I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

Joining the Inspection Corps means being recognized as part of the empire’s elite class.

Is that why?

Newly joined rookies or 1-2 year inspectors are often immersed in a sense of superiority. Their vigor is also strong.

So when conflicts arise with someone, they tend to resolve it with force rather than words.

Since it’s a place where ability is prioritized, even seniors don’t stop this. Sometimes they even encourage it.

As a result, the Support Division’s Maintenance Team in charge of building management always had headaches.

Fighting once or twice is one thing.

Given that they’re 3 or 4-star ability users, the aftermath of fights was no joke.

Then one day.
Unable to bear it anymore, the Support Division Chief cried out in desperation.

Hey, you bastards! Is the Inspection Headquarters your fighting ground? If you’re going to do this, just make an arena and settle it there!

Director Muston’s words upon hearing his cry:

That’s a good idea. Make it happen immediately.

As a result, the empty lot behind the Inspection Headquarters was transformed into a spacious circular arena.

“That’s how it happened.”
“I see.”
“And you know the Deputy Director is a 6-star mage, right?”
“Yes.”
“He put various magical protective measures on the arena. So don’t worry about getting hurt and give it your all. Got it?”
“Senior Ria…. This is the third time you’ve said that.”
“Really? But what can I do when even I’m nervous! It’s not that I don’t trust our youngest.. absolutely not.. you know what I mean? Anyway, I’ll be going now. I need to collect more gold from people.”
“Yes.”

Senior Ria, who had been pouring out words to the point of dizziness despite not being the one competing, finally left her seat.

Then the next batter approached.

“L-Loen. I truly believe in you too!”
“Thanks.”
“A-And actually, I bet on you with borrowed money, so you must winㅡ.”
“What!? Who did you borrow from?”

Psyche rolled her eyes around and mumbled.

“Just from someone I know.. It’s not that much money.. 2000 gold…”

That’s not a small amount either..
Loen rubbed her temples and said.

“Hah…. You can go now. I’ll handle it well on my own.”
“I-I’ll believe in you! Really!”

Psyche, whose face said “Please win!” even as she said she believed, finally disappeared from the waiting room.

30 minutes left.
She’ll be entering in 30 minutes.

‘It would be perfect to run one last simulation before going.’

Loen closed her eyes.

At that time, Seraphine had already entered the arena.
As she appeared, cheers erupted from around.

“Wooah!”
“Show her what you’ve got!”
“Jagangducheon!”
“Please, Ms. Loen. I need to buy bread with the winnings.”

Though startled by the unexpectedly large crowd, Seraphine soon stepped up to the center of the arena with a bright smile, waving her hand.

I heard that an Inspection Department senior was spreading rumors here and there. But I didn’t expect this many people to gather.

At a glance, there seemed to be over two hundred spectators.

“What on earth were they thinking..”

Seraphine muttered as if she couldn’t understand.

She had also heard the rumors. Those ridiculous false rumors.

Casting speed 1.5 times faster? A secret technique taught directly by Duke Franz? Talk sense.

While most people nodded their heads saying “If it’s Duke Franz, it could be possible” despite their doubts, Seraphine, as a 5-star mage, knew it was a lie.

Still, they wouldn’t have made up something out of nothing, so she must be fast. But Seraphine was also confident in her casting speed.

So speed wouldn’t make much difference.

‘Yet they spread rumors and expanded the betting pool.’

For a moment, a certain assumption came to mind, but she forcibly suppressed it. Because that really didn’t make sense.

‘I guess she prepared some special magic.’

That’s the conclusion she came to.

Then Seraphine, who had been surveying the spectator stands with a relaxed expression and elegant gestures, soon fixed her gaze on one side.

“Even the Deputy Director and Director?”

Even they had come to watch the duel between the youngest members.

At that moment, Seraphine made eye contact with the Deputy Director of Inspection.

Seraphine hastily turned her head away from the Deputy Director’s sharp gaze like that of a snake.

There’s only one person Seraphine fears in the Inspection Corps.

That’s Deputy Director Silina.

Whether it’s because she’s a 6-star archmage, or because she’s overwhelmed by her gaze that looks like it could devour people, I’m not sure.

She just instinctively avoided her.

Perhaps sensing this, Director Muston, sitting in the stands, opened his mouth.

“Silina. If you glare like that, you’re scaring Seraphine.”
“I’m just looking.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Your gaze is no ordinary gaze.”
“Tch.”

Silina clicked her tongue at Director Muston’s nagging.

This is why hothouse flowers grown without knowing the fears of the world are…
To be scared just from being looked at.

“Who do you think will win?”
“I think we’ll have to see for ourselves.”
“Is it possible for a non-double casting mage to beat one who has mastered it?”
“Hardly. No, wait. If they fight in the style of practical mages, it might be possible? Of course, they’d need luck on their side too. But I don’t think that will happen.”

