After the game started, Loki and Jean were absorbed in watching the game.
　The students' enthusiasm for victory can be felt even to those of us who are watching the game outside the protective wall. Loki wanted it to be over soon, but regretted a little bit for not being part of it.
　It was hard to say it now because he was weirdly stubborn. Still, Loki himself was quick to switch over. Now, rather than participating in the battle, he is more passionate about the way Arus fights.

　That brilliant battle had the power to fascinate because it was honed in actual battle. This may only apply to Loki, though.
　She can't help but think. Even though she knew it wasn't really good, she was captivated.

(Cool!!!)

　Loki, whose cheeks are stained with ecstasy, should always be watching, but only this time he couldn't remove his gaze. Is it because he was simply not there as a spectator?
　The overwhelming power seemed to exude his hardships. There was a skill to be learned in his every move.
　It was Loki who knew that, and that's why he understood what was truly beautiful.

　The battles were being assembled one after another, Loki thought, and as if guided by that thought, he watched the next development. It's enough to make you believe that the outcome must have been decided from the beginning.

　The reason why Loki's consciousness, which had been in his own world, was brought back to reality was because he heard the voice of admiration next to him for Ars, which had filled most of his thoughts.

''Ars's eighteenth, magic sword?''
Are you eighteen?

　From Loki's point of view, it's a familiar sight. As we were told before, Ars is inferior to the magic called lineage. As long as he has no aptitude, he is not foolish in terms of attrition. In that regard, Ars's aptitude is lumped into the category of no lineage and out of lineage, and it was heard that it has an aptitude for spatial interference magic.
　In other words, the magic sword would be the most useful for Ars, but the drawback was that it wasn't much different from using AWR.

　Jean continued, thinking inwardly that Loki's question had bitten him.

'It may be preaching to the Buddha for Loki-san, but the magic sword of Ars consists of magic manipulation. In essence, it's not magic, but technology. It's just that there is no mage that I know of who can reach that level of skill. A single mage would never think of manipulating magic at will.
'Is that so?　I've always taken it for granted that I could do it.
Of course there's nothing we can't do.

　With that, Jean held up one finger and made a magic needle on the end of it, showing it to me.

'I'm not good at it, but I can do this. But unfortunately it's not strong enough to be useful in actual combat. After all, magic power is an energy body, so at best, it will shatter with just one round.

　Jean has always had doubts about Ars, who makes it possible. Although he has a simple interest in it as a magician, he still believes that there is some kind of secret to it.
　I looked at the topic to Loki in the hope of getting some kind of clue.

'I heard that Ars-sama has spent years focusing on magic manipulation in his training. That's why he was able to attain the highest rank. Perhaps there's a secret that only Master Ars could realize. In any case, I suppose it's not something that can be acquired through ordinary means.
You're right.

　Jean realizes that the lock is surprisingly hard on, and gives a safe, unharvested counterpart.

'You really are relentless, Ars...'

　Jean's cheeks twitched at the new development as he confirmed again that the training ground's conversion rate was at its maximum value. The 【Phoenix 《Phoenix》 summoned by Ars had only ever been seen in literature, even if it was Jean. It's only natural since it's not actually included in the big book as magic.

　I am relieved that it was only a flap of the wings. I can see on my skin that it is a magic that belongs to the highest level at the very least. If something like that had gone all out, it wouldn't have been possible to be relieved that the conversion rate would be the highest.

(Well, it's still going to take some time for my student, and I wonder how Kalia will fare. (You'll have to try to shield him from the elements to get out of it.)

　From Jean's point of view, Kalia is expected to be one of the young pillars of support for Rusalka's future. She was also in a slump because she was not blessed with opponents to compete with and had a strange stubbornness about her. It was indeed awkward to put her in the military as it was. It was unbearable for a talented person like her to die in the outside world before her talent could blossom.

　This was the last stimulus for Kalia, a third year student. A smile of relief immediately appeared on Jean's cheeks as he watched the game, hoping that this would change her in some way.
　She was out of the line of fire early, but the look on Kalia's face, as if something had blown up in her mind, seemed to say that she didn't have to worry anymore.

(Well, even so, this is where you show your true worth as a magician............but first, our Hope?

　He notices Phililic, who seems to be ready for it, and watches it unfold as it unfolds.

　Loki, who has played against him before, seems to be keeping a close eye on the fight as well.

　Jean watched the whole thing with a desire to hold his head in his hands. One step, yes one step in, is not enough. I can't reach the reading.
　No, it would be no more than this against Ars. Right now, what is required of Phililic is not the combat aspect, but something much simpler.
　He must be able to see the difference in strength between himself and his opponent. In order for him to continue to grow, he must have a broader perspective. Jean was proud and worried about Firlik, who looked to him as his mentor.
　He felt bad for Ars, but he was the perfect person to remind Phililic of this.

