Chapter 29
The Count, who had rushed over breathlessly, began to look at Iris.
“What’s this about the training ground? Why are you suddenly trying to go there?”
“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to share some practical magic knowledge with Kyle.”
For something that was supposedly nothing, she looked quite angry.
Though she had a characteristic of acting, she was still just an eight-year-old child.
For that reason, completely controlling her emotions would be impossible.
Just like right now.
Had she sensed that something unfavorable had occurred? The Count turned his gaze toward me.
“Can you tell me if anything happened between the two of you?”
“The young lady is quite a talented magician, isn’t she?”
“That is true…”
“Maybe that’s why she had such an arrogant attitude. As soon as she arrived, she asked about my circle, and when I replied that I was a 1st Circle magician, she disregarded me so thoroughly that it was quite embarrassing, wasn’t it?”
At my words, the Count’s expression crumpled.
It was a huge insult for his daughter, who he had invited with great difficulty, to humiliate his guest.
“…I’m sorry.”
The Count slightly bowed his head, genuinely apologetic.
At that moment, Iris glared at me with her face flushed.
Her gaze was a mix of half anger and half disbelief.
She probably hadn’t expected me to expose her behavior in front of the Count.
Most nobles would hide the fact that they were insulted by a woman.
Especially if it was by a little girl like this.
But what can you do?
I wasn’t a typical noble.
My mindset was entirely open.
I wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity for the sake of my pride.
Thanks to that, I received a heartfelt apology from the Count and even managed to create a sense of debt in his heart.
It was quite a nice gain.
This intangible debt could be surprisingly heavy.
Seeing the glare from the little girl, my heart felt quite joyful.
What can you do just by glaring at me?
I had no reason to be scared; it was this little girl who had made the first mistake.
I wasn’t lying either.
“No, Count. I had already somewhat anticipated how the young lady would behave when we met. As we talked, we decided to have a simple magic duel.”
“A duel, you say?”
“Yes. I thought the young lady probably hasn’t experienced a proper real battle. Isn’t that right?”
How much could the precious youngest daughter of a prominent family have experienced in real combat?
At best, she would have only hit scarecrows in the training grounds.
Her rise to the 2nd Circle was likely more due to her talent than any real experience.
As expected, the Count quietly nodded.
“She hasn’t had any experiences that could be considered real battles…”
“I believe the young lady’s arrogant attitude stems from that. It seems she divides the strength of magicians solely based on circles.”
In front of the Count, I began to point out Iris’s problems as if I were her tutor.
And I did it from the perspective of a magician.
At my words, the Count nodded without saying anything. He had likely already known about his daughter’s shortcomings, so he had no rebuttal.
Moreover, since I had already gained a certain degree of initiative from our earlier conversation, I could continue to lay out the problems.
As I glanced at Iris nearby, I saw her gritting her teeth and trembling her fists.
Being talked about negatively right in front of her must have been infuriating.
Was it because of the conversation with the Count?
She was desperately trying to hold back her anger without interrupting.
“In the end, if you continue to live with this ‘narrow-minded’ mindset, there’s a high possibility that you’ll be ‘thoroughly’ dealt with someday. That’s why I’m trying to ‘educate’ the young lady through a duel that closely resembles real combat.”
Subtly emphasizing a few words, Iris seemed unable to contain herself any longer and began to yell loudly.
“What the hell! Who do you think you are to say such things! You’re just a 1st Circle magician, for heaven’s sake! How arrogant!”
“Hey! Iris! How much shame are you trying to bring upon me! Apologize to Sir Kyle right now!”
“Father!”
“If you cause any more disturbance, I won’t forgive you!”
“Count, I’m fine…”
Pretending to stop her, I said,
“No, I’ve raised her too carelessly. Can’t you apologize properly?”
The Count began to scold Iris, shaking his head.
Smirking, I gave a subtle smile behind the Count, causing her eyes to redden.
Count Frantel.
Standing behind him, I felt quite reassured, just as his sturdy figure suggested.
It seemed like he had raised her in a very indulgent manner.
For him to get angry like this, what could be scarier for this little girl? The look in Iris’s eyes, facing the Count’s wrath, was shaking like a little boat caught in a storm.
Soon, it seemed that she could no longer hold on and slowly opened her mouth.
“…I’m sorry…”
That’s right. She should be sorry.
