The extravagant display of the magical girl.
There was a slight issue, but it has finally begun.
I don’t know what kind of field this is or how Dendrobium will fight.
First things first, we need to get started.
“Wind, gather beneath me and race across the world.”
If I had my staff, “wind” alone would suffice, but because I lack it, the incantation becomes unnecessarily long.
Well, I’ve already grown accustomed to it, but magic truly is difficult to wield.
Incidentally, I might as well grow my usual wings.
(Alright then, can you provide any information on that side?)
“Yup!”
By integrating the information from the Demon and what I’ve gathered, the field is a floating island with a radius of about one kilometer.
There are other smaller floating islands, but the main battlefield will be here.
In the center stands a large building; according to the Demon, it’s a castle.
Dendrobium is exactly the opposite…
(Alright, shall we begin?)
“The enemy will arrive in about five minutes. What do you plan to do?”
That much is obvious. Rarely do we have an audience this time.
Let’s give them a show to remember.
“Gather, all-encompassing elements. I am the one who binds and guides magic.”
This time, there’s no need to worry about collateral damage.
Considering safety isn’t necessary, even without my staff, I can shorten the incantation somewhat.
Five minutes should allow for about three minutes of preparation.
“The dazzling fire illuminates the world, the foam-like water becomes the source of life. The golden earth supports everything, and the wind scattering flowers becomes the bell heralding abundance.”
Around me appear orbs of different colors representing each element.
Though they aren’t actually visible, it’s purely sensory for now.
“The primal flame brings calamity, the compassionate water crushes those it embraces. The sturdy earth rends the ground, and the desolate wind slices through all that stands still.”
The spheres rotate, intertwine, and ascend into the sky.
They form four spherical magic arrays above the castle.
This took roughly two minutes.
(Dendrobium?)
“She’s near the castle. She seems to be lying in wait while searching for Haruna.”
(I see… Will she get caught in the blast or manage to escape? How will it go?)
“Stars dispersing in the night gather light, flowing tears dye despair…”
“Ah, she noticed! She’s heading this way at high speed!”
It’s too late now. The magic is complete.
Now, the name… Ah, yes, flying islands bring this to mind.
“Heaven’s wrath destroys the earth.”
The four magic arrays explode, sending colorful beams raining down.
These beams fall not only on this island but also on others, reducing them all to powder.
Not even this largest island is an exception, gradually shattering, its surface disappearing bit by bit.
Simultaneously casting the spell, I take to the skies and observe the outcome from the prepared position… though I cannot see it.
“All surrounding islands have been pulverized. Only this island remains, but probably for another 30 seconds? Dendrobium is managing to evade somehow.”
A direct hit would likely be fatal, but if she avoids it, she should survive.
The power is strong, but the density isn’t that high.
With good fortune, she might make it.
However, being unable to see means I can only sense the magic’s progress…
I imagine it’s working as intended, but I have no certainty.
There’s always the unfortunate possibility it could hit me instead…
Well, the Demon will warn me before that happens.
According to the information carried by the wind, the floating island that serves as the ground has almost disappeared. All that remains is the castle’s collapse.
(Hmm. Looks like she survived.)
“Indeed, worthy of the Fairy Bureau representative. Her magical presence has weakened compared to the start, but she’s alive.”
As the dust cloud from the collapsing island dissipates, the sensitivity of my magic improves.
Probably around a few hundred meters away?
I have a rough idea of her position. Time to attack.
“Fire, dance wildly as you bewilder and entice.”
I deploy a great number of fiery butterflies.
Incidentally, I’ve already expended about 40% of my magical energy, but it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Our opponent is approaching while using magic. By the way, her weapons are a staff and a rapier.”
What an interesting combination. It’s unclear whether her main weapon is the staff or the rapier, but my intuition suggests the rapier.
People with seemingly calm faces usually hide something.
Given her statement about wanting to conceal her face, could she be a battle enthusiast?
Since I cannot see, worrying about it is futile.
