
“But… For now, the only skill we should take immediately is ‘EXP Gain UP.’ The others aren’t unnecessary, but since [Tower of Lore] skills are shared within the faction, it’d be a waste of EXP if our future allies already have them.”
“Right. If we use up all our EXP, we might not be able to force-open doors in a pinch, so saving it here is the best move!”
Minakami clenches her fists in front of her, passionately agreeing. She’s spot-on. Players start with [1000] EXP, but if it hits zero, we could end up completely stuck, unable to even move to the next room.
“There are also skills where we have enough EXP but still can’t acquire them, probably because we lack the necessary info. We need to hurry up and explore…”
While saying this, I operate my terminal, spending 800 EXP to acquire ‘EXP Gain UP.’ That should cover the info we need for now. Next, we just need to push forward in the [Duel Game].
With that, we finally stand before a nearby door.
“Oh…?”
The moment we do, a faint bzz noise runs across the previously blank door, and a few lines of text appear in fluorescent green digital font. Glancing at Minakami, whose eyes sparkle with the immersive presentation, I read the first line aloud.
“[Difficulty I / Genre ‘Puzzle’]… So these are the conditions to open this door.”
“Looks like it. [Tower of Lore] doors have various genres of conditions, but this one’s ‘Puzzle’—solve the given problem to open it!”
Nodding slightly at Minakami’s explanation, I mentally review the rules.
Door opening—In [Tower of Lore], doors can be opened by meeting their conditions, earning rewards like EXP or items. Unless specific skills are used, an opened door remains “passable only by that faction” for a set time, essentially locking it. It’s a minor rule now but will grow critical later.
“Anyway, this is our first door. The problem is… Um, I’ll read it aloud, okay?
[You are being pursued by enemies!]
[You are not a wizard. But you secretly observed a spell one of the pursuers used and can replicate it. If you can recall the activation key, you might escape.]
[O T T F F S S—What is the next letter you can recall?] That’s it!“
“Huh… It’s more straightforward puzzle-solving than I expected.”
Hearing Minakami’s clear, expressive reading, I mutter my thoughts.
Yes—the first door’s challenge was a classic “real escape game” puzzle. A situation is presented, and you figure out the solution—a standard format, reminiscent of TRPGs or gamebooks, with an analog game vibe.
“To think every door has something like this prepared… That’s insanely elaborate, wow.”
“Yes, it’s so exciting! It seems tailored to [Tower of Lore]’s world-building too… It’s Difficulty I, so the problem itself is simple, but…”
“…Oh?”
Maintaining a calm facade, I feel my cheek twitch. …It seems this junior already knows the answer. It’s great she’s reliable since we’ll be in the same faction, but at this rate, I won’t look good as a senpai—or a 7-star.
(Seven alphabet letters… Starts with O, then two T’s, two F’s, two S’s. Is the pairing important? But then the initial O doesn’t fit.)
“Ahem. Well then, if I may…”
(So the key is probably the sequence. O T T F… So, O is first, T is second. O is one, T is two… Wait!)
“The answer to this problem is—”
“—E.”
As Minakami steps forward, placing a hand on her chest to give the answer, I barely manage to interrupt her, tossing out the correct answer just in time.
“The alphabet sequence corresponds to numbers. 1-one, 2-two, 3-three, 4-four, 5-five, 6-six, 7-seven… The next is 8-eight, so the first letter is E. Probably, the spell you want is something like ‘escape,’ right?”
“Wow… That’s amazing, Shinohara-senpai! Well done!”
“…Well, it’s just this level.”
Minakami looks at me with sparkling, admiring eyes, even though she likely could’ve solved it herself. …That was close. I barely managed to look good, but if the problems get harder, I’ll fall apart fast.
(Still, nailing the first question is huge… This should make Minakami even more motivated. Once she can summon avatars, we’ll be set…)
…For now, it looks like we’ll manage.
Gazing at the door quietly opening after meeting the condition, I let out a faint sigh of relief.
♯
Beyond the first door we opened—there was no one.
Not that it’s surprising. The first floor has at least twenty rooms, and as more players group up, the chance of encountering others drops.
By the way, the EXP reward for opening the door—added to me personally since our faction isn’t formed yet—was [750], thanks to ‘EXP Gain UP.’ No items or anything, but early on, extra EXP is welcome.
