episode_0023

The place where the sparring takes place is a location specifically designed for sparring, unlike a typical gymnasium.

This place, designed for one-on-one sparring, is located next to the academy, outside of the gymnasium.

Of course, it is connected to the gymnasium, so all facilities in the gymnasium are available here.

To prevent damage due to sparring, a special barrier is set on the walls of this place.

Unless high-powered advanced magic is continuously fired, it will never break.

Therefore, in case of emergency, people evacuate to this place.

Moving on, this sparring arena is very spacious.

There is a large stadium in the center with spectator seats surrounding it.

One might think it’s risky to have spectator seats right next to the stadium, but there are universal barriers in place here, so safety is not an issue.

So, it should be fine to use powerful attacks.

Following the assistant’s guidance, I entered the stadium.

“Before we begin the sparring, let me explain the rules. First—”

It’s a description I’ve heard over a hundred times.

While the academy has many priests and healing teachers to treat injuries, they’ll probably warn against causing severe harm.

The sparring lasts for a total of 5 minutes.

However, if the opponent surrenders or becomes unable to fight, the sparring ends there.

Only non-lethal weapons are allowed, and other items are prohibited.

Therefore, since potions cannot be used, managing health and mana is essential.

And what else was there… It seems like that’s about it.

“Then let’s start the sparring. We will begin in 10 seconds!”

– 10

– 9

– 8

I steady my breathing.

Gripping my sword, I adjust my stance.

– 7

Lucy is a fire-element mage like me.

She’ll probably start by using something strong right from the beginning.

– 6

Lucy’s mana core has quite a capacity.

So, she’ll probably start with something small and save the big spells for later.

– 5

– 4

To be honest, winning seems difficult.

– 3

Currently, Lucy is at a C-rank, but she’s a mage with tremendous skill, enough to become Alicia’s rival in the future.

I can’t see a scenario where I come out on top.

– 2

But… I can’t give up.

I must move forward.

So.

– 1

“Begin!”

“《Fire Ball》.”

As the sparring commences, Lucy quickly chants a spell and unleashes magic.

A small sphere made of flames shoots towards me.

《Fire Ball》 has a narrow range but is fast.

It’s a perfect spell to counter someone like me who uses both a sword and magic.

I haven’t fully mastered fire magic yet.

What I’ve used so far are makeshift spells, not proper magic.

To block the incoming Fire Ball, I raise my sword.

But I can’t completely dodge the magic approaching right in front of me.

So, I must minimize the damage.

Using magic-infused into my sword, I block her spell.

But that’s not the end of it.

The onslaught of attacks continues.

This time, a spear made of flames and arrows fly towards me.

Since these attacks follow right after the Fire Ball, I couldn’t block them all.

I end up allowing her to hit my left arm.

Sustaining an injury right from the start.

It’s not a severe injury, of course.

But if things continue like this, I will inevitably lose.

In that case, swift close combat is the answer.

Adjusting my stance, I swiftly rush towards her.

Yet, she persistently aims at me.

The magical spectacle continues.

Circulating the remaining mana in my body to enhance my physical abilities, I evade her magic.

With reinforced agility, I manage to reach her.

However, she shows no signs of panic. Instead, she wears an expression as if she expected my approach.

Ah, I should have realized it, but it was already too late. There’s no escaping now.

“Burst.”

The trap magic she secretly planted on the ground.

When the magic casters activate the magic planted on the ground, it triggers.

It’s a lower-level magic, so its power is weak, but with several of them laid out, it might be somewhat dangerous?

This one really got me good.

*Bam!*

The sound of an explosion began to echo quietly in the arena.

…

“Huh? Is it… over?”

“Lucy, was spacing out the attacks deliberately to set up traps?”

“No, look over there! It doesn’t seem like it’s over yet?!”

As the smoke from the explosion cleared, human figures started to become visible at the scene.

Bern Flame, a black-haired man known as the renegade of the family, stood on the arena without collapsing.

‘How can he still be standing?’

Despite being hit by continuous magic attacks from Bern, and even taking Burst while defenseless, he still stands!

The power may be weak, but being hit by multiple at once should have made him collapse, yet he didn’t.

‘What is this guy doing?’

He could have either attacked together from the beginning or deployed a defensive spell.

