Chapter 378
Chapter 378
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 378
Chapter Title: Entering a Competitive System (2)
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The students’ reactions were varied. Class Three, in particular, couldn’t even comprehend what had just happened.
“Shirone wins. Shirone gains 3 points. Dorothy receives 0 points.”
Despite the evaluating instructor’s firm tone, Dorothy simply nodded in acceptance and returned to her seat.
She knew there weren’t many in the graduating class who could match Shirone in one-on-one combat. That was the conclusion she had reached six months ago after watching his two-thousand-bout duel with Dante.
She might have been able to last about ten minutes if she went all out, but it was a foolish decision to give up something greater just to earn a single point.
A manipulation-type mage.
Especially for someone like Dorothy, who manipulated physical objects, her combat power would plummet by 80 percent if her puppets were damaged.
*‘I can’t spend a whole week repairing my dolls.’*
If she fought for ten minutes against Shirone, who relentlessly fired photons packed with mass, her dolls would be reduced to scrap metal.
Since there was another round of one-on-one combat next week anyway, her current decision was the best one.
Shirone walked down from the training ground, feeling dazed. He had earned three points, but he was still utterly bewildered.
Iruki and Nade approached him with curious expressions.
“What was that? What happened?”
“Well, you see…”
Shirone explained the offer Dorothy had made before the match began.
His friends were just as dumbfounded. They had never imagined it was possible to earn points this way.
Nade quickly scanned the schedule.
“When do I fight Dorothy?”
Iruki’s palm smacked the back of Nade’s head.
“Ow! What was that for? It was just a joke…”
“I sensed 10 percent sincerity. In any case, Dorothy won’t use the same strategy again. She probably made that decision considering Shirone’s personality and the fact that he’s dating Amy.”
Shirone glanced back at Dorothy. She was sitting alone, her expression as unreadable as ever.
“It felt like she was trying to use the information she got from the Chalice of Truth. That’s why I refused, too. I guess she anticipated my disposition.”
“I thought she was just dense, but she’s quite calculating. The other students are probably the same. Their true colors are showing now that we’re in a real competition.”
Nade rubbed the back of his head, his face a grimace.
“Isn’t she just a weirdo? I don’t get it at all. Don’t tell me you’re defending her just because she confessed to you?”
Iruki’s eyebrows shot up.
He was the one who had heard Dorothy say she loved him during the Chalice of Truth incident. Of course, it was a flippant remark not worth a second thought, but it was also true that it was the first time a girl had ever confessed to him.
“Enough nonsense. Just know that the students from Class Two and above are pretty sharp. We need to be on our guard, too.”
Nade didn't let go of his suspicion.
“It really sounds like you’re defending her…”
Iruki changed the subject.
“Anyway, you’re up next. Your opponent is Fermi. Have you thought of a strategy?”
Nade tensed up as his turn approached.
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll just do what I usually do. If something more comes up, I’ll shift gears.”
“There’s no need to overdo it. It’s only the first week. Besides, Fermi will probably take the lead again this year anyway. In other words, today’s points aren’t that important for you.”
If Fermi ended up being first in the graduating class anyway, the relative loss from winning or losing against him wouldn’t be that significant.
But Nade thought differently.
Since Fermi was expected to be the toughest opponent for Shirone and Iruki, he had no intention of taking the evaluation lightly.
“I know. But if I can draw out Fermi’s true abilities, it’ll be easier for you guys to strategize when you fight him. I’ll aim for a win, but even if it’s a draw, I’ll at least figure out the extent of his skills.”
Another match in the training ground ended, and the evaluating instructor called out Nade’s and Fermi’s names.
Nade gave a thumbs-up and headed to the training ground.
He arrived at the center first, and soon after, Fermi walked over, leisurely admiring the surrounding scenery as if he were an office worker taking a stroll after lunch.
Feeling ignored, Nade glared at Fermi with cold eyes.
In contrast, Fermi’s smile remained unchanged.
“My, what a fierce look. Let’s take it easy, it’s only the first day, junior.”
