kscans

Chapter 735 - The Eastern Wings

—The highest-ranked members of the Eastern Faction, formerly #3 and #4. The girls who had once even surpassed the [General Commander] Goldow and placed just below the [Sword Saint] were not, strictly speaking, 'Mages.'

While they still manifested miracles of reality alteration using mana—that is, MP—the process by which those miracles occurred was so vastly different from normal magic that they were in a class of their own.

To emphasize their abnormality, to pay them respect, to express awe—they came to be called 'Magic Users,' not 'Mages,' a term applied to all other players.

At their core was none other than the unique spell born from their Starlight Magic Aptitude. The illusion magic held by the [Right Wing], Ri-na, Anhelmia, Dream-Weaving Heavenly Authority—and the manifestation magic held by the [Left Wing], Mi-na, Ramanheye, Divine Manifestation Heavenly Authority, each a strange and incomplete power on its own.

To put it simply, their law-defying barrage of great magic is a cooperative technique where 'the "illusion" drawn by Ri-na is converted into "reality" by Mi-na,' manifesting it into the world.

Of course, they weren't achieving this miracle of tandem casting, which was beyond perfect synchronization, 'naturally.' That's where their matching Anima, of which there were likely only two in the entire virtual world, came into play.

The Fifth Tier [Myriam, Brush of Manifestation], and the likewise Fifth Tier [Lilyam, Brush of Dream-Drawing].

With the power to integrate the two users' stats, skills, and various senses, they link their thoughts, truly becoming 'two as one' and acting as the embodiment of natural disasters.

In other words, every single spell they create is an original creation born from their collaboration. And that is precisely why the completed miracles (magic) of the 'Eastern Wings' have no 'shackles.'

Chanting, or the predetermined behaviors dictated by the system—the 'restrictions' that all normal magic must adhere to—did not exist for them at all.

"—Hnngh-RAAAAHHH!!!"

Crown lit, fire lit, I soared through the air, screaming a desperate, life-or-death cry.

Faced with flashes of lightning that were probably broken in terms of speed, number, and homing performance, and likely power as well, I launched a barrage of punches with [Water Enchant].

The little ones' magic didn't have a 'core' like normal skill-based magic. That meant you couldn't just aim for one point; you had to blow the whole thing away to cancel it out.

So, something roughly human-sized could be dealt with using the classic Enchant & Frezon Revolver magic interception combo… but there's a limit to everything, you know?

"Ah, this is impossible, help me, big sis!"

"Alright, alright…!"

The moment I shot down the last of the stalking lightning, a moment when neither reason nor instinct could avoid a brief lapse in concentration, the floor of the field broke through… no, the floor itself transformed into the jaws of a giant dragon (golem) that lunged from below—and a torrent of explosive flames erupted, swallowing everything.

Thanks to [Hellgread Ignis], which had already absorbed her 'magic,' I was, of course, unaffected other than having my vision obscured. But the flames of the [Heat Gaze], which, while worlds apart in versatility, were by no means inferior in terms of pure 'power'…

"Bwah-hah… I thought I was gonna die…!"

"To move around that much without taking a single hit is impressive… Just watching you makes my head spin."

…had thoroughly incinerated the great spell that was no mere magic, allowing my partner (me) to return to her side.

No, seriously, thank you, Hinayo-san, or rather, Hinayo-sama. In the two minutes or so that had passed, it was only because I was paired with her, only because I had her fire support, that I had survived so many situations.

When it came to facing the Eastern Wings, I honestly didn't think I could have held out this long with any other partner, including those from other factions. At a glance, someone like the [Castle Lord] might seem capable, but even that sleeping princess has her weaknesses, so she'd be at a disadvantage against an all-rounder opponent.

As expected of the former 'Strongest Artillery Cannon' and current 'Strongest Long-Range Instantaneous Firepower.' Among the many players, Hinayo-san was probably the only one who could single-handedly face their barrage.

Of course, since their number of attacks was on a completely different level, a perfect stalemate was impossible. But that was where I, with all due respect, would step up and cover for her. …And with that thought, I glanced to the side.

"Are you warmed up yet?"

"Thanks to you working so hard to draw their attention, yes."

"Well, I get the feeling they were just playing along with my diversion…"

The unending violence of their miracles. Having weathered the explosive flames, the lightning, and the earthen dragon, we were now faced with a giant storm golem that had manifested, shaking the stage.

It was such an absurd sight that I wanted to laugh it off as just plain stupid. On top of that, not only was there one giant attack, but a colorful barrage of bullets helpfully surrounded it, making me want to throw in the towel—but it was too early to raise the white flag.

"Alright, shall we give them one back?"

"Yes, let's."

And so, the muzzle was raised.

"[Second Bullet, Wide-Open Eyes]."

A line of destruction, twice as powerful as the 'awakening,' drew a ludicrous trajectory.

And so, the second shot of the [Heat Gaze] unerringly pierced the torso of the storm giant that was about to bring down its building-sized arm—and the aftershock of the crimson flash that erupted scattered the attendant flames, water, lightning, ice, rocks, and everything else in a raging storm.

Her warm-up seemed more than sufficient, which was great. In that case, I too,

"Recall."

And then, [Rocket]—the jog is over. Time to break into a full sprint.

From within the aftershock of the explosion, the figures of the Eastern Wings appeared, naturally unharmed. Without hesitation, I stepped towards them, a single 'spear' summoned in my hand.

The moment I stepped forward, our eyes met—vermilion and light blue. Seeing the four confident eyes, I grinned back at the 'strongest little squirts,'

And the blade I swung was the color of water.

"Ngh-eh!?"

"Tch…!?"

A single step, a spin, I charged forward, twisting my body in the manner of the Binding Strike 'Mountain Haze.' Following the rotation, the spear slammed into the air and the countless spells that had instantly blocked my path, sweeping them away.

It was not the tip of the longspear… but the butt end. More accurately, it was the small stone fragment on the butt end, which held a mysterious glow of mixed crimson and azure. And from that point, a large scythe blade materialized.

[Demon Horn Spear: Crimson Valor]—or rather, a trick of the [Lapparis Lafan (Demon Crimson-Blue Spear: Whale Rabbit)].

"Wha, what is that—"

"Secret."

I scoffed at their surprise and unleashed a flash of the azure blade.

Just like at the start of the match, the sweeping scythe blade was stopped by a barrier of light, but that was fine.

"Tch… Mi-na!"

"I know!"

In that instant, a massive explosion.

It was probably the easiest and most reflexive illusion (thing) for them to draw. The same explosive flames as before erupted, forcing me, who had closed the distance, to retreat.

—But, the results were more than enough. I had reaped a tenth of their health in less than two seconds.

"Whoa, what was that, so gross, gross, gross…!"

"…"

I retreated for what felt like the umpteenth time to reset, but the reaction from the other side was not a repeat of before. After confirming that a chunk of MP had been instantly shaved off their own stats, the red one started fussing while the blue one frowned. Seeing them from the side, I finally felt like I had landed a proper blow.

Alright, this is just the beginning.

Will the 'flame' that grows hotter with time reach them first, or will the 'water' that grows more voracious with every touch of magic steal their power away—or will the flapping of the Eastern Wings extinguish everything?

Coincidentally, this stage belongs to the four of us from the festival faction, the East.

"Ah-ha, but we're not gonna lose!"

"That was close. Concentrate."

"One down, ninety-nine to go, I guess?"

"How many hours are you planning on fighting for…?"

Let's keep ramping up the excitement, without limit.