Muston glanced at Silina.
Her gaze was still fixed on Seraphine.

“They’re both mages from ducal families, right? They’ll probably just stand there with their legs fixed and exchange a few impressive-looking spells before it’s over.”
“I always feel this, but you don’t seem like a mage.”
“Isn’t it rude to compare me with those gentlemen? I’ve been through years on the northern front, you know.”

Finally, their conversation stopped.

Meanwhile, Ria and Psyche were going around the stands collecting gold from people.

Ria would hold out a voting slip to check who they were betting on, then Psyche would hold out a wooden box to collect the gold.

The ratio was 9 to 1.
Of course, Seraphine was the 9.
Only one-tenth raised their hands for Loen.

Eventually, Ria and Psyche, having finished collecting gold, also took their seats in the stands.

A few minutes later.
Loen appeared in the arena.

It was the opposite of Seraphine’s entrance.

Loen climbed onto the arena, glaring only at her opponent as if the spectators didn’t matter.
Her actions showed more of a soldier’s discipline than that of a noble.

“She’s really fierce.”
“Indeed.”

The two presented a dramatic contrast.

On one side, a woman with gorgeous blonde hair and blue eyes,
Emanating an elegant and graceful atmosphere.

On the other side, a woman with jet-black hair and red eyes,
Exuding a cold and cool atmosphere.

With people’s gazes focused,
The whistle signaling the start blew.

Crazy.. Why are there so many people?
Senior should have told me about this in advance..

By now it should be obvious, but as Loen is uncomfortable with people’s attention.

The moment she entered the arena, her body involuntarily stiffened.

However, given the situation, she quickly pulled herself together.

“Hoo.”

Taking a deep breath, she deliberately erased the spectators and background from her vision.
She focused solely on the opponent in front of her.

Tap.

Loen stopped walking.
Seraphine also straightened her posture.

Mages’ duels have similarities to the duels of cowboys in the Wild West.

You might say what nonsense, but at least that’s what Loen thought.

The difference is that you have to assemble the gun yourself.

Numerous completely disassembled firearms are laid out in front.

Choose one, quickly assemble it, then fire at the opponent.

Of course, that’s not all.

You can protect yourself with an assembly-type shield, and even make bullets curve to aim at the side. You can even fire rockets instead of bullets.

Whatever it is, the essence is similar.
The moment you’re directly hit by a proper spell, it’s over.

Seraphine and I probably have similar casting speeds.
I might be slightly ahead, but it won’t make much difference.

That’s why what’s important is instant judgment rather than speed.
It means psychological warfare is key.

“I hope this duel becomes a stepping stone for both of us to grow~ As I said before, the process is more important than the result.”

Seraphine said with a smile.
Of course, she said this because she was confident she would win.

“I think the same.”

Loen also answered with a smile.

Peeeeep!

The duel began.

They both immediately started casting.

“Magic Bullet.”

Seraphine took the initiative.

No less than four mana clusters flew towards Loen in a curve. They were magic bullets imbued with shock and homing properties.

When the magic bullets were about to reach Loen.
At the moment their paths converged.

“Magic Bullet”

Loen belatedly used Magic Bullet.
In fact, the casting had been finished long ago, but she had been waiting for the right moment.

Three mana clusters were fired.
Magic bullets imbued with extinction and homing properties.

Their spells collided.

Pop pop pop!

Loen’s magic bullets, imbued with extinction properties, advanced while decomposing the opponent’s spell.

Two magic bullets survived and flew towards Seraphine.

“Oh my.”

Seraphine bit her lip.
Despite taking the initiative, she had rather lost the upper hand.

The watching spectators were also surprised.
She took the initiative like that?

Loen started running.

She had anticipated that check spells would come flying. As a double casting mage, she would likely try to overwhelm from the start.

While firing check spells, she would prepare a powerful one shot, leaving the opponent with no choice but to defend.

However, since I had the advantage in attributes, now Seraphine was in a position where she had to defend against the attack.

‘Seraphine’s next move is probably the powerful one shot she had been preparing.’

Seeing Loen suddenly start running, Seraphine and the spectators murmured.

“She’s running instead of preparing her next spell?”
“What is she thinking?”
“L-Loen.. What are you doing!”

Only Deputy Director Silina narrowed her eyes.
This pattern looks very familiar?

Seraphine was dumbfounded.
What are you thinking you can do by running?

Meanwhile, Seraphine blocked Loen’s magic bullets with a barrier.

She stretched out her left hand and fired the powerful spell she had been preparing from the start. At the same time, she cast Magic Bullet again with her right hand. Seraphine intended to keep overwhelming endlessly.

“Lightning Lance.”