Or is he doing this on purpose?

Is he unable to handle magic properly?

Or is he intentionally not using magic?

Wait… No, even if others don’t know, he can’t deceive himself.

That man. He momentarily surrounded his body with magic to protect himself.

I assume that the man isn’t refraining from using magic; he just can’t use it.

By blocking the magic, reinforcing his body with the used magic, and protecting himself, he exhausted all his magic.

Probably due to a low total amount of magic, he couldn’t use magic. Fire-based magic tends to consume a lot of magic.

Lucy, who was quite confident in sensing magic, could feel that most of Bern’s magic had been depleted.

Anyway, although he didn’t block perfectly, there are singes all over his body.

Not severe injuries, but he probably can’t move properly.

Now that he has used up all his magic, there’s nothing he can do.

If it’s to end, it must end now.

A bit regretful, but I have to finish decisively with my full strength.

…

It was dangerous.

If I hadn’t surrounded my body with magic at the moment of explosion, I might have been done for.

However, since I didn’t block perfectly, there are burns all over my body.

I haven’t suffered major damage, but I can’t move well.

Perhaps it’s the recoil from the impact.

Indeed, even with lower-level magic, the effectiveness varies greatly depending on the user.

Lucy, who had distanced herself from me, was watching me from a distance.

Did she notice that I protected myself with magic?

Then something big will come flying soon. Not a good situation.

Indeed, the opponent wasn’t easy.

Of all people, why did I have to encounter Lucy?

“…”

The situation was never favorable.

I always chose the best course of action in unfavorable situations.

Thinking back, it’s amusing. When did I start analyzing my opponents like this during battles?

Yes, what matters is the mindset.

The game is not over yet.

So, let’s get ready again. Lucy raised her staff and began chanting an incantation.

“A giant flame shall burn even blessings—”

She’s probably planning to finish with that.

Since Lucy must have judged that I am having difficulty moving right now.

Ha, but seeing this firsthand. What an honor.

The magic she is currently casting is probably “Inferno.” It possesses power comparable to high-level magic in terms of firepower.

However, it has a high cost due to consuming a tremendous amount of magic, making it difficult to use multiple times.

It’s considered mid-level magic, hence the necessity of an incantation for casting spells.

To perfect the implementation of magic, one could consider it a form of image training.

Self-suggestion, indeed. It could be called a mindset as well.

Anyway. Unlike lower-level magic, higher-level magic requires increased casting difficulty, making high concentration and vivid imagery crucial.

Due to variations in magical understanding, everyone memorizes incantations to manifest their magical imagery.

Lucy, aiming for flawless execution, cast a spell that belonged to the upper echelons of intermediate magic.

Inferno is a skill honed through her relentless practice, akin to a life-saving technique.

She is determined to finish me off with all her might.

So, I prepare my final strike with all my sincerity.

A crimson and azure energy begins to swirl around my body.

Once a day, the skill ≪Tenacity≫ restores all stamina and mana.

While stamina and mana are replenished, injuries remain unhealed as expected.

It doesn’t matter. What’s crucial is that I can cast magic now.

“―Oh burning flames, engulf my foes. 《Inferno》.”

From the engraved magic circle in the air, a massive fiery blaze starts hurtling towards me.

A straight line of flames heading my way.

If I get hit by that, it’s over. But the game isn’t finished until it’s truly over.

I steady my breath and extend my uninjured right arm forward.

At this moment, Lucy starts gazing at me with surprise.

Well, she probably didn’t expect me to cast magic in my current state.

I quickly activate Mana Amplification, a trait within me.

As a result, my mana surges wildly throughout my body.

The strain on my body begins to mount.

It was a dizzying pain, almost collapsing at any moment.

But it’s bearable.

No, it must be borne.

However, that’s not the most important thing right now.

Damage output increases by about 2x due to Mana Amplification.

With the residual stats boosting my mana, the power escalates further.

And there’s the basic magic I’ve honed over time, Ignition.

The blue flames forming at my fingertips start consuming all my mana.

Expanding in size, the blue flames morph into small orbs flying towards her.

My amplified mana creates a fireball aimed at incinerating the enemy.

As Lucy’s flames clash with mine, the arena trembles violently.