Bet -2-
The tournament progressed swiftly. After three days of duels, the field had been narrowed to the round of sixteen, and everyone I knew had made it through. Group A: Luin, Yuria Binpol, Rohan, Mikhail, Lucas, Hanna, Rishi. Group B: Shyartia, Kant, the Crown Prince, Hobbs, Syuen, Ganisi, Ruby, Sugar.
"Wow… Group A is in serious trouble."
Group A was practically a death group. Two people who were aiming for the championship were in it. There was Rohan, the head of the disciplinary committee, and Yuria, the rising star. In truth, the battles in Group A felt more like finals than preliminaries.
"Group B will probably revolve around Shyartia and the Crown Prince."
The story between the Crown Prince and Shyartia was famous even at the academy. One wanted to become king; the other stood closest to the throne. The Crown Prince had entered the academy out of boredom, while Shyartia had come to solidify her position. I had been curious how their clash would unfold. Since this ranking tournament never appeared in the novel, I knew nothing about it, and Malik's involvement had already changed so much. Personally, I hoped Shyartia would win, but if I were betting money, I would probably put it on the Crown Prince. Honestly, I wasn't sure who would win, but as a magic swordsman, the Crown Prince seemed to have a slight edge. Still, it would be nice if Shyartia took the championship.
"That aside, this is unexpected."
I never thought Luin, who had lost so much weight, would reach the round of sixteen. He had advanced through sheer luck in the draw, but I still hadn't expected him to last this long.
"Looks like what the boss said really motivated him."
—Next match…! Third-year magic student Luin versus third-year healing student Yuria!
Malik, holding a light snack, stood beside me and asked in a low voice.
"Any intruders?"
"No, I haven't sensed anything yet."
"Still feels uneasy."
"There won't be any problems. The cult took quite a hit during the Holy Sword scramble. Even if they're obsessed with terrorism, I doubt they'll target this ranking tournament."
"If you say so, then it must be true."
Malik nodded heavily.
"All your friends made it through."
"I'm proud of them. As their classmate, it feels good."
"Puhaha! A guy who's only been here six months…"
"Once a classmate, always a classmate."
"By the way, the one you picked made it. That's surprising. Honestly, I thought he'd drop out. Even if he's the academy ace, the other members are brutal."
"He just got lucky."
I smiled faintly as I watched Yuria walk up onto the dueling stage.
"It's starting."
—First match of the round of sixteen, beginning now!!!
Yuria slowly ascended the stage.
"Huu…"
She was the only one from the healing department to survive. The others hadn't even reached the main tournament. Even after training with the senior director for so long, she couldn't compare to students who had studied combat techniques their entire lives. She had been happy just from landing a single punch to the face. Now Yuria was being called a "hero" among the healing students. She had shown the results of her grueling training and proved that even a healer could become the protagonist, drawing everyone's attention.
Cheers erupted as Yuria stepped onto the stage with heavy steps.
—Senior Yuria!!! Crush him!!!
—Stomp on the magic department's nose!
This was a first for her—being the center of so many expectations. The most common thing she'd heard at the academy was gossip behind her back, but now the gazes directed at her were filled with passion from her fellow students. Yuria clenched her fists, accepting their hopes. Even though the burden on her shoulders was heavy, it felt good.
"Hey."
Luin raised his hand and greeted her. It was the first time he had spoken to her since that day, and an awkward expression crossed his face. He wasn't over his anger. He didn't want to be friends again either. Remembering the criticism and betrayal he had felt at the ballroom made his heart grow cold.
Reading Yuria's expression, Luin lowered his awkwardly raised hand and opened his mouth.
"It's been a while, Yuria."
"…Yeah."
"Didn't expect to meet here. Looks like you've been working hard."
"You too, it seems."
"That's only natural for me."
"…"
"Guess I don't need to protect you anymore."
"You don't."
"…"
Glancing at Yuria's reaction, Luin clenched his fists and spoke in a trembling voice.
"Let's be friends ag—"
"…"
"Never mind."
