Round 3: Flash Spell – Rapid Guess & Reaction
In the center of the arena, a massive crystal ball projected ancient spell codes that flickered at high speeds. Participants had to identify the element as quickly as possible and shoot the corresponding target.
"Gery, focus. Don't embarrass yourself," Moon said quietly, his voice alone enough to make Gery break out in a cold sweat.
"Y-Yes, Moon-sama! Understood!" Gery stood stiffly. He looked far more terrified of Moon than the threat of disqualification.
Rio stood beside them, performing a strange warm-up—which was actually just him rotating his wrist once. "Okay, for heaven's sake... for my soft bed... let's get this over with."
The Contest Begins!
Flash! The first code appeared: Blue, Spiral, Vertical.
"ICE!" Moon flicked his finger with lightning speed. The target shattered.
Flash! The second code: Red, Triangle, Horizontal.
"FIRE!" Gery shouted, unleashing a burst of flames. The target exploded.
The crowd began to cheer. Team C looked surprisingly coordinated—until the third code appeared. This code was incredibly complex, glowing gold with a pattern of an hourglass winding around it.
"That... what kind of spell is that?!" Gery panicked. His eyes couldn't keep up with the pattern. Moon frowned slightly, his hand ready with magic, but he looked hesitant.
Rio saw the code.
To his eyes, it was moving in slow motion. Each line, each curve felt strangely clear.Too clear.
"…Temporal Bolt," he thought.
The moment the name surfaced, Rio frowned.Since when did I even know spells like this?
It was a Temporal Bolt. A low-level time manipulation spell.
"Hey, Rio! Guess it!" Gery screamed hysterically.
Rio took a deep breath. This was his moment to be 'serious.' He raised his hand, pointing his index finger forward with an incredibly convincing flourish.
"EGG MARTABAK!" Rio shouted at the top of his lungs.
TETTTTT!—WRONG! The crystal on Team C's scoreboard shattered instantly.
Team C Remaining Lives: 3.
Back on the Field
Gery felt like he was about to faint on the spot. He stared at Rio with bloodshot eyes. "Egg... martabak...? WHERE IS THE HEAVEN IN THAT, RIO?! YOU SAID YOU WERE DOING THIS FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!"
"Well, egg martabak is heaven's food when you're hungry at night," Rio replied innocently.
Gery grabbed Rio's collar, ready to punch him, if not for the chilling aura he felt behind him. He turned slowly. Moon stood there, staring at them with a flat gaze that pierced through his bones.
"Gery," Moon called softly.
"Y-Yes, Moon-sama?" Gery immediately let go of Rio and stood at attention.
"Egg martabak... isn't bad," Moon muttered, walking past them. "But I prefer the sweet cheese one. Next time, don't shout the wrong element."
Gery stood there, stunned. "Huh? Moon? Why is he becoming just as nonsensical as Rio?!" Gery thought he was going crazy. He began to feel a twinge of jealousy toward Rio—because the boy had managed to capture the attention of the usually dead-serious Moon.
VVIP Balcony & The Stands
Luna adjusted her glasses with a trembling hand. "Princess... Subject Rio... he just shouted a food name for a Temporal Bolt spell. Is that a secret code?"
Lylya Minakaya could only facepalm. "No, Luna.... He's just hungry. Even I'm not sure anymore."
In the stands, Ellen, who had just finished his round perfectly, could only manage a small, stifled laugh. "Hmm," he hummed.
"MARTABAK?!" Ellen whispered to himself before exploding into laughter. "HAHAHA! HAHAHA!! HAHA!!!"
Down below, Rio simply waved his hand lazily. He glanced at the scoreboard; his lives were halved.
"Huft, three left," Rio muttered. "Round four: Magical Obstacle Run. If I drop to two lives, Ellen really will bring gasoline to my house."
T/L: ~_~ (Get the fire extinguisher ready, Rio!)
Moon glanced at Rio from the corner of his eye. "Rio. In the next round, if you lose again... I'll order Gery to be your sleeping pillow forever."
Gery: "WHAT?! PLEASE NO, MOON-SAMA!"
Rio: "Whoa, cuddling with Gery? That's more horrifying than a burning bed. Okay, okay, I'll actually run this time."
A/N:A small note: Spells are not the foundation of this world. They are only tools used in competitions. How this world truly works… that's a different story.
[VOL.0 – CHAPTER 3: Continued.]