Once the announcer finished speaking, the two individuals approached each other as if they had been waiting for this moment.
As the deep blue mana akin to an ocean and the steel-like aura that seemed unbreakable by anything drew closer, the air began to tremble.
“Did you wash your neck clean?”
“Have you prepared a way to fix broken bones?”
“I want to see how far you can wag that tongue of yours.”
“Oh my~ You’re so scary. Aren’t you worried about feeling embarrassed when you lose like that?”
The victory in the verbal sparring went to Paulo.
Because Erias had reached her limit of patience and was the first to extend her hand.
“Die. Golden Beast!”
A shower of colorful magic spells rained down on Paulo.
Fireballs, Ice Spears, Wind Cutters, Water Arrows—basic spells any magician could use.
Though these were basic spells not often used even by Academy students, hundreds of them made it impossible to overlook.
“Isn’t this a bit too much, even for the opening move?”
Paulo chuckled and rolled his feet.
Dashing forward while touching the ground, he broke through the magical shower effortlessly.
He swung an aura-condensed fist toward Erias.
“Tch.”
She clicked her tongue and reappeared behind Paulo by passing through space—a commonly known short-range teleportation spell called Blink.
!!!
A shockwave erupted where Paulo’s punch split the air.
The audience felt their ears ringing from the cannon-like impact.
“So…”
Creak—
Slowly turning around and cracking his neck, Paulo smiled faintly and said,
“If you don’t stop using that teleportation, we won’t reach a conclusion anytime soon.”
“…You brute.”
Erias realized something from the last exchange.
It was clear that ordinary magic wouldn’t damage the man before her.
This was someone who earned the title of the Golden Way Zodiacs with bare hands.
There might be no one else who could withstand her magic with just their body.
“You’re not just all talk, huh?”
“It seems you haven’t lost your touch either.”
Though they had only exchanged blows once, the audience couldn’t close their gaping mouths at the astonishing sight never seen anywhere else.
“Is… Is this what magic is supposed to look like…?”
“Even though they’re basic spells, casting this many without pause…”
“And that judgment to dodge with Blink? It’s literally a split-second decision…!”
The mages doubted their own eyes watching Erias’ magic.
“That guy… breaking through all that with nothing but his fists!”
“He must have surrounded himself with aura. Can such a thing really be possible…?”
“My ears are still ringing. That kind of destructive power from a single punch… getting hit directly would probably tear someone apart.”
Warriors focusing on aura techniques broke out in cold sweat from Paulo’s single strike.
Regardless of the level of mastery,
Anyone could learn something from this battle between experts.
This was the pride of the Empire: The Golden Way Zodiacs.
Casually glancing at the audience, Paulo cracked his knuckles and revealed sturdy teeth.
“The atmosphere seems heated up enough. Shouldn’t we show our true skills now?”
“A full-on assault will collapse the arena. Don’t you know I’m maintaining protective magic with part of my mana?”
“Of course I do. That’s why the arena hasn’t shattered yet despite your flashy magic. My fists are the same.”
“Then control your strength. Unless you want a scolding from the Emperor.”
Here, controlling strength didn’t mean hitting lightly—it meant concentrating power rather than dispersing it everywhere like before.
Understanding Erias’ meaning, Paulo slowly moved his body.
“Hmph, feels like fighting with my hands tied behind my back.”
His well-trained muscles twitched during this unexpected stretching—an indication of condensing massive amounts of aura into his body.
Watching silently, Erias sighed and said,
“Do you think I’m any different? A fight without transcendental magic hasn’t happened in years…”
Since becoming an Archmage, this might’ve been the first time.
Behind her muttering, droplets of water formed.
Each droplet slowly moved then suddenly started spinning fiercely like a vortex.
[Weather Magic: Torrential Rain]
“This is old-school magic; not sure if I can control its power. But you’re tough, so you’ll manage, right?”
With an indifferent glance from Erias, countless droplets shot out like bullets.
Seeing this unfamiliar magic, Paulo bit his lips.
“This might hurt a bit.”
Poom-poom-poom-poom!
Water-made bullets pummeled Paulo’s entire body.
Despite enduring countless magics without a scratch earlier, Paulo’s muscles gradually turned red.
It signified the magic’s overwhelming power compared to before.
“Ooh… What a thrill!”
Even under the pain of being beaten by numerous spears, Paulo grinned.
How long has it been since he tasted this kind of agony?
Since the war ended… No, since he ascended to the position of Chief Commander, he had been trapped like a caged beast.
Handling boring paperwork daily, this was relieving all his stress.
“Still, standing here taking hits doesn’t look good, does it?”
Having ‘adapted’ to Erias’ magic, Paulo bared his fangs.
“…What a brutish fellow.”
Witnessing Paulo breaking through the torrential rain towards her, Erias wore a startled expression.
To cut off this beast’s lifeline, she needed another magic.
Thinking so, she dispersed her mana.
It was a high-level technique called Double Casting, but ironically, it became her mistake.
Noticing her brief distraction, Paulo unleashed the suppressed aura.
!!!
“Letting your guard down, weren’t you?”
Like a fierce predator hunting its prey, Paulo swung his fist.
“!”
Startled by the sudden appearance of the beast’s claw right in front of her, Erias had no choice but to panic momentarily.
