End of semester evaluation (5)
“haha… Tsk tsk… .”
Laughter flowed. 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.
“okay… “You are definitely stronger than the mediocre 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.
that… 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.
Plus, it’s full of spectators, so if you go wild too hastily, you’ll end up causing harm to the students around you.
No matter how much I only move for the sake of victory, I will keep 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. For a wolf of such a huge size, it 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.
― ‘Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!’
– ‘Ugh… ! My ears are ringing… !’
Dozens of wind blades poured out from the wolf. The power of each shot is a problem, but the number of shots is also extraordinary.
The wind blades that a decent wizard focused on and fired one shot at a time became so massive that it was impossible to dodge them all and attacked Kaleid.
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.
Kaleide raised his sober eyes, twisted his body in an instant, and snatched 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.
“Strength… “That’s 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. He naturally decided on his 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.
However, 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.
However, Ed had no 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.
‘I 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 power 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 equal.
Ed is temporarily unaffected by fire magic. This huge explosion reveals its teeth only to Kaleid.
‘this guy… It’s a thing… .’
Kaleid smiled in satisfaction and decided to do his best by drawing out all the magic power in his body.
‘okay… Losing would be a good experience for this guy.’
―Kwaaaaaaaa!
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 out.
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… . Kaleid was able to block Ed’s attack. He clearly confirmed that he had gathered an absurd amount of magical power in an instant.
It’s not that Kaleid couldn’t stop it, it’s that he didn’t stop it. 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 magical defense, and all remaining magical energy was invested in creating an ice spear.
“You understand that very well. “I was 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.
However, 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 to create variables have frozen and become lumps of scrap metal, and looking behind him, even Merilda has turned into a giant 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 mid-level spirit line.
Ed’s ankles were completely frozen, and he couldn’t 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 bosom.
―Paaaaaaaaa!
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 the magic is, its limit against high-level wind spirits is that it can only tie them down for a short period of time.
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 is continuously manifesting, the ice created by high-level magic does not melt so easily.
The audience was so nervous that they even forgot to breathe. If someone was hit directly by that many ice spears, it seemed clear that anyone would be seriously injured.
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 even 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 valedictorian of Sylvania Academy’s fourth year and the current student council member. It was Dyke Elphelan.
“Professor Kalaid.”
After deflecting all the ice spears, Dyke stood between them and spoke quietly.
“This… I think you’ve crossed the line too far. Ed Rosstaylor is already unable to fight.”
“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? I’m seriously injured… ?!”
The worse student council eventually broke in.
The students were already feeling a lot of discomfort. It was too much of a full-scale battle to be dismissed as simply an end-of-semester practical evaluation.
Professor Kalaid also got excited in the middle and was unable to keep the line as a test. If this is reported to the academic department, it will clearly be grounds for disciplinary action.
Kalide also seemed to realize that fact and sighed. She had no choice but to admit that she had gone too far as she remembered a time when she was lying around in the middle of a battlefield.
Kaleid rubbed his chin a few times and looked at Ed.
I was in the same position as I was on my knees, trying to melt the ice under my feet until the end.
Tanya, the student council president, ran to Ed with a tearful face, took out a handkerchief and wiped the dust from his face.
When he saw that, he realized how much he had let go of reason.
“Ugh… .”
“Professor Kalaid.”
“I can’t believe you treated me like this and my blood is boiling over something like this. “I think her wife is right when she says that all boys are still kids no matter their age.”
While mocking himself, Kaleid dispersed all his magical power and destroyed it.
Kalide, who was standing in front of Ed, bowed his head and bowed.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Okay, what do you understand? “I’m already excited to write a poem.”
After saying hello politely, Dyke turned his head to see Ed’s condition.
If the ice spear had flew straight in, it would have been a 100% fatal blow. There must have been quite a sense of fear.
The moment I tried to say something to reassure Ed… .
―Whaaah.
Dark red magical power bloomed around one of Ed’s hands and soon dispersed into the air and disappeared.
Dyke saw that and his eyes widened. Of course, it was the same with Tanya.
Even Kalide felt strange and cast his gaze in that direction.
“Ed Rosstaylor. You now… .”
“Thank you for your help, Senior Dyke.”
Ed greeted politely and waved his hand away.
Dyke looked at the ice that was binding Ed’s feet. Not even the slightest bit has melted.
I thought they were trying to melt it using fire element magic all along, but… That wasn’t it.
――It’s not that the ice couldn’t be melted, it’s that it wasn’t melting.
It was clear that he was intentionally kneeling down, covering his hands, and gathering the magic power of the Aspect.
