NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 29 - The Duel (1)
The Duel (1)
Imperial Lachesis Academy Magic Arena.
It’s an arena located in the Hall of Competition in the north of the academy, and I heard it was newly constructed.
Befitting its imperial reputation, the main arena can accommodate thousands of spectators, and it has various training rooms prepared, which are frequently used for senior class practices.
Of course, it won’t be filled to capacity, but I’m making a more spectacular debut and exit than expected.
‘Isabella’s scheme. I wonder what those watching will think of the outcome…’
This is the first time a magic duel between master and servant has been included as a demonstration event, and there will be casualties disguised as an unexpected accident here.
‘Not my problem.’
I shook off various thoughts and opened the waiting room door.
Simple refreshments, practice dummies for warming up, and full-length mirrors showed they had put some thought into the preparations.
-Gulp.
I drank the beverage as soon as I entered. Today marks goodbye to vegetarianism.
Then, a rather familiar voice came from behind.
‘Lee Ha-yu…’
…Harold the pervert. Unlike his usual cheerful self, he wore a gloomy expression.
I have a bad feeling about this. I don’t want to get involved.
‘I have a favor to ask.’
‘I’m not in a position to take requests right now.’
What’s with this sudden favor? I’m barely managing to survive as it is.
‘Seta. Something’s wrong with Seta.’
‘?’
‘Please. If Seta tries to do something reckless, you have to save her!’
He bowed his head to me like a passionate character from a boys’ manga.
‘What nonsense is this.’
If anyone needs saving, it’s me. Who’s saving whom here?
‘Sorry, but what are you talking about…?’
‘Seta’s not acting like herself! That bookworm even canceled her own classes yesterday!’
‘Well, that’s because of today’s duel…’
Maybe she was practicing for the duel?
‘Lately, I can’t figure out what that kid is thinking. Usually, when I make perverted jokes, she hits me once, but the other day she just stared at me with sad eyes!’
‘Uh… Maybe she’s just tired of you.’
‘No, that’s not it. She’s definitely different! This isn’t the Seta I know!’
When I sat down on a chair inside the waiting room showing my disinterest, Harold somehow followed me in.
‘This area is restricted to authorized personnel only, you know?’
Harold made a proposal in a serious voice.
‘Then let’s make a deal.’
‘A deal?’
‘I’ll tell you Isabella’s secret. So please, help me, no, help Seta, please!’
According to Isabella, the merchant, in silk trade, both parties should be equal to reveal their cards.
But I’m in a position where I need to break the familiar bond, and saving Seta or not is beyond my capabilities.
“Sorry. As you can see, I’m just a servant. Ask your master Isabella.”
Harold whispered while clinging to my sleeve as if trying to pull it.
“Isabella, Isabella is planning something in this duel!”
So that’s it…
While I’m a bit concerned about how Harold knows this, it’s information I already have.
And Isabella has told me multiple times to trust her.
Of course, I need to verify whether to trust Isabella completely, whether she’s planning to betray me, or if she has any hostility.
“So?”
“What?! You don’t see any problem? Your duel is unfair… oof.”
-Bang!
His voice is too loud. I closed the door and covered his mouth first.
“Harold. First answer my questions.”
Harold nodded repeatedly as if he understood.
“Was it intentional that you drew me into this duel?”
“T-that… I’m sorry.”
My heart sinks a little. It was really intentional?
Should I be grateful to this bastard or not.
“Then what are you to Isabella? What’s your relationship?”
“Just… just a servant.”
Isabella said Seta was her servant.
“What about Seta?”
“It’s complicated to explain! Anyway… I’ve told you, so please save Seta. She looks like someone who has no attachments to this world, like she’s about to die!”
Sorry, but none of this information is helpful.
“If you’re Isabella’s servant, you should know well. I’m nothing compared to your master.”
“Lee Ha-yu! Please! Please!! You’re our only hope! If you see any strange signs from Seta during the duel…”
Now he’s even kneeling.
“Then tell me everything you know. There’s more, isn’t there?”
Harold stammered as if caught off guard.
“I-I heard something. About pulling you into the duel for something… between the Empire and demon race.”
“Between the Empire and demon race?”
“The…”
-Clank.
Just as he was about to say something, Arein entered wearing a student uniform with her hair neatly tied.
“?”
‘Oh no.’
