Side: Yuki
『Now then, it has begun!! How will both contestants move?! Since this match primarily revolves around magic, it is rare for combatants to close in for swordplay like mercenaries would!』
『Indeed. It seems both are standing their ground, likely preparing to cast their spells.』
Ratz and Eris provided the commentary, but looking at their faces, they were visibly brimming with excitement over what I was going to do...
A one-hit knockout would not make for a very entertaining show.
Besides, I want to give Eoid some time to loosen up his nerves, so maybe I'll go with that approach.
While I was pondering which approach to take, Ardes seemingly finished chanting his spell. Looking over at me with a smirk, he sneered:
"Fuhahaha!! My chant finished first!! What's this about being stronger than the Headmasterl!? You're even slower at chanting than I am!!"
"Hm? No. I wasn't chanting."
"What?"
Because there's no need for me to chant.
"How dare you mock me!! Magic cast without chanting is drastically weaker!! Do you really think you can defend against my fully chanted spell!?"
Saying that, Ardes pointed a dense mass of mana straight at me.
Since it carries a magical restriction, mana is converted through it, manifesting into a physical phenomenon known as magic.
『Oh!! Contestant Ardes has made the first move!! Is that fire!?』
『That's right. According to our records, Contestant Ardes specializes in fire magic. Considering he climbed all the way to 13th rank in the academy with it, we can presume his magic is quite formidable.』
Just as the two commentators explain, flames begin spilling out from the hand Ardes has thrust forward, scattering throughout the area.
OOOOHHHHHHH!
The audience let out impressed gasps at the sight of magic they rarely got to witness up close.
Well... the fact that the flames were scattering everywhere was actually evidence that his control was poor.
"I'll disfigure your face with severe burns! Don't worry, I'll leave you alive!"
"...Thanks, I guess?"
"How long do you plan on keeping that composed face!? Prepare yourself!!"
"...Uh, Are you going to attack or not?"
I'm waiting for you to make your move, after all.
"Very well!! Go ahead and scream!! FIRE STORM!!"
At Ardes's shout, the spell completed.
Before me stood not just a tornado—but a blazing storm of fire, a cyclone of flames that would burn everything in its path.
『There it is!! That is Contestant Ardes's fire magic!!』
『This is Fire Storm. According to the information on Contestant Ardes, he personally wrote in large letters that this is his most highly trained ultimate technique. Why would anyone deliberately reveal their trump card like that? Is he an idiot?』
Eris... you really don't hold back.
『Now, Firestorm approaches!! What will Contestant Yuki do!? Nevermind, go get 'em, Onii-san!!』
『Yes, go wild to your heart's content, Yuki-san!!』
...Next time, I really need to tell them not to do biased commentary.
No, wait, is this time just a special case?
Ardes was the one who picked a fight with my wives, after all. He probably thought he was picking a fight with me, but in reality, his words were a declaration of war against my wives.
Anyway, about this Fire Storm... It isn't moving particularly fast. It crept toward me at a steady pace. Looking at Ardes in the back, he's watching me carefully without letting his guard down.
...I see, he's setting up to follow up if I dodge.
Or rather, he cast Firestorm under the assumption that I would dodge it. He actually has a battle plan in his head, huh?
In that case, I would use a method that overturned his plan.
『Eh? O-Onii-san?』
『H-He took a stance!?』
The two commentators let out voices of surprise.
Well, naturally—I had literally never taken a battle stance before. Even during training with my wives, I just stood there casually.
I pull my body slightly sideways, lightly clench my left fist and raise it to face level. I clench my right fist and draw it back deeply beside my chest while lowering my knees.
Yes, the technique considered the absolute foundation of martial arts—
The Straight Punch.
"Hah!"
I steady my breathing, twist my body, and thrust my fist straight toward the storm of flames.
BOOM!!
With that sound, the Fire Storm vanishes, and Ardes, who had been preparing a follow-up in the back, is blown away along with it.
"Gwah!? W-What just happened?!"
Ardes had prepared himself properly, so although he was blown away and rolled across the ground, he quickly recovered his stance.
Good. He's got a fighter's instincts.
It seems he isn't merely some noble who likes to swagger around... That made his motivation even more unfortunate.
Well, it's easy to understand, at least.
I suppose this is what they call "the folly of youth."