Anyway, Minakami and I focus on exploring the first floor for a bit. Rather than seeking specific players, we search for elevators to the second floor. There are four elevators on the first floor, each requiring four players to activate—meaning finding an elevator guarantees “contact with other players.”
Of course, who we meet matters…
“By the way, Minakami, what’s your ideal team lineup?”
Confirming the fourth door leads to another empty room, I toss the question to Minakami. She turns to me politely before answering.
“Hmm… Well, I’d rather not team up with [Hexagram] seniors, but I’m not picky otherwise. I’m more worried about dragging the team down.”
“I think you’ll be fine… But yeah, I’d also pass on [Hexagram].”
There’s no way it’d be a friendly vibe, and if it was, that’d be suspicious. If we’re forced to team with them, we should aim to transfer factions immediately.
Plus, in my case, I’d rather avoid being in the same faction as Shinra’s crew. Kirigaya, and the mysterious Fuwa siblings. I had [Company] look into them, but as expected, most info is classified. Ideally, I’d team up with Saionji, Fujishiro, Minami, or Kururugi—maybe Kugasaki as a fallback. That’d be a solid lineup.
But anyway.
“We’ve opened this many doors, so you’d think we’d find an elevator soon… No, let’s keep going. This door is—[Difficulty I / Genre ‘Specified Skill’]. The condition is having ‘Frugality’ acquired.”
“‘Frugality’… The skill that reduces EXP consumption. Costs 1250 EXP… Yeah. We’ve got some EXP to spare, so it might be time to grab it.”
“Yes! I agree!”
With Minakami’s straightforward agreement, I pay the cost to acquire ‘Frugality.’ It takes over half the EXP we earned from doors, but a constant support effect is powerful and will impact our efficiency going forward.
Right after—the fluorescent green text fades as I meet the door’s condition, and with a clear click of unlocking, the door slides open. Following Minakami, who steps forward with uncontainable excitement, I move to the next room.
“「……Huh?」”
The sight that greets us is… quite stimulating.
Two girls in different uniforms—one with sleek blue hair playing at her shoulders, the other with bouncy peach-colored hair—are in the room. The issue is their positions. The blue-haired girl has cornered the other against the wall, one hand planted near her face. Her expression is cool… or rather, sleepy, but the girl pinned against the wall can hardly stay calm. Flustered and red-faced, she squeezes out a voice.
“Wh-What… What’s this, what’s going on!? I’m the protagonist, but I’m suddenly captured! I’m in danger! Like a ‘what happens next week’ kind of vibe!?”
“It’s… fine. Nothing will happen. I’ve thought since the 4th Stage semi-final, you’re really cute… My type. Meeting like this is probably fate…”
“N-No, that’s a misunderstanding, a mistake! I was just passing through! The ‘fated encounter’ part feels protagonist-like and cool, but I’m a girl, so if I’m meeting someone, I’d prefer a cool guy! Someone who gives me that spark!”
“But I’m the only one here… So picking me is the better deal, right?”
“I don’t live that impulsively! And… You’re too close, too close! Is this okay!? This is all streaming on Island Tube! It’s live!?”
“Rated adult content…”
“No way it’s rated that! My story is for all ages!!”
Minami Shizuku, expressionless yet pressing closer, and Yumeno Misaki, red up to her ears from the proximity. Just before giving up, Yumeno scans the room and—
“—Ah!”
Finally notices us. Her large eyes widen, and she shouts as if clinging to hope.
“Boss-san! That’s Boss-san, right!? I hate to ask you of all people, but I can’t be picky right now—please help! If you don’t save the protagonist, me, I think divine punishment will strike in three days! Zshaaan!”
“…Haa.”
Caught by the noisy Yumeno, I let out a faint sigh and step into the room. Minakami, who had been covering her face with both hands, follows a bit later.
“Jeez… What are you doing?”
“Says the stalker-san… Nothing? I was just recruiting Yumeno-chan. If you’re interrupting, I’ll take you on… How about it?”
“Recruiting, huh. Looked more like flirting to me.”
“Same thing… Besides, I haven’t done anything yet. So far, it’s still PG-15…”
“O-Of course! Anything beyond… isn’t something to show lightly!”
Minakami, slightly flushed, shakes her sleek black hair side to side. Seizing the moment, Yumeno slips out of Minami’s hold, darting behind me and growling, “Grrrrr!”
“Muu… She escaped. Clearly your fault… Will you take responsibility?”
