Extreme Flame Wizard

Chapter 23: The First Match and the Wizard

Elenoir: “igni~~~ it’s time~~~”

Ms. Elenoir takes Igni’s hand as they stand up.

Igni: (It’s so soft….!!)

An overwhelming sense of joy overcomes him as his face crumples into a smile.

Elenoir: “Alrighty~~~ I’m taking Igni to the participants’ waiting area, so everyone please wait for me here~~~”

Alicia: “Igni, do your best, got it?!”

Iris: “Sir Igni! I’ll be rooting for you right here!”

Alicia and Iris give Igni their encouragement.

Yoori: “Igni! I’ll be right here rooting for you too!”

Edward: “Igni, you represent all of Class D so don’t you dare lose!”

Igni: “I know.”

And he welcomes the encouragement from his male classmates.

Elenoir: “Alright, then let’s go.”

Allowing Ms. Elenoir to guide him, Igni proceeds forward.

Elenoir: “I’ll be honest. When I first saw your Compatibility Report, I was quite shocked~~~”

Igni: “It is a [FIRE] : [F]”

Now, Igni was able to admit it without any reservation, worry, or concern.

Elenoir: “But more than that, I thought, ‘Wow, he must have worked really hard~~~’. I was the same way.”

Igni: “[LIFE] : [B]..... The first Wizard below A-Rank to have ever won the ‘Tournament.’”

Elenoir: “Oh~~~ Igni, were you curious about my background? I’m so happy~~~”

Battle Strength Analysis - the ability to decipher each other’s difference in strengths was a skill necessary to survive.

The higher level the Wizard was, the more they performed this as naturally as they breathe.

Igni: “After that incident with Ellis, I wanted to….know more about you.”

Elenoir: “Oh my, that’s so embarrassing~~~”

Igni: “Elenoir ‘The Puppeteer.’ You are the record holder for the shortest Finals fight ever, am I correct?”

Elenoir: “Hehe. Yes, you’re right~~~ but that’s because no one took me seriously~~~”

Igni: “.....then I’ll have to beat that record.”

Secret to Popularity No. 3 --- “Women love men who stand out.”

If Igni doesn’t stand out in this Tournament, then when will he ever be able to…..!!

Elenoir: “I’m looking forward to it~~~”

They arrive at the waiting room. Since the beginning of the Tournament, every participant has their own private room to prevent any fights from breaking out.

Igni enters the room that was made just for him, and sits down.

Elenoir: “For me~~~ I only have compatibility with [LIFE] magic but~~~ I only have one spell that I can use for combat~~~”

Igni: “You mean those spores?”

Elenoir: “Yup~~~ Igni, aren’t you the same?”

Igni: “Yes, mine is [FIREBALL].” The most basic of all basic spells.

It is so basic that a Wizard without any compatibility to [FIRE] can cast this spell.

Elenoir: “So that‘s why~~~ I think you and I are very similar~~~”

Igni: “You’re right. We are similar...”

Responding to Ms. Elenoir without much thought, Igni realized something.

Igni: (.........Secret to Popularity No. 11!!)

--- Find things in common with a woman.

Igni: (If Ms. Elenoir is the one saying this, then…..!)

Igni has heard that women like people that are the “same” as them.

Igni: (I won!!!!)

Out of all the participants attending the “Tournament,” Igni was the first to be certain of his victory.

As long as he can become popular, the “Tournament” doesn’t matter.

Elenoir: “Yup. And~~~ I actually have my hopes in you~~~”

Igni: “....hope?”

Igni: (Wait...where’s this conversation going?)

Igni thought Ms. Elenoir was just about to confess her undying love to him, but the conversation suddenly derailed off-course, and he seriously tilted his head in confusion.

Elenoir: “Yes, even without talent~~~ you can still do anything. I’m hoping that you will teach everyone in the Kingdom that~~~”

Igni: “Leave it to me.”

Igni nods deeply in agreement.

Igni: “I will definitely measure up to your expectations!”

Secret to Popularity No. 10 --- “Always exceed every expectation.”

Igni: “I will win no matter who I go against!!”

