The spectators were all impatiently waiting for the battle to begin. Among them were the figures of Scarlett, who had a worried look on her face and Hinata, who was watching the situation calmly; there was a slight glint of curiosity in her crimson eyes.
It would be a lie if I said I wasn't a little nervous being watched by so many people. Hindu, however, was making a face that showed absolute triumph. It was apparent he was sure of his victory. I was amazed he could act so conceited in the face of so many people. In my case, it was like giving a speech on the first day of school.
"Are you both ready?"
Ayumu, who has taken the position of a judge, asked after we both had reached a fair enough distance.
"I'm ready."
"I'm ready as well."
We both said our agreement at almost the same time. With that, the room became silent. The rules have already been decided. As the rules were simple, we were only allowed to use attack which were able to deal minor injuries, and both participants were allowed to forfeit whenever they wished. Naturally, forfeiting before such a large spectator would be the absolute humiliation for a noble; the chance of a Hindu admitting defeat seems unlikely based on his attitude.
"Well then, you may begin from five."
Ayumu said calmly. Hindu immediately held out his palm. I also prepared myself to receive his attack at any moment.
"5... 4... 3... 2... 1"
"Mother of fire, blast my target, fireball!"
Once Ayumu's countdown had reached one, Hindu was the first to move. He chanted a spell which created five balls of fire, which measured 3 centimetres in diameter. While they were low-level spells, they each had enough firepower to seriously burn the human body.
Naturally, I decided the best way to deal with the attack was to dodge them, while they were coming at a high speed, it was a speed I could easily handle. Waiting for the attack to come near, I dodge it at the last second when the attack looked like it was about to land "Oo, as expected from Sir Hindu."
"Yes, to be able to cast in such a short time, it was brilliant."
Such voices could be heard coming from the spectators, however-
"It's useless!"
Hindu shouted with a sinister smile on his face.
-Haruto behind you!
Alya shouted with a voice mixed with both surprise and worry. I immediately tried to look back, but it was too late. At that moment, my back collided with the five balls of fire created by Hindu; my face distorted in pain. I then fell to the ground with smoke coming from my back.
"Hehe... do you want to surrender now? No one will look down on you for giving up; it's the contrary, no one expects you to win anyway."
He muttered in a haughty tone as though the battle had already been decided. What an annoying guy, forget it, I won't be mad over such simple things. I need to find out why I was hit by his attack. I'm certain I had dodged it, so why was I hit? I made a confused face while slowly getting up from the ground.
-You did dodge it, but the attack came back on its own.
Alya gave a short yet simple response to my inner question.
(It came back on its own. Is that possible?)
I asked, confused. During my training, I tried manipulating the spell's trajectory many times, but I wasn't able to freely manipulate the movement of the spells cast. So how was he able to do it?
(Is it the difference in our ability?)
I wondered.
-Don't worry, I'll find out, but instead of dodging, you're going to have to stop the attacks from now on.
She said calmly since I can't dodge it, I'll have to stop it from now on. However, that's easier said than done.
"Oh, so you can still move, huh? Well, it would be boring if you went down so easily."
He said with a smirk on his face.
"Mother of fire, burn my target, fire Blast."
A magic formation was then formed before his palm, the magic formation glowed faintly as a huge blast of fire appeared, which then compressed into a giant torrent that came straight towards me. Releasing an intense amount of heat. It was obviously a high-class spell. For him to use this kind of attack, does he hate me that much? I wondered.
"Mother of wind, slice my target, air cutter."
A magic circle was then formed as wind, taking the form of blades shot out at high speed, cutting through the air, fire blast and air cutter, two high-level spells were now about to clash. The two spells collided with each other, resulting in the fire blast being cut cleanly in two halves by my air cutter. Naturally, the wind element had the advantage against the fire element in a frontal attack, seeing that they were both equal in power, the one with the advantage in nature would win. The air cutter went towards Hindu, who was standing helplessly at a distance. however-
"Mother of fire shield me from danger, fire wall!"
A magic formation appeared on the ground as a wall of flame was created before Hindu, stopping the air cutter, which was making its way towards him. The flame dies down, leaving the ground scorched black.
"I'm surprised to think a mere commoner like you had such a spell."
He said with a face which was genuinely surprised.
"Thank you for your kind words. I can see why you had so much confidence in yourself."
I was impressed by his display of power. As I thought, I have a long way to go. I couldn't help but make a bitter face knowing that I still can't be compared with the ones who were called the "Genuinely strong."