I was planning to give her quite the lesson today.
“It’s alright, young lady. The fact that I’m a 1st Circle magician is true. However, as fellow magicians, I hoped we could show mutual respect, which is why I spoke to the Count.”
As I spoke, the Count and his retainers began to look at me.
“By the way, are you really planning to hold a magic duel?”
“Yes.”
Just then, there was a skilled individual who fit that role perfectly.
“Let him be my escort knight. He’s quite a capable knight, so there shouldn’t be any unfortunate incidents.”
“Is he of a certain level…?”
“He’s among the top tier of expert-level knights. His name is Leonhardt; are you familiar with him?”
As soon as I mentioned the name, the Count’s eyes lit up.
“Oh! If it’s Sir Leonhardt, he is indeed a highly esteemed knight from the Marquis family! If he’s that capable, then I can trust him. Let’s proceed with that.”
Thus, the Count, Iris, and I made our way toward the training ground, with Leonhardt, who would oversee this competition, accompanying us.
After arriving at the training ground, the Count issued strict orders to ensure that no one else could hear us, then looked at Iris and me.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready at any time.”
Perhaps my relaxed demeanor didn’t sit well with her, as the little one bit her lip tightly.
“…You’re quite confident, aren’t you?”
“I told you, dealing with a chick like you isn’t that hard.”
After my casual reply, I immediately activated my Heart Eye.
At that moment.
[Heart Eye is activated.]
[The opponent is of a lower tier.]
[The essence of the target is being perceived.]
Inside Iris’s body.
The mana flowing within her became clearly visible.
A 2nd Circle, yet deemed lower than me.
It seemed that the Heart Eye assessed superiority and inferiority in a rather unique manner.
Considering various factors, it appeared to conclude that I was stronger.
Well, to be fair, while she was at 2nd Circle, she was essentially a sheltered flower with no real experience.
It was probably only natural.
Watching how the mana flowed, I instantly recognized what kind of magic she was using.
‘It must be Fire Arrow.’
One of the typical 2nd Circle spells; you could think of it simply as a fire arrow.
Should I finish this quickly, or give her a bit of a fight?
My contemplation didn’t last long.
Since it was the first match, it seemed better to end it swiftly.
“Let’s begin.”
As soon as the Count shouted loudly,
“Fire Arrow!”
Iris, having already prepared her mana, launched two fire arrows.
Whoosh!
My response was straightforward.
I charged forward while activating Wind through a hybrid drive system.
A gust of wind burst from my right hand.
Whooooosh!
The magic’s power was astonishing, unthinkable for a 1st Circle spell. As the fierce wind collided with the approaching fire arrows, a contest of strength unfolded.
“Ugh!”
It seemed as if she poured all her mana into the Fire Arrow; the rising flames gradually intensified.
Yet, she wouldn’t win.
After all, Iris and I differed fundamentally in the density of mana flowing through us.
Mana entity.
It meant my talent was vastly superior.
Having mostly overcome the blockages that had hindered me, my talents were now even more enhanced.
Shall I finish this soon?
While maintaining the Wind, I focused my mind to activate another spell.
Two Magic Missiles.
The two Magic Missiles swiftly launched toward Iris.
Her eyes widened in shock at the sight.
Soon after, the little one, biting her lip tightly again, began to circulate her mana once more. Like me, she was attempting a double casting.
Oh.
It seems she has considerable talent.
She successfully maintained one spell while implementing another, much like I did. Given that her companion was highly talented in magic, it was probably only natural.
Shield.
The spell she activated this time was a 1st Circle spell.
It seemed she found it challenging to cast two 2nd Circle spells.
The blue shield arose to block the trajectory of the Magic Missiles.
Boom!
As one of the Magic Missiles collided, it shattered without resistance. It was at that moment her eyes filled with horror. She likely assumed that the Shield spell could adequately block the Magic Missiles.
But what could she do?
My magic was a bit special.
The hybrid drive system applied to the Magic Missile meant it possessed power similar to a 2nd Circle spell.
It could not be blocked by a 1st Circle spell like Shield.
Naturally, the remaining Magic Missile approached her body without any resistance.
Iris.
Before she could prepare for casting again, the Magic Missile was closer to her.
Swirling.
Soon, the Magic Missile began to menacingly circle around her body.
“…….”
Thirty seconds.
That was how long it took for the match to conclude.
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