Chapter 139: Forty-Seven Types of Magic; If You Can Insta-Kill Me, I'll On the Spot...!
"What in the world is mana..."
Not far from the four-person battlefield, in a special ringside seat, a one-eyed, bewitching, mature woman in a bright red kimono and holding a tobacco pipe was leaning lazily against a tree. She murmured softly, as if in doubt, or as if asking a question.
But the silver-haired girl in a simple, light blue kimono behind her did not answer.
She was staring intently at the battlefield with some worry, and asked in a low voice, "Master, Raishin and Yaya, the two of them..."
"No problem. I have already released Yaya's 'limiter.' Their enemy is no match for them. That being said, it seems they don't even need to make a move now."
She gently exhaled a wisp of white smoke.
What in the world is mana? Will you show me, you magic-using boy?
The battle in the distance was about to break out.
It was not uncommon for an automaton to intrude in a battle, but RyuZU's appearance made one feel a strange sense of danger. The scales of victory were constantly tipping.
"She is...!"
"Allow me to introduce you. My automaton, RyuZU."
Following the introduction, the automaton girl curtsied.
She was gorgeous and elegant, with a delicate appearance that was in no way inferior to Charlotte's or Yaya's. The moonlight was like a spotlight, illuminating her, complementing her own long, silver hair. The moment she appeared, she captured everyone's attention.
Felix narrowed his eyes, suppressed the unease in his heart, and said with a brave face, "Don't tell me she was hiding here the whole time? She really has no presence."
"But it is precisely because of her previous concealment that she has such a strong presence now, isn't it?" Kobayashi retorted.
The intrusion of an unknown automaton made Felix unable to gauge her strength, and he felt a lump in his throat. And to make matters worse, Kobayashi had to say something like—
"When RyuZU and I are together, we just dominate. I'm in charge of the 'domi', and she's in charge of the 'nate'."
"...Hmm?!"
The way everyone looked at RyuZU changed.
The strong acknowledge the strong!
If another small-fry puppeteer had boasted about their automaton like this, it would only have drawn the ridicule of others. But with the backing of the powerful Kobayashi, it was completely different.
"Oh my, so you knew about that, Master Kobayashi. Actually, I have been intentionally suppressing my strength. After all, as an attendant, I must be considerate of my master's feelings. It wouldn't be good if I accidentally hurt his tiny little pride."
The ultimate sharp tongue instantly disintegrated the sense of mystery he had created for her.
As her master, he was already used to it.
Facing the strange gazes of the others, he shrugged and said, "Can't be helped. Who told humans to have limits? I'll be counting on you from now on, RyuZU."
"Yes. Dealing with an insect that only knows how to play little tricks behind the scenes and cause trouble for you, Master Kobayashi, will not require much effort."
—Arrogance.
The gorgeous automaton girl's tongue was as sharp as ever, completely disregarding Felix. At the very least, the other party was one of the top thirteen. Was it really okay to say that?
Charlotte was a little worried.
The handsome young man also felt offended. A faint vein popped on his forehead. He barely maintained his proper demeanor, but his hand decisively began to channel mana into his combat automaton, Eliza.
"It's just a bluff! Watch me take care of her in an instant!"
The delicate body of the girl before me absolutely cannot burst forth with a power that far surpasses the norm. After all, there is only one automaton named Yaya who was also made by Shouko Karyuusai! In any case, I'll just use my own powerful magic to take her out!
Felix's thinking was simple and direct, and his attack method was even more direct.
Countless water spears, like a machine gun, fired continuously. RyuZU did not stop. She carelessly exposed herself to the rain of bullets, directly approaching the other party from the front.
From an outsider's perspective, it was impossible to see clearly, but the spears did not pierce her body. They all disappeared into thin air half a meter away from her.
"What?!"
Felix was slightly surprised and stopped inputting mana. The sky full of water spears also subsequently dissipated.
Only then did everyone suddenly realize that two huge, futuristic-looking scythes radiating a cold light had extended from under her skirt. It turned out that the water spears hadn't gotten close because she had been rapidly swinging the scythes to form a barrier.
"What in the world is that?!"
Felix couldn't help but question loudly.
Because those two scythes, just from their appearance, looked extraordinary. He was certain that they were absolutely not a product of this era! Absolutely not!
In the distance, Shouko Karyuusai was also curious. With her eye for things, she could naturally see that the scythes were unusual.
Generally speaking, explaining one's own moves in battle should be basic etiquette. Even Felix, at the moment of successfully framing Charlotte, had laid out his entire plan as a sign of sincerity, so that the ignorant girl would know why she was dying.
However—
"It's a secret."
