Black Iron Magician

Chapter 162 Stage 「!?」

There’s a polished brand-new stage in the center of the venue. Thanks to the hard work of all the students and teachers who are good at earth magic, they managed to make it on time for the schedule. When it was completed, the spectators who had been watching it closely cheered, so the workers left satisfied even though it was hard.

In fact, the new stage has a high degree of perfection and is stronger than the previous one. If it were to be used for the usual graduation festival, there would be no problem at all. If anything, it’s better than ever.

―――― However, that is just the standard from the general perspective.

(I can’t bring myself to destroy this one…)

Haruna, who will play in the second match of the semifinal, went up to the newly built stage while thinking about such things. There was not a single scratch on the stage, so she hesitated to step on it. As Haruna stepped on the stage, she was already full of feeling sorry.

「… You came, huh.」

「Ah, Nevel-san.」

「What’s wrong? You don’t seem to be as energetic as before. After all, it’s depressing when your master became your enemy, right?」

Shen went on the stage with that feeling, so Prince misunderstood her. Deris put many restrictions on her and he even became Prince’s supporter. This is a clear betrayal, so any normal disciple would have despaired. In addition, Haruna was hanging her head, so it was inevitable that Prince misunderstood it. However, the other party is that Haruna.

「No, I’m very motivated! I’m going to crush all of Shishō’s support as well! Considering that I can’t use this staff and you have Shishō’s support magic, I’m thinking of going all out from the start! Let’s make it a wonderful match like the match between Chinatsu-chan and Wee-chan!」

「………」

Haruna gave that unexpected reply with a smile. Prince didn’t show it on his face, but he was slightly bewildered. To him, Haruna is a type of person he had never met before, a strange one. After all, Haruna is not dispirited even in this situation. Far from despair, her fighting spirit is at its peak and her body is aching to start the fight right away.

With Deris as her enemy, Haruna judged that she doesn’t need to restrict her physical. Since she can’t use Doggan Staff, using martial arts is inevitable. It’s exactly what Haruna wants, and having the Doggan Staff as her shackle ignites her fighting spirit even more. Adversity is an opportunity, the most enjoyable moment. It’s a waste to throw it away. Haruna, who thinks like that without any doubt, is a strange one.

(So this is the true strong person…!)

Prince opened his eyes wide in admiration. This girl, who seems to be younger than him (actually the same age), has already reached that point. Needless to say, his ability is overwhelmingly inferior to her. However, that doesn’t mean he will give up.

「… Is it really okay?」

「What is?」

There are Deris and Prince’s student friends in the passage of Prince’s side, working as supporters. Even though Deris understands the meaning of Karua’s question, he deliberately acts that he doesn’t understand and asks her back.

「I’m asking whether Prince will be okay! Haruna just declared it, right? That she is going to punch and kick seriously because there’s your support magic. Even though he’s pretentious, he is still royalty. It will be bad for you as well if something were to happen to him, so support him properly!」

「Aah, you don’t have to worry about that. If I were to take it easy, it wouldn’t do any good for Haru. I promise that I will give my best support.」

「Even if your disciple lost because of that?」

「If that happens, it means that Haru’s strength is just that much. Supposing that I don’t become Prince’s supporter, I think Haru will lose to Chinatsu in the final.」

「… It’s not that I believe everything you say, but your training is quite spartan, huh? Is Haruna not going to run away?」

「What are you talking about? Compared to Knight Leader Nell, my training is considerably easy, you know? Rather, Haru is the one who is demanding more. That girl is a strange one after all.」

「Is that a joke?」

「I’m deadly serious. Well, now is not the time to worry about other people! All of you, don’t cut off your support magic! Karua, concentrate more!」

「Jeez, why do I have to follow this guy’s orders…」

Even though she was complaining, Karua began to work as Deris instructed. Before going on the stage, Prince was given support magic that each is good at. For example, Karua used wind magic to increase his speed, Dry used fire magic to increase his strength, and those who are specialized in earth magic increased his defense.

However, as it is, it’s the same as Dry’s match and it won’t be a threat for Haruna. The supports from the students are just to build the foundation. Yes, the real thing starts here. Deris used Radiant Magic 『Alma Divine Bless』, which was used by Chinatsu in her match before, on Prince. Moreover, it has a higher degree of perfection than the one Chinatsu used, and the magic power used is incomparable. The current endurance of Prince easily exceeds that of Therese.

「As long as he has that, he can’t be killed by ordinary means.」

「Absolutely?」

「Well, maybe.」

「………」

Prince’s job is 『Magic Swordsman』, a hybrid that can handle both sword and magic freely. He is a well-balanced type who can handle vanguard and rearguard. It sounds good, but putting it the other way, he can be said jack of all trades but master of none. Prince is a level 5 Magic Swordsman who has mastered various high-leveled skills. However, if he’s asked whether he can defeat Haruna, the muscle-brain magician who can hit, run, and use magic as well, he won’t give a good answer. If he wants to win against her, he has to outwit her in one aspect or has to be able to use his physical abilities and magic better than Haruna. It’s definitely best to stop trying to compete in spiritual factors such as willpower. After all, that’s exactly what Haruna is best at. Without the support magics, Prince is lacking in everything mentioned above.

「The rest is up to Prince… is what I want to say, but well, I will support him while looking at the situation. That damn Haru can exceed my expectations easily after all.」

「H-Hey, don’t say something ominous!」

Deris and Karua remain in the passage, and the other students are scattered all over the venue, concentrating their minds so that the support magic they are in charge of won’t be cut off. Now, it’s finally time.

「Now, we will begin the second semifinal match. Haruna Katsuragi, Nevel Faji, are you ready?」

「Yes!」

「Yeah.」

Haruna holds her Doggan Staff in her right hand and carries it on her shoulder. Prince, on the other hand, pulls out his wooden longsword and takes a middle stance so that he can respond no matter how Haruna comes.

「Well then―― begin!」

―――― Goong!

「「Ah.」」

A dull sound rang out in the venue together with the signal to start. It was not a starting gong. At the moment it started, Haruna rushed forward and hit Prince with her left hand at his handsome face. There was some evidence that he had swung his sword to intercept the blow, thanks to Karua’s support magic. There was, but the sword was splendidly cutting the air, and Haruna’s fist splendidly hit the face.

「But, that damn Haru can exceed my expectations easily after all…」

「Hey!?」

It’s important, so Deris said again.