episode_0142

Even if a bolt from the blue strikes a straight-growing tree, splitting it and killing it.

New green sprouts will emerge from its broken base, becoming a haven for small animals.

Ultimately, a new tree will grow.

I don’t believe in God, but I believe in the great power of nature.

This vast and intricate world, originating from primordial nothingness, is my God.

In this world, nothing is eternal, nothing is absolute, everything flows according to the laws of nature.

It is infinite change and adaptation.

Aren’t the people of our academy, rising again after the Moriarty Academy incident, living proof of that?

Of course, some people didn’t return.

Civilians cannot survive unscathed in the indiscriminate bombing-like surprise attack of those thugs.

But just as the sun rises even when the earth cracks, today will come even if you cling to yesterday.

Shake off the dust, wipe away the tears.

Get up and move forward powerfully, making tomorrow today—that is the essence of being human.

The final exams, temporarily suspended, resumed under everyone’s wishes.

By chance, or perhaps inevitably,

In the final match of the individual tournament, the person I met was—

“Ready?”

“Of course—!”

The girl with light blue hair who always teaches me the joy of battle.

It was Eve.

.

.

.

“Having defeated all the outstanding seniors, the glorious finalists are all first-years! Unsurprisingly, one is a top-ranked entrant and the other is a specialized student! A cool beauty with a calm yet jittery smile, or a lively beauty with a voluptuous physique and relaxed confidence!! Ugh, I can’t choose—!”

The commentator, showcasing his unrestrained wit, poured out introductions about us like a waterfall, then collapsed. The audience chuckled at his clownish appearance, yet applauded respectfully.

“How is it… we’re back to our first encounter.”

“…I’m sorry about that.”

Eve, who mistook me for a suspicious person(?) and pounced on me as soon as we met in the classroom.

And I, who retaliated fiercely enough to send all the desks and chairs flying.

At the time, I had no idea.

That moment, like a storm, was just the beginning of a long relationship to come.

That we were destined to enjoy duels, constantly learning from each other.

“That can’t happen again—”

Tap-

I flicked my fingers.

The seeping Aether spread throughout the arena, forming a special barrier that prevented magical effects from leaking out.

“Aren’t you exerting too little effort?”

“There are others to worry about… don’t you think?”

“Underestimating a common four-attribute mage will be your downfall, Your Highness.”

“Hey- hey, I didn’t include soundproofing—”

“Oops-”

Thankfully, her voice was low enough to avoid reaching the audience.

“The match has clearly begun… yet they show no movement?! What’s going on…”

“They must be catching up on the numerous encounters they experienced to reach the final. Perhaps it is a kind of loneliness- like emotion that only the strong can understand…”

“Indeed—!! It seems they are expressing special feelings only they can grasp…!! Ah, the secretive conversation of beautiful young girls… this is too much stimulation for old men like me—”

“Hey now—!!”

Hahaha-

Laughter spread far and wide.

The heated atmosphere and intense energy made everything around shimmer, like heat haze.

Only Eve, standing in the center, remained sharply distinct.

“Did you hear it?”

“Seriously, it’s unbelievable… you’re messing around with other girls—”

“But I like you too.”

“Wha-”

Her eyes widened, and she froze in place.

“Didn’t you hear? I’ll say it again—”

“W-wait a minute-”

Huuup—

Taking a deep breath, tensing my abdominal muscles.

Using diaphragmatic breathing to shout the loudest I physically could.

“I— like— you— too—!!!!”

“…”

The stadium fell silent, like cold water had been thrown on it.

Then, the loudest cheer yet erupted.

“Waaaaah—A powerful mental attack from the finalist—!!”

“Amazing—!!”

“Way to go—”

“Take it— clap— take it— clap—”

“Amazing comeback—”

“Kyaaaak-!!”

“Unni— give me some too—”

Like the strongest summer sun, everyone around blazed hottest,

The momentum could’ve melted the winter, even without our magic facing off.

“…Yo- you… re- really…”

“Don’t like it?”

