CH 309

The result was a 3-0, a complete victory for Harriet.

Her opponent, Aisa Shelkin, wore a bewildered expression.

She had been utterly defeated by a magic major.

It couldn't have been any other way.

The weakness of magic was casting. But in the face of Harriet's abnormally fast casting speed, Aisa Shelkin could only always be a beat too slow.

Of course, Harriet didn't possess the no-casting ability, but her extremely fast casting speed allowed her to toy with the close combat major as if it were a mere game.

Redina's no-casting talent was thus inconceivable.

With a sufficient amount of mana like Harriet, a faster casting speed alone could overwhelm battle majors without any strategy. If casting were eliminated altogether, there would be no time to catch a breath before being pummeled.

The spectators were merely cheering, but those who had been watching could only be perplexed.

Harriet's capabilities were already quite strange.

The same went for Saviolin Turner, who had been observing every fight and making various comments.

"Magic requires casting."

"Right. It's common sense."

At Charlotte's reply, Saviolin Turner shook her head. She too seemed to find the situation somewhat peculiar.

"However, high-level battle mages can use magic almost instantaneously, without the computational process of casting."

"Yes, that must be true as well."

"It seems Harriet de Saint-Owan is demonstrating a casting speed at the level of a skilled battle mage."

Saviolin Turner's expression revealed thoughts of near certainty that 'such a thing couldn't possibly be possible.'

From Saviolin Turner's perspective, a skilled battle mage wasn't just someone of a casual level, but rather one who had been thoroughly honed in real combat situations.

A casting speed at the level of a battle mage with at least 10 years of experience.

Could that really be possible?

"Among the countless magicians, only battle mages focus on multi-casting or chain casting. There's no real reason for other types of magicians to have fast casting speeds. Instead, they pursue precision... But what reason could there be to devote time to that technique...?"

Fast casting speed was impressive, but ultimately, it was limited to battle mages. Magicians who made combat their profession were looked down upon by other magicians, as they had previously heard.

Fast casting was a skill only necessary for magicians who fought for a living.

It seemed difficult for Saviolin Turner to understand why the young lady of the Saint-Owan duchy would be proficient in a skill typically reserved for battle mages.

Harriet desired to possess actual power. That's why she devoted her time to learning a skill that had little connection to her noble birth.

Of course, neither Saviolin Turner nor I could fully understand how such a thing became possible just by devoting time to it.

What on earth had happened at the Magic Research Society?

Adelia showed a troubled smile upon meeting my gaze.

"Harriet de Saint-Owan seems quite promising."

In the end, it appeared that Harriet had acquired considerable combat skills, contrary to my expectations.

Ellen had said that Harriet would do well.

I wasn't sure if she knew it would turn out this way, but Ellen didn't seem particularly surprised.

------

While the round 32 matches were underway, I eventually realized that Harriet had developed formidable skills contrary to my concerns. Harriet had undeniably acquired the ability to secure victory in the preliminary round of the Unrestricted Tournament and secure a spot in the main competition.

As the round of 32 matches for Group C unfolded, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.

Royal Class 5th year, Olivia Lanze.

From the beginning, Olivia was well-known, and there were people who recognized her and cheered. The reaction from the Royal Class was also intense.

The announcer gave a detailed introduction to Olivia. Although there were some embarrassing comments, Olivia stood still with a faint smile on her face.

However, there was a problem.

She had abandoned her faith.

But she could still use her divine power, and at an extraordinarily potent level.

However, if she were to use her divine power in this tournament after giving up her faith, it would pose a problem.

To avoid any backlash, she would have to fight without using her divine power.

Her opponent was a male student in his 5th year.

Although he was introduced as an ordinary class member, he seemed to be from the Orbis Class. Olivia seemed to know her opponent, and since the Royal Class and Orbis Class had quite a few connections, it wasn't too strange for them to know each other.

Olivia did not look in my direction.

Everyone was curious about the extent of Olivia's skills, and it was the first time Saviolin Turner would see her abilities in person.

“Now, we will begin the final match of Group C!”

With the declaration of the start.

I was curious to see how Olivia Lanze would perform without using her divine power.

Her opponent was armed with a spear.

Olivia had no weapons.