“Distance approximately 100 meters.”
(Acknowledged.)
I scatter projectile-based spells from my wings and cast lance-type spells simultaneously.
“She’s taking quite a bit of damage. Just a little more, right?”
I see. If I keep fighting like a stationary artillery unit, I should win.
While conversing with the Demon, I hear Dendrobium’s voice.
“You’re playing around! Are you really satisfied with this?”
Of course, such a reaction is expected…
In the grand stage of the New Demon War for rookie magical girls, if the opponent fights blindfolded without weapons, anyone would naturally feel angry.
If I were in her shoes, I’d consider it lucky and try to exploit the opportunity to defeat her.
But for a justice-driven magical girl, it might seem like mockery.
“I’m putting in my best effort. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a fair match.”
“So you think it’s alright to fight so arrogantly?”
“If you think so, prove it by defeating me. Losing to someone like me would be embarrassing for you, wouldn’t it?”
“Tch! …Fine. I’ll defeat you and make you regret your absurd behavior!”
Wonderful… that fighting spirit is admirable.
But I won’t lose…
Oh, my thoughts are drifting a bit.
Let’s see how far Dendrobium can push back.
“Evade 1 meter to the right!”
Following the Demon’s instruction, I sidestep, hearing the slicing sound pass by.
Impressive that she can swing her rapier in this state.
“Blue, just azure. A sinking heart gets stained. Rocked in the cradle, carried to the land of oblivion.”
Dendrobium is still far enough away that even if she swings her rapier, it will take time to reach me.
Additionally, many Flame Butterflies remain, preventing her from closing the distance quickly.
“Thoughts alone move puppets, becoming blades that shatter darkness, decayed hearts turn into sweet honey. Hatred and love become strings, resonating loudly.”
Assuming everything aligns with my image, there should be five magic arrays in front of me.
The colors alternate between blue and red, rotating in opposite directions.
“Oh, Dendrobium’s showing a high magical reaction. A powerful technique is coming!”
(Just finished on my end.)
“Inny Flowering!!”
“The fallen angel spins tales of love.”
I sense the collision of the magic Dendrobium unleashed with the spells emanating from the magic arrays.
The aerial magic battle must look spectacular, but it’s unfortunate I can’t see it.
“A clash of white beams and black beams… How’s the situation?”
(I’m fine, but how about her?)
“It seems she’s barely holding on. Like she’s enduring out of sheer determination.”
Without me, Dendrobium would have been a top contender… Both of us are unlucky this time.
Unfortunately, I still have ample resources left for my magic. Meaning…
“Release.”
I add more magic circles around the original five, increasing the power by about 1.5 times, perhaps.
Dendrobium’s magic is instantly swallowed up and pierced through.
“Dendrobium’s reaction disappeared. Good work.”
(Tiring, not really. I was just acting as stationary artillery.)
Afterward, Dendrobium might have something to say, but it’s not my fault—it’s my superior’s decision.
…When will this simulation end? It’s subtly exhausting having to stay airborne since there’s no footing.
A short while later, my consciousness flickers, and I return to the pod.
Exiting the pod, I find Dendrobium waiting, clearly upset, and I proceed to explain thoroughly.
The fifth match began amidst turmoil.
Throughout the New Demon War, various events have occurred, but this is the first time contestants are battling with handicaps.
Since the New Demon War is also a betting target, when one participant is put at a disadvantage, simply watching the match isn’t an option.
If they lose, their bets become void. It’s understandable why people would get angry wondering what foolishness is going on.
Some individuals don’t think Inie will lose despite the handicap, but under normal circumstances, considering such a disadvantage, it’s logical to assume she might.
“Will that be okay?”
“Maybe she’s intentionally trying to lose?”
“This is why magical girls are troublesome…”
Taunts fly around the venue, increasing the hostility toward Inie.
The academy group wants to defend her, but doing so would only fan the flames, so they remain silent.
“Ah! Inny Flowering has sprouted wings!”
