Chapter 25

The day after I returned to my original form from the girl's appearance.

And the day of the duel is tomorrow.

Today was supposed to be a school day, but I decided to skip it. After all, there’s no point in attending classes when I can’t use ordinary magic.

I practiced the spirit summoning spell without even sparing time to sleep, over and over again.

Admittedly, the first time I did it, I ended up coughing up blood and collapsing, but as I repeated it, I gradually got used to the pain that came with each summoning.

However, it was difficult to gauge the right amount, and sometimes I overdid it and changed form, or other times I didn’t do enough and the water magic didn’t activate.

Additionally, there were times when I thought I had succeeded and tried to activate the water magic, but it went out of control and I couldn’t manage it.

At such times, Crossel would take control of the water, and we managed to avoid any serious issues.

So, feeling my way, I continued to practice the spirit summoning spell.

"Maybe this time it will work..."

This was the umpteenth time I had attempted the spirit summoning spell.

The procedure itself had become more familiar, and I could perform it smoothly.

"Water, manifest!"

Suddenly, a blue magic circle floated in the air, centered on my right hand.

Then, a mass of water appeared.

"It worked...!"

This time, it didn’t go out of control, and I could control it.

"Congratulations! Master!"

"Lord Norman, congratulations!"

Orobus and Crossel congratulated me.

"Thank you, both of you."

I said that and started to control the water I had summoned.

I released water from the tips of my five fingers and controlled it to dance in the air.

Then, I gathered the water to form a large mass above my head.

"Alright!"

It seemed I could control it better than I thought.

After experimenting with controlling the water as I pleased, I thought to myself:

"Oh, right. I need to prepare for tomorrow’s duel."

"What’s a duel?"

Crossel tilted her head.

"Huh? Didn’t I tell you?"

"I think my sister Nene mentioned something about it..."

Indeed, when I learned the spirit summoning spell from Nene, I think she mentioned something like that.

"Actually, tomorrow there’s a duel at school."

"What!? Isn’t that dangerous!?"

Crossel was worried.

"It’s not that dangerous..."

Then I explained.

At school, duels are often held among students to hone their magical skills.

Of course, they’re not life-threatening, so there’s no need to worry.

Injuries do happen, but there are excellent healing mages, so it’s not a problem.

"The rule is to cast spells at each other until one of us is deemed unable to continue."

"Master!!! Please, let me support you!"

"Me too, I want to go and cheer you on."

I had never brought demons to school before.

That’s because I was mocked at school, and I didn’t want to show them such a pitiful side of me.

"Sure, that’s fine."

But tomorrow is the day to clear my name.

If they come to cheer me on, it will be a great help.

"But, you know, I’ve never been able to use magic before, so this will be my first duel. My opponent is an excellent student, so I’ll probably lose. But I want to put up a good fight, even if it’s just a little."

So I want to prepare for the duel, but I’m not sure how to do it.

"Master, please practice the duel with me!"

Orobus made this suggestion.

"Really, is that okay?"

"Yes, for Master, I will spare no effort!"

"Me too, I want to help."

So, I decided to practice the duel with Orobus and Crossel.