“Anyway, you know how I feel??!”
Harold fled the scene, leaving only an expression that showed he trusted me.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
I feel like things are getting complicated.
After that, everything moved quickly.
The die was cast, and while not a huge crowd, quite a number of spectators had gathered.
Among the academy officials, those who appeared to be high-ranking were seated in the upper viewing area behind transparent walls.
-……
And I’m facing Isabella and Seta alongside Arein.
Before the duel begins, a magically amplified voice echoes throughout the arena.
-The Imperial Lachesis Academy’s Master-Servant Duel will now begin. Please note that as this is an exhibition match, rules may be subject to change.
“So you didn’t run away? Looking forward to this!”
Isabella follows with her provocation. Everyone here just seems intent on disturbing my peace of mind.
She was smiling. It was slightly different from the smile she showed when we were alone.
-Both parties, please put on the protective object, the dueling ring, before the match. Professor Daim Patrick will be inspecting the rings.
Rings in small jewelry boxes were given to us in turn.
…!
Arein’s expression suddenly darkens.
Just as Iris warned, the rings had been tampered with.
‘…Silver, is it.’
Though it’s impossible to tell from the outside, the ring is clearly made of melted silver.
Knowing Isabella’s personality, this wouldn’t be ordinary silver. It’s likely a specially crafted ring blessed with holy water from a monastery or sacred ground.
It would be fatal for a vampire.
……♫♩
Isabella was playing innocent. ‘Formally’ speaking, these were rings prepared by Daim.
-Swoosh.
But Arein put on the ring with a composed expression.
!!
It’s clearly an act. She’s pushing herself to win the duel.
-If both sides are ready, Overseer Daim Patrick will recite the Mage’s Oath.
And cruelly, the signal that would determine our fate was given.
Daim steps forward and recites the Mage’s Oath.
Since knights recite the Code of Chivalry before their duels, this was probably influenced by that tradition.
Cheers can be heard from the distant spectator seats.
-Waaah!
-Miss Arein!
Since coming to this academy, I’ve been sick of seeing how incredibly popular Arein is among the male students.
Besides her looks, she excels in academics and outwardly appears to be a refined noble.
-Isabella! Fighting!
-Show those demons their place!
And the rest are Isabella’s fans. Given this is a fight against demons, it’s probably patriotic betting.
And there was no one cheering for the servant. Even if there were any supporters, they probably wouldn’t dare shout it out.
-Ha-yu, do your best!
…
They call it the cocktail effect. Somehow, I feel like I can hear Floria’s voice among the spectators.
– Snap!
After the magic circle was complete, Daim made a gesture signaling the start of the duel.
“Well then, let’s begin.”
.
.
.
– Waaaaaah!
– ……
The duel had begun.
But unlike the audience, only silence hung between us.
You know how it goes, right? When masters fight, even just circling while watching each other is considered exchanging moves.
‘Let’s read the situation first.’
I’m concerned about both Harold’s words and Isabella’s intentions.
So for now, I’m in observer mode.
‘Is she going to start?’
From a distance, Isabella began chanting magic first.
Judging from the current flow, it’s about a 4th circle lightning spell.
– Crackle!
The electrifying streams that made you tingle just by looking at them were connected to the tip of her wand from somewhere in the ceiling.
– Crackle-crack!
Like Isabella, the bouncing sky-blue streams threatened to turn us into electrical barbecue at any moment, flashing with each passing second.
– Crackle-crackle-crack!
And once enough magical power had gathered, the tip of the wand pointed straight at Arein.
– Crackle-crackle-crack!
– BOOM!!!!!!
A satisfying sound like hitting a steel plate with an aluminum bat.
Arein, as if anticipating this situation, had already deployed a defensive magic circle.
– Waaah!
The crowd stirs even at this first exchange.
Especially since Arein even brought a wand that she normally doesn’t use.
It showed how seriously she was taking this duel.
“……”
Though the battle had begun, Seta showed no movement.
Just staring blankly ahead.
Usually when it’s master versus master, don’t the servants end up fighting each other?
– Save Seta!
‘What should I do……’
Though she’s usually quiet, as Harold said, there definitely seems to be something a bit off about her.
“I see you’ve got the basics down, Arein.”
…Hah.
Despite Isabella’s continued provocation, Arein remains unfazed.
