Magical Boy ~ English version

Chapter 64

Kotaro's good humor the next morning amazed the girls, until he broke the news. They all hastened to ask to see the photo, as they walked outside.

All the students had been ordered to put on their costumes and meet in front of the building. The teachers were already waiting, in battle suit too. Bunny asked the magicals to transform, when her colleagues pointed out to her that they didn't.

The adults waited until all their students were there to demand silence. Starlight stepped forward with a smile.

"The older of you know what's going on." He said with a smile. "Today we are going to do a very special training, in the form of a children's game. We are going to play hide and seek, the students against the teachers."

A murmur arose among the first and second years. It was a thud of metal that called them to order. Starlight had banged his prostheses together.

"This is not without interest." He explained in a suddenly more melancholy tone." We are all human. This is a fact that should not be overlooked. Hero, magical or villain ... there will be times when you find yourself in a situation where you cannot fight. Because your power is reaching its limit. Because you are too injured. Because you have to protect someone. Because your opponent is much stronger than you. Or just because you're afraid of dying ... it's no shame. You have the right to do so. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You are human. Valiant heroes and mighty villains are still alive in the history books. But that's the only place they are. Do not be too eager to hear your names sung from one end of the world to the other because you will surely not be around to enjoy it, if you ignore your own weaknesses. In these moments, to survive, you will have to hide. And hide you effectively. Because it's your life that depends on it. This is what today's exercise is based on."

He paused, time to let the students digest his speech. He was about to resume when a scream broke out from the crowd. Everyone pulled back, letting the scene fully visible.

Nanaya had bent down, his hands on his head, on his cat ears. He looked surprised at his own reaction. Tomeo, right next to him, looked confused, one hand raised. He looked over his classmates and the teachers.

"Uh..." he mumbled. "I..."

"THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING, BULLDOZER ?!" Kotaro yelled, pulling Nanaya away from him.

"I... I just touched his ear..."

Kotaro smirked, Nanaya against him as she sat up, his ears still pressed to his head. Bunny cleared his throat.

"The animal parts of the magical are particularly sensitive." She declared. "Please do not touch it."

"...I did not know." Tomeo huffed. "Sorry, babe. "

Kotaro grimaced, glaring at his comrade. Nanaya pulled away from her friend, nodding softly, a sign that he forgave him.

"Let's resume ..." Starlight continued. "So you have understood the principle of our daily exercise. You have the entire camp area to hide, wherever you want, using your powers if you can. You have to imagine us as enemies that you cannot face. The professors will go back inside and from the moment we close the door, you will have an hour to hide. We will then have the whole day to find you."

"We don't eat at noon?" Asked a girl from Darkeas.

"Come on." Shadow cut. "Do you think that in a real fight your enemy will kindly let you take a lunch break?"

"There will be a bigger meal tonight." Starlight assured. "The students found will receive an assignment to complete. Tonight, at exactly nine o'clock, all those who are not found will be able to come out of their hiding place and come back. There is a reward, but I won't tell you which one at the moment. And yes, invisible students have the right to take off their clothes. However, you will also need to hide them. Please be aware that if you exceed the zone limits, we will receive a notification telling us your exact location, so no need to try to cheat. Having said that, dear colleague, let's get back inside. One hour. Not a second more or less. Try to find a good hiding place."