episode_0066

As expected, we met Claire’s team in the final match.

The professors, who judged our two teams to be the strongest, had separated us completely, so it was inevitable.

Upon entering the arena and activating my senses, I could instantly detect Claire and three others on the opposing side.

Seeing no major movements but sensing only the flow of magic, it seemed like they were setting up magical traps, anticipating our approach.

“If this is a trap set by Helena, it might be challenging to break through, but we may have to force our way in.”

When I shared this information with James and Victor, it was James who proposed a solution.

“Yukal, as you told me before, a mage needs to fight in a space advantageous to themselves. So, instead of going to a favorable spot, why not lure the opponents to us?”

Considering that Claire’s team would not easily give up if they were diligently setting traps at this moment, my doubts were soon resolved by James’ insane action.

“Fireball.”

Setting fire to the field resembling a dense forest in the group test area, I directed the flames towards Claire’s team, inducing a wildfire in their direction as I had informed them of the wind’s path.

Although I had thought James had changed recently, I was still shocked by his unexpectedly aggressive behavior.

“I really need to catch him for some moral education before he deviates any further.”

【Amidst the watchful eyes of many, witnessed an arson without a hint of hesitation.】

【Understanding of arson increases.】

【Arson Lv.1 > Lv.2】

My arson skill level rose to 2, despite not having practiced magic or done anything particularly flammable.

While Claire’s team managed to escape the burgeoning flames unscathed, they couldn’t hide their discomfort.

“It seems they expended quite a bit of magic, making it impossible to fight in that location.”

Nevertheless, now that we were forced into confrontation, we quickly formed ranks and prepared to face off.

“Victor, I’ll take care of James. Stick with Lady Rachel.”

Victor, who seemed eager to spar with Lady Rachel, swiftly engaged, utilizing his aura from the start.

“If things get dicey, I can block Rachel’s attacks and tag out.”

Utilizing his aura, Victor rapidly closed in on Rachel.

Though my strikes were blocked, noticing that Rachel used only one sword like me, I attempted to add extra strikes while targeting her shield.

To avoid the shield, Rachel slightly stepped back and seemed to anticipate my move, scattering sand from behind the shield.

Seemingly conserving energy to face me, Victor’s unexpected effectiveness led Rachel to reveal her unique ability, surprising me and ultimately displaying her prowess.

As Rachel’s body ignited with a crimson aura, signaling danger, Victor immediately retreated.

Just as Rachel began to exhibit her unique ability, and even before Claire’s buff kicked in as prearranged, Victor, now facing explosive speed, rushed towards her.

Sensing danger with just one clash of swords, Victor’s face stiffened.

Realizing that all of Rachel’s speed and power were concentrated, Victor decided to retreat.

However, deeming it still manageable, he continued to charge at Rachel.

Given the strength involved, it would have been fine to deflect using a fake with the black amah and create an opening by hitting with a shield. However, this time, Rachel disrupted Victor’s balance by pushing away his shield with her body.

In that moment, she calmly thrust her sword forward.

“This seems dangerous. Victor can’t dodge this.”

Rushing towards Victor with enhanced physical abilities, I parried the sword coming at him, giving Victor time to step back.

“From now on, protect James and be prepared for the opponent’s attacks.”

To assess, I swung my sword at Rachel a few times, but she kept up with my movements.

As I increased my speed, she matched it.

“Claire’s buff seems to enhance agility.”

With Rachel now keeping up with my accelerated attacks, it appears she focused on agility to mark me as best as possible, considering our team consists of only two frontline members.

It was puzzling that Helena and Claire did not support Victor and Rachel in their fight, but now I understand the strategy.

“They were conserving mana until I stepped in.”

If Victor had decided he could withstand it and proceeded, they would have continued, overwhelming Victor momentarily using unique abilities and buffs, forcing him to retreat or holding me back while overpowering me in a 2v2 battle and then combining forces.