Her opponent's body was enveloped in blue mana.

Olivia looked at her opponent with a smiling expression.

“I'm sorry to the audience.”

Olivia's words reached my ears.

“My match might be a bit, dull.”

“Ooooh”

Olivia's body was wrapped in mana that seemed to burn blue.

I had guessed that Olivia could use Magic Body Strengthening. Without using even a hint of divine power, the unarmed Olivia moved.

No, I could only tell that she moved; I couldn't even follow her movements with my eyes.

-Zzuzz!

-Kuh...ack!

The next moment, Olivia had already landed a punch in her opponent's abdomen.

The enormous force behind that blow sent her opponent flying through the air, far beyond the boundaries of the arena.

Even with the Magic Body Strengthening, the destructive power of her bare fists was unbelievable.

“Ah, did I overdo it?”

The first set ended in the blink of an eye.

A powerful championship contender.

No, at that level, she might be the sole contender for victory.

Ellen and I stared blankly at Olivia, who had sent her opponent, enhanced with the same magic power as herself, flying.

She had to fight without divine power.

Was that the penalty from the start?

Even in that state, it seemed there was no one who could stand against Olivia.

The nickname given to such a person was the Holy Maiden of Eredian.

Shouldn't she have been called the strongest in the Temple instead?

------

After all the round 32 matches had concluded.

A brief break was given, and the round 16 matches were about to begin.

Just like in the first-year tournament, the winners of each group would face the semi-finals and finals the next day.

So, if Harriet wins this round 16 match and the next round 8, she can challenge for the finals.

However, Harriet's goal is not the finals.

In the waiting room for the contestants.

Harriet sat quietly on the sofa. She wanted to go into a room and sort out her thoughts alone, but she thought it would be better to analyze her potential opponents beforehand.

"Harriet, right? You're amazing. We'll be meeting in the next match, so I look forward to it."

"Ah... Yes."

There were some nervous people, but the female senior who would be facing her in the next match seemed cheerful. A royal class graduate, she was known as a Supernatural type rather than a close combat type.

Her ability was wind.

She easily overpowered her opponents by blowing them away with air pressure and causing them to lose by leaving the ring.

Harriet was thinking about how to deal with this.

"Do you want some of this? It's delicious."

"Ah, no... I'm fine."

The girl sat next to her and mumbled about various things.

"But what should I do if my wind is blocked by your protection? I actually don't know how to fight that well."

It seemed like she had already accepted her defeat. She relied on creating a ring-out with her wind, but her opponent, Harriet, knew how to use protection.

The female senior, who was in her fourth year but somehow felt slightly cute, seemed to have a poor match-up.

She might reveal hidden abilities after pretending to be so vulnerable, but Harriet thought that it was unlikely for fellow royal class members to do so.

At a glance, it seemed she didn't care much about winning. Although Harriet found the constant chatter annoying, she didn't really dislike it.

"You don't seem... very nervous."

"Nervous? Hmm, there's no reason to be."

She chuckled as she nibbled on a macaron and took a sip of her tea.

"Anyway, Olivia is going to win Group C."

It seemed she had given up on winning since Olivia was participating. Seeing her reaction, Harriet thought that it could be possible.

What had happened was not clearly seen.

Most of the participants were able to use Magic Body Strengthening, but Olivia was exceptional among them.

------

Her main power, divine power, wasn't even used, and she was already that strong. Everyone seemed to have given up halfway after witnessing Olivia's overwhelming presence.

What would I have done if I were in their shoes?

Harriet thought, but no clear answer came to mind.

Olivia Lanze.

She entered the Unrestricted Class Tournament to challenge Olivia Lanze. Harriet had just witnessed Olivia's skills and didn't think she could win.

However, Harriet wanted to at least stand before her.

She could face Olivia if she made it to the last match of Group C, the quarterfinals. She didn't think she could win, but she wanted to at least face her in a match.

She didn't know why.

Olivia Lanze was surely stronger than Ellen.

Harriet had never harbored feelings of rivalry.

But at some point, those feelings emerged.

The desire to become stronger naturally transformed into the desire to not lose.

