By the time Ars realized he was the prey in the trap, it was already too late.
　The water does not let go of his wrist.
　Instead of pulling it out with simple arm strength, he was dragged in the opposite direction.

　And the surface of the false Ilyce ripples as it bobs and pushes up from the inside.
　-- immediately after.

　Countless spikes of water grew vigorously from the body. That it's not just water can be seen from the fact that it contains magic power and has changed shape. Even if it's water, as long as it's magic, it will easily penetrate the body.

　The [Different Pole Draw [Assyrd]] in the sky above is far from complete. It can't absorb so much magic power that it can't be maintained as magic in this instant.
　I can't say anything about the choice of magic. Ars quickly constructs magic as soon as possible and releases it in front of me.

　Magic appears from the tip of the knife blade buried in the body of water - it instantly dissipates. A small-scale [Detonation 《Detonation》] is shot inside.
　Ars is also blown away by the impact, but he successfully regrouped in the air and landed.

　Ilyce's eyes widen as if surprised, and her cheeks loosen to include.
　It's clearly due to over-attack.

''Puh-hahah, kukk... no, sorry, it's not that much magic.''

　The sight of him breaking his face and holding his stomach down is as innocent as he looks.

　Immediately afterwards, an electric shock ran through the air.
　The intentions also easily prevented the blitz that was released from Ars. The four tails swept away as if they didn't care. I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of this new piece of jewelry.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get your hands on a new one.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.
　I didn't want him to use that magic. I'm convinced in person, there is no way to measure it with top-tier magic.


　It's the first magic I've ever seen Ars escape from that substitutional trap by over-attacking, and that's because it's the first magic I've ever seen. It could even be an easy way to die if he slips up badly.
　It's only natural in the outside world. It's no wonder that we have to be cautious against unknown magic. I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. He must not have taken his eyes off her for a moment. Probably the last water tornado she emitted.
　For that one moment, he couldn't see her. It's the only time they can be replaced.
　The person in question must have escaped from the tornado.
　It's not impossible to create a substitute with magic. In fact, it's possible to create a person who looks exactly like an earthenware magician if the magic is of the earth system.

　However, even with his own magic, there is no way he could jump into a water tornado and remain unharmed.
　To summarize, magic power is only an energy body and an information body. There should be no intention of not hurting the human body by mistake for something that manifests as magic.
　That's like saying that Ars isn't the target of an attack, either.

　With a spirited and eerie smile on her face, she turns to Ilyce, who still shows some room. She's as unchanged in appearance as when she came, and her robes are still clean.

''You're hiding something.
"..........!　I don't know.

　With narrowed eyes, Ilyce swallowed bitterness inwardly.

(Will they notice me with that...?)

　Ilyce has a power that others don't have. That's why she has fallen to her current position.
　Originally, even with the amount of magic power that rises to her 100 years, if she exercises it in such a wide variety of ways, she should be able to see fatigue by now. Needless to say, the current Ilyce still has plenty of time to spare. It's not that it looks like that, but it's actually far from being depleted of magic power. That's with the limitation of using the water system, though.


　Ilyce repeatedly breathes deeply and adjusts the turbulence. It was the first frustration he'd experienced in a long time, and that was certainly a cringe-worthy one.
　He hadn't expected to feel uncomfortable with the one who had disappeared and left the dummy behind but escaped.
　Ilyce opened his mouth to deceive himself. He said that he still had the power to kill the advantage himself in a heartbeat.

'Are you done?'

　Immediately after issuing that, the protective wall of the training grounds became even thicker.


　There were more than twenty teachers lined up at equal intervals. As expected, the barrier is not translucent, but rather a bit of a haze.
　Complaints from the audience were pouring in like a rage. The teachers did not refute them at all and silently poured out their magic power.

'I would like to say to the spectators. We will reinforce the protective barrier as the match gets more intense.

