Chapter 29 TUS Vol. 2 Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Training Camp in the Monster Forest ~Ephthal-Style Enhancement~

And so, in my ‘Old Ephthal’ guise, I handed Maria over to Anastasia, said a cool “See ya,” and made my exit.

After that, I dropped the illusion and hid in the shadows for an hour.

“Oh, Maria! I went out looking for you, but it seems we missed each other and you came back.”

“…Well, I had a wonderful encounter. It gave me a lot to think about, so… I’ll go along with your training menu.”

“I don’t know what happened, but… a ‘wonderful encounter’?”

“Anyway, you yourself are pretty mediocre, but your ancestor was insanely amazing. You should try to be more like him.”

“…I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about.”

I tried to feign ignorance, but Maria just giggled, looking amused.

“I’ve never met anyone who embodies the idea of a ‘dashing older man’ so perfectly. He’s strong, cool, and so understanding… He just radiates ‘adult,’ you know? But… I guess the vibe is a little similar to yours.”

“What on earth was this ‘wonderful encounter’ all about?”

At that, Maria grinned and started poking me in the shoulder.

“Wanna know? Huh? Wanna know?”

“Well, if you’re asking if I want to know, I suppose I have no choice but to say yes.”

And then, Maria gave a mischievous, broad grin—

“I’m no~t tell~ing! This is my own secret, treasured memory!”

“…”

“Ah, no, I can’t. Just thinking about it makes my heart pound. I think I might have finally awakened to the appeal of older men.”

“The appeal… of older men?”

“It’s admiration! No, this is closer to worship!”

“Oh… okay…”

“Hey, hey, Ephthal! So, listen, listen! Changing the subject, and, uh, th-this is strictly a historical discussion, okay? I just suddenly feel like talking about history, so you’re going to listen!”

And then—

For the next several hours on the road, I was forced to listen to an endless lecture about just how amazing and cool my historical self supposedly was.

The entire time, Anastasia was smirking, and I was completely exhausted.

I mean, I was being forced to listen to someone gush about how great I was. It was practically torture, and it made my back itch with embarrassment.

Ugh, give me a break.

Anyway, we just kept walking. By three in the afternoon, it was about time to start thinking about a place to make camp.

“By the way, Maria?”

“Hm? What is it, Ephthal?”

I took the map from my pocket and traced the route with my finger so she could see.

“There should be a big fork in the road soon. The route you originally picked has us hitting the lake and then turning right, but…”

I showed the map to Anastasia as well, then tilted my head.

“Hey, Maria? This is a huge detour, no matter how you look at it. Why aren’t we taking the path from the left?”

“…”

“Well, if it’s something you don’t want to talk about, that’s fine—”

As I said that, Maria let out a small sigh.

“It’s not a secret or anything. I just… really don’t want to go that way.”

“You don’t want to?”

“I’m originally an elf from this forest. From a… special bloodline, you know. You two know, right? I’m famous at the academy as the last member of the ‘incompetent clan that got itself massacred.'”

I had no idea that was common knowledge at the academy. But, given our previous run-in with the student council, it was probably true.

“Does that mean… if we take the left path, it’ll be a homecoming for you?”

In response to my question, Maria shrugged.

“Yeah. I’d rather avoid it if I can. I was treated badly as an orphan… I don’t exactly have fond memories.”

“In that case, let’s take the long way, just as you said. It’s a shame, though. If we could have stayed in an elven village, it would have been much better than camping out.”

Anastasia and I looked at each other and shrugged. Then, Maria seemed to think for a moment before sighing again.

“But… well, you’re right. There are a few people I’d like to see, and it’s definitely better than spending the night in the woods. And I am kind of forcing you two to come with me.”

Hearing this, Anastasia’s jaw dropped in surprise.

“What is it, Anastasia?”

“Um, well… you… you do have it?”

“Have what?”

“The… self-awareness… that you’re causing trouble.”

“Shut up, you idiot! Of course I know that! What do you take me for?!”

“Auuu… Please don’t be mad… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

No, no, Anastasia, that’s not something you need to apologize for. Still, compared to before, Anastasia is getting better at expressing her own opinions. She actually used the word ‘trouble’ on someone as prickly as Maria. I guess that’s a relief.

“Anyway, I’m not thrilled about it, but it looks like we’re making an unexpected trip home.”

“No, really, if you don’t want to, it’s fine.”

“It’s true there are people I want to see, and it’s also true this is a good opportunity. So don’t worry about it.”

And so—.

The elven village in question was surrounded by a wooden palisade covered in thorns. In fact, I could also see anti-cavalry spikes and a moat lined with sharpened bamboo spears, the kind that impale you if you fall. There were clattering noise-based detection traps set up everywhere. This wasn’t so much a village as a forest fortress.

“By any chance, was the clan that took you in… kind of warlike?”

“Hunter-types are always rough around the edges. That’s a fact.”

I’ve heard that sea fishers are the same way. I guess that’s just how it is.

We followed the palisade for a while and soon reached the village’s main gate. Naturally, we couldn’t just march up to the gate of such a heavily guarded fortress with two humans in tow.

First, Maria went ahead, waving, and approached the watchtower built into the gate. After talking with the elven gatekeeper for about a minute, she returned.

“So, how did it go? Think they’ll let us in?”

“Yeah. They said we can, once the head of the gate guards checks us out.”

Sounds like an immigration check. They probably need to confirm our relationship with Maria and whether we’re allowed to carry weapons.

And then, the person who emerged from the gate was a girl with blonde, vertical ringlets, wearing a red dress with flashy embroidery—hardly typical elven attire. She looked to be about our age, around sixteen.

By the way, it seems Monster Taming for the sake of hunting is indeed a big deal in this village, as the girl was accompanied by a Silver Fang.

Since demon dogs of a lower rank than Silver Fangs are the norm, this girl must be incredibly skilled, at least in Monster Taming.

“Why, if it isn’t Maria?”

Even her speech pattern matches the look. She’s like a walking, talking Victorian doll.

As I stood there, surprised to meet someone like this in the middle of a forest, Maria sighed, looking thoroughly fed up.

“…Ah, Françoise. It’s been a while.”

“Huhu. Maria? I’ve told you before, you are to address me, the clan chief’s daughter, with a ‘-sama’ have I not?”

“And I’ve told you, I am the daughter of the Daumier clan chief, the proud guardians of this forest. I’m your equal. I have zero intention of humbling myself by calling you ‘-sama.'”

At this, Françoise let out another laugh.

“Oh? But isn’t the prevailing rumor that this whole story about the guardian clan stopping a great stampede is highly suspicious to begin with?”

“It’s a fact that our clan was massacred ten years ago… trying to stop that stampede.”

“I have heard that monsters were increasing back then, to the point of overflowing the forest. However, I find it impossible to believe that a monster outbreak could be stopped by the… primitive methods your clan used.”

A great stampede, huh? I wonder if Maria realizes? Judging from the miasma in this forest, the Divine Beast will revive and unleash its monstrous kin in less than a month. After all, monsters like that Cockatrice—the kind that would normally be the apex predator of a small forest—are already fleeing this area. No. It’s not my place, as an outsider, to interfere. I still have that old promise to keep.

Françoise flashed Maria a triumphant smile.

“Oh? Nothing to say? Well, putting aside the dubious truth of the Daumier clan’s—the guardians’—raison d’être, even if it were true, this clan’s village doesn’t care about some supposed achievement of stopping stampedes for four hundred years.”

“…”

“One is not considered an adult here unless one can hunt using a demon dog. The most important thing here is the ability to tame. I know you’re passable with a bow and magic, but you fail at that even more basic step.”

“…”

“We were so relieved that you’d gone off to study at some demon academy, that we’d finally gotten rid of such a useless burden… So what are you doing here? Why did you come back?”

“I was chosen as a candidate for class representative at my academy. I’m just stopping by my hometown during a school event. That’s all.”

“I see. So, you’re the best of the worst.”

“…Huh? The best of the worst?”

“You were always second or third best among our peers in both archery and magic, weren’t you? Just as you could never, ever beat me in magic.”

“…”

Maria’s biting her lip in frustration, so that must be true.

“Talented… for a demon academy. Huhu. But everyone knows elves are superior when it comes to magic. In other words, you’re just as ‘average’ as you’ve always been. The best of the worst. Oh, that’s right. This training camp you’re on has a final examination, does it not?”

“It’s in a month.”

“As a class representative candidate, I assume you’ll be participating? As it happens, I will be attending that camp as a special guest.”

“A special guest?”

“Indeed. It’s some Magic Society obligation. A ridiculous request came down for a ‘friendly exchange’ between outstanding elves of our generation and outstanding demons.”

And with that, Françoise snapped her fingers.

“Unique Magic: Wood Edge.”

Instantly, in a ten-meter radius around us, countless sharp wooden spears erupted from the ground.

“This is my wide-area annihilation magic. It’s an elven unique magic, passed down in my clan, that I intend to demonstrate at the exhibition before the exam. Its power is equivalent to a low-tier Level 4.”

Françoise then turned, waved, and walked back into the village.

“As we are both elves, we will inevitably be compared. Do try your best not to embarrass yourself. Oh, and by the way, I’ll mercifully grant you permission to enter the village.”

And then, Maria sank to her knees, defeated.

“Maria?”

“She’s gotten even better since then? I thought I was closing the gap… Level 4? I can only use up to Level 3… We’re in completely different leagues…!”

she whispered, her face pale.

☆★☆★☆★

And so, after all that, we ended up spending the night in the elven village, but—

“Well, it’s pretty clear Maria isn’t exactly popular around here.”

The ‘room’ they gave us was clearly an old storage shed. Sacks of grain were piled high, and the corner designated for sleeping was thick with dust, looking as if no one had stepped there in ages. Worse, sand and small pebbles were trickling down from the ceiling. And to top it off, our ‘bedding’ was just sleeping bags. Still, it was infinitely better than camping outside.

“What? You got a problem with it?”

“No, no complaints. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed.”