Aspect magic power is distinctly red in color, unlike general magic power. Therefore, 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 pretended to melt the ice and secretly hid his hands to draw out the magic power of the Aspect.
At the last moment, the flying ice spear… The plan was to attract Kaleid and stop it through ‘forced gathering’. Using his body as a shield.
And to finish off the spirit ritual of the dagger held in the other hand, the dagger infused with magical energy was tightly held in the other hand.
Close your eyes and imagine.
A flying ice spear. Ed suddenly changes his complexion, stands up, and fires an aspect magic. An ice spear flies in front of the sucked Kaleid’s eyes, and even if he manages to deal with it somehow, there is Ed holding a spirit-style dagger behind his back.
Last but not the least, improvisation to take advantage of the situation even when being suppressed.
Kalide realized something after seeing that. What would have happened if Dyke had not intervened at the end? At this point, no one knows.
Kaleid is clearly superior in terms of magical abilities, battlefield experience, and combat ability itself.
However, this coping ability to somehow come up with the optimal move in a given situation at every moment… Even Kalide can’t help but hold his tongue.
“Ed Rosstaylor.”
Kaleid put both hands in his coat pockets and spoke with his evil eyes still wide open.
“You too are quite crazy.”
“… “Is it okay if I take it as a compliment?”
“Then does that mean it’s an insult? Ah, that’s an insult.”
Professor Kalide smiled and looked at the audience. Everyone seemed to have their eyes wide open.
After all, it is a duel of this level. There was too much serious sparring and fighting to simply be dismissed as 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 elementology practical exam. Ed Rosstaylor.”
Elemental science is one of the core subjects with a very large weight among the Ministry of Magic’s exam areas.
“If you only read the notes properly, being the top 3rd grader wouldn’t be a dream.”
There was a murmur in the audience. The position of 3rd year valedictorian at Sylvania Academy was a position where there was an undisputed first place, no matter what anyone said.
“Well, that spiritist who is currently sitting at the top of the third year doesn’t seem to be in his right mind… I don’t know if you’ll be able to take the head position… .”
Kaleid also knows about Yenika Palover, she is a famous person in the Sylvanian Bachelor.
Didn’t she seem like a girl who was like the main character in a fairy tale? She is a girl who was born with good sensitivity, received a good education, and walked a rosy path of achieving good grades.
Kalide thought of that girl and looked at Ed, who had gritted his teeth and held on in the mud.
Each person has different standards for value judgment. Therefore, Kalide’s opinion cannot represent the opinion of all undergraduate faculty. It is only his own opinion.
“At least I think you are better suited for a senior position.”
Saying that, Professor Kalide stumbled down the sparring hall.
Unable to bear it, he was rolling up tobacco and lighting it.
“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 my hand in greeting, I stumbled 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.”
These were truly Kaleid-like words and actions.
* * *
“Well, there are people like that… ?!”
Tanya stamped her feet and continued to get angry.
“Aren’t they walking around drunk while their academic schedule is going on? Are they doing 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 matter… !”
I left the student center with an angry Tanya by my side.
The experience of walking through the audience while being supported by the student council president was not a very pleasant experience. It was as if they were looking at a famous person.
Well, since the student council president, who is treated well wherever he goes, personally comes forward to support him, it may seem like he is making a fuss. For me, I am grateful, but I am in a burdensome position.
“Student President. “I will help you.”
“No, it’s okay… “Senior Dyke is so big that it’s actually uncomfortable for you.”
The way he supported me with his teeth clenched while his legs were shaking was 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. “Wouldn’t it have been more disturbing for me to go up there?”
“I just wish I got a good practical score. “What would be the point of doing more there?”
After saying that, I went all the way to the Obel Hall with Tanya’s support. He had no choice as they kept making a fuss about providing basic first aid.
“Anyway, this is my first time meeting you face to face. 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.
“Looking at you, it looks like you have now reached the level of senior third year student. “You might appear in place of Yenika at a senior meeting sometime soon.”
I took Dyke’s hand and shook it.
“well. 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 should I say?”
Dyke put his index finger to my eye and laughed.
“There is no unique venom that I sense from you.”
“That’s also the charm of a friend.”
“From what I heard, you said you were very close with Yenika. this… Did I make a mistake? Well, I wasn’t gossiping.”
Dyke shrugged his shoulders and looked up at Obergwan. It was a building that was the center of student members’ activities.
“As my juniors are attacking me one by one, I’m starting to feel a sense of crisis… .”
Dyke grinned like a bear and looked up at the sky that was turning red.
“The report of grades will be completed next week, so is it now vacation…?” . It must be hectic to prepare for graduation… .”
Dyke muttered and went ahead.
In a way, it was what I would be like around this time next year. It felt somehow special.
