Chapter 59

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In preparation for this duel, the class I chose is the "Lunatic Leo."

By equipping the "Lunatic Circlet," a drop item from the "Elder Rich," one can become this class, which focuses entirely on offense while completely neglecting defense.

The magic stat bonus for this "Lunatic Leo" class is the highest among all classes, at seven!

Furthermore, the "Lunatic Circlet" has the effect of increasing the growth value of magic while decreasing the growth value of spirit. When combined with Rex's relatively high innate magic value, the growth value reaches an astonishing twelve!

Although the "Crimson Inferno Rod" has the effect of decreasing the innate magic value, the actual value is eleven, but it's still a bargain.

Additionally, I equipped the "Shooting Star Ring," which I obtained from the casino, which increases speed by 150 but also decreases the innate speed value. I also wore the "Heavy Armor of the Magic Knight," which not only boosts defense but significantly increases the maximum MP. My status is as follows:

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Rex

LV 25

HP 140

MP 500

Strength 240 (B-)

Vitality 30 (D-)

Magic 330 (B+)

Spirit 0 (F)

Agility 150 (C)

Concentration 30 (D-)

---

(Yes! This is it!)

Naturally, due to the level decrease and the skewed stats, my defensive capabilities have drastically decreased.

However, even if I fought normally, I would lose anyway.

For this match, I can afford to completely abandon my defense.

Instead, I focused on enhancing my offensive capabilities.

In fact, even though my level is now half of what it was, both my strength and magic, which are related to offensive power, are higher than when I was level fifty.

Especially my magic, which was already high, has increased dramatically, reaching B+.

(That's right. Even Rex can achieve this much by skewing his stats. In terms of offensive power, I can even beat Nilv, who is like a cheat incarnate...)

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Nilv

LV 25

HP 860

MP 160

Strength 390 (A-)

Vitality 390 (A-)

Magic 120 (C-)

Spirit 180 (C+)

Agility 330 (B+)

Concentration 210 (C+)

---

I grind my teeth at Nilv's status, revealed by "Insight."

(But it's not over yet!)

In reality, my status includes the effects of enchanted rings.

I equipped one agility ring to match Nilv's speed and two magic rings.

Taking these into account...

---

Rex

LV 25

HP 140

MP 696

Strength 240 (B-)

Vitality 30 (D-)

Magic 526 (A+)

Spirit 0 (F)

Agility 238 (B-)

Concentration 30 (D-)

---

My magic value far exceeds Nilv's strength and vitality!

(How about that! With this, even Nilv will have to recognize my power...)

I look at the Sword Saint standing in front of me with hope, but Nilv just gazes at me with a cold, indifferent look.

"...What a boring farce. Let's get this over with quickly."

Nilv steps forward and takes his starting position.

Despite his attitude, which seems to say he doesn't even consider me a threat, I step forward as well.

Facing Nilv, I suddenly think:

(Huh? Is he this big?)

Even standing straight, my vision wavers, and the figure in front of me seems to grow two or three times in size.

My heart beats loudly.

Sweat beads on my hand gripping the staff, and I repeatedly adjust my grip.

The figures of Plana and Mana cheering for me from outside the ring seem strangely distant.

(No! Don't be overwhelmed!)

I shake my head frantically to regain my composure.

No matter how strong the Sword Saint is, he's still human.

Besides, even if Nilv is a born cheat and a genius in battle, he can't possibly know the specs of the drop items from the "Twelve Ruins of Darkness."

(I will win! I have to win!)

In the midst of my growing anxiety, a shrill electronic sound, "Beee!", signals the start of the duel.

---

(It's started!)

I brace myself without any mental preparation.

However...

(...He's not moving?)

Even after the match starts, Nilv stands with his sword held in front of him, showing no signs of attacking.

His eyes, which seem devoid of emotion, silently urge me to attack.

Realizing I'm being underestimated, my head heats up in anger.

(What a joke!)

Driven by impulse, I point the staff in my left hand at Nilv.

This staff is the "Fire Rod."

In terms of its category, it is similar to the "Crimson Inferno Rod" and "Red Flare Rod" in my right hand, allowing anyone to cast magic by using it.

However, it's just a cheap item from a store.

Its magic attack bonus is not significant, and the spell it casts is the very basic fire spell, "Fire."

Normally, challenging the world's strongest with such a spell would be absurd.

But...

"Fire!"

The fireball I cast is as large as, if not larger than, those cast by an experienced mage.

--- This is the power of the "Lunatic Circlet."

The description of the "Lunatic Circlet," a drop item from the "Elder Rich," states:

"Those who wear it gain unparalleled magic power, but if a mortal touches it, they will quickly be consumed by madness, falling into a state of 'Insanity.'

