Chapter 28
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28
“…A good matchup, you say?”
One week ago.
Eleina was discussing their strategy for the Territory War with Roen. He had just told her that she and Crowlin were a perfect match.
“That’s right. Crowlin, the Head Prefect of Jerome, will be their vanguard.”
“Do you… have any concrete evidence that Crowlin will go first?”
“He is the undisputed champion of Jerome. There’s no reason for him not to fight in the opening match. Besides, the Territory War is a best-of-five series. Winning the first match is worth more than just a numerical lead; it’s about seizing the momentum. Jerome will undoubtedly send Crowlin out first to secure an early victory.”
“That makes sense, but…”
“There is no such thing as a certainty in this situation. We can only bet on the highest probability.”
True. Roen was right. To demand certainty in such an unpredictable environment would be foolish.
As Eleina gave a small nod, Roen continued.
“If you understand that, then let’s move on. Are you aware of the ‘Blessing’ Crowlin possesses?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that minor attacks don’t even leave a scratch on him.”
“Correct. He is completely unharmed by attacks below a certain threshold of power. From what is known, your current level of magic cannot subdue him. Any paltry attack spells would be a mere waste of mana.”
“…”
Eleina knew this all too well. Her magical skills weren’t bad, but that was only by the standards of Izelin Academy. Attending classes at Eredor, she had seen countless students who were far more talented than her. If her opponent was Crowlin—the strongest warrior at Jerome—her magic would hardly be enough to bring him down.
“But victory is not impossible. There is a hidden weakness in Crowlin’s Blessing.”
“A weakness?”
“Yes. His Blessing only works against physical attacks, such as those from swords and the like.”
“!”
“Lord Roen, the records don't mention anything like that,” Philip interjected.
Roen chuckled. “Why would they record their ace’s greatest weakness? That’s information you won’t find in any student registry.”
“Now that you mention it…”
Eleina slowly sifted through her memories. She had seen Crowlin fight mages in competitions before, but she had never seen him take a direct hit from a spell. Crowlin always dodged magic with incredible speed or subdued his opponent before they could finish casting.
Of course, that was the standard combat style for a warrior facing a mage, but in hindsight, it was strange. If he truly took no damage at all, why would he bother to dodge?
“I see. So magic attacks, at least, can harm him.”
“Not just harm him. He takes even more damage than a normal person would. That is the penalty of his Blessing.”
A penalty that made him vulnerable to magic. It was certainly valuable information.
“I understand what you mean. But that alone isn't enough to defeat him.”
Crowlin’s Blessing was a problem, but his strength didn’t come from that alone. He possessed immense power, agile movements, and a combat sense that elevated both to a terrifying level. His prowess, honed through real combat, made him a human weapon. Even if his weakness was magic, she still had to actually land a spell on him.
Roen nodded slowly and reached into his coat.
“I know. That’s where my help comes in.”
Jingle.
From his coat, Roen produced several colorful mana crystals and a flat, white steel orb, handing them to her.
“Here, try these on. These are the precious artifacts that will lead you to victory.”
*
Back at the dueling grounds.
Phweeeet—!
The whistle blew, and the duel between Crowlin and Eleina began. Unsurprisingly, Crowlin was the first to move.
Fwoosh—!
With speed that belied his massive frame, he kicked off the ground and charged at Eleina.
‘He will undoubtedly charge you the moment it begins. The instant you hear the whistle, throw yourself to the left. He’s right-handed.’
Roen’s prediction was exact. The moment the whistle blew, Eleina threw herself to her left.
Whoosh—!
Jerome-style Combat Art: Annihilation Strike.
The greatsword, arriving in an instant, swept through the space where Eleina’s right side had been a heartbeat ago.
Vwoom—!
Eleina felt her body stagger from the sheer wind pressure, but there was no time to hesitate. She rolled across the ground, immediately slamming a hand down to cast the spell she had prepared.
“Ice Field!”
Crack—!
A sheet of ice spread out in a radial pattern from her palm. Hindering a warrior’s movement was a basic tactic. Having missed his first strike and seeing his opponent cast a spell, Crowlin retreated slightly.
‘This should buy me some time...’
She had sealed Crowlin’s swift feet with the ice. It was too early to let her guard down, but she thought she might have a little more room to maneuver. Just as that thought crossed her mind—
Thump—!
Crowlin leaped high into the air and stomped down on the frozen ground.
CRASH—!
The ice shattered into a thousand fragments.
“!”
After instantly destroying the icy terrain, Crowlin immediately thrust his greatsword toward her.
Flash—!
The massive blade, glinting in the light, rushed toward her. For a moment, Eleina froze. Her body wouldn't listen; her legs felt rooted to the spot.
It was the pressure emanating from Crowlin—the power warriors called ‘Combat Aura.’ She had heard it could intimidate an opponent and restrict their movements, but she never imagined it would feel this suffocating.