“She uses mobility magic. This time, the black ones indicate combat use.”
The white robe with black wings suits her well, and combined with the black blindfold, she resembles a Fallen Angel.
Then, Inny begins her incantation.
“Color-wise, it seems to involve the four elements? It’s beautiful.”
“Magic truly makes the heart leap just by watching. Recently, with the rise of close combat and modern methods, opportunities to witness magic have decreased, which is regrettable.”
“Personally, I believe both magic circles and incantations are wonderful.”
As Inny’s incantation progresses, the transforming magic circles create an art form of sorts.
Magical girls, as their name suggests, originally relied heavily on magic in battles, but as times changed, so did their approach to magic.
Switching from staves to swords, and recently even guns, some magical girls have adapted unique styles like Kaede, Arongante, and Prizes, but those who rely solely on magic have become quite rare.
Among Japan’s top-ranked magical girls, only the 10th and 6th positions primarily use magic.
The 5th and 2nd positions employ similar tactics, but slightly differ from traditional magic.
Even Kaede, ranked 1st, falls under a special category within magic users.
The magic circle forms a spherical shape, swirling upwards towards the castle’s sky, forming new magical arrays and growing brighter.
“Dendrobium has noticed it seems.”
“With such a flashy display, it’s bound to catch attention.”
Realizing Inny’s magic, Dendrobium immediately takes to the air, heading toward where Inny is presumed to be.
“Heaven’s wrath destroys the earth.”
Upon finishing her final incantation, Inny causes the magic circles to burst, raining down various colored lights.
“Beautiful,” Marin murmurs softly.
From a spectator’s perspective, it looks like vibrant rain falling.
However, the tragedy this rain will soon bring leaves the audience frozen in shock.
“That’s… Incredible power from Inny Flowering! She’s starting to destroy the floating islands.”
“Her lengthy incantation now makes sense with this level of destruction.”
Previously heard jeers have quieted down, leaving only the stunning spectacle of the vibrant rain and its impending catastrophe.
“Dendrobium is skillfully evading, but getting hit would likely end the battle instantly.”
“I thought this field would be disadvantageous for Inny Flowering, but I didn’t expect her to start destroying the field itself.”
All floating islands are destroyed, including the central island with the castle, which collapses as well.
The beautiful magic belies the unimaginable destruction it leaves behind, revealing Inny’s madness to everyone.
Blindness or lack of weapons mean nothing to her.
No, even with the handicap, this is her capability.
The result without any handicap is clear as day.
“Dendrobium is extremely angry…”
“Fighting against an opponent in such a state would understandably provoke anger. However, the audience understands the necessity of the handicap, correct?”
“I didn’t expect this either. As seen with current top-ranking members Thalagong and Glint, Japanese magical girls often have hidden tricks up their sleeves.”
Dendrobium is no weak magical girl. She can single-handedly defeat A-Rank threats and potentially even S-Rank depending on conditions.
However, she is currently being overwhelmed by Inny, accumulating injuries one after another.
“Ah! Inny Flowering has started a new incantation!”
“Such a moving incantation. But given her magic’s proportionality to the length of the incantation, she’s likely preparing another terrifying spell.”
“Dendrobium switches from her rapier to her staff, readying a powerful technique!”
While Dendrobium shouts during her spellcasting, Inny quietly chants.
From Dendrobium’s staff emerges an extremely thick black beam, while Inny counters with a white beam-like construct using five magic circles.
At first glance, it appears evenly matched, but Dendrobium’s strained expression contrasts sharply with Inny’s composed state.
“The power seems balanced, but what do you think?”
“…Before answering that, observe Inny Flowering’s magic circle.”
When Inny chants “release,” additional magic circles form around the existing ones, amplifying her magic’s power.
Instantly swallowing up Dendrobium’s magic, nothing remains afterward…
“Match over! Winner: Inny Flowering!”
The announcement echoes through the silent arena, reverberating alone.