Harriet chatted with the other participants while watching Olivia Lanze approach from a distance. She seemed at ease, smiling and conversing with the other competitors, who were now her rivals, as if they were old acquaintances due to her long stay at the temple.

Ellen had said she didn't like Olivia.

Harriet didn't like her either.

As Olivia approached, their eyes met.

"Hello?"

"…Hello."

"Ah, you're one of Reinhardt's friends too? Nice to meet you."

Olivia smiled warmly.

The phrase 'one of.'

Assuming someone else came before her in that statement.

Harriet found it infuriating.

Harriet had often seen Olivia picking fights with Ellen for no reason. She knew where the urge to instigate those conflicts came from.

Olivia disliked Ellen.

Ellen disliked Olivia, too.

"You're really impressive. Already so strong in your first year. Aren't you facing my sister in the Group C finals today?"

However, Olivia didn't seem to dislike Harriet.

Her kind expression and tone, an attitude that showed not the slightest bit of hostility.

Her unabashed praise.

"Do you feel okay? Should I cast a healing spell on you?"

Unnecessary consideration.

Harriet knew that her opponent wasn't on guard against her at all.

It was as if she didn't need to reveal any hostility to someone of Harriet's level.

Not even being ignored, but feeling even more disregarded.

"Let's both do our best."

I don't like you.

But you don't dislike me.

Harriet disliked the situation because of the gap in their feelings toward each other.

"I don't like you, either."

"…Huh?"

And so, Harriet abruptly threw cold water on the warm and friendly atmosphere. Olivia stared at Harriet for a moment, then scratched her cheek.

"Oh… Really?"

As if reading something from Harriet's expression, Olivia offered a subtle smile.

It was the same expression Olivia sometimes wore when looking at Ellen. A subtle sneer mixed into that smile.

"So what?"

Harriet stared silently at Olivia.

Ellen was annoyed and angry about receiving groundless hatred.

However, she wouldn't know the sorrow of not being able to receive even that kind of hatred.

She wouldn't know how sad it was to be regarded as unworthy of being disliked and to have someone show her goodwill.

So.

I'll make you dislike me.

I'll make it so you can't ignore me.

"Just, I don't like you."

"Really? That's too bad."

In response to Harriet's words, Olivia showed a bright smile.

"I'm not really interested in you."

"…"

The words, 'in you.' Implied that while she might not know about others, she had no great interest in someone like Harriet.

As expected, that person was deliberately ignoring her.

She might not be able to win.

But she would make it so that she could no longer be ignored.

Harriet clenched her teeth as she watched Olivia's retreating figure.

------

Harriet achieved a remarkable growth.

She easily succeeded in advancing to the finals of Group C and the top eight.

Her round 16 opponent was a 4th-year Royal Class wind-element Supernatural, who she effortlessly defeated. After blocking the wind and aiming five Firebolts in return, the opponent conceded. It seemed as if there was no need to continue.

It was the female upperclassman who had told her to seek her out if anything happened during the Meiatun incident. Although Harriet had never approached her, she remembered her face.

In the end, it seemed like it was just a mismatched opponent. Against the close-combat type she could simply lightly blow away opponents with the wind, but against a magic major, she had met her match.

And so, the Group C finals.

As expected, Olivia effortlessly defeated her round of 16 opponent and advanced to the Group C finals.

Harriet de Saint Owan.

Olivia Lanze.

The winner between the two would advance to the top four and have the chance to compete for the championship tomorrow.

Though she managed to finish two matches properly, the Duke de Saint Owan still ended up sick with worry.

-Tap tap tap tap

"…Stop trembling already."

Ellen's scolding.

“Sigh……”

“Honey, why are you like this again?”

“Her opponent is just too formidable…”

The Duke received scolding from his wife as well.

No matter how much Harriet had grown remarkably, Olivia Lanze was by no means an opponent for Harriet at the moment.

The only hope was that Olivia Lanze wouldn't use her divine power.

That meager advantage was the only possibility for Harriet to secure victory.

Regardless of their grade, everyone in the Royal Class held their breath.

Harriet, a first-year magic major who was performing well in the Unrestricted Class Tournament.

Olivia Lanze, who rightfully carried the title of the strongest in the Temple.

The two of them stood facing each other in the arena.