Chapter 21

"Second Round of the Semifinals! 1st Year Class A Second vs. 4th Year Class A Keith!"

The winner of this match will face Main in the final.

My opponent was a 4th-year student named Keith, a man with a poker face.

"Put on your battle crowns. Both sides, take your stances... Begin!"

"......!"

As soon as the match started, Keith closed the distance.

This guy is pretty sharp.

In a magic-only match, the one who takes the initiative usually decides the outcome. Therefore, the smart choice is to mainly use the First Form, which has the fastest activation time.

I chanted the "Wind Attribute First Form" while gauging the remaining distance between Keith and me. At the same time, Keith stopped his advance just within range and began chanting the "Wind Attribute First Form."

We were at a stalemate.

...I see. This is a "thousand-day hand." Even if we activate our magic, they will cancel each other out, and we'll be back to square one. This is the flaw in the match rules, the reason I deemed this a terrible game.

"...I would like you to lose here. I will offer you a suitable reward."

Then, Keith spoke to me in a voice that wouldn't reach the audience.

"Why?"

"I can't let you fight Prince Main."

"Why not?"

"I want Prince Main to win and arrange a friendly match with Sir Claus."

This is incomprehensible. Besides, this isn't the right way to ask for a favor.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You are not suitable. Please lose."

"Is it because I might beat Main and the First Prince?"

"No. The match between Prince Main and Sir Claus is what matters."

"...So you're bringing 'politics' into this fair match, huh?"

"......If this continues, there will be no resolution."

This Keith seems to be one of Claus's lackeys, hired to ensure Main wins in the final.

To beat Main up in front of the audience under the guise of a friendly match—rumors in the locker room weren't entirely wrong.

...I don't like this.

What I don't like is that everything is unacceptable, but what I dislike the most is this shallow plan to make me give up by negotiating while we are at a stalemate.

Do you think it will be that easy?

I activate the First Form as a refusal.

"Meaningless!"

Keith shouted and activated the First Form to counter, and as I began chanting the "Fire Attribute First Form," he did the same.

His response is quite impressive. Indeed, if this continues, there will be no resolution. If this continues.

"Since it's a good opportunity, I'll teach you the 'real thing.'"

"...Huh? You, that's..."

Keith seems to have noticed.

In my left hand, I held a longbow I had taken out of my inventory during the previous cancellation.

Why in a magic-only match? He must have thought that.

But it's too late now.

"Sylvia! Watch closely!"

I called out and combined "Infantry Archery" with the "Fire Attribute First Form" to launch it at Keith.

【Magical Archery】—this is also a legitimate form of 【Magic】.

By the way, 【Magical Archery】 imbues the bow with 【Magic】, so no arrows are used.

The requirement to learn 【Magical Archery】 is to reduce the HP of 1000 monsters to 75% or less with the 【Archery】 skill and then finish them off with the 【Magic】 skill. It's somewhat complex, but if you know it, it can be achieved quickly.

"Ugh...!?"

Keith had no choice but to counter with the "Fire Attribute First Form" he was preparing. However, with the added power of "Infantry Archery" at the seventh level, a simple First Form couldn't cancel it out.

"Ugh!"

Keith was hit.

Immediately after, he regained his composure and retreated to gain distance. It's a good move, but the worst decision. Taking distance from an archer is the height of folly... I need to teach him a lesson.

"This is your aim, isn't it? The First Prince's?"

"---!!"

Keith's expression of shock at my words confirmed it.

A magic-only match... clearly a terrible game. Hence the stalemate. Prince Claus must have some way to break it. I heard from Noire that he is skilled in 【Swordsmanship】. Probably, yes, 【Magical Swordsmanship】. As long as he has that, he won't lose to Main in a match. He can beat him up one-sidedly, just like in this match.

"Despicable. You'll learn how foolish your actions are."

I aimed with the 【Kaima Archery】 skill, boosted the power with the 【Silver General Archery】 skill, and added the impact of the "Earth Attribute First Form." A combination of three skills. This is to show Sylvia what 【Magical Archery】 can do.

"Damn...!"

Keith ran sideways to dodge my attack, like a fleeing rat.

"Meaningless."

I said this as a retort and fired the 【Magical Archery】.

A heavy thud. The rock from the earth attribute magic exploded on Keith's abdomen, and the entire ground shook from the shockwave. Keith's HP dropped to zero as he was blown out of the arena.

This is my anger. A warning not to take PvP lightly. You can't reach the top in PvP without wearing down your nerves and risking your life. You desecrated such a serious place. Even if others forgive you, I won't.

"...The winner is Second."

The match ended with the referee's small voice.

One second, two seconds, three seconds later—cheers erupted throughout the venue.

Compared to previous matches, this one was quite exciting. It was unprecedented.

I returned to the locker room in a good mood.

* * *

"I... I apologize."

"It's fine. The plan has changed, but I found a good catch."

Claus said this cheerfully to the bowing Keith.

In front of him was the back of a handsome man leaving the arena.

"Most likely, that Second will win. If I add him to my ranks, that foolish brother will have no standing."

"But that man is a tough opponent."

"Keith. Do you think he will refuse the invitation from me, the captain of the First Knight Regiment?"

"...No, I don't think so."

"Haha, I didn't expect someone who can handle 'combined magic' to be hiding in a mere magic school... It was a good decision to come here. He will be a good pawn."

Claus smiled confidently, while Keith looked at him with concern.

Because he had faced him in the match, Keith knew.

Magical archer Second. He won't be easy to handle—Keith was certain of that.

Thank you for reading.

I apologize for the short chapter.

As a consolation, I will update twice tomorrow, at 7 PM and 9 PM.