Chapter 377: Since We Have the Chance

Lionel was giving instructions for the next spell to the mages beside us, while we trembled in fear. Naturally, it was a spell more powerful than Fireball. It seemed they were going to use Fire Lance.

“Captain, we’re ready anytime!”

“Alright, fire!”

From the tip of the mage’s raised staff, flames erupted with force. The heat it radiated was as if multiple Fireballs had been launched at once.

However, as if something was protecting it, the flames never reached the reinforced glass.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.”

The scene was in chaos. And all of it was because of the coating agent I had applied. I really messed up. It was only then that Fabienne seemed to grasp the reality of the situation, as one side of her mouth twitched. So that’s the face of someone thinking, “I messed up.” I was probably making the same face.

“Julius, what’s happening?”

“I… I have no idea either…”

Just like Alex-niisan earlier, sweat trickled down my forehead. It felt incredibly cold. While I was wondering what to do, three mages launched a Fire Lance simultaneously. However, it was blocked again!

“Julius-sama?”

“N-no, Lionel, this isn’t what it looks like!”

“And what exactly is it then?”

He was smiling, but it wasn’t a smile. His eyes, narrowed like thin threads, were terrifying. How did it come to this? Lionel then instructed an even more powerful spell. I wanted to scream, Please, stop! Surely, the reinforcement effect on the glass would wear off soon, right?

Next, they decided to use Fire Tornado, a high-level fire attribute spell. Since this spell was deemed particularly dangerous, the reinforced glass was placed in the very center of the magic training grounds. Naturally, no one was standing nearby.

“If this doesn’t work, we’ll have to call off the experiment. We can’t push any further.”

“We’ve already confirmed its durability, so we don’t really need to go this far, right?”

“Just to be sure. Just to be sure. Besides, completing the test properly will make it easier for Alex-sama to report to the Lord.”

It seemed Lionel intended to dump all the reporting duties onto my brother. Alex-niisan looked at him with a resentful expression, but Lionel pretended not to notice.

I didn’t want to get dragged into this mess. I made sure to avoid meeting my brother’s eyes as much as possible.

“Preparations are complete!”

“Alright, do it.”

“Fire Tornado!”

The mage muttered a chant under his breath before raising his voice. A tornado made of flames surged toward the reinforced glass. The force of the fire was immense, and even though we were standing at a distance, a wave of heat rushed over us. It was hot.

This would be the end of the reinforced glass—or so I thought.

However, just like with the Fireballs earlier, the fiery tornado gradually shrank, its flames dwindling, until it eventually disappeared completely.

The mage collapsed to his knees. It seemed he had exhausted his magic power.

Unbelievable. And it was still just the morning.

“What in the world…?”

“Lionel, I was thinking about applying that coating agent to the knights’ armor as well. What do you think?”

Now was the only chance to push forward while he was still in shock. Thinking that, I quickly proposed my plan. Fabienne widened her eyes, as if to say, “You’re bringing that up now?”

“Y-yes, indeed. I’ll think about it…”

“I’m counting on you, Lionel. Well then…”

“Wait.”

Just as we were about to make our escape, Alex-niisan stopped us. Naturally, there was no smile in his eyes. He firmly grabbed my arm, making it clear that he had no intention of letting me go.

“Since we’re here, I’d like to see Julius’ magic as well. I think it’s best to prove whether that reinforced glass can be broken with fire attribute magic.”

“Isn’t there no need to prove that? We’ve already confirmed that other attribute magic can break it…”

“It’s still necessary. If people assume fire attribute magic is safe, they might let their guard down and cause an unforeseen disaster.”

Is that really the case? I don’t think so… If someone used a spell like Fire Tornado, even if the reinforced glass survived, anyone standing nearby would die.

I felt several gazes on me. It seemed that everyone’s attention was now focused on me.

To be honest, I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to be called a “sage” again. But refusing to do anything after attracting this much attention didn’t sit right with me either. I had a strong bond with the knights, after all. I didn’t want to disappoint them.

“Understood. What kind of magic should I use?”

“Let’s see… I’d like you to use a fire spell you haven’t tested yet.”

A fire spell I haven’t used yet… Fire Arrow? But that’s just a beginner spell. Fabienne is here too, so maybe something more visually impressive—like Firebird.

When I glanced at Fabienne, her eyes were full of anticipation. I couldn’t let her down.

“Alright. I’ll do it then. Firebird!”

With a loud whoosh, the flames surged up, taking the shape of a bird before charging at the reinforced glass.

As expected, the coating agent I created worked well. Before my eyes, the massive firebird rapidly shrank in size. However, it seemed to have reached its limit. Finally, the reinforced glass began to melt into a molten state. Victory!

As if responding to my unspoken joy, the firebird, now about the size of a great eagle, let out a sharp cry and flew toward me, perching gracefully on my outstretched arm.

“Well done. As expected.”

“Pi!”

“Kyuu!”

“Hm?”

Mira’s voice brought me back to my senses. Everyone present was staring at me in stunned silence.

I acted on impulse. I regret it now. So please forgive me.

“Julius-sama, isn’t it hot?”

Fabienne tilted her head as she asked, seemingly intrigued by the firebird.

“It’s fine. My magic can distinguish between friend and foe.”

Needless to say, the silence around me grew even heavier.

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