"Excellent work! This is a great start for our party!"
"Amazing, Pauline!"
The three of them, having forgotten the harsh words before the match, celebrated Pauline's victory. Pauline, her face contorted, sat down with a red face. The tension, or rather the high tension from anger, had subsided, and she had returned to her senses. Perhaps she had just realized that she had said some middle-school boy-like lines in front of everyone due to the influence of Maile's bedtime stories.
"Well, since Pauline did so well, we can't afford to lose!"
Mavis nodded at Reina's words, equipped the blunted sword for the mock battle, and started walking. She was the second patient with middle-school boy syndrome.
Mavis's opponent was a young swordsman in his late twenties. Normally, he would be around C-rank, but he was already B-rank and a member of "Mithril's Roar." While he was far from matching the A-rank hunter, Glen, the leader, he was a true "genius" with ample talent. Moreover, with his handsome face and affected mannerisms, he was popular among the women of the capital, contributing to the fame of "Mithril's Roar."
However, despite being young, he was nearly ten years older than the seventeen-year-old Mavis. The age difference translated directly into a difference in training and experience. Additionally, there was the physical difference in strength between men and women. The difference in experience in one-on-one combat was significant. For Mavis, who didn't often use dirty tricks, the chances of winning against a seasoned hunter were slim. But for Mavis, such things didn't matter. She just needed to give it her all!
With that thought, she bowed to her opponent and drew her sword.
"Sorry about this..."
"What? What are you apologizing for?"
The swordsman asked in confusion at Mavis's words. She smiled and replied,
"Well, I feel bad about exposing you to the shame of losing to a younger, new female swordsman in public..."
"You... you..."
*Whoosh!*
*Clang!*
Mavis calmly parried the swordsman's sword, which was swung at a speed too fast for the eye to follow.
She effortlessly deflected the swordsman's rapid attacks.
"Huh? Is that all...?"
Recently, she had only sparred with Maile and Byle. Others refused to spar with these three. As a result, Mavis's standards were slightly skewed, leaning towards Maile's level. So, she had been looking forward to sparring with a B-rank hunter, but his speed was slower than Byle's, and she couldn't feel the resistance. This led to her unintentional expression of disappointment and frustration.
"What... what...?"
From the middle of the match, he had swung his sword in earnest, yet all his attacks were easily deflected by a graduate of the hunter training school. His pride as a B-rank hunter was shattered, and his face turned pale.
Mavis's rapid attacks were barely defended by the swordsman, who struggled to keep up with the increasing speed of her sword. Her strikes were powerful.
"Since we're both warmed up, let's get serious now!"
The young swordsman, struck squarely in the left armpit, collapsed as if pushed away by the force of the blow. The match wasn't over yet due to the short duration, but the purpose was to assess the examinees' abilities, not to decide a clear winner, so it couldn't end too quickly.
"Ugh..."
Even with a blunted sword, the impact was similar to being hit by a metal rod. With a leather armor, the damage was significant. The swordsman, enduring the pain, managed to stand up. Mavis then informed him,
"That was 'Divine Speed Sword 1.2x.' Next, I'll use 'Divine Speed Sword 1.3x.'"
*Whoosh!*
"Ugh!"
The sword, which he couldn't see clearly even when in perfect condition, was now even faster, and he had no chance of seeing it.
"Enough! Use healing magic!"
Seeing the swordsman unable to stand, the match was called to an end. Mavis, who seemed to want to continue fighting, said with a dissatisfied look,
"There are still two more levels..."
Amidst thunderous applause, Mavis left the arena.
"What is that female swordsman? She was so fast, I couldn't even see her sword!"
The treasurer, quite excited, exclaimed. Duke Christopher also had wide eyes.
"Amazing! Is she the 'promising newcomer'?"
"Her recent catchphrase is, 'Why am I the only one left behind!'"
Elbert, with a subtle expression, replied to the king.
"Amazing, big sister..."
Behind them, the princess seemed to have a strange switch flipped.
"Good job!"
Reina, passing by Mavis, called out and headed to the center of the arena with a confident smile.
The middle-aged magician, in his late thirties, looked anxiously at the elderly magician and then at the party leader, a greatsword user in his early forties, Glen. Both remained silent and expressionless.
