Chapter 19

"Hey, hey, hey, hey!"

"Ugh... this...!"

Magic, magic, magic, poured down incessantly. Sometimes enveloped in flames, sometimes bursting with cold, sometimes thundering with lightning, I deftly handled the super-grade hell zone with just my own feet.

I have never fought a magician before. My battles have been with disciples, knights in mock battles, or at most, primitive creatures or monsters wandering around the village. I have never encountered a being capable of using magic.

That's why, now, for the first time, I realized something after being forced into a battle with Lucy. The compatibility between a magician and a swordsman, to put it bluntly, is the worst.

"---Shit!"

"Oh, are you going to cut that!? Haha, this is fun!"

I sliced through the approaching block of ice with one stroke. Whoa, that was close. If I had been a little slower, I would have been flattened.

"Do all magicians just keep casting spells like you!?"

"Of course not! Not many can produce such output!"

Avoiding flames, splitting ice, and handling lightning, I couldn't help but grumble. Seriously, even a court magician wouldn't have such a wide array of tricks.

This battle, which started with a unilateral declaration, began with us within arm's reach, but now I can't close the distance as I spend my time dodging magic from outside my sword's range.

If the opponent had a physical weapon, I could still advance while handling it. However, with magic, most attacks can't be physically blocked with a sword. Moreover, whether it's because Lucy is a magician or if all magicians are like this, the relentless rain of magic is making it difficult for me to fight.

"I think you could show a little more consideration, huh!"

"Hmph, what are you saying. I'm older, remember!"

The moment I tried to step in, I stumbled back from the sudden burst of flames from the ground.

I realize that magic is not only difficult to defend against physically but also hard to dodge. Unlike conventional weapons, there's no 'tell' to predict the attack.

There is a preparatory motion of raising the hand, but predicting when and where the attack will come is impossible. I have to dodge after seeing it, which is mentally exhausting.

"How about this!"

"Damn it!"

Lucy, in addition to fire, ice, and lightning, launched a compressed water cannon-like spell. I deflected it with the flat of my longsword. Unlike fire or lightning, water is a material substance, so I can handle it with my weapon, which is a relief.

"Hmm, to be able to handle this much. Impressive."

"...I'm doing fine...!"

No one wants to dance with magic. If I had the chance, I'd rather dance with a cute girl. Though I've never learned to dance.

From an outside perspective, this battle could be called evenly matched. Both of us lack a decisive move.

I can't get close to Lucy, so I have no means of attack. Lucy can't hit me with her magic, so she can't deliver a decisive blow.

Her power is likely capable of casting magic over a wider area.

But this isn't a battle of justice. It's just a test of skills. If she were to expand the range of her magic, it would affect the surroundings. She must understand this, as she seems to be targeting only me.

"Well, I didn't plan to go this far... but here's my special move."

"...?"

While dodging the incoming flames with a half-step, I observed her.

...Can I close the distance now?

I don't know what she's planning, but this might be my chance. Rather than striking her down, I could use the hilt to knock her out and end this meaningless battle.

My body is wet from water magic, my bangs are slightly singed by fire, and my clothes are slightly charred by lightning. Prolonging the battle any further isn't a good idea.

"---What!?"

The moment I tried to close the distance.

A chill, like a worst-case scenario, forced my body to move sideways.

"...What. You avoided that too."

In an instant.

The air where I was standing just moments ago distorted.

---That was close! Really close!

What was that just now! Not just fire or water, but something that seemed to devour the very space. If I had been hit, my body would have been torn apart by the distortion. It was that terrifying.

"---Alright, stop! Stop, stop!"

In the face of this unprecedented situation, I was left speechless.

With a carefree declaration from Lucy, the pointless struggle suddenly ended, just as it had begun.

"...Are you satisfied?"

With both hands stretched high into the sky, I said to the relaxed Lucy.

Well, I'm just full of complaints! Who would be satisfied being thrown into such an incomprehensible battle? Unfortunately, I'm not a battle maniac.

"Yes. I was a bit serious with the last one. If you could avoid that, I judged that you can't be hit by normal means."

"It's a relief to meet your standards..."

I couldn't help but drop my shoulders at Lucy's very satisfied expression. So, this was just a test of her magic or research results, I guess. I don't want to do this again.

"But you're strong. I can see why Fis admires you."

"Thanks, but you're overdoing it. Given the premise of not holding back, you could have taken me down anytime."

I naturally shook my head at her words.

With Lucy's power, she could have taken me down anytime. If she had turned the area into a sea of fire, I would have been done for.

But that's only if the goal was to crush me.

For a test of skills like this, that method would be a bit inappropriate.

"...Hehe. You're not angry, are you?"

"Huh? Ah... Well, I'll say it was quite a hassle, just in case."

"Hahaha! Sorry about that."

Being suddenly challenged by a superior opponent, and even a step away from being killed, would normally make anyone furious and start yelling. But for some reason, I didn't feel that way.

I was probably just tired, and I had a sense of futility that it would be pointless to say anything. Maybe it was the unusual emotion I felt seeing magic for the first time.

A mix of various emotions, but for some reason, I didn't feel angry.

"Well, I know it was my fault for challenging you. As an apology, come to the Magician Academy sometime. I can arrange things for you."

"I don't have any talent for magic... but sure, if the opportunity arises."

The Magician Academy is a training school for magicians run by the Reberis Kingdom, which has a magic corps. Since magic users are rare, the kingdom is actively seeking talented individuals.

It makes sense that the head of the magic corps would have influence over the training institution.

But whether that would be of any use to me is questionable.

After all, I'm a swordsman.

Being able to have a connection with the top of the magic corps without any significant damage, could be considered a benefit.

Since I operate in the capital, it wouldn't hurt to have some flexibility. Not that I have any specific plans or anything.

I'm just a mentor, just an old man.

"Right, when the research on new magic progresses, I'd like you to be my sparring partner again."

"Ah, I'll pass on that."

"Why not! You had a bit of fun, didn't you?"

"That's a different matter, isn't it!?"

I don't have enough dangerous jobs to spare.

Thus, my encounter with Lucy.

And the hectic morning passed.

Lucy: "Satisfied!"

Old Man: "Frustrated!"