“Who’s taking responsibility, huh?”
“Hmph…? Won’t even take responsibility… Worst kind of guy.”
“…That’s so misleading.”
I shake my head to avoid getting swept up by the ever-unfazed Minami.
Anyway—the first players Minakami and I encountered in [Tower of Lore] were two we somewhat knew. One was Minami Shizuku, a second-year from District 14’s St. Rosalia Girls’ Academy. A 5-star with sleek blue hair and perpetually sleepy eyes. Until recently, she played the part of an ordinary girl, but over the past few months, she’s started revealing glimpses of her “former strongest” self.
And the other one was Yumeno Misaki, a dark horse who had been drawing
significant attention since the start of the summer festival 《SFIA Sufia》. A
first-year at Amanezakagakuen in the 17th Ward, already a 4-star, brimming with
talent as an underclassman. Her personality is that of a protagonist… or rather,
how should I put it, she’s quite an eccentric, but having made it through the
4th Stage Semifinal, there’s no doubt she’s exceptional.
“B-But… anyway, that’s great, isn’t it!”
At that moment, Minakami, standing nearby, raised her voice as if to shift the mood.
“Me, Shinohara-senpai, Minami-senpai, and Yumeno-san… that makes exactly four of
- If we form a faction together, Minami-senpai and Yumeno-san can stay with us
the whole time!”
“Oh… you’re saying something pretty good. Your name was… Minakami-chan, right?”
“Yes! …Wait, huh? Have I already introduced myself?”
“You haven’t, but… I heard a bit about you from Stalker-san at the end of the
4th Stage. I don’t forget a girl’s name… especially if she’s cute.”
“C-Cute…!? Ah, augh…”
“…Oi, don’t go flirting with everyone, Minami. Minakami’s my kouhai.”
“Fufu… jealousy’s no good. Besides, right now, you’ve got flowers in both hands…
no, both hands and your right shoulder. You should be more openly happy… normally,
that’d cost you.”
“Like I’d pay… and why the right shoulder, anyway?”
It’s true I wasn’t sure where to hold all these flowers that couldn’t fit in both hands.
“…So? What’s your take, Minami? You okay with forming a faction with this lineup?”
“Hm… doesn’t matter to me. As long as I can fight strong people, I’m fine with any
faction…”
Minami said this with a sleepy expression, a faint blue flame flickering in her
eyes. As usual, she’s at her own pace, but it seems she has no objections to joining
- And—as for Yumeno, the moment she scanned our faces, she pointed at Minakami
with an “Ah!”
“You! You’re Minakami Mari, a first-year at Eimeigakuen… you’re the rival standing
in the way of my protagonist path, aren’t you!? I won’t lose… Grr, grr, grr!”
“M-Me!? A rival, you say—nothing like that—!”
“I won’t let you say it’s nothing! Up until the 4th Stage, I was the one called the
‘Dark Horse’ and getting all the attention, but you—a first-year like me, and only
a 3-star, lower than me…! Your spotlight’s 200%! That’s unfair! I absolutely won’t
lose!”
“H-Huh… um, well then, please go easy on me…?”
…She’s picking a fight with Minakami over some convoluted logic, but it doesn’t
seem like she’s against teaming up.
(This might actually be a pretty good start…)
Glancing over the gathered members, I quietly brought my right hand to my mouth.
The fact that they have “no connection to 《Hexagram》 or Kirigaya Toya” and “no
clear hostility toward me” makes Minami and Yumeno a pretty solid win. Their strength
is more than adequate too.
“Um… by the way, what roles do you two have?”
At that point, Minakami threw a curious question at the two.
In this 《Duel Game》, a “role” is pretty crucial information, and some people might
not want to reveal it—but on the first floor, you can’t form a balanced faction
without knowing. There’s no benefit to keeping it secret.
“For reference, I’m a Manipulator, and Shinohara-senpai is a Supporter. So, I was
thinking it’d be reassuring to have an Explorer with us…”
“Fufufu… I foresaw this in my past-past-past life! Naturally, I’m the almighty
Explorer! Bam, declared with a dramatic sound effect!”
“Wow! That’s super helpful! Then, Minami-senpai is…?”
“Me? I’m a Manipulator… same as Minakami-chan.”
“Oh, really…! Hehe, what a coincidence! Let’s do our best together!”
Minakami responded to their answers with genuine delight. It wasn’t an exaggerated
reaction; it was her honest feelings. You could tell her personality from it.
