CH.60 17-2. Rivals Resemble Each Other Because They Are Rivals
The day of the Year-End Exams had finally arrived.
[“The Year-End Exams of Grand Hearts Academia… have officially begun!”]
“Waaaaaah!!”
The stadium erupted in cheers as the crowd packed into the stands. The atmosphere was electric, filled with energy and excitement.
Among the sea of spectators, our group of four—Kainel, Ariel, Mardol, and myself—watched from the sidelines.
“Mardol is up first.”
“Then it’s me tomorrow, and Licht, you’re on the last day, right?”
“Kai! I’m also competing tomorrow!”
The first match was Mardol’s, followed by Kainel and Ariel the next day, and finally, I would take the stage on the last day.
It was the perfect chance to see how strong my party had grown.
‘Eventually, I’ll have to hunt a Demon Lord with these people.’
Once we graduated, we’d form a Demon Lord subjugation party. If things went well, I might even see the Nameless Saintess in some monastery.
“…”
Though the developer had said that defeating a Demon Lord was old-fashioned, which was why the game’s focus had shifted to forming love routes.
If that were the case, there was no need to attend the Academia at all.
If my only goal was to complete the love route, I should be focusing on taking down Head Eike, not worrying about exam results.
Something about it all felt contradictory, and I rested my chin on my hand.
If I thought about it, there were plenty of inconsistencies.
It was odd to even use the term “inconsistencies” since my very existence as Black Knight Licht was already an anomaly. My arrival in this world had undoubtedly caused a butterfly effect.
‘This world already had summoning rituals for heroes from other dimensions.’
If that was the case, then my presence wasn’t that strange. But I had no intention of confessing that to anyone.
There were too many reasons not to.
If I revealed the truth, people might recognize me as the “Black Knight Licht” from the game. Worse, it would be the same as admitting that this world was a game.
“Licht, hello!”
A familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
“…Charitines?”
The person approaching was none other than Charitines Saintmary, a vampire nun dressed from head to toe in black.
She must have come to support one of her close juniors in their match.
“H-Hello! Second Saintess!”
“Ariel, is this the person you were talking about before?”
“Yeah! That’s her, Kai!”
Ariel beamed as she waved, her twin red pigtails bouncing as she did so. It was always amusing to see how cheerful she could be around people she liked, especially since she acted like a tsundere around Kainel.
“Oh my, so these are your friends, Licht. Nice to meet you!”
With her sharp fangs and crimson eyes, she had all the unmistakable features of a vampire. Every time I saw her, I couldn’t help but think, “That’s so on the nose.”
“I’ve heard so much about you, Saintess! I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time!”
“Oh? That makes me happy!”
Seeing Ariel and Charitines talking so easily was heartwarming, but a small worry surfaced in my mind.
“Senior Nex is competing today, right?”
“Don’t worry. He’s fine.”
Charitines chuckled, her crimson eyes narrowing into crescents.
“He’s fighting a girl who uses an orca spirit, but Nex told me not to come watch because he’s going to win no matter what.”
Ah, I remember that opponent.
That noble lady with the spirit of an orca. I’d heard about her bad reputation. No doubt, Nex was going to use this opportunity to crush her.
‘This is his chance to make himself known to her family.’
Water spirits were powerful, but water could be vaporized.
If Nex summoned the Phoenix, he’d have a significant advantage. The flames of a phoenix could melt not only magic and holy power but even sword strikes.
“If you say so, then I’m relieved.”
Nex also had the northern spear techniques I’d taught him. Since spirit users were emotionally driven, he’d have the upper hand.
In , he didn’t even use his spirit much, relying on his spear techniques instead. He was a likely contender for second-year champion.
If news of his victory reached the north, it could lead to approval for his marriage to Charitines.
The moment I nodded, my gaze shifted to the center of the stadium. Two figures were walking toward the arena.
“Oh, it’s starting!”
“…I’m looking forward to this.”
This exam would determine who was strong and who was weak. It would shift the public’s perception of certain students.
And most importantly, this was my chance to secure the Mana Rose.
[“The first match of the Year-End Exams! Mardol vs. Windy!”]
I spotted Mardol in his shining glass armor, and for some reason, an ominous feeling gnawed at me.
***
Two women stood in the center.
One was a blue-haired mage, and the other was a Glass Knight.
“I am the Wind Mage, Windy. For this Year-End Exam, I will—”
“…Mardol.”
Cold, curt, and straight to the point.
Phine—no, Mardol—didn’t even wait for formalities.
She simply drew the sword from her back and took a combat stance.
Her opponent, Windy, flinched as she raised her guard.
[“Begin the match!!”]
A loud cheer erupted as the first battle of the Year-End Exams began.
A loud horn echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the match.
「Wind Cutter!」
With a sharp shout, Windy raised her staff, releasing a slicing wave of wind magic toward Mardol.
The sharp blades of wind sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh, heading straight for the Glass Knight.
‘Compared to Licht’s Vacuum Slash… this isn’t even wind.’
But Phine, dressed as Mardol, didn’t dodge.
She didn’t even try to avoid it.
Instead, she endured it.
Her goal was to drain her opponent’s stamina and create an opening.
“H-Huh? That spell cuts through stone, though! How tough is that armor…?”
Step, step.
The heavy footsteps of the Glass Knight echoed as she slowly advanced forward, step by step, against the winds.
Her slow, deliberate pace created an overwhelming pressure.
The distance between them was gradually shrinking.
[“The wind magic isn’t working at all! If only she had aimed for the armor’s gaps!”]
The crowd’s excited murmurs filled the arena.
But that wouldn’t work.
A Masterpiece-grade armor was designed with durability and resistance that surpassed normal magical tools.
Phine’s glass armor, in particular, had been enhanced to resist the abilities of Magic Hat. It had especially high magic resistance, making it a natural counter to magicians.
‘If she’s using magic, it’s not going to work.’
Even more so, since Magic Hat used magic in the form of trickery and illusions, it was vital for Phine to develop resistance against magical effects.
This was why, during their previous battle, she’d been able to fight longer than even the Hero Kainel.
“Sorry, but you picked the wrong opponent.”
Now just a short distance away, Windy began to panic, sweat forming on her forehead.
Her gaze darted around as she desperately tried to think of a plan.
“Cyclone Impact! Come on, come on!”