Chapter 15

The match will take place in the Colosseum in ten minutes.

I was in the waiting room.

Kuna and Anne were with me.

"Why are you doing something so reckless!?"

Anne confronted me, her usual calm demeanor nowhere to be seen.

"Just as I said at the time. If we defeat a Rank 2, the battle will be over in one go, and we'll get evaluated."

"Lie, it's for me, isn't it?"

"Indeed, saying it's for the evaluation is a lie. I admit it. But it's not for Anne. It's for us. The first mission of the 'Tail of the Magic Sword' is to become special students as a team. That's why I did it."

"But—"

"This is my pride. Don't interfere."

I said it as if pushing her away.

"Anne, Soji has made up his mind. You shouldn't interfere with a boy's pride. A good woman knows when to let go and see him off silently."

"...I understand. I won't stop you."

Anne said this, slightly lowering her head.

"But, Soji, promise me. You must win and come back. Otherwise, I'll regret it for the rest of my life, wishing I had stopped you even by force."

"I promise. I will definitely win."

Kuna asked for a pinky promise, and I complied.

"Since we made a promise. ...Being with you, Soji, is full of surprises. You suddenly ate such a large magic stone. I was really shocked. It's a wonder you're still alive."

"Not really. Do you know why eating a magic stone can kill a person?"

I asked a fundamental question.

"I don't know. I just know that it does."

"In fact, magic stones contain a large amount of miasma in addition to the power that makes us stronger. Miasma is a poison that corrupts the soul. If your body can't withstand it, you die instantly."

That is the flaw of magic stones.

In the game era, the players of Ilrande tried to create a serious order of which magic stones to eat and which monsters to defeat to obtain them.

However, obtaining just the right strength of magic stones in stages was difficult and led to frustration. They had to choose the method of consuming a large number of low-rank magic stones, which was safe but inefficient. After all, the strength of magic stones could vary even among the same monsters, making it impossible to properly strategize.

This is no different for the residents of the current sealed city. They chose to consume a large number of low-rank magic stones to gradually become stronger.

That's why Rank 3s are rarely born.

"But knowing that doesn't change anything."

"Not really. If you understand the problem, you can solve it. Remove the miasma."

"It's impossible. It's completely integrated."

"I can do it. That's why I could absorb that magic stone."

Naturally, the players were frustrated by the inefficiency.

To find a fundamental solution, tens of thousands of them began analyzing magic stones.

They identified the existence of miasma and tried various methods to remove it. Hundreds of hypotheses were shared among the magic development team, and hundreds of people worked to develop magic for each hypothesis.

As a result, it took two in-game years to complete the magic formula to remove miasma from magic stones.

Now, I'm using an improved version of that magic formula.

"Moreover, removing the miasma not only makes it safe but also makes you more than twice as strong. The power of the magic stone and the miasma counteract each other when consumed together, reducing the obtained power by half."

"That's incredible. Being able to eat any magic stone safely and with double the efficiency! It's a revolution. Teach me next time."

"Maybe not. It's a 762-step magic formula."

For what is called high-level magic, the maximum is around 100 steps.

This is far beyond the norm.

"Isn't that an impossible magic for humans?"

"It depends on the effort."

There is a trick, though.

When humans visualize a magic formula, they imagine a string of text. As homunculi, we have the magic formula engraved in our brains, allowing us to execute magic accurately. We can engrave up to 2420 steps in total, and we can store as much magic as we want up to that total. If we want, we can erase and engrave new magic formulas.

It's also possible to engrave a magic formula in someone else's brain. This allows ordinary humans to use complex magic quickly and accurately in any situation. However, once engraved, the magic formula cannot be erased. Depending on the individual, the maximum is around 1000 steps, so the magic to be engraved must be carefully chosen.

Eventually, if Kuna and Anne allow it, I want to gift them the best magic.

"Kuna and Anne not being able to use it isn't a big problem. I can purify the magic stones, and they can eat the purified ones."

"The path to Rank 3 has suddenly become closer, but it feels like cheating."

"Indeed. It seems we can advance at a speed dozens of times faster than others."

"Calling it cheating is unfair. Think about how much blood and tears went into creating this magic."