　It gradually calmed down after Felinella's follow-up. Everyone could see that, no matter how much the protective barrier was for anti-magic, it was not heartening.
　The commotion died down for the stated reason, but more than anything else, it was probably because a large four-sided screen came down as an alternative.
　That's how heated this magical battle is on an unparalleled scale.
　What will they do next, what will they show us, how great and wise is the power of magic, and no one who has seen this has any idea of the existence of demons in the corner of their mind.
　For now, I just can't take my gaze off the glued gaze.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say. You'll find that you'll be able to get a lot more out of it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. I'm sure you'll be able to find the same thing in your eyes, whether you're a child or an adult.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the same thing in the same students at the same school.

''That's really Ars-kun, right?
Uh, yeah...

　The female student in the same class as Ars didn't turn her head to speak. A question like a monologue is spat out to the friend who is probably next to her.
　The answer that comes back is really empty and empty.

I'm sure you're not the only one who has an average result in the semester exams,
Maybe, but a game like this...

　A gurgling, parched throat rumbles without letting anything through.
　A familiar adult who happened to come into view. It's someone that every student of the academy has seen at least once before.

''Ah!　Maybe the doctor will know something.
Yeah, I know for sure!

　I was single-minded in wanting to resolve this curiosity-laden question. Consent was indicated by the pitch of the voice.
　The two female students, who were having an unexpectedly loud conversation, broke through the crowd towards the teacher without noticing the students following behind them.

''Su, excuse me, let me through, let me through, please.''
Oh, I'm sorry.

　As the student stood up and looked at me, she bowed her head apologetically, yet hastily, as if she was being hurried down to the front row.

"Sensei, um.........

　The faculty member who looked back was trying not to take it up because it was disrupting his concentration, but he looked back at the familiar voice.
　There were two students who were taking my lecture. I couldn't remember their names, but as expected, it's not hard to remember them at all after last semester's class.

What are you two doing, and...

　After saying two, I noticed that there were many students gathered behind them as well, who were probably in the same grade.
　As expected, it's not an easy magic to put up a barrier while talking. And moreover, he's co-developing it with the other teachers.

''I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now,''
Excuse me. Well, just one question. Arus, who is playing over there, is in the same class as you, sir, and I was wondering if you knew anything about it?　Even I can see how the magic he uses is unusually difficult.

　The faculty had the same question about it. I'm still new here, but I can't get rid of the high level stuff. Ars, a freshman in the academy, is a well-known student among the faculty.
　That's probably true too. It's because he has the largest laboratory in the academy with many researchers.

　The chancellor will indeed know what he is. The fact that this is not known to the faculty members, who are underlings, is a very simple thing to speculate about.
　He must be a highly confidential person. The faculty member did not say it out loud to avoid blowing easy guesses and predictions to the students.
　However, it is only acceptable to express an opinion based on one's own experience as long as it is not muzzled.

　Every faculty member here has been in the military at one time or another. Many of them, of course, quickly moved on to become researchers and then went to work behind a desk.
　But he had served at least five years in the military. Of course, his service in the outside world was slight, but he still gained enough experience to use it as a guide.
　His mouth moves unconsciously as he thinks back.

'It's like watching Letty-sama fight--ah!

　The female student's stunned gaze on him made him belatedly wake up to what he had said. I simply said what I thought, but I knew I was in a dangerous position depending on how the student interpreted it.
　He opens his mouth to wind up in a hurry.

'No, no, it's different, just take it as a personal opinion. This is the first time I've actually seen a top-tier magic shootout up close and personal too...''
'Sir, is it true?　What's top-tier magic?
Oh, perhaps...

　I should have made a correction, but I find myself triggering more and more unwanted commotion. No, I should have noticed a more inner rage. Before I knew it, I must have been buoyed by the fact that I was watching them up close and personal.
　Even though I've half given up on magicians, the existence I once admired - a magician with power - is fighting a supreme battle in front of me.

　I'm sure I'll never be able to see a match like this again. When you think about it, the heightened elation is understandable.

''As I thought........Ars-kun.......''
But he's got a boy...

　Anyone can get there by asking the current faculty for an idea of what they're looking for without speaking up for conclusions.
　But you can't fight this kind of dreamy battle alone. Likewise, the girl who fights is questionable.
　If you look at her, she's younger than Ars and still looks like a child.

