Chapter 17 – It’s the Magic You Chose (5)

Erzebet watched the students’ performances with a grave expression.

Three freshmen and three second-year students, all equipped with artifacts enchanted with protective magic, waited for the signal to start the match.

As soon as the whistle blew, one swordsman from each side charged forward while the others began preparing their spells.

Indeed… they have talent.

The one catching Erzebet’s attention in this match was none other than Carl.

He was holding his ground against Hafen, the heir of the renowned swordsmanship family, Viscount Cloud, without giving an inch.

<White Magic: Strength Augmentation ⌜Strength⌟>

<White Magic: Agility Boost ⌜Haste⌟>

His proficiency in these two basic white magic spells, considered fundamental for those who use swords as magical foci, was exceptional.

He seemed capable of making a significant impact in the Knight’s Division once he advanced to the second year.

But Hafen was no pushover either.

<Black Magic: Vision Obscuration ⌜Visual Impair⌟>

<White Magic: Magic Defense ⌜Barrier⌟>

He adeptly balanced mana and karma, quickly deploying two opposing magic types.

As soon as the more experienced second-year Hafen cast his defensive magic, a barrage of spells erupted from both sides’ rear ranks.

Boom!

With a deafening roar that shook the stands, the arena was engulfed in a cloud of dust.

The second-years’ firepower was overwhelmingly superior. Barring any significant surprises, they were poised to win.

The spectators from the Mage Tower, captivated by the match, mostly focused their attention on Liv Labre, a second-year student.

Compared to Christina from the Mage Tower, Liv had cast at least five more spells.

Carl, who hadn’t cast any defensive magic, was pushed back by the sudden onslaught of spells.

“Phi—.”

“Are you bored, Phi?”

Erzebet stroked Phi, who was preening its wings beside her.

The match wouldn’t be decided quickly.

Wondering how to entertain Phi, Erzebet caught a whiff of a delicious aroma.

Many students were munching on popcorn while watching the match.

“Phi, do you want some popcorn?”

“Phi—.”

“Alright, I’ll get you some. Let’s see…”

She hesitated to go down and fetch it herself. Should she call someone? But where was it being sold?

While she pondered, Phi flapped its wings and soared over the arena.

“Oh no, Phi!”

Alarmed, she quickly used magic to share her familiar’s senses.

Her vision expanded, and the scene Phi was seeing was projected into her mind.

— Phi, come back here.

“Phi—.”

— Don’t be stubborn. You might get caught in a spell!

“Phi—.”

Ignoring her warnings, Phi headed straight for the area with the most popcorn.

Then, a man came into Erzebet’s view.

The only man at Farencia Academy who wore shabby clothes.

To the casual observer, he was just a storekeeper, nothing more.

Yet, for some reason, her father and the headmaster were extremely wary of him, never revealing his true identity.

And—

‘Louis is… your fiancé.’

Impossible.

‘It’s true.’

Absolutely impossible.

‘Shall I swear on my mana? Shall I prick my finger?’

Please stop, Headmaster…

“Give me one more.”

“Can’t you just take it yourself?”

“Then would you just take money from your own pocket? That’s not a transaction, it’s theft. Hand it over directly.”

Louis was feeding popcorn to Viscountess Ruhillen, as if they were a couple.

Who was Darling Tokarev?

A wealthy woman no family in Pennheim would refuse for marriage.

Yet, here she was, seemingly happier eating cheap popcorn fed to her by Louis, ignoring the match entirely.

Erzebet couldn’t understand what made him so special.

And while she was lost in thought, Phi gently landed on the large bag of popcorn Louis was holding.

— Phi? It’s dangerous! You’ll get caught!

“What the hell? That scared me.”

Louis looked surprised to see the colorful bird staring at him.

But then, noticing Viscountess Ruhillen’s reaction, he plucked a piece of popcorn and held it out to Phi.

“So, you came for this?”

“Phi—.”

“Shopkeeper. What is that bird? It looks expensive.”

“Just ignore it and eat your popcorn. You must have it rough, working for such a silly master.”

— Who are you calling silly!

Erzebet fumed, but her voice couldn’t reach across the arena.

Because Phi and Louis were so close, she could hear his breath and voice through their shared senses.

“You’ve grown a lot. You were smaller back then.”

— What?

Louis’s hand reached out to Phi.

Warm, yet very cautious.

As if he were handling a fragile glass ornament.

The idea that this man was her fiancé was beyond comprehension.

— Wait, hold on!

Erzebet felt her cheeks heat up, sharing her familiar’s senses.

She had never allowed such sudden physical contact with anyone before.

But at that moment—

Zap!

“Kyaa!!”