Seeing Helena and Claire attacking Victor and James after Rachel engaged me confirms this pre-planned strategy.

Looking at the front and rear formations, our side seems advantageous, but Helena could easily restrict Victor’s access, essentially turning it into a confrontation between one rear member and two rear members.

“I didn’t expect them to support Rachel without buffs.”

Helena summoned a massive ice spear using her unique ability from last time, indicating she had grasped higher-level magic.

Anticipating my sudden attack on Rachel, I noticed that apart from their surroundings, they had laid ice around, barely avoiding Victor’s approach and protecting James with a shield.

“If left alone like this, Victor and James will have to retreat no matter what.”

Pushing back Rachel’s sword quite strongly, buying time and shooting orbs towards Helena, she showed unexpected movements from my predictions.

Knowing Rachel, she would likely move excessively to block attacks aimed at both of us, allowing me to overpower her. However, she ignored that and came at me to land at least one effective hit.

“It’s a similar tactic to the last time with the demons, but different this time.”

Although I put some strength into it, my orb ended up only slightly breaking Helena’s barrier, and Rachel continued her relentless assault without pause, seemingly not missing the tempo I gave her.

James also fought back, but he was insufficient in responding adequately to Helena and Claire’s firepower, and eventually, when the shield shattered, Victor seemed willing to endure injuries as he rushed over the ice created by Helena.

“Frustrating as it may be, if he goes like that…”

“Wait, you idiot! Stop, Victor!! If you recklessly step onto the magic created by the enemy-”

James seemed to share my thoughts belatedly as he tried to stop Victor, but with a gesture from Helena, ice surged up and struck Victor all over, leading him to retreat.

Alone now, James did his best to fight back, but he couldn’t withstand the onslaught of pure magical output.

Helena was already struggling to deal with just one opponent, but with Claire’s buff and even Claire’s attacks themselves following suit, it was overwhelming.

Like the matches shown before reaching the finals, it would have been great if it wasn’t just about picking up nearby stones to enchant before throwing them.

While it’s true that they are easy to obtain, it might be a good idea to get Claire another auxiliary weapon during the break.

Just by blocking the continuous attacks from the opponent, James was overwhelmed. When Helena’s magic pierced through James’s barrier, Claire didn’t miss the opportunity and threw an enchanted stone at him, hitting him on the head, causing him to retreat.

It seemed like he was trying to quickly regenerate his barrier at the end, but he failed.

“Not good. It’s going to be difficult to handle all three like this.”

He wouldn’t yield to the three of them, but to avoid that, he had to reveal more power than necessary.

Even if it’s not Aura Blade, in order to withstand Helena’s magic pouring down almost like artillery fire while subduing Rachel, he had no choice but to deploy Aura Armor. In fact, it will expose the fact that he can handle Aura Blade as well.

I want to prevent my full strength from being exposed as much as possible to prepare for the scenarios that lie ahead.

Spotting James falling, just before the two joined this side while casting a body enhancement spell, he turned Aura inward and unleashed an explosive output.

“I’m sorry, but I think I’ll have to touch your body for a moment. I apologize in advance, Lady Rachel.”

“What is th-”

Before Rachel could react properly, he swiftly caught up and struck the back of her neck, knocking her out cold in one blow.

To ensure Rachel doesn’t get involved and hurt in the upcoming fight, he cautiously embraced her, laying her behind a tree a little distance away.

With Rachel now retired, I am the only remaining member on our team, facing off against Helena and Claire.

“This will be good training for Helena and Claire as well.”

They will gain experience in blocking opponents who try to approach.

However, I don’t understand why Claire got angry when she saw me holding Rachel.

She suddenly picked up two nearby stones and seemed ready to throw them immediately.

“Did she succeed in becoming friends with Rachel in that short time?”

Although I felt an inexplicable chill, if Claire’s interpersonal relationships have progressed, it would be a good sign.