“Hm… hey, Yumeno. How far have you gone with exploration skills?”
“Just ‘Mapping’ and ‘Elevator Search’! There are other tempting skills trying to
seduce me, but I’m holding off on more until the faction’s set!”
“‘Elevator Search’… that’s the skill that searches for an elevator room within the
last two rooms and shows its coordinates on the map if it’s there. Fwaa, that’s nice…”
“As expected of an Explorer. By the way, Yumeno, have you already scouted this area?”
“Nope, still untouched. Until just a bit ago, I was busy escaping from that guy
trying to drag me into another story… Brr, brr.”
Shivering slightly as she spoke, Yumeno then pulled herself together and took out
her terminal. She immediately used the ‘Elevator Search’ skill—since she already
had it, it cost 0 EXP points. At the same time, the search results appeared on her
terminal’s map.
“Mmu! …There it is, an elevator! Fufufu, as expected of me… pulling off a hit like
this in one go is exactly why I’m the protagonist!”
“Ooh… clap, clap.”
Against Yumeno’s smug face, Minami clapped halfheartedly (or so it seemed) with her
sleepy eyes. Since each room only has three doors, it meant the last door—different
from the one we came through or the one Minami’s group used—was the “correct” one.
And so, the four of us stood before the door—when suddenly, a familiar noise crackled.
“[Difficulty II / Genre: Riddle]… that’s what it says. I’ll read the problem too.
[You’ve wandered alone into a forest. This is the so-called ‘Witch’s Forest.’ Without
a guide, you absolutely cannot escape.]
[Before you lies a fork in the road. One path leads into a dense, gloomy forest, one
follows a slightly open riverside, and one goes back the way you came.]
[To survive, what should you do?] That’s the problem!”
“Mmu… that’s it? This is a tough one…”
“Making even me groan, what a clever trick… Mmm.”
The two responded with puzzled reactions to the problem Minakami read aloud.
(Hm… it feels quite different from that alphabet problem earlier. There’s a description
of the fork, but it doesn’t seem like it’s hinting at anything…)
In short, it’s not a simple riddle. If that’s the case, you need to pay attention to
the entire problem, not just the middle part that seems important. Because in this
《Duel Game》, the problem is essentially the “rules.” There’s always a path to the
solution hidden somewhere.
“Wandered alone… can’t escape without a guide…”
“…Ah! That’s it!”
As I merely repeated the problem aloud, Minakami’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“It’s like this, senpai! If you can’t escape without a guide, that means ’if you want
to escape, you need to find a guide’! And in this 《Duel Game》, we’re allowed to use
skills when opening doors—Yumeno-san!”
“I’ve been waiting for this! Skill, skill… this one! ‘Player Search’ skill! It costs
1800 EXP points, a bit pricey, but I can’t back down now. A protagonist has to survive!
Hurry up and save me, guide—!!”
With more fervor than necessary, Yumeno acquired the ‘Player Search’ skill and used
it without hesitation—in an instant, a faint electronic hum sounded, and the door’s
display changed. [You were fortunate enough to meet a guide and safely escape the forest.]
…It seems it worked.
Seeing this, Minami, standing next to me, let out a calm “Oh…”
“You three are amazing… I was thinking something completely different.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Burn the forest. …A ‘Witch’s Forest’ sounds like a bad place. I got a [Consumable Item: Match]
at some door earlier, so I thought I’d just… whoosh, light it up.”
“That’s way too extreme… and if you did that, [you] would burn too, wouldn’t you?”
“? No way… it said there’s a river, didn’t it? …Am I wrong?”
Stared at by Minami’s blue eyes as she tilted her head curiously, I instinctively
recalled the problem from earlier. …She’s right. That method would work too. While
the problem specified needing a guide to escape, the goal was simply “survival.”
(Well, it’s impressive to think of that first… but still, there’s more than one
correct answer?)
Feeling anew the unfathomable depth of the girl named Minami Shizuku, I shook my
head slightly.
Anyway, the unlock condition was met. A clunk sounded as the lock disengaged, and
almost simultaneously, the door slid sideways. According to Yumeno’s search, this
should be the “elevator room.” To finalize the faction, we needed to hurry to the
second floor—and so on.
That thought crossed my mind in that instant.
“Yo… I’ve been waiting forever, Shinohara Hiroto-san.”
