I held no ill will toward the princess. No, in fact, I had nothing but a good impression of her. Wasn't it the princess who expanded the orphanage?
I wasn't sure how she could have been involved in state affairs at such a young age, but... It was thanks to the princess that I wasn't raised to be a beggar, beaten into earning money. As I stood at attention, being as polite as possible, Lumia, who had convinced the examiner, looked this way.
Our eyes met. At that, the knights standing behind her took a step forward and issued a threat.
"Show some respect."
"-Stand down. You should know what to expect."
"...?"
It seemed I wasn't supposed to meet her gaze. As I quickly lowered my head, the opposite command was given.
"Raise your head. I didn't come here to receive greetings from you."
"Yes."
Due to the difference in our heights, I ended up looking slightly up at her. Lumia looked me up and down and asked.
"Dersia's disciple, what is your name?"
"This one is called Jern."
"This one? Hahaha..."
After a gentle laugh, she wiped the corner of her eye and offered some advice.
"Drop the unnecessary formalities. If you want to address me with proper etiquette, you'll need to study for at least another three months."
"Ah, yes."
"As I said, that's not why I came here."
She strode forward and poked me in the chest with the baton she was holding.
"Do you know about me?"
"Yes. Princess Lumia."
"Of course. Even a commoner would know of me. But what I am asking is, what do you know?"
"I have received a great kindness from you. I hold a deep sense of gratitude."
"... What?"
I offered my thanks to Lumia, who had a slightly puzzled expression.
"As I recall, it was you, Princess, who ordered the extensive support for the orphanages. As I am from an orphanage myself, I received a great deal of help. Therefore..."
"Ah, no..."
"Ahem..."
While I was speaking, I noticed from the knights' unusual reactions that I had made some kind of mistake. The knights were staring with their mouths agape, as if looking at a madman. The princess had an expression that said, 'What is this guy?'
It was Lumia who broke the awkward silence.
"... That was my sister's doing."
"... Ah."
"You have quite some nerve. To praise my sister's achievements in front of me."
"I apologize. I was not aware."
"No, no. This is amusing."
Lumia chuckled and turned, then stood in the center of the arena. And to the official who was nearly on his knees, she commanded.
"Prepare."
"Yes!!"
"Jern, was it?"
"... That is correct."
I'm on her bad side now. It seems I've stepped on a landmine. Lumia's voice was slightly lower as she looked at me, maintaining her smile, but I could see the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.
"Your master, Dersia, was originally meant to be my master."
"... Is that so. I did not know."
"However, she refused me, saying she had to walk the path of magic."
As the official hurried out of the arena, Lumia suddenly raised and opened her right hand. A flame formed in her hand. I knew it almost instinctively.
It was no simple flame. As if alive, it writhed in agony, then looked at me and began to laugh. How could a flame laugh?
But it truly seemed to.
"I understand. A mage of her caliber would have no reason to raise a disciple. Being an elf, she lives a long life, and..."
Muttering, Lumia looked at me.
"And yet, the one she chose after abandoning me was you?"
So she wasn't using the royal 'I' anymore. I chose my words as carefully as I could.
"No, of course, when it comes to talent, a commoner of humble birth like myself cannot even compare to you, Princess, but my Master...."
"Do not see me as you do others. I acknowledge your talent."
"Yes?"
"The fact that you've surpassed elemental spells at your age proves it. It's an achievement that few in the Empire's history can claim."
"Ah, thank you."
It was a much more generous evaluation than I expected. Though she probably said it because she didn't know the nature of the archaic formula.
"However, your master made a mistake."
"... A mistake, you say?"
"Yes."
Lumia answered with a snort.
"No matter how outstanding you are, if she abandoned me, she should not have become anyone's master. It was a foolish decision. I will make your master realize that."
"Hmm..."
She had a point. But, after a moment of quiet thought, I lowered my head.
"I'm sorry, but may I ask a favor?"
"Hmm, speak."
"Please retract that statement."
"... Oh?"
At my words, the princess looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.
"Why?"
"As for me, well, I'm not that outstanding, so feel free to curse and criticize me as you wish. If I must say, I also think my Master's decision was a mistaken one."
"Then there is no problem, is there?"
"However, I believe you should not insult my Master in front of me, the one she chose."
"... Is that so."
I met the princess's gaze. For quite a long time. The official raised a trembling hand.
"Then, make me retract it."
Lumia, smiling broadly, showed no intention of backing down. I raised my hand and asked a question.
"Excuse me, just a moment."
"Is there something else you wish to ask? You cannot run..."
"I have a question for the official, not for you, Princess."
"?"
I carefully asked the bewildered official, who was suddenly put on the spot.
"Um... you cast a spell before the match started. Isn't that grounds for disqualification?"
The official answered without a shred of hesitation.
"It is not. Begin!"
So this is what connections get you. At the same time as those words, stars twinkled in Lumia's eyes. The number was two.
2‑Star.
I didn't know much, but I knew it was a realm one shouldn't reach at her age. Not a simple fire, but Blue Flames blazed. Still, that was a relief.
