“If I win, I’ll grant a ‘Wish’.”
Even as I thought that what I just said was pretty useless, the main event kept progressing smoothly.
Before I knew it, the final match of the 32s had begun.
“Haa, it’s not like they’re doing this for our benefit anyway. Why’d they stake something as useless as a wish…”
“Allen is an idiot.”
“That’s right. I’m an idiot.”
Meanwhile, today too, Black Wolf was watching the match from my arms.
It felt cozy, like hugging a large dog, and it was nice, but isn’t this guy getting uncomfortable?
I’ve grown accustomed to the professors’ strange gazes by now.
“Still, I didn’t expect Senna’s match to be the last one. And against Don Quixote Academy too…”
One of the students I warned about earlier, the one who broke Ariana’s sword, ended up facing Senna of all people.
If it were someone else, I wouldn’t have worried, but somehow, with Senna, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.
[Divine Magic: Heavenly Punishment]
It was undoubtedly a powerful spell, no doubt about that.
However, his opponent was a swordsman who had reached the level of Sword Expert.
A mere shockwave wouldn’t stop his charge.
The sword energy he displayed in his final move against Ariana seemed a bit tough for Senna to handle.
“I guess I’ll have to trust her.”
All I can do is cheer her on.
Everyone has exceeded my expectations so far; surely Senna will pull something off too.
While absentmindedly petting Black Wolf’s ears, I decided to root for Senna.
***
On the field, Carlos bowed lightly as he faced Senna.
“As a knight, I don’t wish to raise my sword against a Holy Maiden, but this is also part of my duty. I hope you understand.”
“Eh… um… yes.”
Carlos, whose every word dripped with old-fashioned seriousness, wasn’t easy to deal with even for the highly social Senna.
Senna awkwardly greeted him back and took a cautious breath.
‘The person who broke Ariana’s sword…’
Could she possibly win against him?
As she turned her head anxiously, she saw Allen looking at her from the VIP box.
Seeing his handsome face as always reminded her of the night before at the dormitory when Ariana declared her intention to win.
She wanted to use her victory wish for something…
‘Right. A wish… I can’t lose.’
She didn’t know what kind of wish Ariana would make, but judging by the mischievous look Ariana gave Amy and Lux, it was definitely related to Allen.
Now, Ariana’s declaration of victory might mean she’s officially joining the battle to win Allen’s heart.
‘Hmph… I met him first!’
Senna could never forget the moment she first met Allen at the magic item shop “Witch’s Nest” in Minerva’s commercial district.
It might not be special to others, but for Senna, it was the day she met her destined partner.
Ariana called her a gold digger, but falling in love at first sight isn’t that uncommon, right?
As she thought about this, Black Wolf in Allen’s arms caught her eye.
During their brief meeting, she had known that there was nothing romantic between those two.
But still, such physical closeness seemed a bit excessive, didn’t it?
“Would you focus on the match now?”
Carlos spoke to Senna, who appeared lost in thought with a pout.
Realizing her mistake, she quickly changed her expression and bowed slightly.
“Sorry. I’ll focus now.”
“Hmm, no need to apologize. It’s fortunate that you seem to understand honor.”
“Ariana’s a good girl too. She’s just… a bit aggressive.”
“Is that so? Well, let’s begin then.”
Carlos drew his greatsword as he spoke.
It was the same line he used against Ariana.
“I’ll give you the first move.”
“… Now I see why Ariana got mad. But I’m desperate too, so thank you.”
Senna quietly closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.
“O eternal deity who illuminates the endless night sky to herald the dawn, O mother who blesses the earth not yet touched by light and pities those who follow your will…”
“An incantation…?!”
Carlos tightened his grip on his sword handle, startled.
There are many techniques that mages use to amplify the power of their spells.
One of them is verbal incantation, where imbuing words with power makes the magical image clearer and compresses more mana, enhancing its potency.
Right now, Senna was amplifying the power of her Divine Magic through prayer.
Since completing an incantation boosts a spell’s power several times over, usually one should preemptively attack to stop it…
“Too difficult. However, a knight cannot take back his word. There’s nothing left to do but endure it with all my strength.”
Carlos surrounded himself with sword energy, fueled by competitive spirit and confidence.
He intended to cleave any magic coming his way in one strike.
And at that moment, Senna completed her prayer.
“May your righteous punishment descend upon us.”
[Divine Magic: Enhanced Incantation – Heavenly Punishment]
Blinding white lightning poured down from above Carlos’s head, maximally reinforced.
“Kuuuuuuh!!!”
