A bear demon.
D-Don't let him spook you!
Klode, Messina...
--Right! --Right!
Wolford!
Finish him off!
Everyone, were there any injuries?
Just some scratches.
No problem.
I will heal you with my restoration magic.
They're starting to shape up.
It looks like they're learning how to coordinate swords and magic.
"Wise Man's Grandchild"
So tell me, Shin, yourself aside,
what's behind His Highness and the other's improvement?
They're at about the same level of ability as our best court magicians--
maybe even better, in fact.
We created a new study group at the academy.
--The "Ultimate Magic Study Group"!
"Ultimate Magic Study Group"
--Those three are all members. --The "Ultimate Magic Study Group"!
Are you doing some kind of special training?
Not really. We're just practicing the same way Grandpa taught me.
Hmm. That's all? Anything else?
Other than that, I did teach them how I visualize when I use magic.
The way you visualize magic? That's it!
In other words, they're learning magic the same way as you, right?
They're learning the basics of Merlin's teachings, and then beyond that...
I don't know about that. Everyone visualizes in their own way,
so strictly calling it my magic doesn't quite seem right.
Could I learn what you're doing in your study group, too?
Huh? That's fine with me.
Hold on, Shin.
Siegfried, you're with the military.
That would constitute militarizing Shin's magic.
If you're not careful, it could lead to diplomatic issues.
Oh, that's true.
We're pushing it now as it is. If this power spreads to neighboring lands,
the world will be destroyed not by demons, but by human hands.
Is it really that serious?
You still haven't realized that?
Is what I'm doing really a problem?
Well, I can't categorically say that.
We're in a state of emergency, after all, with a mass outbreak of demonoids.
I've told the members of the study group
to keep this power from spreading out into the world.
I don't care if that means we're monopolizing it.
So, Shin, I don't want you to let your magic spread any further, either.
Okay. I get it.
Then can you at least tell me how Merlin has you practice?
It's terribly ordinary, Siegfried. You sure you can do it?
Of course! I'm willing to try! So, what do I do?
Practice your magic control. Day by day,
you increase the amount of magic you can control, little by little. That's all.
That's really all there is to it?
What, do you doubt me?
Klode, Messina, would you come over here?
What is it?
Could you project magical barriers right now for me?
Just as Shin had us do for him?
Sure.
All right.
H-How can those magical barriers be so thick?
We didn't know either, until Shin and Master Merlin taught us.
When you increase the amount of magic power you can control, you get this.
It's still way thinner than Shin's barrier, though.
Y-You call this thin?
We still have a long way to go as far as technique.
No...
Have a little faith in yourself, Maria. Your magic is actually incredibly potent.
I'm going to practice my magic control, too.
The exercise is over. Head back to the rendezvous point.
Yes, sir!
Thanks. Because of you, we managed to defeat that demon bear.
I now realize the significance of sword and magic collaboration.
Glad to hear it.
I wonder how the other teams are getting along.
Tony, he seems to be glaring at you for some reason.
Did you do something?
Oh, we've known each other since middle school.
Tony Freyd, how dare you run away to the magic academy, you weakling!
"Julio"
There you have it.
I, too, come from a knightly family line, but I haven't especially earned such ire.
It's a demon!
Let us cast our magic first!
No need!
Wait!
In combat, it's swords that do the talking!
You fool! This is a joint exercise!
We're going in, too!
--Yeah! --Yeah!
Guys!
Why, you...!
Are you all right?
Who asked you?!
You can't say that after he saved you!
Hmph!
He sure seems loathe to be outdone by you, Tony.
We'd always gotten along well, but lately he flares up at every little thing.
You must have done something.
Maybe it was that.
There was a girl that he liked who declared her love for me,
and I took her out.
--That's definitely it. --That's definitely it.
But we broke up right away. We did kiss, though.
Huh?!
Wow, the resentment runs deep.
If you're scared, you can stay behind me.
You guys should just sit behind your desks every day.
Wouldn't a cute girl like you
be better off learning how to keep a house than training like this?
Don't try to show off just because there are girls around, little sprout.
This is a training exercise! Refrain from talking!
Here they come!
There they are!
Be quiet and watch us.
"Aggravation"
--Wow. Now who's showing off? --Did you see her breasts?!
--Wow. Now who's showing off? --She's too much!
--Wow. Now who's showing off? --The blond for me!
--Mm-hmm, disgusting, aren't they? --You're such a lolicon!
They're so aggravating.
--Sassy little runt! --We're not beaten yet!
Rotten demon!
Who do you take me for?!
Enough!
You guys are in our way!
I'm going to freeze you solid!
Oh, I'm not sure I can control all this.
Everyone, get behind us!
"Gateway to the capital"
It looks like the others were able to establish their relationships,
so what happened to your team?
Well, we'd flexed our power more than we expected, and when we unloaded...
The knight training school students bummed us out...
We got a bit carried away.
Okay, what about him?
A rift between teenage boys.