Fire is the weakest magic. Because it exists merely as a phenomenon. It can be extinguished by water, put out by wind, and if it's something around here- "Don't you dare think of going easy on me.
If I see you doing so-" "Pardon me!" I kicked the ground with all my strength. Sand flew toward the princess's hand.
She had been holding the flame in her right hand the whole time, so I figured it was some other kind of magic used to control her spells.
"... Yes, I worried for nothing."
Fwoosh!
The sand was caught before it could even get close. By a hand made of flames.
Sizzle...
The sand instantly burned or melted and fell. The temperature was no joke. But what was more incredible was that the fire had taken shape.
Several giant hands extended from the princess's back, moving naturally. Lumia looked up at the hands proudly.
"Flame Spirit Manifestation. Normally, using this against a 1‑Star mage like you is punishable as murder."
"Um, doesn't that put you in a bit of a dangerous position?"
"Who would punish me?"
She's out of her mind. With a soft laugh, the princess's Flame Spirit Manifestation clenched its fist.
"Don't pretend to be weak. You should be able to withstand this."
"I can't withsta-" Boom!
It struck the ground right in front of me. I was thrown back several tumbles and slammed into the ground. The impact itself wasn't severe.
Getting hit by Dersia was much, literally much more painful, so I quickly came to my senses. The problem was the heat. My skin was stinging.
I immediately poured all of my Remove: into fire resistance. I could have actually been cooked to death. I got up and asked with a stiff expression.
"Do you really have to do this?"
"Yes."
"I have no wish to fight you, Princess. There is nothing to be gained whether I win or lose, is there not?"
"You presume victory in a duel with me? This is getting more and more interesting."
"... You were the one who made the choice, Princess."
From that moment, I started counting the time. I took my stance. It would have been best if this could end with words, but I knew that was impossible.
A crooked smile on her face, Lumia began to approach. ...
I see.
The magic's range is short. Did she sacrifice range for destructive power? If I just run around- Fwoosh!
"... No." Before I could finish my thought, the Flame Spirit Manifestation scooped up the surrounding sand.
I already knew what she was about to do and sighed. This is cheating.
"Take this."
Fshhhhh!
Melting sand filled the air in front of me.
"Tch..."
I couldn't dodge. I wrapped my hands in wind, trying to touch as little of it as possible as I batted it away. Some of it hit me regardless.
Even with Remove: activated, it was an unpleasant feeling, like having molten candle wax dripped on me. The attack didn't end there. The fists of flame, which had closed the distance before I knew it, relentlessly pounded the ground.
I could handle the molten sand, but one hit from those fists and I was out. I gritted my teeth and ran. In the end, Remove: only works against opponents using magic that can be blocked.
As I did nothing but run, the princess laughed and threw a taunt my way.
"After all that big talk, all you can do is run?"
Running was helpful, though. I was managing to maintain my breathing technique properly. It meant I wouldn't falter in a real battle.
So I was achieving my goal.
"That won't do."
"What-" Thud.
I felt the edge of the arena under my foot and froze. ...you mean.
Damn.
I thought she was just swinging wildly, but I was wrong. She had been steadily cornering me. The princess smiled and closed her right hand.
"Even among mages of the same level, not one has ever defeated me in an arena."
"Indeed, with that kind of power, you'd be nearly invincible in a confined space like an arena."
"You could also forfeit. But then you'd be left with the regret of not having shown anything."
"Hm."
I shrugged my shoulders. If the princess is left with regrets, she'll just do this again in the future. It seems better to leave a clear impression on her this time.
"Well then... come at me."
Seeing my attitude, the princess's eyes widened for a moment—then she gave a satisfied smile.
"That's more like it."
Boom—!
"My, my, are you sure you don't need to stop them?"
"Yes."
Dersia replied lightly to Rohimdal's amused question. Unlike him, the people in the waiting room were watching the execution before them with pitiful eyes.
"This is meaningless. Why would the princess do such a thing..."
"The gap between 1‑Star and 2‑Star, and with Princess Lumia as the opponent, isn't this just bullying?"
"Shh, she'll hear you..."
While some were expressing concern for the child, who had only recently recovered from the divine fever and was facing the princess— "Hoh, Princess Lumia's Flame Spirit Manifestation has improved even more!"
"I heard she finalized her personal spell at 2‑Star. What incredible momentum!"
"It's unfortunate for that child, but, ahem."
The rest were rejoicing in the princess's growth. No matter how much the duel resembled an execution, when one side was a commoner from an orphanage and the other was the princess, there was no reason to stir up trouble.
Of course, he did have the title of Dersia's disciple, but— Dersia, who should have had the strongest reaction, merely glanced at the arena at first, and after that, sat nearby reading a book. She seemed to have no interest in her disciple. She consistently ignored the updates Rohimdal occasionally gave her.
Naturally, she was not looked upon favorably.
"... Even if she chose him solely for his talent, is he not her disciple?"
"He's suffering because of her own fault, tsk..."
"Elves are all the same..."