The man before them placed an index finger to his lips and refused to speak, acting mysterious.
You detestable bastard!
Just as Felix was about to continue inputting mana to control his automaton, RyuZU rushed forward in the blink of an eye. Her scythes, without the slightest hesitation, slashed towards the combat automaton Eliza's neck, cleanly beheading it!
...But she didn't.
In that instant, the sound of splashing water reached their ears. After a large amount of water droplets flew up, RyuZU's scythes passed through. At the same time, Eliza's body turned into water droplets and splashed in all directions.
Of course, she was not defeated just like that.
The water droplets quickly gathered again, forming a puddle, which then immediately converged into a human form.
I feel like I've seen a similar magic somewhere before.
"Don't tell me...!"
"That's right. That is the Undine's magic. 'Cannibal Candy' hunts other automatons for their Magic Circuits precisely to use their magic."
"So that's how it is."
Now, Raishin also understood.
Clap, clap, clap—
Felix couldn't help but applaud. "Unlike that extremely primitive fighting style of subduing enemies with brute force, your mind is surprisingly flexible, Kobayashi."
"Thank you for the compliment."
The person being praised was not happy.
Especially when Felix added, "It would really be a shame to kill you like this. I say, why don't you join my..."
"I refuse."
Before he could finish, he decisively refused.
Facing the other's puzzled gaze, he sighed. "I say, no matter how you look at it, you're the one at a disadvantage right now. And isn't your goal my Magic Circuit? Is it really okay to change your goal at this point? Have some persistence, hey."
The feeling of being lectured by an enemy was not good.
Felix chuckled. "Lesson learned. Since that's the case, then you can just die."
A faint sound of something cutting through the air came from the silent night. Then, a wildly swinging iron ball with terrifying impact smashed towards him from behind. If he didn't dodge, his fragile human body would surely be seriously injured.
"Dan—!"
Before Charlotte could warn him, RyuZU had already flashed behind him. Her scythes swung a few times, and the menacing iron ball was instantly dismembered.
The broken pieces of iron flew in different directions. And the fragments that were about to hit him were once again cut several times by her swinging scythes. The elegant attendant had opened up a safe space for her master.
But being on the defensive was not in her character. As the scattered iron fragments blocked both sides' vision, her body moved with a light and unpredictable path towards the combat maiden Eliza. Her scythes slashed from a hidden angle, straight for the enemy's neck.
Clang—
A fierce spark that vanished in the blink of an eye bloomed in the night sky.
Eliza hurriedly raised her shield, barely blocking the attack.
As expected of one of the top thirteen.
Unlike the large iron ball that had been cut to pieces like a melon, the combat maiden's shield was quite sturdy, only showing a deep mark.
But that was all.
RyuZU's attacks would not stop. Her two scythes continuously swung, and in a short while, the shield shattered with a boom.
Eliza had no choice but to avoid the attack, landing gracefully in the distance.
Although RyuZU's strength was superior, the other party was not completely at a disadvantage. But one question lingered in Charlotte's mind.
—Why didn't she turn into liquid to dodge the attack?
"Because of the Principle of Magical Incompatibility."
As if answering her question, he slowly opened his mouth. "To this day, many magicians have challenged themselves to cast multiple spells at the same time, but have been completely unable to do so—this is the most basic of basics. And to think you're a top student. Have you forgotten the knowledge that Professor Kimberly taught, Charlotte?"
"N-nonsense. Of course I remember!"
The tsundere girl turned her head and said with feigned displeasure, "I was just curious about its flaws, like if the conditions for use are too harsh, the cost is too high, or if there's some kind of price to pay."
"It's the cost-performance ratio."
He didn't keep her in suspense and pointed it out directly.
Simply put, that was just a use-and-throw-away magic. A discarded circuit could not be equipped again, and the number of uses should also be limited.
After all, if one could use the hunted Magic Circuits without limit, there would be no need to desperately accumulate stock, nor would there be a need to risk exposing the crime of constantly hunting automatons at night.
"But you are different, Kobayashi."
Felix opened his eyes at this moment. He spread his hands and looked at him with a fiery gaze. "You can use multiple types of magic, right?
I have seen your battles before. The several kinds of light you cover yourself with have different effects. Not only do they enhance your physical abilities to the point of stopping a train, but you can even use magic to freeze water.
At first, I also thought you had the same kind of Magic Circuit as Eliza, but after coming into contact, I realized that there is no unfamiliarity in your mana at all, as if it were innate.
Therefore, I can conclude that you must be an automaton that has overcome the drawback of magical incompatibility.