Unlike that anxious night, she appeared more composed than ever.
“I’ve always wondered… how strong a vampire’s magic could be… I’ve been waiting for this moment!”
Perhaps due to Lady Izanek’s influence, Isabella also seemed quite interested in demon-kind.
Though in a somewhat twisted way.
“How many times can you block? My trained ogre mage only managed twice!”
-Crackle!
This time, red current flows. The purity of magical power is different from before, causing it to fluctuate.
It could no longer be considered lower-circle magic.
…!
At this, Arein also appears tense, constructing a more intricate magic barrier.
-CRACKLE!!!!!!!!!!
-BOOM!!!!
Perhaps half a beat too fast, Arein’s body was thrown backward.
-Woooah!
-This is no joke! Make it an official event!
Everyone cheers, perhaps finding entertainment not seen in knight duels.
Taking a direct hit from that kind of power would surely be fatal for anyone with a human body.
“Hehee!”
-Crackle!
Isabella, wearing an amused expression, deployed magic without giving any opening.
And then came the following impact sound.
-BOOM!!!!
“Kuhk…! Khah.”
Though less severe than before, Arein takes another step back.
“There’s a saying about flowers in a greenhouse. Arein?”
“Well… I don’t intend to lose.”
“Mm! Very good! Keep that spirit and don’t surrender~.”
-What are you doing! Attack!
-Is that all you’ve got!! Are you really a demon?!
-Lady Arein!
Jeers and cheers pour from the spectators.
“Haa… haaa…”
Already, Arein was visibly struggling.
In contrast, Isabella was smiling as if this was just the beginning.
“Even considering the difference in rings, something seems off.”
Setting aside Arein’s weakened state, even Isabella should be somewhat strained after using magic of this level multiple times.
After all, she’s human, not a vampire born with innate magical power.
‘Wait a minute.’
Then I remembered what Eliana had advised me.
-Isabella uses objects to cast magic…
She definitely said she uses objects.
But the woman before me is still casting magic straightforwardly with her wand.
‘…Could it be?’
I hurriedly shifted my gaze toward Seta.
!!
“Ugh.”
There’s something unnatural about Seta’s movements.
She was holding one of her shoulders and groaning softly as if in pain.
Isabella’s objects… are they her servants?
[Equal Exchange]
[Using 23!]
[Strength increases by 69%]
[Remaining Blood: 120]
I approached Seta with quick movements.
-Swoosh.
-Bam! Pow!
As I approached, she naturally began to counterattack.
Skilled combat techniques. Our fistfight began.
-Ooh!
Whether they understand our intentions or not, cheers erupted from around us.
-Pow!
When Seta dodged my attack and raised her hand high, I could see it for a moment.
!!
Her hands and arms were adorned with many accessories.
…!!
Seta seemed momentarily flustered but quickly pulled down her sleeve to hide them.
‘So I’m not the only expendable one.’
-Swoosh!
-Bam!
Her kick strikes my side. I block it with my guard.
She immediately spins in the opposite direction to execute a spinning kick.
-Bam!
Excessive movements without restraint.
Irregular motions that ignore body structure and rhythm.
This isn’t her will.
She’s being forced by the objects.
At this rate, Seta’s body will be strained.
While throwing a punch, I asked her in a voice only she could hear.
“…Do you want to die?”
“……”
*Swoosh!*
Seta maintains her silence even while dodging the attack.
She is currently offering her life force to Isabella in real-time.
‘Why on earth?!’
“Urgh!”
And Seta lets out a loud groan, her expression contorting.
*Fwoosh!*
A bright light emerges from Isabella’s direction.
She shouts at me with an expression devoid of any hint of amusement.
“Don’t interfere!!!”
*CRACKLE-CRACKLE-CRACKLE!*
A sphere of electric current so massive it would be embarrassing to call it a mere Lightning Arrow.
The enormous orb, emitting light brighter than expected, continues to absorb the surrounding mana.
*Crackle! Crackle!*
And soon, as if the flow has stabilized, its surface becomes smooth.
It was even beautiful, like a bright planet.
“?!”
And Isabella’s lips move slightly.
*Die.*
*Crackle!*
“Lee Ha-yu..!”
In sync with this, the massive ball of light flies toward me as if to devour me.
The surroundings become bright.
*CRACKLE-CRACKLE!*
Shit.