--Huh? --At the end of the day, we did manage to defeat our demons.
How did things go with you, Wolford?
Our team was...
We had Shin and Sizilien getting pretty cozy with each other the whole time.
Huh?!
Wah! G-Getting cozy...?!
If that wasn't getting cozy,
then I can't wait to see what you two do consider getting cozy.
Hey, you!
All kidding aside, with Shin backing us up,
our joint training went pretty well.
And for a change, Shin was the one holding us back.
For a change?
Could he be right about that?
Huh? Shin, does something have you down?
Shin feels responsible for what's become of the rest of us.
Responsible?
How so?
This is a good time to tell all of you, too.
Those of us in the Ultimate Magic Study Group, other than Shin,
will be placed under national supervision following graduation,
and will probably be placed in a special unit under my direct control.
Even at that, it will likely attract the attention of other lands.
I'm sorry, guys. I've changed the course of all of your lives.
No you didn't, Shin!
Huh?
Now our futures are secure!
--Amazing! --Imagine being one of them!
My family will be delighted when I tell them!
Huh? You're all happy about this?
As long as we don't misuse our power,
it could become the hope of saving the world.
Yes. Shin, I'm sure you'll be the hope of the world.
If we're going to be a special unit, we'd like you to teach us more.
Yeah, I guess they're right. If we're going to save the world from this crisis,
we'll need them to be even stronger, won't we?
Hey, even though I'm here to keep things under control, there are limits.
Don't go getting any funny ideas.
Lately, Aug, I'm beginning to think you can read my mind.
Oh, no. In your case...
...you're easy to read because it's written all over your face.
Am I that obvious?
"Several days later"
Lyn!
Got it!
It's almost like an actual live-fire exercise by a national magic division.
We can never let anyone see this.
This is a location I've used for a long time,
so we don't have to worry about being seen.
Are you okay?
--Everyone, we need to talk. --It smarts.
We've received some new information on the demonoids.
It hasn't been made known to the general population.
You're just going to spill a state secret?
Your Highness, it's not just Shin; the rest of us are here, too.
I know.
I'm saying that you're all no longer part of the "general" population.
Once we're at war with demonoids, you'll be an important part of our forces.
Demonoids...?
When you start talking like that, it hits home that we're different.
We're really going to be a special unit, aren't we?
We need to learn lots of other magic.
So, what's this new information?
According to the reports, the demonoids are running riot over the empire.
Apparently, the damage done to their towns and villages is disastrous.
Every last member of their nobility,
as well as most of the commoners, have been killed.
Since these are being demonoids we're talking about, others cannot get involved lightly.
Our nations must form a coalition, or we won't be able to stand against them.
So even being aware of the misery, all we can do is sit back and watch.
That's right. Even worse,
there are more demonoids each time they attack.
Somehow or other, they must be turning them into demonoids.
Like what happened to Kurt.
Probably.
Schtrom, what are you thinking?
Even a single demonoid is enough of a threat to rock an entire nation.
In that case, this calls for...
A training camp?!
All right! Let's do it! I'm in!
Summer break is coming up, right?
I get you. An enrichment camp.
Yeah. If we're going to be taking on demonoids, we need to get stronger.
We'll be up to our necks in magic from morning until night. I can't wait.
So, where will we hold it?
Hmm, we can do the magic exercises here
and have somewhere else where we can all stay over.
Why not on the lands of someone who's here?
Lands?
Nobles as a general rule have their own land.
My family has a district for craftsmen.
Mine has a seaport. It's not really a place where you can kick back.
My family has a resort area.
A warrior from a resort town?
Well, how about there?
We'd better not. A resort area during a demonoid scare?
His Highness is right.
Oh, then Sizilien's place will work, won't it?
Sizilien's family owns a hot spring area.
Huh? Really?
Yes. If that's okay with everyone...
Then, by all means!
Sure!
Ho, a camp?
Ho-ho, given the circumstances, there's no harm in boosting everyone's skills.
However, what are you going to do about supervision?
Supervision?
But of course.
You're going to have boys and girls who are of age sleeping under the same roof!
I will not have you students going in there just by yourselves!
W-Well, that's true. Especially with Aug being royalty.
Well now, the parents of the other study group members must be busy.
As a special favor, I'll come along with you for this.
Huh? Are you sure?
If you like, I'll come, too.
That would be great!
Nothing good ever happens if we take our eyes off of you, after all.
I've been a lot more careful lately...
Is that a fact?
Not even I can back you up here.
That's because you're a pioneer in not being careful.
Hang in there, Grandpa.
"Extended break begins"
--Good morning! --Good morning!
Master Wise Man! Mistress Guru!
Ah, good morning.
How do you do?
Thank you very much for this!
It's two days to get to our camp area. Will the horses be okay in this heat?
No problem. They have enchanted harnesses, remember?
They've been enchanted with fatigue restoration,
physical enhancement, and some other stuff.
Oh...
You at least know who it was that developed them, right?
No.
