End-of-semester evaluation (5)
“Heh heh… hehehe…”
Laughter flowed out. It was a bizarre thing.
Kaleid has captured and killed countless demi-humans on the battlefield.
The heyday is now a distant past. I will never forget life on the battlefield, which felt like walking on thin ice every day.
The enemies we meet on the battlefield all have venom in their eyes. This is because the option of giving up itself does not exist.
If you are cornered and acknowledge the difference in skill between you and your opponent and humbly accept defeat, what comes next is cold death.
“Yes… you are definitely stronger than the half-baked incumbents.”
Kaleid stuffed his hands into his pockets and laughed bitterly.
I feel refreshed from both the drunkenness and the hangover. Only then will I understand the identity of the chill in Ed’s eyes.
It is… a poison that can only be seen in the eyes of those who have crossed the line of fire countless times.
When I was walking through the battlefield, I risked my life fighting with people with eyes like that dozens of times a day.
The sensation of that day, now slowly forgotten, sends a chill down the back of Kaleid’s neck.
High-ranking wind spirit Merilda.
Even this wide sparring hall is too cramped for a wolf the size of a house.
Moreover, since it is full of spectators, if you go on a rampage, you will end up causing harm to the students around you.
No matter how much we only move to win, we will maintain that line.
In that case, even if it is a high-ranking wind spirit that boasts great majesty, there are too many limitations in utilizing its power. This battlefield itself is an unfavorable factor for him.
In fact, it was the same for Kaleid.
I had to aim carefully because I was afraid that just using high-level lightning magic would cause harm to the students around me. A wolf of that huge size would be more than that, not less.
―Quagak!
Kaleid took a large leap backwards, gathering magical power in his hands.
Ed, who had his head down, jumped up and followed suit. As expected from Kaleid, Ed has no intention of using Merilda as a means of physical combat.
However, all the elemental rituals and wind magic that Merilda handles are still difficult.
The wolf stands firmly behind Ed’s back like a mountain. When the beast roared once, a vibration filled with magical power echoed throughout Nail Pavilion’s large sparring hall.
― ‘Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!’
– ‘Ugh…! ‘My ears are ringing…!’
Dozens of wind blades poured out from the wolf. Not only is the power of each shot a problem, but the number of shots is also extraordinary.
A decent wizard concentrated his mind and attacked Kaleid, with the wind blades being fired one by one becoming so massive that it was impossible to dodge them all.
Lieutenant freezing magic ‘Ice Wall’. A frozen wall rose up to block the blade, but when it was halfway through, the wall crumbled and fell.
―Kagagagak!
After that, the remaining wind blades rushed forward to cut Kaleid’s body apart.
All remaining blades were neutralized with defensive magic that was barely implemented by forcibly squeezing out magical power. But he had already given Ed some distance.
The dagger held in reverse flies towards Kaleid.
The defensive magic had already been neutralized by Merilda’s magic.
Kalide raised his sober eyes and instantly twisted his body and grabbed Ed’s wrist. Instead of using magic, he moved his body directly.
Just like that, Ed yanked the wrist that had been grabbed. Kalide’s center of gravity momentarily collapsed, but he slammed one leg into the ground and gritted his teeth to withstand Ed’s strength.
“Your strength… is amazing.”
If someone were a wizard, they would have been killed here. Kaleid was so sure.
He faces that huge wolf right in front of him and has no emotional disturbance. Kaleid is also a person who has experienced many hardships. Naturally, I decided on the next move.
As is, Kaleid implemented the mid-level fire magic ‘One Point Explosion’.
The one-point explosion, which specializes in rapid fire, is a magic that only shines when you have to chant the magic before your opponent.
But it was the wrong choice against Ed.
―Paaaaaaaaa!
A flame bloomed in Ed’s arms.
It was already a quick one-point explosion, but when it was unleashed in the hands of Kaleid, whose mana sensitivity was at its peak, the reaction itself was at a speed that made no sense.
But Ed didn’t need to react.
―Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Ed’s arm suddenly shot out from the flames and grabbed Kalide’s collar. The dagger seemed to have been sheathed again.
‘You endured it…? ‘With bare body?’
The sight of Ed coming out of the flames is fascinating.
Even if it is a one-point explosion, which has weak firepower among mid-level magic, it makes no sense to endure it with your bare body.
Only then did the possibility of ‘spirit’s protection’ bloom in Kaleid’s mind.
The blessing of peace and blessings.
It is originally a protection expressed by lower-ranking spirits. However, Mug’s protection, which has become a mid-level spirit due to phase shift, is now powerful enough to handle even the firepower of mid-level magic.