During 'Insanity,' magic power doubles, but all resistance to magic is lost, and there is a 50% chance of magic power going out of control, causing self-damage proportional to the spell's power."

Despite being an item that strengthens magic, it has a 50% chance of causing self-destruction when used.

At first glance, it seems like a terrible trap item.

However, this condition only applies when the user casts the spell themselves.

When magic is activated using an item like the "Fire Rod," there is no risk of self-destruction, and only the effect of increased magic power is enjoyed.

The fireball, which I consider a masterpiece, flies directly at Nilv,

"--- Pointless."

In the instant I thought Nilv's sword moved, the fireball was cleaved in two.

"Did he... cut the magic?"

Plana's stunned voice from the audience reflects the extraordinary nature of this act.

However, the one who caused this extraordinary event just returned his sword to its original position, looking at me with the same cold, indifferent gaze.

(I knew it. I knew it.)

Nilv's weapon is the "Great Sword of Demon Slaying."

It literally has the ability to cut through "magic."

Weak magic attacks are meaningless in front of the Sword Saint.

(But that's why I chose the "Fire Rod" for my left hand!)

If it's going to be cut, I'll overwhelm him with numbers.

"Fire! Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire!!"

I continuously cast Fire while moving my left staff in various directions to avoid a predictable pattern.

However...

(Damn, what a guy!)

The Sword Saint remains unperturbed by the countless fireballs.

He precisely cuts only the ones that would hit him, showing no signs of being affected.

(...Is there no other choice?)

I glance at the staff in my right hand.

With the "Crimson Inferno Rod," I can cast spells with power far exceeding the "Fire Rod."

However, it requires a three-second charge to cast the spell.

If I'm attacked during that time...

(No, I don't have time to hesitate!)

While maintaining the barrage of Fire, my MP is gradually depleting.

If I continue this持久战 and my MP runs out, I will have no means of attack, leading to my defeat.

I extend my right hand and infuse the staff with magic.

(Please! Please, please!)

During this time, I continue the barrage of Fire from my left hand.

I aim to obscure Nilv's vision as much as possible, hoping to distract him from my right hand.

Fire! Fire!

(--- Got it!)

Thanks to the barrage, Nilv didn't notice my aim.

Or perhaps he noticed but deliberately ignored it.

Either way, it doesn't matter.

--- The rod's charge is complete.

There's no reason to be anxious now.

I re-aim my right hand and call out the name of the spell.

"--- 'Crimson Inferno'!!"

At that moment, a dragon roared from the tip of my right hand.

The explosion of magic is so intense that the heat from my extended right hand burns my face, and the flames of magic race through the air.

The magic, which carries a heat intensity comparable to a dragon's breath, incinerates everything in its path.

The flames, which make me feel as if the entire world is being burned, open their jaws to greedily consume the Sword Saint, who couldn't move from his spot,

"--- Is this all you've got?"

The world split in two.

"…Huh?"

For a moment, I couldn't understand what had happened.

The strongest magic I could cast, enhanced to the limit by my equipment, was cleaved in two by a single swing of the Sword Saint's sword, dissipating pitifully.

"Monster...!"

I couldn't help but mutter in hatred.

Nilv looked at me with the same pitying gaze, as if I were a pitiful insect,

"--- That's it."

He said it matter-of-factly.

With that one-sided declaration, Nilv broke his stance for the first time.

He slowly raised the sword he had held in front of him...

"--- 'Instant Blade'"

I couldn't even follow the movement with my eyes.

Before I knew it, he was in front of me, and the match was already decided.

Without any hesitation or delay, the merciless blade was swung down—

---

A high-pitched metallic clang echoed through the ring.

"…What?"

In front of me, Nilv, whose attack was deflected by the staff in my left hand, looked shocked.

Seeing this, I felt a slight sense of relief.

--- Arts turn geniuses into ordinary people.

I recalled a line Rad had once said.

It was not easy to parry the attacks of Nilv, who possesses overwhelming attack and reaction speed. The only move I could reliably parry was "Instant Blade," which I had practiced dozens of times in the game and parried even more.

--- That's why I aimed for this from the start.

The impact of dual-wielding rods, the extreme focus on magic, and the use of magic attacks with the rod were all distractions to divert attention from this parry.

I naturally held a parry-capable weapon in my left hand and guided Nilv to use "Instant Blade" as his first attack.

The rare opportunity created by the parry.

I thrust the rod in my right hand at the staggered Nilv.

--- But even at this point, there was no sign of panic on Nilv's face.

The parry-induced stun was brief.

Perhaps he thought that casting a spell now would be too late, or that a spell of that level wouldn't be enough to defeat him.

(That's why you're too soft, you know.)

I