Ardes, having quickly regained his stance, remained on high alert, but I didn't launch a follow-up attack.
I remained standing in the same place, still holding my stance.
"......"
While puzzled as to why my follow-up wasn't coming, Ardes didn't dare carelessly throw magic at me while I maintained my stance.
Well, it's obvious what would happen if he repeated what he just did.
It's the correct decision.
『Ah!? I was completely mesmerized by Onii-san's coolness for a moment. So, what do the special judges think about the techniques those two just used?』
Saying so, Ratz held the microphone up to each of the special judges in turn.
First the camera zooms in on Guildmaster Ramba of the Mercenary Guild.
...Right. Since battles like this normally have commentary, I might as well use the opportunity to kill some time.
Ardes is glaring at me, but his ears are practically twitching as he listens to the Guild Master, who ranks above him.
Yeah, this guy really does have talent.
『Do I just talk into this?』
『Yes. It will amplify your voice just like mine.』
『I see. Well, since we don't know when the two will clash again, I'll keep it brief. From my perspective as a Mercenary Guild Master, Contestant Ardes's attack was highly effective and logical. He intentionally unleashed a slow-moving Firestorm, intending to follow up once Yuki dodged it.』
OOOOOHHHHHHH!
The spectators respond with impressed voices.
As expected of a Guild Master, he could accurately read the battlefield.
『However, Contestant Yuki blew it away in an instant with a punch... He likely used a bizarre tactic of imbuing wind magic into his fist, blowing away both the Firestorm and Contestant Ardes behind it. No, in that situation, it was probably the best possible move. The only shame is that Yuki's wind magic was cancelled out, only managing to blow Contestant Ardes back. If it had been stronger, the match would have been decided in a split second.』
So he didn't realize I was holding back, huh?
Well, that was probably for the best.
If I went all out, this entire area would be flattened.
『I see. Thank you for your commentary. Eris-san, is there any movement in the duel?』
『...Ehehe.』
『...Hey, Eris.』
『Ah! My apologies. This is Eris at the commentary desk. From what I can see, both fighters are still glaring at each other. Even that major clash just now seems to have been nothing more than a test of each other's abilities. Neither of their attacks actually reached their intended targets, yet neither of them has even lost their composure.』
...I caught a quick glimpse—Eris is privately filming too. I saw a handheld camera!
Now then, if I don't move soon, the audience is going to get bored. Should I initiate?
Just as I was thinking that, Ardes began chanting again, and countless spears of fire floated into the air.
『Oho!! Contestant Ardes has made a move!! Are those spears of fire?! Headmaster, what do you think?』
『Yes. Just as Ratz-san said, those are spears of fire. While this magic lacks the area of effect and raw power of the previous Firestorm, it has the advantage of being launched in rapid succession like arrows. It also consumes less mana than Firestorm. He likely judged that Yuki-dono's magic is single-shot and decided to focus on overwhelming numbers.』
As Headmaster Poppuri finished her commentary, the chant seemingly ended at the same time, and Ardes opened his mouth.
"As I thought, your wind magic seems to be single-shot! You can't fire it unless you're in a position to hit guaranteed. You saw that I was watching you closely during my chant, so you thought you couldn't hit me. Am I right!?"
Nope. Wrong.
I'm buying time.
Ah, no—since this is a recording, I suppose I should say I'm extending the runtime.
"You should have fired anyway! Because you had at least a slim chance of winning!! Can you dodge fire spears in these numbers?!"
As Ardes shouts, the countless flaming spears floating in the air rain down upon me.
『Oh!! A rain of fire spears pours down on Contestant Yuki!!』
Now, for some reason everyone kept calling it wind magic, but in reality, it was an extension of mana control—I was just slamming my own mana into his to forcefully dispel his magic.
Well, I intentionally thrust my fist out to make it look like I was using magic, so in a way, being mistaken for a wind mage is exactly what I intended.
And now, the rain of fire spears approached right before my eyes.
Nullifying or erasing them was easy enough, but since everyone assumed my style involved taking a stance and thrusting my fists, I should intercept them in a way that fit the act.
BAM!!
『Ohh!! Contestant Yuki knocked down one of the approaching fire spears!! But the rest are already right in front of his face!! He won't make it in t—』
Ratz wasn't worried in the slightest.
