episode_0024

The collision of the two flames created a massive explosion, filling the stadium with smoke.

As a result, students in the stands began to murmur.

“What… I can’t see anything because of the smoke!”

“Seriously, is it okay to go that hard even in a duel?”

“Shouldn’t this duel be stopped?”

“Even though it’s a substitute for practical training, this seems too intense.”

“Both Lucia and Bern Flame are overheating. Nevertheless, impressive.”

“Lucia is amazing, but Bern being able to wield magic of that magnitude, wasn’t that expected given his family name?”

“So, who do you think will win?”

“I believe Lucia will emerge victorious. Bern allowed too many attacks, and using that level of magic must have drained his mana.”

“Well, Lucia did seem quite composed until the end. Bern Flame… despite his reputation, seems to have decent skills.”

“Well, Bern is ultimately from the Flame family.”

“Look over there! The smoke is clearing..!”

The nearing end of the duel between the two.

Soon, the victor and the defeated will be decided.

Whether due to this impending resolution or the intense clash of the two, students were discussing how this duel would conclude.

Lucia, known for her exceptional skills in Class C-1, soon to be promoted to Class B.

And Bern Flame, whose reputation at the academy isn’t great, casting his magic.

Though not clearly visible from a distance, his power was comparable to Lucia’s magic.

Bern Flame, often displaying poor behavior, rumored to bully students when in a bad mood or pick fights. Well, that’s what the rumors say.

Nevertheless, the audience was astonished by the magic cast by Bern Flame, whose reputation was at its lowest.

However, no matter how strong, Lucia is not an easy opponent.

Though currently in Class C, her skill is undeniable.

And now, the conclusion of the duel between the two students was becoming apparent.

…

Due to the collision of powerful magics, Lucia could barely stand.

The force of Bern’s magic was so strong that its aftermath started heading her way.

Despite the explosion filling the stadium with smoke, the flames continued to burn brightly.

The intense blue flames consumed even the ones Lucia had conjured, now fiercely approaching her to engulf her as well.

Transforming even those same flames into her own power, the blue flames radiated their strength even in this smoky environment.

‘Ah, I’ve lost.’

I tried so hard, yet I lost again.

It’s disappointing. I wanted to win, to prove myself.

No matter how skilled I am in Class C, I’m just a frog in a well after all.

Am I unable to break free from this well?

‘Am I unable to rise…’

She was lost in deep thought.

Despite her efforts to revive her fallen family name… is she stuck in place?

Concealing the name of her fallen family, she struggled to rise through the ranks disguised as a commoner, but even as a second-year student, she couldn’t escape Class C.

Therefore, she felt wronged. Angry.

Bern Flame, rumored to be a man from a good family.

According to the rumors trailing his name, he entered the academy on the coattails of his family’s prestige, with poor conduct and mediocre skills.

But it’s all hearsay until faced firsthand.

Since it was merely gossip, she didn’t underestimate the man named Bern.

Rather, she wished to be cautious.

Anyone who has ever used fire-based magic cannot remain ignorant of that man’s name.

Jerome Flame, current head of the Flame family.

Fifteen years ago, a war hero who had made a name for himself as the Blue Flame Swordsman in the war that took place in the kingdom.

A black-haired mage who wields the Blue Flame Sword to ruthlessly defeat his opponents.

Although retired due to injuries quite some time ago, his prowess was truly comparable to a master swordsman.

Being the son of Jeron Flame, she was taken aback when facing Bern.

To come from such a prestigious family and yet not be able to wield proper magic was surprising.

Her swordsmanship skills were lacking as well.

“I could do that much at least,” she thought.

However, facing him in a duel, she soon realized.

The reason he didn’t use magic, or rather couldn’t use it.

It was because his total magical power was very low.

The flow of magic visible when he used magic, the more he used, the lower the output of his magic became.

The magic flowing around him was gradually weakening.

Moreover, fire-based magic consumes more magical power than other types of magic, hence his inability to properly use magic and focus solely on defense.

In essence, he had to face mages only with his sword.

There are people like that sometimes.

Everyone has a mana core, another heart that helps mana exert its power.

Most people end up with a core similar in nature to their parents’ mana core.

For example, if parents have a very large vessel, their children are also born with a very large vessel.

However, there is an extremely rare chance of being born with an abnormally low total amount of magical power.

Being born with a very small vessel regardless of one’s parents.

Of course, one can expand the vessel through elixirs or long training. But even that has its limits.

As it is a vessel one is born with, there are limits to expanding it through effort.

Furthermore, Bern Flame is rumored to be a man abandoned by his family.

Perhaps he was left alone because there were siblings with even greater talent and skill.

Even so, Lucy, she couldn’t give up.

There is only one way to lift her fallen family back to the surface.

By proving herself at this academy and becoming a top-notch mage.

Becoming a top-notch mage is difficult. But she must do it.

At the very least, graduating from the academy with good grades can revive the family.

Her family was waiting for her back home. She had no choice but to work harder.

But even her determination was crumbling.

Feeling somewhat sorry for Bern, she sincerely unleashed the most powerful magic she could muster to win.

But looking at the blue flames approaching to engulf her, she felt unjust and angry.

Having almost depleted her magic using her finishing move, she had no strength left to move properly or even cast defensive spells.

She could only accept defeat like this.

She had worked really hard for a long time. This duel was important for the promotion evaluation next semester.

It felt so unfair that tears seemed ready to fall.

But a loss is a loss. She closed her slightly reddened eyes and accepted her score.

“They’ll probably provide treatment for free…”

As she tried to control her emotions to endure the impending pain.

At that moment, someone appeared before her who had completely given up.

The man who appeared before her had black hair, a rarity even among the few in the academy.

With black hair and eyes, tall stature, and broad shoulders, the man embraced her and reached out towards the Blue Flame.

“You’re being foolish, just standing there instead of dodging when you see that.”

“W-what…! What are you doing?! You’ll get hurt too at this rate! Have you lost your mind?!”

“It’s you who’s lost your mind. If you take that head-on, it won’t end with just minor injuries.”

“Are you really going to take that head-on? What are you thinking!?”

“…Taking responsibility for what I did. It’s just a test, but I was too extreme.”

“Well, you can still avoid it now!”

“Sorry, but I can’t move.”

“And if I take the hit for you, I’ll be disqualified,” murmured the black-haired man in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

It’s unbelievable. The man named Bern Flame was truly incomprehensible.

To come running for himself, unable to move after barely winning. Foolish. Utterly foolish.

But… But somehow, she didn’t dislike him.

Bern, wrapping her in his massive body to keep her from harm, added, “Lucy, this is our secret. So don’t tell anyone.”

“What is that supposed to mean..!”

As he said that, he began to mutter something softly,

and the blue flames that were flying aggressively towards them began to be sucked into his hand.

….

“Open up! Wind Hole!”

The inventory summoned at my fingertips soon began to absorb my blue flames.

Truly a black hole. I might have stumbled upon something huge.

This Wind Hole I just used is a technique that sucks in everything near the inventory.

Of course, only things touched by my hands can be absorbed.

A technique utilizing putting items directly into the inventory besides summoning and reverse summoning.

While things recognized as mine could always be summoned and reversed, magic was a bit uncertain… Well, seems like it worked out well.

Thus, Lucy didn’t suffer severe injuries. Thank goodness.

Lucy is a character I quite like, so seeing someone like her getting hurt in front of me would surely break my heart.

So, I stepped in for now… but how do I handle the aftermath?