Chapter 27: Duel (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 27: Duel (1)
“The duel evaluation will now commence.”
The day had finally arrived.
We were gathered in Duke Hall, the arena dedicated to the first-year students of the Magic Department. The interior of the massive building was partitioned into four equal sections, each containing its own combat ring.
The freshmen were divided into four groups, each heading to their assigned arena.
I was placed in Group A. Scanning the crowd, I spotted Luce, Ian, Mateo, and Tristan, but it seemed Kaya and Amy had been sent to a different group.
Next to the arena stood a judging stand where middle-aged wizards sat side-by-side. These were the presiding judges for the evaluation.
“The rules are simple. You win when your opponent is unable to continue or when they surrender. However, note that surrender is not permitted during the first minute of the duel. Due to the nature of this performance evaluation, any unauthorized actions are strictly forbidden. Be aware that the proctors may restrain you if necessary.”
Inside the arena, Professor Fernando—accompanied by his zombie-like teaching assistant, Marco, and an associate professor—was briefing the students.
“The only time you are permitted to go all out is during the duel. We have the finest medical staff and healers on standby, so focus entirely on demonstrating your full capabilities. That is all.”
With his brief explanation finished, Professor Fernando exited the arena.
Immediately after, the associate professor called out the first pair of students.
Mateo Jordana and a student I didn’t recognize stepped into the ring. As soon as the referee shouted, “Match start!” the duel began.
[Mateo Jordana]
Lv: 80
Race: Human
Elements: Rock
Danger: X
Psychology: [Wants to catch up to you.]
Mateo had grown considerably during my absence.
Hmph, so he’s been pushing himself just to surpass me…
At this rate, I might be the one getting a beating.
But what should I do about Tristan?
I had promised myself I’d beat the hell out of Tristan after the humiliation he put me through, but it was an undeniable fact that he outclassed me in raw strength.
Besides, I had no idea how much he had honed his skills recently.
In the original story of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the conflict between Ian Fairytale and Tristan Humphrey occurred during the Familiar Summoning. Back then, Ian had easily knocked Tristan down and blasted him away. After that defeat, Tristan began learning defensive magic.
However, I had already provoked him during the class assignment evaluation. It wouldn’t be strange if he had already mastered defensive magic by now.
Even if Tristan was a vain idiot, I had to give him credit for his offensive magic. If his defense was as strong as his attack, I’d be in serious trouble.
I had to end it in a single move. If I didn't, my defeat was guaranteed.
“…?”
Wait.
I noticed Professor Fernando whisper something to the assistant professor before hurrying out toward the hallway.
His usual poker face seemed… shaken.
Well, it’s probably nothing.
I tried to suppress the sudden spike of anxiety.
Nothing serious was supposed to happen during the PvP chapter—at least, nothing that could be considered a true crisis. Maybe he just ate something bad or had an urgent need for the restroom.
“Mateo Jordana, wins!”
Mateo easily subdued his opponent using rock magic.
After the duel, the judges began their feedback. Most offered constructive criticism regarding Mateo’s tactical wit, praising his strengths while noting areas for improvement. However, one judge was particularly harsh.
“Pathetic. Your proficiency with rock magic is abysmal. Rock is an element that must be shaped at a moment’s notice; you must be able to sculpt it with foresight and precision in the heat of combat. And yet, do you know anything other than mindless brawling? No wonder your skills are only at a Class B level. I suppose that’s the limit for a commoner…”
Oh, that guy. I know him.
A middle-aged man with flaming red hair. An openly discriminatory professor.
It was Professor Philip, the man in charge of Class A.
[Philip Meltron]
Lv: 108
Race: Human
Elements: Fire, Rock
Danger: X
Psychology: [Displeased that a commoner has defeated a noble.]
He was a professor with a notorious reputation, but his skills were the real deal. He treated nobles with utmost respect, meaning there was little reason for high-born students to dislike him.
Mateo clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly before he forced himself to calm down.
“Thank you for your feedback.”
Mateo bowed his head and accepted the critique. Contrary to what one might expect, his obedient demeanor only seemed to irritate Professor Philip further.
Mateo was determined to prove his worth through skill alone. He was as solid as the element he wielded; Professor Philip’s provocations wouldn't break him.
“Next! Isaac from Class D, and Tristan Humphrey from Class B, come forward!”
It was my turn.
“Haa…”
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.
The stadium felt larger than ever now that I was the one standing in it. Perhaps due to the nerves, my heart was hammering against my ribs.
I slowly climbed the stairs and entered the arena. On the opposite side, Tristan Humphrey, the arrogant blond noble, approached with a smug grin.