However, this much was expected. The protective magic she had prepared activated automatically.
CLANG—!
A deafening noise ripped through the air as sparks flew.
Barrier.
A blue curtain of mana had materialized in the air, blocking Crowlin’s thrust. But Crowlin, unfazed, retrieved his greatsword and immediately launched his next attack. He took his stance, raised his blade high, and slammed it into the ground.
It was a technique meant to shatter a mage’s defenses.
Mana Cleave.
CRRRACK—!
As Crowlin’s greatsword struck down, a thunderous roar erupted. The dueling ground itself tore apart along the path of the blade. Simultaneously, the barrier protecting Eleina vanished without a trace.
Dust billowed up from the destroyed arena floor. And within that dust, a light glinted.
Flash—!
From within the obscuring cloud, Crowlin’s greatsword shot toward Eleina.
‘If your vision is obscured, a mage is at an absolute disadvantage. In that case, don’t try to see—just create as much distance as possible.’
Vwoom—!
“Kuh!”
Recalling Roen’s advice, Eleina barely managed to react to the surprise attack, rolling backward.
FWOOSH—!
Crowlin’s greatsword pierced the empty air. The wind pressure from the thrust sent Eleina rolling back even farther than she’d intended.
“Urk.”
Eleina quickly scrambled to her feet. She immediately tensed, preparing for the next attack, but none came.
“…”
A brief lull fell over the battlefield.
Shwaaa—.
As the dust settled, Crowlin rested his greatsword on his shoulder and spoke.
“I see. Our analyst was correct, Eleina.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Those movements are different from what we have on record. That’s not the movement or reaction speed of a mage.”
“…”
Eleina bit her lip softly. Seeing this, Crowlin spoke with conviction.
“You must have borrowed something from Roen. His collection is famous. You’re probably wearing one of his artifacts that enhances physical abilities. There’s no other way to explain this reaction speed.”
Crowlin was right. An ordinary mage wouldn’t even be able to react to his attack; the match would have been over in the blink of an eye. The only reason Eleina could barely keep up was thanks to Roen’s help.
It seemed Crowlin had figured it out.
“But you can’t beat me just by dodging, Eleina. You have no chance of winning.”
Crowlin planted his greatsword in the ground and extended a hand, making his offer once more.
“End the Territory War now and surrender. Princess Chepesi has given her word. The royalty of Izelin will be granted the rank of Duke and guaranteed autonomy. If you surrender now, Eleina, you could be seen as having rendered a greater service than the First Prince’s faction. You will be guaranteed a higher standing within the kingdom.”
“…”
Empty words. Knowing the atrocities Jerome had committed while conquering neighboring countries, Eleina could never take such an offer at face value. No—even if it were all true, she had no intention of surrendering without a fight.
If anything, the fact that they were suddenly offering such favorable terms meant they were getting desperate. Eleina gripped her magic staff tightly and shouted at Crowlin.
“…You’ve become quite talkative, Crowlin. Is Chepesi running out of time?”
“…What did you say?”
“It makes sense. Two of the four great academies’ student council presidents have sided with us, after all.”
Eleina tried a little bravado, but as expected, Crowlin didn’t fall for such a simple bluff.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Those two presidents on your side? The only one on your side is that half-wit Roen. The same moron who proposed a Territory War without even knowing we wanted one. Did you really think we just obediently backed down that day because we listened to him?”
“Hah. And you? Do you really think we proposed this Territory War without knowing that?”
“…?”
“This was all part of the plan, Crowlin. Tearing down the gate’s defensive line, calling you here to propose a Territory War, having those two presidents attend, and even me standing here as your opponent in the vanguard.”
Eleina’s eyes gleamed as she glanced toward the tents.
“And the one who planned all of this was not me, but Roen. He is not someone to be underestimated by the likes of you.”
“…Roen planned all this? I find that hard to believe. But it doesn’t matter.”
Fwoosh—!
“I’ll just smash it all to pieces!”
Finishing his words, Crowlin once again raised his greatsword and charged. His form, which had been rushing straight for her, vanished in an instant.
Flicker—.
“!”
In the next moment, a chilling sensation prickled the back of her neck. Somehow, Crowlin was now behind her.
Ghost Step!
Just as Eleina flinched, unable to react.
“It’s over.”
With those words, Crowlin swung his greatsword and shattered Eleina’s protective barrier.
SHATTER—!
Crowlin’s attack smashed the magic shield, breaking it into fragments of mana. He smiled as he watched the dissipating shield.
“The match is decided, Eleina.”
However.
“Yes… It’s my victory, Crowlin.”
Eleina, contrary to his expectation, had a smile on her lips.
Simultaneously—
WHAM—!
“!”
A surprise blow sent Crowlin flying clean out of the dueling grounds.