Kays Translations

Chapter 48: Not a Grin, Not a Smirk

"Ice Floor!!!"

When Flura forcefully slammed the tip of her staff into the ground, an ice floor unfolded.

The original Ice Floor gradually freezes from the user as the starting point, but if there is water scattered around, as in this case... the areas where water was present freeze in just a few moments from the timing of activating the magic, depriving the opponent of their mobility.

Since the water also becomes the starting point, the timing to ice-soak the battlefield ground is significantly faster.

(So, this was the goal!!!!)

However, whether it was due to Michela's recently honed combat instincts or not, she successfully avoided the conventional choice of sneaking through the barrage of ice bullets to close the distance. Instead, in a momentary decision, she lifted the leg that was about to bend.

Not only did she avoid the barrage of ice bullets, but she also successfully evaded the restraint from the Ice Floor.

Although there was some uncertainty in the landing, it couldn't be asserted with certainty that the crisis had been averted.

(This is bad!!!!)

What is the action one should never take when fighting against an opponent skilled in long-range attacks?

Michela, who had a good deal of experience with magic users, understood one important rule: never jump into the air.

Even if it's at the bare minimum height, this time, Michela, too focused on dodging the barrage of ice bullets and the Ice Floor, lost awareness of the most crucial thing.

She made an oversight.

The two letters of "defeat" flashed through Michela's mind as she was conscious of having taken the most crucial action she shouldn't have.

However, at the same time... a grin and a sneer appeared on Ishud's face in her imagination.

(Don't mess with me!!!!)

If she continued like this, three Ice Lances would come flying, and even if she managed to defend against them, she would lose the advantage in one fell swoop.

Michela, at odds with the situation, deployed wind magic under her feet... and anchored herself.

"!!!"

Not a wind magic called "Air Step," but an advanced technique using manipulation of wind magic to move in the air.

"What!?"

Until now, she had never flown in the intended direction, and there had been clumsy falls due to insufficient intensity.

However, with the Air Step executed this time, Michelle disappeared from Flura's view as she released the Ice Lance into the air.

The next moment, for some reason, a powerful collision sound was heard from below her field of vision.

(Wh-What in the world happened!?)

The advanced technique she impulsively used, Air Step.

The choice itself was undoubtedly the best judgment.

However, the mid-air stroll attempted in the heat of the moment was not a complete success. Michela collided with the frozen ground from the side of her body.

When using an imperfect method of movement, it was inevitable for such a result.

By the way, Ishud, who has eyes that can see even the expressions of both players if he so chooses, was exactly in a position to see Michela's face and was laughing heartily.

(~~~~~~ Don't let her escape!!!!)

The pain was so intense that it felt like bones were broken. 

The resonance of it still lingered, but Michela was not one to wait for the pain to subside, having a resilient personality.

"W-Well... with this, I suppose... I win."

"..................Yes, that's right. I lose."

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

Michela, trying to forcefully get up, continued the momentum and thrust the tips of her dual swords into Flura's neck.

"You've been quite reckless."

Suppressing her frustration, Flura maintained her ever-present smiling expression.

In reality, Flura held Michela in very high regard.

While she might be considered a negligible girl for the exceptional outlier like Ishud, among their peers, Michela was someone admired by students of the same generation. To the upperclassmen, she was a devil who rapidly approached from behind with astonishing speed, overtaking them.

Therefore, Flura had anticipated that Michela might somehow evade the three Ice Lances and counterattack.

She was ready to activate magic or defend with wand techniques immediately.

However... due to the intense focus on trying to hit Michela, who jumped into the air with ice spears, Flura couldn't react instantly when Michela disappeared from her field of view.

"To win... and to slash that utterly ungentlemanly man."

"Hehehe. There's still a gentleman who catches your interest, huh?"

If you advance, you'll face opponents.

Among them, it's only natural that she’ll face not only Phillip if you keep winning... but also Gulf.

It wouldn't be strange to see it that way.

It wouldn't be strange, but... for Michela, it's a complete switch to anger.

"I think I mentioned before the match that I haven't encountered such an opponent yet, right? Absolutely... to cut down a man who is not a gentleman at all. And, you were strong enough that I couldn't defeat you without setting up a gamble. That's all."

"Well... is that so? Haha, I'm glad to hear you say that."

Losing is frustrating.

That feeling doesn't just disappear easily.

However, receiving the highest compliment that you had to set up a gamble to defeat an opponent you admire... there was no way not to be happy.

(This poker face worked well.)

If she let her guard down, she felt like she might break into a sloppy smile, but somehow, Flura managed to endure and leave the stage with her usual smile.

(I don't think there's anything wrong with my bones, but it might be a good idea to go to the treatment room just in case.)

While descending from the stage, Michela unconsciously wore a smile as she observed the man she caught sight of.

(Well, well, not bad at all, that blonde with big boos.)

After the match between Michela and Flura concluded, Ishud, who had been laughing heartily just moments ago, was now offering applause with a smile to both of them.

It wasn't a condescending smile but a genuine one expressing appreciation for a good match they had provided.

(Blondie with a big smile also read the movements of the blonde with big boobs well and attacked skillfully. The final move was impressive too. After unleashing Ice Lance, she was ready for a counter... but in the end, the quick thinking and determination of the blonde with big boobs won.)

Performing an Air Step and getting too absorbed in dodging Ice Lance, Ishud could only be confident that he would burst into laughter whenever he recalled crashing into the Ice Floor.

Nevertheless, enduring intense pain from that point onward and thrusting the dual swords into Fruhla's neck showed determination that deserved nothing but admiration.

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