Chapter 130
“That’s enough! Winner, Lucas!” [Roche]
Sponsored Content
As soon as I announced that, the spectators cheered .
The third match ended without incident, and the victor was our party’s Lucas . Winning or losing here doesn’t really mean anything, but I’m still happy to see my party member win .
Of course, I have to be impartial since I’m the referee .
“Alright . It’s time to study . You two . Please explain to the students . Let’s start with you Lucas . ” [Roche]
“Got it . Just as I said when I introduced myself, my weapon is this hammer . It’s heavy, so people say it’s hard to use, but just as you’ve seen, that’s just a question of strength . So long as you train, you’ll be able to handle it just fine . And more than anything else, if you can get a clean hit in, the resulting power is amazing . ” [Lucas]
“You got that right . I was sent flying with my shield . ” [Teacher 1]
The swordsman he was fighting chuckled . He handled his one-handed wooden sword with his right hand and his shield with his left hand effectively, but one straight-up hit from Lucas’ hammer immediate changed the situation .
There are all sorts of shields . The shield this guy is using is a one-handed type that’s not really meant to stop other people’s attacks . The shield he’s using is meant to parry .
But he failed to do that and instead ended up receiving the hammer with his shield . As a result, his shield dented a little and his left hand became unable to put strength into it .
As the two reviewed their match, they talked about the special traits of their weapons and concluded their discussion . When it was time for the next participants to come, I called out to him .
“Carmine, is your hand okay? Are you wounded?” [Roche]
“It was numbed when I got hit, but it didn’t hurt afterwards, so it should be fine . ” [Carmine]
The hammer’s special traits are its weight and its power . That’s why I got him and Lucas into a match, so they could duke it out with their hammer and shield .
“That’s good then . Don’t push yourself too much . Just to be safe, you should drop by Ryouma’s station . Get him to cast healing magic on you . His slimes, I mean . ” [Roche]
Before the first match started, Ryouma informed me that he had taken his heal slime with him .
He said the slime will be healing the participants in his place, so he can conserve his mana . Currently, the slime could be found rested on top of his head .
“He says it’s free during this teaching session . ” [Roche]
“I’m happy to hear that . Maybe I should get him to do a full body inspection… But then again, he might find out I have some weird disease . That would be scary…” [Carmine]
“No . If you have some kind of disease, the sooner you find out the better . ” [Roche]
Sponsored Content
Besides, healing magic can only heal wounds anyway . And what does he mean by weird disease? Could it be he actually thinks he has something?
“Roche! We’re ready!” [Lucy]
“Oops . I’m going right now!” [Roche]
It seems the next match is ready to start .
“See ya . Be sure to get him to examine you . ” [Roche]
I left Carmine and went back to my job as a referee .
“Lucy the Mage versus Bosco the twin-swords-user! Fourth match! Begin!” [Roche]
Cheering voices rose up once again . But…
“Uo, Oo!? AaAAAA!?” [Bosco]
But deep voice suddenly cried out, drowning out the cheers .
The source of that voice was none other than Bosco, whose body had sank into the ground . He had already let go of his sword and was clearly suffering .
He was not doing this on his own will .
Looking at his enemy, Lucy… I guess this is about what I expected, but… She sure is looking at me indifferently .
“Ah… That’s enough . Winner, Lucy!” [Roche]
Although I’d announced the victor, this time no one is cheering .
Instead, the students were making a commotion, unsure what had just happened .
But before that, I have to do something about Bosco . How many people do we need to bring this guy away? At least, it doesn’t seem like he’s injured . He’s covered in dirt, though . I’ll ask Ryouma to do something about that later .
He’s also responsible for healing, but he’s really working proactively behind the scenes… That guy . He works fast too . Having someone like him sure is a huge help .
“Lucy . Explain . ” [Roche]
Sponsored Content
“Yes . Yes . Attention! Umm… For starters, you guys do understand that I made this situation happen, right?” [Lucy]
Well, yeah . They should at least know that much considering I declared you victor . The students are all also nodding .
“I am a ‘Mage’ . Naturally, this is a result brought about by magic . But what kind of magic did I use? Does anyone know?” [Lucy]
“Earth Magic!” [Student 1]
“I’m sure it’s Water Magic!” [Student 2]
“But the adult was buried all the way to his neck . That has to be earth magic, right?” [Student 3]
“Look at the ground . Didn’t she just use water magic to soften the ground?” [Student 4]
Most of the opinions were either earth magic or water magic . They’re not wrong, but their answers are lacking .
