Chapter 29

Chapter 29 (29/324)

29

The count, panting heavily, began to look at Iris.

"A training ground? What sudden business do you have there?"

"It's nothing much. I just want to share some practical magic knowledge with Sir Kyle."

Despite her claim that it was nothing much, her expression seemed quite agitated.

While she does have the trait of acting, she is still just an eight-year-old child.

Therefore, it's impossible for her to completely control her emotions.

Just like now.

Perhaps sensing that something was amiss, the count looked at me.

"Is there anything that happened between the two of you that you can tell me?"

"Isn't the young lady a very talented magician?"

"That's true, but..."

"Because of that, her attitude was quite condescending. As soon as she arrived, she asked about my circle, and when I replied that I was a 1st Circle magician, she treated me with such disdain... It was truly embarrassing."

My words made the count's expression crumple.

The idea that his daughter, whom he had arranged to meet with difficulty, had insulted the guest.

That itself was a significant breach of etiquette.

"...I'm sorry."

The count bowed his head slightly, genuinely apologetic.

At that moment,

Iris, her face flushed, glared at me.

Her eyes were a mix of anger and disbelief.

She probably didn't expect me to tattle on her in front of the count.

A typical noble would hide the fact that they were insulted by a woman.

Especially if it was by a child like her.

But what can I do?

I'm not a typical noble.

I'm a very open-minded person.

I wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip away just for the sake of face.

Thanks to this, I not only received a sincere apology from the count but also made him feel somewhat indebted to me.

It was quite a profitable outcome.

Such intangible debts can be quite heavy.

Seeing the murderous glare from the child, I felt quite pleased.

What can you do if you glare at me?

I'm not the one at fault; it's this child who made the first move.

Besides, I didn't lie.

"No, my lord. I already anticipated how the young lady would act, so I met her with that in mind. We decided to have a simple magic duel."

"...A duel, you say?"

"Yes. I think the young lady hasn't had much real combat experience, has she?"

A precious youngest daughter from a prominent family—how much real combat could she have experienced?

At best, she might have hit some dummies in the training ground.

Her advancement to 2nd Circle was likely more due to talent than combat experience.

As expected,

The count nodded quietly.

"I haven't had any real combat experience... yet."

"Her condescending attitude seems to stem from that. She seems to judge the superiority of magicians solely by their circle."

In front of the count, I began to point out Iris's flaws as if I were her private tutor.

From the perspective of a magician.

The count nodded silently, having known his daughter's flaws for a long time, he had no rebuttal.

Moreover, I had already taken control of the conversation, so I could continue pointing out her flaws.

Glancing at Iris nearby, I saw her clenching her teeth and trembling with anger.

It's understandable that she would be angry, hearing such criticism about herself.

Perhaps due to the conversation with the count,

She was trying to suppress her anger, unable to interject.

"Ultimately, if she continues with this 'narrow-minded' thinking, she will likely 'suffer a great deal' someday. That's why I want to 'educate' her through a duel that resembles real combat."

I subtly emphasized certain words, and Iris, unable to hold back any longer, began to shout.

"Damn it! Who are you to say such things! A mere 1st Circle magician! You're so arrogant!"

"Hey! Iris! How much more shame do you intend to bring upon me! Apologize to Sir Kyle immediately!"

"Father!"

"I won't forgive you if you cause any more trouble!"

"Count, I'm fine..."

I pretended to try to calm things down.

"No, it's my fault for raising her so poorly. Can't you apologize now?"

The count shook his head and began to pressure Iris.

Heh.

Seeing my subtle smile from behind the count, her eyes turned red.

Count Frantel.

His sturdy build made him a reassuring presence.

It seems he had raised her very indulgently.

What could be more terrifying for this child than the anger of her father? Iris's eyes, facing the full wrath of the count, were shaking like a small boat in a storm.

Unable to hold out any longer, she slowly began to speak.

"...I'm... sorry."

That's right. You should be sorry.

I planned to give her a thorough education today.

"It's fine. The young lady is indeed a 1st Circle magician. However, as fellow magicians, I hope we can show each other respect. That's why I offered my advice to the count."

As I spoke,

The count and his retainers began to look at me.

"Still, do you really intend to have a magic duel?"

"Yes."

My confident answer made the count speak quietly.

"I understand your intentions, but... my daughter is a 2nd Circle magician. Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Worry was evident in the count's eyes.

Circles aren't just for show.

A lower-circle magician typically can't defeat a higher-circle magician.

I could understand the count's worried whisper.

But that's only for typical magicians.

I'm an irregular, and I'm quite different.

"I'm fine. We already made the arrangement, so I can't back out. I plan to proceed with the duel as scheduled."

"Hmm..."

The count looked thoughtful.

It was like setting up a blind date, only to receive a reply that they want to have a showdown.

It wasn't a good situation.

Moreover, if I lose, Iris's behavior might become even worse.

It's understandable that he's worried.

I needed to persuade him a bit.

"The young lady acted quite arbitrarily. From what I can see, she needs a catalyst to change. This duel might be that catalyst. It was the same for me."