“It’s n-not that…”

Had she been swept away by the atmosphere?

Eve blushed, stammering, unable to properly continue her sentence.

“You can answer slowly. More importantly… let’s finish the match first.”

“O-okay…”

“Since things have developed like this, I don’t want a prolonged mana-draining battle…”

I wasn’t exactly an entertainer who needed to satisfy the audience, but I didn’t want to dampen this lively mood either.

Therefore, after careful consideration, the most powerful idea came to mind.

“Let’s just exchange our strongest attacks once. Whoever is pushed back loses.”

“…Is that alright?”

“Isn’t it fine as long as it’s fun-?”

Of course, I might be slightly lacking in the magical spellcraft aspect compared to Eve.

Rather than learning something, I tend to feel and internalize it through experience, so I’ve never researched spells that can unleash immense power.

Conversely, she was also versed in spellcraft.

Seeing me declare a casual match after reaching the finals, Eve laughed incredulously.

“Let’s do it now.”

As soon as she accepted, we sprang apart and began preparing our magic.

“Look, everyone! It seems the confession is over, cough cough—”

“—No, it appears they have mutually agreed to a classic duel…”

“Let’s go— girls—!!!”

The professional commentator tried to silence the commentator who was only talking. The commentator was the voice of the audience.

A single, explosive battle.

Fitting for the free academy, the most romantic match there could be.

Everyone held their breath, cheering for us.

For me, for Eve, or for all of us.

That feeling wasn’t just a feeling, but more like a wave, a kind of sentiment far more palpable than vague, inexpressible emotion.

And I realized I couldn’t afford to disappoint them.

“Ready?”

“Of course—!!”

Eve, having finished her incantation, created a monstrously powerful mana sphere.

The Elemental Orb, shining with rainbow colors, embracing all attributes.

Even I wouldn’t survive a direct hit, I thought.

Gulp—

How would I win against that?

Actually, the answer was already clear.

To block the ultimate spell that Eve had created without letting on that I was a princess.

Honestly, I had no choice but to use a trick.

So the method I chose was a ‘mental attack.’

I mixed fire and wind like paint, creating a suitable color.

I only needed the color, so the effect didn’t matter.

Using the combined mana, I too, created a sphere.

But I altered the shape a little.

The top would be concave, the bottom pointed.

“Hey, that’s…!!”

“Ah- could it be…”

Until the moment of launch, I held back my strength, my mana, my feelings.

Then, I unleashed it all at once.

“Your Highness… that’s…”

“Yes, my heart.”

My magic, which will break Eve’s Elemental Orb…

Hmm, it doesn’t have a name yet. I suppose I’ll have to give it one.

Eve, her face bright red, lost her composure and fired her spell.

“Uwaaaah—!!”

And with that, I launched my magic as well.

My Heart, brimming with sincerity.

The Princess Love Beam.

“I’ll give birth to your children—!!”

Kwaaang—!!!

A very powerful magic sphere, and though not as strong, a beam of different and strong light clashed in the center of the arena.

Even with the barrier active, the resulting shockwave caused mayhem in the audience, such that we had to endure a true bolt from the blue within.

After the violently strong wind passed, leaving us just barely capable of standing, hand raised high amidst the settled dust:

“The result is… the result is…!!”

Thump- thump-

“Cadet Narias Filbrog, congratulations on your victory—!!”

It was me.

“Uwaaaah—!!!”

“Kyaaaak—!!!”

A scene of pure joy.

Amidst the waves of laughter and sweat, Eve tumbled to the ground, her clothes nearly coming off.

I adjusted her clothes a little, and helped her stand, raising our hands together.

Everyone chanted our names.

I looked proudly at them.

However, Eve avoided eye contact with everyone, quietly lowering her head.

The more she reacted this way, the more firmly I pulled her close, clinging to her side.

Ding-

『[Condition: Individual Tournament 1st Place Achievement] Met.』

『[Main Story Chapter 4: Final Exams] progress has increased.』