“Was that a Compound Spell that utilized both earth and water magic?” [Ryouma]
Oh! A student got it right! Wait a sec, that’s Ryouma! What are you doing blending in with the students so naturally!?
“You’re exactly right, Ryoumkun! It’s an advanced technique, but mages don’t always use just one element . They can combine multiple elements too . These combination of spells is what we refer to as ‘compound spells’ . They’re hard to use, but with them, the number of things one can do greatly increases .
For example, the spell I just used was a combination of earth and water attribute . It’s a spell known as ‘Mud Magic’ . The attribute, ‘mud’, doesn’t actually exist, but it’s a common name . As you can see, you can turn the ground into a bottomless quagmire with it . ” [Lucy]
“She prepared the spell before the start of the battle and activated it as soon as the signal to start was given . ” [Roche]
Bosco’s strong point is his speed . He’s not weak by any means, but the mud completely crushed his strong point .
“Concentrating is crucial when using magic, so you’ll always be left defenseless right before you cast a spell . That’s why children who are aiming to become magicians should first get some distance before using spells . You should also take measures to prevent the enemy from approaching you . It’ll also do you a lot of good to learn some close combat abilities too . ” [Lucy]
Her teachings aren’t wrong, but ideally speaking, I think she should have chosen her methods better .
It was really childish of her to do that to the person next youngest to Ryouma . He’ll definitely be depressed, you know?
But then again, this will be a good lesson to him… I’ll just do something about it later .
Now then, the next match is the last one .
Ryouma and Howard stepped forward .
“Ready?” [Roche]
“I’m good to go . What about you, Ryouma?” [Howard]
“I’m ready . ” [Ryouma]
Howard’s weapon is a makeshift spear made out of shaved spear with a cloth wrapped around its end, while Ryouma is holding a bow with one hand and has a large quiver on his shoulder .
“What’s inside that?” [Roche]
“Spare jintouya (a type of arrow not meant to harm others) . ” [Ryouma]
Jintouya?
I asked him to show me the arrows, and the tip of the arrows had been changed with something akin to the weight used in fishing .
“So these arrows are called jintouya in your hometown?” [Roche]
“Right . They’re probably not so common around here, though . . Normally, they’re to be made with wood, but I was in a hurry, so I just made them with earth magic . ” [Ryouma]
“Well, as long as they won’t penetrate me, it’s all cool . Please take care of me, Ryouma . ” [Howard]
“Please take care of me too, Howard-san . ” [Ryouma]
Although it’s right before a match, they sure have a peaceful aura about them .
Well, Howard is always easygoing, so that’s nothing unusual for him, but isn’t Ryouma nervous?
“A few years ago, I showed off my skills to others as entertainment to celebrate the end of the year . Unfortunately, I didn’t know any other art to show at the time . I also have experience going up the stage because I was acquainted with some sword dancers during the Founding Festival . ” [Ryouma]
“I see . ” [Roche]
“Ah, but I don’t actually have any experience with fighting matches… Whenever I showed off my abilities in front of others, it was always with a partner . ” [Ryouma]
“Matches aren’t that much different . Don’t think about it so much and just shoot!” [Roche]
“Yes!” [Ryouma]
Ryouma gave me a good reply as he ran to his position .
The weakness of the bow is too obvious, so I had them start with a distance of 20 meters between them .
“I’ll be going then . ” [Howard]
“Good luck… Howard . ” [Roche]
“Hmm? What’s the matter?” [Howard]
“Don’t let your guard down . Ryouma is supposedly strong . ” [Roche]
“Ahh . You’re talking about that story, huh? I know . ” [Howard]
Howard’s expression seemed to cramp a little just then . Although he might appear like he’s not thinking most of the time, he’s actually a man who can get the job done when it comes to it . Despite how he looks, he must actually be quite tense .
“Ready?” [Roche]
I asked them one last time as the two adventurers faced each other
“Ready whenever!” [Howard]
“I’m ready!” [Ryouma]
In that case, let’s begin .
“Fifth match! Begin!” [Roche]
I raised up my voice and announced the start of the match, but as soon as I did that .
“Begin—!?”
Suddenly, something changed .
It was the air . The change was so apparent that I could feel it from my head to my skin . Until now, the air was normal, but suddenly, it was so painful it felt like I would be crushed .