Kays Translations

Chapter 30: The Marchioness was a Gorilla

"This is... absolutely ridiculous!"

Rest instinctively crossed his arms to block Eilish’s blow. Despite combining the body-enhancing magic "Physical Strengthening" and "Sturdy," he was struck by an incredible impact. Rest couldn't withstand it, getting blown away and stumbling backward.

"Well... your reaction isn't bad. The output and activation speed are impeccable. I'm impressed that you can do a duet with such youth."

"Th-that's... thank you."

Eilish, without launching a follow-up attack, rotated her arms. If it were an ordinary warrior or mage, the fight would have ended with the initial strike.

(Th-the sensation in both my arms is gone... they're not torn, are they?)

Although the arms he used for defense weren't broken, they were numb to the point that he couldn't move them of his own will. Without dispelling the strengthening magic, he used "Healing" to mend the damage to his arms.

"Oh, a trio of maneuvers is also possible. Quite remarkable."

"Even so... why can you exert so much power with just 'Physical Strengthening'?"

It was a genuine question. While Rest was simultaneously activating multiple spells, Eilish only used "Physical Strengthening." Rest used "Physical Strengthening" as well, but there was a clear difference in their abilities.

"I naturally have a high magic output. It's a talent."

"... Talent, huh."

"In exchange... I'm not good at long-range attack magic. I wonder if it's the price for not being able to have everything?"

"..."

While Rest possessed an almost bottomless magic power, the magic output, or magic power put into one spell, was not exceptionally high. It wasn't low by any means, but compared to the extraordinary talent of copying any magic after seeing it once and having an infinite magic power, his output seemed rather ordinary.

(I see... Certainly, you can't have everything.)

"In that case... how about something like this?"

Rest conjured about a dozen "Fireballs" around him and launched them at Eilish.

"Ha!"

"Hehe... a good attack. I like it."

Although he shot the fireballs, adjusting their positions and timing to make them unavoidable, Eilish dodged them with agile steps and an unbelievable physical ability. Without slowing down, she swiftly closed in on Rest.

"Smoke Screen."

However, Rest scattered white smoke around him. Both Rest and Eilish disappeared into the smoke, quite literally enveloped by it.

"You're good at this...!"

Eilish’s fist, swung down while she spoke, sliced through the air. Due to the "Sensory Enhancement" magic, Rest could see Eilish’s movements within the smoke. As she approached, he pressed his palm against her abdomen.

(Just like this...!)

"Thunder Palm Shock!"

"Ugh...!"

Eilish’s body twitched slightly. The spell Rest used was a magic meant to subdue the opponent with an electric shock without causing lethal damage—a technique he learned from Dibble for close combat.

"It hurts, doesn't it? But... you're underestimating non-lethal magic."

"....!?"

Despite hitting Eilish’s abdomen directly, the effect lasted only for a moment.

"Don't touch another woman's stomach while you have Viola and Primula. Bad boy... you deserve punishment!"

"Uwaa!"

While still holding Rest's arm, Eilish swung his body and threw him. Rest bounced off the ground several times, rolling to the edge of the training ground.

"Rest-kun!"

"Rest-sama!"

"You're not getting away! Our fight isn't over yet!"

Eilish shouted, preventing the girls from rushing over. As she said, the battle wasn't finished. While healing his body with recovery magic, Rest stood up from the ground.

"This is absurd... really..."

Being able to stand up like this was thanks to the training from Dibble. Thanks to the experience in combat against humans, he managed to minimize damage by taking evasive actions.

(If she could avoid all those fireballs earlier, it's pointless to shoot long-range magic... I don't want to shoot off a bad gun, causing the mansion to catch fire... )

If that were the case, should he use strengthening magic and engage in close combat? Rest grimaced at the thought. He had a hunch that this fight would not be easy.

"That varied use of magic... are you under Dibble’s tutelage?"

Eilish asked.

While focusing on healing, Rest nodded.

"Yes, Dibble-sensei has taught me various things."

"He had taken disciples in the past, but it seems none lasted. Is he a strict person?"

"Not exactly gentle. But if you want to get stronger, it's only natural."

"Yeah, good attitude."

Eilish directed a calm smile that was unusual during a battle.

"He's incredibly skilled in using magic, but due to his limited magic power, he couldn't master advanced magic. I'd like to see what would happen if someone like you, with a haphazard amount of magic power, mastered his fighting style."

"... I see."

Rest clenched and unclenched his fists.

During the conversation, the damage had completely healed. Not only did his magic power not decrease at all. 

(I'm back to square one. It seemed Eilish magic power had decreased slightly. I might even have an advantage over her... )

Yet... why?

Rest felt no advantage at all.

On the contrary, he sensed that he was the one being cornered, causing him to break into a cold sweat.

Engaging in mock battles with Dibble every day had made him capable of fighting on advantageous terms, even if he couldn't win outright. However, he still felt Eilish was too distant.

Is this the force standing at the top of the country? He was once again deeply shocked.

(Stronger... than Dibble-sensei, than me too...!)

"Rest-kun!"

"Rest-sama!"

(Still... I can't give up. Because there are these girls cheering for me.)

Viola and Primula raised their voices, supporting Rest. He couldn't show them an embarrassing sight. Even though he said he would borrow their chests, he had to give it his all.

(I'll go all out... to the point of killing...!)

"Ah... it seems you've made up your mind. Good eyes. Those eyes, similar to my husband in his youth, whom I liked so much."

Eilish lifted the corners of her lips in an amusing manner.

"Come. I'll embrace you."

"I'm coming...!"

[Physical Strengthening]

[Sturdy]

[Acceleration]

[Earth Armor]

A quartet of magic activated.

Coating his entire body with an earthy armor, Rest assumed a crouching start-like stance.

"Quartet... amazing!"

"Launch Fire!"

As Eilish exclaimed in admiration, she kicked the ground and sprinted. Unbelievable speed despite wearing a coat of earth armor. The force and weight were like a large motorcycle charging at over a hundred kilometers per hour. Running straight, she intended to collide with Rest, who was attempting to strike her torso while wrapped in a riding outfit.

“...!”

"Yeah, that's good. It's genuinely good."

However, such an attack was intercepted.

In addition to [Physical Strengthening], Eilish had used [Sturdy] to further fortify her body. Despite the fact that [Physical Strengthening] alone was overwhelming, the blow from the quartet proved ineffective against Eilish, who had reinforced her body by overlapping magic.

"A reward for you. I'll embrace you as promised."

"Kaha...!"

Eilish arms embraced Rest.

The earth armor shattered with a loud crack, and he was squeezed in a vice-like grip resembling a mackerel fold.

(My waist... is broken...!)

Drifting away from consciousness, Rest fainted on the spot.

The second duel in the training ground.

Once again, Rest suffered defeat and fainted, just like the previous time.

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