Ibel Adford (3): Sealed Arsenal and Sisterly Resolve

Statue-still Ibel snapped back to her senses just moments later. The girl whipped her silver twin tails around, shaking off her thoughts, and opened her mouth.

"Seal……."

"What?"

"From now on, full power is off-limits—it's sealed!"

Ibel yelled at me. Then, with a look of utter disbelief, she stared at me and continued.

"Seriously, how are you dead last in the magic department? Anyone can see that's not right. You had a hunch too, didn't you? Don't tell me you thought you needed at least 13 points, so you barely scraped by the cutoff?"

"Bingo."

"What if you'd flunked out? No wonder that ice princess chased you down and you still passed. I was wondering how you even got in."

Finally, all the pieces fell into place. If Siel had caught me during the chase, I'd have been out on the spot. But there I was, on the admission list. When Ibel was sorting the magic department roster, she'd been relieved but baffled. Help was help, after all. She wasn't the type to forget a debt of gratitude like that anymore—not after last year, when she was still ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠naive about the world.

Ibel sighed and said,

"Anyway, full power's banned until the mentee magic duel. And that thing! That's not magic! How is that even magic?!"

"It uses mana, same as a Magic Missile."

"Th-then what's that dagger for?"

"Close combat and breaking shields. The rules don't ban martial arts just because it's a magic duel. By the way, this dagger's pretty good. We didn't have anything like it at home."

"Still, seal the dagger too. You can't learn nothing in front of the department's number two. Other students would kill for this chance—and pay for it."

If we kept going like this, Ibel wouldn't have anything to teach. She was a total novice with guns and daggers. So we decided she'd focus on the magical side, minus those. No matter how strong my kit was, she had to impart some actual magic knowledge. That's why she'd been carrying that notebook to report on me.

"We'll start with basics. Anything you want to learn?"

"Plenty. Basic shield, mana-enhanced strikes, gust applications, etc. Even practicing with Lumina, some parts were tough."

"Got it. But Lumina? You're close with that spirit summoner?"

"Yeah, you could say that. She's helped me out a lot."

"I see……."

Ibel seemed surprised. Lumina was ranked seventh in the department—a rare talent who'd contracted an upper spirit in her first year.

'Ugh, that's worrying.'

She might even face Lumina in the duel. Siel Dunhart, Rien Roderan, and Cathlin's sponsored top student too. Kyle's power had convinced her he wouldn't lose, but they were all freak geniuses. Still, Ibel shook her head, banishing the doubts.

'I'll make him strong!'

Even without sniper rifle or dagger, she'd get him to mid-tier at least!

"Let's begin! Circulate your mana. My elements are wind and fire—others aren't impossible, but they don't mesh well. What's yours?"

"Well, about that. Take a look."

I summoned mana in my hand. The orb shifted forms endlessly: blazing fire, rippling water, snowflake crystals, swirling wind, floating earth chunks, crashing lightning, and even mystery elements beyond.

His affinity was multi-elemental.

"Th-that's impossible……."

Ibel couldn't process it, even seeing it with her own eyes. This was the second time.

I left the training room with Ibel. Her private room was spacious and refreshing, so stepping out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠felt stifling by contrast. It rivaled Siel's.

"How was it? Rewarding? Your magic's decent overall—you just struggle with formulas. Still a ways to go, but more practice and you'll get there."

"Good to hear. I wanted to learn before the mentee duel."

"No problem then. You've got me as mentor."

We strolled the hallway. Class was ending soon. At 2 PM, we could head back—no next lecture scheduled. We were descending from the training area when—

"Oh my, getting along great with the commoner, I see."

A redheaded girl and a brown-haired guy climbed the central hall stairs. The year-topper, Cathlin Payron, and that villain, Luin. Cathlin picking the fight first showed the power dynamic with Ibel. Even without the original story, top ranks always clashed fiercely, each with factions. As a student worker, Ibel was at a disadvantage—hence the blatant jabs going unpunished.

"How low do you have to be to hang out like that."

Cathlin covered her mouth, sneering. A dig at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my rags. Even with daily laundry, one shirt and pants didn't cut it.

"Right? Luin?"

"Totally. Looks like... a slum beggar."

"Hee hee, slums? Never seen one, but that's the vibe."

They're the perfect pair. Cathlin egged him on, and Luin grinned smugly.

"Like a freeloading brother. Useless lo—"

I'd planned to ignore, but that crossed the line. As I opened my mouth—

"Hey, shut it."

Ibel cut in, voice and glare sharp—unlike the Ibel I knew. Frowning, she snapped,

"Do you even know who I am? Hiding behind that girl doesn't make you nobility. Are you insane?"

Agreeing with insults to Ibel was insulting a great noble. Artina Academy preached equality, but this was tacitly unforgivable. A junior trash-talking a senior took guts—or madness.

'But Luin's mad.'

The villain type. Reckless. Drunk on demon power, he thought he could take anyone—Adford influence be damned. Ibel hit that nerve.

"Cut the pathetic superiority complex. You're no better than Kyle. Hell, he's superior—looks, skills, all of it."

She grabbed my arm. Thanks for the defense, but "freeloading brother" from a guy? Not a compliment.

We headed down the stairs.

"……."

Luin's face flushed with rage. He blocked our path, shoulders squared for a shove. I obliged.

As we brushed past—thwack—

"Guhk—!"

Luin flew back pathetically. Sorry, but my strength's 16—knight-level. I pitied the fallen fool, then exited with Ibel. Cathlin's face twisted satisfyingly.

Sigh... See you in the duel.

......

We stood in the garden post-training. 2 PM. Mentee session over. Time to part.

"Ibel, thanks for today. Heading to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dorm now."

"……."

But Ibel stared down, silent. Fists clenched, she muttered,

"You're leaving……."

Where to...? Shocked by Cathlin and Luin? I checked her—she was grinding her teeth.

Whoosh! She yanked my arm, dragging me off.

"To Loren Company...! You only have that outfit? Ridiculous? I'll buy you some. Wear proper clothes. That rotten seaweed punk shines thanks to Cathlin's backing. Step it up."

Thus, I trailed Ibel's shopping spree at Loren's clothing store. Five bags after an hour. The bill? Beyond a household's monthly living.

"Oh, Kyle. You look different up close. Thanks for patronizing Loren—we appreciate it. Come back often, Senior Ibel Adford."

Rien's smile never faded. Cathlin vs. Ibel? Rien was the real winner.

The mentee magic duel approached. I trained daily with Ibel, progressing to fight without rifle or dagger.

—"You're clumsy with mana flow. Here—I'll infuse some. Feel it."

—"These formulas are basic to ultimate archmagic. Memorize if you want credits."

—"Mana sense F? You're not using internal mana. Practice raises it. Keep at magic."

Lessons from number two were gold. For a week and a half, I sealed rifle and dagger, diving into magic. Restraining rabbits with gusts. Washing with water flow. Inconvenient, but growth soared.

The day of the mentee magic duel arrived.