55. Exchange Battle (4)
The grand auditorium of the first-year students at the Academy where the exchange battle was taking place.
The fact that each grade has its own auditorium already speaks volumes about the prestige of this Central Magic Academy.
Military states that prioritize military power are quite fitting, as the attention the empire pours into this academy is tremendous. While the exchange battle of the third-year students, who are almost in the final stages of their military education, is important, the first-year exchange battle is equally crucial.
Therefore, this first-year exchange battle, though unofficial, is also an event watched with great interest by the royal family.
“It’s been a while.”
At the sudden voice, Enrico della Cascata only flicked his eyes to glance sideways.
In truth, he knew who it was the moment he heard the voice. Not only that, it was someone he certainly did not want to see, giving him even less reason to be cheerful.
“Not at all.”
“Is that so? I feel like it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you.”
Lord Cascata sat beside his long-lost younger brother.
Enrico clicked his tongue impatiently, gestured for Fabio to step back, and silently formed a seal.
“Because you meet Martina every night, don’t you? Apparently not for you, Brother.”
“…”
“Martina della Cascata.”
The woman who was given the Cascata name by Lord Cascata, mother to Carlo della Cascata and Fabio della Cascata, and wife to Enrico della Cascata.
“I buried her in my heart. Not like you.”
“Me, who sees her face every night, even in dreams. You, who buried her in your heart. It’s obvious who Martina would be more grateful to, wouldn’t you say?”
“Martina wouldn’t wish you such agony.”
“But she wouldn’t want you to heartlessly forget her either.”
“Wasn’t it the Waterfall Deity who made Karla like this?”
Enrico glanced sharply at his brother again.
The restless fingers slowed their movement until they finally interlaced.
“Trying to change the subject, huh? I’ll humor you. Yes, that foolish one seems to have dedicated herself to the Waterfall Deity. Her arm is now like that. Don’t you have any conscience? Can’t you feel any remorse for your niece?”
“Compared to her father who tries to discard her, am I not more humane?”
“It’s final now. Since she has been dedicated, she cannot return to being a man. Whatever Karla thinks now, there’s no going back to the past. So, wouldn’t it be better for her to move in a direction that benefits Cascata?”
“The Shaiskeil’s prospects aren’t great.”
“I know. But eventually, it will also benefit Fabio.”
“You know, if Martina could see you selling your daughter so quickly…”
Enrico shook his head.
“For the empire. For Shaiskeil, and Aufschüttig. It’s better if they’re gone. They’re like pests.”
“I agree, but Aufschüttig will collapse on its own even if left alone.”
“Alright. Your niece’s match is over, go now.”
“Do you have anything more to watch?”
Enrico did not answer.
He had planned to watch the match of the commoner Karla had asked him to monitor.
“…Yes.”
“So, you do? I’ll stay too.”
That was their last exchange.
Lord Cascata and Enrico della Cascata.
As the two men looked down at the arena, Ivan was entering.
*
Lorenzo watched Ivan’s retreating back through a puff of magical smoke from his magical cigarette.
Changing the order so suddenly wasn’t really a problem.
The order can be adjusted according to the situation, and winning is all that matters at the end of the day.
However, what troubled him was the fact that Ivan’s demeanor was different this time.
Ivan, who always had a simple look in his eyes and was gentle in his words—when he requested a change in order, he exuded a chilling and sharp aura, unlike his usual self.
—Next, let me go.
—Why?
—That guy insulted Karla. I can’t let that go.
A competitive spirit is something the empire encourages.
The effort to win and the desire for victory are the driving forces behind becoming stronger.
—Alright, Ivan, you go then.
Ivan didn’t even say thank you.
He just quietly turned around and gave a nod to Regina, who was originally scheduled to go next.
Regina, who looked anxious, nodded back and Ivan slowly left the waiting area to head towards the arena.
“Hey, flat-foot. You were next, weren’t you?”
Lucas sneered at the silent Ivan.
