Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Magic You Chose (5)
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Erzebet watched the students' performances with a serious expression.
The three freshmen and second-years, equipped with artifacts enchanted with defensive magic, awaited only the signal to start the match.
As soon as the whistle blew, one swordsman from each side charged forward while the remaining two prepared their spells.
'Indeed... they have talent.'
The one Erzebet had her eye on in this match was none other than Kal.
He was locked in a fierce, unyielding duel against Hafen of the swordmaster Cloud Viscount Family.
His proficiency in the two basic white enchants that sword enchanters prized most was exceptional.
He seemed like he'd make quite a splash in the Knight Division once he reached second year.
But Hafen was no pushover either.
By finely tuning his mana and karma, he manifested two opposing enchants in an instant.
True to his second-year experience, the moment he cast his magic defense, spells rained down from the rear lines of both sides.
Boom boom boom!
A deafening roar shook the stands as dust clouded the arena.
The firepower gap was decisively in the second-years' favor. Barring a major upset, they'd take the win.
The eyes of the Magic Tower representatives, watching with rapt attention, were mostly fixed on second-year Liv Lavre de Greenwood.
Compared to Christina Marina from the Tower, the variety of spells she cast was at least five more.
Kal, who hadn't layered any defensive magic, was quickly pushed back by the sudden barrage.
"Piy—."
"Bored already, Piy?"
Erzebet stroked the feathers of Piy, who was preening beside her.
It probably wouldn't wrap up right away.
As she pondered ways to soothe Piy, Erzebet caught a whiff of a savory aroma drifting from afar.
A good number of students in the stands were munching on popcorn while watching the match.
"Piy, want some popcorn?"
"Piy—."
"Alright, I'll get you some. Now, where..."
Going down there herself felt like a hassle. Should she call someone over? But where were they even selling it?
Just as Erzebet mulled it over, Piy flapped its wings on its own and soared up toward the arena.
"Ah, wait! Piy!"
Startled, she immediately cast a spell to share senses with her familiar.
Her vision expanded dramatically as Piy's view projected directly into her mind.
— Piy, come back here.
"Piy—."
— Don't be stubborn, hurry up. You'll get caught in the crossfire!
"Piy—."
Despite Erzebet's pleas, her familiar beelined straight for the spot with the most popcorn.
Then, a certain man came into view.
The one man in all of Pharenchia Academy who dressed in such a slovenly manner.
He looked like nothing more than your average canteen owner.
Yet for some reason, both her father and the Chairman treated him with extreme caution—without ever uttering a word about his true identity.
And—
'Louis is... your fiancé.'
No way.
'It's true.'
Absolutely not.
'Want a mana oath? Rubber stamp it?'
Just shut up, Chairman...
"One more."
"Can't I just take it myself?"
"Then wouldn't you pull it from your own pocket? That'd be theft, not a transaction. Hand it over yourself."
Louis was feeding popcorn to the Luhillen Viscountess's mouth as if they were lovers, right there beside her.
Who was Darling Tokarev de Luhillen?
The heiress any family in Penheim would beg to marry into.
For her to shove aside the match and happily accept cheap corn from him like that...
Erzebet simply couldn't fathom what made this man so special.
And while she was lost in thought, Piy lightly landed on the giant popcorn bag Louis was holding.
— Piy? Dangerous! He'll eat you!!
"What the fuck? You startled me."
Louis looked taken aback by the vibrant bird staring blankly at him.
But soon, he glanced at Darling Viscountess and popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
"Yeah. Came for this, huh?"
"Piy—."
"Canteen owner. What's that bird? Looks pricey."
"Mind your own and eat your popcorn. Tough gig for you, working under that dimwit master."
— Who's the dimwit here!
Erzebet fumed, but her voice couldn't carry across the arena.
With Piy so close to Louis, even his breath and voice transmitted clearly to her.
"You've grown a lot. You were so tiny back then."
— Huh?
Louis's hand reached out to Piy.
It was warm, yet incredibly gentle.
Like handling delicate glasswork that might shatter at any moment.
This man, my fiancé? I just can't wrap my head around it.
— Hn, w-wait!
With her senses linked to her familiar, Erzebet suddenly felt her cheek grow hot.
She had never once permitted such sudden physical contact from anyone in her life.
But in that instant—
Crackle!
"Kyaa!!"
The connection with Piy was forcibly severed, snapping her eyes open.
