The Duel of the First-Year Prodigies
The mana from the combat training session pierced through the rock that had been emitting the foul, corrupted mana. And then, the surrounding foul mana was sucked away in an instant, as if being coiled up by the power of a dragon's mana.
“…What was that?”
Well, I’d destroyed the source, so that was that, but I had no idea if what I’d done was actually a good thing.
‘Well, usually it’s better to just do what the System tells me to.’
The only problem was that usually, there’d be a reward for this kind of thing, but it didn't look like there was anything of the sort this time.
“What the hell, seriously.”
I didn't have a clue. In that case, I had no choice but to go find someone who knew better.
“So, you’ve come looking for me.”
“Yep.”
“You always make such surprising decisions. At that age, with that kind of talent, one would usually be getting cocky.”
“I’m actually on the humble side, you know.”
I placed my hands on my hips, feeling quite smug.
“If only you could fix that cheeky attitude of yours, that would be nice.”
“That’s just my personality, I can’t help it. You’ll just have to endure it.”
“Prepare yourself for the final exams.”
“Gaaah. Isn't that a bit too much?”
Karnarof completely ignored me as I glared at him with narrowed eyes. Then, he finally broached the subject.
“Do you know about demons?”
“Not a chance.”
“This world is a massive chessboard. Gods and demons move their pieces and fight one another. What you destroyed earlier was likely a piece belonging to the demons.”
“You’re just jumping into the explanation like that…?” I didn't know anything about this. “For your information, we are on the side of the gods.”
“Then I did a good job, right?”
“I suppose so. Though, it is a common trait that both gods and demons are wretched beings.”
“Then isn't there no difference?”
“If I had to choose, the gods are overwhelmingly better.”
It seemed that wasn't the case either. It felt like choosing between the lesser of two evils.
“Well, just know this much. If you know any more, it will be troublesome for both of us.” Karnarof pulled a small book from his bookshelf. “For now, get the basic information from this book. You seem to be a person from a foreign land, after all.”
[Mythology of the Stellan Empire]
I took the book and kept a close eye on Karnarof’s expression.
He didn't seem to be in a bad mood.
The ominous air that usually swirled around him was gone.
Actually, that made it even more ominous.
He didn't show any intention of trying to resolve the issue, either.
“Am I allowed to dig into this?”
“Well… I wouldn't recommend it, but I won't stop you. Just don't dig too deep.”
I could feel his resolve to wash his hands of this matter and just watch from the sidelines.
It felt like he’d only step in if things started to get out of hand.
“But you should be more worried about your final exams.”
Ah.
I honestly had no idea what he was planning to throw at us.
There was only a little over a month left.
To think I had to finish surviving the summer heat and prepare for the finals by then.
It was a truly suffocating schedule.
“Oh, and I heard you requested a book on barrier magic from Isabel.”
“Chapter 6 of the book I lent you last time. Solve all the practice problems. It will be helpful.”
W-wait.
This flow is…!
“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s obviously an assignment. I’ll even give you special feedback, so bring it with you to the final exams.”
“Nooooooo!!”
My peaceful days were over.
* * *
“Hahaha….”
Karnarof opened his mouth and laughed in his office for the first time in a while.
“This year’s first-years have a high level.” They were students worth teaching.
It wasn't just a high level. It was the highest level since the time he had produced two once-in-a-century geniuses.
Half of them could immediately acquire the 1-Rank Mage qualification if they learned basic magic at this rate.
Ten of them could even aim for 3-Rank.
And there were two monsters who might even aim for 4-Rank within two years. The four that stood out were, ‘Yumia, Robert, Linia, and Aris.’ Linia went without saying. Yumia was the honor student among honor students, provided she didn't cause any trouble. The others, Robert and Aris, were the hardest workers among hard workers. In fact, if they were in any other grade, they would have been aiming for the top spot. Because they were stimulated by Yumia, they were trying to soar even higher. The other first-years were the same.
‘Perhaps they are even better than that time.’
Of course, one of them occasionally… no, a little too often, caused a headache.
She would arrange spice trades with the Imperial family, going beyond the level of a Duke.
Sometimes she would disappear and come back with a pile of strange items.
She was undoubtedly a student who brought both risk and return.
But this time, she had brought back something quite decent.
“Still, to be caught by a mere student, the Church’s people have really fallen in level.”
Though, he didn't think for a second that she was a ‘mere student.’
He took out a crystal ball and made a call.
It was to Karnarof’s Magic Tower, managed by his younger brother.
“Alberich.”
[Yes.]
“The tail has been found.”
[Those creepy bastards! So they really were hiding inside the school!]
“Yes.”
Though it was a student who found them.
They would have been discovered by his eyes eventually, too. Even so, the noble faction. Dealing with them right now was impossible.
But it couldn't be denied that the timing had been accelerated thanks to Yumia.
In that case, he could take countermeasures in a quite interesting form. The corners of his mouth twisted into a grimace.
* * *
“So this is the barrier magic book.”
“Yeah….”
I shouldn't have gone to Karnarof.
By now, he must be rejoicing at the fact that he got to work me to the bone!
“Damn it.”
I went to Karnarof for no reason and ended up with the burden of an assignment.
I wondered how much I’d have to suffer to get rid of this burden.
“Ugh… this is hard. I thought I’d learned quite a bit at home, too.”
“But it’s a relief that my skills will improve if I solve this.”