'You guys should stay away for a while.
'What the hell?　We don't get this often.
Yeah, it's not often. But...

　Resetting his thoughts, he said and jawed at the faculty member, who focused on the barrier as well.

'I don't think the protective barriers of the training grounds will hold. We'll defend it to the death, even if we're determined to, but just in case. If you want to see it, back it up.
Yes, sir.

　That being said, I can't spoil it.
　The female students turn on their heels, thrilled by the magic that is unfolding, but backpedaling.

　The teacher concentrates on the barriers, making sure the students have their backs to go back even as they glanced back at the screen.
　It didn't matter what the circumstances of the fight were for Ars right now.
　The faculty member looked at Ars fighting downstairs and wished for sweat to run down his cheeks as he said.

''Ars-kun, please don't send me over here but then again, what the hell is that girl over there?

　You can't know what you don't know by thinking about it.
　The teachers just shook their heads and focused on putting up barriers.


　In the students' minds, they see the illusion as a reality.
　Surely they uniformly saw this match as comparable to a single magician. The upper limit of the measure they could measure was only a single magician, so it was natural to say that it was natural.
　A match that exceeded the limit of what was conceivable would cement their expectations and fascinate the viewer.

　The first place they care about is the one Alpha is proud of.
　That's what they have in front of them, and their floating hearts unconsciously jumped, even though they had no proof.

　Whether it's Ars or the girl, the students believe in something. The strongest is the most prestigious title among mages. The person who stands at the top of it is the strongest of all mages, out of more than 100,000 mages.
　Therefore, the one who wins in the end is the one they wish for and believe to be number one.

　I'm not sure how many students there are in the training grounds. Those who know magic look at the heroes with longing in their eyes and forget to put words down.


　The female students who shared a class with Ars, if not all of them, were thrilled by the secrets that were being unraveled. That there was a high-ranking mage this close to them that everyone would know just by looking at them.
　They saw in their eyes what they should be aiming for.


　♢ ♢ ♢


　Should he take the cheapest provocation, or even such a thought is a bite. Ars was having a lot of fun as an individual in the fight. It sounds as if even the provocation is a blasting to inspire you.
　But he doesn't let his emotions drive his actions.

　And yet, if I were to describe the situation, I would describe it in simple, clear terms: for the first time, we are competing with each other.
　Yes, finally.
　You can finally compete with the power you've built up over the years in the body of a human being instead of a monster. The barriers were deployed to encourage this.

　The worries caused by the protective barrier would have been alleviated.
　Arus releases one level of magic that he can use. As expected, even the highest level magic can't use magic that can rewrite the world like [Permanent Freezing World [Nibbleheim]].
　Even so, it's a good thing that the restrictions have been released.

''No, it's just the beginning.''

　The fearless smile was not that of a student, but rather a pale, backhanded smile that seemed to sum up everything he had experienced in the military - in the outside world as the first rank - in the military.

　His thoughts were spinning so smoothly and fast that he didn't feel like he was in a thermal runaway. There's nothing wrong with that. He's curiously calm.

(I've been fed a drink so far, but I'll show you from here.......I need to figure out exactly what that magic is first.

　The speed of the 【Light God Penetrator 【Sirisleit】 used by Alice exceeded the speed of a human's reflexes. It should be a speed that cannot be reacted to after seeing it by any means. Of course, he is still inexperienced, so did I overestimate him?
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Ars points the tip of his knife at Ilyce.

'How about this?'

　The space all around it twisted to create countless knives.

'I've never seen that one before but it's interesting, try it.

　The four tails undulating in the hollow resembled the scene of a dog breed flapping its tail as if to express its happiness.

　Even with a cursory glance, nearly 200 knives appeared around Ars, stagnating in the air, waiting for ejection now and then. A combination of spatial interference magic.

''Oborohien [Oborohien]

　Immediately after the magic name was announced, the replicated magic swords were shot out all at once. All aimed and reliably tracked them. However, Ilyce did not move an inch.
　I guess there is no need for that.

