The next day marked our fourth day at the academy and the first day of the much-anticipated Friendly Match between the Solara Magic Academy and the Braveheart Knight Academy.
I sat in the spectator stands near the arena with Lyra, Freya, Marius, Luna, and Kael. Around us, the buzz of excitent grew louder. Other classes from Braveheart Knight Academy, spanning different grades, were also taking their places, eager to witness the event. Among them were Julius and Termina, their presence as imposing as ever.
On the opposite side, the students of Solara Magic Academy sat in an organized and confident manner. Their smug expressions and disdainful glances towards us sent waves of tension rippling through the crowd. Even so, the first-year students of Braveheart Knight Academy were undeterred. They cheered with unrestrained enthusiasm, waving banners and flags to support Milly and her team while chanting energetic cheers.
Watching this, I realized just how much of a star Milly had beco among her peers. Even Aisha had amassed a surprising number of supporters—both male and female. A pang of envy struck as I thought, Have I really lost in popularity to Milly? The realization hit hard, leaving feeling slightly defeated. I’m such an uncool older brother...
The chatter subsided as Professor Lowen and Professor Aldin entered the arena. They began with an announcent that took by surprise: the schedule had been adjusted. Only the first- and second-year matches would take place today, with the third-year match postponed to tomorrow due to a technical error on Solara Magic Academy’s part.
I instinctively glanced over at Julius and Termina. Julius signaled for to follow the decision, though his expression betrayed his frustration.
"This is good news, Naoki-sama," Lyra said, her voice reassuring. "You’ll have more ti to prepare."
Freya nodded in agreent. "It’s an advantage for you."
I agreed, though a gnawing unease crept into my thoughts. Sothing feels off. I’ll figure it out tomorrow.
Professor Lowen then announced the first match:
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Solara Magic Academy:
Sol, Lucy, Han
Braveheart Knight Academy:
Milly von Blackmore, Aisha Rosewood, Alex Deff
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The participants stepped into the arena amidst roaring cheers and jeers from the audience. The atmosphere was electric as fans from both sides rallied to support their teams while attempting to rattle the opponents.
Milly and Aisha walked out together, Milly clad in her signature light silver armor and wielding her rapier. She looked like a female version of Mark, a knight in every sense of the word. Aisha followed in light mage armor, clutching her staff adorned with plant motifs that suited her perfectly. Trailing behind them was Alex, a sturdy-looking young man with a massive shield—clearly the team’s tank.
Their opponents entered next: two boys and one girl, all dressed in mage robes and wielding staves. Their intimidating aura radiated across the arena.
From what Sander had shared, Milly’s main opponents, Sol and Han, were prodigies among the first years at Solara Magic Academy. This match was bound to be intense.
"Milly, Aisha! And... uh... your teammate, too! Do your best!" I shouted to encourage them.
Milly turned, flashing a cocky grin. "I don’t need your help, stupid brother! Just sit there and watch win!" She raised her rapier dramatically in my direction.
That brat! I thought, a vein throbbing in my temple. She’s getting bolder by the day! I’ll deal with her later—but for now, I’m worried about my tsundere little sister. I hope she wins...
Beside , Lyra, Freya, and Marius all gave pitying looks. They clearly thought I had my hands full with Milly. I sank into my seat, feigning disinterest.
The professors explained the match rules next. Victory would be declared for the team that incapacitated their opponents or forced them to surrender. Any attempts to kill would result in imdiate disqualification and severe punishnt. With everything clarified, the match began.
"Start!" Professor Lowen declared.
Milly wasted no ti. She charged at her opponents with unwavering determination, ignoring the need for a coordinated attack. anwhile, Alex positioned himself defensively to protect Aisha.
"What are you doing, you reckless fool?" I shouted, frustrated by Milly’s lone assault.
"She’s just like you, Naoki-dono. It’s in her DNA," Freya teased, stifling a laugh.
Lyra added with a shy smile, "Her bravery is definitely a family trait."
"Bravery? More like recklessness," Luna comnted with her usual deadpan tone, earning a laugh from Marius.
Milly pressed forward, closing the gap between her and the enemy. With a deft motion, she activated her skill, [Kazekiri], targeting Lucy, the support mage who was in the middle of chanting a spell.
The enemy team reacted swiftly. Han, the earth mage, conjured a stone wall to block her attack.
Undeterred, Milly unleashed another skill: [Blackmore Swordsmanship: Second Form, Nisshou Giri (Eclipse Cut)]. Her rapier slashed through the stone barrier, startling her opponents.
Lucy hastily cast [Support Magic: Protection], granting Sol and Han increased resistance against physical attacks. Milly’s thrusts failed to penetrate their enhanced defenses.
Han retaliated with [Earth Magic: Stone Sword], conjuring a blade of hardened earth and lunging at Milly.
"Heh, bringing a sword to fight ? You’ve got guts!" Milly taunted, readying her next move.
But before she could strike, Sol darted past her. Milly tried to intercept, but Han blocked her path. Realizing the danger, she shouted to Alex, "Protect Aisha!"
Sol charged toward Aisha and Alex, unleashing [Steam Magic: Boiling Surge], a torrent of scalding steam. Alex raised his shield in defense but grimaced as it began to heat up.