Of course, it was a lie.

Kyle changed because I possessed this body.

But still,

Words are often different from what they seem.

Perhaps because of my confident tone,

The count's eyes sparkled.

"...Can you really win?"

"If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't have accepted the duel. Don't worry."

"Yes, but... if my daughter gets hurt... that would be..."

Oh.

Seeing his anxious expression, I understood why this child had so many problematic traits.

As an only youngest daughter, she was likely raised very indulgently.

That's why she has traits like arrogance and disdain for the weak.

A classic example of an environment creating a problematic person.

"I won't cause any physical harm."

A 2nd Circle novice without real combat experience.

Honestly, it's as easy as eating cold porridge.

It's not difficult to control the situation.

However,

Her mental state might take a hit.

After all, some mental hardship is necessary for a person to mature.

It might lead to a change in her mindset.

If done well, she might change from being problematic.

Traits change based on behavior, especially during the growth period.

As they age, people become more set in their ways.

This applies to Fantasy Defense as well. The older you get, the harder it is to change traits.

It's due to established values and fixed behavior patterns.

'Well, for Iris...'

She was a very popular character.

Many users managed her in their parties and eventually changed her traits to be more human.

There's plenty of potential.

If she had no talent, I wouldn't have invested in her, but she has considerable talent.

I had to try.

If it doesn't work, there's nothing I can do.

After our conversation, the count looked at Iris.

"Do you really want to have a magic duel with Sir Kyle?"

At his words, her eyes lit up.

"Absolutely."

Seeing her vengeful eyes, I understood her thoughts.

But it won't go as you think.

The count nodded.

"Alright. I'll observe the duel myself. However, it might be dangerous, so I'll need someone to mediate..."

Since it wasn't a good situation for his retainers to observe, the count decided to observe the duel alone.

A mediator.

There was a suitable expert for the role.

"Let's have my bodyguard knight. He's a very capable knight, so there won't be any accidents."

"Is he at a high level...?"

"He's among the top in the Expert class. His name is Leonhard. Do you know him?"

Mentioning his name, the count's eyes sparkled.

"Oh! Sir Leonhard is a renowned knight even in the viscount's family! If he's the mediator, I can trust it. Let's do it that way."

Thus, the count, Iris, and I began to move towards the training ground. Of course, Leonhard, who would mediate the duel, was with us.

After arriving at the training ground,

The count, who ordered no one else to enter, looked at Iris and me.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes. I'm ready whenever you are."

My calm attitude seemed to annoy the child, who bit her lip.

"...You're quite confident."

"I told you, dealing with a novice is not difficult."

After a brief reply,

I immediately activated my Mind Eye.

At that moment,

I could see the mana flowing inside Iris's body.

2nd Circle, but lower than me.

It seems the Mind Eye's way of judging levels is a bit unique.

Considering various factors, it seems to have determined that I'm stronger.

After all,

Even though she's 2nd Circle, she's like a greenhouse flower with no real experience.

It's only natural.

Seeing how her mana moved, I could immediately tell what magic she was using.

'Fire Arrow, no doubt.'

A typical 2nd Circle magic, essentially a fire arrow.

Should I end it quickly or play along a bit?

I didn't deliberate for long.

Since it's the first round, I decided to end it quickly.

"Let's begin."

As the count shouted,

"Fire Arrow!"

Iris, who had already circulated her mana, launched two fire arrows.

Whoosh!

My response was simple.

I charged straight at her, activating Wind with a mixed activation method.

Wind burst from my right hand.

It was a spell with power that didn't seem like a 1st Circle magic. The strong wind clashed with the incoming fire arrows, creating a power struggle.

"Ugh!"

She seemed to have poured all her mana into the Fire Arrows, and the flames were growing stronger.

But I can't lose.

After all, the concentration of mana in my circles is different from Iris's.

Mana structure.

My talent is far more dominant.

Now that I've overcome the blockages in my body, my talent is even stronger.

Let's end this.

While maintaining Wind, I focused and activated another spell.

Two Magic Missiles.

The two Magic Missiles quickly flew towards Iris.

Shock mixed with her eyes.

The child, clenching her teeth, began to circulate her mana again. She was attempting double casting, just like me.

Impressive.

She must have considerable talent.

She managed to maintain one spell and successfully cast another, just like me. Mana Companion is a high-level talent related to magic, so it's not surprising.

Shield.

This time, the spell she cast was 1st Circle.

It seemed difficult for her to cast two 2nd Circle spells.

The blue shield blocked the path of the Magic Missiles.

Bang!

One Magic Missile hit the shield and shattered it effortlessly. Shock spread across her eyes at that moment. She probably thought the Shield spell could block a Magic Missile.

But,

My magic is special.

The Magic Missile with a mixed activation method had power similar to a 2nd Circle spell.

A 1st Circle Shield spell couldn't block it.

Naturally, the remaining Magic Missile approached her body without any resistance.

Iris.

The Magic Missile reached her body faster than she could prepare another casting.

Whirl.

The Magic Missile began to menacingly circle around her body.

"..."

Thirty seconds.

The time it took for the match to end.