Chapter 75

《However, the mage you will be facing will clearly use the former type of defense magic.》

“It’s not like I don’t know that.”

However, his defense magic is efficient. Overly so.

This is common knowledge that no mage could be unaware of, and there are ways to counter it.

But, I haven’t been able to until now. That’s because, in the end, there is a certain limit to the magic that a first-year can use.

“So?”

《What I will teach you is a simple magic.》

“Simple magic?”

Albedo took out a book from his subspace. It was a book I had been lightly flipping through in the empty lot, looking for any useful magic.

I blinked, quietly observing Albedo’s actions.

Albedo quickly flipped through the pages with telekinesis. When he had passed about 200 pages, he stopped turning the pages with telekinesis.

Albedo pointed to the paragraph describing defense magic with his small lizard foot.

《Read this.》

I obediently followed Albedo’s instructions.

At least, there would be no harm in listening to him.

“Why this?”

《At a glance, it may seem to describe one form of defense magic, but you will find that it can be used in a special way.》

“I don’t get it.”

Apart from being able to use basic element magic in an ingenious way, I was so ignorant about magic that I could be called a novice.

No matter how much he chided me with his eyes for not knowing this, my answer couldn’t be particularly different.

《No, you will be able to understand.》

I grumbled but obediently followed Albedo’s instructions.

What Albedo pointed to was ice defense magic.

It constructs a defense magic using countless ice particles, but other than being pretty, there are no particular advantages to be found—

“Oh, this.”

Albedo smiled as if asking if I finally understood.

I didn’t want to understand a lizard’s smile, but I had to try hard to stop the corners of my mouth from turning up.

《I will help you with the modification of the magic circle, so let’s rack our brains over it for one night.》

“Can’t you just spoon-feed me?”

Even while grumbling, I knew well that he couldn’t.

In a world where demons exist, common sense that deviates beyond a certain range was always met with caution and could be subject to judgment.

At the very least, to avoid suspicion, I had to be able to use magic within a range that wasn’t unusual.

“Looks like I won’t be sleeping at all tonight.”

Though I grumbled my complaints, a smile spread across my face.

It would be a very interesting time in many ways, for sure.

* * *

It was a fun, but arduous time.

Elric’s complexion, upon seeing the giant ice sword that cast a shadow over the entire arena, was not just pale, but completely white.

This was a different kind of overwhelming firepower.

If the defense magic Elric used was outside the category of ‘ordinary,’ then the attack magic I used just had to be outside that category as well.

Could there be a simpler principle?

“Wh-what is this.”

Elric’s dumbfounded voice could be heard.

My fingertips, which had been pointing towards the sky, now pointed downwards.

The ice sword falls towards the ground, like a guillotine dropping.

“How can something like this exist!!”

Elric screams as if in a last-ditch effort.

Where does it exist, you ask? It’s right here.

Don’t be too upset. At the very least, if the system hadn’t threatened me, I wouldn’t have gone this far in a kids’ tournament.

As if pouring all his mana, layers of defense magic are superimposed in front of Elric.

The greatsword of ice that seems to swallow the world clashes with the giant defense magic.

A collision of defense and attack.

Magic that could only be described as such collided.

As the two spells clashed, a wind so strong it was difficult to keep one’s eyes open arose.

The greatsword of ice cracked in many places and slowly crumbled, but it narrowly grazed Elric and embedded itself clearly beside him.

The numerous defense spells that had protected him were completely destroyed, and their traces could only be found in the glittering mana crystals in the air.

I took a step forward and squeezed out my last bit of mana.

The ice greatsword seemed to crumble with a pasuseuk sound, then a thin frost spewed out, and one by one, swords of ice floated in the air.

As the cold energy spread, the surroundings slowly turned white, and before I knew it, the swords were slowly circling the opponent, as if drawing a circle.

“I surrender.”

[The winner is Theo! Theo, following his victory in the preliminaries, once again claims first place!!!]

Now, all that remains is the special final match.

* * *

I wanted to watch the Knight Division’s final as well, but it seemed Lucian had finished his match quickly too.

I immediately ran to Lucian, put my arm around his shoulder, and ruffled his hair.

“Congratulations.”

Zephyros, too, patted Lucian’s shoulder.

Though he didn’t show much emotion, Lucian smiled bashfully, as if happy with the sincere congratulations.

“The special match is tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah.”

Tomorrow, with the 1st-year special match, the Flowering Festival, which had been going on for over a week, would finally end.

And, the ones who would face each other in the special match were, of course, the top students of the Knight and Magic Divisions, Lucian and Theo.

At the sudden realization, Lucian looked at Theo, who was now bickering with Zephyros.

“Cian?”

At Lucian’s gaze, Theo tilted his head.

Theo would be the most likely candidate for the medal.

Even if it was a Flowering Festival where the 1st years were bound to stand out, Theo’s performance was remarkable even among the other years.

And Theo’s goal was clearly the medal.

