Maximilian von Adelheit wore a relaxed expression.
The monitor hanging in the center of the practice field was broadcasting the duel in real-time, but from Maximilian’s standpoint, there was nothing particularly noteworthy to watch. It was because Laura wasn’t facing any real crisis.
There was one moment that could be considered a crisis, but Laura easily dispelled it.
With a calm heart, Maximilian observed the duel situation. It hurt to look up at the monitor, but there was nothing he could do about it. With a word from Maximilian, he could immediately look down upon the practice field from a high place alongside Chancellor Damian, but he chose not to.
Normally, he would appear confidently and encourage the students participating in the grade-by-grade duel, and he would also receive hospitality from Chancellor Damian, but…
‘Laura seems to be quite sensitive these days…’
Fearing that Laura might feel pressure from the news of his visit circulating among the students, he chose to keep his identity a secret for now.
In fact, Laura had been increasingly sensitive lately. In the past, she would rush over and hug him, telling him she loved him, but as the years went by, those cute aspects slowly faded away.
Now, she was a rather finicky young lady, but Maximilian found her even more lovable.
‘By the way, our Laura really…’
Maximilian erased the gaze of his father from his mind and cast the eyes of a 7th circle archmage.
On the monitor, he watched as Laura unleashed her magic circle. As he examined that magic circle, Maximilian couldn’t hide his astonishment.
‘The magic circle is not only intricate, but the steps have also been greatly streamlined. The time taken from forming to unfolding the circle has nearly been halved.’
She had remarkable skills even before enrolling in the academy, but until a few years ago, she had been somewhat obsessed with forming the magic circle as perfectly as possible.
If she lost that intricacy, the power of her magic would drop below standard, and as Maximilian, he hoped Laura would overcome her slump.
For some reason, Laura, who had overcome that difficult period, was now growing remarkably, almost as if she had grown wings.
The once genius of magic, Laura, had truly transformed into a candidate for an archmage. Maximilian was convinced of that.
“Laura, my dear.”
When Maximilian tilted his head slightly, a man in a suit who had been standing by like a statue bowed.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“It might just be my mood, but hasn’t her skill definitely improved?”
“The eldest lady’s magic has always been perfect.”
“Perfect, perfect, you say… Do you really believe that, Carmondorf?”
“Yes. However, gems only become more beautiful with further refinement,” he replied.
Hearing Carmondorf’s words, Maximilian chuckled. He liked this aspect of Carmondorf.
He always tried to say something pleasant, but it never strayed from the truth. If it was a situation where he could wrap things in a nice package, he had an excellent ability to make things sound pleasant for the other party.
Indeed, it was a good choice to bring Carmondorf along when he took off his military uniform. Maximilian genuinely thought so.
“True. Laura has always been flawless. There was a time when that very quality became a curse, but…”
As Maximilian trailed off, he turned his gaze back to the monitor.
“Having grown so superbly, it’s ultimately a good thing.”
“Indeed.”
“I worry about Riina. She’s fragile, and I wonder if she’ll feel overwhelmed comparing herself to her sister…”
“Lady Riina is also clever and possesses exceptional magical talent, just like Your Excellency’s daughter. I don’t think you need to worry too much.”
“Heh… You, my friend, don’t be overly flattering.”
“I apologize. I will refrain from it.”
Despite saying that, the corners of Maximilian’s mouth were already upturned. After years of being together, Carmondorf was an undeniably fine man.
“Hm… By the way…”
Maximilian’s gaze returned to the monitor. The situation in the practice field had already turned chaotic.
“That girl is fighting better than I expected.”
Surprising. Even if Laura surpassed that barrier, winning the grade-by-grade duel was practically assured. An unexpected variable had emerged.
Maximilian scrutinized the face of the student Laura was up against. It was an overall impressive girl with striking pink hair, and her method of confronting Laura was quite unique.
‘If she were a typical magician, she would try to close the distance when facing Laura. After all, being far apart leaves her with no means to attack besides using magic herself.’
Moreover, Laura’s magic was far more potent than that of her peers. The finesse of her basic mana manipulation set her apart.
However, the student named Chloe, who was facing Laura, was different. She was actually increasing the distance from Laura.
‘She’s trying to win with just magic. Against Laura.’
It might be a foolish stubbornness or an unwise judgment. Still, Maximilian wanted to commend Chloe for her bravery.
The blizzard created by Laura was still wreaking havoc in the practice field. Maximilian felt sorry for Chloe, who would be trapped in it.
“Surely this is enough, how far does she intend to torment her… I believe it’s time to teach her some respect for her opponent.”
With Laura’s blizzard, the practice field was changing dramatically every moment. The spectators cheered at the splendid magic, but there remained something unsettling about it.