Startled, she shot up from her seat. At the same moment, something anomalous happened in the arena.
Roarrr—!!!
— Ouch, hot!!
— What was that just now?
— Fire magic? Who cast it?
Adella's spell had engulfed the entire arena, fierce flames surging skyward.
I wasn't sure if the phenomenon known as Mana Coercion had been reported to the academy, but even if the principle was understood, using it like I did was next to impossible.
The reason was obvious: there was no way to inject karma into the body beyond its limits.
Maybe that's why—even though no scraps would come my way if Adella won—I felt pretty good about it.
'She's impressive, alright.'
The second-years toppled by a single spell.
Even Darling right beside me couldn't hide her surprise.
The casting time had been long, but momentum had solidly shifted toward the freshmen.
Adella moved straight to her next spell, while Kal and Jennifer assumed attack stances.
As cheers erupted across the arena, I detected suspicious movement from Liv.
'No way...?'
She held her staff limply at her side, observing Adella's next spell.
A lightning-type first-circle spell they'd practiced several times before: [Lightning Bolt].
The moment the circular magic circle embroidered itself in the air, Liv replicated it perfectly on the ground and counterattacked.
Zzzap, zzzzap—!
Kal and Hafen's swords clashed amid a torrent of supporting magic from both camps, while the two mages glared at each other with contrasting expressions.
Adella wore a grin of triumph; Liv, a calm mask of indifference.
And the [Lightning Bolt], its power doubled by Mana Coercion, shot toward the second-year side.
Rumble boom!!!
While the other two scrambled to prepare defensive spells, I kept a close eye on Liv's actions.
She summoned dozens of thin lightning tendrils from the ground while simultaneously transmuting part of the terrain into sharp metal spikes to channel the discharge.
Her movements were impeccably precise, like an orchestra conductor at work.
The pinnacle of magic: analyzing the opponent's spell and dismantling it by exploiting its very properties.
Unlike my always-active unique enchant, this was textbook Dispel.
Clap clap clap clap clap!!
Clap clap clap clap clap!!
A hush fell for a moment before applause thundered from the stands.
Neutralizing an opponent's spell mid-combat was no small feat.
Even if it was just first-circle magic, the scene vividly demonstrated Liv's superior understanding.
I glanced at Adella.
She looked utterly flustered, as if she hadn't expected her spell to be dismantled so easily.
With and [Lightning Bolt] already spent, her only remaining option was a single [Wind Slash].
And even that had a high chance of getting dispelled.
'Too bad...'
It was regrettable, but that was that.
We'd both given it our all, but the opponents were stronger than expected.
If Adella had managed even a second-circle spell, Dispel would've been nearly impossible... but this was the end.
"Anyway, why've you been sitting there all quiet?"
"Piy—?"
The colorful bird's eyes looked even more vacant than before.
Maybe I should return it to the princess.
And collect the popcorn fee while I'm at it. I didn't particularly want to run into her, but freeloading wasn't on.
I stood and headed toward Erzebet on the opposite side of the arena.
That's when murmurs rippled through the nearby students in the stands.
Curious, I turned—and lost my words at the sight unfolding before me.
"We're screwed."
Adella's final shot wasn't [Wind Slash] after all.
I had to win.
That single thought consumed Adella's mind.
The most powerful spell she could use... or so she believed.
Second-circle water magic: .
A massive sphere materialized in the air, steadily expanding.
Its form was highly unstable, constantly warping the surrounding air with vibrations.
The spell Adella was attempting wasn't rooted in public-domain magic, just as Louis had warned.
Its formula wasn't robust enough to stably handle Mana Coercion's output.
And with her low proficiency, the balance collapsed even faster.
"Huh?"
The wave that should have surged in one direction never started; instead, the water sphere leaked steadily in midair before finally spewing an enormous torrent.
By the time the arena sand was thoroughly soaked, the spell was on the verge of bursting.
Adella realized something was wrong far too late.
Sploooosh!!!
An immense deluge crashed down on the arena.
Lehel's defensive barrier activated, blocking the wave from reaching the stands.
But it didn't extend protection to the interior where both teams were still battling.
"Kyaaa!"
"Uwaaak!!"
Jennifer and Hafen were swept away by the giant wave, tumbling out of the arena.
The crowd dropped their popcorn at the sight of the oncoming tsunami overhead.
"Puhehehek!!!"
And the one who took the full brunt head-on was Adella herself—the closest to her own spell.