Nade didn’t even snort.
Regardless of the collusion in the graduation exam, he had a debt to repay.
Last year, Shirone had been trapped in Miro’s space-time and had fallen into a near-death state.
At that time, the one who had led the student council to acknowledge Shirone’s death and proceed with funeral arrangements was Fermi.
*‘Do you have any idea how annoyed I was because of you? You can only afford to be this relaxed for now.’*
The two locked gazes before backing away. Fermi turned first, followed by Nade, who turned and walked away.
As they stretched their limbs at their respective positions, the color on the display board shifted from green to yellow, then to red.
The moment the Two-thousand-bout System activated, Nade shot forward, electricity crackling in both hands.
*‘For the next ten minutes, I’m going to dissect every single thing about you!’*
Three minutes later.
“Fermi wins! 3 points awarded. Nade, 0 points.”
Fermi fanned his face with his hand and said.
“Phew, that was close.”
Contrary to his words, there wasn’t a single drop of sweat on his face as he descended from the training ground.
Nade was on his knees in the center of the training ground, like a puppet with its strings cut.
Thanks to the 80 percent synchronization rate, the shock wasn't enough to make him lose consciousness, but the psychological blow seemed significant.
Nade’s eyes were vacant as he stared at the ground.
When he showed no sign of moving for a while, Shirone and Iruki rushed over.
“Hey, Nade, are you okay? Snap out of it.”
“He’s completely out of it. Let’s just carry him.”
The two grabbed Nade’s arms and dragged him out of the training ground like a sack of potatoes.
As the students burst into laughter, Amy sighed and shook her head.
*‘Ugh, those idiots…’*
Although he had made a fool of himself, she could understand how Nade felt.
Their fight had seemed intense at a glance, but Fermi’s mental power gauge never dropped below 90 percent. This meant he had barely allowed any effective hits.
In fact, Fermi had driven Nade into a groggy state using only the 36 standard spells, without resorting to any special major magic.
Like getting soaked in a drizzle, Nade probably couldn’t even pinpoint exactly what had hit him.
Shirone shook Nade worriedly.
“Nade, snap out of it. Are you okay?”
As if nothing had happened, Nade stood up, perfectly fine.
“Of course, I’m okay. You think I’d go down that easily?”
Iruki asked.
“What happened? You said you’d definitely last ten minutes.”
Shirone couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“Didn’t you respond a bit too carelessly? You should have pushed him a little harder. You could have landed some good hits.”
Nade turned his head without answering. He stared intently at the back of Fermi, who was walking to the other side of the training ground.
“Shirone, be careful.”
“Huh?”
“That guy… he’s really strong.”
Shirone let out a quiet sigh.
If only Nade had pushed a little, just a little harder, he would have had a decent chance of winning.
It could only be seen as carelessness.
“Of course he is. He beat you, after all.”
Flames ignited in Nade’s eyes as he bristled.
“I’m serious! Do you think I just lost for no reason?”
“I get it. Anyway, don’t worry too much about one loss. We won’t be fighting the same opponent twice. You should forget about it and do better in tomorrow’s evaluation.”
Iruki understood how Shirone felt.
From his perspective, too, it was a fight that left him wishing Nade had been a bit more aggressive.
But Nade… hadn’t done that.
*‘Strange. For this guy to call someone strong.’*
In the six years he had known him, this was the first time he had ever heard him say that.
But if Nade said so, then it was necessary to be cautious. When it came to combat, he had the instincts of a beast.
*‘I didn’t sense it. Does that mean it’s outside my cognitive domain?’*
If one could thoroughly conceal their skills in front of the entire graduating class, that was the only explanation.
In any case, Shirone, who had no way of knowing Nade’s past, was simply sad for his friend’s defeat.
Thinking that Nade’s loss shouldn’t affect Iruki’s match, he quickly changed the atmosphere.
“Iruki, don’t you let your guard down either. Binder has never stood out, but unexpected dark horses always come from that side.”
Iruki was in his own world, as always.
