Chapter 59: The Second Battle Fiesta Part 2

“Wha- What was that just now?”

“Is there anyone who can explain what happened just now?!”

“Who is that girl? A major upset right from the beginning?!”

Luca’s defeat had caused an uproar among the audiences. Luca Fein Streinge, who was famous for his excellent magic activation, had lost the match. Not only the students, but the parents were also making noises.

“What was that just now?”

“Was she cheating?”

Those who didn’t know what Razé had done were the first to question a foul play.

Well, the truth was she had simply done a lariat strike at an incredible speed. Besides, it was not even considered as high speed to her. It was just a low-level magic activation.

“Hmm. I know it was going to turn out like this.”

Welrian Lag Zars sat at the VIP seats and looked down at the stage while smiling happily amidst the confusion. Principal Harlens gave dry laugh after seeing his reaction.

Harlens: “She did all that just because she won’t let people realize her actual strength. As expected from a living legend…”

Welrian: “I think instead of saying won’t let people realize, it’s more accurate to say can’t let people realize. It’s difficult to understand the nature of movement magic as specialty in the first place. Flame or water magic are flashy and easy to understand. Well, in her case, it seems to be beyond the category of movement.”

Harlens hadn’t seen his friend looked so happy like this for a long time. He had always felt that Welrian adored Razé very much.

Harlens: “I didn’t expect the Toymaker will help with a student event. I heard that he’s a moody person?”

Welrian: “He’s charmed by our Fang[1]. When I said it was for her, he finished it by working overnight.”

Harlens was restless after looking at his happy face.

Harlens: “… You look so happy.”

Welrian: “Am I?”

Vanessa: “You are. Can you please cheer for your son too?”

Vanessa, who was sitting next to Welrian, reminded him.

Vanessa: “You look much happier than during Adis’ match.”

Welrian: “Uh-”

Welrian was at a loss of words after being reproached by his wife. Of course, he cherished his son, but he felt this was a different topic… He contemplated on how to answer so that she wouldn’t be offended. Vanessa watched his reaction and burst out laughing.

Vanessa: “Oh, you’re hopeless… I’ll let you off because Wolf-chan is special. I also think of her as a daughter. I’m looking forward to see her win this tournament.”

Welrian: “Yes. This is a big moment for my direct subordinate.”

Vanessa: “That’s right! It’s her big moment! But why can’t these people understand how great she is?! She’s not someone who would cheat. Are they blind?!”

Welrian: “Ca- calm down, Vanessa.”

Seeing her getting emotional, Welrian anxiously tried to calm her down.

Welrian: “Didn’t I say it before? I know it was going to turn out like this.”

Vanessa: “Huh?”

Welrian smiled mischievously at Harlens.

Harlens: “That’s true. I’ve already made the preparation.”

Harlens just shrugged his shoulder at Welrian.

* * *

Hmm… I’m in a different group with Prince Ruben. It seems I need to win all the matches after this.

“Razé Granoli, please wait for a minute.”

The audiences’ reaction had turned from shocked to suspicion. Razé was stopped by the referee when she was about to leave the stage.

It’s not like I cheated or anything…

If they wanted her to slack off a bit, then she would be in trouble. If she fought seriously with weapons or martial arts and won, then everyone would realize that she had been slacking off all this while.

She wondered whether she should tell them the excuse that she had prepared in advance; ‘You snooze you lose, One shot one kill.’ Razé decided to explain what she had done and proved her innocence.

“Dear students, parents and honored guests. This is an announcement from the organizer of Battle Fiesta. Starting from this tournament, Centrior Imperial Magic Academy has prepared magic screens across the arena. We will replay the highlights of the match on the big screen!”

At the same time the lively announcement echoed in the venue, multiple screens emerged over the stages covered with a dome-shaped barrier.

“Huh? I never heard about this,” Razé said with a doubtful look on her face. Looking at the screens, she felt this was like a science fiction story.

“Oh! Look at that!”

“That’s the match at Stage A just now!”

Wow… Razé’s face stiffened when she saw herself on the big screen.

The announcement continued, “We will replay the match at Stage A in slow-motion mode.”

Everyone was paying attention to the video that was played very slowly. On the screen, the referee lowered his hand after signaling the match start and the background hadn’t changed at all. There was no change with Luca’s movement either. However,

“Huh!” The audiences were surprised to see Razé moving straight toward Luca. Despite the slow-motion replay, they saw her running in normal speed as if she was the only one in a different world. With Luca standing still like a statue defenselessly, she did a lariat strike on him. And when he fell down, she caught him on her knees.