Clutching his lips in pain, Carlos tried to block it with his greatsword held like an umbrella, but due to the nature of lightning, his defense was futile.
Endless lightning caused steam to rise from various parts of Carlos’s body.
‘I can’t withstand this. Then…!’
[Roheim Swordsmanship: Form of Steel]
Activating his whole body to steel-like hardness despite the pain, he charged toward Senna.
“Not expecting this, huh?”
Startled, Senna hastily cast her next spell.
[Divine Magic: Curtain of Dawn Opening]
Carlos’s greatsword collided with the opaque protective barrier.
KWAANG-!
“GYAAAAH!”
As cracks instantly formed on the barrier, Senna let out a shrill scream.
“Hmph… One hit won’t do. Truly a Holy Maiden. But I can’t give up here…!”
Gathering his scattered senses amidst the pain, Carlos swung his sword again.
[Roheim Swordsmanship: Rock Collapse]
The ultimate technique he showed during the match against Ariana was unleashed once more.
The already cracked barrier couldn’t withstand the next attack and shattered, sending Carlos’s greatsword flying toward Senna’s head.
But she wasn’t standing still.
[Divine Magic: Star Shining Dawn]
Countless shards of light swept across Carlos’s entire body.
“Kuh…!”
Caught off guard by the counterattack, Carlos’s sword wavered.
Taking advantage of the opening, Senna hastily put distance between them.
“Haa… Haa…”
Her chest, bruised from dodging Carlos’s greatsword at full effort, was turning red.
[Divine Magic: Light of Blessing Healing]
‘This much is fine…!’
What would have made her burst into tears in the past, thanks to Allen’s hellish training, she could now calmly treat her wounds.
While healing, she immediately prepared for her next attack.
[Divine Magic: Heavenly Punishment]
“KYYYYAAAAAAH-!”
Another bolt of lightning piercing his head made Carlos scream in agony.
His cry sent shivers down anyone who heard it.
“In this state… I cannot lose…!!!”
Forcing his buckling knees upright, Carlos opened his bloodshot eyes wide.
“HAAAT!!!”
[Roheim Swordsmanship: Stone Dropping]
With a roar, Carlos hurled his greatsword like an arrow.
Seeing the flying greatsword, Senna smiled confidently.
“The last struggle, huh!”
If she could dodge this, she could win.
Thinking she had secured victory, Senna moved her body to evade the greatsword.
Then, as she turned her head to cast another spell…
“Huh?”
Carlos’s fist was right in front of her face.
Distracted by the greatsword and caught off guard by an unexpected attack while preparing her spell, Sena couldn’t react in time…
PFFT-
She blankly stared at the crude hand that struck her face.
Without even a thin barrier wrapped around her, Senna’s fragile body couldn’t withstand Carlos’s iron fist.
‘Retaliation… must…!’
Even as her body flew through the air, Senna thought of retaliation…
THUD-
Her body hitting the cold arena floor signaled her limit.
“… Though I resolved not to underestimate my opponents again. I’ve made a mistake.”
Looking at the unconscious Senna, Carlos retrieved his greatsword and bowed his head.
Her finger pointing at him meant she intended to retaliate until the very end.
“I pay my respects to your unyielding spirit.”
Lifting his head, Carlos slowly exited the arena, struggling to maintain his balance.
Burns and other wounds all over his body testified to the intensity of the match.
Senna Ios, eliminated in the round of 32.
***
Senna ended up losing.
“Ah…”
“Guess it ended like this.”
“She did well though, right? The opponent was tough.”
The professors conversed with regretful voices.
I could only watch Senna being carried away on a stretcher with a bittersweet smile.
“Good effort.”
Even if it was because the opponent underestimated her, Senna fought far beyond expectations.
Especially choosing to attack instead of defending in dangerous situations made me unintentionally exclaim in admiration.
It was a match Senna could have easily won.
If only Carlos’s judgment at the end hadn’t been so excellent…
“Something feels heavy in my chest.”
“I’m sad too. That’s how intense the match was.”
“Comfort… her?”
“Huh? Hmm… maybe.”
At Black Wolf’s words, I briefly considered it and nodded.
I initially thought it would be difficult for Senna, the Holy Maiden, to win.
Probably I, and likely others too, assumed the same, including Senna herself.
Yet she gave her all.
She genuinely aimed for victory.
So, as a teacher, wouldn’t it be okay to do something for her?
Since we have two days of rest until the round of 16, I thought I might treat her to a meal.
While hoping she would be happy at least a little, I headed towards her with Black Wolf.
