My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 124

“Praus, why are you just standing there?”

Tori shouted at me while swinging his hands at the barrier. His expression was deadly serious, with every wrinkle on his face showing.

“Praus!”

His voice went up an octave.

“Urka just said that the judge intervened. You know he’s not the type to lie. But why…?”

It seemed that others shared Tori’s worry as they looked at me with anxious expressions.

“…This duel will mean Urka’s defeat the moment I step in. I can’t achieve the goal of training Urka that way.”

“Training goal, you say?”

“This was a problem I could have solved myself from the start. Yet, I did not intervene and trained Urka instead to instill the perception that Urka is stronger than Soro. Simply put, it was to deter the White Light Corps.”

Just the fact that Urka can defeat Soro alone means that the White Light Corps can’t underestimate us.

Not being underestimated means they have to be cautious, making the Emperor hesitate to issue commands. After all, the White Light Corps are among his strongest cards.

Thus, I naturally bought myself time until the Succession War. That was what I was aiming for.

“So are you thinking of just leaving it like that? You were the most worried, after all?”

“The options we have here are limited, but I’ve already set Phoenix and Tina in motion, so you don’t need to worry.”

I asked Phoenix to set up the barrier.

If they made Urka consume his mana, then all we needed to do was set up an environment more favorable for Urka.

With the 9-tier barrier, the debuffs Soro feels will be beyond imagination.

I told Tina that if Ter showed up to assist, she was to slice off Ter’s mana with the All-Cutting Sword.

Furthermore, I had permitted her to kill Soro and Ter if Urka’s life was ever in danger.

Given that Tina holds the final weapon contracted with the Spirit King, disposing of the two shouldn’t be difficult.

“And if Urka successfully adapts to the Spirit Integration, it should be fine.”

I pointed at Urka, clad in armor made of fire.

That was how she appeared when fighting the strong Peremus. She’s bound to use that technique from the game.

“And if they try to kill Urka, then I’ll step in myself. Emperor or not, I won’t hold back.”

“I didn’t say to go that far…”

I scoffed at Tori’s words and approached Maria, who was using Surveillance Magic.

“…Maria, did you get a good shot?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Good.”

Now that I had my blackmail material about the foul play, they wouldn’t be able to say anything about what we do from now on.

Since they threw the first dirt, we’ll throw a little dirt back.

*

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The clash of ice and fire.

Everyone watching was so caught up in the intense exchange that they forgot to breathe.

Bang!

As the ice shattered, countless shards threatened Urka’s life, and with every swing of Flamme, Soro’s skin began to burn.

“‘Ice Meteor’!”

Giant chunks of ice rained down from the sky.

Boom!

Urka recited her skill while watching all the falling ice.

“‘Flame Dance’!”

She sliced through and melted all the descending ice. Meanwhile, Soro created distance from Urka and focused his mana tightly.

Realizing this too late, Urka tried to close in, but she couldn’t stop the magic from activating.

“Let me freeze you solid! ‘All-Freezing Technique’!”

Mana burst out and spread through the air. Where the mana flowed, the ice began to dominate the Duel Arena. Despite being panicked, Urka tried to steady her breathing as much as possible.

‘To stop that, there’s no choice… I can do this. I definitely can right now…!’

“‘Hellfire Technique.’”

As she invoked the skill, the flames sticking to Flamme turned a blue hue.

Flamme swooshed smoothly. The fierce blue flames began to consume the ground, rising high to block the chill.

Sizzle!

An immense vapor erupted into the air. The frigid air from before, which had frozen Urka, was met by the flames without fading.

Hellfire Technique.

Named for being a fire that can never be extinguished, this technique released vast amounts of mana, turning everything it touched into ash.

“Where is this mana coming from…? No, has my mana weakened?”

‘Weakened, you say?’

Soro’s words alerted Ter to the unease he had been feeling all along. He closed his eyes and began to sense the flow of mana. Soon, he detected strange mana at the outskirts of the Duel Arena.

“This is… could it be?”

Ter’s eyes shook. Meanwhile, Urka was adjusting to the blue flames.

[Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?]

“Hah. Hah. I’m okay…! I don’t know why, but it feels much more comfortable than when I integrated before.”

Even so, her mana continued to deplete. Thanks to the barrier set by Phoenix, it had merely been alleviated a bit.

“It’s time to settle this.”

Tap!

Urka stomped the ground. The earth she stood on ignited. She broke through the chill and advanced forward. The surrounding flames intensified, melting the frozen environment.

“Don’t kid around…! Don’t you dare!”

Soro screamed as he conjured ice to confront Urka, only for it to shatter pathetically.

“‘Ice Dragon Strike!’”

Swinging the sword made of ice, a dragon of ice rushed toward Urka, mouth agape.

“Hellfire is eternal fire. That ice won’t extinguish my flames!”

Urka lunged forward at the dragon’s head with Flamme. The long-reaching flames pierced the dragon, shooting straight at Soro.

Kaboom!

Flames collided with ice, scattering in all directions. The heat overwhelmed Soro’s skin, causing it to blister.

“Ugh! It’s so hot…! Damn it! What the hell! Why isn’t my strength working properly?!”

“Hah. Hah.”

With each labored breath, Urka’s vision began to blur. The depletion of her mana was closing in.

‘I must finish this before my mana runs out!’

“Urka!”

“Let’s wrap this up, Soro!”

Urka was armed with ice, and Soro with flames.

It was the moment they would counterstrike against each other. Urka paused her assault and turned her body.

Boom!

The ice grazed Urka’s hair.

“Did you really think you could keep up with my movements?!”

In an instant, Urka got behind Soro, swinging Flamme.