“Disappointed? How?”

“The emergency rations the academy supplied for this trip are… horrifyingly bad.”

At this, everyone, including Maria, sighed.

“I know, right? It’s like eating paper clay.”

“I have to admit, my selfish hope that we might get some traditional elven soup has been thoroughly crushed.”

We had, after all, arrived late in the evening.

About two hours had passed since then, so it was safe to assume no dinner was being prepared for us.

With dejected looks, we all started rummaging through our packs, resigning ourselves to the ration bars, when—

“Young Miss? May I come in?”

A man’s voice was followed by a knock. And from the other side of the door, the unmistakable, wonderful aroma of food wafted in.

“Huh? Wha—Marquis-san? It’s been forever!”

Maria opened the door to find several elven men standing there. They were holding bread and a large stockpot; it seemed they’d brought us dinner.

“This is from all of us, Young Miss. Just a little something. Sorry it’s not much, it was all so sudden.”

“No, Marquis-san, you’ve always helped me out…”

“Don’t you worry about it. We were all originally from your clan, you know. After what happened… it don’t feel right, us being the only ones living easy. It’s only natural we’d want to help you however we can, right?”

“And I’ve told you plenty of times, you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Some of us were staying with other forest folk, some were studying in human towns… we were all away for different reasons, and we’re the only ones who shamelessly survived. And you, just a child, you were there…”

“I told you, it’s fine. It all happened so fast. No one could have done anything unless they were right there.”

“It just means we’re the leftovers who failed to die when we were supposed to.”

As Marquis started to get worked up, I clapped my hands together.

“Maria? The soup’s going to get cold. They were kind enough to bring this for us, let’s eat it while it’s hot.”

At my words, Marquis gave a deep nod.

And just like that, thanks to their kindness, we were able to enjoy a warm meal and go to bed with full stomachs.

☆★☆★☆★

The training camp was just the old school building. It was the campus used before the academy moved to its current location, so it was pretty ancient. But thanks to preservation magic that suppressed its decay, the building itself was still perfectly usable.

The general thinking was that it was a waste to let the facility sit empty, so now it was used for events like this from time to time.

“Hey, Ephthal? I really don’t know… becoming the disciple of someone my own age… my pride…”

“Are you still on about that?”

I shrugged, thoroughly fed up. Still, these old classrooms really are dusty. Since this one is just for the three of us, we should clean it up later.

“Like I told you, I’m a descendant of the Thunder God Emperor’s secret child. That means I’m not exactly normal, and Merlin’s family and mine have been close for ages.”

“No, I get that, but…”

“Besides, didn’t you already agree to all that?”

“I agreed to follow the menu you made! But why does that mean I have to become your disciple?!”

“I’ve told you over and over, haven’t I? If we don’t form the Master-Disciple Crest, the proof of our bond, you and Anastasia can’t get stronger. There’s a fundamental problem holding you back.”

She really seems to hate the word ‘disciple.’

What I’m about to do is a technique called the ‘Vessel-Imprint.’ It’s similar to the spell mages use to transfer MP, but you could call this an evolved version. This spell is used to reshape the soul—the ‘vessel’ for magic—to more closely match the master’s.

The fine details of magic circuits vary between schools, factions, and even individuals. Because of this, if a disciple’s soul is too different in quality or shape, they might be unable to learn their master’s original spells.

This isn’t about magic aptitude; it’s a matter of compatibility, almost like an instinctive rejection. That’s why this ritual is often the very first thing performed when a mage takes an apprentice. And I have a very good reason for forcing Maria to do this.

The fact is, the souls of people in this era are mutated, warped by the Magia Burst that happened in the past. This mutation hinders their magic growth in every way, to the point that Level 9 magic and above are now considered ‘lost technology’ that no one can use.

I mean, even Merlin couldn’t resist its effects; she’s stuck using only the spells she’d already learned—topping out at Level 8. That’s where the Vessel-Imprint comes in. Basically, I’m going to use my own, untainted vessel to ‘retune’ their mutated souls.

I can’t use this technique on Merlin, since we already have a master-disciple contract.

Once this is done, the contract will shield them from the ill effects of the Magia Burst, putting them on the same starting line as the mages from my era.

There’s a limit to how many people I can do this for, so it’s not something I take lightly. In other words, this is proof of my own resolve to take responsibility for training them.

“Yeah, but, that just means I’m submitting to you, doesn’t it?!”

“‘Submitting’… You really have a difficult personality.”

Just as I sighed, Anastasia held out the back of her right hand.

“Um… excuse me… Master? Is the contract crest… okay here?”

“It’s too conspicuous. Your back would be better. Merlin has hers somewhere hidden, too.”

“Yes, I understand!”

With that, Anastasia took off her jacket, leaving her in just her undergarments.

“H-Hey, you! Why are you undressing?!”

“Um… excuse me… is this… strange?”

“You’re undressing in front of a guy! Of course it’s strange!”

Anastasia just tilted her head, looking confused.

“We are here to learn magic, aren’t we? And for that, we need the master-disciple contract. And to form that contract, we need to place the crest on an inconspicuous part of the body…”

“Ghk…”

“Am I… doing something strange? If you think this is strange, Maria-san, then I think you’re the strange one for thinking such strange thoughts about it.”

Anastasia shook her head vigorously in response to Maria’s outburst.

“Why can you trust this guy so much?! This is a master-disciple contract! We’re carving a magic crest on our bodies! It’s not something you can just undo!”

“Why do I trust him…? The answer is simple.”

“Simple?”

“Yes,” Anastasia nodded, and continued.

“Because Ephthal Alcott-sama is my one and only, absolute Master. I don’t have a single shred of doubt in his words.”

Pierced by Anastasia’s incredibly direct gaze, Maria’s face twitched—

“Ah, fine! Whatever! I’ll do it, okay? I’ll do it!”

she yelled, sounding completely exasperated.

—And just like that, I ended up taking two disciples in this era. A week went by.

☆★☆★☆★

“Ah… AAAAAAAAAAGH!”

Inside the classroom, Maria and Anastasia were screaming and writhing on the floor, clutching their heads. Well, that’s because I’d just forcibly branded the formula for a Level 4 fire spell directly onto their brains.

—Level 7: Brainjack.

It’s almost the same spell high-level monster tamers use to brainwash the beasts they control. Basically, it’s magic that floods the brain with information, allowing you to manipulate memories or rewrite behavioral priorities. So, what I was doing now was applying that spell to forcibly burn the magic circuits themselves into their brains.

Four hundred years ago, this was a well-known method for getting strong, fast. But it was also infamous back then as an impossibly harsh strengthening method, because the pain is extraordinary. It’s an ordeal often compared to outright torture.

“Still, you two… you’re really enduring.”

“Gah… Ah… AAAAAAAAGH!”

Doesn’t look like my words are getting through. Can’t blame them.

To give you an idea, it’s probably like taking a full-force swing from a metal bat to the head, over and over again.

The entire method is premised on having the massive mental strength necessary to overcome that pain. If some criminal organization kidnapped a kid, for example, and tried to use this to quickly create an assassin, they’d probably just end up destroying the kid’s mind completely.

On top of that, the method only works for spells up to Level 4, which wasn’t even considered top-tier combat power back in my day. It’s a level anyone could reach with just a few years of normal, dedicated study. That’s why it was a thorny path only taken by those who were in a desperate hurry and had incredible resolve.

And just so you know, trying to forcibly burn morecomplex spells is forbidden. It’s not a question of endurance at that point; your brain just burns out.

“Well, while these two are working hard, I can’t exactly relax…”

And so, I started looking through the documents I’d asked Merlin to prepare.

Their high-pitched screams were distracting and I wanted to go somewhere quiet, but I couldn’t leave them. Something unexpected could happen, their condition could suddenly change… Besides, I’m the one forcing this path of pain on them. It would be wrong of me not to see them through it.

Anyway, back to the documents on the Fire God Emperor.

According to Merlin’s unofficial files, a mage presumed to be him has appeared on the public stage multiple times over the last four hundred years. At times, he was a saving hand, wandering the land and saving remote villages from raging plagues. At others, he was called an avatar of destruction, leading hordes of monsters to burn villages to the ground.

Strangely, his appearance was never that of the mature, white-haired Fire God Emperor I knew. It was always described as that of a beautiful, red-haired boy. But given the evidence that “Level 10: Fire God Emperor Cliff” was used, it’s safe to assume it was him.

After reaching the ancient ruins at the World Tree, he supposedly vanished from the public eye completely.

“…It all seems to be connected to the ancient magic civilizations. The place where the Ice God Emperor was killed, triggering the Magia Burst, was an ancient ruin, too.”

When you talk about ancient ruins near here, the most famous one is the World Tree—which also happens to be where Sasha lives.

Generally, what people call ‘ancient ruins’ are just sites of great natural power. The spiritual ‘magnetic field’ in these places is extremely chaotic. In this case, it caused the trees to mutate, resulting in the ‘World Tree’—a colossal specimen soaring so high it seems to touch the heavens. The actual ancient ruins, however, exist in a place slightly out of sync with this world’s dimensional axis.

It’s said they used magic related to spatial expansion and dimensional coordinates to solve problems like overpopulation in their cities. In other words, you can’t reach the ruins by normal means. Specifically, in the case of the World Tree, you have to use a Level 9-class teleport spell near its very peak.

And since no one alive can use Level 9 magic—for the past four hundred years, no one besides me, the Fire God Emperor, and Sasha has had any way of even confirming the existence of the ruins that lie beyond the World Tree’s apex.

“This seems to be the limit of what I can find out.”

Just as I thought that, I sensed a presence and looked back.

“Looks like you’ve mastered the formula in two hours. I did this too when I was a teenager, but your endurance is genuinely impressive.”

Maria was standing there, covered in a cold sweat. Anastasia was still rolling around on the floor.

“But… forcibly branding a spell formula onto our brain with brainwashing magic… just to use Level 4 spells. Isn’t this… cheating?”

I almost burst out laughing at that.