Well, showing off for my wives was part of the goal here anyway...
BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM!!
I simply keep thrusting my fists forward in rapid succession.
"What!?"
Ardes stared at the scene before him in sheer shock.
I can't blame him—he thought it was a single-target interception, only to be proven dead wrong.
『Contestant Yuki isn't stopping! With incredible speed and composure, he is intercepting every single one of them. Is this physical reinforcement using wind magic?!』
『Yes. As Eris-san said, it is likely physical enhancement and speed augmentation via wind magic. But even with that, intercepting over thirty falling fire spears in midair is truly staggering!』
And as I blew away the very last one, I returned to my stance—
"There!!"
Not missing that tiny opening, Ardes launched an oversized Fireball on a delayed timing.
However, my fists weren't my only weapons. Humans have legs, too.
In fact, kicks carry far more power than punches.
"Up we go."
It was huge, but at the end of the day, it was just a mass of fire made from mana.
I could manipulate it however I wanted with wind or mana control.
"Wha—!?"
This time, Ardes was rendered completely speechless.
Well, it couldn't be helped.
Because I hadn't kicked the Fireball to erase it.
"Heave—ho."
I juggle the fireball—like a soccer player.
Yes—juggling. Every Japanese guy has tried it at least once, right? Whether good or bad at it, everyone's given it a shot.
I used to watch famous soccer manga and compete with my friends in juggling contests, too.
And while he called it an oversized Fireball, size-wise, it was about the size of a beach ball. The softness could also be adjusted with mana control, making it far easier than juggling a hard soccer ball.
『W-What on earth?! He intercepted a surprise Fireball by simply kicking it, keeping it suspended in midair!! It's not falling to the ground!!』
『Uh... he has incredible balance, but... does that serve any actual purpose, Yuki-san?』
Ah, right. Since Eris used to return straight to work as soon as classes ended at the Weed school, she'd never seen me playing soccer with the kids.
Alright then, time for a flashy finish.
『Oh! Contestant Yuki kicked the Fireball high into the air!!』
『Contestant Yuki is winding up a huge leg swing toward the falling Fireball... No way!?』
I shouted inside my heart!!
—DRIVE SHOOT!!
'Someday I'll score with an Inazuma shoot!!'
A nostalgic song echoed through my head.
Then, my foot connected with the Fireball, sending it flying toward Ardes at a speed far greater than when he had originally cast it—
BOOOOOOM!!
Fueled by a fresh injection of my own mana, the supercharged Fireball struck Ardes directly before he could even react.
『IT CONNECTEDー!!』
『With a magnificent kick from Contestant Yuki, Contestant Ardes's own Fireball hit him directly!! He can't be seen through the explosive flames, but this is pure karma!! That was incredible!! So cool!! Kyaaa!!』
...I'm going to give Eris a serious lecture later.
Ardes was doing his best too, so we should give him some credit.
Anyway, is he okay? Since it was his own magic, I didn't think increasing the firepower slightly would render him unable to fight.
Pondering that, I stared into the center of the smoke.
I expected him to launch an attack from inside the smoke, but there was surprisingly no reaction.
...Wait, he didn't die, right? I held back... I think?
『The smoke is finally clearing... Contestant Ardes is standing!! He's tattered in places, but he is standing!!』
Phew, thank goodness. He's alive.
However, just as Ratz said, he looked tattered all over and barely able to stand.
『...This is bad. Vice Headmaster Lara is rushing over. If his injuries are too severe, the match will end immediatel—』
"—I can still fight!!"
His voice shakes the entire arena.
Eris was unable to continue her sentence, and Vice Headmaster Lara froze in her tracks.
"Ngh... I can still fight. So please, do not stop this."
"But those injuries..."
With a single glance, Vice Headmaster Lara had judged his injuries to be beyond what was acceptable for a duel, her face showing she wanted to stop it immediately.
But her concern disappears when she hears his next words.
"Give it everything you have until the very end, and use your magic!! That is the path to becoming the strongest and gaining the power to protect the most people!! I haven't given it my all yet!! I beg of you!!"
Upon hearing those words, Vice Headmaster Lara immediately turns around and looks toward Headmaster Poppuri.
