What I'll use next is - poison.

.....

　Poison is really quite plain. It gradually eats away at the opponent's body from within.

　It seems to be dependable when it's called continuous damage, but it doesn't last even a minute with a normal [Black Mage] in the first place.
　There is no apparent change like the poisonous arrows used by Relager-san, where it rots from the point of impact.

　There is also the effect of the target's body control sensation gradually going crazy, but many adventurer fans may not even know about that effect in the first place because their companions will defeat the demon before it works.

''Marc, your movements seemed to be slightly disturbed, but...?''

"I think you're measuring Leme's intentions more than black magic itself.

"I'm certainly amazed at how positive Leme has been in this tournament.

　You can resist my black magic.
　It's also useful to detoxify it with white magic. If you do that, I'll have to start over by casting the magic again instead of consuming continuous magic power, which will increase my magic power consumption.

　But because I'm prioritizing the continuation of the white magic to Philip-san, I can't focus all my energy on dealing with the black magic.

''The way to fight like a [Black Mage] is to be supportive in nature. If you can make the enemy feel depressed, you will succeed, and if you can shift your aim to yourself, you will be very successful. Defeating an enemy that tries to force its way through is easier than defeating a perfect enemy.

''Yes. It's a little different, but at this tournament, there was an example of people who stuck out for Leme, but were blocked by Belito's wall, and were repelled as a result. I'm sure some of you in the audience are aware of that.'

　The video of the qualifying round was shown on the screen during the intervals between games, during breaks, and during the restoration of the venue.

'Marc is very calm. He doesn't forcefully chase or ignore Leme's black magic, but tries to read the true meaning behind his actions. Those who can do this will be stronger.''

　Now he's inching closer to me as he stops.

'It's a layman's idea, but I think we can manage it if we go into it.　I'm wondering, too.'

'Per me and Helvall, I would go in and say that it looks like fun, including what they're going to do. But I can't recommend this. After all, it's better to use your head.'

　If you're the first and third place [brave], you could challenge any strong enemy, not just me, to a frontal breakthrough, and there would be no one to laugh at that.

''Hahaha. I see, so it's important to choose a countermeasure that suits you.''

'It's not that Marc isn't good enough,' he said, 'but he's still not out of white magic against Philippe. He's not out of white magic against Philippe. He has maintained his resistance (resist) to Leme and his body is moving.'

''It means that there are a lot of people in [Seishi White Knight] who have given up on developing the White Demon Law, but he hasn't neglected that either.''

　If so, it would still be easy.
　But Marc-san is different.
　There was no compromise in his sword or white magic.

　My gaze crosses with his.

''I'm ... sorry, Philip.

　The poison was lifted.
　He had applied the white magic of detoxification to himself.

　The offensive strength enhancement that he had placed on Philip-san was lifted.
　【Vajra's Hero】 is a swordsman whose defense is particularly excellent. With the addition of the attack strength enhancement, he had the strength to withstand Belito's attacks and shatter Belito's defenses.

　Since the enhancements were lifted, it would make it somewhat easier for Belito to fight.
　At the same time, it meant that Marc-san was now fully prepared.

''I'm sorry, but we can't spend too much time on this.

I'm sure you do.

　The discrepancy between the audience's assessment and self-assessment, and the unenforcement of his partner.

　One more reason to rush him.
　So far, my plan is working.
　What a surprise to me at the moment I thought.

　It's because Marc-san has thrown away the great shield -- discarded it.

　--The shield-holder threw away his shield...?　Nope.

'Oh, Marc is starting to adapt, too. This is great. If it's a dungeon attack, it's unthinkable for a shield-holder to abandon his shield. A person who also plays the role of a shield to protect his companions is abandoning that keystone.''

''As it was mentioned earlier, this is a tag team tournament. Considering that........in a one-on-one battle with the [Black Mage], the large shield will only impair my own mobility, so I threw it away......''

'Yes, that's right. You want to beat Leme in a hurry and come to Phillip's support. You may have decided that Belito won't be able to spear him, or you believe that Phillip won't let him do it. Either way, it looks like a decision on our side is close.'

　As if to make Aerial-san's words a reality, Marc approaches.

　The first strike. From the same trajectory as the swing down, a flash that cleaves the bifurcated body as if to blur.

　I quickly put a reduction in attack power on it, but the resistance (resist) also makes it difficult to pass, and the sword I used for defense breaks. Not only that, but my vision was agitated. I was blown away.

　Rolling on the ground, I managed to kill my momentum and adjust my stance - and then I saw him in front of me.

　--That's fast when you throw away your shield.

　Of course, that's not the only thing he did, he also multiplied the speed enhancement on himself.

　No, he had also discarded his sword.

　That's why he's fast.

　A kick with the momentum of a sprint approaches me.
　I crossed my arms to try to prevent it, but it impacted with a bone-breaking sound.

　I hit the wall of the field from my back.
　My left arm doesn't move. My right arm managed to get some strength in my hand, and I hadn't let go of the broken sword.

''----''

　Sword falls to the ground. Elbow to tip.
　He had picked up his own sword and was throwing it at me.

　His fist, which was approaching with a rush, was aimed at my head.
　Just in time, I avoided it as I dove into the ground.

　A fist strike that caused the wall to cave in.

　He cuts off my right arm and pulls out the sword that was stuck in the wall.
　Mr. Marc kicks the ground.

　I start running towards him, too.

　What's more?　There is a momentary hesitation in his eyes. He brushes it off and holds his sword above his head.

　The black magic countermeasure is fully in place. I have white magic. I no longer have my wand.

　I have no physical ability to avoid his attacks.

　There's no way to avoid them. Marc will win.

　If things stay as they are.

　I'll cast black magic. I'm casting a slowdown.

　--On me.

　I'm going to put a stop to one of them as they're rapidly closing the distance between them.

　He must have expected me to change direction and accelerate and decelerate.

　But can he even imagine casting a debuff on himself?

　For me, it's a method of training that I continue to use every day.
　But for most of us, it's unimaginable usage.

　His bangs were sputtered and the tip of the cut snatched the tip of his nose.
　And then the blade split the ground.

"Kukk--

　I start moving again. I step on his sword and leap.

"But you already have nothing--

You gave me this.

　It just happened a few minutes ago.
　He caused me to lose the part of my right arm from the elbow upwards.
　Both the exposed bone and flesh are blurred because they are magical bodies (avatars). The flesh immediately becomes magic particles and dissipates, but the bones have some time to decompose. The magic density is different.

　Its sharp cross section is enough to pierce a bare human body.

''No way.''

　His words didn't last.

　Because the tip of my elbow, the white bone, pierced his throat.

　He opened his eyes and was stunned for a few seconds, but eventually - he laughed.
　With a regretful, apologetic, admiring smile, he - with a regretful, apologetic, admiring smile, he - exits.

　My body rolled to the ground.
　He had lifted his sword in that situation and severed my right leg from the knee down.

''I........it was a breathtaking attack and defense. The winner is--Reme.