Chapter 268 - End of a Grand Event
A match against the First Champion, huh? How did it come to this?
I slowly made my way to the center of the Arena, glancing at the stands where my team members, having finished their work, were casually watching. Well, whatever.
"Hold on. Just because you were recommended by the Leader, you think you can face me with that kind of equipment? What happened to your weapons?"
Today, I'm not in my combat gear but in my usual clothes. I didn't expect a fight, so it makes sense.
I'm wearing my usual custom-made coat, but it's a stylish A-line design. At first glance, it doesn't look like it offers much protection. I don't carry any weapons either.
"You seem to respect the Leader, but you don't trust her, do you?"
"That's not true. However, you’re an unarmed woman, and I don’t sense any significant power from you..."
My nearly perfect Physical Enhancement Magic is so efficient that even above-average magical perception can't detect it. Even the Champion sees me as a powerless woman.
"You'll see in a moment. As a special treat."
Objectively, Garcia, who has climbed to the rank of Champion, is strong. She's extraordinarily powerful.
She excels in magic power, magical techniques, physical abilities, and combat skills, all at a high level without any noticeable weaknesses.
As the First Champion of the Exembra Championship, her level is commendable, even by my standards.
But that's just the general case.
Our Kikyo Society is special, operating on a different level entirely.
We have access to incredibly expensive and rare resources, allowing us to implement training programs that defy conventional norms. We are, perhaps, the only organization in the world capable of such feats. This has resulted in an organization brimming with many strong individuals.
To be blunt, Champions like Garcia are a dime a dozen in our ranks.
Evaluating Garcia's level, she's slightly above average compared to our combat unit members, and on par with a deputy officer. She certainly doesn't measure up to a senior officer.
Our combat unit has over forty members who are even stronger. The unit has one leader, one deputy, two deputies, and extends to the tenth division. If we were to place Garcia, she would rank below the fortieth in the Kikyo Society.
Even outside the combat unit, there are many strong individuals. The Headquarters, the Security Bureau, the Combat Support Unit, and the Intelligence Bureau are all filled with formidable members. They’re abundant, to say the least.
But my level, commanding such a group of strong individuals, is in a league of its own.
Thus, a fight isn't necessary. I just need to show her.
Showing my true strength will be enough.
Ending the pointless talk in front of the skeptical Garcia, I simply activated my magic.
【True Shell Shattering: Level Raise】
I'll demonstrate the ultimate form of my evolving magic. It's a special treat for the champion.
【Exterior: Red Lotus!!】
A technique that surpasses body enhancement magic, overwhelming and consuming the opponent. This is Combat Body Transformation Magic.
The stronger the opponent, the more they will appreciate its power. They will realize the gap in strength without even fighting.
Garcia, who excels in magic-based combat, doesn't particularly interest me. She doesn't have any unique magical abilities, and her techniques aren't particularly intriguing.
I don't need to do anything special to win. I'll defeat her easily, without much effort. Even using one hand, it would be a cakewalk. The odds of losing are virtually zero.
Showing her the gap in strength wouldn't be bad. But since this is a direct order from the Leader, I'll show her something unforgettable without any tricks.
"Hmm, you're not a complete pushover. What will you do? One hit and you might die, you know?"
With the Red Lotus aura enveloping me, I must look like a hellish demon. This is a display of power, unlike before.
Seeing her stunned by the threat, I think I've made my point. I hope she doesn't lose heart, but as a champion with ambition, she'll be fine.
If you want to challenge the revered Leader, you need to be at least as strong as this.
"Haha, what the heck, what is this!?"
To the average person, this surge of magical power would be overwhelming, and even a strong individual might flee. But she seems more intrigued than afraid. A worthy champion.
"See? At my level, this is normal. It might look special to you, though."
"Fair enough. But it's a promise, so let's have a match."
"Still up for it? If so, come at me with everything you've got. This is a rare opportunity, after all."
I thought it would end with a display of power, but if she's willing, I'll oblige. It's a promise, after all.
"I'm not holding back, I'm going all out!"
Saying that, Garcia took a step back and began her attack.
The small fire spells and invisible wind magic projectiles she used in the final. I've seen them before, so they're not that impressive, but they're still difficult to handle due to their density and power.
I have several ways to end this quickly, but I'll show her a proper defeat as a reward for her champion status.
First, let's see the essence of defense.
Activating my Active Armor in its excited state, I stood still and defended everything. The magic shield reacts to magical energy, defending against visible and invisible attacks alike.
The magic shield automatically intercepts and deflects high-speed, high-power spells, keeping them from reaching me.
After demonstrating the futility of long-range magic for about thirty seconds, I began to advance.
Even while walking, the Active Armor's automatic defense is effective. Garcia's attacks became more intense, but it's clear they won't work. I deliberately deactivated the magic shield.
Now, let's see the essence of evasion and reaction.
Avoiding high-density magical barrages and counterattacking is a skill even Shamrock, who fought in the final, couldn't match. I'm even better.
I didn't just stand still and deal with the attacks; I moved forward while dodging them all. No counterattacks, just evasion.
Avoiding a single attack is easy, but dodging a rapid, dense barrage while moving forward is incredibly difficult.