We faced each other with the referee standing between us.
“…?”
Right then, a Status Window flickered into existence before my eyes.
[A demon has been detected nearby.]
Whirrrrrrr—
A sudden, phantom wind howled in my head, and I felt a sickening sensation as if my heart were being pulled upward.
Reflexively, I looked up.
High above the vaulted ceiling, I sensed an intense, overwhelming energy radiating from the roof.
Simultaneously, information about the demon lurking above appeared.
[Leafa the Illusive]
Lv: 130
Race: Demon
Elements: Dark, Fire
Danger: Very High
Psychology: [Wants to kill all students, including you.]
Was this part of 「Act 3, Chapter 1, Duel」 in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱…?
What the hell is going on?
Leafa the Illusive was the final boss of 「Act 6, Chapter 3, Fictional Hell」.
He wasn't supposed to appear for a long, long time.
Why is he here already?!
*
Under the clear sky, the wind whipped across the rooftop of Duke Hall.
Leafa the Illusive, a demon the size of a small child with grayish-brown hair, leaned against the railing and stared down at the ground.
A massive magic circle was carved into the roof's surface, emitting a faint, ominous purple glow.
But Leafa’s interest lay elsewhere.
Using his unique skill, [Clairvoyance], he could see through solid structures. His gaze pierced through the roof and into the building's interior.
He watched the arena divided into four sections. Students were locked in combat, but so far, no one had caught his eye.
[No disruptors yet~]
Leafa spoke in a bored, sing-song voice, like a mischievous child.
He was looking for the "disruptor"—the one who had been going around slaying demons. He hadn't found them yet, but once he did, he intended to start a death game centered around that person and Ian Fairytale.
The participants would be every single first-year student currently inside Duke Hall. The boring judges would be a nice bonus.
[Soon, very soon.]
I’ll trap them all with my magic and watch Ian Fairytale and that disruptor try to protect them. Ah, that’s going to be so much fun.
Leafa giggled. The anticipation was sending him into a state of pure ecstasy.
It was then.
Creak—
The rooftop door swung open, revealing a stoic man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. It was Professor Fernando Frost.
Leafa’s eyes locked onto him.
“A demon…?”
Fernando’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Leafa with cold cynicism.
Leafa’s grin stretched from ear to ear. He hadn't expected a professor to find him so quickly.
[What are you doing here, Professor~? Aha, you were in the middle of the freshmen Duel Evaluation, weren't you?]
“…”
[Entry to Duke Hall was forbidden! Alas, I forgot, I forgot! My apologies~]
Leafa spoke like a playful child, but there wasn't a hint of remorse in his tone.
“You can speak…?”
Fernando was visibly surprised. It was common knowledge that demons were inherently low in intelligence and incapable of human conversation.
[But how did you know? Didn't you only set your detection web inside the building? Aha, I guess you extended it to the exterior this time? That’s a bit much~]
“…Where did you hear about that?”
Normally, during an exam or evaluation, Fernando would cast a web of telekinesis magic throughout the building as a barrier. If any abnormality occurred, he would sense it instantly.
However, only high-ranking groups within the academy were aware of that technique—the faculty, the Four Constellations, and the student council.
“Do you have an informant inside?”
[Kuhuhu.]
Leafa only responded with his characteristic cackle. He didn't need to answer.
The implication was clear: You’re going to die here anyway.
“What are you planning?”
Fernando pointed his right index finger at Leafa. Water and ice mana surged, compressing into a small, dense sphere at his fingertip.
「Water Generation (Water Element, ★1)」 + 「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」 + 「Compression (Neutral Element, ★4)」
= 「Elemental Magic Bullet (Water + Ice)」
[Oh my, calm down, calm down~ Let’s talk this out peacefully.]
“Rich, coming from you.”
Fernando glanced at the magic circle on the roof. It was a chaotic mess of strokes, tangled and complex.
He had memorized almost every known magic circle. This ominous, unknown pattern felt incredibly dangerous. He couldn't detect any mana from it yet—perhaps it hadn't been activated.
No, normally, even a dormant circle should leak some trace of mana…
[Haa, I didn't want to be interrupted. But I suppose you’ll make a fine appetizer!]
“…!”
At the demon’s shrill cry, the purple light from the magic circle intensified.
Suddenly, a bizarre, pitch-black mana erupted, swallowing both Leafa and Fernando in an instant.
[Have fun, Fernando Frost.]
A circular, purple void manifested on the roof—[Fictional Hell].
The natural mana in the atmosphere was sucked into the void, creating a new world disconnected from the laws of nature and the principles of this world.
Fernando was forcibly dragged into a realm beyond Providence.