In other words, as long as I get your Magic Circuit, I can use multiple types of magic without limit, and I won't have to hunt other automatons anymore! You are the most important part of my becoming the Wiseman, Kobayashi!"
...
These fanatical words made him rub his arms. To be lusted after by a man... enough is enough!
"But I can also guess why you discarded the Undine's Magic Circuit."
"Because it's completely useless against you."
Although turning into water to dissolve attacks was good, once frozen into ice by him, Eliza would be restricted, and thus some other low-level Magic Circuits could not be used.
Felix's eyes shone with a cold light. Sparks of mana shot out from between his brows, and his face no longer showed the arrogant attitude from before. Perhaps he had instinctively sensed danger, realizing that the opponent was someone he had to fight with all his might.
But by the same token, the reward for defeating the opponent was also very rich. That covetous, fiery gaze became even more unrestrained.
This guy...
"I say, I'm really not an automaton. Do you really need me to cut open my own chest to prove it?"
This wasn't a "how many bowls of noodles did I eat" problem.
The possessed Felix could no longer listen to anything. He stubbornly believed that what he was doing was an important part of becoming the Wiseman. Sometimes the truth doesn't matter; they only see what they want to see.
The battle began again.
RyuZU and Eliza stood opposite each other. The two of them simultaneously pushed off the ground and rushed towards each other at high speed, then entered into a series of hand-to-hand combat.
Eliza was very smart. Facing the sharp scythe attacks, she decisively dodged, and then, relying on the longer reach of her longsword, she struck first. But RyuZU was not to be outdone. Her body was fragile, but she always predicted the opponent's attacks a step ahead and then gracefully dodged or parried with her scythes.
The two seemed to be in a fierce clash, but in reality, neither had harmed the other.
But a battle is not unchanging.
As time passed, Eliza, who was slightly slower, gradually began to lose ground. And just as RyuZU's scythe was about to slash across her body, a wall appeared in front of her. A wall radiating a steely luster. It seemed to be a special kind of magic that enhanced defense.
Her vision was blocked, and her attack was also parried from the side. For a moment, she was unable to form an effective suppression.
Seeing this, Felix did not hesitate to discard this magic, which he had only used once, and switched to another kind that softened the ground, causing her to trip and lose her balance.
It wasn't over!
Eliza took this opportunity to open her mouth, and a fierce flash of light instantly burst forth, robbing everyone of their vision.
—A stun grenade! No, it was a flash magic!
This magic was extremely effective against him, who had super-strong vision. When they regained their sight again, she was already bound by a golden chain, the other end of which was held by Eliza. This was the magic of one of the ten people who had sneak-attacked him before.
But unlike before, when it could be easily broken, the binding force this time was very great, even from its appearance.
Then again, no matter which magic Felix used, it was much stronger than the small fry from before.
But it was easy to understand.
A leaf that can be made into a flute will most likely not produce a sound in the hands of an ordinary person, but in the hands of an experienced person, it can be used to play beautiful music.
Similarly.
These hunted Magic Circuits, in the hands of Felix, one of the top thirteen, could indeed display a power greater than their original owners.
"—Imprisonment Chains."
Felix explained smugly, "The metal used in its creation can absorb mana and activity, so your automaton will soon become a piece of scrap iron."
Unfortunately, it had no effect on her.
If it were the dissolving liquid of the "White Phantom Mist," he would still be a little worried. After all, he didn't know if the barrier released by the Magic Circuit in her body could withstand it. But he hadn't expected him to just use chains to bind her.
Was it carelessness? Or was he saving that move as a trump card?
After all, there were still two automatons (Yaya and him) who were skilled in martial arts that hadn't been dealt with.
He unconsciously used [Spectator] to peek into the other's mind and found that it was indeed as he had guessed. Felix was even planning to use RyuZU as a hostage to make him submit.
One could only say he was overthinking things.
Felix was confident of victory. He said, intoxicated and pleased, "How about it? You're helpless, aren't you? If you just sur—"
Crack—
A crisp sound came from the side. The handsome young man's expression froze as he turned his head.
He saw RyuZU easily break free from the chains and leisurely come to stand behind him. Her emotionless eyes looked at him, dealing him a great insult.
"One after another..."
Felix gritted his teeth and glared at him.
And he, who had done nothing, suddenly said, "I've suddenly thought of a way to prove myself. An automaton cannot generate its own mana, so they must stay by their puppeteer's side. If I inject mana into RyuZU, won't that prove that I'm not an automaton? Such a simple principle, why did I only think of it now?"
Oh, so it's that those small fry were unworthy of her making a move. That's fine then.
Since that's the case—
"Then let's give the Wiseman candidates of the Night Party a little shock."
His smile was wicked.