“It’s not cheating. You paid the price—all that pain—to gain the spell. Besides, if you’re going to say that, isn’t ‘magic aptitude’ itself a form of cheating? It has a massive impact on everything, from learning spells to developing your own variations.”

“No, aptitude is an individual’s talent, a… a gift from the gods, isn’t it?”

“To the people who didn’t receive that gift, that’s what looks like cheating.”

“Well… maybe that’s true, but…”

“Besides, even if the spell is burned into your brain, you still have to put in a ton of effort to make it your own. That’s why I really don’t think it’s cheating. Time is finite. You have to use every advantage you’ve got.”

To put it simply, it’s like I’ve just handed them an oversized sword or spear that they are not ready for. To actually use it in a real fight, they’ll need the training to master that unwieldy weapon. If they try to use it for real without any practice, it’s not going to be much more than a bluff.

Just then, Anastasia also seemed to regain her composure, slumping to the floor and panting.

“You did well, Anastasia.”

“S-S-Some… how…”

Then Anastasia timidly asked Maria.

“M-M-Maria-san?”

“Hm? What?”

“…How… how are you okay after going through that?”

“Huh? I was writhing and screaming just like you until a second ago.”

“…That’s… not what I mean.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“After that storm of pain passed… how are you able to recover so quickly? For me… it’s still hard… just to talk.”

Hearing that, Maria nodded slightly.

“Because I have people I need to prove wrong.”

Maria clenched her fist, her gaze hardening with resolve. Seeing that expression, Anastasia visibly winced and looked away.

“Hey Maria? If you’ve still got energy, let’s do some hand-to-hand combat training with physical enhancement active.”

“Yeah. If you’re offering to be my partner, I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Also, Maria. Starting tomorrow… let’s try moving on to basic magic manipulation.”

The truth is, ever since I performed the Vessel-Imprint on the first day, I’ve forbidden them from using any magic except physical enhancement. Right now, they first need to get used to the change in their souls.

To use a modern Earth analogy, it’s like the difference between a diesel engine and a gasoline one. If they try to train magic while still remembering the ‘feel’ of their old state, they’ll definitely develop bad habits. That’s why I’ve been making them drill the absolute fundamentals of magic control, like physical enhancement, to let their bodies and brains adapt.

“I thought we were banned from using anything but physical enhancement and lifestyle magic for two weeks.”

“Your growth rate is a little abnormal. It looks like you’ve been doing some very reckless things on your own… but, in terms of adjusting the curriculum to your level, this is the logical next step.”

“So, does that mean—?”

“It’s time for the next step. You’ve worked hard, Maria.”

Maria broke into a huge grin, while Anastasia sadly lowered her gaze.

☆★☆★☆★

—That night.

My plan from now on is to focus on investigating ancient ruins, both for my sword training and to chase down the mystery of magic aptitude.

Maria and Anastasia are working so hard; I can’t just be lazing around.

As I was reading some documents to prepare, I suddenly felt a magic presence outside.

I had a hunch what was going on. I left my dorm room, went up the stairs, and opened the door to the roof. And when I looked down at the courtyard where the presence was coming from, just as I thought, it was Maria.

“I knew it. She’s really a reckless kid…”

As I watched with a wry smile, she was leaping through the trees in the courtyard, her physical enhancement magic still active.

I see. So this is how she mastered that fluid magic control—by diligently practicing her physical enhancement every single night.

Honestly, she should be mentally exhausted just from the daily spell-imprinting. And after that torture-level ordeal, she still has a full curriculum, including mock battles against me and strength training while using physical enhancement.

Normally, she should be well beyond exhausted, wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed. Her guts are truly something else.

“I absolutely will not lose!”

Oops. Looks like my detection magic activated on its own. Eavesdropping is bad manners.

So, I left the roof.

I went down the stairs, walked down the hall, returned to my room… and went back to reading my book. I finished my writing and crawled into bed, ready to sleep, but—

—Squeeze!

My hand touched something soft, and I yelped, “Aaah!”

“A-A-A-Anastasia?!”

She must have woken up too, because she shot straight up on the bed into a formal sitting position.

“Ah, ah, ah… Um, Master! I-I-I have something to tell you!”

“Hm? Tell me what?”

Anastasia is usually so carefree, but she looks strangely serious right now. This must be important. I braced myself.

“I… I don’t have a reason like Maria-san.”

Ah, so it’s that. I knew she was worried about it, so I figured she’d come to me sooner or later.

“But… why were you sleeping in my bed?”

“Um, well… I came to your room to talk, but you weren’t here, and, and… I was so tired from… that… today, that I sat on the bed and just… collapsed…”

“And then?”

“And once I collapsed, it was so comfortable, and my eyelids got heavy… and you know how your eyelids get all layered when you’re sleepy? Well, mine were like, triple-layered… and when my eyelids get like that, I just can’t fight the sleepiness…”

“I know the feeling. I can’t resist it then either.”

“And so, and so, I… I… in Master’s bed… um… I’m sho shorry!”

She stumbled over her words! It’s been a while. Ah well, that’s just how she is.

“A-Anyway! I’m completely different from Maria-san! I don’t have a reason to want to get stronger!”

“…But I think you’re working plenty hard. Maria’s just the one who’s in a desperate hurry.”

At that, Anastasia shook her head. “No.”

“I… I… I’m only… thinking about wanting to be worthy of you, Master… That’s all…”

“Then I think you’re amazing for enduring all that pain for that reason alone, Anastasia.”

I reached out to pat her head, but she dodged my hand.

“You don’t have to pat my head yet.”

“Anastasia?”

“I want you to tell me… that you won’t accept someone so useless as your slave. That you won’t stay with me, that you’ll kick me out of the house.”

She’s started saying some weird things. What in the world is this about? Well, if she’s asking me to say it, I guess I should.

“I won’t accept someone so useless as my slave. I won’t stay with you, and I’ll kick you out of the house.”

The instant Anastasia heard my words, her expression twisted, as if she were witnessing the end of the world—

“N-n-n… NOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Sh-Sh-She screamed?! What is going on?! What’s happening?!

“I’ll work hard! I promise I’ll work hard! So please don’t abandon me! I… um… I want to be with you forever, Ephthal-sama! I’ll make myself worthy of you! I won’t lose to Maria-san!”

Anastasia leaped off the bed and marched toward the door with powerful steps—and… she tripped. Her feet got tangled, and she tripped spectacularly. No, she fell flat on her face. And she got up. Instantly.

“I-I-I’m sho shorry for tripping!”

She stumbled over her words again. Her tongue got all tangled up. A spectacular stumble.

She headed for the doorway again, but stopped right at the door and spun around to face me.

“When I prove I’m not losing to Maria-san—! You have to promise you’ll pat my head a lot and tell me I did a good job!”

“O… Okay…”

“Well then, please excushe me for being sho late!”

Stumbling over her words right to the very end, her face bright red, she ran off toward her own dorm room. And, just before the door closed, I caught a glimpse of her running down the hall—

—and she tripped again. No, fell flat on her face.

Honestly, I have no idea what that was all about. All that energy seems to be spinning its wheels, but… I guess it’s a good thing she’s fired up… right?

☆★☆★☆★

Time passed, and just like that, we were at the halfway point of the one-month training camp.

Our morning routine—embedding spell formulas directly into their brains—was also progressing smoothly. They even seemed to be getting used to the pain. By the afternoon, Anastasia no longer showed any signs of mental exhaustion.

We’d reached a good stopping point in their training, so we were taking a break and enjoying a nice afternoon tea, when—

“So, by the way, are you two dating?”

“Gah—cough!”

Maria’s sudden question made me spray my tea everywhere.

“Wh-Wh-What are you suddenly talking about?!”

Anastasia started flapping her hands frantically, looking like a flustered little animal.

“I mean, Ephthal is weirdly nice to you, and it doesn’t feel like a ‘master and slave’ thing at all. So it got me thinking, like… maybe your relationship has gotten all soft and sweet because of romantic feelings?”

“N-N-No, no, no, no! That’s so rude to Master! Never mind me, but there’s no way Master would ever see me in that way!”

I definitely heard that “never mind me” part, but calling her out on it seemed like more trouble than it was worth, so I let it slide.

“Oh? In that case, Anastasia, is there any guy you do like?”

“Huh? Huh? Huh? A guy… I like?”

“I mean, you’re a young woman, aren’t you?”

Anastasia glanced my way. She fell silent for a moment, then, as if steeling her resolve, shook her head firmly.

“There’s no one like that.”

“Oh. That’s surprising.”

I was surprised, too. Given the flow of this conversation, I was expecting things to get complicated.

“I don’t have a person I like… but…”

Just then, Anastasia stood up and walked over to me. She took my right hand and squeezed it tightly in both of hers.

“…I do have a Master that I love.”

This… How am I supposed to interpret this? And why is Anastasia blushing bright red when she’s the one who grabbed my hand?

—Yep. She pulls this kind of stuff sometimes. I really can’t let my guard down around her.

It just means she loves me as a master, right? Yeah. It’s too complicated otherwise, so let’s just go with that.

“So, Master, what do you think of me?”

“W-Well… I think you’re enduring the painful training very well, Anastasia.”

“R-R-Really?! Do you really think so?”

I nodded firmly at Anastasia, who was now hopping up and down with delight.

“Yes, you’re working very hard.”

“More than Maria-san? More than her!?”

“Maria is working hard in her own way, but she has a clear reason to. In the sense that you’re working just as hard despite having a weaker motivation, I’d say you might have a stronger core than Maria.”

Just then, I heard a loud, sharp tch.

“What a cozy little master and slave. Hah. What is this, some kind of play?”

Maria, now in a visibly foul mood, chugged the rest of her tea and stood up. She stormed over to the classroom door and yanked it open violently.

“That stupid little show gave me the chills. I’m going for a run.”

“Wait, Maria! If you don’t stick to the training menu I built, it’s not going to be efficient…”

Maria shot me a glare.

