Kays Translations

Chapter 39: I Certainly Heard It

(That guy... When it was Gulf and Philip's turn, he must have been cheering so loudly that his throat would have torn apart... Well, it doesn't matter, huh!!)

Already a minute and a half has passed since the match between Michela and Estelle began.

Perhaps unconsciously searching, Ishud's figure is found in the audience during the match.

In contrast to when it was Gulf and Philip's turn, Ishud is simply watching the match between Michela and Estelle calmly... Some might say, with slightly cold eyes.

Those eyes seemed to say, "Even if it's casual, we trained together. There's no way you're going to pull a shitty stunt like losing disgracefully in the first match, right?"

"Tch!!! How long do you plan on acting like that!!!"

"Yes, indeed... Will your attacks land a critical hit on me?"

"!!! Don't underestimate me!!!"

Several minutes have passed since the match began, but similar to the match between Philip and Jesta, none of Estelle's offensive magic has landed a hit on Michela so far.

Dodging all released attacks or cutting through them with slashing blades enveloped in wind.

Handling everything with just evasion is impossible, but still, compared to the storm of attacks Ishud unleashed consecutively in the simulated battles, it's as gentle as a breeze.

In a previous simulated battle, Michela, as a last-ditch effort, asked Ishud to primarily engage in long-range attacks. 

Then... perhaps in a good mood, Ishud accepted Michela's request.

As per the request, he began to primarily engage in long-range attacks.

However, to call it mainly long-range attacks was too harsh.

A constant storm of slashing blades and thrusts was always coming at her. 

Additionally, despite being essentially a berserker, Ishud used elemental magic.

"Are you a bit out of your mind?!"

Facing Ishud, who continued to release attacks with a calm expression, including a storm of slashing blades, thrusts, and elemental magic, she made what might be the first-ever retort.

She was completely beaten with no recourse.

Michela didn't expect to win that match, but she didn't anticipate being forced into a defensive position from the beginning to the end of the simulated battle.

(Fighting against Estelle like this... I can truly understand how much of a monster that devil was.)

Compared to that demonic storm, she thought, facing Ishud felt like dealing with the breath of an angel. Step by step, Michela dodged fireballs, stone rippers, lances, and more, closing the distance while slashing and cutting.

"Hah!!"

Five fire lances—Fire Spears—were deployed simultaneously, and she retreated backward while releasing them toward Michela.

Adventurers who had recently learned magic inevitably had to concentrate their focus on casting spells, making it difficult for them to cast magic while moving.

Even as one becomes accustomed to casting spells, activating higher-ranked spells requires even greater concentration.

Therefore, to become the coveted and admirable mobile artillery, which is one of the goals for many magic users, extraordinary effort and experience are necessary.

Deploying five Fire Spears with the power of intermediate-level spells simultaneously and activating them while stepping backward, Estelle, although her movement speed was still slow, was steadily advancing toward the path of becoming a mobile artillery.

However, Michela managed to cut through all of those fire lances.

The timing of the fire lances' launch was subtly staggered, creating an unpleasant but fortuitous timing... they were aimed at specific positions.

To bring them down, one would need to completely stop moving, but deviating from conventional moves, Michela swung her dual swords, turning the fire lances into scattered embers.

"Heh, not bad."

It might have been a hallucination.

However, even as Ishud sported a grin that could be irritating, his voice praising her movements... was indeed audible.

"Don't underestimate me, I told you!!!"

All five Fire Spears were decoys.

Estelle had expended a large amount of magical power to deploy a Fire Javelin, a skill she could activate by raising her fire magic skill level to four.

Realizing quickly that she couldn't opt for evasion against the perfectly placed Fire Javelin, Michela didn't falter.

In the first place, Michela had no intention of dodging Estelle's ultimate attack, the Fire Javelin.

She intended to face it head-on... squarely.

As if revealing her resolute spirit, a gust of wind surrounded her dual swords.

"Ransakiri: turbulence tearing!!!"

Against the approaching Fire Javelin, Michela unleashed a skill that could be acquired at skill level two of the dual swords technique—Ransakiri.

Ransakiri was a technique that involved performing multiple rapid slashes. While looking at skill levels alone, Fire Javelin might have the upper hand, victory wasn't solely determined by that.

With her physical abilities and the power of dual swords technique, Michela splendidly overcame Estelle's trump card.

Estelle had already moved from her original position, but her expression clearly showed signs of panic.

(Do not underestimate me!!)

Michela felt a slight burn on her skin.

However, ultimately, these damages were not fatal in the context of this match.

The damage dealt didn't seem proportional to the magical power expended.

"Shi!"

"Wha...!?"

"!!!"

She decided to press on.

Michela's actions, determined to push forward, proceeded smoothly.

For a magic user, a staff is a reliable companion.

Similar to how dual swords are for a dual swordswoman... understanding this, Michela focused on Estelle's staff, sending continuous slashes of wind.

Although not true, serious, and lethal slashing blades, if Estelle deployed her magical power as a defensive barrier, she could potentially block them. However, the difference in remaining "fuel" between Michela and Estelle was too significant at this point.

"It's over now."

"...I yield."

The barrier was shattered, Estelle's arm holding the staff took damage, and a sword's point was pressed against her heart.

No matter how hard she tried, there were no excuses to offer—this was a complete defeat.

"That's enough!!! The winner is Michela Maxellan!!!"

The referee declared Michela's victory, and the venue seemed to shake as if an earthquake had occurred, drowning in applause and cheers for both participants.

(B-Back in middle school... the difference wasn't supposed to be this significant!!!)

Estelle had acknowledged Michela's strength. 

Still, despite having confidence in her own abilities, she didn't believe that Michela was a significantly superior opponent. However, as she questioned herself about what she had achieved in this match, the answer was almost nothing.

The back that should have been right in front of her had moved to a place she couldn't reach, no matter how much she reached out.

Understanding her current position, Estelle harbored intense anger at her own incompetence.

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