Maximilian was determined that Laura’s victory was a certainty. No matter how many variables arise, he couldn’t envision a scenario where Laura would lose.
What concerned him, however, was this.
‘The wit and quickness that shattered the ice wall before. That girl also possesses a clever mind.’
He was worried that Laura might fall into her own trap with her haughty moves.
The blizzard that was sweeping through the practice field suddenly hid itself entirely. Chloe was still standing in the practice field.
“Oh dear…”
Of course, her body wasn’t unscathed. Maximilian couldn’t help but sigh as he looked at the sight of a girl around Laura’s age, injured and standing.
– So, do you have any intention of surrendering?
– Pfft…! Surrender?
Observing Chloe with a mix of pity, Laura offered her a surrender, but…
– No way.
Chloe immediately rejected her offer. Maximilian’s eyes widened slightly as he watched.
‘That girl…’
For a moment, he was reminded.
The brilliant, shining innate talent he had seen in Laura as a child. That wondrous hue was evident.
Maximilian slowly stood up. Carmondorf looked at him with a slightly startled expression, but Maximilian had no time to be concerned about that.
‘Did I see that wrong? Is my eye deceiving me?’
He saw it. He surely saw it. But that’s why it seemed so astonishing that he began to doubt his own vision. Maximilian stared blankly at the monitor.
On the monitor, Chloe gazed at Laura’s blizzard in tatters. Then, she raised her staff.
– In the center, a spark.
A blue flame, reminiscent of dreaming skies but imbued with the fiery brightness that burned within Chloe. Maximilian was able to witness that for a brief moment.
– On the outside, merging with the environment.
‘Is she trying to attempt fire-type magic? No… could it be? Laura’s blizzard has an overwhelming advantage over fire magic. There’s no way she could succeed…!’
Then, what was the magic circle Chloe was forming?!
‘Could it be… she’s confident? That she can engulf Laura’s blizzard?’
– Ignite, and compress. Compress even more. And….
Moreover, her magic circle was being formed in a manner distinctly different from regular fire magic. Maximilian’s suspicions grew deeper.
It was an act bordering on arrogance. Forming magic that couldn’t be won through elemental advantages was sheer hubris.
And such thoughts of Maximilian shattered.
– Burn it (Κάψτε το).
Seeing the magic Chloe unfurled, they dissipated completely.
A small fire ignited in one corner of the practice field. The power of that blue flame, akin to a wildflower, seemed poised to engulf Laura’s blizzard in the blink of an eye.
Greedily. More greedily than anything else there.
– Kwoaaah—!
It cried out, as if appealing to the law that elemental advantages apply only when both strengths are comparable, shaking the entire practice field!
“This is… this is…!”
Maximilian’s face trembled. His beard quivered, and even the cleverness of his eyes, as a master of magic, was shaken.
He could hardly contain his horror. A tremor ran through his body.
That was a light of a different hue than Laura’s talent. However, it was certainly…
“An archmage’s talent…!”
The talent of an archmage. The very quality he had once seen in Laura was shining forth from Chloe’s depths.
“Wait a minute.”
The blue flames that swiftly engulfed the blizzard. Maximilian stared blankly at its form momentarily but soon adjusted his expression.
That magic was producing such power. Could the current Laura handle that magic? A spell exceeding elemental advantages?
“… It’s still unknown.”
As he scrutinized Chloe’s magic with a cold gaze, there were still several aspects that were lacking. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, Maximilian slowly sat back down. His gaze turned towards Laura.
‘From now on is the decisive moment…! Laura! You have to clash with everything you can! Show your true strength!’
As if his father’s advice had been transmitted, Laura, who had been staring at the pillar of fire with a surprised expression, soon steadied her face. Seeing the tension etched on her previously relaxed features, Maximilian also started to sweat nervously…
– Crackle….
“… Huh?”
Maximilian involuntarily let out a dull sound.
The blue flames that had surged with the intent to engulf the practice field suddenly extinguished at once.
Having lost the edge in this magical firepower duel, the control of the magic circle was effectively in Chloe’s hands. The fact that the magic had extinguished in this situation meant either Chloe had unraveled the magic circle…
“Did she faint?”
Or the person maintaining the magic circle had lost consciousness.
On the monitor, Chloe was sprawled on the floor. Based on the rise and fall of her back, it appeared she had fainted.
Silence fell over the practice field. The students who had once cheered at the overwhelming power of the blue flame now stood dumbfounded, their mouths shut as if they were mute.
– … We, the esteemed faculty, have determined that Student Chloe is in a state of combat incapacity, and the final victory goes to Laura von Adelheit! Congratulations!!
A heavy sense of disappointment washed over Maximilian. He let out a hollow laugh as he glanced at the timer beside the monitor.
“Heh… That girl really…”
The time limit was set at just 1 minute remaining.