The swiftly swung blade connected with his side.

Swoosh!

Flamme succeeded in cutting through Soro’s torso.

“Ugh!”

Screaming, Soro collapsed. He clutched at his side, coughing up blood. Ter was stunned by the sight.

‘What just happened? I applied force to the right coordinates?!’

“Ugh! Agh… Agh!!”

Soro screamed in agony, feeling the flames of Hellfire roasting his flesh and insides.

The flames of Hellfire do not extinguish until the user ends their skill. Even if a life loses its ability to scream, the flames continue to burn fiercely, leaving a mark.

“Hah. Hah. Ter, if you don’t declare a winner right now, Soro’s organs will burn away! Before it can be restored by potions! Declare the victory now!”

“Ugh…!”

Ter shut his eyes tightly.

He reluctantly raised his hand and shouted.

“Winner! Urka!”

As Ter’s declaration echoed through the loudspeakers, the Duel Arena erupted into chaos.

Countless commoners and nobility had bet on Soro, leaving them in disbelief.

Especially the nobles couldn’t believe that despite Ter’s support, Soro had lost to Urka.

In the midst of that tumultuous scene, those who had cheered for Urka, the Beastmen, and Elves raised their arms in elation.

Though the amount they bet on Urka was small, they genuinely rejoiced in her victory.

“Urka won!”

“What did I tell you? I said she’d win!”

The protagonist of the noisy Duel Arena, Urka, panted heavily. She released the Hellfire Technique and collapsed to the ground. The integration with Ignis also dissipated.

[Are you okay, Urka?]

“Un… I did it, I did it….”

She raised her trembling hand high. Pointing with her index finger at the space where Praus was watching over her, she then clenched her fist tightly.

“I… I did it…?”

Exhausted, Urka let her hands drop weakly. Her body started to tilt. Just before she fell onto the scorched floor of the Duel Arena, Praus dashed in and caught her.

“…That’s right. You did well, Urka.”

Praus gently poured a mana potion into Urka’s mouth while subtly smiling.

“Thank you so much.”

Hearing his words, Urka’s lips curled into a smile, and then she lost consciousness.

*

After the duel calmed down, Ter sought out Emperor Lupin’s private quarters. He lowered his head as if he were a high-ranking criminal.

“So… I lost in the end.”

At Lupin’s sigh, Ter raised his head, pleading his case.

“…Your Majesty, this doesn’t make sense. It’s certain that Praus’s party interfered. There’s no way my natural coordinate could just vanish—”

“Are you admitting that you interfered in the duel?”

Suddenly, Praus entered the room, where the guards keeping watch were sprawled out on the floor.

“I received the declaration of war well. Emperor Lupin, your hospitality is quite lacking.”

“Praus, you…!”

Lupin pointed an accusing finger at Praus, gritting his teeth. The royal guards hurriedly positioned themselves between Praus and the Emperor, drawing their swords.

“Your hospitality is commendable.”

Clang! Clang!

At my words, Tina and Iris drew their swords to intercept the guards. The guards gasped in shock and stifled groans.

“Trying to pull tricks when you’re weak….”

“I cannot allow anyone to threaten my Teacher.”

“Your Majesty, if you just give the order—”

“Don’t do it. Do you really want to die?”

Praus cut off Ter’s bravado with amusement. He glanced at his companions behind him, swallowing hard.

There was no way Ter could contend with the group present here. At the very least, to fight against the group of heroes, the White Light Corps and the Black Light Corps would have to join forces to stand a chance.

“This man is Praus…”

An elderly man, leaning on a staff, approached Praus.

“…The Magic Guild Leader.”

The Magic Guild Leader, Logia.

The Empire’s highest magician and the strongest force in the Empire, even surpassing S-Class.

“Certainly, an overwhelming amount of mana. I don’t feel a limit at all. It’s akin to the Demon King described in the epic tales of heroes.”

“I didn’t come here to meet you. Stay out of this.”

“As expected, you have no manners whatsoever.”

“I didn’t come for idle chatter. I have business with the Emperor.”

I passed by the Magic Guild Leader and stood before Lupin. The guards interjected between me and the Emperor.

“What brings you here?”

‘I came to warn you not to touch my party any further. While I used Urka this time, it won’t end the same way next time. Of course, I won’t be the one to fight; someone else will take my place!’

“Emperor Lupin, you’d do well to be careful when toying with power. This time, Urka stepped up to fight, but if you touch my party again, I’ll be the one to step in.”

Praus internally shed tears regarding his own unfounded words. He had no intention of stepping in, thus wishing to smack down the contrary words coming from his own mouth.

“Well then, let’s end today’s duel here. If we meet again, we’ll see what happens.”

Having conveyed that unilateral declaration, Praus stopped in his tracks and turned back.

“Oh, by the way.”

He placed the contract he had received from the attendant and the orb containing the Surveillance Magic on the table.

“There’s someone sensitive to mana on our side, you see. I tried using the Surveillance Magic. If you take a look, it’ll definitely shock you. And this is a 22.5-fold betting contract. Upon calculating, the gold value comes to 11,250 gold. Please prepare and bring it.”

After Praus left, the heroes and the Spirit Kings followed him out. Seeing their retreating figures, Lupin suddenly burst into laughter. He picked up the torn contract from the table and ripped it to shreds.

“Hahaha!!”

With his maniacal laughter, not only the royal family members but also the guards and the Magic Guild Leader stared at the Emperor in shock.

“These bastard children…! How dare they, how dare they disrespect the Emperor of the Empire? Before I die, I must see them all dead! Only then will I be able to close my eyes in peace!”