Chapter 20: Magic Tournament
Ring of Pursuit.
Contrary to its lame name, this is a very powerful accessory.
Its effect 「After using an Attack Magic spell, there is a 10% chance an additional spell will be cast」 although it sounds simple, its benefits can be quite substantial.
For example, let’s say that you’re in a situation where you have to use Magic against a boss that has very high HP. If you need 1100 casts to defeat it, simply casting 1000 spells will have 10% of those be double attacks. In other words, you can defeat it 100 casts earlier.
Some people might think it as “It’s not a big deal” or “That situation is rare”. But that’s not all there is to it.
In fact, this accessory can be strengthened starting from Grade 3. If I later become acquainted with someone possessing a high rank 『Blacksmith Job』 they could use 《Performance Enhancement》, turning the Ring of Pursuit into something more monstrous.
Specifically, after a Grade 3 reinforcement, the chance of an additional attack rises from 10 to 25%. That is, one in every four spells. That means, for every 1000 shots you need to make, you only need to cast 800 of them. It’s an outrageous effect. It makes me get goosebumps.
But. There’s a reason why such a high-performance item is rare.
Its price was a whopping 1.5 billion CL. It even came with three memory-foam pillows.
It was that expensive in the Mobius era. I’m not sure how much it would cost in this world.
———————
…………I want it.
I absolutely want to obtain it.
No matter what kind of hand I have to play.
With my mind set, I asked to participate in the Magic Tournament.
Luckily, the tournament is held on the last day of my study abroad. I used to tell people that the Grimoires were rare to me, so I might seem suspicious if they see me using the Second and Third Form of spells. But if that comes to pass, I’ll just do something about it then.
I need to think of something.
Or rather, I want the Ring of Pursuit even if they get suspicious of me.
——————————-
“Maine, are you going to enter the Magic Tournament? “
The day before the tournament. After hearing casual words at lunch, Maine’s expression hardened.
“……Will you participate, Second-san? “
“Yeah. I will.”
“Phuuuu!? “
By my side, Silvia spat her drink out of her mouth in surprise.
“Why haven’t I heard of this!? “
“Because I never said it.”
She is the same as always. It was a nice reaction this time though.
“Say, Maine, do you have something against participating in the Magic Tournament? “
I got curious and asked him that question. Afterwards, Maine answered with a cloudy expression.
“Tomorrow… Elder brother will be coming…”
“The First Prince? You don’t like him? “
“That’s no it, it’s just, I’m not very good dealing with…”
So, you don’t like him.
“Elder brother has overwhelming talent. Because I only have talent for Magic, my brother, who is good at Swordsmanship, says that I’m a wimp and looks down on me. And even if I have no intentions of it, my brother sees me as an enemy in the fight for succession of the throne. He will come visiting tomorrow as the leader of the First Knight Order, but I think his true purpose is to ridicule me in front of as many people as possible.”
Looks like he has a bad personality, that guy.
However, so the First Prince is the leader of the First Knight Order, huh?
“…………”
When I glanced at Silvia, she had a face as if she had bitten a sour bug.
I see, I get it. Of those who used to trouble Silvia, the “Upper Echelons” in the knights, the First Prince is the very top of them.
“Can’t you just skip attending the Magic Tournament? “
“Impossible! I’m the Second Prince after all. “
“I see, what about faking some temporary illness or something?”
“Elder brother would probably say something like: That wimpy brother of mine is a coward that can’t even present himself at the Magic Tournament, while attending the Magic Academy! “
…If rumors that he is suspected of using his position as Second Prince to tamper with his grades and rank reach the First Prince, and he censures him in return, Maine would have no place in the school.
But then, if he faces his brother, he would be severely abused in front of the eyes of many. Being a prince is hard…
“I don’t know what to say… Sorry.”
“…It’s fine, Second-san. It can’t be helped.”
Has Maine given up? He said this with an expression as if to admit defeat.
Not worrying about such a sad reality, next to me Eko was happily eating rice. Her appearance was quite soothing.
“By the way, Second-dono.”
“Uh, what is it? “
“I’ve already learned the Third Form. Three days ago.”