I had to predict the trajectories of multiple attacks and the subsequent ones to avoid them while minimizing my movements. Reflexes alone wouldn't suffice.
As I displayed my godlike evasion, Garcia tried to maintain her distance while attacking.
For me, this turned into a pursuit while dodging, increasing the difficulty. But it wasn't a problem.
My foundational abilities are already far superior to hers, and with the Combat Body Transformation Magic, the gap is even greater.
I pursued her while dodging, easily outpacing her attempts to flee. She must realize she's being toyed with.
I closed the distance without letting a single spell graze me. Even if the attack wasn't visible, I could perceive the magical energy. Magic-based opponents are boring for this reason.
Without other options, I'll end it here. I closed the final few steps in an instant.
I deflected her arm as she tried to cast a spell at close range, swept her legs from behind, and pushed her chest to trip her. It was almost like a hip throw. I made it a bit strong to ensure she hit her head on the sand, but it was safe enough.
If I had hit her head directly, it could have been fatal. I aimed for the ground beside her head instead.
The ground shook from the impact. Even though the attack missed, the force was immense.
She was covered in sand, and the wind pressure likely left her ears ringing, with the shockwave causing additional damage. I might have inflicted more damage than intended, but the one-sided challenge ended here.
She lost consciousness and was bleeding from the ear. I quickly healed her and kept an eye on her to be safe.
"Onee-sama!"
"Wow! As expected, President!"
"She dominated the Champion!"
"Hmm, what was the final battle all about?"
"Hey, Yukari, didn't you overdo it?"
"You could have won without using that."
The spectators offered their spontaneous reactions. For me, it was not just a reward for the Champion but also a demonstration for the members to aspire to.
This wasn't just a show of force. I wanted Garcia to understand that becoming a Champion isn't the end.
As part of the agreement with the Leader, Garcia will become an exclusive fighter for the Exembra Arena. While her position is a concern, the Leader's silence suggests it's fine. She will be an exclusive fighter for at least three years.
As the First Champion and an exclusive fighter, I hope she becomes a stronger Champion. Catching up to me is impossible, but with effort, she can improve.
The ideal is for the Exembra Championship to be the strongest in the world. Currently, the most renowned tournament is the Berliza Championship, but I want to take that title.
I want to see the overall level of the Exembra Arena improve with Garcia leading the way. If she trains hard, others will follow, and the fighters we scout will also rise to the challenge.
"Ugh... Damn it! What was that?"
"You’re awake. You seem more energetic than I expected. How do you feel?"
"Wait! What the... Looking at you now, you seem completely different."
As she sat up and observed me, her magical perception was still immature, so she couldn't gauge my true strength.
"Start recognizing that I'm stronger than you. Exembra isn't a soft place. You're going to be an exclusive fighter here, so remember that."
Intimidated by my words or presence, Garcia's attitude changed from frustration to respect.
"I, I understand. It's part of the deal with the Leader. And... can we fight again sometime?"
Her determination to face me again, despite the overwhelming difference, is a commendable trait. That's why I chose her as an exclusive fighter.
"The fee for a match with me is five billion Gist. Pay up next time."
"Five billion!? That's insane!"
"There's a prize, isn't there? Be grateful I showed you my true strength. Oh, and I might give you a discount."
"Really? What do I have to do?"
"Use a motorcycle for your movements around town. You're the Champion, so it's good publicity."
"A motorcycle? I remember they have a rental service."
"I'll lend you one for regular use. If you do, I might give you a discount. Got it?"
"Y-yes."
She probably can't stand up to me now. Use her to your advantage.
"Champion, the format for the winter tournament is still undecided, but you'll definitely participate. Train hard until then. Now, scram."
We can't leave until the outsiders are gone. Once they're done, we can leave.
After finishing the remaining tasks, we left the arena and handed over security to the contractors. All of us from the Kikyo Society headed for a grand celebration.
We're celebrating the successful first tournament, which was a big win for us. A lavish party at Epic Junebel's banquet hall!
We brought in a lot of wine from the cellars in the new district and mountains of food. A bit of luxury is nothing for us. With our hearty eaters, even a mountain of food will be devoured. We might need more.
"Everyone, you've all done splendidly, even during the preparation period. Thanks to you, the first tournament was a huge success, and we made a fortune. Look forward to a bonus!"
"Yay!"
"Especially Zenobia and the Security Bureau. Your contributions were invaluable. Today, drink and eat to your heart's content. Rest well tomorrow. That's all for now. Zenobia!"
"Then, from me. It's not just the Security Bureau; everyone's cooperation made this possible. Thank you all for your hard work. Let's keep it up for the next tournament! Cheers!!"
"Cheers!!!"
The noise in the soundproof banquet hall won't bother anyone outside.
Today, everyone will forget their worries and work ahead, enjoying themselves to the fullest.
Our group is young, with plenty of energy. Private conversations and playful teasing, even towards me, are common. The sense of liberation after completing a big task is palpable. It's understandable.
While subtly influencing the bonus evaluations, the enjoyable time passed by quickly.
Here, the main part of the Arena comes to an end, marking a significant milestone.
By the way, the Champion is incredibly strong. The Kikyo Society is just on a different level.
The next few chapters will feature small daily episodes, followed by the annual winter training, and more small episodes. I have some unique stories in mind!