The assignments Karnarof gave always had a purpose.
The name of Chapter 6 was [Domain Repair].
It was a part that was quite useful for calculating spatial coordinates.
Since barrier magic was said to be quite useful, I might have a use for it someday.
In particular, a barrier with the effect of pushing people away caught my eye.
I first found the right attribute in the book.
[Attribute Imbuement: Silence]
“I know that I just need to deploy a small barrier and imbue it with this attribute, but…”
Actually, what we were trying to do wasn't difficult in itself.
Deploy a barrier, imbue it with two attributes—duration and silence—a very simple task.
But this wasn't simple for us, even if it was for upperclassmen.
[Mathematician of the Magic Square] is on the verge of overloading!
“Gaaah. I’m gonna die.”
It’s brutal. But I can’t give up on the air conditioning! Gotta run until the final exams! If I don't, I’ll die in the summer!
* * *
I realized it during the next class.
“Students. The fun Basic Magic class has returned.”
The reason it had been quiet for the past month was just that he was waiting for the students to get used to basic magic for this class. Karnarof gathered us in a large auditorium. It was the same place where we had taken our midterm exams. There were spectator seats and various devices for dueling.
“I will introduce what I will be teaching you for the next month, starting today.”
Karnarof wrote on a mobile blackboard. The white letters were written straight along with the chalk.
[Basic Combat Arts]
“It is a very basic method of fighting using basic attack and defense magic.”
Eh. We did that all the time. I’d done it so much that my basic attack magic now split into ten branches. Sometimes it would even curl on its own and hit the enemy. Still, it had been a while since a one-on-one fight.
“Starting from the second semester, we will focus on this content. Think of this as a preview.”
Karnarof spun his staff once. Then, artifacts poured out from the air.
“First, I will distribute the magic tools.”
I went to the front of the auditorium and received one. It was a type that you wore on your arm. Observation eye.
The explanation was given by Karnarof, so there was no need to look at it. “If you wear this, you will be able to use basic defense magic with a single incantation.”
Just then, a student raised their hand. “Can we use our own defense magic personally?”
“It is possible. However, even in that case, you must wear the Skill Caster.”
Ugh. It’s in the way.
“In the event that you fail to properly dodge or block mana bullets, the intermediate defense magic will automatically activate to protect you.”
“Whoa…”
“To think it’s a magic tool of this level!”
It seemed to be quite a decent piece of equipment even by the standards of this world. I didn't need it, though.
After confirming that everyone had received their Skill Caster, Karnarof opened his mouth.
“Basically, this class will be conducted in a duel format. Come out and duel. And then, feedback.”
Hmm, hmm. Looks fun.
“Victory or defeat will be determined by whether the Skill Caster’s intermediate magic activates.”
If the Skill Caster’s basic defense magic isn't broken, there’s no reason for the intermediate magic to activate. In other words, you have to have enough firepower to break the shield.
“Wow… combat, I’m nervous,” Aris, sitting next to me, said as if she were tense.
“Same.”
“Why are you wearing those sunglasses again!?”
“Because I think I can get a free ride again.”
Honestly, how much could these kids really fight? Unless I was facing Linia, I was confident I could beat everyone else.
“Second place, Yumia.”
“Yep.”
I ran over and stood on one side of the dueling arena. The order was good, too. There were about 70 students in this class. If I dueled now, I could have a pretty comfortable time until my turn came back around.
“And, 10th place, Allen Baltor.”
Then, one of the students stood up. He was a muscular student wearing a red muffler. However, he didn't come out right away and said, “I’ve always wanted to fight you! Yumia!”
“Huh?”
“I have always had doubts about you being in second place. Today is the day the truth will be revealed! Right now, my magic…”
“Wait, Allen.” Robert spoke to him. What, did they know each other?
“What is it? Robert.”
“Please stop this suicidal act. That kid is someone you can’t…”
No, Robert. I can’t let such an interesting-looking guy go. I decided to throw in a provocation.
“Oh-ho. So you’re saying you’re stronger than me? With those grades?”
“Of course! I was born into a court mage family and have been training since I was young!”
“So?”
“It means I can be better than you in practical combat!”
Certainly, he had more mana than me. He continued.
“Your static control might be better, but I have a different level of practical experience, having gone through countless magical beast hunts.”
Uh, I’ve done a lot of that too. And…
“With that skill?”
“Wait… Allen, you can’t handle anything more than that…” Robert tried to stop him, but it was useless.
“I will strip away that facade!”
The spectator seats were buzzing.
“It’s Allen! From the Baltor family!”
“Hmm… the second-place student looks strong, but she’s hardly ever been in combat. Allen is the son of a court mage.”
“Then won't it be a one-sided result?”
“Allen will win.”
“What are you talking about? Didn't you see those murderous eyes!?”
Hmm. The reactions in the spectator seats were mixed.
“Heh.”
The corners of my mouth curled up. Yeah, there should be guys like this too. He rolled on the floor and popped out. Allen took his place on the opposite side of me.
“Start.”
Karnarof’s low voice, amplified by some method, rang out loudly. Along with it, Allen chanted a spell.
“Casting, Bullet, Triple!”
Mana bullets split into three branches. Actually, my agility was high, so I could dodge them easily. ‘But it wouldn't be fun if I just dodged them, right?’ I did a backflip in place to dodge the mana bullets coming from different trajectories. The spectator seats were engulfed in silence.