“Seriously? Three days ago!? Why haven’t I heard of this!? “
“Because I never said it.”
“…………”
Damn, she got me back…
————————–
The day of the Magic Tournament.
There were a lot of spectators on the grounds.
After separating from Silvia and Eko, I was in the participant’s waiting room.
There were a few other students participating, chatting and making a buzz between each other. About ten people.
“But that ring that is the prize… what is it? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Seems like, since last year was the 50th anniversary, they reduced the scale and the price this year.”
“The number of participants decreased too, and there was a change in the rules. It’s not what it used to be.”
Chances are high these students have a low level of skill.
But even then, to not be able to know the true value of the Ring of Pursuit, even though they wish to be magicians? Certainly, the 10% effect of the base ring might not seem like much, but don’t they know they can strengthen it…?
“But it seems there’s a rumor that Klaus-sama will be visiting this year.”
“That’s because of that, the A class dude.”
“Ahh, I see. The Second Prince.”
“I heard a rumor they have a very bad relationship. Why is that?”
“Do you think he might want to beat him in an exhibition match? “
“Hahaha! That would be nice.”
After that, they started to excitedly bad-mouth Maine. The person in question wasn’t present so they had free reign.
Still, no matter where you go in this school, they all have the idea that “First Prince＞Second Prince” totally engraved in their minds. Seems quite unnatural. I don’t think this is Maine’s fault to be honest, and there’s a big possibility that someone on the side of the First Prince is manipulating that impression. Does he hate Maine so much? That guy called Klaus.
“Excuse me…”
Along with those words, an expressionless Maine opened the door of the waiting room. At that moment, the silence in the room returned. Well, that’s to be expected. They can’t keep their previous talk in these circumstances.
“Oh, are you seeded? “
When he heard me calling up to him, Maine’s face lit up with a smile and he ran up to me.
“Yeah. I’m in the quarterfinals.”
“Seriously? Then, we’ll see each other in the finals.”
“Hehe, yeah, let’s meet in the finals.”
The Magic Tournament is held like a traditional tournament. The number of participants is 15. Maine was on the far left and I on the far right. Then, if Maine wins twice and I win three times, we’ll meet at the finals.
I see, I see.
This is becoming interesting.
…However, there’s one thing I still don’t understand.
That is――
“By the way, Maine. How do you fight in a Magic Tournament? “
With a loud noise, everyone dropped at the waiting room. (TLN: Pretty much what is described here is like when someone asks a stupid question and the other characters simply fall to the ground in anime)
“You’re participating without even knowing that!? “
“Sorry. Maybe it’s that? You kill each other with magic? “
“Not even close! “
“Then, do you just kill each other normally? “
“And the magic!? Where is the magic!? “
“Is that so? Then I knew it, you kill each other with magic…”
“No! We don’t kill each other! First of all, forget about killing! “
“You’re not making any sense.”
“What do you mean I’m not making sense!? “
The up-until-now frozen atmosphere in the waiting room warmed up a little due to our back and forth. Maine also seems like he’s a bit more relaxed now.
“Seriously Second-san, you are…”
Maine then opened his mouth to give me an explanation.
“The Magic Tournament is done using a ‘Game Crown’. Therefore, it doesn’t involve anyone’s life.”
Game Crown―― a PvP（Player vs Player）item. Unlike the 「Everything goes」-type of 『Duel』, it is an item for ‘chickens’ who want to fight without risking anything after setting rules, such as item restrictions or skill restrictions, in advance.
Speaking of why there is no risk, that is because all the 『Games』 that use a Game Crown are virtualized. Your HP and MP, similarly to the damage inflicted, are also virtualized. Therefore, even if your HP becomes zero, after the game ends it is restored without problems. That’s why it is for chickens. Still, some gamers fell in love with this type of game and played it with any and all variations of the rules, developing into an interesting 『Game』, different from the normal 『Duel』…
“You have to use Attack Magic. That is the rule this time. You understand? “
I was convinced by the words of Maine.
……This is just a stupid game.