『Permission granted to continue fighting!! Ardes, have your eyes finally opened?! Yuki-dono standing before you is a man existing at a far-off height that neither you—nor I—could ever hope to reach, no matter how hard we struggle!! Strike him with everything you currently possess!! Exert your full strength!! And feel with your own body the path you must reach!!』
When Headmaster Poppuri declared that, Ardes took a deep breath, stared straight at me, and opened his mouth:
"Yuki!! Allow me to test myself against you!!"
"Come at me with everything you've got."
When I answered, Ardes immediately broke into a sprint toward me.
Despite being battered, his footsteps were powerful as he dug into the ground, charging forward.
Then, imbuing a fire spell formula into his clenched fist, he poured in his maximum mana, putting all his body weight behind a punch aimed straight at me—
WHOOSH!!
『Contestant Ardes's soul-bearing strike explodes on Contestant Yuki!! Contestant Yuki and Contestant Ardes are swallowed by a storm of fire!! What is happening inside?!』
I could hear Lats's commentary.
However, it was a fine, heart-filled strike.
Ah, youth really is great.
Yes, doing reckless things like this is a young man's privilege.
"...Just as the Principal said. I can't reach you at all, can I?"
"Well, our experience on the battlefield is completely different, after all."
Inside the storm of fire, I caught Ardes's thrusting fist with a single hand as we exchanged words.
"Guh..."
Ardes staggers.
"Well, you put on a great face at the end. Hang in there a bit longer. I'll show you something good."
Even while staggering, Ardes desperately struggles to keep himself from falling.
He didn't even have the leeway to reply anymore, huh?
In that case, I'd better show him something good right away.
『Oh? For some reason, the storm of fire suddenly vanished!! Both men inside are still standing!! How on earth did they endure inside that storm?!』
『Wait a moment. Around Contestant Yuki, there are fire spears... no, next to the fire spears, water? Is that rock? Ice!? He is controlling multiple magic elements simultaneously!!』
Even as Eris said that, her face betrayed her confusion as to why I was showing off such a hand.
It couldn't be helped, right?
I had to show respect to a guy who proved his manhood.
"M-Multi-element mage..."
It was a bit different, but if I exposed any more of my cards, my wives would probably get mad at me, so I'd settle for this.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
Spears of different elemental magic slammed into the ground surrounding Ardes.
And without a shred of hesitation, Ardes leaned his back against one of the magic spears embedded behind him.
"...I concede."
With a clear, refreshed expression, he declared his surrender.
『Contestant Ardes has surrendered!! Victory goes to Contestant Yuki!!』
OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!
『However, is Contestant Ardes alright!? Vice Principal Rara is hurriedly rushing over... It appears he is safe. Since he has passed out, a stretcher is being brought over... Before he leaves, please give a round of applause for the courage he displayed in standing up to the end, even knowing he couldn't win!』
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
At Eris's prompt, the audience broke into applause, which continued until Ardes was carried out of sight.
『Ardes, you did well. Yuki, thank you for taking on one of our students.』
I gave a light wave of my hand in response to Poppuri's words and stepped off the stage.
"Onii-chan, you were so cool!!"
"Yes, you were extremely, extremely cool, Yuki-san!!"
"I didn't expect Yuki to use martial arts like that. But that last move was soccer, the game you play at school, right?"
"...Nn. Yuki was so, so wonderful. I'm happy. But I've revised my opinion of Ardes a little bit, too."
"Just as Cleana-san says. I thought he was a complete fool, but it seems he had a decent backbone after all. Well, nowhere near Yuki-sama's level, of course!! You were wonderful!!"
Immediately, the five who had been watching from the waiting room showered me with praise.
It makes me really happy.
It really does.
But...
"Thanks, guys... So, why do you have tissues stuffed up your noses?"
That's right.
For some reason, everyone except Aslin has tissues stuffed up their noses.
They're beauties, so I suppose it's still somewhat acceptable?
"You see, the big sisters had nosebleeds, so I gave them tissues!"
Yeah.
Definitely not acceptable.
『Now then, that was a heated match, but we've only just begun!! Please look forward to the second match!!』
『There will be a 30-minute break, so please use this time to visit the restroom. Anyone feeling unwell, please head to the medical room...』
Alright, next up is Taiki-kun, huh?
...I suppose I'd better give Airi some tissues, too?