Elenoir: “I’ll be rooting for you~~~”

Ms. Elenoir smiled warmly at Igni.

<<<<>>>>

“Will the A-Block Participant please report to Gate C. I repeat…”

A voice using a [WIND] spell carries through the air.

Igni: “Ms. Elenoir, I’ll be going now!”

Elenoir: “Do your best~~~”

With Ms. Elenoir cheering for him, Igni heads to the gate.

Before him at the starting line stood a handsome man.

He had a large sword on his back and was probably an adventurer.

He was well built, and he had chiseled, deep features on his face that only enunciated his handsomeness.

Igni: (..........he’s really good looking……….)

A small spark ignites within Igni.

“The first match in Block A will be contestant Igni versus contestant Dovan! Both contestants please take your position!!”

Igni: “........!!”

Igni instinctively turned around in response to a beautiful woman’s voice, and sure enough in the announcer’s booth was an EXTREMELY cute girl.

“OOOHHH!! What’s going on?! Contestant Igni is looking this way!! Is it because I”m so cute?!”

Igni wanted to shout “YES!!” but Secret of Popularity No. 4 -- “Women love a mysterious man” takes over his brain, and Igni refrains.

Igni: (That was too close. I almost became an unpopular guy.)

Igni puts a hand over his chest and lets out a sigh of relief.

<<<<>>>>

Iris: “I wonder why Igni suddenly looked towards the announcer’s booth?!”

Amongst the crowd, Igni’s classmates were confused at Igni’s sudden actions.

Yoori: “Was he about to pick a fight….?” Edward: “O-or he was about to declare his victory….?”

Alicia: “Okay, seriously you guys. Do you really not see what he’s doing….?”

Being the only one to realize what is happening, Alicia lets out a huge sigh of disappointment and let’s it go.

<<<<>>>>

“Let the match begin!!”

A cute voice rings throughout the Gladiator’s Colosseum.

Dovan: “You’re so young. Are you a student?”

And even though the match just started, the contestant Dovan began talking to Igni.

Although the cheers and jeerings of the crowd made it difficult to hear what anything was said, Igni’s hearing caught every word without fail.

Igni: “Yeah, I’m a 1st Year at Rolmod Wizard Academy.”

Dovan: “I’m envious of...talented people like you…!!”

Dovan suddenly dashed forward!

Igni: “Talent...huh…”

Igni creates one [FIREBALL].

Igni: “[FLAME ARMOR - IGNITE : MAX GIANT SIZE]!!!!”

And he creates a <GI•GAN•TIC> size [FIREBALL].

He increased the size of the [FIREBALL] by pouring more magic into it.

Dovan: “Wh----! How is this fair?!”

The [FIREBALL] covered the entire field and with nowhere to run, Dovan was slowly being cornered to the edge as he retreated.

“THAT’S AMAZING!!!” “I’VE NEVER SEEN A [FIREBALL] LIKE THAT!!”

“WHAT KIND OF MAGIC CAPACITY DOES THAT GUY HAVE?!?!”

“That’s way too big….”

The cheers that rose from the crowd perked Igni’s ears.

Igni: “.......Dovan...I do understand your feelings.”

Dovan: “Wh-what are you saying all of a sudden! You obviously have PLENTY of talent!!!”

Igni: “.......being born with a handsome face…..being born handsome…..it’s so unfair...”

Dovan: “HUH?!?! What are you TALKING about?!”

Igni: “.....I get it. I totally understand…… no matter how hard you work, you can’t beat that handsome face they were born with……!!”

Dovan: “Wait! Hold on!! HEY!! IT’S TOO BIG!! You’re [FIREBALL] is too big!! HOT!! HO-H-H-HOT?!?! WAIT?!?! Do you plan on casting THAT?!?! It won’t just leave me with a burn!!!”

Igni: “CURSE YOUR HANDSOME FAAAAAAAAAAAACEEEEEEE!!!” Dovan: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Dovan dove straight into the water himself.

“ROUND 1 WINNER IS CONTESTANT IGNI!!!!!!”

“ “ “ YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH “ “ “

In the midst of the cheers, Igni felt a stronger sense of accomplishment than ever before.