But instantly, she cast Blink—a reflex action ingrained deeply within her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
However, Paulo didn’t let go of the opportunity he seized.
Instinctively twisting his body, he moved to his own rear space.
“Damn…!”
Her reflexive magic put her in the exact opposite location from where she originally stood.
In other words, Paulo’s intuition proved victorious.
BOOM!
“… Cough!”
Erias spat blood due to the impact that felt like piercing through her abdomen.
Had she not always kept a protective barrier active against unforeseen circumstances, her whole body would’ve shattered for sure.
“Well, let’s finish this!”
Judging that he had secured the advantage, Paulo executed a technique for the first and last time.
[Robert Martial Arts (格鬪術): Iron Fist]
His fist, hardened like steel, swung widely.
But caught up in the combat excitement he hadn’t felt in ages, Paulo unknowingly exaggerated his movements.
And Erias didn’t miss this opportunity.
[Weather Magic: Thunder]
Rumble—
In a flash, lightning struck.
The thunderclap near him made Paulo roar.
Now there was no stopping.
“Hahaha-!”
“Die, beast!”
Paulo’s fist collided with Erias’ magic.
A shockwave accompanied by a burst of pure white light swept across the arena.
!!!
***
The intense light penetrating through their eyelids prevented the audience from opening their eyes.
Dozens of people fainted from the residual shockwave that penetrated even the protective magic.
Prohibiting Divine Power and Transcendental Magic indeed turned out to be a wise decision worthy of praise.
“What do you think will happen, Professor Cain?”
“Hmm… Seems like Gold Eagle Palace’s victory, wouldn’t you say?”
“But Gold Eagle Palace only landed one hit! Throughout the match, Infantry Palace clearly dominated!”
“That one hit, though…”
With the dust cloud obscuring the arena, professors started predicting the outcome among themselves.
Looking at them, I turned to Black Wolf and asked,
“Ssss… Who do you think won?”
No matter how I looked, my limited insight could only conclude in a draw.
Black Wolf perked her ears and replied,
“Male.”
“Elder? Why?”
“Because the female mage bled first.”
“… That makes sense.”
Blood is crucial.
We’ll see if Black Wolf’s prediction comes true…
I didn’t care who won anyway.
“Ah…! It’s visible now!”
“Both seem to be standing fine…”
From the professors’ conversation, it was evident that the blood Erias shed wasn’t noticeable unless you were an exceptional expert.
Because during the dust cloud, Erias quickly healed her wound and appeared unharmed.
Also, the blood on the ground couldn’t be identified amidst the battered arena…
At least, it’d be hard for anyone below Master-level to notice.
“Who can judge the winner between these two?”
“Uh…! Isn’t that person coming up…?!”
“Guard Captain?”
Judging from the professors’ reactions and looking down at the arena, someone wearing golden armor emblazoned with the royal insignia was ascending.
Unable to blink at the clearly visible royal crest.
“Can young humans also ascend to high positions? Allen?”
Black Wolf’s question echoed my confusion.
Because the face hidden beneath the radiant gold helmet looked no older than a middle schooler.
“Gl… Strong?”
Just how strong could someone be to hold the prestigious position of Guard Captain despite appearing younger than me?
I stared at him with curiosity-filled eyes.
***
All spectators focused their attention on the newly arrived figure in golden armor.
“Who is that?”
“With the royal emblem carved into the golden armor…”
“Isn’t that the Guard Captain? The personal guard unit of His Majesty the Emperor.”
“But isn’t he too small for that…?”
Due to the fully-covered helmet, his face remained hidden, but judging by his build alone, he was undoubtedly a child.
Unanticipated developments caused murmurs among the audience.
“Greetings, Gold Eagle Palace and Infantry Palace.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Hmph. Just hurry up and announce the result.”
“Yes.”
Moving slowly to the center of the arena, he bowed respectfully to Paulo and Erias before picking up the microphone.
“Ahem, I am the captain of the Royal Guard. Without further ado, I shall announce the royal judgment regarding this match.”
Instantly, silence enveloped the arena.
In the quiet atmosphere, the Guard Captain slowly approached Paulo.
Erias clenched her lips at the sight.
“The winner is Gold Eagle Palace, Paulo Robert. That concludes the announcement.”
Carefully raising Paulo’s hand while speaking, the Guard Captain made it seem as though Paulo was lifting his own hand due to his small stature.
After a moment, he gently lowered his hand again and spoke.
“Then, I’ll take my leave until the next match.”
With a polite bow, he began descending from the arena.
His calm tone left the audience merely blinking, unable to react immediately.
“Gold Eagle Palace’s…”
“…Victory, did he say?”
And upon hearing someone repeat those words, the audience gradually regained their senses and erupted in loud cheers.
Waahh!
Paulo shook his head side to side.
“Man, after such a fun duel, the ending feels too anticlimactic.”
“Tch, consider yourself lucky.”
“Talking big after losing… Still, it was fun. Let’s rematch sometime.”
“Hmph.”
Turning her back sharply, Erias disappeared.
Watching her go, Paulo laughed heartily.
“What an interesting opponent.”
[First Event Match: Gold Eagle Palace vs Infantry Palace]
Winner: Gold Eagle Palace Paulo Robert