For heaven's sake...
It was our very own Mistress Melida.
Huh?
Enchanted items were generally only used in combat,
but Mistress Melida has focused on developing useful everyday items.
By improving and influencing so many people's lives for the better,
they all call her the Guru as a sign of respect.
Oh, yeah?
Wh-What are you staring at?
Oh, I was just thinking you're something else.
Th-That was a long time ago.
She's never been able to gracefully accept a compliment.
I can imagine.
The both of you, leave me alone, already!
Guys, do you feel that?
Mm-hmm, we're picking up demons.
They're... medium-sized.
Who wants to take them?
I want to!
I want to, too!
I'd like to, as well.
Okay, we'll use these.
What are you doing with those in your other-dimensional storage?
Ready for anything, right?
Ready, set...
--Hey! --Hey!
Yes! I won!
Aw, I lost.
Piece of cake.
If you rein in your magic power a bit more, you can engage it quicker.
I can? I'll pay attention to that next time.
--Those medium-sized demons... --I get to go next.
--Those medium-sized demons... --No! We draw straws next time, too. Oh, except for the Unbridled Magical Girl.
--In no time at all... --No! We draw straws next time, too. Oh, except for the Unbridled Magical Girl.
--What kind of children are these? --No! We draw straws next time, too. Oh, except for the Unbridled Magical Girl.
--No fair! I want in, too!
--Everyone has improved their skills. --No fair! I want in, too!
I can't believe we're doing this to other people's children.
"City of Klode"
Welcome to the city of Klode.
Oh, it's like a hot spring town.
"Klode manor house"
Everyone, we're here. This is it.
--Welcome back, Miss Sizilien. --Welcome back, Miss Sizilien.
Long time no see!
"Camille Brand"
Prince August, Master Wise Man, Mistress Guru,
it is an honor to meet you.
And a welcome to all of your schoolmates.
To our new hero, Shin Wolford...
Please offer our Miss Sizilien a long and happy life together.
--Huh? --Huh?!
Wh-Wh-What are you talking about?!
"Grinning"
--W-We haven't yet said anything about...
--What?! --W-We haven't yet said anything about...
Nothing. You all must be worn out after today's long journey.
Camp starts in earnest tomorrow.
"Men's baths"
Hot springs are the best.
I feel reborn...
Everyone, thank you for palling around with Shin.
Grandpa?
He's never had a single friend his own age.
I've always felt so sorry about that.
But I'm delighted that no sooner did he start school
than he found his way into the hearts of so many good friends.
I sincerely thank you.
Not at all, Master Merlin. I'm the one who should be thanking you.
As the first prince, I never had a friend who saw me as an equal.
I'd given up, figuring it just wasn't meant to be.
But Shin was good enough to treat me informally, like a cousin.
I was very glad for that.
Aug...
Wolford,
you've done so much for both me and my daddy.
Being with you means there's never a dull moment, and it's fun.
The other nobility often look askance at me, as well,
but Shin, you treat me like one of the guys.
Shin doesn't see things through tinted lenses, after all.
I prefer the company of girls, but I also appreciate my guy friends.
Guys...
Grandpa?
I'm grateful to you.
For raising me, and training me.
If it weren't for you, I don't think I'd be who I am now.
And because of that, I've made so many friends.
Thanks, Grandpa.
Aw, I made Grandpa cry again.
"Women's baths"
Amazing! This place is so big!
This is fantastic!
Nice...
My fatigue is melting away...
Ah, it warms me right down to my bones.
I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
What is it?
Oh, nothing. I was just thinking, you have a nice figure.
Is there anything you do on a regular basis?
I do exercise using the equipment that Shin made.
Equipment?
Something I've been doing lately...
...is walking and running on a belt that moves by itself.
Could you let me use that equipment?!
I'd like to use it, too.
I don't mind...
...but if you work out too much,
you could end up making your breasts smaller.
"Wham!"
If you want to increase your size, maybe...
...you should take it up...
...with those other two.
Oh! These boobs are really something, all right! I want them, too!
They're good and sensitive, as well.
--Whoa... --Maria, help me!
You're not getting away!
Why does exercising too much make your breasts smaller?
From what Shin says, when you move around a lot, you burn fat, right?
So if you exercise too much, you lose the fat in your breasts, as well.
Huh... But how does Shin know something like that?
That boy has always done experiments on his own.
Maybe that's when he discovered it.
I see.
But it dawned on me that Shin had no one that he could call his friend.
So I'm really glad that you are all now his friends.
Mistress Melida, I'm the one who's truly happy to have met Shin.
Actually, we're the ones who are glad to have made friends with Shin.
He teaches us all sorts of magic!
We're the ones who have gained the most.
We're super-lucky.
Yes we are.
Girls...
Okay!
We're going to train you during this camp, too!
Huh?!
You and Master Merlin?
Do you mean it?
Yeah. And in return, you're going to work hard.
Brace yourselves!
Right!
I was hoping for this.
This ought to be fun.