Volume 5 Chapter 22 Winter Correspondence Board: Ski Trip Debriefing
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Manaka
”Evening.”
Chifumi
”Yo~”
Mitsuki
”Evening.”
Yui
”Evening.”
Ui
”‘Vening~☆”
Sawa
”Evening.”
Chifumi
”The room name is ‘Debriefing,’ but… was there actually anything to debrief? I thought everyone handled themselves well.”
Yui
”Chifumi doesn’t know. About what happened at the hot spring.1“
Ui
”Pffft—☆”
Mitsuki
”What? What happened? Come to think of it, y’all seemed a bit annoyed. But you were in a better mood after eatin’ that delicious food.”
Sawa
”Prime cuts, so tasty.”
Chifumi
”That was top-tier meat Anri-san brought as an apology. Apparently, she took it from the hotel’s meat locker. She put the bill on the Dungeon Manager’s tab.”
Sawa
”The cost per gram must be insane.”
Manaka
”It was delicious. We should order some more sometime.”
Ui
”OMG that’s literally sooo cute, and generous☆”
Yui
”Chifumi doesn’t know! About what happened at the hot spring!”
Ui
”Yeah, she doesn’t know☆ Everyone, listen up☆”
Chifumi
”Yuu-chan, thanks for the assist!”
Mitsuki
”So? What happened? Tell us, girls.”
Sawa
”Scum flirtin’.”
Chifumi
”Who got hit on? Manaka-chan?”
Manaka
”All of us.”
Mitsuki
”All of you? Even Yui?”
Yui
”Why is my name comin’ up right there?”
Mitsuki
”Well, you know, because of the ‘prison stripes’? I thought, ‘Wow, there are some people with really specific tastes out there.’”
Yui
”Mitsuki, are you pickin’ a fight? I’ll take it, you know?”
Mitsuki
”Whoa, my monitor is actin’ up… Jokin’, jokin’. I’m sorry, my bad.”
Yui
”Curses transcend time and space. Did you forget?”
Mitsuki
”I remembered! I’ll keep that in mind!”
Chifumi
”Though, the fact that you brought this up means, Yui-chan, there’s somethin’ botherin’ you, right?”
Sawa
”Yui was smirkin’ when she was bein’ talked to. She was happy because she was bein’ complimented.”
Yui
”Shut it, extinction.”
Sawa
”…! …! …!”
Chifumi
”It wasn’t that she was happy; she was just laughin’ because they were too stupid, right? I get it. Sawa-chan, monitor power is a matter of life and death, so cut her some slack. So? What was the ‘scum’ part?”
Ui
”They didn’t even have the attitude for flirtin’☆ZE☆”
Manaka
”A group of six, likely university students. All of them were plain-folk males.”
Yui
”Some bottom-tier males came at us with an attitude of superiority. When Manaka politely refused at first, they started gettin’ carried away.”
Ui
”Execution unavoidable☆”
Sawa
”Monitor’s back. Manaka-sama was too elegant in that situation. Treatin’ the opponent like a decent human bein’ was the initial mistake.”
Manaka
”I am reflectin’ on that. I treated beasts as humans. Havin’ spent so much time around Minoru, I let my guard down.”
Ui
”What a sinful man he is, ZE☆”
Manaka
”Indeed.”
Yui
”Manaka was about to snap => I and Yuu were goin’ to snap first to minimize the damage. When we tried to handle it that way…”
Mitsuki
”And…?”
Ui
”Thinkin’ that Yui and I were about to snap => Megumi and Miku thought they should snap first to minimize the damage. So those two went off on them☆”
Mitsuki
”Huh. So that’s what happened. Wait, those two are characters who can ‘snap’?”
Sawa
”When they transferred and first joined the group, they were pretty sharp, right? Not quite like Mitsuki, but they felt like broken, jagged knives. Manaka’s trainin’ snapped those knives in less than a day, though.”
Ui
”Before we put the collars on them, they fought everyone in the group one-on-one and were beaten into the ground without exception☆ They’ve been quiet since thenヨ☆”
Chifumi
”Manaka-chan snappin’—that’s rare. Was it really that infuriatin’?”
Manaka
”I could forgive them for feelin’ we were attractive. I could even forgive the plain-folk—who cannot feel Mana—for lookin’ at our thin frames and underestimatin’ us. The problem was what came after. Even though we are sorcerers and clearly refused, the harassment didn’t end.”
Sawa
”The decisive moment was that phrase. ‘Don’t get cocky just because you’re pretty-faced Strong-Females (Shoji’s group members). With that attitude, no Tsuyo-Osu (Strong-Male) will want you.’ They were gettin’ way too cocky just because sorcery is prohibited inside the facility.”
