Chapter 26 (2/2)

”To be honest, I was surprised when you fired my magic back at me, but……have you forgotten my name?”

Elgil smiled at me as I stood there in shock.

”My name is Elgil. Elgil von Istria — Well, you should remember the name of the man that will defeat you.”

After saying this, Elgil once again created the huge fireball.

This is bad. I don't have【Anti-wall】prepared.

I quickly try to set it, but before I can, Elgil's flames. .h.i.t me.

”Gyaaaaaa!”

Unbearable heat like nothing else I've ever experienced.

I could feel my conscious fading for a moment.

”I'm sorry but there's no way I could go easy on you.”

”【Anti…….wall】”

The heat was overwhelming but I managed to activate【Anti-wall】

And continued to activate【Anti-wall】several times in a row.

If I am hit by even one more I'll be defeated.

This is my last chance….!

Elgil is chasing close behind me.

I try to use the experience I've gained from fighting Luluna to make a feint, but he doesn't fall for it.

He's gradually becoming used to the speed I have from using【Anti-wall】

How can he be so fast? I stare at Elgil with clear irritation on my face.

Elgil just looked back at me with a cool face.

”I can't lose. After all, it is expected of a n.o.ble to win a fight like this.”

”There are people expecting me to win as well.”

It's so frustrating. I'm weak…….I hate this.

But I also have people cheering for me. They expect me to win.

”Fight, Lute-dono!”

”Go for it, Lute! kero”

”Lute, do your best…..”

I hear the voices of my three friends. That alone is enough to give me the strength to go on.

I can't lose. I can't lose. I won't lose!

”I can't lose……I won't!”

I focused all of my magical power near my feet.

Elgil saw this and stopped pursuing me.

After using【Gluttony】I have little magical power left.

I also stopped moving and looked straight at Elgil.

”You may not be a n.o.bleman, but……Your spirit is just as strong. You have my respect.”

We each laughed for a moment and then returned our focus to the battle.

”…..Still, it is me who will win! As long as I am a n.o.bleman, I can't lose! It is my duty to win here. I have an obligation to the people to win!”

And a large ma.s.s of flames shot toward me.

I tried to use the magical power I had focused on my feet to dodge the flames, but I was too slow.

I had abandoned the idea of using【Anti-wall】at this point and took the flames head-on.

”There is a reason I have to win here. There is a place I can't give up. I must win!”

The flames envelop my body.

It's incredibly hot, but I can't give up.

For all of my life, I have lived without any goal in sight.

I was okay with that as long as I was enjoying myself.

I didn't join the Adventurer's Academy for any real reason. I just didn't want to leave my new friend.

But now, I have a firm goal in sight.

”Elgil…..I will…..defeat you…….”

”….I will win. It's already been decided.”

Elgil denied my words.

”No, I will defeat you.”

In return, I denied his words.

”What!? How'd you get behind me!?”

Elgil quickly turned to face my voice.

But of course, there is no one standing there. Naturally, this is a trap…..

”【Empty Sound】……I never thought it would be useful in a fight.”

Elgil has his back turned to me. This is my best chance so far.

Before Elgil can turn back to face me, I used【Anti-wall】to force myself forward.

I aim for Elgil's chest. If I am able to touch him directly I'll win.

But Elgil turns toward me before I am close enough and prepares his own fire magic.

Elgil tries to hit me with his fire magic before I can touch him.

The difference in timing was only an instant.

But Elgil was faster.

Flames converged around Elgil's right arm.

A ma.s.s of flames more powerful than everything Elgil has used so far was shot towards me.

Elgil is convinced of his victory and I can see him begin to relax.

”【Anti-wall】”

I spoke the words I had said countless times.

My body instantly changed directions and shot into the air.

I could feel the heat from the flames brus.h.i.+ng against my toes.

I landed behind Elgil and placed my right hand on his back.

【Thunder Trap】

”This is the end!”

”Gah!?”

【Thunder Trap】causes Elgil to stop his movement.

I put all of my remaining magical power into that trap.

”You…..still want to fight?”

”……No, I surrender. It's….my loss.”

Elgil's voice echoed throughout the silent arena.

At the same time, I fell unconscious.

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