"Steam magic?!" Lyra exclaid beside . "It’s a rare hybrid of fire and water magic. Sol must be exceptionally talented!"
Sol followed up with [Steam Magic: Vapor Slash], sending a razor-thin wave of superheated steam toward Alex. But before it could hit, Aisha countered with [Nature Magic: Thorn Barrage], a flurry of sharp vines that tore through Sol’s spell and forced him to retreat.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps as Aisha’s mastery of nature magic unfolded before their eyes. Nature magic, a gift typically reserved for elves, was rarely seen in human hands. Yet, there she was, effortlessly commanding roots and vines in an unrelenting assault. It was clear that Aisha possessed an extraordinary mana pool to sustain such continuous spells.
anwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Milly unleashed her [Blackmore Swordsmanship: Fourth Form, Mitsugiri (Triple Slash)], shattering Han’s conjured stone sword with a flurry of precise strikes.
But Han wasn’t done. With a defiant smirk, he summoned his true magic: [Sand Magic: Quicksand]. The spell created a pit of sinking sand, trapping Milly as the ground beneath her shifted treacherously.
Beside , Lyra gasped. "Sand magic? That’s a hybrid of earth and wind magic! Milly could be in serious trouble!"
I clenched my fists, worry gripping my heart as I watched my sister struggle. But Milly only laughed, her grin unwavering. Without hesitation, she activated [Blackmore Swordsmanship: Third Form, Kasoseki (Acceleration)], doubling her speed and escaping the quicksand with a swift leap.
Han’s shock was evident. His montary hesitation left him open to Milly’s rapier, which struck him multiple tis in rapid succession. In retaliation, Han summoned [Sand Magic: Sand Serpent], forming a massive serpent from the earth that lunged at Milly, forcing her to retreat and evade its attacks.
On the other side of the battlefield, Aisha continued her relentless assault on Sol, supported by Alex. Alex charged forward with his shield, attempting to slam into Sol, but Sol countered with [Steam Magic: Steam Veil].
The veil cloaked Sol in a dense mist that obscured his presence while raising the temperature of the air, causing Aisha and Alex to wince in pain as the heat intensified. Milly glanced toward them, her worry evident, but she remained locked in combat with Han.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Sol erged from the steam behind Alex and cast [Steam Magic: Vapor Lance], a concentrated blast of scalding steam that struck Alex squarely in the back. Alex collapsed, unconscious.
With Alex incapacitated, Sol turned his attention to Aisha. Milly shouted, her voice tinged with both frustration and concern, "Aisha! Watch out!"
Aisha, however, simply smiled. "Don’t worry, Milly. I’ve got this!" She had been quietly preparing her spell all along. Just as Sol closed in, Aisha released her magic: [High Nature Magic: Wrath of the Wilds].
Massive roots and trees erupted from the ground, spreading across the arena in an instant. The spell absorbed the steam created by Sol’s magic, neutralizing his advantage, while the sprawling vegetation ensnared him. Sol struggled briefly before succumbing, collapsing unconscious amidst the tangled roots.
Aisha’s magic didn’t stop there. The vines surged forward, capturing Han, Lucy, and even the giant sand serpent. With the battlefield firmly under her control, Aisha turned the tide of the match.
Seizing the opportunity, Milly activated [Kasoseki] to enhance her speed once more. She followed up with [Blackmore Swordsmanship: Fifth Form, Kurayami no Mai (Dance of the Black Night)], a flurry of rapid and unpredictable strikes that obliterated the sand serpent and overwheld Han and Lucy, leaving them defenseless and unconscious.
Silent.
"Victory goes to Braveheart Knight Academy’s first-year team!" Professor Lowen announced, his expression a mix of surprise and reluctant admiration.
The crowd was stunned by the sudden reversal of fortunes. Just monts ago, it seed like Milly’s team was on the verge of defeat, but now the arena echoed with cheers from the Braveheart students.
I watched as Milly and Aisha helped Alex to his feet, their laughter and camaraderie a testant to their hard-fought victory.
"She’s grown so strong..." I murmured, a proud smile spreading across my face.
In my mind, Envi’s voice chid in with a hearty laugh. "Nao, look like Milly doesn’t need protecting anymore. She’s beco a formidable warrior!"
"I know," I replied, chuckling softly. "I’ll have to congratulate her later—even if she doesn’t like it."
Milly suddenly ran to the edge of the arena, her sharp gaze locking onto . With a broad grin, she pointed in my direction and shouted, "You’re next!"
The crowd’s attention turned to , and I felt my face flush with embarrassnt. Even the Solara students fixed with challenging stares.
"That idiot sister of mine," I muttered, though I couldn’t help but smile. She’s just trying to cheer on. Typical tsundere behavior.
Beside , Lyra, Freya, Marius, and Luna praised Milly, comnting on how she was becoming as strong as . I dismissed their remarks with a lighthearted joke about how she was still a kid.
Milly’s laughter rang out as she and her team left the arena, basking in the glow of their victory.
The second-year match began shortly after, and the atmosphere in the arena shifted dramatically. The Solara Magic Academy team swiftly overwheld Braveheart Knight Academy’s representatives with an efficiency that left the audience stunned.
"This... this is unbelievable," I muttered to Envi.
Envi’s voice trembled in my mind. "Nao... that second-year student is using Dark Magic."
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