“Carelessness isn’t in my vocabulary. I’ll finish it in three minutes.”
*‘That’s exactly what carelessness is…’*
Shirone’s thoughts didn’t reach Iruki, who had already left his seat.
Iruki met Binder in the center of the training ground.
True to his nature of disliking formalities, he made brief eye contact before turning to walk away.
“Iruki, it’s an honor to meet you like this.”
Binder spoke to Iruki’s back.
It didn't seem to be just words; his eyes were shining, and the corners of his mouth were turned up in what looked like a smirk.
“An honor?”
“You’re the son of Lord Mercodine Albino, aren't you? The head of Dragon’s Thunder.”
Iruki turned around completely, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Someone like that visits my house sometimes. But what about it?”
Binder pointed to himself.
“Do you know my advanced-class theory score? 100 points. It’s a record that’s one of the best in the history of Alpheas Magic Academy. And no one can break my record. Why? Because it’s 100 points.”
Iruki scratched his head.
“So what’s your point?”
“I will join Dragon’s Thunder. No, one day, I will become the head of Dragon’s Thunder.”
The position of Head of Dragon’s Thunder had been monopolized by the Mercodine family for a staggering 300 years.
As such, the family had already designated Iruki as the next head.
Binder was, in effect, throwing down the gauntlet not just to Iruki, but to the entire Mercodine family.
“Listen well, Iruki. The greatest intellect in the kingdom won’t be you, but me, Binder.”
Iruki, who had been lost in thought, began to walk forward with long strides.
Binder, who had been brimming with confidence, flinched and stepped back as his opponent approached without warning.
“Wh-what? The match starts after the system activates…”
Iruki quickly shot out his hands and gripped both of Binder’s arms firmly.
“I’m counting on you.”
“...What?”
“Please, do it. I’ve been hearing that since the day I was born, and I’m sick and tired of it. You can be the one to take down my father and become the head of Dragon’s Thunder. I’ll be cheering for you. Go for it.”
Binder stared blankly at Iruki’s back as he turned and walked away after saying his piece.
Then, his eyes began to burn with fury.
*‘What? You’ve heard it since you were born? You’re sick of it? Do you have any idea how many scholars shed blood, sweat, and tears just to get a foot in the door of Dragon’s Thunder?’*
Binder’s fists trembled.
He didn’t want to reveal his full power in the first week, but Iruki was a different story. He was determined to completely crush his future rival.
The moment the light for the match came on, Binder closed the distance with a teleport.
His perfect score in theory allowed him to cast all basic magic with a level of delicacy bordering on perfection.
A trio of Fireball, Wind Cutter, and Ice Spear flew in, alternating and crossing paths.
Faced with the relentless assault, Iruki created some distance and activated his Bomblet Barrier.
Hundreds of small bombs formed a spherical shield. The spells crashed into the bombs, setting off a series of explosions.
“Hmph! I’ve already analyzed that!”
Binder pointed his index finger and fired a barrage of Air Guns, a basic press-type spell.
It was a spell that had sent shivers down Shirone’s spine, but its power was incomparably weaker than Gaold’s.
However, its accuracy was quite impressive.
As the spells pierced through the dense arrangement of the Bomblet Barrier, Iruki teleported into the air.
As he transitioned to Fly magic and hovered in the air, Binder’s eyes lit up, and he held out both hands.
“I knew you’d do that!”
A blazing sphere of fire gathered between his palms.
*‘Did you think I was only perfect in theory? There’s a limit to underestimating people!’*
The flames of a Flame Strike ignited in Binder’s hands.
It was a level of magic difficult to cast for anyone not specializing in fire, but Binder’s perfect theoretical knowledge easily surpassed beginner fusion magic.
“This is the end!”
Confident, Binder even performed the magical action of thrusting his hands forward as he cast his desperate spell.
“Huh?”
But the fireball that should have shot out like an arrow fizzled out right before his eyes.
*‘Don’t tell me… Cancellation?’*
A chill ran down the back of his neck.