Perhaps if he won the special match, Theo would surely receive the medal.

“It’s nothing.”

At the sudden thought, Lucian’s mind became complicated.

Even knowing that if he won first place, he would have to face Theo, Lucian’s choice had not changed.

But, could I still remain Theo’s friend even after derailing his goal?

“……”

Lucian hid his hands behind his back and clenched his fists tightly.

* * *

Lucian skipped dinner and stayed in the hideout.

I did bring him snacks, but he looked so troubled that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything more.

“Isn’t he going to ruin his health like that?”

“You think he’s going to ruin his health over just one meal?”

“Meals are a step towards a healthy life.”

The impact of meals on the quality of life is huge.

That guy, he isn’t regretting it late, is he? Should I go buy him some snacks?

“You and Lucian, you’re both good at digging your own graves.”

“When did I ever dig my own grave.”

“It’s nothing.”

My brow furrowed at Zephyros’s pitiful gaze.

This guy is just casually dissing people to their faces. Does he think I’m that clueless?

“I’m not Lucian.”

Lucian, that guy might think he’s hiding his thoughts well, but it was impossible not to know what he was thinking.

Since he had little interaction with people both emotionally and physically from a young age, his emotions were very easy to read.

“He’s probably thinking about it. Whether he should lose on purpose.”

“…You knew, huh?”

“How could I not know that?”

You’d have to be an idiot not to know that.

“Don’t treat me like Lucian.”

I munched on a well-baked potato.

I should probably have a proper talk with him once.

I gulped down the last piece of meat and shot up from my seat.

“I should go buy some snacks.”

“Hey, don’t go and interfere for no reason.”

“As if that indecisive guy could ever make a decision.”

So, at the very least, I, Lucian’s opponent tomorrow, should be the one to decide.

I just grabbed some snacks and headed straight to the hideout where Lucian was holed up.

I kicked open the firmly shut door and snatched away the blanket the guy had pulled over himself.

“Hey, Lucian!!”

“Theo? I just want to rest a bit.”

“I came because I thought you’d be digging your own grave for no reason.”

It’s nothing, I quickly shoved a potato chip into the guy’s mouth as he was about to repeat the same words.

“Oop!”

Thanks to the potato chip being forcibly shoved in, Lucian had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Great, I succeeded in shutting the mischievous mouth that was spouting words that made even me depressed.

“Hey, what. Are you thinking something like you have to lose on purpose?”

“But, you….”

“Why on earth would you?”

“You said you were aiming for the medal.”

It’s true that winning the special match would be advantageous for me to receive the medal.

“If even I can figure out what you’re thinking, you really think the professors won’t know?”

And, even if I hadn’t known, there was no way the professors would just let a fixed match slide.

They would probably hate it even more.

“Come at me with all you’ve got.”

I shoved another potato chip into the guy’s mouth.

Looking straight into the guy’s bewildered gaze, I flicked his forehead.

“Because even if you come at me with all you’ve got, I will definitely win.”

Lucian couldn’t get any words out and just gaped his mouth.

“What? Do I need to hit you one more time for you to come to your senses?”

“…No.”

It probably didn’t even hurt that much, but Lucian rubbed his forehead.

No, it wouldn’t hurt. In fact, my finger that did the hitting is the one that hurts like hell right now, damn it.

“I’m going to eat and then train.”

“Alright.”

“I will definitely win.”

“No, I will win.”

At my answer, Lucian grinned, and then, as if he had never been so depressed, he breezily left the hideout.

He’s really second to none when it comes to diligence.

But, yeah. Well, even that was just one of the many qualities that made up Lucian.

In fact, he’s so diligent that it’s almost a nuisance.

“So, listen. I think I’m a little X’d, what do you think?”

《You were the one who incited him.》

Albedo pointed out gently.

I admit I fanned the flames until they caught fire, but…

“I didn’t know he’d burn with that much passion.”

Ah, I think I’m really screwed.

I wonder if this is what a self-inflicted disaster is like.

On the contrary, I’d hate it more if I had an ambiguous match with the protagonist.

I fiddled with my bangs for no reason and said to Albedo.

“I need something that Lucian doesn’t know, an unexpected move.”

《And so?》

“It just came to me now… can you help me a bit?”

《If you wish it, I would be glad to.》

This would be a little, no, a lot difficult even for Lucian holding the Holy Sword.

And, it would be a move only possible for me, who has all but mastered basic element magic.

A spell that wasn’t even a paragraph, but just a single line written in the magic book I was reading.

There was no way Lucian could know about it, something that in reality was nothing more than a phenomenon that couldn’t even be called magic.

As if sensing my thoughts, Albedo shook his head from side to side.

《You are truly a madman.》

“You’re only just realizing that now?”

I patted the guy’s head firmly.

“But, it’ll be fun, right?”

《Yes, it will be very fun.》

Albedo smiled.

Then that’s all that matters

—————–

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