“——!?”
A familiar aggressive voice struck my ears, and my eyes widened even before the door
fully opened. …Come to think of it, we hadn’t confirmed that this room was empty.
In fact, waiting near the elevator to ambush other players was a strategy I’d considered
myself.
(But… of all people, it had to be them!?)
Screaming internally, I clenched my fist tightly.
Yes—standing in our way was none other than Kirigaya Toya’s group.
♯
The final battle of 《SFIA Sufia》, 《The Tower of Legends》, has several critical elements.
One of them is, without a doubt, the “faction.” Unlike the 4th Stage Semifinal, the
rule here is “you can team up with anyone.” Which of the four elevators on the first
floor you use to ascend to the second floor… that active choice determines your faction’s
lineup.
That’s why the priority on the first floor is, above all, “faction building.” Gathering
strong allies gives you a huge advantage in the 《Duel Game》, but picking a half-baked
team could lead to betrayal at a critical moment. Speed isn’t what matters here.
(So they were lying in wait… even though they already have enough people?)
—Exactly.
Waiting for us beyond the white door wasn’t just Kirigaya alone. The first thing that
caught my eye was the pair of a boy and a girl standing behind him—Fuwa Mitsuru and
Fuwa Sumire. A mysterious duo about whom almost no information had come up, even
through 《Company》. I vaguely recalled facing the brother once in the 4th Stage, where
he was on the same team as Saionji or Akizuki. The sister I’d only seen in highlights,
but as twins, their faces were nearly identical.
““……””
They stood back, silently observing the situation unfold.
…Well, that’s fine. It’s not surprising that the Shinra duo is with Kirigaya.
The real problem was the two standing at the back of the room.
“Kuku… as expected, you came, 7-star. My instincts are as sharp as ever today!”
“Instincts, my foot… it was my Explorer skill. We knew they were coming.”
One, a boy in a collared cloak, pushed up his glasses with a chuckle, while the other,
slouching with both hands in his pockets, spoke lazily. I didn’t know the latter well,
but the hexagonal badge gleaming on his chest jogged my memory.
(Kugasaki Seiran… and Yanagi Soma from 《Hexagram》. A duo from Otowa Academy, huh?)
Observing them from a distance, I quietly turned my thoughts.
The 7th Ward’s Shinra and the 8th Ward’s Otowa—both are powerhouses that sent multiple
players to this final battle. Looking closely, Kugasaki and Yanagi were already standing
on the elevator.
“Hya ha…!”
As I took stock of the situation, Kirigaya stepped forward with a clack of his shoes.
His usual intimidating all-back black hair and gleeful gaze pierced through me.
“Welcome to the Demon Faction’s elevator room, Shinohara. I’d planned to go head-to-head
with you right from the 4th Stage Semifinal, but some weirdos got in the way, so it
got postponed.”
“…To me, both sides are weirdos. I’d rather it stay postponed forever.”
“Hya ha! Man, you’re as cold as ever, Shinohara. I told you, didn’t I? You’ve got an
obligation to entertain me. After making me wait this long, I won’t accept any more
delays… in this 《Duel》, I’m settling things with you. No question.”
“Tch…”
“But, sadly, the rules don’t allow fighting on the first floor. Well, when in Rome,
do as the Romans do. I’ll build the strongest faction to welcome you.”
Grinning widely, Kirigaya pulled his terminal from his pocket. He raised his arm
slowly, pointing the device not at me, but at Yumeno and Minami nearby. I caught
Fuwa-nii’s brief “Eh…?”—a mix of confusion or maybe panic—but Kirigaya didn’t stop.
The first to react was Yumeno.
“…Mmu! I’ve got a bad feeling buzzing through me! I’m outta here! I’ve got no business
with the Demon Faction’s elevator—I’m aiming for the protagonist spot in the Kingdom
Faction—!”
Quick as her words, Yumeno slipped through the still-open door behind us and vanished
into the next room. Her escape was astonishingly fast. Even Kirigaya seemed caught
off guard, shrugging with a wry smile.
“She got away… oh well, I was gonna have one too many anyway. Time to regroup—[Coercive
Command: Revised] ability, activate. …Minami Shizuku, was it? Get on this elevator
now. If you don’t, I’ll halve your EXP points every minute from now on.”
“Eh… me?”
“Yeah, you. Be grateful, huh? I’m picking you to join my faction—the ‘Demon Faction.’