"I want to be stronger."
I muttered out loud at a tone which no one could hear.
-Don't worry, I can assure you, you will be known as the strongest someday. After all, you still haven't even reached your maximum potential yet.
Alya's voice resounded with resoluteness.
"Mother of fire, blast my target, fireball."
Once again, a magic circle was formed, and five balls of fire were formed; this time, they all measured roughly 5 centimetres in diameter, and each of them gave off intense heat. He then fired them at me with great speed, it was about three times as fast as before, now it's going to be hard to dodge; however, it was fine, I had no intention of dodging a second time.
"Mother of wind blast my target, wind lodes."
A second-class wind spell it created 3 mini sized tornados; I was able to control the trajectory of the fire ball using the wind pressure of the tornados the wind pressure in the arena became strong it felt like everything was going to be blown away I honestly didn't want to use this spell inside a building but I really didn't have any other option at this point I want to win using the wind element so I'll use everything at my disposal.
The three tornadoes grew even bigger. I then change their trajectory of the five balls of flame and fired them all back to the Hindu who was the original caster. I made a triumph in seeing my strategy work out the way I want, however-
"Wha!"
As though they had eyes, the five balls of flames changed their trajectory once again before they all made contact with Hindu and came straight in my direction at full speed. I then folded my fist, allowing them to be swallowed up by my mini-sized tornadoes. All of them vanish as though they were eaten by the tornadoes; it couldn't be helped. Even though I wanted to end this fight quickly, it seems impossible at this point. Unless I find out the trick behind why all his spells can freely change their trajectory on their own, I won't get anywhere.
-It really is impressive. I've never heard of a human who can freely manipulate the movement of spells before. I'm really curious about the concept behind it.
Alya's carefree voice resounded inside my head. I really wanted to yell at her carefree attitude if I'm to be honest. The three mini-sized tornadoes all went in the direction of Hindu. I'll just blow him away using the force of the tornadoes.
"Hehe... fool, why don't you just give up. Mother of fire, burn my target, heat wave!"
A huge three-layer magic circle was formed. Followed by a storm of flames, the entire room was then struck by a fierce heat wave; even the spectators who were watching a long distance away could easily feel the intensity of the heat coming from that spell. This must be what it's like to be standing on the sun. I felt like my skin would melt at any moment.
Even the tornadoes were affected by the heat; the three tornadoes pushed against the heat, resulting in a huge wave of wind and flames. My body was pushed back by the wind pressure; however, as for Hindu, he was also being affected by the heat, using his hand to cover his face as sweat could easily be seen forming on his forehead. Before long, the two attacks subsided and had completely cancelled each other out.
"Oo." The voice of cheers came from the spectators, many of them were witnessing an attack of such magnitude for the first time, and they had an expression of pure admiration. Hindu looked like he had exhausted his mana as he looked like he could fall to his knees at any moment. However, I still wasn't even halfway through my mana supply as of yet. The longer this fight goes on, the more I will have the upper hand. It would be easy for me to win by allowing him to run out of power, but I want to wrap this up quickly.
"You lasted far longer than expected; however, this is where it ends."
He said while a large quantity of fire gathered around him. He held out his palm, compressing the fire gathering around him.
-Haruto, it seems this is his final attack
Alya said calmly. Even though her body wasn't materialising, I could somehow tell she was making a stern face.
(What should I do now? Should I use windstorm?)
-I have no confidence that Windstorm would be able to hold out against that attack.
She said with a bitter voice. Windstorm, my most powerful spell, wasn't enough to stop that attack. Just how strong is that spell? I wondered as I felt melancholy, cold sweat was running down my back. Whatever Hindu had planned, I really don't want to be in the middle of it.
"This is where it ends... if you want to forfeit, now is your chance."
He said while glaring at me with the eye of a beast who had cornered his prey.
(What should I do? If Windstorm isn't strong enough, I guess giving up is my only option.)
-Nope, there is still one spell left, you know.
Alya said in her usual carefree voice.
(There is? Isn't Windstorm the strongest spell I have?)
-Hey, who do you think you're talking to? I'm the great wind spirit, the strongest wind user you'll meet. I'll teach you a powerful wind spell you'll have to repeat after me.
Alya's reliable voice resounded once again.
Hindu then raised his right hand, and the fire followed the movement of his hand and went into the air, compressing and taking the form of a phoenix. It was a majestic bird scattering its ambers in every direction.