　The world seems to be small and large. It's the same in the world of mages. There's an upside, and I wanted Phililic to know that. I wanted him to feel it.

'If I can get Ars to overtake AWR, I'd say that's good.

　Suddenly Jean spat out. The Supreme is different. That power is superior in every way. It was only because Jean felt it firsthand that he was able to say these words.
　It seems that Ars also intends to do so, so he takes the liberty of adding a challenge.

　The ability to find a way to make the most out of a situation within the limits of one's ability means experience is important, and in that respect, Phililic is clearly lacking in experience. He has never experienced absolute disadvantage. He even got into the habit of not including the risk in his innovations against Jean. He has lost his sense of reluctance to lose.

　That's why I was hoping that this time would be a chance for something to change for Filliric. He has a tendency to make Ars his eyes at him for something. No matter how much Jean says, he's just on top of it, but he doesn't really mean it.
　Then he will always have only Jean in his sight.

'You really are very kind, Jean-sama, aren't you? But isn't that cruel?''

　Suddenly the young girl said such a thing to him, and Jean's nose went white for a moment, and he couldn't spin a response right away. He could guess that she was talking about lending a hand to the chicks who were going to be magicians, even with the help of Ars.

　Still, it was a policy that Jean had repeated in circles.
　It's true that being nice is not good for a mage. It's also a fact that when compassion comes into play, it clouds your judgment.
　Somewhat enlightened, Jean opened his mouth.

'That hurts my ears. I've been told the same thing by Ars before. It's my own theory, but it's in a world like this that I feel like I have to have it. It's only natural for people to put their lives before their own when they're out there, and I don't think I blame them for that. I just don't think so. But I think it's only human to be kind to others, to put your life in the hands of the best team and your friends.
Is it a good thing?
I don't know. That's why I'm not as dedicated as Ars. They say he's a good teacher, but I'm thinking the opposite. In terms of truly nurturing them, I think Ars is the right person for the job. Still, I think Ars is one of the kind of people who are kind to me.

　For a moment Loki flushed his brain. Surely what he remembers is Ars teaching Tesfia and Alice. And Ars teaching himself.

'Surely, Ars-sama might be kind to you, too?

　Loki's expression as he said this was somewhat happy, happy and naturally smiling.

　Jean choked out as he reminisced while watching the match.

'The student of Ars that I saw at the tournament... er...'
Tesfia Favre and Alice Tirake?
'Yeah. That's what I thought when I saw the girls' game. I didn't get to see it all the way through, but I think Loki is changing, too.
Is that so?

　This was the second time he'd met Jean, so he shouldn't have changed or known anything before. However, the single mage's words were somewhat masterful, telling him that he was changing.

　Only on the surface, he seemed doubtful, but Loki's insides lit up with the warmth of a spring sunny day.

'I think Ars needs them as much as they need Ars. And Loki, of course.

　Loki somehow understood those words. He didn't feel any walls between the girls and Ars. And yet, I, the closest partner of mine........my role is separated by a thick wall. Sometimes it feels like that.

　Jean, who saw such a mysterious face beside her, spoke from experience.

There are things only you can do. There are things that you can't do either. There are just some things you can do, and that's what makes it so special. I'm of the opinion that the decision to have your back when you form a squad is proportional to time. There are times when all you have to do is be there, and other times it's just a matter of being on the line of death. But that's what we do with our lives, that's what we do with our lives, that's what we're fighting for. What do you want to be?
..........

　Loki couldn't immediately respond to the core words. The urge to express his intentions clearly was not uttered in the end. It's the sensation of a foreign object catching in the back of his throat, as if against his will.

　But Jean took a glance at the young man's anguish with an expression that could be taken as either a smile or a hint of anxiety.

'I think it gets harder because it's harder to think. One day, Loki will find the answers to change. Well, I guess I'll just leave the house in peace. I'm going to be pissed at you for going any further.

　Blurting out, Jean chuckled and shifted his gaze to the game. And Loki followed, simply because he understood. His mind refused and desired it. Conflicting thoughts and feelings prevented him from reaching a conclusion.

　So now, in order to calm my mind, I'll only prepare for that moment as Jean calls it.


　I'm not sure if it's to renew the air that has become a little heavy, but Jean quickly changed the subject.
　His words were mixed with a sigh, as if to say that it was still expected.

'Well, I guess my student is out of batteries, it was close, but not enough to make him pull out his AWR after all...'
But I don't think it's over yet.
Hmm?

　All of the students were already out of magic and were either repeating their rough breathing with their backs to the wall, or they were leaving and resting. The last Phililic was also lying on his back in a large figure, out of breath.

　But, as Loki had said, that wasn't all there was to it.