The man was confident in his abilities. Indeed, he couldn't match the party's chief magician, the "old man" Anselm, the Dragon Slayer. But that was just a matter of experience. Having lived nearly twice as long as a hunter and a magician, it was natural for Anselm to have more knowledge and skills. The man believed he would be even stronger by the time he reached Anselm's age. At least, he was stronger now than Anselm was at his age. He might even be able to beat the aging Anselm in a fight, depending on the circumstances. But now, he was shaken.
The members of "Mithril's Roar," who were said to be close to A-rank, had unexpectedly lost two consecutive matches to graduates of the hunter training school. This was unacceptable. Who would recommend such a party for A-rank? Would anyone even entrust them with high-difficulty missions? But, thinking about it, a B-rank hunter shouldn't lose to a student, let alone two consecutive losses! Was it a setup? Someone trying to disgrace and discredit "Mithril's Roar" to destroy it.
The school had saved the best for last. So, the next opponent would be even stronger? No way! But what if it was true? What if he lost too? Was he really the right choice? Shouldn't the experienced old man or the leader step in?
Losing to a child in front of everyone? That couldn't be allowed...
The magician suppressed his turmoil and reluctantly walked to the arena.
Since both were attack mages, they stood at a distance from each other.
"Pleasure to meet you. By the way, do you have a family?"
"..."
Why did you ask that!
Are you worried about my family being left behind?!
The magician lost his composure, overwhelmed by fear. He might have lost it even before entering the arena.
"Inferno, engulf and burn the enemy! Hellfire!!"
"Hey, idiot, stop it!"
A cry rose from "Mithril's Roar's" waiting area. It was understandable. The spell was meant for high-level monsters, a lethal magic with no room for error or mercy. It was the fastest and most powerful spell he could cast. Overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, and panic, he had reflexively cast it.
Despite his considerable experience, the magician, who was still considered "inexperienced" by the elderly magician, was a backliner. His role was to cast powerful attack spells from the rear, protected by the reliable front and mid-liners. He hadn't faced direct attacks from enemies in years. He rarely faced magical attacks either. Most monsters were unintelligent and attacked the nearest target, so he rarely received attacks. Even if he did, his skills were sufficient to defend against them. In combat against humans, he rarely faced skilled mages. Those with such skills wouldn't commit crimes or become bandits. Thus, he had few opportunities to feel the threat to his life, even in a high-rank party. He was mentally fragile despite his excellent attack skills. He hadn't expected this job to disgrace the party, and he hadn't anticipated being in a position to worsen the situation. Without proper mental preparation, the thought of a high-powered spell hitting him, either by accident or intentionally, filled him with fear. He couldn't die here, leaving his wife and children behind!
In the next instant, he reflexively cast his most familiar and powerful attack spell.
The inferno engulfed the small girl, hiding her figure in flames. When the magician regained his senses, he was stunned by what he had done, but it was too late. There was nothing he could do until the spell's effect wore off and the flames subsided. All he could worry about now was whether there would be enough bones left for his family.
"Aaah..."
The magician slumped to the ground, stunned, and the audience was silent, shocked by the tragedy. Then, from the fading flames, a figure emerged...
"Is it over already?"
"......"
"I'm good with fire magic, but I've also become skilled with ice and defensive magic recently."
Reina said calmly.
"Is that what she meant by 'Defense is the best offense'?"
Seeing the magician, who had lost all will to fight, Reina muttered. She then began to cast the same spell to end the match.
"Inferno, engulf and burn the enemy! Hellfire..."
"Stop! Stop right there!!"
The match was called to an end by a desperate voice. Reina, who had been calm but slightly angry, was about to cast the same spell.
"What is that? What's going on with this year's students!"
The treasurer, as usual, shouted in excitement.
"Even though we didn't see the attack, it would have been a disaster if it had continued. She probably could have cast it, so it was a good call to stop it. Her defensive magic alone was enough to show her skill, so the test is fine..."
Duke Christopher, with a serious expression, said it had been a close call. Elbert, who had noticed the four were hiding their true strength but not to this extent, was stunned.
"Amazing, amazing!"
"Father, can I become that strong if I go to the training school?"
The king, patting the excited princess and prince, whispered,
"Is the era changing? This long-stagnant era..."
"Win."
Reina's words as she passed by made Mavis smile wryly. As Reina stepped back and Mavis entered the arena, "Mithril's Roar" was in an uproar.
"The opponent is a mage, I should go!"
"No, that outfit clearly shows she's a swordsman! I'll go!"
The elderly mage and the middle-aged spearman were arguing. After watching for a while, the greatsword user, Glen, as the leader, made a decision.