“Huh? I’m a genius, remember? I’ve been at this for two weeks; I think I know what I’m doing! Besides, I have that… amazing consultant I met. He’s the best one I could ask for!”

“Yeah, but…”

Hm? Wait… a consultant? Come to think of it, I feel like I… did make a promise like that.

“In the first place, I’m not here to play ‘best friends’ with you two, got it? I’m in charge. If I think your menu is useful, I’ll use it. If I don’t, I’ll do what I want, just like now.”

And with that, she was gone, slamming the door so hard I thought it might break.

“…”

“…”

“That girl… she really has an exhausting personality.”

“…Yes. By the way, Master?”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Do I… make you tired, Master?”

“No, not at all. Actually, let me ask you: Do you ever get tired of me?”

At my question, Anastasia seemed to think for a moment, and then her face just… melted into a blissful “Hehe~” expression.

“Master, you always make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

Yep. No idea how to respond to that.

I shifted my gaze from Anastasia to the calendar hanging on the classroom wall.

“It’s Friday…”

I really hope this isn’t the case, but… Maria didn’t actually head to that cabin to bother the Thunder God Emperor about… this, did she?

“So, let me get this straight. You didn’t know what to do, but you were too proud to back down, so you just… came here?”

“Yep. I came here.”

Inside the cabin near the training camp, Maria was sipping the tea I’d served her, happily grinning at me in my ‘Old Ephthal’ disguise.

“By the way, did you tell Merlin about me?”

“Nope, haven’t told her.”

Honestly, that’s a relief. If Merlin found out I was doing this, there’s no telling what she’d say to me later.

“I mean, it’s fine that you didn’t, but… why not?”

“Because… you’re the Thunder God Emperor! And Merlin-sama seems to worship you… so if I told her…”

“If you told her?”

“I’d have a ‘worship buddy,’ and then I wouldn’t be able to keep you all to myself!”

“A ‘worship buddy’?!”

What a weird phrase to coin! I shuddered.

“Yes! I just know we’d become worship buddies. If Merlin-sama found out about this place, the ‘Evil Emperor’ would immediately occupy it, and I’d be kicked out!”

‘Evil Emperor’… I shuddered again.

“O…kay… But Maria? Don’t you think I might want to see Merlin and catch up after all this time?”

Maria instantly shot to her feet and dashed for the door.

“Maria!”

“My apologies! I was only thinking of myself and didn’t even consider your feelings, Thunder God Emperor! I’ll go get Merlin-sama right now!”

“No, you don’t need to do that!”

This, I thought, is getting out of hand.

Her admiration has morphed into worship, and that worship has gone straight to brainwashing territory. But the weird thing is—

—I have absolutely no memory of ever brainwashing Maria.

Well, she has been fighting and trying so hard all by herself for so long… I guess if a clear, powerful authority figure like the Thunder God Emperor accepts her, it’s inevitable she’d end up like this. For years, the very idea of relying on someone, or ‘wanting to be coddled’ like she said… it probably never even crossed her mind.

“Let’s get back on track. From what I’m hearing… my M-Mas… ahem, cough-cough! My descen… descendant! Yes, my descendant. He is guiding you properly, isn’t he?”

“Yes, that’s true, but…”

“Excuse me, Student Maria? Would you mind getting some tea for me as well?”

“Ah, yes, Merlin-sama… but I don’t know where it is. Thunder God Emperor? Where is the tea set?”

“Ah, just open the cupboard over there—”

And just then, Maria and I both rounded on Merlin at the same time.

“Why are you here!”

“Why are you here?!”

Merlin just composed her face into a prim expression. She casually brushed back her long silver hair and struck a pose.

“Well, you could say stalking Ephthal-sama is something of a hobby of mine.”

“Please don’t make it your hobby!”

“You can’t use your Divine Enhancement without me. What would you do if a powerful foe appeared? Therefore, I always endeavor to remain by Ephthal-sama’s side.”

“Still, how did you just appear all of a sudden?”

“Level 8: Invisible. I sensed an… unsettling aura from Maria, so I decided to tag along.”

“Don’t use high-level magic for such a trivial reason!”

Still, Merlin’s really improved her skills. To think she could do it without me noticing, without disturbing the flow of magic in here at all. Well, it is ‘Invisible,’ so it’s probably layered ten or twenty times with concealment spells. And I was completely caught off guard, too.

As I sighed, Merlin’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk.

“By the way, I’ve been wondering, Student Maria. How come you’re not calling yourself a ‘genius beauty’ like you always do?”

“What are you talking about, Merlin-sama? I’m just a normal person.”

“No, you’ve definitely said that in the past—”

“Was it… maybe… during a Halloween party? Or some other costume event when I was in character?”

“No, it was just a normal Tuesday.”

“Hehe. Merlin-sama? Why would I ever say something as embarrassing as ‘genius beauty’?”

“No, you definitely did.”

“…Perhaps you overheard me muttering my secret wish to become a genius beauty. How embarrassing to be seen like that… Teehee.”

Maria tilted her head, winked, and gave her own head a little bop with her fist.

Yep, that’s the full ‘cutesy-act’ routine. A very adorable look and gesture. I mean… who the hell is this?

And that “Teehee“… I was completely bewildered. She probably just doesn’t want me to think she’s the kind of weirdo who calls herself a ‘genius beauty.’ …Though if that’s the case, she shouldn’t say it in the first place.

And that’s when my mischievous side started to tingle. I did always used to have fun playing pranks on Merlin.

“By the way, Maria?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“From what I’m hearing, it sounds like the way you act around me… isn’t how you normally act?”

“Oh no, that’s not true at all. I’m always very modest and—”

Modest?!

“I always put others first and am very considerate—”

You’re the one everyone has to be considerate of!

“My friends often tell me I have a very shy and reserved personality.”

Liar! My mischievous side flared up again.

“By the way, Maria?”

“Yes?”

“I once had… a very troublesome disciple.”

“Oh? A disciple who troubled you, Thunder God Emperor? What were they like?”

“She was selfish…”

“Yes.”

“…jerked people around…”

“Yes.”

“…arrogant…”

“Yes.”

“…didn’t show a shred of gratitude for my teachings…”

“Yes.”

“…and was an overconfident girl who always puffed out her chest, pointed her finger right in her master’s face, and said all sorts of pompous things.”

“What a terrible, idiotic disciple. To think someone who would treat their master that way actually exists in this world…”

I’m talking about you!

Just then, Maria’s eyes flew wide as if she’d realized something.

“Oh! Are you… by any chance… talking about Merlin-sama?”

“Would you like to try dying, Student Maria?”

She was smiling, but her eyes weren’t. It was the kind of gaze that inspired a little fear even in me, her master. Anyway—

“We’re getting sidetracked! So, what’s on your mind, Maria?”

“Oh, right. The truth is… I have a problem, and I was wondering if you’d listen? You see… I can’t ever be honest.”

“Hmm?”

“When I’m with someone on a completely different level, like you, Thunder God Emperor, I can be honest. You’re just… too amazing. You’re not someone I can get jealous of, so I don’t have to act all full of myself…”

“…Oh?”

“But at the academy, I’m always worried about my rank in the class, or in the school, and I try to make myself look bigger than I am… I get… aggressive.”

“…Well, that sounds pretty typical for someone your age.”

“And, well, I’m the most skilled in my year, but recently… someone even more amazing transferred in.”

Amazing person? Is she… talking about me?

“He’s taught me so much, and I’m really grateful. But… I just can’t be honest with him. I always put up a front…”

“…O…Okay.”

“At first, I just thought he seemed useful, so I’d use him. But… before I knew it, I realized I didn’t mind hanging out with him… He’s too nice.”

“…And?”

“And… he’s just so amazing. He has everything I want. I can’t even imagine how much effort it took to get to his level… He’s just… incredible.”

I gazed out the window, lost in thought for a moment. Everything—my past life, my current one—flashed before my eyes.

Hearing this from Maria, who never says this kind of stuff… it really gives me a lot to think about.

“So… I respect him. I, too, am a believer in the faith of ‘hard work.’ And I believe that he, more than anyone, is a true martyr to that same faith.”

“Uh-huh. And?”

“I… I want him to acknowledge me. I want to impress him… I think. But I just can’t be honest… I’m nothing but grateful for everything he’s taught me, but I just keep acting out. Even today, when he praised that other girl… I got so irritated and acted horribly…”

Ah. So that’s what it was. She was in a bad mood today because I praised Anastasia.

“…So, what’s your point?”

“I just… I always regret it later, thinking I went too far… I toss and turn in bed, worried he’s going to hate me. Haha… a girl who can’t be honest, she’s not cute at all, is she? She’s just… annoying.”

“I don’t know about that. But… just a hunch, I don’t think he’s the type to hate you over something small like that.”

“…You think so?”

“Look, if you can’t be honest, just practice being honest. If you’re grateful, show you’re grateful. Don’t just keep it all bottled up; let him know.”

“…Honestly?”

“Yes, honestly.”

“…It’s really okay to be honest?”

“Of course. Honesty is always the best policy.”

“…Is it really, really okay?”

“Yes. It’s fine.”

“Then… like that other time…”

Maria fell silent. Her cheeks turned crimson, and she looked up at me with brimming eyes.

“…P-Please… p-pat my head.”

Damn. So she’s the type to pull an ‘Anastasia’ and hit you with a sneak attack, too.

“…”

“…”

We just stared at each other for a moment. And then—

“S-S-Sorry! I’m so sorry, I got carried away!”

“…O-Okay.”

“Are you mad? Do you think I’m weird? Do you think I’m annoying?”

“…No, I don’t.”

“I-If you don’t, then stop looking at me like I’m some pathetic child!”

“…I’ll do my best.”

I glanced over at Merlin—and yep, she looked furious. I decided to pretend I hadn’t seen her.

The next day, Maria walked into the classroom and immediately placed a small package on my desk.

“Are these cookies?”

“I just… made way too many yesterday. I figured we could all eat them during break. You should be grateful, you know. Getting to eat my handmade cookies… even if they’re just extras, you should be honored.”