　Even Ars is aware of this. It's magic to see how good that tail is - for now.

　Ilyce half bends forward and focuses his nerves on the tail.
　All the tails independently knock off the magic sword. In fact, it's overwhelming to say that he knocks them off. He doesn't miss a single one of them backwards and precisely smashes the composition itself.

　Whack!

　Only one of them emitted a metallic sound as an entity.
　Ilyce, who had assumed that everything was constructed with magic power, realized that she had been guided by it all.

　I see a substantive knife at the edge of my field of vision while smashing the magic sword that is approaching without a gap.
　A purgatory flame was created at the tip of the knife that was shot.

''Purgatory [Astral Sun]...''
Oh, hell no!

　Of the tails that were playing the magic sword, he ran one of the tails into the magic before it was completed. It was a blinding attack, but the purgatory fireball broke in half.
　Immediately after, an explosion erupts.

　Defending himself with his tail, he didn't resist the impact of the explosion and escaped into the air with his thrusting tail.
　Ilyce jumped out of the smoke and crushed the magic sword that was chasing him from further down with his depressingly huge tail.

'They use a variety of magic. How many systems can you use in the world?

　He stared at Ars directly below him as if he were swearing.
　But what came back was an eerie smile.

　Ilyce watched the movement of Ars's mouth. It would be impossible to hear him if he was this far away. However, it was easy to read what he had uttered.

'Fall (...)'
...

　Ilyce flips in the air and extends his tail. Two large holes in the protective wall, but fortunately it pierces the wall between the second and third floors and slows down.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Countless icicles lined up.

　It's good that he was able to stop right in front of me, but.......

''【Frozen Prison 《Despire Excute》?!

　The assembly of a strategy to exercise magic in succession at this time, Ilyce was angry that he had been led here.
　What a disappointment, it annoyed him more than anything else that he had been swayed to this point for good, but in the end he thought he could strike at this level.

　In a whisper that wouldn't be heard, Ilyce spat out the depression.

'Don't lick it, kid.'

　The icicle shook and fell.
　The body that was held in place by the tail was reversed and turned its power to fall to the ground. All the tails shattered all the icicles in the air falling faster than the Frozen Prison 《Despire Excute》.
　My magic power is fine, but my strength to use the tails is decreasing. After all, with this body, physical problems are attached to this body, the tails will pull me down, but I can't even say that now.

　You'll be able to see that you're not the only one. It is natural to think that they have exhausted their resources.
　Even so, he surpasses the magician she knows. The amount of magic alone will surpass you.

　The first place was not an honorable mention. That's how Ilyce assessed it.
　It's just that he wasn't his own enemy. It has been a long time since I've had a fight like this, and that's probably the first time I've been pushed so hard in a magical battle.

　Strangely, I feel more refreshed and contented than ever before.

　The glitter and icicles rained down transparent magic residue. Ilyce, who reversed in the short time before the fall, chuckles at Ars, who looks at her as she stands there, cowering.
　I'm over the first place. Subconsciously, I'm sure he felt that way because before he became a criminal, he was proud to be a mage.

　It's probably because he took pride in helping to save humanity.
　It was probably because he longed for rank.　
　It's probably because he desperately wanted to be at the top of the mages' list.
　At the time, I felt a sense of satisfaction in my days of fighting demons with a pure heart. I miss those days. I love those shining days.


　Is it the cheers that make my eardrums shake with sadness?
　Still, it's okay. It's been a long time since I've felt like this.

　But ... yes ... but (...)....

Not now. I can't admit it anymore........by anyone.........)


　My achievements faded and were buried in the dark.
　Why did I do this?
　Why am I doing this?

　The answer is already out there, but she can't help but ask herself. Because there is someone below her who is in a position she envies.
　No matter how much she may wish for it anymore, no matter how much she reaches for it, it will never reach her.

　It is full of light in contrast to the darkness that Ilyce is in. It is because the too bright and gentle light is an illusion of bubbles that cannot be seen directly and cannot be grasped.