“Seventh round! First year class A, Second, against First year class F, Dean. “
I came out to the grounds after having my name called and found that Silvia and Eko were in a position behind me.
I waved at Eko who was energetically waving her hands at me with a smile. Suddenly, those hands hit Silvia in the nose, almost causing her to faint.
“Game Crown, on!”
Sounded the voice of the referee. As if following his instructions, a large circle with a radius of 50 meters appeared, wrapping Dean and I inside of the game field. If you leave it, you lose.
“Participants, get ready… Begin! “
Immediately after the command, Dean began to cast.
Judging from the color and shape of the magic circle that appeared on his feet, it was wind attribute magic of the Second Form.
……This guy is a fool.
The First Form is regular attack. The Second Form is an extended range attack. The Third Form is a strong single target attack. The Fourth Form is a strong extended range attack. The Fifth Form is an extremely powerful extended range attack.
Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.
If you get attacked during the casting time, the spell will not be completed. Therefore, during Games, using Magic with such a long cast time as the Second Form makes little sense. This is common sense.
…………
Are you for real, Dean? Don’t tell me you heard a rumor somewhere saying “Second can’t use magic properly”?
I’m at a loss.
To be looked down upon… Me, the world’s top! By this kid!!
His spell will be finished in three seconds, but I could settle this in an instant using just the First Form. But that would be boring. I have to teach him not to insult the holiness of a duel.
“Prepare yourself.”
I advanced two steps and shoot out the spell 《Wind Attribute?First Form》 in front of me. Almost at the same time, Dean released his 《Wind Attribute?Second Form》 spell.
Magic of the same attribute has the property of “disharmonize” and this is a simple defense technique that makes use of that. I received some damage, but since there’s more than double the difference between the cast time of the First Form and the Second Form, you can compensate for the rest and use it to your advantage.
“Eh!? “
Dean was surprised. ‘This is not what I heard! ‘, ‘This guy can properly use magic! ‘, I wonder if he’s thinking along those lines?
The worst is, since he’s daydreaming about what just happened, he hasn’t even prepared his next move. Is this really the guy who dared look down on me? Amazingly, my anger calmed down.
“You can choose to either die a man, or die while begging for your life.”
While I said those things, I began casting 《Fire Attribute?Third Form》 and by the time I finished speaking the cast was ready to activate.
Its rank is Grade 5. The cast time has been reduced by two levels and it has a 300% of INT converted into pure attack power. Comparing it to the 600% of the Rook Archery at Grade 9, the power seems to be considerably less. But it makes it up by having 20 skill types in Magic compared to the 9 of Archery, and it is easy to just raise the INT and get considerable firepower.
“I g-giv――! “
“Ah! I got dust in my eye! “
The moment Dean tried to utter a word of surrender, I slyly made a gesture and fired the Third Form spell.
The fireball, so big that he had to look up, slowly approached Dean while making a thundering sound. And at that moment, Dean hadn’t way to either defend nor dodge.
“Whaaaaaaa! “
After Dean was hit, he screamed as his HP was shaved off in an instant. Damn, its power was more than I expected. I intended to tease him and leave him with 10% of his HP…
“…Wi-winner, Second! “
After the game ended, the ground was restored as if nothing had happened. Seems like the specifications back from the game are the same in this world.
When I glanced at Dean, his crotch region was wet. No matter how virtualized this might be, the physiological phenomenon of the real body isn’t virtual. Or maybe he just couldn’t hold it?
“Oh. I won.”
On my way back to the waiting room, I passed close to Silvia and Eko and we exchanged some words.
“Second, you’re strong! “
“Isn’t that obvious, you funny girl.”
“You went too far! Was that alright? “
“Don’t worry. I’ll eventually be the number one in the world. Anyway, this is our last day here. I’ll make sure to obtain the winning prize.”
“I g-get it, just please don’t go too much overboard. Please! “
“I get it, I get it! What are you, my mother?”
“Second, good luck! “
“Yeah.”
I left the place while Silvia’s fainting figure repeated “Mo-mother…?”, and Eko supported her from falling.
After that, the second fight was finished without any issue.
I moved up to the semifinals but―― there I found a strange opponent.
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