In the third match of the main event, Hakurei Arcadion emerged victorious.
It was the expected outcome, but it was good to see more of the true skills compared to the qualifiers.
Information about the opponent is paramount; in my previous life, I had thoroughly researched the characteristics of the monsters I had to defeat.
I won’t let my guard down.
I won’t be arrogant.
Usually, I’m only interested in combat itself, but this time, winning is my top priority.
It’s only natural to do my utmost.
“Now, we’ve reached the final match of the first round! The fourth match! Facing off is the combat enthusiast,
Kraze Reynostia, who shocked the venue during the qualifiers! Opposing him is the master of illusions, the chaos-wielding Welmond Felxnia!”
I stand with my sword at my waist, my weight evenly distributed on both feet.
In front of me… Welmond Felxnia has a smirk at the corners of his mouth.
He must have quite a bit of confidence.
Or is it just bravado?
In any case, if Welmond Felxnia is using illusions, there’s nothing to worry about.
The previous three matches had all been spectacular, so even I, who usually isn’t swayed by emotions, felt a bit of motivation.
“Then, let’s begin the fourth match!”
At the host’s signal, the match started.
Welmond Felxnia multiplied into several figures.
Two, five, eight…
So this is the rumored illusion.
“Right after the match begins! Welmond Felxnia has created multiple illusions! They’re all intricate! It’s impossible to distinguish them!”
Indeed, they all look like the real thing.
It seems I can’t discern them with my five senses.
I didn’t see it from the waiting room, but in the seventh match of the qualifiers, he apparently created chaos in the battle with similar tactics.
Which one is the real one, and which are illusions?
Or could it be that all are illusions and the real one is hiding?
Even if I try to probe with magic, he surely has measures in place, so finding his location would take considerable time.
However, in the chaotic qualifiers or in a one-on-one match, there’s no time for that.
“I see…”
This is quite troublesome.
If I let my guard down, I could be deceived, and if I try to find his location, I might be attacked.
It would be tough for any young noble participating in martial arts, let alone a skilled magician.
Well, of course—I’m different.
“Sorry. You just picked the wrong opponent.”
My body is devoid of magical energy, meaning I can’t use any magic.
Instead, I have mastered fighting spirit.
And fighting spirit is nothing but life force transformed for combat.
In other words—
“I can see it.”
The waves of life force that magic cannot conceal.
The real one is not one of the eight illusions…
But behind them.
I slipped between the illusions trying to block my path and swung my sword at the empty space.
Clang.
“Impossible…!”
Welmond Felxnia revealed himself, deploying a barrier to block my sword.
Ordinary barriers would shatter under my sword, but… he seems to have made it smaller and increased its density; not even a crack appeared.
“Entertain me, will you?”
I stepped forward, gripped my sword, and in a single breath, struck three times.
My swordsmanship, enhanced in speed and precision since my previous life, obliterated the illusions Welmond Felxnia hastily created and cracked the barrier made from magical tools.
“What’s going on!?
Kraze Reynostia has struck straight to the location of the perfectly concealed Welmond Felxnia! How could he unleash such swift sword strikes!? What does he see!?”
There shouldn’t be anyone in the audience or among the hosts who knows about fighting spirit.
So they must be wondering how I figured out his location.
I walked leisurely without pursuing him.
Ending it like this would be dull.
I wanted him to reveal more of his abilities.
“Damn, damn, damn…!”
Welmond Felxnia’s demeanor changed from relaxed before the match to glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.
“—Dorgo Eye, Dark Prison.”
“Oh?”
Suddenly, the scenery vanished from my sight, enveloping me in darkness.
I couldn’t see anything.
I see, a spell to steal vision.
That is indeed a threat.
“Die—Vernirra, Void Dark Needle.”
This… it’s better to avoid it.
I can’t see anything, and I can’t sense any magical reactions, but for now, I jumped back significantly.
“The Dorgo Eye, which blinds the sight, and the Vernirra’s dark needles piercing from the void! However, Kraze Reynostia deftly dodged them! How is he evading despite not being able to see!?”
That was dangerous.
If I hadn’t dodged based on experience and instinct from my previous life, my barrier would have been shattered.
Still, I must say…
“It seems I picked the wrong opponent.”
I can’t see.
But I can see the waves of life force.
For Welmond Felxnia, who specializes in tricks, I am simply a terrible match-up.
“I shouldn’t be able to see!”
I move around, evading his line of sight, and in an instant, I’m right next to him.
“Well, you were somewhat strong.”
From above right to below left.
I made a diagonal slash.
Crack!
I shattered the barrier.
“Match over! In the fourth match of the main event, the combat enthusiast Kraze Reynostia claims victory! Even in a dire situation where his sight was blinded by Welmond Felxnia, he moved as if he could see everything, shattering the barrier!”
“Oh, it’s back.”
My vision returned.
By the way, how should I deal with this magic?
Well, I’ll ask my brother later.
“With this, the first round of the main event has concluded! Next, we move to the semifinals! The genius young lady Arcelia Oriondor! The embodiment of the storm, Rowen Reynostia! The ice noble, Hakurei Arcadion! The combat enthusiast, Kraze Reynostia! These are the strong competitors who have triumphed with undeniable skill! Who will advance to the finals!?”
Now it’s the genius young lady and my brother’s match.
After that, it will be my turn against Hakurei Arcadion.
He is a formidable opponent, but… I can’t lose before facing the genius young lady.
Just a little longer.
Just a little longer until I can battle the genius young lady.
My heart swelled with excitement.
