#385
◈
385
“That means you and I might face each other in a martial arts competition.”
It was a cool voice, as if he was willingly waiting for that day to come. Asuka looked towards the direction where her voice was heard.
“Area?”
The silver-haired beauty with violet eyes, who was looking this way with her arms crossed, was still unlucky in Asuka’s eyes.
“Of course, before that, you, who can’t do anything without permission, will have to participate in a martial arts competition.”
A sneer appeared on the corner of her mouth.
“What are you talking about?”
Asuka is not the kind of person who can tolerate such provocation. Somehow, he will end up participating in the martial arts competition.
But Asuka soon realized something and raised her eyebrows.
“So, the ‘Comprehensive Martial Arts Association’ means that wizards can also participate?”
“okay.”
Area nodded. It was truly unexpected.
In terms of killing ability, magic is not a weaker force than swordsmanship. Rather, magic can be more threatening in that it is capable of mass destruction at once.
However, since ancient times, wizards have been far from this type of competition.
Wizards also receive combat training, and combat magic does not have a low proportion in the academy’s magic department curriculum.
But regardless of that, it is clear that magic is not suitable for one-on-one combat.
Unlike swordsmanship, it requires activation time, the battle space is limited, and the use of tools is limited.
The wizard fights in a prepared space using all the tools he has.
First of all, because of the difference in quickness, if a swordsman and a wizard of equal skill level face each other under the same conditions in a one-on-one battle, the swordsman is much more likely to win.
Of course, there has never been a clash between a sword-level swordsman and an archmage, so we don’t know what will happen at the extreme level.
In any case, there is no reason for a wizard to participate in a martial arts club and risk an unfavorable battle.
It was also a question of efficiency. For prosecutors, martial arts competitions are an opportunity to promote themselves and win prize money, but for wizards, there are other ways to make money, and it is difficult to win prize money from martial arts competitions due to unfavorable battles.
“Until now, martial arts competitions were purely fought between those who used ‘vis’. But this time, have they created a new rule? How did you set the standard? Wizards use magic tools. Even swordsmen use swords, so you can’t have wizards participate empty-handed, right?”
Xian tilted his head and asked. Area received the word.
“Yes, just like swordsmen use swords, it looks like wizards will be allowed to use wands and such on a limited basis. “I heard that that’s why they invited the Wizards Association for consultation.”
“The Wizards Association?”
Sian’s eyes widened. The Empire does not reject wizards.
However, it is true that there has not been much interaction with the Wizards Association due to the strong voices of the temple that view wizards as a group of potentially evil people who can turn into warlocks at any time.
It seemed that the imperial family would use this martial arts event as an excuse to bring in the Wizards’ Association and naturally expand their influence.
Although this was not an overt method, it was another way to ostracize the temple from the empire and also meant to create new allies to keep the temple in check.
Most people will understand the emperor’s will by watching the proceedings of the martial arts meeting.
The Wizards Association will also gladly accept that wish.
From their perspective, it is an opportunity to drive out the temple that oppresses them and expand their influence in the empire.
“As expected, you gladly accepted Grand Duke Rinosa’s offer. “There were many calculations.”
Sian muttered. If it is a comprehensive martial arts club in which even wizards participate, it is distinct from Basor’s martial arts club. Many people from other countries will also be interested.
It also means that we are going to widen the scope and attract attention.
‘It’s better for me.’
Helmut thought that since he had made it this far, he must win.
The word winning was familiar to Helmut.
But the problem is that Helmut was not the only one who thought that way.
“I’ll tell you what, I’m going to do my best. Even if the opponent is you, Helmut.”
Area raised her finger and pointed at Helmut. I was dazed. Helmut, who was struck by her out of nowhere, asked her.
“Why did you suddenly think of attending a martial arts festival?”
Area’s answer was simple.
“If you receive the title of earl, you will be able to access the imperial library. “It would be impossible not to give that much benefit to the winner of the martial arts competition.”
It had been quite a while since she came to the archipelago, and she still had not even been to the threshold of the imperial library.
Archduke Farnese met Helmut face to face and had a long conversation with him. A conversation similar to the one that took place in Basor.
And from then on, the Grand Duke completely stopped caring about the guests who visited his residence and confined himself to the imperial palace.
Helmut, who forgot to ask the Archduke for permission to enter Area’s imperial library that day, had to suffer from Area’s severe beatings ever since.
So, it is understandable that she is greedy for winning the martial arts competition, which can give her access to the imperial library.
Even if it means having to fight Helmut and win. Because wizards are that kind of race.
Helmut opened his mouth hesitantly.
“It will be difficult for you to defeat me.”
It’s not that difficult, it’s honestly close to impossible.