　♢ ♢ ♢


　Philiric, who didn't peek at it believing that he could strike a sure strike, flashed AWR without hesitation. Even the bodily functions have been enhanced by [Yasha's robe]. Even if you can only maintain it for a limited amount of time, it's enough.

　The depth of reading each other is in this place - like that is often the difference between victory and defeat in a mage's battle. In that regard, Phililic intends to be more tactful than ever. He used the demon from the state of summoning Yasha to wear it in his blind spot.
　If he could take away a second of time, it was a success. Naturally, it should show up in the results.

　That's why absolute confidence makes the smoldering sword blade have no hesitation.

''--!
It wasn't so bad, though.

　Phililic's full-length strike was stopped before he could swing, one of Ars's hands holding down the top of both hands holding the AWR.

'Stupid--'

　Why is it possible to suppress the sword of Phililic, who is clothed in [Nightmare Clothing], with raw arm strength? It was right after he said the words that he realized this.
　My own AWR was dull. Normally, it should have been assimilated with the robe and hung with a fog like mist.......in other words, there was no magic power passing through this AWR. A quick glance at the gauntlets constructed with the [robe of the nightmare] on both arms was also stripped off.

　Philiric instantly understood from the pressure transmitted from his arms. While 【Yasha's robe】 is magic, it also contains magic power. This is inevitable in its composition. Normal magic is a phenomenon that manifests magic power as energy, but this robe also covers the physical body with Yasha's robe as part of the magic power.

　That's why it's possible to use two magic at the same time. And the biggest advantage is that it grants Yasha's abilities to himself.

　The obvious dismay leads to an opening, and it's not even Ars that misses it.
　Filiric hurriedly atomized at the kick that flew straight at him and kept his distance.

　The atomization is also nothing more than a characteristic of the 【Yasha's robe】. It is therefore magic and contains magic power.
　It can be said that this time, he was struck by that. Filiric spoke out what he understood.

''Is this a magical override?''
You know what I mean? Well, it's nothing if you know they're going to come out. You gave the demon too much magical power, you didn't have any response to the attack and suddenly it's too unnatural if you try to prevent it from doing that too.
..........

　Once again, instead of getting a shot in, they even pointed out the deficiencies.

　Philiric instantly atomized and went behind Ars, and this time he came again with his robe fully repaired as well.
　But this time, a moment after rebuilding from atomization, Ars's magic sword slashed his shoulder.

　This is a good example of how simple thoughts often become simple actions.


　The caustic battle between Ars and Filliric had ended in a one-sided development, toying with from start to finish. It's not too bad if the difference in power is clearly shown, but it's a little heartbreaking to see that it's just a little bit of nothing more than a little bit of magic and body arts.

　The moment you put on the 【Yasha's robe】, a fierce offensive and defensive battle unfolded, but they were all taken by hand. It's easy to get misted, and even if you get behind it, it's so easy that you think it has eyes on your back.

　As the magic power continues to be constantly drained, Filiric, while still clothed in his robe, made three black pebbles appear around him. It's clear that this is completely aware of Jean.
　He made [Darkness Granaecord] appear at the same time. This is because Jean is a fan of the pebble-shaped AWR.

　However, it's difficult to achieve effective results just by imitating the shape. [Darkness Granaecord] is an erosional magic.
　From the looks of it, it seems to be able to manipulate it at will, but its effect is halved by splitting it up.

　If Ars exercised his magic as if he was shaking off an insect, the pebbles would not be able to easily maintain their coordinates. And the simultaneous development with 【Yasha's robe】 was still a result of a lack of skill.
　Using it without knowing that it would be fatal. There was no way Ars would miss that opening. It's because in the outside world, it really does lead directly to death.

　The blast of fire hit him in an instant, as if he was glad he had failed now.

　Ars advised Phililic, who was lying on his back, with a blank look on his face. He might not even want to hear it from him, but this was for Jean's sake too.

'I don't mind you going after Jean, but that will backfire on you. You should choose a force structure and magic that suits you better.
''I don't have much magic, so if I had more, I should be able to become stronger...''
'Is that an excuse?　If you have the time to do that, you need to refine your magic power manipulation more. Obviously, the wasteful consumption of magic power is noticeable. No wonder Jean is so hands-on, but if things continue as they are, my students will still use magic better than you.

　With a final word thrown out as if to spit it out, Ars turns on his heel towards the center.

'I hope you're ready. If you're going to stop, this will be the end of it.

　On the other end of that statement was Karia, who didn't feel fatigue, holding a short spear.

You haven't even pulled out your AWR yet. Since you've brought it all the way over, why don't you use it?

　In fact, it's not unused, as he passes through AWR when he uses magic. Of course, I've only used it when I used [Phoenix].

''Then let me use it on you, I'm a little short here too.
I would love to, by all means.