You can run, but you’ll be penniless.”
“Pushy recruitment… my popularity’s peaking again. You’re after my body, aren’t you?”
“Shut it, loser. I’ve got zero interest in your scrawny frame.”
“Mph… that’s harsh.”
Muttering softly, Minami turned to face me with her usual expression, peering into
my face. For some reason, she puffed up her chest (!), then made this demand in her
flat tone.
“You should complain to that guy too… my body’s top-tier for hugging. Soft, smooth,
squishy… so I’m not giving it to someone like him.”
“Tch… I don’t know anything about your hugability. It’s not mine to begin with. Anyway,
you should go. Your strength’s a loss, but staying here’s worse for you.”
“Got it… you’re right. If I go with them, I can fight strong people like you… but…”
Minami muttered, slightly dissatisfied with my response, and stepped closer with a
look like she wanted to say something. Stopping right in front of me, she stretched
up slightly, bringing her lips to my ear and continuing in her usual monotone.
“…I’m a little lonely, though?”
“Tch…”
“Fufu… Minami-chan’s dere moment, over… too bad. No use regretting—it’s too late…”
After briefly brushing my eardrum, she stepped back and trotted toward the back of
the room. I forced my racing heart to calm down, trying to reassess the situation
coolly. …That makes three. And based on the earlier conversation, the fourth member
was already decided.
That guy—grinning widely with a “Hya ha!”
“See ya, Shinohara. My faction’s complete for now. You’d better come at me with a
worthy team—otherwise, it won’t prove I’m the ‘top’!!”
Saying this with obvious glee, Kirigaya strode toward the elevator. The moment he
stepped onto the square platform, a fluorescent green line buzzed around the Demon
logo on the elevator, accompanied by a heavy mechanical hum. Kugasaki Seiran, Yanagi
Soma, Minami Shizuku, and Kirigaya Toya. With four players assembled, the “Demon
Faction” was formed.
“Tch… why’d you have to go?”
The beige-haired Fuwa-nii’s voice hit my ears, but I’m the one who wanted to ask that.
(…Damn it.)
Right at the start of the 《Duel Game》, this was a pretty disastrous turn. …I mean,
come on. Not only did I lose promising allies like Minami Shizuku and Yumeno Misaki,
but Kirigaya had already formed his faction. And in their place, I was left with the
Shinra duo, who were clearly under Kirigaya’s influence.
(No… that’s not all.)
Right, it’s not just that. Kirigaya leaving the Fuwa siblings on the first floor might
simply be a “check” against me, but it could also mean he “prioritized pulling Yanagi
Soma into his faction.” Choosing Yanagi over his own district’s kouhai—could that be
to coordinate with 《Hexagram》? The two groups might be connected somehow. At the very
least, they’re aligned in wanting to take me down.
Of course, whether that guess is correct is unclear for now… but it’s undeniable that
everything’s going exactly as Kirigaya planned so far.
(I figured it wouldn’t go that smoothly, but…)
—He really pulled it off right from the start.
Watching the elevator slowly ascend—Minami crouched, waving at us, though I avoided
looking since her skirt was dangerously close to revealing something—I let out a
quiet breath.
Please tell me, Himeji-san.
教えて、姫路さん
《SFIA》 Final Battle—
What is the 《Tower of Legends》?
The 16 finalists aim to conquer the top floor of a 10-story tower. In simple terms, it’s a “real escape game × dungeon RPG.” Each player forms a team, earning EXP through puzzle-solving or combat to acquire skills useful for the攻略. Note that students from the same school district start from the same location.
〈Factions〉
Teams are divided into four factions: Angel, Demon, Kingdom, and Revolution, with up to four members per team. The EXP needed to acquire skills is shared within the faction. Transfers between factions are also allowed, so strategies from different school districts may lead to cooperation or espionage, creating a web of intrigue.
〈Roles〉
Each player chooses a role: Summoner, Explorer, or Supporter. Many skills can only be acquired by specific roles, so schools with more participants gain an advantage. At Eimei Academy, Master has chosen the Supporter role, which provides auxiliary skills, while Minakami-sama has selected the Summoner role, key to combat. There also seems to be a hidden role called Reaper.
At first glance, it’s a shame I can’t act alongside Master, but I’ve already taken steps to address that. To crush Hexagram, let’s coordinate with Enomoto-sama, Kagaya-san, and others to aim for victory.
