Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 458: Difference in Abilities
The skill demonstrations in the village square came to an abrupt halt after Aeris’s powerful spell produced a thunderous roar.
The flash and noise were so intense that the people responsible for the Saint’s procession couldn’t simply ignore them.
At the time, the Sart delegation led by the Crown Prince was eating while discussing the rest of the journey. The sudden lightning and deafening crash threw the room into confusion, and several people nearly spat out their drinks.
The Crown Prince himself let out a startled yelp and toppled backward with his chair. Those around him did their best to pretend they had neither seen nor heard it, but that was no easy task.
“Wh-What in the world was that!?”
Still flustered, he demanded an explanation from his attendants.
Before long, a Royal Guard knight entered to report.
“Some members of the Saint’s entourage were demonstrating their abilities in a corner of the square. It appears that one of them used an unusually powerful spell and caused the disturbance.”
“That was magic? I see… Tell them to keep the noise down. We can’t have them frightening everyone nearby.”
Once he understood the cause, the Crown Prince recovered enough composure to issue instructions.
“It must have been the commoner girl who specializes in lightning magic. I was the one who recommended her. I thought she might become useful to the Mages’ Guild in the future, but perhaps she’s already ready to serve as an immediate asset!”
One of the prince’s subordinates eagerly tried to claim credit for selecting her.
“It could have been nothing more than an impressive combination of light and sound,” another remarked teasingly.
“What was that? The martial artist you recommended is so plain that he has barely attracted any attention at all!”
“Hmph! That young man has already distinguished himself. He won the youth division of last year’s martial arts tournament in the Royal Capital by an overwhelming margin!”
While the Crown Prince’s subordinates argued over the merits of the candidates they had recommended, a Royal Guard knight approached Tauro and his companions in the square.
“You went a little too far, Lady Aeris. Fortunately, His Highness only ordered us to tell you to keep the disturbance to a minimum, so there should be no further trouble.”
“Ahaha… I’m sorry. I didn’t expect the spell to become that powerful either.”
Aeris apologized to the familiar knight. Even she had been surprised by the force of her full-powered magic.
“It’s my turn now, isn’t it, Lord Tauro?”
Zion, who had been quietly watching from beneath her hood, stepped forward.
“You want to demonstrate too, Zion? All right. Is anyone here confident in hand-to-hand combat?”
The common-born members of the entourage exchanged glances. Tauro’s confident manner made it clear that he was taking charge of the demonstration.
After a moment, one tall, muscular young man raised his hand.
“I am!”
He stepped forward with the bearing of someone proud of his strength.
“Are you certain? Injuries from hand-to-hand combat are often internal, and potions alone may not treat them well. Healing magic could be necessary afterward,” Tauro warned.
He was already assuming that the young man would be injured.
“I won first place in last year’s youth martial arts tournament in the Royal Capital. Rather than worrying about me, you should be concerned about that little half-beastman.”
The martial artist mistook Tauro’s warning for provocation and answered with a smug smile.
“Very well. Zion, don’t activate [Berserker], and make sure you hold back.”
After sizing up the young man, Tauro had concluded that Zion was much stronger.
“I intend to fight seriously,” the martial artist said. “I’m not the sort who goes easy on an opponent.”
Tauro’s words only irritated him further.
“Then both of you, step forward. Ready… begin!”
The instant the match started, the martial artist closed the distance with impressive speed and drove a fist toward Zion’s face.
Zion smoothly deflected the blow with her left hand while striking his solar plexus with her right.
“Guh!”
The young man grimaced, but his tournament experience kept him from freezing. He reached for Zion’s hood with his left hand, intending to seize and throw her.
Zion caught his wrist, twisted it lightly, and robbed him of his balance. Pain shot through his arm, forcing him down onto one knee.
At that moment, Zion delivered a restrained right cross to his jaw.
His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
“The match is over,” Tauro announced. “He has internal damage from the strike to the solar plexus, a severe sprain in his left wrist, and a cracked jaw. Is there anyone here who can use healing magic?”
A young healer hurried over. Tauro helped administer potions while the healer treated the injuries with magic.
“The nobles’ group really is on another level…”
“I was proud just to have been selected for this journey, but now I’ve lost all confidence.”
“I was going to demonstrate too, but perhaps I should refrain…”
The common-born youths had believed themselves exceptional among their peers. After witnessing the overwhelming difference between their abilities and those of Tauro’s companions, however, many of them were left stunned and dispirited.