As Ed injects magical energy into the staff he is holding in the other hand, Mug’s elemental ‘explosion’ envelops the duel once again.
All flames have the property of burning the world equally, but this time their influence is not fair.
Ed is temporarily unaffected by fire magic. This huge explosion reveals its teeth only to Kaleid.
‘This guy… is a thing…’
Kaleid smiled in satisfaction and decided to do his best by drawing out all the mana in his body.
‘Yeah… losing would be a good experience for this guy.’
―Quaaaaaaaaa!
They are in the midst of exchanging quick strikes so fast that it is difficult for each other to react.
Most of the audience had already given up trying to keep up with the two’s movements. It was difficult to even follow with my eyes the magic that was blocking my vision as they moved so quickly.
After the rising flames and dust disappeared… Kaleid was caught in the explosion and was thrown away.
A murmur was heard from the audience. Ed really beat the senior professor.
…But Ed did not let down his guard. He already knew.
Even in that urgent situation just now… Kalide was able to block Ed’s attack. It was clearly confirmed that an absurd amount of magical power had been gathered in an instant.
It’s not that Kalide couldn’t be stopped, it’s that he wasn’t stopped. The reason was obvious.
To catch the surprise.
-Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The wind that emerged from Ed’s center enveloped his body.
This is not the magic that Ed manifested. It is the ‘protection of the storm’ that surrounds his body.
The fact that the protection of the storm, which blocks attacks outside of consciousness, appeared means that there were attacks left that Ed could not catch.
Ed narrowed his brows and looked around. Five or six ice spears were about to stab him in the back, but were stopped by divine protection.
And when I looked forward again, Professor Kalide’s face was right in front of me. It’s like a scene from a horror movie.
“On the battlefield… a moment of inattention can cost you your life.”
Elemental Food – The explosion was withstood with only minimal magic defense, and all remaining magic power was invested in creating an ice spear.
“You understand that well. You were just one step short.”
The reason why the ice spear was implemented so unreasonably was to take away Merilda’s protection in advance.
After seeing Mug’s protection of fire and fortune, he predicted in advance that Merilda was also protected by the protection of storms.
Professor Kalayd put his hands in his pockets and smiled in Ed’s face.
He had already unleashed the next spell while Ed’s mind was distracted.
High-level freezing magic ‘Permafrost’.
It was a simple magic that simply froze everything around it, regardless of whether it was friendly or not.
But sometimes simplicity is often the most powerful weapon.
The floor of the sparring hall was already frozen. All of the magical school supplies that Ed had scattered around to create variables have frozen and become lumps of scrap metal, and looking behind him, even Merilda has turned into a huge ice sculpture, unable to even move.
The reason Ed didn’t fall victim to the spell was because the lieutenant fire spirit mug that quickly popped out blew away the cold air.
However, no matter how superior the compatibility was, it was not possible to completely neutralize the high-level magic in the middle-level spirit line.
Ed’s ankles were completely frozen and he could not get off the floor.
“Let’s finish.”
The finishing touch appeared in his hands. But Ed was much quicker to put his hand into his chest.
―Waaaaaah!
Shock-reinforced wave ball. It was a basic but powerful magical engineering product.
He had reached the extreme limit and left it in his arms to use it to escape a crisis.
Kaleid’s body bounced from the impact and Ed began to draw out his magic power to melt the ice on his feet.
“Ugh…what…even if I open it, something keeps popping out…!”
―Blah blah blah! Jump!
The ice surrounding Merilda also began to crack little by little. No matter how high-level magic is, its limit against high-ranking wind spirits is that it can only temporarily tie them up.
Kaleid stood up again and glared at Ed.
The ice binding his feet still binds Ed’s body tightly. Try to melt it quickly, but it won’t be that easy.
Merilda will soon gain her freedom again, but not yet.
Even the protection of the storm was removed. Movement is not free. Even the most difficult high-ranking wind spirits were temporarily subdued.
If I had to finish it, it would be now. Kaleid quickly began chanting the next spell.
Lieutenant freezing magic ‘Ice Spear’. An enormous number of ice spears, more than a dozen in number, began to appear behind him. Its size is different from the ice spears used by students.
Ed was bending over, gritting his teeth and pouring magical energy near his feet. Although it appears that fire elemental magic continues to be manifested, the ice created by high-level magic does not melt so easily.
The audience was so nervous that they even forgot to breathe. It seemed clear that anyone would be seriously injured if they were hit directly by that many ice spears.
However, Kalide, whose poison had already reached the point of rising, showed no mercy.
I even felt like Ed might be able to handle this somehow.
In any case, now is the game.
If not now, the situation becomes more difficult as Merilda regains her freedom.
An ice spear flies towards Ed, who is completely subdued.
