Whether it's a small skirmish or a large-scale battle, mages are always the top priority target.
Seria knew this well.
'Both of them are swordsmen who focus on close combat. Naturally, they will come straight for me.'
Things went as Seria predicted.
The moment the match started, both Irene and Theo charged towards her.
Breaking away from her usual courteous smile, Seria chuckled confidently.
Seeing things unfold as she anticipated always gave her a thrill.
Without taking her eyes off the two oncoming swordsmen, Seria said,
"Jamie, do as we've practiced."
"Got it. We'll easily win this match too!"
Jamie, holding a spear, positioned herself in front of Seria.
Their strategy was straightforward: Jamie protected Seria while she cast debuff spells on their enemies.
In a real duel, unexpected factors like items and artifacts could come into play, but in this tournament, only standard weapons were allowed.
This made her debuffing magic exceptionally powerful.
It would've been challenging against multiple opponents, but they were only up against two.
The moment she hits one with a spell, the tide of the match would swing dramatically in their favor.
Seria possessed the Master-level trait called [Mana Ruler].
In an instant, she completed the casting for the [Bind] spell.
"Alright, I'll start with Irene!"
Her [Bind] spell targeted Irene.
"Ah...ugh!"
The spell's effect was instantaneous.
Irene, who had been charging forward, stopped in her tracks, frozen mid-stride.
'My [Bind] magic never disappoints.'
With a hint of a smirk, Seria immediately began preparing her next spell.
After the incident where her [Bind] was instantly dispelled, she had refined and strengthened it.
Seria's [Bind] spell wasn't just at a 3rd Circle level anymore; she prided herself on it being on par with at least 5th Circle magic.
This was proven in both the round of 128 and the round of 64.
Seeing Irene immobilized, Jamie cheered,
"Awesome, Seria! You're incredible as always! I'll hold my ground!"
"Please do~"
Replying swiftly, Seria completed casting another [Bind] spell.
'Mysterious one... Theo! I'll immobilize you too!'
She then directed her [Bind] spell at Theo.
Like Irene, Theo's movements instantly stopped.
Seria alternately glanced at the immobilized Theo and Irene.
"Both are bound! Jamie, quickly finish them off!"
"Right on it!"
Jamie, with her spear in hand, leisurely approached Theo.
A powerful thrust to a fatal point, and it would all be over.
It had been this way in both the round of 128 and the round of 64.
"Asking Seria really was the right choice."
Ever since she was young, she was taught to always stay alert until an opponent was completely down.
But now, the situation was different.
That's because her opponent was now ensnared in a [Bind] spell, unable to even twitch a lip.
This wasn't a duel.
It was a one-sided slaughter.
Suppressing the mocking laughter bubbling up from within, Jamie approached Theo.
She held a grudge against this man who hadn’t spoken a word when they greeted each other before the match.
Finally, she had the opportunity to toy with this arrogant man.
"Though you won against Julia, you seem pretty helpless now. It's a two-on-two match, after all. I'll make it quick for you. I'm curious about the sound you, the ever-silent one, might let out."
As Jamie raised her spear, aiming for a fatal point...
"······!"
Jamie found herself collapsing.
She couldn't make a sound.
Breathing became impossible.
By the time she realized Theo had counterattacked, it was already too late.
Reflected in Jamie's eyes were Theo and Irene, both charging towards the defenseless Seria.
Jamie tried to stand up, forcing her breaths, but the pain was overwhelming.
It was an agony she had never experienced before.
A feeling of powerlessness she had never known.
If the weapon that had struck wasn’t a practice sword but a real one, she would’ve been dead now.
"How... How did he?!"
In her dazed state, she could hear Seria's shocked voice.
Then immediately,
Thud.
A dull sound echoed as Seria collapsed on the field.
"No, no..."
Jamie was helpless.
She could only muster a feeble attempt to stand.
She couldn't even scream out.
The round of 32’s first match ended in less than a minute.
Against everyone's expectations, it was a victory for Team Theo & Irene.
The atmosphere in the arena, which had been filled with cheers moments ago, was now eerily silent.
[······The winners of the first match of the round of 32 are... Team Theo & Irene. Let's give a round of applause for both teams for the impressive... match they've shown us.]
Mari, collecting herself, continued the commentary.
Even for her, having graduated at the top of her class from the Elinia Academy's Hero Department and becoming its youngest professor, the result of the match was hard to believe.
In a match with rules where item & artifact use was banned, and they had at least some knowledge about their opponent, what kind of presence did a mage have?
A being that inevitably occupies the top of the food chain.
Without magical resistance or mental fortitude, you're bound to be affected by debuff magic, even if you're aware of it.
Furthermore, among the first-year students at the academy, Seria is reputedly the best when it comes to debuff magic.
Naturally, everyone had placed their bets on the overwhelming victory of Team Seria & Jamie.
Mari thought the same.
Had there been betting odds, the returns would have been so low they'd barely cover the fees.
However, in less than a minute, the team of Theo & Irene ended the match, as if to prove everyone's expectations wrong.
Reporters, guild, and government officials all shared Mari's sentiments.
While they were lost in those thoughts,
"The fierce mage has been struck by the War God's fury!"
"Woah! A true warrior doesn't bow to a mage!"
"Awesome, human!"
"Theo! Theo! Theo Lyn Waldeurk!"
The orcs in the audience, with Noctar at the forefront, reignited the stadium's energy.
All the orcs rose to their feet, chanting Theo's name in unison.
Siena, seated beside them, was beaming from ear to ear, and so was Amy.
Even Jang Woohee, who rarely showed any emotion, had her eyes wide open, looking at Theo, who nonchalantly sheathed his longsword as if nothing had happened.
'...Did you foresee this, Theo?'
The young man shattered everyone's expectations and claimed victory.
Most people would have rejoiced, seeking out their parents in excitement, yet he remained composed.
'Being a prophet, he might see things differently...'
He seemed almost devoid of human emotions.
Could it be that his emotions were suppressed?
There's a saying that every being is in a fierce battle with their inner self.
How intense must the internal struggle of a 16-year-old prophet be?
She could somewhat understand Theo's strategy.
Even she, well-versed in tactics, would have managed the match as Theo did.
It's hard to believe that one could nullify such powerful debuff magic with [Magic Nullification], a trait both she and Theo possess.
That's why Theo didn't immediately use [Magic Nullification].
Instead, he played along, allowing the opponents to let their guard down, lulling them into complacency.
And it worked flawlessly.
Jang Woohee tried to calm her elated heart and looked at the thrilled audience.
The cheering orcs were now joined by the other spectators, fervently chanting Theo's name.
'How far did he plan? Did he foresee all of this?'
Prophets, undeniably, shine the brightest when underestimated.
The Theo she knew was always rational, astute, and quick-witted.
The answer was obvious.
'...Of course he planned it.'
The chants for Theo, led by the orcs, were still echoing.
Suddenly, Jang Woohee felt chills.
Over the past several centuries, countless individuals claimed to be the 'true hero'.
But none have fostered unity between humans and other species.
Though there might be those who conjure waves of swords in the sky or bring down continents with magic, none have achieved the scene today.
'...This isn’t just a simple tournament.'
He's showcasing his boundless potential, using this very arena as his stage.
While Jang Woohee was lost in her intense emotions, Seria, having regained her composure, whispered softly,
"Ha... I've found him."
A bright smile adorned her face, one you wouldn't expect from someone who had just lost a match.
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