Manaka
”I would have yielded a hundred million steps and forgiven them up to that point. But then they tried to touch our shoulders and waists. That is unforgivable. It is worth ten thousand deaths.”
Yui
”Actually, Miku and Megumi, whose shoulders and arms were grabbed, snapped in an instant.”
Ui
”They tossed them perfectly☆ The scum males who got thrown had blank, stupid looks on their faces as they went splash into the pool☆ The rest of them, who were comin’ at us in a rage, got to say sayonara too☆”
Chifumi
”Ah… I see. So you caused a scene and got warned by the sorcerers stationed at the facility. For you, Manaka-chan, this body isn’t somethin’ that scum males like that should be allowed to touch, right?”
Manaka
”That is correct. Those two, already havin’ been Second-Pushed by Minoru, must have been unable to hold back.”
Mitsuki
”I totally understand that feelin’.”
Chifumi
”So that’s why they went to see Minoru in the middle of the night~”
Manaka
”Yes. Both of them seemed to have things on their minds.”
Chifumi
”Well, the reason is convincin’. Yui-chan, is there anythin’ else botherin’ you?”
Yui
”There is. About their Second-Push. I want to ask Chifumi, who was there.”
Chifumi
”What is it?”
Yui
”Did those two really Open-Lock?”
Chifumi
”No doubt about it. They Double Breakthrough-ed.”
Ui
”In our estimation, Open-Lock is impossible. So that means it’s Break-Lock, ne☆”
Chifumi
”Yeah.”
Yui
”Apparently, Break-Lock has a specific ‘loosened’ feel to it. That atmosphere isn’t there. Are they sure they didn’t Second-Push via some other means?”
Chifumi
”Eh? No… I wonder? I knew the door opened, but you can only know the state of the lock if you’re the one involved.”
Sawa
”Those two think they were Break-Locked. But considerin’ Minoru’s personality, it’s more natural that he would prefer Breach-Lock over Break-Lock.”
Mitsuki
”True, knowin’ Minoru… but Breach-Lock isn’t somethin’ you can just do easily, right? Why don’t you check with them usin’ the collars?”
Sawa
”I checked, and the answer was Break-Lock. When I asked in detail, it seems the ones bein’ done don’t even know which one it is. It might just be that those two are convinced it’s Break-Lock.”
Manaka
”I believe Minoru performed a Breach-Lock.”
Mitsuki
”And your reasonin’?”
Manaka
”My intuition as the former head—no, it is a conviction.”
Mitsuki
”And the current head’s opinion?”
Chifumi
”Given the situation, it’s likely Breach-Lock~ I think Manaka-chan is right~”
Sawa
”I see. Then let’s proceed with that assumption.”
Mitsuki
”So those two have literally become pawns convenient for Minoru? Could this lead to a change in plans?”
Manaka
”It will not. We will proceed with the plan as scheduled.”
Chifumi
”Understood~”
Mitsuki
”Come to think of it, those two did a Double Breakthrough, right? How are their abilities? Can they beat Yuu?”
Ui
”They can’t beat me just by doin’ a little Double Breakthrough☆ Our base potential is different. I can handle both of them at once with ease, ease☆”
Manaka
”In my estimation, the rankin’ will not change. I will confirm the details after the start of the year, but they are about on par with other group leaders at Shisei High School (our school). They still do not reach us.”
Mitsuki
”Aww. That’s borin’.”
Sawa
”Next time, I’ll send them to the Onigahara Dojo for trainin’. We can’t go ourselves, but just the two of them can go, right? Train them up.”
Mitsuki
”Consider it done!”
Yui
”Both are Vanguard types. I think match experience with the Onibara style will be useful.”
Chifumi
”What’s the schedule for after the New Year?”
Manaka
”I will accompany him to the first shrine visit. I think contact will be scarce durin’ the third term, so we must make an impression on Minoru.”
Sawa
”I’m glad we were able to bridge the connections between the groups.”
Manaka
”As a result of this incident, it has become harder for others to interfere with our actions. A misfortune turned into a blessin’, as they say.”
Chifumi
”Right. Let’s keep this up!”
—
Summary:
The group initiates a post-action review regarding an incident involving harassment at a hot spring facility. They discuss the aggressive actions of local “plain-folk” males and the subsequent status-advancement experienced by two of their own, Megumi and Miku. Tensions rise as they speculate on the specific methods used for this advancement, while simultaneously planning for future training and continued influence over Minoru.
—
Trivia:
The girls use a “contact board” to communicate in a private online-like space.
The social hierarchy is defined by the ability to feel “Mana,” separating them from “plain-folk.”
Sawa monitors power and hardware, highlighting her technical role within the group.
Manaka’s training is credited with breaking the previous rebellious spirit of newer members.
