Chapter 552 - A Hero's Tale for You, A Hero's Tale for Another, Part VIII
In Arcadia, there is a clear distinction in skill when it comes to the use of magic.
For example, there's the pure speed of the 'chant'.
Of course, it's not as simple as just speaking quickly. To achieve the maximum power boost from the climax, one needs to 'sing' it both quickly and skillfully.
Clearly articulating the verses, speaking resonantly, and deeply understanding the meaning of the words to 'chant' them and draw out the magic's full power is a basic prerequisite. When mages in this world aim to 'speed up their chants,' they do so by continuously researching their chanting methods without compromising this foundation.
Another example is the control of 'magic power,' the very source of these laws.
It is a special skill that all mages known as experts have mastered, and a clear mark of talent.
Emitting magic power accompanied by visual effects or wind pressure is the most basic of basics. It is said that if one goes far enough, 'it is theoretically possible to even create new magic.' The degree of freedom players are given to manipulate the formless 'power' of magic is extremely high.
It is far too valuable to be left as a mere 'MP' statistic; it is one of the endless pursuits, the endgame content. Those with talent, and even those without, are numerous who touch upon it and aim for the peak—and so, naturally…
Iris, the [Sword Queen], categorized as one 'without talent,' has never neglected her pursuit of magic, despite knowing it doesn't suit her title.
A peculiar nature that only allows her to learn spells of 'grand magic' or higher.
Her affinity with the virtual world is so high that while she can control her own body, her mental control over 'external' things, including magic, is lost due to excessive output—a flaw born from excellence.
She can't adjust the power. She can't adjust the range. She can't adjust the aim—when it comes to casting magic, Iris recognizes her own skills as being at the very bottom.
That is precisely why she would honestly ask for guidance even from her rival in love, her beloved's partner.
Because to remain so rough and clumsy, like a child, would be unbearably embarrassing.
"[Vortex Vortiart]."
For the third time, the spell she chanted was one of her 'smallest-scale grand magics.' Its true nature was an unusual one: 'to grant controllability to her own already-cast magic.'
In other words, that's what it was.
It was the only 'fine magic control' currently possible for Iris—and a childish, brute-force technique that couldn't even be called a skill, like a young child roughly grabbing and swinging a toy.
The lightning of [Disastor], which had continued to expand indefinitely by devouring the magic of its adversaries as if aiming for the sun itself, began to move.
It melted, shifted, swirled, and folded—into her outstretched palm.
Rotation, compression, fixation.
Despite bearing the name of a king symbolized by the sword, this was, in fact, her true maximum firepower, excluding the 'Sword' that she secretly had her own doubts about.
As mentioned earlier, in terms of sheer 'power,' this technique was not that different from her second-strongest. But—
Thanks to the synergistic effect of thunder-attribute magic's properties and the vicious characteristics of its prerequisite, [Disastor], this 'technique' could pierce any and all defenses.
If it reached, it would land. And,
"—Haru!!"
"—Been waiting for you, Princess!!"
Right now, she is not alone. Therefore, this 'hand' will most certainly reach its mark.
The silver light of his enhancement buff flickered as his jade blade swung, striking Rep-ra Nobody over its guard. Each of its own strikes was a blur of lethal speed, yet he dodged its 'claws' with a flash of his sword, a true acrobatic feat performed while upside down in mid-air.
However, it was likely not a matter of simple power, but some kind of forced knockback effect. The sword, a gift from her, easily blew the shadow away, negating the power of the 'claws' that could seize and nullify even Iris's Extra (God-Given Vessel).
And then, with no time to be mesmerized, the pale blue figure gave chase.
Just before the light faded completely, the jade blade flashed, shining with a final, intense brilliance—
"Flyyyyyy!!"
As its body was sent flying, the shadow lord instantly deployed a counterattack of multiple magic cannons. He dove through them, running along the ground and soaring through the air. Dodging every last black flash, the [Acrobat] who had landed directly beneath the prey he himself had launched let out a triumphant roar.
A swirling silver light exploded, and a faint shattering sound reached her ears.
The fourth. And with this—
"Five."
Directly above the launched form of Rep-ra Nobody. The moment Iris had called his name, she had trusted him and kicked off, arriving at the spot where Haru's setup—his gift—awaited her.
Again and again, its reaction was an incredible, unbroken chain. With a relentless murderous intent that felt almost like obsession, the shadow swung its 'claws' even in the moment after losing one of its lives.
The black points transcended reason, capable of overpowering even the 'Sword' born of this world.
However, what the opposing [Sword Queen] held in her hand was—a tiny, tiny ball of light, small enough to fit easily in her delicate palm.
Soundlessly, the violet flash of serene light touched the 'black,' and—
"—[Keraunos]!!"
—a roar of thunder, in no way inferior to the highest-ranking thunder magic that bore the name of myriad bolts, shook the air.
As an intense flash of light seared the world, the immense electrical power of the hyper-compressed magic roared, snapped, and burst forth—and it was not only the enemy before her that it scorched.
[Disastor], the source of the 'technique' Iris had woven through sheer force, was a proper offensive spell if allowed to fulfill its original effect. And the final destination of a malevolent grand magic that indiscriminately absorbed hostile magic power could not possibly end as mere 'thunder'.
The nature of that violet lightning was the forced return of usurped magic power. In other words, the moment the [Keraunos] woven from that spell touched even 'one of its targets'—
The unblockable thunder swiftly coursed through, 'chaining' to every single target.
'—, —————————…!!!'
The instant it was touched by the light, its arm was obliterated along with its 'claws.' As it regenerated, it was continuously scorched by the endlessly bursting lightning, unable to even resist, and the shadow lord let out a clear scream of pain.
Simultaneously, the released violet lightning raced through the arena, once again sweeping away the magic circles firing their orbs—and then, a chain of shattering sounds echoed.
The Queen's lips curled into a small, yet distinct, smile.
"—!"
With a powerful kiai, her palm, now clad in the brilliance of thunder, struck Rep-ra Nobody.
A veritable lightning strike. The blow, which had pierced through two layers of its death-avoiding authority, sent the demon fox's body crashing down at tremendous speed, shattering the arena floor on impact.
And then—in the corner of her vision, she saw the face of a boy, dumbfounded.
She knew, she knew all too well, that this was not the time for such things.
…But still, it was fun, so much fun. Every single moment of this long-awaited dream was so joyous, so wonderful, that the princess couldn't suppress a child-like smile.
"Hehe… a double kill."
As her body, now drained of strength, began to fall, she murmured the innocent words.