Suddenly, her connection with Phi was forcibly cut off, and she opened her eyes.

<Unique Magic: End of Magic ⌜Magic End⌟>

Startled, she stood up. Simultaneously, something strange occurred in the arena.

Whoosh—!!!

— “Ouch, hot!”

— “What just happened?”

— “Fire magic? Who cast it?”

Adela’s magic enveloped the entire arena, causing a massive surge of flames.

***

I don’t know if the phenomenon of mana pressure has been reported to the academy, but even knowing the principle, utilizing it like I do is almost impossible.

The reason is obvious: there’s no way to inject an amount of karma beyond the limit into the body.

Maybe that’s why, even if Adela wins, there’s nothing in it for me, but it feels good.

Indeed, she’s impressive.

The second-years were knocked down by a single spell.

Even Darling beside me couldn’t hide her surprise.

The casting time was long, but it was clear the freshmen had gained the upper hand significantly.

Adela immediately began preparing the next spell, and Carl and Jennifer got into their attack stances.

As cheers echoed around the arena, I noticed Liv’s suspicious behavior.

No way…

She held her staff down, watching Adela’s next spell.

The same 1st-level lightning spell she had practiced multiple times before, <Thunderbolt>.

As soon as the round magic circle appeared in the air, Liv mirrored it on the ground and began her counterattack.

Crackle, crackle—!

As Carl and Hafen’s swords clashed, and supporting spells rained down from both sides, the two mages glared at each other with contrasting expressions.

Adela had a grin of victory, while Liv maintained a calm, stoic look.

And the <Thunderbolt>, amplified by mana pressure, shot toward the second-year side.

Boom!!!

As the other two hurriedly prepared defensive magic, I watched Liv’s movements closely.

She summoned dozens of small lightning bolts from the ground, simultaneously transforming parts of the ground into sharp metal to conduct the discharge.

<Multi-Casting>, <Parallel Spell Arrangement>

<White Magic: Lightning Bolt ⌜Lightning Bolt⌟>

<White Magic: Transfiguration ⌜Transform⌟>

Her movements were as precise as an orchestra conductor.

She analyzed her opponent’s spell, then neutralized it by exploiting its nature—the essence of magical prowess.

<White Magic: Spell Nullification ⌜Dispel⌟>

Unlike my passive unique magic, this was a textbook example of a true dispel.

— “Clap clap clap clap clap!!”

— “Clap clap clap clap clap!!”

A moment of silence, followed by applause from the audience.

Neutralizing an opponent’s spell in the heat of battle was no small feat.

It demonstrated Liv’s extraordinary understanding of magic, even if it was only a 1st-level spell.

I looked at Adela.

She wore a bewildered expression, likely never expecting her spell to be countered so easily.

Having used <Ignite> and <Thunderbolt>, she had only <Wind Shear> left.

But it was highly likely to be dispelled as well.

Guess it didn’t work out…

It was unfortunate, but that was it.

We both did our best. The opponent was stronger than expected.

If Adela could wield even 2nd-level spells, dispelling them would have been nearly impossible, but… it ends here.

“So, why have you been so quiet?”

“Phi—?”

The brightly colored bird seemed dazed.

Should I return it to the princess?

Might as well get the popcorn money. I honestly don’t want to face her, but I can’t let her eat for free.

I got up and headed toward Erzebet on the opposite side of the arena.

Then, I heard murmurs from the students in the stands.

Turning to look, I was left speechless by the scene unfolding before me.

“Damn it.”

Adela was not using <Wind Shear> for her final spell.

I must win.

That was the only thought in Adela’s mind.

The strongest spell she believed she could use…

2nd-level water magic, <Flood>.

A large sphere floated in the air, growing in size.

Its form was highly unstable, constantly distorting with the surrounding vibrations.

The spell Adela was casting did not have its foundation in the sky, as Louis had warned.

The magic circle wasn’t stable enough to handle the amplified output of mana pressure.

Moreover, due to her lack of proficiency, the balance of the spell was rapidly collapsing.

“Huh?”

The wave that should have surged forward never materialized. Instead, the water sphere leaked in midair, spilling a massive amount of water.

By the time the sand in the arena was soaking wet, the spell was on the verge of exploding.

Adela realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.

Boom!!!

An enormous torrent of water poured down on the arena.

The protective magic set up by Lehel activated, blocking the wave from reaching the audience.

But it didn’t cover the arena where the participants were engaged.

“Kyahhh!”

“Whoa!!”

Jennifer and Hafen were swept out of the arena by the huge wave.

The audience, seeing the wave rise above their heads, dropped their popcorn in shock.

“Phuahh!!!”

And the one who took the brunt of it was none other than Adela herself, who had cast the spell.