This made Felix's alarm bells ring loudly.
He didn't hold back. He immediately had his automaton Eliza turn into mist. The combat maiden's figure disappeared, and at the same time, a thick fog appeared on the empty ground.
He explained proudly, "This is the [White Phantom Mist]. I was originally planning to save it to deal with you and Magnus! I admit that your cold air magic can freeze liquids, but it's completely useless against the strong dissolving liquid of the mist! And I've also discovered that you and that automaton are both martial arts types. At most, you can use other protective magic, but even so, you will be slowly dissolved. So this magic is your natural counter!"
Ignoring his long-winded speech.
He turned his head to Charlotte and Raishin and said, "Don't blink. Next, the battle will end at a speed that is beyond your imagination."
On the other side, Felix was still clamoring.
"It's useless! At the start of this battle, my automaton was able to cast forty-seven types of magic!"
"—Imaginary Switch!"
"Forty-seven types of magic! You can give me... gak—?!"
Seeing him still injecting mana into RyuZU, Felix couldn't help but reveal a cold smile. However, his expression was completely shattered in the next second. He could only squeeze out a whimper from his throat.
"How could this be? Eliza actually disappeared?!"
Everyone present only felt RyuZU's figure move slightly, and then the mist-form Eliza in the field had disappeared. Furthermore, she was now bowing to Kobayashi as if to take credit, which was enough to show that this was all her doing.
"Impossible! The mist-form Eliza with her strong dissolving liquid is your natural counter!"
"You're right, Felix. The mist-form Eliza is very tricky. But only magic can defeat magic. So I enveloped RyuZU's scythes with mana and used a magic attack on the mist-form Eliza. As for the effect, I'm sure you've seen it."
In that instant, she had swung her scythes thousands of times. Eliza didn't even have time to say her last words before she was dispersed by the powerful water-attribute magic.
This was the first time he had explained it to him. Of course, it was also only after the battle. The important thing was that he hadn't exposed the fact that RyuZU could enter imaginary time.
"Well then, next..."
He took a deep breath, slowly turned around, and stared at Felix.
He looked very flustered, pathetically losing his usual calm. Seeing his ill-intentioned smile, he couldn't help but let out a sharp cry.
"What do you want?!"
"To do you!"
His answer was still concise and to the point.
"Don't come here... don't you come here!"
Felix's face was twisted, his expression one of terror. He said in a sharp voice, "I am the eldest son of the Kingsfort family! If you dare to act rashly, the royal family will not sit by and watch! Why don't we make a deal? Charlotte is still a suspect. If I step in to testify... wait, I told you the royal family wouldn't sit by and watch!"
"Who cares about you! Grit your teeth, you bastard!"
He grabbed him by the collar and slammed a fist into him.
If he used a skill, he could have made his head spin several times, or at the very least, knocked him out with one punch.
But that would be letting him off too easy.
With one punch, Felix's chin was hit hard, and he was thrown into chaos. It was also the beginning of the fierce attack that followed.
He let his fists fly, continuously hitting his handsome face, muttering as he punched:
"This is for CPU-ing Charlotte!"
"This is for using me!"
"This is for coveting my body!"
"This is for misunderstanding me!"
"This is for sneak-attacking Akabane-kun!"
"This is for..."
As he muttered, Charlotte, who was kneeling on the grass nearby, had her mood go up and down like an EKG.
It was obvious he was seeking justice for her. One could tell from his continuous muttering. But in reality, it was more because he was angry at being used.
He mentioned her, but only a little.
"I see. So we two were just incidental."
"...It seems so."
Raishin's retort, Charlotte agreed with.
After beating him until his nose was bloody and his face was swollen and he was unconscious, he finally let him go. At the same time, he let out a long, satisfied breath and turned to the two who were covered in wounds.
"How about it? Can you still stand?"
He extended a helping hand to the two of them.
"Ah, I can still hold on," Raishin said, not being polite, and decisively took his hand to stand up.
Charlotte also wanted to take the right hand that was extended to her, but her timidly extended hand paused in mid-air, hesitating for more than ten seconds without making the next move.
In the end, it was he who took the initiative to take her hand and forcefully pull her to her feet.
The girl lowered her head slightly, not daring to look at him.
There was self-blame, apology, and gratitude.
But the girl, who was not good with words, could not express her feelings well. In the end, all she could say was—
"...Thank you."
"You're welcome."
His pure and gentle voice echoed in her ear.
For some reason, the tsundere girl knew that her feelings had been conveyed properly. She couldn't help but raise her head and look at him with a smile.
With that, the "Cannibal Candy" commotion came to a close.
(End of Chapter)