In an instant, the audience stirred as the arena was engulfed in flames.
"What's happening? The arena has turned into a sea of fire!"
"It won't spread to us, right?"
"That mage cast an ominous spell! And it's fire magic at that! To depict the crimson light symbolic of the war god with such ferocity..."
"True warrior and honorary orc, Theo Lyn Waldeurk! Don't be swayed by such wicked magic!"
"What kind of magic is that? Even for the Hero Department, I don't think a first-year student should be able to use such a spell."
"He might've developed it himself or inherited it... seems like a unique magic. But a first-year student using unique magic? Even if he's a genius with the [Mana Ruler] trait, this is absurd. The mages of the Magic Tower will be clutching the back of their necks in envy."
"...It certainly seems to be unique magic, Chief Administrator. While there are other spells that manipulate fire in a similar manner, there's none that matches the flames on the field right now."
"Andrew Jackson... He was always a prime candidate for recruitment given his commoner background... We need to put in more effort now."
Even the reporters, guild members, and national representatives who had seen countless impressive spells were stunned by the magic cast by Andrew.
"Heh."
He hadn’t anticipated that he could cast such an incomplete spell so masterfully.
A sense of satisfaction arose, followed by another emotion.
"...It's beautiful."
Andrew murmured, spellbound by the fiercely burning crimson flames that held a destructive beauty.
'Sally, I did it.'
Had Sally not suffered so brutally, he might never have had the courage to use this spell in real combat.
With a choked-up expression, Andrew glanced outside the arena where Sally still lay unconscious.
'Even Theo won't be able to handle this [Fire Field].'
Being the caster, he was immune to the flames.
If things continued like this, Theo and Irene would have to forfeit.
"This victory is thanks to you, Sally... You always give me courage. Thanks to you, I'm reminded of my worth."
As Andrew murmured, a voice interrupted.
"Why are you looking elsewhere during the match, Andrew?"
Whoosh.
The ceaseless flames that had engulfed the arena vanished in an instant.
Where the flames had been, now only smoke rose.
“What...?”
Andrew was taken aback.
As the smoke cleared, a figure emerged.
Before him stood a silver-haired man with eyes a deeper shade of red than the flames.
"Ah, ah!"
Startled, Andrew stumbled back.
Following that, thud-
Theo's practice longsword struck Andrew's side.
The flames in the arena were quickly suppressed.
Given that Theo had extinguished them in less than 10 seconds, only a slight scorch remained on the arena floor.
Mari, from the commentator's seat, began hesitantly.
[...The winners of the first match of the quarter-finals are... Team Theo & Irene.]
Unlike during the match against Noctar's team, there was no cheering.
Everyone was quietly discussing amongst themselves, trying to understand what had just happened.
"..."
All they could do was silently watch Theo, who was nonchalantly exiting the arena.
Yet, there was someone who quickly grasped the situation.
'...Even if we set the Fireball aside, he can nullify magic of that wide a range?'
It was Jang Woohee from the audience seats.
'I've never tried it myself...'
She believed that her own [Magic Nullification] wouldn't be capable of that.
But she wasn't too surprised.
He was a man who always exceeded expectations. It had always been that way.
The man with eyes redder than flames and silver hair wasn't simply aiming to win the tournament.
'What on earth is he aiming for... playing the fool all this time?'
That's what she was most curious about.
She understood hiding prophetic abilities, but why reveal this level of skill now?
What kind of trait did he awaken that changed him so much?
"Kyaa~ Theo! You need to have that cold charisma! You're so cool~"
Watching Siena beside her cheering ecstatically, Jang Woohee sank deep into thought.
Upon returning to the waiting room, Irene and I immediately sought treatment from a healer.
Even though it was brief, the flames from Andrew's spell had scorched our skin.
Thankfully, I wasn't concerned about any scarring.
High-level healers can restore even charred muscles to their original function if treated immediately after the injury.
"Your treatment is complete, student Theo."
"Thank you."
I nodded appreciatively to the healer.
I checked both Irene's and my condition.
Our burn wounds were neatly healed.
"If you feel any discomfort, please let me know at any time. Now, I should be going. Oh, and one more thing."
As the healer was about to leave, he paused and looked at me.
"I really enjoyed watching the match. I don't know if it's a special trait, magic, or some other skill... but the way you extinguished the fire instantly was truly impressive."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, the other staff I was with think the same. Especially in the round of 16, against student Noctar. If you have time, please visit our branch."
With that, the healer handed me a business card.
It was an elegant card decorated with gold foil.
'Branch Chief, Taylor.'
I bowed my head a bit deeper.
"Understood."
In this world, those who carried such gold-foiled business cards were influential figures.
And the Branch Chief, with a gentle smile on his face, was a character that hadn’t appeared in the original game.
'It wouldn't hurt to remember.'
It's always useful to know someone, whether they play a good or bad role in the story.
If they're helpful to me, then they are good in my eyes.
"Haha, do visit us. Oh my, I must have taken up too much of your time. You must be exhausted. I'll be on my way now."
"Thank you for the treatment."
"It's my duty. Please do visit us next time, student Theo."
After the Branch Chief left, it wasn't long before Amy arrived in the waiting room, cradling Little Fist.
Even though I hadn’t used [Overload], I'd exerted quite a bit of energy.
I tried to cuddle with Little Fist, but he slipped away and snuggled into Irene's embrace instead.
I sighed and then took a moment to rest.
In a quiet alleyway behind the venue where the Knight Department's 2v2 tournament was being held, two students stood.
It was Sally and Andrew.
With her back turned to Andrew, Sally sat curled up, shedding tears.
"I'm... I'm so sorry, Andrew. I was foolish to think I could beat Irene... If I had only bought us some time, we might have stood a chance."
"It's not your fault, Sally."
Andrew's heart ached at her words.
His own defeat felt secondary, and he realized that even if they had managed to buy time, they still would've lost, especially after the impressive skills Theo showcased despite Andrew's powerful magic.
'How can she even look so beautiful when she's crying?'
Andrew, dismissing the inappropriate thought, cleared his throat and cautiously approached Sally, who was still facing away and weeping.
Gently, he patted her on the shoulder, the way one would comfort a small chick.
"It's my fault, Sally. I promised we'd win, and I couldn't deliver. We'll just have to win next time!"
"Next time?"
Sally, halting her tears, turned to look at him.
Her teary brown eyes met his.
For a moment, Andrew's heart skipped a beat.
'Don't look at me like that, Sally. Your gaze is going to set my heart on fire.'
However, unlike Aisha's fierce glare, Sally's eyes held no anger – just a vulnerability that made him want to protect her even more.
"Yes, Sally. The recruitment for Aides is coming up soon. Why don't we join together? Irene will surely team up with Theo. It'll be a chance for us to win."
"But Andrew, you're ranked 9th. There are so many other talented students lining up to be your partner. Why would you want someone like me?"
"No, I want to team up with you, specifically."
For once, his voice was steady, confident.
Inwardly, Andrew was quite proud of himself.
'I can't believe I can be so straightforward. I'm quite cool, aren't I? The genius mage, Andrew!'
"Thank you, Andrew. I'll get to continue watching Irene and Theo... from the side."
Sally gazed at him with those still-moist eyes.
'Ah... oh.'
Andrew was spellbound.
He felt as if he was being pulled into the depths of her gaze, where he could see her soul.
...It felt like he'd finally found a place where he truly belonged.
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