The afternoon part of the event has begun.
The ground was littered with targets that were formed at various distances and heights.
The teacher explained that the students were supposed to magically hit the targets on either side while riding their horses. In the gaps between the targets, there were also targets that were not allowed to strike. In other words, you can’t just wipe them out with a big area of effect magic. Moreover, they have to ride on a horse within a certain time and use magic precisely. By simply imagining it, you can see just how difficult it is.
“Can you ride a horse, Noa?” (Yuna)
I asked Noa, who was sitting next to me.
“A horse? I’m not that good at it, but I can ride. I was forced to learn horse riding in case something were to happen.” (Noa)
I guess that’s to be expected for a noble’s daughter. An education in horseback riding, was it?
“But I am better at riding Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan than a horse. I almost fell from a horse before, but not with Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan.” (Noa)
Yeah, that’s the ability of Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. If not for that, I might not have been able to ride them. Even if I could, there’s a good chance I would have fallen.
While I was talking to Noa, the preparation was ready, and the first student began.
The student swung his right hand from side to side to hit the target while controlling the horse.
Many mages use their dominant hand to perform magic. The same goes for me.
The hand that holds the chopsticks, the hand that throws the ball, the hand that strikes, the hand that holds the weapon, that hand does everything, and the dominant hand is easier to use. The same goes for using magic.
Some of the targets were located in positions that were difficult to hit with one hand. And some targets must be shot simultaneously on both sides.
The teacher knew about it, which was probably why he placed it that way. It was a nasty, yet interesting arrangement.
The first student could only hit one side.
The second one was holding a cane.
Oh, right. It’s not just rings and bangles. I had forgotten about it because I don’t use a cane myself.
The student swung the cane from side to side and hit the target. They hit the target more accurately than I expected. I don’t know if the student was good or if the cane was easier to handle, but this was unexpected.
The students, who participated in this part, have practiced riding horses and were good at it.
But were these the horses they brought from the royal capital? If the Euphalia Academy prepared them, then Euphalia students practicing on those horses would have an advantage.
Even animals have different habits and personalities. Knowing that will change the way you ride.
However, it appears that they were riding horses provided by their respective schools.
Then, one student tried their best, and it was Shia’s turn.
“It’s Oneesama! Please do your best, Oneesama!” (Noa)
Shia gets on the horse and holds the reins.
Oh, she looks cool. Maybe I’m being too patronizing, but she looks cool.
Shia went to the starting position. Then, she started riding at the teacher’s signal.
Riding on a horse, Shia started hitting the targets with earth magic.
“That Shia, she’s good at riding a horse, isn’t she?” (Yuna)
“Even when she was in Crimonia, Oneesama was good at riding horses.” (Noa)
Shia was shooting magic with both hands and she made sure to hit the target.
“Amazing!”
And Shia finished almost perfectly.
Unfortunately, she hit one wrong target.
Discounting that error, it would have been a perfect run, but it’s a shame.
After that, Cereille appeared and also achieved high points.
It’s frustrating, but as expected, Cereille was also good at it.
The competition on horseback shooting proceeded, with a cheer each time a target was hit and a sigh when the target was missed. Then, after the last student finished, the horseback shooting event came to an end.
This concludes today’s competition, and the top three overall winners in each category were awarded. Unfortunately, Shia was not one of the three.
Cereille was chosen as one of the top three magic students in the three magic attributes of fire, earth, and wind. She was not good at water magic or seemed inferior to other magic.
I feel that Cereille was good at offensive magic. Not that water magic can’t be used for offensive magic or anything, but the other magic was more advantageous against normal enemies.
“I feel bad for Shia.” (Yuna)
“Yeah.” (Noa)
Shia had excellent results in the competition, but some of them were poor. From the looks of it, she didn’t even come close.
Cereille had done well in all the competitions and was first in fire magic, second in wind magic, and third in earth magic.
Overall, the number of students who received the awards was higher in the royal capital side.
And both schools were celebrating the award-winning students.
“What would have happened if Yuna-san had participated?” (Noa)
With my bear equipment, I could do well. However, the problem was the part where I had to hit the target while riding a horse. I had never ridden a horse, I wouldn’t be able to hit the target while riding a horse.