Book 2: Chapter 33 (1/2)

“Hey, Alice?” Tafel asked, turning her head to face the guild master. The two were standing in an arena across from twelve people. Around them, hundreds—maybe thousands—of spectators were viewing the arena from seats on the wall of the coliseum-like building. Outside of the venue, images were projected on the coliseum walls and crowds of people were gathered in the streets, clogging the roads while vendors shouted and waved their products in the air.

“What?” Alice asked back. She was busy polishing her shield with a handkerchief. She blew on the mirror-like surface and nodded to herself.

Tafel furrowed her brow. “Aren’t the matches supposed to be party against party?”

“Yes.” Alice nodded and took a step away from Tafel. The sword on the demon’s back was inching towards her with green drool leaking from its edge. The red eye on the blade with a pitch-black iris and pupil was staring at her.

“So why do they have twelve people in their party?”

“They’re the Elemental Tempest,” Alice said. “An S-ranked party composed of six elementalists.”

Tafel tilted her head. “An elementalist? That sounds like someone who controls elements.”

“You don’t have elementalists on your continent?” Alice asked. “They form contracts with elementals, spirits composed of the various elements in nature. The elementals consume their elementalists’ mana in exchange for their power.”

“…How is that any different from black magic?”

“Well, for one, holy dragons don’t frown upon elementals,” Alice said. The referee was droning on in the background, but neither she nor Tafel paid any attention. “And elementals can act independently. A black mage has to concentrate on their target, but elementalists can leave spell casting to their elementals while doing something else.”

“So half of those people over there are composed of spirits,” Tafel said, squinting her eyes at the party across the arena. “Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

“Tamers can use their pets, and they won’t count as an extra body. It’s part of their class,” Alice said and rolled her eyes. “If you want to comment about extra party members, maybe, you should address your sword. It’s really creeping me out.”

Tafel’s sword hissed at Alice.

“…It’s cute,” Tafel said with a nod. She took it off her back and held it in front of herself. “Who’s a good girl? You are. Yes, you are.” The sword purred as its eye closed halfway.

Alice frowned. “You know, I thought this when I first met you, but there is something wrong with you.” She glanced at the floor which was dissolving from the green liquid pouring from Tafel’s sword. “It’s just not right.”

“Let the match begin!” The referee’s voice echoed through the arena.

Tafel raised her head. “Alright, sword. Show me you’re worthy of a name.” She narrowed her eyes and inhaled, holding her blade out horizontally. Six people charged forward, reaching halfway across the arena. As Tafel took a step, she paused and turned her head towards Alice. “What happens if I bisect an elemental?”