A magical training ground illuminated by moonlight.
　That place, at a distance from the mansion, was the scene of the midnight duel.

''Aren't you being too hasty?　Brother Grye.

　I say, "You couldn't wait until tomorrow?

"Couldn't it wait until tomorrow?　Your father said he would be present.
Shut up.

　Grye's expression twisted.

'Shut up, shut up!　How long have you been planning this?
What are you talking about?　I've always wanted to go to a magic school since I was seven years old. I think my brother Grye taught me how to enjoy it. Don't you remember?
"You.........　Don't get your head out of your ass... you just got lucky!　If a monster happened to show up and you didn't happen to defeat it, you'd be the one who got thrown into the army!
It's a coincidence.

　I chuckle.

"So you should've knocked him down. Instead of screaming and running away.
'Father gave me orders not to leave the mansion!　You just went along with it!
'Then why don't you tell your father that directly?　I mean, in the first place, your brother was given up for bad behavior from before.
It doesn't matter what I did!　If only I was a good sorcerer.
So I'll show you tomorrow, right?
Your father's terms are not even close...

　Grye gripped his wand.

'No attack magic above medium rank?　You'll never be good enough. No terms, Seika. Either you give up or you lose the battle. If you lose, tell your father tomorrow that you're out of the game. And get out of my house.
'Isn't medium or higher magic dangerous?　Tomorrow I don't know if I'll ever be in a position to speak.
What's the harm in that?
....
I don't, Seika. You always were a pain in the ass.
'I know, brother. I don't know why, but you've been eyeing me up for a long time.

　Speaking of which ... why is that?
　I thought it was because she was a concubine's child, but is that really all it takes?
　Well, it doesn't matter. I don't care.

I'm sleepy. Let's get to work. I'll leave you to it. OK, here we go.
"f*ck you!

　Power swirls around Glei's staff.

Flame Note!

　A thick band of red lilies sprouted from the staff.
　The flames that lit up the night swallowed me up with their own momentum.

What do you think?　I can handle the magic slaves use, I can handle it much easier than that!
Why don't you try a little harder?

　A space where the flames have cleared.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same amount of money as you.

Windlance.........Windlance!

　A spear of wind is released.
　But it did not reach me.
　The wind spear hits the empty space and disappears, leaving ripples of light.
　I can't even feel the breeze.

Ke-Warding!　Light magic?
Oh, warding is a light attribute.

　I mutter vaguely.
　It's a simple ward made of eight Hitogata, but there's no sign that Gurai will be able to break it.

　I take a new Hitogata in my hand.

　----I'm not going to be able to get out of it.

Windlance!　Wind Lance!
Shut up. No more magic.

　He drew a mark on Glai's Hitogata with his spell power.

　Glai also swung his wand down with the vocalization of the name of the jutsu.
　But this time, nothing happens.

''...?　Windlance!　d*mn it, Flame Note!　What is that, magic...?　What the hell did you do!
And don't move.

　I hit Hitogata with my hand, which is filled with magical power.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
Is this a dark attribute?

　It's true that it looks like darkness, though.

　The light and dark attributes here don't seem to correspond to the yang and yin of the yin and yang dao at all.

Huh.....

　I sighed and approached Glai carelessly.
　And then I crushed Hitogata's right leg.

Gaaaaaaaah!

　Gry screams and falls to his right knee and falls to the ground.
　His face is covered in dirt because he didn't even touch it properly.

'Hey brother Gurai. If you're going to say no conditions, then maybe brother Gurai should have brought a sword. You are somewhat good at swordsmanship, right?　Well, it doesn't matter if this happens.

　He says, and crushes his left hand part.
　Glei screams again.

''Oh, oh, you........what is this, this magic.......I've never heard of this.......''
That's it. Don't you think it's funny?

　I walk around Glai as he lies on the ground, talking.

"You can do anything with magic, you know.　After all, it's technology that can break into the reasoning of the world. I can curse people from afar and kill them, and I know where to find what I want and what the future holds. I can heal any wound or sickness, and in some cases, death, even the soul, at will.

　I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the four attributes of magic, fire and wind. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say. Hey, are you listening to me, brother Gurai?

　When I looked at him, Glei looked out of breath.
　As expected, he didn't even scream on the fourth one.
　By the way, I'm unharmed by the pain right now, but if I'm left alone, my limbs will take a few days to rot away.
　Here's the curse.

What do you think, brother Gurai? Do you give up?
I surrender, sir.
I forgive you.

　One stroke of the human gut.
　Then all the wrinkles that had been crushed are stretched out and it's back as good as new.

　I peel off the waxed hair and toss it aside.
　The curse is now completely lifted.

"Uh, uh...
Well, I guess I can't move for a while longer... But you will keep your promise. You must tell your father that you will get out of the game tomorrow and leave home quickly to join the army. Don't talk about it any more than you already have. Well, then, that's that.

　Without looking back, I leave the exercise area.
　Well, that was a lot of work, wasn't it?

"Hmm. You are a completely untrained person to challenge Seika-sama with that level of skill.

　Through her hair, Yuki in her fox form peeks out of her hair.

'But is it alright?　I've shown you some of your power, Seika-sama, and now you have to let me live.
I made a promise to Luft.

　He said he would moderate it.

　I hope this is a lesson for you, as my brother predicted.


****


　The next day.
　He didn't wake up while he was asleep, and the duel was a no-win situation for me.
　By the way, it wasn't my fault that he got a fever.

　The next day, he didn't come out of bed, and the duel was a no-win situation for me.
　You should be thankful for that.