“…It’s not like I’m giving you easy training. I’m impressed you had the energy to bake cookies while being that exhausted.”

“I… I just got hungry in the middle of the night, that’s all!”

“…You even skipped sleep? As for me, I’m always completely dead on my feet the second I get back to the dorm.”

Anastasia tilted her head, looking puzzled. Receiving Anastasia’s pure, innocent stare, Maria’s shoulders trembled as she muttered, “Nngh…”

And then—

“I-I just… I felt bad about my attitude yesterday, okay? S-So… th-this… is… an apology.”

Her voice was so quiet at the end, it was like a mosquito’s buzz. I couldn’t even hear it. But it was a very obvious, very Maria gesture. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

☆★☆★☆★

Later, in the training hall, I was holding my sword when Maria yelled, clearly annoyed.

“Hey, you!”

“Hm? What?”

I lightly parried Maria’s training sword and backstepped to create distance.

Being an elf, she’s great with a bow, but she’s completely hopeless at close-quarters combat. She’s got the speed, but… yeah. From now on, I should probably focus her training on rear support.

“Hey! How about you consider my feelings? I’m the one being forced to spar with you while you’re lost in thought!”

“What? I’m handling you just fine, aren’t I?”

I could definitely handle Maria’s level of skill with my eyes closed. Then again, I had a really good teacher.

“That’s exactly what’s pissing me off!”

Maria’s eyes narrowed in a “Hmph!” and she started stomping her feet on the ground.

Yep. In this state, Maria is no different from a raging bull. Best to just ignore it.

“Okay, Anastasia, you’re next.”

“Y-Yes! I’ll do my besht!”

She stumbled over her words, as expected, and I chuckled—only for a throwing knife to come flying at me without a moment’s pause.

“Haha. Vicious as always.”

I deflected the knife with a tink of my sword. It was just a wooden training knife, of course.

“Ah, ah, um… I’m sorry!”

The moment she bowed her head, another knife came flying. As I deflected that one, a binding spell activated at my feet. It’s a spell that spreads sticky, web-like threads. Yep… Anastasia is definitely a seasoned brawler. When it comes to sneak attacks, she’s on another level. Knowing why she ended up this way… it still gives me mixed feelings.

“Well, that’s fine for you, Anastasia. It suits your ‘shady’ background.”

“Yes. Walking silently… has become a habit for me.”

I feel like I’ve heard that line somewhere before… I chuckled, then moved behind Anastasia in a blur of motion.

“But there’s always someone better. A sneak attack is useless unless it’s the finishing blow. Your next challenge is to make that first move lethal.”

I gave her a light chop on the head from behind.

“Owww!”

Anastasia clutched her head, her eyes welling with tears.

“Still, such a cute face for such shady work. Sounds like a complicated situation, so I won’t pry… Anyway, it’s clear you two are bound by a pretty strong bond.”

Maria said, giving us a suspicious look.

“That’s right! My relationship with my Master is unbreakable!”

Anastasia, who had been listening, started hopping up and down, looking delighted.

“Well, I won’t deny that.”

“By the way, how far have you two… ‘progressed’?”

“‘Progressed’?”

“A master and slave, a man and a woman. Plus, you have this ‘unbreakable bond.’ Even if you’re not ‘dating,’ you’re… doing it, aren’t you?”

What is this elf saying all of a sudden?! Both Anastasia and I were so flustered our jaws dropped.

“W-W-We are not! Why would you even ask that?!”

“Just curious. You both seem pretty innocent, after all. What about kissing? You’ve at least done that, right?”

“W-W-We haven’t done that eith—”

She suddenly remembered something… and her face instantly turned bright red, like it was about to explode.

“I mean… it’s not that we haven’t! But it’s not like that! It wasn’t in a weird way!”

Maria let out a low whistle and grinned.

“See? So you have kissed. You are doing stuff.”

“I-I told you, it’s not like that! It wasn’t weird! That was… that was just to surprise Master!”

“Yeah, but you still kissed him, right?”

Anastasia stuck out her hands and started waving them frantically back and forth.

“Ah, ah, um! N-N-No, I told you! It’s… it’s not that I ‘like’ Master or anything!”

“If you don’t like him… then… you like him?”

“I-I-It’s not ‘like’! And ‘like’ and ‘like’ are the same thing! M-My feelings aren’t ‘romantic’!”

“Then what are they?”

“My feelings for Master are—”

Anastasia fell silent. Then she took a deep breath and declared:

“They’re LOVE! It’s just… Super Love!”

And with that, Anastasia, her face beet red, spun around… and bolted for the door, shouting as she ran.

“It’s not romantic feelings! It’s absolutely, definitely not romantic feelings! That kind of thing doesn’t exist between a master and a slave!”

As Maria and I watched her flee, we both nearly fell over.

Well, she said it twice, so it must be important. I’ll take her word for it that it’s not ‘romantic.’ This ‘Love’ must just be ‘I love my master because he treats me, his slave, so well’ kind of love.

Yeah. It’s too complicated otherwise. I’m just going to believe that’s what she meant. Honestly, she was probably just panicking so hard she didn’t even know what she was saying.

“By the way, Ephthal. The final exam is tomorrow.”

“Yep. That’s right.”

“And Françoise… she’s coming, too.”

I gave Maria a firm slap on the back.

“Before you prove all the elves wrong, you should start by shocking her. You’re not the same person you were a month ago, Maria.”

“Don’t state the obvious. I didn’t suffer through your insane curriculum for nothing, you know.”

Maria nodded, her expression firm and strong.

“By the way, Maria…”

I peeked out the door, made sure Anastasia was long gone, and then took a ring from my pocket. This was something that had been kept under the strictest guard back at my mansion… well, by Merlin. It’s an artifact, but it’s also something I’m personally attached to. That’s why Merlin understood my wishes and had taken such extreme care of it.

“There’s a secret technique that uses this ring. I think you can handle it.”

I tossed the ring toward a target in the training hall.

“First, surround the ring with water… Level 1: Water Ball.

“Level 2: Fire Lance.”

Maria watched the massive explosion that immediately followed, her mouth just opening and closing, completely speechless.

“Wait… what is this? What was that? You put fire into water… How did that happen?”

It’s no surprise she’s shocked. This is just an application of modern-day science.

“I’ll explain the principle. Basically…”

And so I explained the general principles of magic and chemistry to Maria. It was a principle she had never even heard of, and her face visibly paled as she listened.

“You really are… something else.”

“It’s not that I’m amazing. It’s just… this is a secret art of the Ephthal school, one that even Merlin doesn’t know.”

“But… why are you teaching me such an incredible secret art, one that even Merlin-sama doesn’t know?”

I picked up the ring that had fallen to the floor and held it out to Maria.

“I’m not ‘teaching’ you. I’m entrusting this art to you.”

Maria took the ring and swallowed hard.

“Ephthal, why are you doing so much for me? This rare ring is essential to casting the spell, isn’t it? As far as I know, a metal like this… it shouldn’t even exist outside of the ancient magic civilizations.”

Well, it’s not like I didn’t just stumble upon it by chance myself. If this metal were common, someone would have discovered this technique long ago.

“Merlin wasn’t in as much of a desperate hurry as you are. …But I’m sure it will be of use to you.”

☆★☆★☆★

Well, the training camp was finally reaching its climax, and the day of the final examination had arrived.

The exam was to be held in the camp’s usual training hall, and we first-years were up first.

We’d arrived at the training hall considerably earlier than everyone else, so we were the first… no, wait, the second group to arrive. That’s because another elf had summoned Maria here early for ‘personal reasons.’ Namely—

“Why, Maria. You actually came. You’re not as cowardly as I thought.”

“Of course I came. I have no intention of running away. Especially not from someone like you, Françoise—someone who mocks my clan!”

“Huhu, the exams will begin with my exhibition. And you are the first one up for the final test. In other words, you’ll be compared to me, a fellow elf, and will be utterly humiliated.”

“So why did you bother calling me here? What do you want?”

“I thought I’d observe your magic beforehand, to ensure you don’t become a disgrace to the elven race.”

“To ensure I’m not a disgrace?”

“I, as the one with true power, am offering to assess whether you’re even fit to be seen in public. You should be grateful, really.”

“In other words, you’re ordering me to take the final exam test right here, right now.”

Françoise nodded. Maria, looking just as eager, stuck her chest out defiantly. The test itself was the standard format: casting attack magic at humanoid targets. This time, however, it wasn’t a single target, but multiple targets scattered across a twenty-meter radius.

—In short, it was an area-of-effect annihilation magic test.

Annihilation magic requires complex magical control over a wide area. It seemed like a reasonable way to assess the minimum qualifications for a class representative.

“My Unique Magic: Wood Edge is an annihilation spell with a fifteen-meter radius. In other words—”

Françoise snapped her fingers, summoning her elven unique magic—spears of wood that erupted from the ground, almost like a bounded field.

“As you can see, it can destroy roughly eighty percent of the targets scattered within the area. If this were a battlefield, I’d already be considered a combat-ready, exceptional mage. After all, I can wield magic equivalent to a low-tier Level 4 at my age.”

Looking at the shattered targets, Françoise puffed out her chest proudly. She then pointed to the adjacent area, flashing Maria a challenging smile.

“Go on, your turn. Let’s see… the passing standard for the exam is destroying targets in an eight-meter radius. However, as an elven representative, it won’t look very good unless you destroy everything in at least a ten-meter radius. Don’t you agree?”

“A ten-meter radius?”

“Yes, precisely. Though for someone like you, who can’t even use Level 4, I suppose even eight meters will be a struggle. Huhu… how pitiful, to be so talentless. Sixteen years old and still stuck at Level 3… It’s laughable, coming from a clan chief’s daughter.”

In response, Maria just shrugged and chuckled.

“There’s no rule that says I can’t just destroy everything within the entire twenty-meter range, is there?”

Françoise’s shoulders twitched in surprise at Maria’s words, but she quickly burst out laughing.