The audiences were speechless when they realized what Razé Granoli had done in that one second.

“So, she started running when the match started, then simply knocked him down?” One of the audiences spoke out breaking the silence.

Razé had pushed Luca down with a gentle lariat at high speed. That was all.

“Ooowwww!!!” The silenced venue was suddenly burst out with excitement.

“For real?!”

“I didn’t know that movement magic can be used like that!”

“I think this is what they called you snooze, you lose.”

“This is so cool!!”

Razé felt like running away after hearing the praises from all over the place. She was glad that it had proven there was no foul play, but she felt uncomfortable being the center of attention. She knitted her brows not knowing what to do.

Did Principal Harlens know this would happen and prepared the screen? No, it can’t be…

Razé turned to look at the VIP seats and found Harlens. She was surprised to see Welrian and Vanessa sitting next to him. Welrian had noticed her and waved his hand. Looking at his reaction, Razé could guess that this screen was prepared by him. She knew that only Sergio could make such a high-performance magic tool.

So, it was the Prime Minister’s idea… Well, it’s good that this could help to prove I wasn’t cheating…

“Okay. You can leave the stage.” Once the referee gave the permission, she immediately ran off the stage to escape the attention.

“Razé Granoli.”

“… Yes?”

She turned around when she heard someone calling her name. She saw Luca looking upset. He was keeping silence.

Razé: “Is anything wrong?”

He avoided her gaze and finally started to talk. “It’s my first time meeting someone who can activate their magic this fast. Although you’re a commoner, I’ll acknowledge your capability.”

Razé was dumbfounded hearing those unexpected words from him.

Luca: “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Razé: “Oh, nothing. Didn’t you say you hate me just now?”

Luca: “… Magic does not betray one’s effort. It takes a lot of training to be able to draw out the power of magic stones efficiently. I’m not that stupid to not realize that.”

Razé: “Huh … I’ll take that as a compliment …?”

She was at a loss as why things were progressing like this.

Looking at her reaction, Luca frustratingly explained to her, “Humph! What’s your problem? I hate to admit it, but I know I can’t win against you no matter how many times I try. I’ve been honing my magic to supplement my lack of physical skills. That’s why I’m well aware that it takes tremendous efforts to reach that level at a young age. I feel like a jerk for looking down on someone who has made such an effort instead of respecting them, regardless they’re an aristocrat or a commoner. And it’s all your fault!”

Razé gaped in astonishment hit by his emotional speech. She thought he was mocking her, but after listening to it closely, she realized that he was praising her in a roundabout way.

Looks like Luca-sama is a good person…

Even if Folia didn’t reciprocate his feelings, it seemed that he was still a love interest of the otome game after all. Razé felt that although he rarely acted dere (soft and sweet), and was always tsun-tsun (tough and cold), but what he said was cute.

Razé: “That’s… Well… I’m sorry?”

Luca: “No. Why are you apologizing? I’m the one who should apologize…”

Luca felt like the words were bursting out of his mouth due to his emotion, so he bit his lips shut. Razé was reminded about Folia and felt a bit guilty for him after finding out about his good side.

Luca: “… Sorry. Granoli, I’m sorry for being rude to you before…”

Huh! Please don’t say sorry to me.

Razé felt she had saw him in a new light. She had never expected him to be such a sincere person. It was only natural for human to make mistakes but what was important was whether they could apologize sincerely or not. Razé personally felt that it was where humanity matter. Based on this, she felt he deserved a very high point for his action just now.

She knew he had feelings for Folia but was outdone by Lord Moldir who wasn’t even a love interest. She couldn’t help but felt sorry for him.

Razé was shocked when he bowed down, saying “I’m sorry.”

Razé: “I’ve accepted your apology! You don’t have to feel sorry anymore.”

“I still feel bad.” Luca muttered grumpily. “I have been taught that those with power, whether money or strength, must use it correctly to guide the people. In other words, I think that power is not something to be hidden, but something to guide everyone. …So, honestly, I don’t think it’s good that you’ve been hiding your power.” He paused and looked at her before continuing, “An excellent talent should be evaluated properly.”

Luca looked straight into her eyes. He was calmed and no longer irritated. Razé could felt his belief in his words.

Luca: “Make sure not to lose anymore.”

Razé: “… Yes. I won’t lose this time.”

She knew he was sincerely supporting her. She nodded firmly to him and vowed to win the tournament.

[1] I think this was typo but I’m not so sure. ↩