In truth, this sneer was to mask the uneasiness that was creeping over him.
Ivan’s appearance was different from the usual.
Although they didn’t meet often, according to the information Kiara had gathered, the guy was supposed to be frail. However, from the previous encounter in the cafeteria, Ivan was also unpredictable.
“Choose one, would you?”
Ivan said while brushing his disheveled hair out of his face.
His eyes were cold, and a smirk twisted one corner of his lips as he mocked Lucas.
“You’ve meddled with what’s mine enough, now it’s your turn to pay the price. Bastard, got it?”
Lucas doubted his own ears.
The person in front of him was Ivan, Ivan Kontadino.
A mere commoner, calling Lucas, the heir to the prestigious Shaiskeil family, a bastard…again after last time.
“Are you insane, flat-foot? I could make you writhe on the ground, poisoned, right here.”
“You? Me?”
Ivan pointed at Lucas with his finger, then at his own chest.
His mocking smile twisted into a loud laugh that seemed to say that Lucas was ridiculous.
“Isn’t that amusing? Truly, those who taste the sweets under a traitor deserve such ridicule.”
“You’re speaking nonsense, commoner.”
“Choose.”
Lucas frowned at Ivan’s words, unable to understand what choice was being referred to.
“For convenience, I’ve only used what you call ‘Pox Magic’ until now…but since yours have disrespected mine so much, I intend to fight you with her magic. Do you prefer a close-range fight, or mid-range? Long-range would be difficult. The arena is too confined.”
Ivan looked around as he spoke.
Lucas, observing Ivan, burst out laughing incredulously.
“Do what you want, commoner. It seems like you’re seeking revenge for Karla, but go ahead and try.”
In sync with the announcement signaling the start of the match, Lucas summoned toxic mist.
He had used a substantial amount of magic already—Karla was, indeed, strong, and as a woman, she showed commendable spirit, so Lucas had to give it his all.
Frankly, he should have been nervous.
Lucas knew well that Ivan Kontadino ranked first in the entrance exam, and even the ill-tempered Karla had only placed second. In other words, Ivan was stronger than Karla.
“Do what you want, commoner. I understand why you keep talking about my wife, but it’s already too late.”
A dark green poisonous mist billowed ominously from Lucas.
The heavy veil of toxic mist covering the arena floor seemed difficult to breathe in, much less approach through.
One disadvantage of toxic mist magic was that it required considerable time to cast.
Even if it was cast, being a sustained spell meant it took time for its full effect to take hold. But having used it against Karla, Lucas had already summoned plenty, and it was now ready to be effective.
“Go ahead—you said to do as I please.”
Ivan smiled.
“Let’s see… Karla did this, right?”
Ivan stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, shifting his weight onto his back leg.
One tightly clenched fist was in front of his chest, the other extended naturally forward.
“Hmph.”
With that small battle cry, a purple magical aura burst forth from Ivan’s whole body…
“…That… That’s insane.”
Enrico inadvertently stood up.
Not only him, but even Lord Cascata, sitting next to him, stood up abruptly.
It was hard to believe what they were seeing right before their eyes.
While the Thunder Magic used by the Cascata family is not a secret, and not rare among users, the magic that was swirling around Ivan’s entire body right now, as well as the thunder bolts it formed, were unmistakably the Cascata family’s hereditary magic.
Moreover, Ivan wasn’t just creating eight lightning bolts, he now had nine, then ten! Ten bolts of lightning which he was spinning around himself.
Enrico could summon twelve lightning bolts, and Lord Cascata can summon fifteen.
Ivan’s ability to use the Cascata family’s hereditary magic and also conjure up ten bolts of lightning left Enrico staring wide-eyed in astonishment.
The applications of lightning magic are endless.
It can be used to cover the ground or to strike from a distance to keep opponents at bay. But Ivan didn’t do any of that.
Instead, right in front of the stunned Ivan, another Ivan rushed toward Lucas—just like Karla had done—running directly toward Lucas.