“Heehee… kuh… Kuhaha! Bwahahaha!”

Françoise clutched her stomach, laughing so hard it looked like she might start rolling on the floor.

“A-Are you insane? A twenty-meter radius is the territory of high-tier Level 4 magic. Something that surpasses even elven unique magic… there is no way a mere student could possibly wield such a thing! Kuhaha, ahaha, hahaha!”

Ignoring her, Maria began to walk. She took her position in the area next to the one Françoise had just destroyed.

“Hey, hey, Maria? Are you an idiot? I mean, you weren’t smart to begin with, but did you get dumber? Hey, did you really start believing that fairy tale about you using Level 4? Oh, perhaps you can use it in your dreams. But… too bad! This is reality! There is no way you can do something that I cannot!”

“…Françoise?”

Maria raised her palm, aiming it at the targets.

“Would you… just shut up already? High-Tier Level 4—Fire Dance!”

Countless magic arrows shot forth from Maria’s palm. The spell unleashed a total of one hundred arrows. The first twenty-seven struck all of the targets directly in their center mass, obliterating them in fiery explosions.

Yep. As expected of an elf, she’s a master archer.

Her magic control was perfect. When it came to precision, me trying to teach her would probably just be counter-productive. Well… she’s still green in many other areas, but this is an excellent result.

The remaining seventy-three arrows all struck the floor at perfect, equal intervals within the twenty-meter radius, and then detonated.

“Impressive. That’s a textbook area bombardment.”

The explosions spread perfectly evenly across the entire area, with no gaps and no overkill. This meant she had perfectly mastered Fire Dance as an annihilation spell.

As for Françoise, who had just witnessed this—

“L-L-Le… High-tier Level 4… And… and she’s using it… perfectly? Is this an illusion? Some kind of… illusion magic?”

Françoise’s jaw hung open, completely unable to believe what she’d seen. Maria advanced on her at a slow, deliberate pace.

“It’s not an illusion, and it’s not magic.”

“Th-Th… Then what is it?”

“This is my full power now. That’s all there is to it.”

And with that, all the color drained from Françoise’s face. She collapsed to the floor, muttering, “Impossible…”

—And so.

About two hours passed, and the final examination officially began.

Incidentally, the collapsed Françoise apparently came to recognize Maria as a rival.

“One day, I will definitely surpass you.”

“And I won’t let you catch up that easily!”

In the end, they even shook hands, and the matter was settled.

Françoise’s official exhibition, by the way, was splendid. That, combined with it being a unique magic passed down by the elves, earned her thunderous applause from the audience.

As for me, I just felt anxious. If Françoise got that much applause, what would happen when Maria and Anastasia showed their skills? But, at least in Maria’s case, that worry turned out to be unfounded. Because trouble started right from the get-go.

“Level 4: Fire—Huh?”

Unbelievably, just as Maria—the first examinee—began to construct her spell, the magic dissipated midway through. She just stared at her right palm, as if she couldn’t believe it.

I immediately rushed over to her.

“Maria?”

“Is this… an elven forbidden art?”

I could feel a nasty presence emanating from her chest. Judging by the flow of magic, it was clearly some kind of curse. Maria’s guess about an elven forbidden art was probably right on the money.

“An elven forbidden art… that’s the one that temporarily lowers your usable magic level by two, isn’t it? Any idea who might have cast it on you?”

Maria thought for a second, and her eyes flew wide. “Ah.”

“When I shook hands with Françoise earlier, I felt a tiny… shock. Like static electricity.”

That figures. It couldn’t have been anyone else.

It really seems like she only just realized it. For better or worse, it was a mistake typical of Maria—too straightforward and simple for her own good.

Anastasia, at least… even if she usually seems out of it, she’d never fall for such an obvious trap.

Just then, Françoise glided over to Maria.

“Oh my, dear Maria? Is something wrong?”

Maria glared daggers at her, but Françoise didn’t back down an inch.

“You… Why would you do this?!”

“Because I am here to humiliate you, of course.”

“To humiliate me…?”

“You’re reasonably talented, after all. You’ll probably go on to achieve reasonably good results at that demon academy. But that’s only because you’re an elf, a chosen being. I accepted this invitation for one reason: to show everyone here that when compared to me, another elf, you are nothing but an inferior specimen.”

“Just for that? All of this… just to harass me?”

“Precisely. Tell me, how does it feel? Knowing you’ll be pathetically defeated by me, unable to use Level 4 magic, stuck at Level 2, and utterly humiliated. Hey, hey, how does that feel?”

Her giggling grew louder, until Françoise was bathing Maria in her ugly laughter.

“Kyahaha! Kyahahahaha! Hey, hey, Maria! How do you feel right now? How’s it feel to be so stupid and walk right into my trap?”

After laughing her fill, her face went dead serious. She spat on the ground and said:

“To-tal-ly… hi-la-ri-ous… Kyahaha!”

Just then, I tapped Maria on the shoulder.

“…Want me to remove the curse?”

“Fuhaha! If she’s an idiot, her friends must be idiots, too! That is a high-level spell, equivalent to Level 7, cast using an ancient elven curse-artifact! It’s a curse that requires decades of preparation to accumulate stagnant negative emotions! You can’t just remove it so easi—”

“Level 9: True Dispel.”

A silvery light enveloped the black miasma pouring from Maria’s chest, purifying it completely. In other words, the blessing of Michael had instantly erased the curse on Maria.

And Françoise—

“Hwuh?!”

—let out a bizarre shriek as snot shot out of her right nostril.

“There. Now just go ahead and show her what you can do.”

But after thinking for a moment, Maria shook her head.

“No, it’s fine. I’m not going to use Level 4. I’ll beat her using other methods—sticking to the Level 2 range.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s a filthy cheater, but it’s true that I fell for it. On a battlefield, you can’t just whine that you got shot in the back, can you?”

I shrugged. And I thought… Yeah. She really is dazzling. Maria truly reminds me of how dazzling Bridget was.

“Hey, Ephthal? I can’t let you carry me forever. I’ve already received the power I need to fight. I won’t rely on your dispel. I’ll fight as if the curse is still active—magic capped at Level 2. I’ll beat Françoise with just the cards I have right now.”

“Alright, then. Show me what you’ve got.”

And with that, Maria took the ring from her pocket, aimed for the center of the target area, and threw it.

“I know, I know, it’s pathetic to rely on a borrowed item. But since it was given to me, it’s my power now. First, surround the ring with water… Level 1: Water Ball.”

She immediately followed up by casting a Level 2 spell at the water orb.

“Level 2: Fire Lance.”

The ring Maria threw was made of zirconium that had been specially treated with magic. When zirconium reaches nine hundred degrees, it reacts with the surrounding water to generate hydrogen. And hydrogen, of course, is an explosive gas.

—In other words, a hydrogen explosion.

On top of that, as a basic principle, adding that much heat to water also causes a steam explosion, amplifying the power even further.

This ring was originally an artifact excavated from a city of the ancient magic civilization. Its usefulness had been questioned because no one could figure out the purpose of the many auxiliary spells woven into it. As a result, it was being passed around as an artifact for next to nothing. But I, with my knowledge of chemistry, immediately recognized the significance of zirconium. And, just as I’d expected, it was enchanted with the perfect formula to trigger a massive hydrogen explosion using only simple magic.

It was probably something like a good-luck charm for a novice mage back in the ancient era. It allowed them to easily draw out incredible power, even with immature magic.

I was astounded by the technology of the ancient civilization, but in any case, it’s fair to call this a ‘cheat item’ for beginners. After all, its power was obvious—every single target within the twenty-meter radius had been completely blown away.

“What… is this? This is impossible! This… This can’t be!”

Maria stuck out her chest proudly.

“This is a secret art from the school I’m studying. It’s a borrowed power, sure, but your Level 7 curse came from an elven artifact, didn’t it? That makes us even.”

“I… I used a forbidden art… I can’t have lost to… to you…”

“In other words, I win. Whether it’s a fair fight or a dirty one.”

Just then, Merlin, who had appeared beside me at some point, addressed Françoise.

“By the way, girl of the elves.”

“What is it, Headmaster Merlin?”

“In an examination at the academy I manage, what is the meaning of you using a forbidden art?”

“Guh…!”

“If this were an exhibition, I would gladly permit even heretical arts. It would be educational for all… However, what you just did was clear and deliberate examination interference.”

The color drained from Françoise’s face, but she bit her lip, her brow furrowing.

“This student is a freeloader in my clan, you see? Yes… This student is my property! No, my pet! That being the case, whatever an owner does to their pet dog—”

In response, Merlin’s face became an expressionless mask as she snapped:

“I don’t care if she was your pet dog. As long as she is enrolled here, she is under my management. She is my dog now! And I will not permit you to lay a hand on my dog!”

My goodness. What amazing logic. I thought, smiling wryly.

And with that, Merlin grabbed Françoise by the front of her dress and lifted her high into the air with one hand.

“I will be lodging a formal protest with your clan through the Magic Society. You can look forward to being… thoroughly… reprimanded by your father, the chief! You imbecile!”

And with that, Merlin threw Françoise. She flew about ten meters, all the way to the entrance of the training hall.

I heard a “Yipe!” like a kicked dog. She probably landed head-first on the floor. A moment later, I heard a small clink. Looked like she dropped an earring from a distance, but… oh, well. The door opened, and Françoise disappeared, practically crawling out.

“This is why I said I was against letting outsiders in… But the higher-ups at the Magic Society love their little ‘friendship clubs,’ so it can’t be helped.”

Merlin pressed a finger to her temple, muttering to herself as she returned to the examiner’s seat.

And in her place—

—a ‘boy’ in a Gothic Lolita dress was suddenly standing right behind me.

“Hmm. You little elf whelp. That was quite an interesting show you put on for us.”

At Sasha’s sudden appearance, Maria and I were so stunned our jaws dropped.

“Well, I assume the trick behind it is a secret, yes? I’m not so boorish as to pry.”