It took two years and tens of thousands of people.

On the bulletin board, countless hypotheses were proposed, and the magic development was divided among them. It was a development drama on par with Project X. I thought I would die. I almost gave up several times but managed to complete the purification magic through perseverance.

"The magic to purify magic stones. Did Soji create it? That's why I've never even heard of it."

"Right. If such a thing existed, it would become a rumor instantly."

The two seemed to agree.

"I didn't create it alone, but I was part of the development team."

"They must be amazing people. I'd like to meet them someday."

"It might be a bit difficult. They're all busy, so maybe someday."

I smiled wryly.

It's time.

"Kuna, Anne, thank you. Thanks to you, I'm not as nervous. I'll win. For our party, the 'Tail of the Magic Sword'."

"I believe in you, Soji."

"Soji, it's okay to lose, but don't die."

"I won't die, and I won't lose. I swear victory to this emblem."

I raised the emblem hanging around my neck high.

Let's go. For victory.

Even with my increased [Rank], I'm still mid-Rank 1, far from the feet of the Rank 2 senior. The difference in our combat power is overwhelming.

To put it in perspective, it's like a battle between a primary school student and a professional wrestler.

The difference is that great.

But I'm not worried.

I've experienced such a hopeless situation hundreds of times.

◇

"You didn't run, Rank 1."

I stepped onto the platform in the Colosseum.

A proper circular stone arena.

"I'm here, senior."

"Are you being cocky? Without even a weapon?"

The senior was wearing light plate mail and a simple, easy-to-handle one-handed sword.

"I have a weapon. [Magic Silver Alchemy: First Form Spear - Pierce]."

I activated the magic, and the ring on my arm transformed into a spear.

"...Using such a strange technique."

The senior and some of the audience seemed to notice the abnormality of this magic and my skill with it.

"Oh, that's amazing. A weapon just appeared. It's so mysterious. It's like a magic trick. What is that?"

The king, delighted, asked the commentator next to him. The commentator was the large man who taught us in class.

"Senior, before the match, I wanted to ask you. Did you involve Anne to get a special student slot for your brother because I refused to join your party, and did you try to crush her dreams? Is that correct?"

I was angry. To become a noble and clear my father's name, to restore the pride of the Oakreel family. I couldn't forgive the man in front of me for crushing her dreams for such a trivial reason.

"What? Suddenly?"

"Answer me."

"...Yes, that's right. But even if I hadn't done it, she would have been crushed by someone else eventually. It's her fate. The moment she was born into a family of major criminals, her fate was sealed. Destruction. It's better to end it quickly before she has unrealistic dreams. She should be grateful."

The senior smiled nastily.

Indeed, he was right. The sin of Anne's father would haunt her for life. From what I know, Anne would eventually be crushed by despair and forced to give up the magic sword she called her soul.

"I see, fate, huh?"

"Yes, fate. By getting involved with such a person, you will also be destroyed. I'll make you regret not following me that day for the rest of your life."

"Hah, if that's what you call fate..."

I won't accept it. If I don't accept it, there's only one thing to do. I...

"I will bend fate with my magic."

I declared, pointing the spear. I have the power to do it.

Even if I overcome this, the next fate will come for her. I will bend it each time.

The senior was intimidated and took a step back.

The female instructor stood between me and the senior.

"I will explain the rules. The match ends when the blessing runs out, or one of you faints or gives up. Also, in this match, you are responsible for whatever happens. Is that clear?"

"No problem."

"I have no issues either."

Blessing, the blue particles that appear when you are injured in this world.

The amount varies from person to person, but it increases with higher [Rank].

When it runs out, the injuries no longer heal.

The biggest issue is that no matter how high your [Rank] is, if your blessing runs out, you lose its effects and become as vulnerable as a regular person. If you are attacked by a higher [Rank] opponent in that state, death is certain.

While magic can heal injuries, the blessing can only be restored naturally.

"Then, both sides, prepare..."

The instructor readied herself.

I and the senior readied our weapons.

I could see Kuna and Anne clasping their hands in prayer.

I need to win quickly to reassure them...

"Begin!"

And the battle began.