The moment Ed lifted his head in that direction―――
Kaang!
――A man with knuckles burst into the sparring hall.
* * *
―Kagagaga River! Faba Park!
All the countless ice spears flew out. The speed of the punch was almost comparable to that of a bullet.
His short-cut hair has scratches here and there. His incredibly wide and majestic physique was overwhelming. It seems as if a bear, not a person, is running rampant.
Ed already knew who he was.
A man who is the top 4th grade student at Sylvania Academy and the current student council member. It was Dyke Elphelan.
“Professor Kaleid.”
After throwing away all the ice spears, Dyke stood between them and spoke quietly.
“This… I think you’ve crossed the line too far. Ed Rothtaylor is already incapable of fighting.”
“Brother Ed…!”
Following them, student council president Tanya Rosstaylor came up to the sparring hall.
He quickly ran towards Ed, whose legs were frozen, grabbed Ed’s arm, and checked his complexion.
“Brother Ed…! Are you okay? “You’re seriously injured…?!”
The student council ended up breaking in.
The students were already feeling a lot of discomfort. It was too much of a full-scale battle to just dismiss it as an end-of-semester practical evaluation.
From the middle, even Professor Kalide got excited and started the exam. Failure to keep the line as a student. If this is reported to the academic department, it will clearly be grounds for disciplinary action.
Kalaid must have been aware of the fact as well and sighed. He remembered the time when he was rolling around on the battlefield and had no choice but to admit that he had gone too far.
Kalide stroked his chin a few times and looked at Ed. He
was still in the same kneeling position as he was trying to melt the ice under his feet until the end.
Tanya, the student council president, ran to Ed with a tearful face, took out a handkerchief and dabbed it on his face. He wiped away the dust.
When he saw that, he realized how much he had lost his sense of reason.
“Ugh…”
“Professor Kallade.”
“I can’t believe you treated me like this, and my blood is boiling over doing something like this. As expected, my wife’s words that all boys are children no matter their age seem to be true.”
While mocking himself, Kaleid dissipated all his magical power and destroyed it.
Kaleid, who was standing in front of Ed, bowed his head and bowed.
“Thank you for understanding. Thank you.”
“I understand. “I’m already excited to write a speech.”
After saying hello politely, Dyke turned his head to see Ed’s condition.
If the ice spear had hit him like that, it would have been a 100% fatal blow. A pretty big fear would have come
over Ed . The moment he tried to say something to reassure him…
-Whaaah.
Dark red magical power bloomed around one of Ed’s hands and soon dissipated into the air and disappeared.
Dyke’s eyes widened when he saw that. It appeared. Of course, so did Tanya.
Even Kalide felt strange and cast his gaze in that direction.
“Ed Rothtaylor. You…”
“Thank you for your help, Senior Dyke.”
Ed greeted politely and shook off his hands.
Dyke looked at the ice that was still binding Ed’s feet. It hadn’t melted even a little.
From before . I thought they were continuously trying to melt it using fire elemental magic… but that wasn’t the case.
――It’s not that they couldn’t melt the ice, but they weren’t melting it.
It was clear that they were deliberately kneeling down, covering their hands, and gathering the magic power
of the Aspect . Unlike general magic power, magic power is distinctly red in color. So just by looking at the color of the magic power, it is easy to infer that the opponent is trying to use star magic power.
So Ed secretly hides his hand while pretending to melt the ice. He was drawing out the magical power of the Aspect.
At the last moment, the ice spear that flew in… was planning to draw in Kaleid and block it through ‘forced gathering’. Using his body as a shield.
And the dagger he was holding in his other hand. To finish off the spirit ritual, the other hand was tightly holding a dagger infused with magical power.
Close your eyes and imagine it.
An ice spear flying in. Ed suddenly changes his complexion, stands up, and fires an aspect magic. Ice appears before the eyes of Kaleid, who was sucked in. Even if the spear flies and he manages to deal with it somehow, there is Ed behind his back holding a spirit-style dagger.
Even in the last state of being suppressed, he improvises and tries to take advantage of the situation.
Kaleid realized after seeing that. At the end, Dyke intervened. What would have been the victory or defeat if it had not been done? No one knows at this point.
Kaleid is clearly superior in terms of magical abilities, battlefield experience, and combat ability itself.
However, this coping ability to somehow draw the optimal move in a given situation at every moment is… Even Kallade couldn’t help but stick his tongue out.
“Ed Rosstaylor.”
Kallade put both hands in his coat pockets and spoke with his crazy eyes still wide open.
“You’re quite crazy, too.”
“… Compliment. “Can I just listen to it?”
“Then is it an insult? “Oh, that’s an insult.”