Sasha laughed, clearly amused, and said:

“It’s been 400 years, since that idiot disciple of mine, that I’ve seen something like this. An unknown magic system… My blood hasn’t boiled like this in ages.”

“Um, Sasha-sama?”

In response to Maria, Sasha just cracked her knuckles loudly.

“My blood’s all fired up and won’t settle down. In other words… I’ll play with you. Come at me!”

Huh? What is she saying? I always knew she was strange, but I never realized she was this bad…

Sasha then pointed to the ribbon tying up her hair.

“That’s right! Whoever takes this ribbon from me… I won’t just pass them, I’ll award them the Jade Grand Cordon! First come, first served! Is there no one here who’ll spar with me?! Don’t worry, I’m not so childish as to actually injure a bunch of fledglings. You can come at me without fear.”

“The Jade Grand Cordon? The one awarded to the top student? But… can you even do that by yourself, Sasha-sama?”

“Who do you think I am? Being recognized by me is, in itself, proof that you deserve it.”

The Jade Grand Cordon was a student’s highest honor. It was also Maria’s immediate goal. Naturally, the look in Maria’s eyes changed. For everyone else, this was a no-risk chance to win the Grand Cordon. In other words, all the students, including the second-years… suddenly became bloodthirsty.

Everyone began to surround us, and Sasha flashed a fearless, sinister grin.

“Hey, you elf whelp, and you, the pink-haired whelp over there. You’re included in this, too.”

Wow. This entire conversation is moving forward, leaving me completely out of the loop.

Leaving me stunned and forgotten, Sasha made her declaration.

“The rules are simple! You all can use magic, or whatever else you want! I will respond with only hand-to-hand combat! Me, versus all thirty students here… In other words, it’s one against thirty! A personal mock battle!”

The instant she finished speaking, everyone—including Maria and Anastasia, everyone except me—leaped at Sasha.

My goodness. Everyone’s eyes are bloodshot. That Jade Grand Cordon really must be an incredible honor.

☆★☆★☆★

And so, after a few minutes of… whatever that was, a mountain of unconscious students was piled up on the floor, smoking slightly, even though no explosion magic had been used.

Oh, and for some reason, the instructors got beaten up, too. Instantly. Man, Sasha is really something else.

The only ones still conscious were me and Merlin—though we never intended to fight—as well as Maria and Anastasia. It seems those two switched to ‘wait and see’ mode the instant they witnessed Sasha’s insane power.

Yep, looks like my teaching—“If you can’t win, run like a rabbit”—is still alive and well.

“Wh-Wh-What do we do, Anastasia?!”

“Th-Th-There’s no way we can fight her! It’s impossible, I knew it was impossible! A mock battle against the legendary Great Sage!”

At that, Sasha clicked her tongue, wagging her finger.

“Fine. As a handicap, I’ll fight without using strikes from my hands. I won’t hit you, and I still won’t use magic. Anything goes for you lot. However… Merlin? You are not to participate. If you step in, this stops being ‘playtime.'”

Maria and Anastasia thought for a moment, then both gave a small nod, as if to say, “In that case…”

“Alright, I’ll go first. I’ll handle this.”

As she spoke, Maria glanced at Anastasia.

Eye contact. Does that mean their plan is to end this with the first move? Well, they must understand the huge gap in power. A surprise attack is probably their only chance. Alright, let’s see what they can do— just as I thought that, Maria lunged at Sasha.

“Ho. You elf whelp. Are you a second-year? No… a third? Well, your speed is more than adequate. I’ll give you credit for that. For a student, you’re top-class.”

Sasha, looking completely unfazed, continued to effortlessly dodge Maria’s blade.

Ugh. Her speed is decent, but as a swordswoman, Maria is still mediocre.

“Sasha-sama! I’m a first-year!”

Maria launched three Level 4 fireballs and lunged with a thrust at the same time. At this, Sasha’s expression turned to one of admiration.

“Ho. To combine magic and swordplay like that… and you’re only a first-year? You are a true prodigy. For a first-year at the modern academy, I’ll give you a ninety-seven.”

Sasha grinned, dodged every attack with acrobatic movements, and then—seized Maria’s wrist and twisted it.

“Agh!”

“But your movements are too linear. You must first accept your own inexperience.”

“Huh? Great Sage? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t use your hands to attack…?”

“Hm? I said I wouldn’t strike you. I never said I wouldn’t use joint locks.”

“Joint locks? What kind of technique is that?”

“It’s quite popular in the East, for palace guards who cannot carry weapons. You see, a long time ago… I was thrown by my idiot disciple while ‘playing’ like this. I’ve lived for twelve hundred years, and that is the only time I have ever been caught off guard. For that very reason, I’ve spent the last four hundred years researching throws, chokes, and joint locks.”

Seriously, Master? You’re still holding onto that?

Well, anyway… just at that moment, Anastasia was closing in on Sasha from behind. The instant she reached for the ribbon, Anastasia went flying. Sasha had used the momentum from Maria’s arm to execute a perfect shoulder throw.

Wow, that was smooth. Sasha really has mastered grappling techniques.

“Silencing your footsteps and erasing your presence? You have such an innocent face, yet you use the techniques of a shady trade.”

Sasha then clapped her hands together lightly.

“Not that it would ever work on me, of course.”

So, that first bit of eye contact must have been for that joint attack… Maria draws her attention, while the stealthy Anastasia attacks from behind. It’s not a bad plan, but against an opponent this far beyond them, it’s a little crude.

“Then how about this?!”

“What?! An elven forbidden art…?!”

Even my master looked shaken by this. Heck, I was surprised, too. I can’t believe she’s re-channeling magic into the spell Françoise left behind.

The earring Françoise dropped near the entrance when Merlin threw her. That must be the elven artifact that activates the curse. She must have retrieved it while she was ‘waiting and seeing.’

“Level 9: True Dispel.”

And just like that, my master resisted the curse with a dispel spell right before it hit. Without missing a beat, Maria pulled a plant seed from her pocket—

“Rose Bind!”

I believe that’s a binding magic tool elves are fond of. Wow, she’s following up with another move. These kids have good combat instincts. Ah, the rose stems have wrapped around my master’s leg. Now her right leg is useless, and she’s rooted to the spot.

Maria and Anastasia, recognizing their chance, are attacking simultaneously from the front and back. Since she’s banned herself from using strikes or magic, there’s no way she can handle this… Wait, WHAT?! Master! You said you wouldn’t use magic, but you’re about to use magic!

“Hmph!”

And just like that, the two of them went flying.

It looked like she’d used some mysterious Eastern power… something like ‘aura’… to blow them away, but that was definitely wind magic.

Her magic control was so subtle that I doubt those two even realized what happened. Merlin, however, has an exasperated look on her face, so she definitely noticed.

“W-W-Wait! What?! What?! What just happened?”

Maria yelled, looking bewildered. Sasha puffed out her chest, looking smug.

“That was something… like… an ‘aura release’!”

“Aura?”

“Have you not heard of it in Eastern fairy tales? Dragon slayers and the like use it… but for one on my level, it’s a simple parlor trick.”

That explanation is a real stretch. But she’s the same as ever—a terrible loser. She sets up these ridiculous handicap rules, and then flips the table when she’s in trouble… As her disciple, I’m embarrassed.

In the first place, ‘aura’ is a concept only usable by people who’ve undergone extreme special training in the East. My master is a mage; there’s no way she can use it. It’s basically a substitute for magic anyway, so learning it is pointless. It would just interfere with the magic circuits already burned into her brain and weaken her existing spells.

“Wow, so that’s what the legendary mage level is like.”

“I thought it was just a fairy tale. That’s aura? I can’t believe it’s real…”

The two of them were blinking, completely in awe.

Ah. They actually bought it. Man, they’re so gullible. As their guardian, I’m starting to worry about their future.

“So. Do you still want to play, little fledglings?”

“…Um… well… No, that’s okay.”

“Me too… I’m good. I don’t see any way to win.”

“Then this is the end.”

Sasha instantly moved behind both of them and knocked them out with a chop to the neck. Seriously… How cruel. Hitting them after they’d already surrendered.

“Huhu. Merlin, you may come at me next, if you like.”

And just as my master grinned and paused—

—Physical Enhancement!

Silencing my feet and erasing my presence, I closed in on Sasha from behind at top speed.

It’s a cheap shot, I know. But Maria really wants that Jade Grand Cordon.

I closed the distance in an instant and reached for her ribbon.

“Wha—?! Such speed! You whelp!”

Sasha, realizing I was upon her, spun around with a look of pure shock.

But she’s too slow! From this position, whether she tries to counter or dodge—whatever she does, I’m faster!

And then, Sasha aimed her right palm at me. A horrifying, staggering amount of magic flowed into her hand—

“Level 8: Ifrit!”

WHAT?! She just used Level 8 on a student! Crap, from this range, I can’t dodge without using magic!

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

Of course, my Level 7 can’t block her Level 8. Damn it, I can’t believe I have to stack Level 7 spells here…!

“One more…! Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The blessing of the Four Spirits blocked the inferno, and the heavy sound of magic deconstructing filled the room. And then, the Fires vanished, leaving only smoke.

“…”

“…”

We stared at each other for a few seconds. Sasha’s eyes were wide with shock.

I’m the one who should be shocked! Why would you use Level 8 on a student without a moment’s hesitation? You just cast a Level 8 spell instantly, with zero hesitation! Sasha just huffed, then puffed out her chest.

“I see. So you were a tiger in disguise.”

“…”

“You can’t hide it any longer. Who are you? You made me… just for a second… get a little serious.”

A ‘little serious’ is Level 8, huh? The fact that she actually means it is what’s so terrifying. Still, how should I answer? What to do… She’s such a pain to deal with.

“Well, that’s a secret.”

My master looked stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Hahaha!” And then—

“Then I’ll just have to beat it out of you!”

Yeah, I figured she’d say that.

Sasha’s energy visibly surged, and an incredible amount of magic began to envelop her body.

