Black Iron Magician

Chapter 344 Deciding the Teams

「Well, first we need to divide the teams. We have to divide our forces as fairly as possible to make it an equal match!」

After Alezel and the rest appeared in their swimsuits, Nell proposed to divide the teams. It’s no exaggeration to say that the fate of each team will be decided by how we are divided.

「So, how do we decide it?」

「…… With lottery?」

You’re leaving it to luck from the start, huh.

「Hmm~, I think it’s would be better if Deris and Nell become team leaders, and they nominate the people they want one by one. That way, the teams will be mostly balanced.」

「You mean like a draft? Well, I guess that’s reasonable. But I don’t think I should be the leader….」

I glanced at the Great Eight Demons.

「I think it’s a good idea to make the couple the leaders! I agree!」

「Isn’t it fine? After all, I’m sure Deris will choose me.」

「I was the one who suggested it, so I ain’t gonna complain.」

「Phew…. Now I’ve transformed my body for the dry condition. Hm? What are you talking about?」

Unexpectedly, everyone is enthusiastic. Also, Hund-kun has revived.

「I have no objection either. I and Deris just need to call the names in turns, right?」

「If Nell says so, then I have nothing to say. There are eight people left, so we’ll choose four times. Ladies first, so you can choose first, Nell.」

「Ara, how kind of you. Then, I will accept your offer.」

It isn’t that I’m showing my manliness or kindness. This is because it’s easier to adjust the strength of the teams if I nominate after Nell. If I nominate someone with the same level of power as the one Nell nominated, that will be enough to adjust the balance.

「Okay, I’ll go first. I’ll take Chinatsu!」

「Y-Yes. I’ll do my best.」

「If Nell chose her favorite disciple, I’ll also choose my favorite disciple. Haru, this way.」

「Yes, Shishō!」

Both chose the disciple at first. Well, it’s within expectation.

「Next, let’s see…. Zeta!」

「Me? Zex-sama, I will be waiting for you in this team.」

「Hey, don’t try to invite the others. Still, you chose Zeta, huh? That’s a little surprising.」

「After all, she’s the hardest to read since we don’t know her skills!」

「I see…. Then, I will choose Touko.」

「Hell yeah! Deris-danna, I believed in you! I will do my best!」

Touko came to our team while skipping. She seems to be very motivated. I can guess the reason, but I won’t say it.

「Hmm, Touko was chosen, so I think it’s about time I’m chosen. By Deris, of course.」

「I’m sorry to destroy your hopes, but Lily, get in my team.」

「…… It’s strange, am I hallucinating? I’m supposed to be in Deris’ team, not Nell’s, right?」

「There’s no way I would let a lustful demon in the same team as Deris. I will properly hold your reins.」

The one Nell chose as the third member was Lilyvia, who was somehow confident that I would choose her. Lily, who was chosen by Nell, seemed dissatisfied, but she couldn’t make any more unnecessary protests as the Great Eight Demons. Thus, she unwillingly moved to Nell’s side. Well, if I were to choose Lily, it would be only when Nell chose Hund-kun. I don’t think Nell would choose Hund-kun since he’s incompatible with fire, so Lily was unlikely to be on the same team as me. There you have it, Lily, just give up already.

「I will choose Hund-kun.」

「Very well.」

「………」

I can feel the silent pressure from Lily. ‘You should have chosen Alezel or Zex after I was chosen!’, she’s probably thinking something like that. Also, she’s probably thinking something like, ‘Look at my swimsuit more!’. Sorry, but that’s not possible under Nell’s supervision.

「What, I and Zex-han are the only ones left, huh? It’s lonely~」

「Calm down. The main performers usually play last, so in a way, we can be considered as the main players! I’m proud of it! Fuhaha!」

「Zex-han is so positive~. So, which one will you choose, Nell? If it’s now, you can choose this Beach Fairy Alezel-chan~」

「Beach Fairy…. Hmm, let’s see….」

「…… *Stare*」

「Err….」

Zeta is staring at Nell, who’s wondering about it with her arms crossed, with sparkling innocent eyes. How should I put it, a silent pressure? Anyway, I’m really impressed by her spirit of trying to challenge Nell. She isn’t giving any opinion or trying to invite a certain someone, so she doesn’t violate the rules. She’s just staring at Nell with a convinced look.

「…… *Stare*」

「…… What?」

「No, it’s nothing.」

「…… Is that so?」

「Yes.」

「………」

「…… *Stare*」

「T-Then, I will choose Zex.」

「Come here, Zex-sama!」

Zeta was delighted when Nell nominated Zex while averting her gaze. This girl is really amazing that she could stick to her opinion even if the other party is Nell.

「Fuhaha! Then, I will join Nell-dono’s team, and Alezel-dono will join Deris-dono’s team.」

「Being pure can be a cowardly means in some cases, huh. I’m learning a lot~」

「W-Well, it’s good that it’s all settled. Let’s do a final check. My team is Haru, Touko, Hund-kun, and Alezel. Let’s do our best.」

We can’t stand shoulder to shoulder because of our uneven heights, but my team formed a circle.

「I’ll show Deris-danna my good side! I’ll do my best!」

「Excuse me, I still don’t know the rules yet….」

「Let’s do our best! By the way, Alezel-san, you’re wearing unusual sandals, huh?」

「It’s nice, ain’t it~? These are my new thick-soled sandals, which ain’t only well designed but also completely shut out the heat. It’s comfortable even in this hell!」

Yeah, I could feel the power of this team even before the game.

「My team is Chinatsu, Zeta, Lily, and Zex. There’s no need to be stiff just because it’s training! Let’s have fun!」

Perhaps imitating us, Nell’s team also formed a circle and they raised their arms energetically. But along with those arms, the flames that formed the coat are also burning fiercely.

「It’s hot! Shishō, suppress your excitement! The court’s firepower is increasing!」

「Why is Touko over there and I’m over here…? Why is Touko over there and I’m over here…?」

「Zex-sama, let’s go for the win!」

「Fuhaha, of course! The current me is heat resistant after all!」

…… I guess we’re about the same.

Now, it’s better to check the rules before the match, and it’s for Hund-kun as well. Although there is some danger of life, it is just an extension of play, so the content is much looser than the original beach volleyball. The match is won by taking 10 points, and there’s no deuce or something like that. The first team to reach 10 points wins. The ball can only be touched three times and must be returned to the opponent’s court by then, which is the same as in normal volleyball. The serve is rotated among the teams, whether they score a point or not. The person who serves is rotated as well. Basically, it’s okay wherever the ball goes, as long as it’s inside the flame lines of the court. Any detailed rules will be added later when a problem arises since it’s just playing.

「You let me decide first when we were deciding the team members, so you can have the first serve, Deris.」

「Okay, let’s decide the order of the server.」

As a result of the team’s discussion, the first server is Haru, the experienced volleyball player.