Seeing Yuria remain silent, Luin swallowed the words he wanted to say. Something like asking if they could be friends again could wait until after the duel. He needed to apologize, and he needed time to sort out his feelings. He couldn't predict what his selfish self might blurt out. He might say something ridiculous while full of himself. He might even try to shift the blame onto Yuria. Biting his lip, Luin shook his head.
'Not now…'
So instead—
"…I'm going to win."
He resolved to meet her again as a changed person.
The host's voice rang out loudly, amplified by magic that made the arena tremble and hearts race, signaling the start of the duel.
—The first match of the round of sixteen begins now!
"Same here, Luin."
—One!
"That's obvious."
—Two.
"Even if it's you, Yuria, I won't go easy."
"I want to beat you no matter what."
—Three!!! Start!!!!
At the host's signal, Yuria and Luin moved simultaneously. Luin created distance while Yuria closed it. Yuria quickly slipped into Luin's range, coating her hands and feet with holy power before throwing a punch.
"…Baptism of Violence."
With a loud crash, Luin was sent flying. Spitting out saliva mixed with blood, he began chanting.
"Fireball."
Yuria's eyes widened at the point-blank fireball. She dodged the projectile and accelerated, layering blessings on her legs to run even faster. Luin didn't stay still either. Staring straight at her, he fired more magic.
"Tch…"
"You won't close the distance that easily, Yuria. I've been watching your fights and figured out your patterns."
Luin's refined magic was sharp. Though it had long lost its former power, the accuracy of his fireballs seemed even more precise than before.
'He's gotten faster?'
Yuria twisted her body to avoid the spells and created a barrier to block the fireballs, but Luin had been waiting for that moment. He stopped the fireballs and began chanting another spell.
"[Green Generation]"
The moment the magic Malik's master had taught him left Luin's lips, grass began sprouting across the arena floor.
Luin stopped firing fireballs and spoke quietly.
"Bloom."
"…"
"Flowers."
Pink flowers began dancing among the grass. Luin's magic, rising like vines, swiftly wrapped around Yuria's ankles. At the same time, Yuria kept moving to avoid the blooming flowers. As Luin's one-sided assault refused to give her space and targeted her openings, Yuria gritted her teeth and swung her fist.
—Thud…
Blood flowed. Luin's magic, which had broken through Yuria's blessing, left a wound on her fist before vanishing. Countless flowers began blooming around Yuria. They writhed as if awaiting his command, gathering mana in their buds.
"After losing my talent, I realized something."
"…"
"How much of a piece of trash I am…"
"…"
"I couldn't even use basic magic, and my personality was complete garbage… Come to think of it, not a single thing that bastard said was wrong."
"…"
"So, Yuria."
"…"
"Let me have this one."
As bullets of mana poured from the flower buds, Yuria closed her eyes and spoke in a soft voice. It was the same phrase the woman in her nightmares had repeated countless times.
"O God who overlooks injustice."
"…"
"O God who persecutes the innocent."
"…"
"In my name, I cry out my resentment to the divine."
"…"
"Grant me the flame that can protect Your saint."
Whoosh.
White flames erupted from Yuria's fist.
"Holy Fire."
It was the Holy Fire. Seeing the white flames, Malik let out a dry laugh.
"So that's what she was hiding."
The Holy Fire was a flame that could be ignited once one's mastery of holy power reached a certain level. In simple terms, it was a technique used by the church's inquisitors, capable of burning away all that was unholy. At the same time—
—Fwoooosh…
It was a technique that could directly affect people as well.
Leaning against the railing as I watched Yuria, I felt a thrill and smiled with interest. I was finally seeing the technique Yuria used in the novel.
"…You've gotten stronger."
The flames danced. Every spell they touched scattered. The plants Luin had created turned to white ash and vanished, while the grassy field lost its light and returned to its original color. Malik muttered to himself as he watched Yuria's Holy Fire.
"If black flames are the fire that never goes out, then Holy Fire is the fire that extinguishes."
"It's also a symbol of high priests."
"…She's a monster."
The moment Luin's trembling magic and Yuria's fist collided, the arena was engulfed in white Holy Fire, leaving behind a warm glow before fading away.
—The winner is…!
Looking at Yuria standing alone in the arena, I spoke quietly.
Whoever her teacher was, they must be incredible.
"You taught her well."
—Yuria!