My god, her magic power is insane. At the same time, a tremor runs through my whole body. But it’s not from fear. It’s a warrior’s thrill. In other words… this is joy! Haha, ahh, I’ve missed this! This feeling… this feeling of facing someone I can’t beat even at my best! Hehe. That’s right. I…

—No. I wanted this. I wanted this kind of high-stakes exchange. I wanted to meet someone stronger, to test my stronger self against an overwhelming power! This is why I was reborn!

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not the same man I used to be.”

“Ho. Just like that time. The very quality of your magic has changed. But this feeling… it’s nostalgic…!”

Of course it’s nostalgic! You’re face-to-face with your disciple for the first time in 400 years!

“Level 8: Thor’s Hammer!”

“Level 9: Perfect Guard!”

She matched my Level 8 casting speed with a Level 9! Haha. Unbelievable… She’s just as unbelievable as ever!

“Level 7: Evil Flare!”

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

Here I come! I’m just going to keep up the pressure and overwhelm you!

“Level 7: Chaos Weed!”

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

“Level 7: Cocytus!”

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

She’s blocking every shot, but that’s fine! I’m not done yet!

“Level 7: Earth Edge!”

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

“What’s the point of this barrage?! A man of your skill could use higher-level magic with ease!”

“You’ll see soon enough! Level 7: Evil Flare!”

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

At that moment, Sasha’s calm expression finally changed.

She’s finally noticed. But it’s too late to do anything about it! Because I had no aptitude, casting ultimate spells was always too slow. So I developed this: a rapid-fire barrage of Level 7s! In this tier, I am the fastest!

“Level 7: Chaos Weed!”

“Nngh! What is this processing speed?! This unnatural casting rate! Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

I’m the one who wants to say ‘unnatural’! What is with that speed?! Why is her processing time almost as fast as mine?!

“Level 7: Cocytus!”

“Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

But I’m still slightly faster. In that case—I’ll just keep hitting her until her processing can’t keep up!

“Let’s see you handle this! Level 7: Evil Flare!”

“If you’re a man, you’ll face me with ultimate magic! Level 7: Extra Magic Guard!”

Who in their right mind would fight you with Level 10?! I’ll be damned if I give you time to cast your own!

“Level 7: Chaos Weed!”

“Damn it! All these fast, piddling little attacks! Level 7: Extra Magic Guard! This is so annoying! I said, if you’re a man, fight me with ultimate… with Level 10s!”

“I wouldn’t be able to fight monsters like you if I did that! This is why I’m doing this!”

Sasha must have realized that if this kept up, she’d eventually fall behind in processing speed and take a direct hit from a Level 7. And just then, her body was enveloped in pitch-black darkness—

—Crap! Here it comes!

I hurriedly cast the Level 7 spell most effective against the undead.

“Level 7: Evil Flare!”

A direct hit. But it’s not a decisive one.

During her metamorphosis, Sasha channels all her magic into her physical transformation and defense. So my Level 7 spell probably did about as much damage as running her head into the corner of a pillar. And when the smoke from the Level 7 fire cleared, an alluring woman in her late twenties—no, a man—was standing there.

“Well, now. You’ve made me get serious. I hope you’re prepared.”

Sasha normally takes the form of a child. Or rather, she’s forced to. It’s one of the restrictions from when she used forbidden arts to turn from a human into a vampire. In other words, she hasn’t been serious until now.

“Come, whelp! It has been two hundred years since I last took this form… You will entertain me, won’t you?”

So he’s finally appeared. The Great Sage, the pinnacle of dark magic. The being who slaughtered countless powerful foes in the Great God-Demon War a thousand years ago… A literal fairy tale has just appeared.

The originator of our titles, the founder of the Four Emperors—

—The Undead Emperor!

The amount of magic I can feel is double what it was before, maybe more. It’s obvious I can’t beat him in a straight-up magic duel as I am now.

“From what I can see, your weakness is your lack of aptitude for casting Level 9 or higher ultimate spells… No, it’s for all magic, isn’t it? You seem to have used your own modifications to cheat your processing speed in the Level 7 range… but I take it that’s how you want this?”

And he saw right through my weakness on the first try. Yep. That’s the strongest man I’ve ever known.

“Yeah. That’s how I want it.”

Hearing my words, Sasha gave a low, sensual chuckle.

“I’ve said it several times now, but… shall we not have a contest of magic, Level 10 against Level 10?”

“…”

“Come, now. We’ll start at the same ‘Go.’ I’ll even wait for you to gather your magic. A head-on clash at our maximum output… Doesn’t that sound fun?”

That’s exactly what I was hoping for. I was using that Level 7 barrage precisely to keep him from casting a Level 10. But if he’s willing to wait, that changes everything. Still… can my Level 10, Thunder God Emperor Ephthal, even work on this monster?

We both gave a small nod and began constructing our spells. Sasha, instantly sensing my spell, raised an eyebrow.

“Wind… no, lightning…?”

“Yep. I’m lightning. And you’re darkness.”

A grotesque, viscous darkness gathered in front of Sasha.

The sticky darkness began to form a long, narrow shape, about five meters tall and two meters wide.

“A coffin…”

“It looks like a coffin, but it’s really a gate to the underworld. Hehe. Stylish, no?”

And then, the upright coffin was complete, and it began to rattle.

Right, that coffin’s name was ‘Evil Gate,’ which connects to the underworld. And it connects to the very center of the underworld, to a reservoir of negative energy… like the Earth’s magma. And what the Evil Gate fires is an ultimate particle of darkness… basically, a giant black laser beam.

“I’ve been ready for a while over here.”

“Sorry for the wait. I’m finally ready, too.”

Meeting that black laser would be the Thunder God’s hammer, falling from the heavens.

Sasha and I both raised our right palms—

“Level 10: Thunder God Emperor Ephthal!”

“Level 10: Undead Emperor Sasha!”

We both unleashed the ultimate spells that bore our own names.

My ultimate lightning fell from the sky, striking the tip of the pitch-black laser Sasha had fired.

Magic and magic. The crystal-honed results of our training. Our powers. Or perhaps, the very essence of who I and Sasha are—clashed violently.

“Haha! How absolutely absurd! I never dreamed you’d counter me with Thunder God Emperor Ephthal!”

“I’m the one who wants to scream ‘absurd’!”

He’s really unbelievable… It’s hard to believe he was ever human.

Back in the day, people used to say he could probably take on the Demon King one-on-one, even though it took all Four Emperors to deal with him… Yeah, this guy could probably do it.

And so, this grand sumo match of magic is unfolding before our eyes. I can hold on for a bit, but I’ll definitely be overpowered. At this rate, my defeat is certain.

No, this isn’t an opponent I could have beaten even in my prime. —But, there are two areas where my current self surpasses my prime.

And so, while maintaining the spell with my right hand, I drew the sword at my waist with my left, in a reverse grip.

I dashed past the magic clash, making a beeline straight for Sasha.

“Unfortunately for you, I’m quite handy with my fists, too!”

Oh, I know. I remember all too well from getting beaten to a pulp in our old mock battles. I know better than anyone that you’re a true monster who can do it all, close-range or long-range.

“Hey, Merlin!”

“Ephthal-sama? Am I to understand you’re done hiding? In that case, leave the calculations to me.”

Merlin looked exasperated, but it seems she’ll do her job. Now, watch this and be amazed, Sasha!

There are two reasons you’ll lose! First, unlike you, who all your disciples ran away from, I have a disciple I can trust!

“—Divine Enhancement! And… Magic Sword Level 6: Holy Sword, Clear Undead!”

VWOOSH! I left sound behind as I instantly closed the distance to Sasha.

“Wh-What speed… It’s divine… no… it’s lightning! Kuhu, kuhaha! Kuhahahaha!”

Sasha’s face was a mixture of panic and joy. I’ve never seen him look like that before.

Just seeing that panic is satisfying enough, but I’ve come this far. I’m going to see this through to a perfect victory!

“But I am known as the strongest close-combat mage! I cannot lose a fistfight!”

I duck under Sasha’s fist.

Wait, he’s doing this with just a normal physical enhancement? This guy is unreal. But I had a great sword master in this life. And that swordsmanship… that’s the second area where my current self surpasses my prime!

Come on, Sasha! My physical specs are higher, and our close-range skill is about even!

“In that case, I’m the one who’s going to win!”

I weave past his fist, dodge his kick, and as he backsteps to make distance, I press in, closing the gap.

—FWOOSH!

With a sharp whistle, my blade was at Sasha’s neck—right against his carotid artery. I stopped it just short. No… I broke the skin, just slightly.

The holy sword’s power purified Sasha’s undead flesh. A wisp of purple smoke rose, and a faintly sweet scent filled the air. A few more centimeters, and it would have been a fatal blow.

“This match is over.”

Sasha, looking utterly stunned, murmured:

“…I… lost?”

“Well, I couldn’t have won one-on-one.”

I glanced at Merlin and shrugged, giving a weary smile.

Sasha lowered his gaze to the floor, let out a deep sigh, and spoke.

“…Hey, Ephthal? In the end, 400 years ago… I didn’t go to the Demon King’s castle, but you four faced him, didn’t you? I have a question about that.”

So, he’s finally figured out who I am.

“Hm? A question? What is it, Master?”

“At the final battle in the Demon King’s castle—when the four of you ganged up on him, did the Demon King complain that a four-on-one fight was ‘cowardly’?”

“No, he didn’t.”

“This is the same. Entrusting the calculations for Divine Enhancement… You raised a trustworthy disciple in Merlin. And that swordsmanship… That is your power, Ephthal. You should be proud that you faced me head-on and handed me this loss.”

And with that, my master gave a huge shrug—

“I really thought it wouldn’t matter how many of them came at me, since it was just my idiot disciple and my grand-disciple.”

“Well, it was hardly a one-on-one duel between warriors.”

“But I’m basically the secret boss. If I got taken down by just two people… then I have no choice but to admit my complete defeat.”

What a weird situation. We’re both admitting defeat, just by different standards.

And at that, Sasha and I both let out a chagrined laugh and firmly shook hands.