They didn't say it to her face. If they were foolish enough to pick a fight with a mage who possessed nine mana circles, they wouldn't have risen to their current positions.
"... Hmm."
It was Rohimdal who was perplexed. He knew she wasn't particularly interested in her disciple, but he never thought she'd ignore the situation to this extent. 'I was trying to put her in her place...'
No matter his talent, having just recovered from the divine fever a few months ago, there was no way he could defeat the princess. Therefore—the princess you abandoned is a far more brilliant talent than some commoner you picked. You made the wrong choice.
That's what he had intended to tell her. But with her acting like this, it was no contest. As Rohimdal was sighing, Dersia spoke to him.
"Sir Rohimdal."
"... What is it?"
"Is the princess's education proceeding well?"
"Ah, of course!"
This one's finally showing her envy. But he had no intention of giving her up. Before Rohimdal, thinking this, could even reply— "Then, she certainly shouldn't lose to my disciple, who just recovered from the divine fever a few months ago."
"...?"
Dersia interjected.
Rohimdal blinked for a moment, then nodded.
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Since you seem so confident, shall we make a wager?"
"Hmm? A wager...? What do you mean?"
"Yes. If the princess fails to achieve victory against my disciple—you will retire from your position as a royal court mage."
"Wh-What?!"
"In exchange, if the princess wins, I will take responsibility and tell you how to reach 8‑Star."
"What are you—Do you think 8‑Star is some child's play?!"
"That is how I reached it. If you decline, there's nothing to be done."
As if she had nothing to lose, Dersia shifted her gaze back to her desk and began reading her book again. Rohimdal, who had frozen blankly, his fingers twitching, hurried to watch the match. -Boom!
"...!"
The commoner was still unable to do anything, getting pummeled and beaten down by the flame fists. It was so disastrous, you couldn't even tell how the match was progressing. A comeback from that state is impossible.
No, even with a thousand commoner mages like him, they couldn't break through the Flame Spirit Manifestation to reach the princess. Rohimdal's mind started racing. Of course, being told to quit his post as a royal court mage was absurd.
How much he had struggled to reach this position. But at the same time~ if he could just learn the way to reach 8‑Star, it was a position he could discard at any time. What made the hesitating Rohimdal rush was a sound close to an explosion. -Krakoom!!
The commoner, who had been taking glancing blows, was now hit squarely. From here, he could even see one of the gems on his necklace shatter. At this rate, the match would be over.
Rohimdal scrambled back to Dersia, grabbed her desk, and answered.
"I-I'll do it!"
"Are you sure? Everyone is watching. It might be better to think it over slowly and then decide..."
"No, I won't change my mind after it's over!"
Dersia looked at Rohimdal's bloodshot eyes.
"... Hmm. Is that so."
And smiled, just slightly.
... Ptui, keuhuk.
I spat out bloody saliva. It landed right next to my face. Because I was lying on the ground.
As I lay there sighing at the clear sky, a voice filled with pity reached me.
"That's enough now."
Hearing Lumia's voice, I got up from my spot. The heat was intense. The fists were right next to me.
Only one gem remained, and it was cracked. It didn't even seem to be absorbing all the shock. It was probably made assuming a battle between novice mages, so it must be less effective against a 2‑Star's magic.
On top of that, there was the heat that penetrated my Remove:. I didn't have to look to know I was a mess. The princess furrowed her brows and sighed.
"Well, so this is all it amounts to..."
"If defensive magic is all you have, I don't know why she chose you... any more of this would just be bullying."
"I have seen your loyalty to your master. I do not wish to torment you, so I'll end this soon."
A flame fist clenched. To break the last gem, it swung down— "...?"
And then.
Midway, the fist suddenly vanished. The princess, with a bewildered expression, brought another fist down on me as I lay sprawled on the ground. That one vanished as well.
As if annihilated, without any warning or trace.
"What is this... ugh!"
The flame floating in Lumia's right hand wavered violently. Lumia, who had instantly stepped back, prepared her defense with her remaining fists. All of it, without exception, came into my perception as I lay there.
"Hah, I can finally breathe..."
I let out the breath I was holding, raised my seemingly broken upper body, and pulled one knee up to rest my elbow on it. I looked almost like a corpse. I could see it.
I could see myself. Was that all? The bewildered knights, the sword in its sheath, a twitching leg, the spectator stands, a fallen piece of paper, the grains of sand in the arena, the broom placed far away, and the dustless marble floor...
Without exception, everything. It had all entered the range of my Tide Sense. Thump— Of course.
Thump, thump, thump— Even the slightly quickened beat of the princess's nervous heart.
"You..."
The princess frowned. It seemed she had figured out who was causing the current situation.
"What have you done?"
"Hmm."
A completely defensive posture, utterly different from a moment ago when I wasn't even considered an enemy. I felt a sense of refreshment and twisted the corner of my mouth into a smirk while still sitting. Now that I've returned, I understand.
I truly belong here.
"Five minutes. I timed it perfectly."
"??"
Even though I had given a clear answer. The princess didn't understand at all.