Chapter 281

There are a few rules in snowball fights, but in this match, it's simply a matter of throwing snowballs at each other and seeing how many times you can hit your opponent.

Even if you're hit by a snowball, you don't retire and can continue the match, and there's no fighting over flags either.

"Anyway, all we have to do is hit the opponent... Simple rules."

"Lay down suppressive fire! Don't give them a chance to counterattack!"

"Yeah!"

The enemy team... 'Snow Phoenix' had claimed victory three years in a row, and their relentless attack left no openings.

Even when Clael barely poked his head out from behind the wall, a snowball would immediately come flying at him.

They had a clear division of roles between those making snowballs and those attacking, never giving us even a moment to fight back.

"Take this... 'Bird Strike'!"

"Whoa...!"

On top of that, they even pulled out some weird special move.

A snowball thrown upward swooped down like a bird gliding through the air and struck at Clael, who was hiding behind the wall, like a bird hunting its prey.

"Bear!"

Bear quickly threw a snowball and neutralized the one that was diving toward them.

"These guys... They're seriously hardcore about snowball fights...!"

"Kukuku... Of course we are!"

Even though he hadn't said it that loudly, Clael's muttering got a response.

"We've been training all summer by throwing mud balls for snowball fights! We stayed up all night devising strategies, practiced our combos... Even if others laughed at us, we kept training for this very day! We're not like you guys, just playing around!"

"No, go get a job. Seriously."

I hate to say it... but don't they have anything better to do?

It's great to have something you're passionate about, but I'd like them to take their lives more seriously.

"I got so obsessed with snowball fights that I got fired from my job!"

"My girlfriend dumped me! She asked me what was more important—snowball fights or her!"

"My parents disowned me and kicked me out of the house! Snowball fights are all I have left!"

"Are you guys serious!? Is that really okay for your lives!?"

I don't know... I'm starting to feel like maybe we should just let them win.

It's true we joined just for fun, and Clael doesn't have that kind of passion.

"Lord Clael, do your best!"

Still... as long as Reina is cheering for him, he can't back down.

For Reina, who was shouting her support with all her might... he couldn't bring himself to lose on purpose.

"I get your passion... but this is a serious match for us too. Everyone, let's go!"

"Bear!"

"Woof woof!"

"Meow!"

"Shoebill!"

Rallying his plushie companions, Clael also turned to face the members of 'Snow Phoenix' with full seriousness.

"Speed Up"

He cast support magic on himself and his companions.

With their physical abilities enhanced, they were now able to easily dodge the enemy's snowballs.

"I'll make the snowballs. You guys look for an opening and charge in!"

"Bear!"

As Clael rapidly made snowballs, Bear grabbed them and dashed out.

Snowballs thrown by the enemy team rained down on Bear as he emerged from the wall, but none of them even grazed Bear's small body.

"Whoa!"

"What the... They've broken through!?"

"Beaaaaarrrrrrrr!"

Bear circled around into the enemy's territory and bombarded them with the snowballs he brought.

As the enemy team faltered, the other three animals launched their attacks one after another.

The enemy camp was thrown into chaos, and our points started racking up rapidly.

"Ugh... The plushies aaaaaaaaahhh!"

"You guys are the ones who underestimated the plushies!"

Eventually, the time limit ran out, and the game ended.

The score was '30–7'. Of course, it was Clael's side that won.

"I'm burned out..."

"Maybe... we were wrong about all this..."

"I'll look for a job. I'm going to work properly and make my parents proud."

"I'll apologize to my girlfriend too. I don't know if she'll forgive me, but..."

After being defeated by Clael and his delightful companions, 'Snow Phoenix' disbanded and began earnestly searching for employment.

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A new series, "The Mage of Frozen Stars", has started on Kakuyomu Next!

It will be updated daily up to Chapter 20, so please check it out too!

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093086823614778