Professor Kalide laughed and looked at the audience. Everyone’s eyes were wide open.
That’s right, it was a duel of this level. The fighting was too serious to be dismissed as just an end-of-semester exam. .
Didn’t he even bring out a high-ranking spirit and exchange moves with a senior elemental science professor? At this point, no one would be dissatisfied.
“I got a perfect score on the elemental science practical exam. Ed Rosstaylor.”
Elemental science is one of the core subjects that carries a very large weight among the Ministry of Magic’s exam areas.
“If you just took the written notes properly, being the top of the third year wouldn’t be a dream either.”
There was a murmur in the audience. Actually. No matter what anyone said, the position of valedictorian of the third year at Benia Academy was a position where there was an unshakable first place.
“Well, that spiritist who is currently occupying the position of valedictorian of the third grade does not seem to be in his right mind… I wonder if you will be able to occupy the position of valedictorian. “I don’t know, but…”
Kaleid also knows about Jenica Palover very well. She is a famous person in this Sylvanian bachelor.
Wasn’t she known as a girl who was like the main character in a fairy tale? She was born with good sensitivity, received a good education, and got good grades. She is a girl who has walked a rosy path.
Kaleid thought of that girl and looked at Ed, who gritted his teeth and endured in the mud.
Everyone has different standards for value judgment. So Kaleid’s opinion is the opinion of all undergraduate faculty. I cannot represent his opinion. It is only his own opinion.
“At least I think you are more suitable for a senior position.”
Professor Kalide said and staggered down the sparring hall.
Unable to stand it in the meantime, he rolled up his tobacco. “ Well,
anyway, if you’re having a hard time as an undergraduate student or Assistant Professor Claire is acting like a bitch, come complain to me.
Because I’m amazingly good at the one thing I crave.
”
After waving his hand in greeting, he staggered out into the hallway, probably thinking of taking a break before the next exam.
“Then I’ll teach you how to use high-level magic.”
It was truly Kaleid’s words and actions.
* * *
“Well, that kind of person . Is there all this…?!”
Tanya stamped her feet and continued to get angry.
“During the academic schedule, aren’t you walking around drunk and beating up high-level magic for the practical exam…! I really need to file a formal complaint to The Bachelor about this! I will take responsibility and investigate this incident…!”
I left the student center with an angry Tanya by my side.
The experience of walking out of the audience while being supported by the student council president was not very pleasant. Murmur. Murmur. The way he was staring at me was as if I were looking at a famous person.
In fact, the student council president, who is treated well wherever he goes, personally comes forward and supports me, so it must have seemed particularly fussy. For me, I am grateful, but it is a burdensome position.
“Student president. I’ll help you.”
“No, it’s okay… Senior Dyke is so big, it’s actually uncomfortable for you.” The
way he supports me with his legs shaking and clenching his teeth is like a small animal, and both Dyke and I burst out laughing. “I was grateful earlier .
Senior Dyke. To be honest, I was a little stressed out.”
“You speak well. I was fully prepared to deal with it. On the contrary, didn’t I get in the way by going up?”
“I just wish I got a good score on the practical test. What’s the point in doing more there?”
After saying that, I went all the way to the Obel Hall with Tanya’s help. I couldn’t help it because they were making such a fuss about providing basic first aid.
“Anyway, I should have looked at your face directly . It’s my first time meeting you. Ed Rosstaylor. They must have been aware of each other’s existence. You’re the guy who’s famous for being so flashy, and I’ve been the valedictorian since first grade.”
Dyke Elphelan quickly held out his hand to me.
“It looks like you’ve slowly risen to the position of valedictorian of the 3rd grade. You might appear in place of Yenika at a senior meeting soon.”
I took Dyke’s hand and shook it.
“Well, I don’t know. As you know, Yenika is not a very easy opponent.”
“Well, it will come to an end before vacation. The way I see it, you are the next chief. Yenika, that girl is nice, but… what can I say?”
Dyke placed his index finger in my eye and chuckled.
“You don’t have that unique venom that I feel from you.”
“That’s what makes you attractive, too. ”
“When I heard it, you said you were very close to Yenika. Oh my… did I make a mistake? I wasn’t saying anything bad.”
Dyke shrugged his shoulders and looked up at the Obel Building. It was the same building as the center of activity for student members.
“I’m starting to feel a sense of crisis as the so-called juniors are attacking me one by one… .”
Dyke let out a bear-like grin and looked up at the sky that was turning red.
“The report of grades will be completed next week, so it’s vacation now… It must be hectic preparing for graduation….”
Dyke . I muttered that and ran ahead.
In a way, it was like I would be around this time next year. I felt something special.
