NOVEL WEB Chapter 58.1
Stage 2-27. Slashing Bloom Strike
We can’t give him a chance to recover Reina. The situation called for us to strike first.
“Match me, Mashiro!”
“Leave it to me! [Ice Arrows]!”
The moment I closed in, sixteen ice arrows were released, their timing staggered as they shot toward the black-robed figure from every direction.
[……[Flame Bullets]]
“Fire attribute…! Worst match-up…!”
The ice arrows were shot down. But the only reason it ended in a draw was because Mashiro’s magic power exceeded theirs.
Normally, [Flame Bullets] would’ve reached her.
“Two-on-one! You can’t ignore us!”
I aimed strikes simultaneously at the head and torso.
Any average magician would be distracted by the attack from above and take a body blow, but the black robe deflected both attacks with precision.
Being grabbed is bad news. I need distance…!
I delivered a front kick. My foot connected with their body, sending both of us backward.
“Impressive.”
[………]
A talented magician with reflexes sharp enough to keep up with me.
Something’s clearly off. There’s no doubt their body’s been modified…
History proves that gifted magicians generally have weaker physical abilities.
But this one breaks all the rules.
“Now… what’s your next move?”
If I’m going to use [Delete], I have to end it here.
Even with Mashiro and me, our odds of winning are barely fifty-fifty.
We’re covering for each other’s weaknesses, but if one of us goes down, it’s over.
If we can’t win on our own… there’s only one option.
The problem is when to use it.
I glanced toward the room where Reina should be.
The distance between me and the black robe was about the same. Then, move first!
[………]
“So you think just like I do.”
We moved at the same time. But they reached the destination first.
“What kind of mods did they give you…?!”
[………]
No verbal response… but a sickening noise came from their body.
If I take this, I’m done for!
Instinctively, I withdrew my hand and shifted to evade.
The missed punch crushed the wall to rubble.
Cold sweat ran down my back at the destructive power. But stepping back now would disgrace a villain.
“Never forget that big moves leave big openings.”
I slipped behind the black robe and locked them in a hold.
Ughh! Hold out, my muscles…!
“[Wing Arrows]!”
[[Flame Bullets]]
The clash of wind and fire magic created an explosion.
In that moment, a scent too delicate for the battlefield floated by.
Wait… this scent, somewhere…
For some reason, my gaze instinctively went to the room… where she was.
‘Taking your eyes off mid-battle?’
“Ugh!”
Turning back, I narrowly dodged the black robe’s punch, feeling it graze my cheek. Blood trickled down.
What kind of body does this guy have?
“Time to see what’s under that mask!”
‘……!’
I struck toward the mask, but my palm was intercepted mid-strike.
We gripped each other’s hands, locked in a grappling struggle.
“Insane strength…!”
‘Same to you…!’
“[Freezing Wind]!”
‘…! [Burning Wind]!’
“Didn’t you just say not to look away?!”
‘Guh…!’
Countering Mashiro’s magic requires immense power.
I seized on their casting delay to sweep their legs out from under them.
This is it!
I called out the name of our trump card.
“—Alice!!”
“—As you command.”
Effortlessly, she entered through the window without a sound.
I spotted her golden hair in the corner of my vision and pulled Mashiro down, shielding her.
“—[Slashing Bloom Strike]”
A shockwave sliced through the air above.
It moved like lightning.
Alice’s blade unleashed slashes in three directions. They crawled along the floor, walls, and air.
The living-like slashes bewildered the black robe.
[[Flame Bombs]…!]
Flame bombs scattered midair, but Alice’s assault didn’t stop.
Her strike hit the delayed black robe, blasting them away.
“! [Freezing Wind]!”
The resulting explosion left by the black robe was encased in ice by Mashiro’s spell, forming a frozen wall that blocked our view.
“Damn it! Making a mess till the end!”
“I’ll pursue him.”
“I’m counting on you!”
Alice can handle it.
She carved an opening through the ice wall and chased the black robe.
Mashiro and I charged into the room he’d entered.
It seemed to be a staff room, unusually sparse and plain.
In the corner. Resting against the bed was a familiar pink-haired girl.
Her skin was pale, lifeless under the moonlight.
““Reina!””
We rushed over, laying her gently on the bed.
Mashiro checked her breath, while I took her pulse.
Those ten seconds felt like an eternity.
When we exchanged glances, our faces showed relief, not panic.
“…Thank goodness.”
Mashiro nearly cried with a smile of relief.
“She’s just unconscious.”
“Then maybe the others…”
“…Yeah, let’s help them. We’ll need the students in their rooms to assist.”
“Then I’ll go call them!”
“Hey, wait!”
Before I could call out, Mashiro had already left the room.
Seriously… she needs to remember she’s a target too.
Well, Alice is chasing down the culprit, so we can assume the immediate threat is gone.
“…Ouga… kun…?”
“…! Are you alright?”
“I’m sorry… I caused… so much trouble…”
“Don’t worry about it. I told you you could rely on me, didn’t I? This is no problem at all.”
“…Heh, you’re… too kind…”
“Don’t talk. Just rest.”
She nodded faintly and closed her eyes.
“…I’m really glad you’re okay.”
I gently ran my hand over her beautiful hair.
“—Ah.”
“Ouga-sama! Over here!”
“…Understood. I’ll be there.”
Leaving Reina, no longer in danger, I moved to where Alice was calling me.
She had already sheathed her sword and returned to her usual maid demeanor.
“…That.”
“…That person…”
What lay before Alice was beyond words.
A body crumpled like paper, twisted and crushed.
…Shattered mask and glasses.
The black-robed figure we fought—Sherba Anthem—lay lifeless.
“And near him, this was found.”
“…I haven’t seen this in a while.”
Doping Extract. An illegal strength-enhancing drug used by Aliban.
It made sense. His absurd physical power could be explained by this.
In a deflating way, it all fits too perfectly…
“The magical attributes used also align. Circumstantial evidence suggests he’s the culprit… What do you think?”
“…You’re right, Alice. As a servant of the Velette family, inform the kingdom’s guards.”
“As you wish.”
“…Wait a moment, Alice.”
“Yes? What do you need?”
“Do you have paper and a pen?”
“If my everyday set will suffice.”
“That’ll do. Hand it over.”
…This is just in case. It may seem paranoid, but thoroughness is a hallmark of a professional.
“Deliver this as well. I’m counting on you.”
“…I shall see it done.”
Alice bowed and leapt out the window, disappearing into the night streets.
I followed suit, making my way down to the ground.
There was something I needed to confirm before the body was taken away.
Please, let me be wrong.
Approaching Sherba’s corpse, I verified what I suspected.
And I knew.
“…So it’s true.”
My quiet mutter was carried away by the night wind.
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