Alea did not reach the level of an archmage, and Helmut reached the level of a sword saint.
Helmut was only speaking honestly, but it was natural that his honesty offended Area.
Her purple eyes instantly turned cold.
“That’s something we’ll have to wait to find out.”
‘Surely, you’re not planning on cutting me with a sword, are you?’ For Helmut, the very act of raising a sword towards Area is uncomfortable.
However, it seemed like Area would fire magic at Helmut without hesitation.
Her eyes were shining intensely with the will to win.
‘… … ‘I can’t help it.’
I couldn’t blame Area. A sense of anticipation also arose in Helmut.
After his first meeting with Area, Helmut often felt attracted to her.
Area is a strong wizard. I want to compete against each other at least once.
That is another area of instinct that is no less than the instinct for the opposite sex. It was clear which of the two instincts was superior, but it did not completely kill the other.
‘If I can’t defeat her, I guess I’m not worthy.’
Obtaining something of value always involves trials.
It was a pity that this ordeal was his wizard girlfriend.
She will know anyway. She knew she couldn’t beat Helmut.
Helmut arrogantly went over generously.
“You don’t want to fight with your girlfriend, right? do not worry. I will defeat Area for you. “You will make it to the finals, but I wonder if he will make it to the finals.”
Asuka tapped Helmut on the shoulder as if to reassure him. She had a confident expression on her face, even though she was a prosecutor.
Alea snorted.
From Helmut’s perspective, it would be just as bad if Asuka defeated Area.
He hoped that he would be the one to defeat his girlfriend. She was possessive in a unique way.
“You decide whether to participate or not. “You haven’t even gotten permission yet, right?”
Asuka’s expression crumpled immediately at Xian’s command.
“Then you have no intention of participating. “It’s a topic that you’ll probably be eliminated early on anyway!”
“Who is being eliminated early? “Aren’t spirit wizards better at interpersonal combat than regular wizards?”
Spirits are beings that have stepped into the spirit world. It can be made invisible to the general public by only feeling the energy.
A spirit is a living being that moves with its own sense, and as the level of the spirit wizard increases, the spirit’s sense also develops.
This is where the difference between a regular wizard and a spirit wizard lies.
The spirit is active because it can move on its own while reflecting the owner’s will.
It has the advantage of not being able to predict how it will move and the fact that it doesn’t require any magic activation time.
If there are multiple spirits, the opponent will feel as if they are dealing with multiple spirits, including wizards.
It cannot be said for sure that this fighting method is more efficient in terms of magical power consumption, but it is natural to feel difficult when invisible opponents are attacking each other.
“Okay, I’m participating too.”
After thinking for a moment, Xian spoke in a determined tone.
“I went to Pahe’s Forest and it’s just like dealing with people. “It’s simple.”
Although he didn’t fight much, the fact that he came out of the Forest of Pahe alive gave Sian unfounded confidence.
Asuka suggested to Xian with a curious look.
“okay? “Then, shall we spar?”
“Okay, shall we give it a try?”
Just like that, the two of them left the room. I felt like I knew the result without even looking. It will be an exciting time for Asuka.
Helmut and Area looked at each other.
“We are also in Dalian… … .”
“no.”
Area cut it with a single sword.
“I am a wizard and I have a way to deal with swordsmen in one-on-one combat. “There is no reason to reveal my fighting style to you in advance.”
It already feels like a competitor. Helmut pointed out one fact.
“No matter how much Shinjeon will be excluded from this martial arts competition, you were a celebrity at Greta Academy. “If it becomes known that Area is a woman, her connection to Heike may become known.”
The fact that Area is revealed to be Heike’s granddaughter means that it becomes an achievement for the temple.
Although the temple and many countries were at odds, their public declarations could not be ignored.
But Area was also thorough.
“Who is participating as ‘Area’? Traditionally, martial arts competitions do not allow participation under assumed names. “Disguise magic doesn’t work, but wearing a mask is possible.”
Area, who spoke calmly, left the room.
“Then I’ll just leave.”
Elaga, who was napping in the corner, sauntered over to Helmut, who was left alone.
[Hey, can I also participate in the martial arts competition?]
Elaga also seemed to be interested in martial arts. Monsters like to fight.
Helmut looked at the small cat at his feet and spat out.
“… … How do I fill out the documents? “There is no martial arts competition that allows animals to participate.”
It was natural for Elaga to be dissatisfied with that one word.
[Weak humans have made every move out of fear that a strong monster like me will participate! To fight amongst themselves!]
It seems unlikely that the rules were drawn up taking into account exceptions that may not exist, but Helmut did not bother to explain.
In any case, it seemed clear that Helmut’s victory was not at all important to Area and Elaga.