Crackle.
A spell in the form of a cavalry lance was fired towards Loen, trailing clear electric currents.

Zzzzzap.

Right after, Loen’s body bounced up into the air.

She used a leap spell the moment Seraphine’s mouth opened.

The lightning lance grazed the tips of Loen’s feet.
It was a hair’s breadth.

If it had touched her body even slightly, she would have been paralyzed by the electric shock.

Loen, who jumped into the air avoiding the lance, closed her eyes.
It was to maintain concentration.

“What on earth is her intention?”
“She’ll be defenseless in that state, right?”
“Betting on the Enforcement Department’s youngest was the right move.”

It’s nearly impossible to cast magic while your body is soaring through the air.
Because it’s not a stable posture.

That’s generally the case.

As the spectators said, Loen floated defenseless in midair.

Seraphine’s magic bullets were fired towards her.

‘Did you think it was over just by avoiding the lance?’

Victory flickered before Seraphine’s eyes.

Because she can’t do anything in that state.

Soon after being directly hit by the magic bullets, her body would surely be paralyzed and fall straight to the ground.

Nevertheless, just in case, she prepared a barrier in advance.
Because there’s always a possibility.

By the way, Loen’s mana manipulation ability is at a level acknowledged even by her father.
She’s familiar with casting in midair, having used flight magic several times in the grand duchy.
Lastly, she had practiced hundreds of times for this moment.

Thus, words no one expected flowed from Loen’s mouth.

“Flight.”

Stop.
Loen, who fixed her body in midair, changed direction and immediately pounced towards Seraphine.
Then she cast the Magic Bullet she had prepared in advance.

Pop pop pop.
Loen’s magic bullets pierced through Seraphine’s magic bullets that had reached right in front of her.

It was a similar situation to the beginning.
Two magic bullets maintained their form and fell towards Seraphine.

“Double casting!?”

Seraphine’s eyes doubled in size.

The spectator stands began to stir.

“The interval between Flight and Magic Bullet is too short?”
“Could it be..”
“See, I told you I believed in her!”

The Director and Deputy Director, still not taking their eyes off the arena, moved only their lips.

“No matter how you look at it, that’s double casting?”
“It’s over.”

The Deputy Director’s eyes shone as she looked at Loen.
This is.. better than expected?

Ignoring the noise coming from all directions, Loen immediately pulled out her next move.
A black blade appeared in her hand.

Thud thud thud.

In Loen’s vision, she saw the magic bullets she had just fired pounding on Seraphine’s barrier.
Along with a dull noise, tiny cracks appeared.

Loen falling at high speed.

The barrier kept growing larger.
On the contrary, the distance kept narrowing.

The moment the barrier filled her entire vision.
Loen swung her blade towards the part where cracks had formed.

Crash!
With the sound of shattering glass, the barrier split.
Then the blade flew towards Seraphine’s slender neck.

“Bu.. Burn.”

So flustered that she even stuttered, Seraphine’s mind went blank.

At that moment, regardless of her will, Seraphine’s brain rotated madly.
And it derived the optimal answer to overcome the given situation.

“Lightning Form!”

Pop!
Whoosh!

By a hair’s breadth, Loen’s blade sliced through the air.

Seraphine, who turned her body into lightning, urgently moved to the opposite side of the arena.
Having used it in a hurry, she rolled on the ground as soon as the lightning form wore off.

“Ugh.”

Even while rolling, she frantically calculated the possibilities.
Barrier? Useless. Magic Bullet? Too weak. Lance? Too slow.

A spell that doesn’t take long but can force the opponent to defend.
A spell that will buy time to prepare the next move even if blocked.

Magic Bullet.

Seraphine, who stopped rolling, hurriedly began casting Magic Bullet with both hands.
She immediately closed her eyes.
Double casting or whatever, she poured all her mental energy into this one spell.

‘Attribute imbuing, condensing, concentrating, pro.. projection.’

She was so urgent that her hands and feet were on the verge of shaking.
She didn’t even have time to care about her disheveled appearance from rolling on the ground.

Seraphine, who finished casting at record speed, raised her head and stretched out her hand.

“Magic Bullet!!”
“Magic Bullet.”

Astonishment flashed across Seraphine’s face as she shouted the activation word.

Because she only then realized the fact that Loen had already completed her spell and was waiting for her.

Loen’s faint smile entered Seraphine’s vision.

Ah..

But it was already too late.

The world flashed as a blue beam and a gray beam mixed with light and darkness collided.

In the light that filled the surroundings, the blue wave quickly subsided.
On the other hand, the gray wave remained as it was.

Even when the beam approached right in front of her nose, Seraphine didn’t avert her gaze until the end.

Because she couldn’t believe the fact that she had lost.

A moment later, the entire spectator stand was enveloped in silence.