Chapter 7

Xeno couldn't understand the current situation at all.

Magic, in essence, is 'power.'

In battle, it is natural that the more powerful mage wins.

This was his view of magic and the 'absolute law' he had established.

However, for some reason, this absolute law did not apply to the opponent in front of him.

This mysterious mage, who looked weak, was using a unique and creative magic to counter his overwhelming black path—methodically wearing him down.

The reality that he was being outmaneuvered by a mage he once mocked as 'incompetent' and a strategy he dismissed as 'the weak's way of fighting' was something he could not accept.

(Why...? In terms of magic, magical power, and knowledge, I should surpass him in every aspect... Yet, why can't I win...?)

Xeno, cornered, became agitated and unleashed a sinister magical power.

"Damn it! -- Black Path Fifty: Black Phoenix Heaven Fall!"

As he brought down his left hand, a massive black crystal fell from the distant sky.

"A wide-area annihilation magic using the black wave and the shockwave of its fall...! How about it, Eren? Your weak magic can't handle this, can it!?"

Xeno was confident of victory and wore an evil smile, but...

(At times like this—focus your eyes!)

Eren's magic eye could distinguish all magical powers by 'color.'

From the chaotic flow of magical power, he accurately predicted the landing point of the Black Phoenix Heaven Fall. With near-future prediction accuracy, he found a safe spot—dyed blue—and with minimal movement, avoided the raging black wave and the subsequent shockwave.

"Heh, heh... I won, I won this match...!"

While Xeno was savoring the taste of victory,

"No, not yet."

From the dust, an unharmed Eren leaped out.

"Wh-What!?"

Having failed to finish him off and now facing close combat, Xeno was caught off guard and his reaction was slightly delayed.

"Hah!"

Eren's sharp mid-level kick pierced his vulnerable side.

"Aaagh..."

Xeno's body bent into a 'C' shape, and he rolled far away, repeatedly hitting the rough schoolyard.

"Huff, huff... Damn... Why...? Why can't my magic hit!?"

He slowly stood up, shouting his inner voice.

No matter how powerful the attack, if it doesn't hit, it's meaningless. Xeno felt a great frustration and an unknown fear at Eren's movements, which seemed to see the future.

In the narrow gap between passion and confusion, the magic eye never missed its opportunity.

"Yellow Path Two: Thunder Roar."

"~"

Xeno, struck in the blind spot of his consciousness, quietly knelt down. The damage he had received gradually over time had reached the core of his body.

The trend of the battle was clear, and Eren's victory seemed certain.

"Hey... Xeno, how about we call it a draw here? If we keep going, it will affect tomorrow's classes..."

Eren's gentle proposal was...

"Ku, ku, ku, ku... Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha..."

Erased by an eerie laugh.

"Xeno...?"

"...Fine, I'll admit it... Mage Eren, you are indeed strong. A unique strength I've never seen before."

"Um... Thank you?"

The suddenly praised Eren, confused, returned his thanks.

"But... I can't give up. No matter what, I will obtain the 'negotiation rights'...!"

Xeno, burning with his hidden wish, quietly regulated his breathing.

"---I will show you the 'power of the cursed snake'...!"

Instantly, the 'Cursed Snake Mark' glowed eerily, and a massive black magical power raged.

"I am the weaver of the night, the compiler of the black sky, the successor of the throne of the sky, and I inscribe the dim vow here."

Having discarded his arrogance and contempt, he performed a 'complete incantation' for the first time in this battle.

"Hey, hey, wait... That amount of magical power is way too dangerous!?"

"Anyway, run...! Get away from here immediately...!"

Classmates, sensing the danger of death, scattered like spiders.

"Collapsing Dragon, False Saint's Fruit, the Garden of Heaven stained with sin—Black Path Sixty: Dead Dragon Heaven Conquest!"

In an instant, a massive dark dragon was unleashed at an incredible speed.

It was the evil dragon that once swallowed the secret treasure of death. The great magic that shook heaven and earth was a 'deadly strike' that cursed and killed everything it touched. It was Xeno's 'strongest black path magic' available.

"Complete incantation of the sixties...!?"

"Xeno, are you trying to blow up this school!?"

"Idiot, don't look back! Just run for your life...!"

As the students turned pale and fled, Eren remained in place. No, he couldn't move.

(Ah, how 'beautiful'...!)

His heart was filled with pure admiration.

The beautiful spell structure developed over a long history, the glorious magical power that could be called the seed of life, and the mage's determination to achieve this great magic after rigorous training. He was deeply moved by the full passion poured into the Dead Dragon Heaven Conquest.

(Ah... amazing. Magic is truly amazing...!)

As Eren was enveloped in a wave of emotion, deep within the special lens—the worst magic eye in history—shone brightly with a red light.

At the same time, a massive black magical power, like sludge, overflowed from his body, dyeing the Royal Third Magic Academy black.

"White Path Ten—"

Just as Eren was about to deploy a counter-magic,

"---That's enough."

A fierce thunderbolt from the sky erased the magic Eren was generating and the Dead Dragon Heaven Conquest Xeno had unleashed.

Amid the smell of burning,

"...Vice Principal Lizas..."

A male student muttered, and the entire area fell silent.

Standing there was the number two of the school, 'Thunder God' Lizas McGregor.

"Mr. Xeno, that was clearly going too far. Using a sixties spell in a private duel is absolutely unacceptable. If I hadn't stopped you, you would have killed Eren."

"...Tch."

Xeno, receiving the reprimand, made no effort to hide his displeasure and let out a loud tongue click.

"Mr. Eren, you too. You must not confuse bravery with recklessness. As a mage, you must accurately assess the difference in strength and avoid battles with superior mages."

"I'm sorry...!"

Eren, receiving a very reasonable reprimand, apologized with a guilty look.

"Anyway, this time, both of you are at fault. I will deduct one point from each of your grades. Mr. Xeno and Mr. Eren, you must write a reflection and bring it to the staff room by after school tomorrow—understood?"

"Yes, I understand..."

While Eren hung his head,

"Damn it..."

Xeno, understanding everything, cursed and turned on his heel.

"Huff, really..."

Lizas sighed softly, then clapped her hands.

"---Now, everyone, how long do you plan to stand around? To become a proper mage, daily practice is essential. Get back to your self-study."

"Y-Yes...!"

The students, receiving Lizas' sharp gaze, hurriedly resumed the self-study tasks assigned by Dahl.

■

After stopping Eren and Xeno's duel, Lizas moved to the old school building where no one was around and spoke to the empty space.

"---You must be watching from somewhere, right? Answer me, Hermes."

Then, the next moment,

"Hmm, what's the matter?"

A mist-like substance appeared around her, and only Hermes' voice echoed from it.

"Who is this Eren you recommended...? Who is he?"

"He's one of my precious family members."

"Huff... You don't intend to answer seriously, do you?"

"Sure, sure."

Lizas sighed at Hermes' usual attitude.

"Still... the output just now was clearly abnormal. If I hadn't stopped it, Xeno would have been killed for sure."

"Ahaha. As always, Lizas, you worry too much. Eren is a kind boy, so it's fine. The magic just now, he unconsciously held back quite a bit, so it wouldn't have turned into the situation you fear... probably."

"What if something had happened? What would you have done?"

"We would have thought about it then."

A moment of silence.

"...I really hate your carefree attitude."

"I like your serious attitude, though."

"Shut up!"

"Ooh, scary, scary."

Immediately, the thin mist cleared, and Hermes' voice disappeared.

" Mage Eren... It seems I need to report about him to the principal..."

Thus, Eren, without his knowledge, caught the attention of the upper echelons of the school.

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