The group’s planning is heavily dependent on manipulating the perception of a central character, Minoru.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Manaka – An elegant, aristocratic Shisei High beauty whose style inspires Marin, Manaka Kuga is a respected sorcerer with a complex past. A former group leader and childhood friend to Minoru, this calm, authoritative strategist is a trusted advisor in his faction. Wielding spatial and sound magic, she manages security, coordination, recruits, and oaths while eavesdropping on the Naruse family.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s close companion and leader of the witch squad, this Majo is a competitive support sorcerer knowledgeable about customs. She uses ice and binding magic to restrain enemies, intercept attacks, and assist in dungeons. Possessing immense Mana, she acts as an older sister figure who mediates discussions and helps with chores, though hostility abruptly emerges whenever Minoru is threatened.
• Mitsuki – A tall, short-haired, dark-skinned Oni girl with a muscular build, this haughty transfer student and wealthy Sumo member is a powerful front-line vanguard in Minoru’s group. A Witch and assassin candidate, she wields Oni-fication, recovery magic, and a Kanabo. She is Minoru’s clingy childhood friend, rival, and protector who carries Anri, though she is absent from the current excursion.
• Yui – Yuu’s sister and one of the Futami twins, this blunt Shisei group student has short hair with a white lock, wears pink/black attire, and was previously transformed into a Jirai-kei personality. Minoru’s objective childhood friend and a mocking monitor in Manaka’s circle, she uses knives and curse arts to manifest Clams and diffuse tension, but was ultimately eaten by the Phantom.
• Ui – Minoru’s proactive, carefree childhood friend is Yui’s twin sister and an original Shisei group member. A social private school student with a right-side white-dyed lock of hair, she brings a bright, hyper-enthusiastic, and bubbly energy to the chat room, frequently using star emoticons and cutesy slang. This ‘upper’ landmine-type girl provocatively and aggressively interacts with Minoru.
• Sawa – Voluptuous and bespectacled, this relaxed, IT-savvy Nieda student gamer is an original Shisei member, Onibara disciple, and core strategist who controls the management office’s security systems. Safely planning in hotel lobbies while eavesdropping, she belongs to Manaka and Mitsuki’s circles, bluntly reads childhood friend Minoru, and uses plant/mana magic to ease severe motion sickness.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Anri – The fourth Naruse sister and Risa’s sibling, this private-school leader is controlled by Yukizuki Anri. Her family guards a District 5 dungeon. Wielding a spear and staff, she commands Aberrations, Poplar’s white-winged insect swarm, and mind incense. She mentors Minoru’s group with trip logistics, was kidnapped by Ogura’s group, and later brought premium meat as a dungeon apology.
• Yuu – Energetic and bubbly, this Futami twin is Mai’s sister, Yui’s twin (tied to Yui’s personality change), and a Mid-guard who guards the management office. Wearing a striped high-leg swimsuit, this Manaka group member coordinates activities with sharp commentary, loves meat, diffuses tension with cards, follows Yui in combat, and playfully teases Minoru before being eaten by the Phantom.
• Minoru – Minoru Tatemiya (Majin) is a lean, black-haired student sorcerer, hidden Demon Lord, and calm, tactical protagonist with adult memories. An organized leader ruling the 5th District as a Dungeon Master, he uses space and illusion magic to control Aberrations. He responsibly manages his household, customs, and status while hosting Hinoki and guiding Majo allies (Mai, Risa, Mitsuki).
• Megumi – Satsuki is a young magic-world sorcerer, Manaka group leader, and management office group member who underwent status advancement. Formerly broader, she lost significant weight from Break-Lock and Breach-Lock. Shyly serving Minoru, she is Miku’s romantic partner. She bears a grudge over being framed for dungeon tampering and reacts fiercely to harassment.
• Miku – Miku Kaharu is a devoted sorcerer, Strong-Females member with advanced status, and a maid-like companion in Minoru’s household. Once a newcomer seeking Minoru’s help over a school incident, she now manages chores with her partner Megumi, assists Sawa with snow construction, and reacts fiercely to harassment. She was spotted with the group near the management office.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Strong-Females – A social designation within the world’s hierarchy.
• Shoji – An ancient clan member sealing the dungeon via Anri and Risa’s lineage, this dry, top-ranked student from the 5th District wears a white uniform. A tactical Strong-Male and silver werewolf beastman, he tracks scents, detects mana/mind control, and uses magic pistols. He leads werewolves and a snow exploration group, associates with Kotoha’s group, and met Minoru at an airport.
• Shisei – An acquaintance involved in high-profile activities.
• Onigahara – An older woman exuding disciplined austerity, she is a stern mentor from the influential Onigahara sorcerer family (formerly Koki) famed for Oni-fication. Beyond her distinct combat record and close, hierarchical bonds with dojo students, she manages group logistics and drives their minibus, actively preserving her lineage’s rigorous legacy of strength.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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