236 Genius vs. Genius

"Alright, I can see everything from here," I whispered to myself.

I was soaring high above the Royal Castle. A Barrier had been erected overhead, preventing me from flying as high as I usually would, but this vantage point still gave me a clear view of everyone’s movements.

"Olynn-san, I’ll keep an eye on the area around the North Gate."

"Got it," Olin Pastel replied. "I’ll watch the opposite side."

After our battle with the Four Dragons, Olynn-san’s Mana had increased significantly. He was even able to keep pace with me using Flight Magic right now.

To be honest, though, I was still reeling. Duke-san and Cecil-san had been defeated, and I was completely at a loss for words. Before this exam started, we’d all sat down to discuss just how vital this battle was. We’d gone into this with every intention of winning.

No... there’s no point in grieving now.

If Cecil-san wasn't here to lead, then I was the one who had to keep track of everyone’s movements. This battle was too important—it was the deciding factor in whether Weiss-kun, Allen-kun, and Lilith-san would be allowed to remain enrolled at the academy—

"Flight Magic is a complex Magic Formula," a voice suddenly cut through my thoughts. "One must constantly balance the Mana required to counteract gravity and generate lift, all while maintaining perfect equilibrium. And yet, you handle it as easily as if you were merely taking a stroll."

Priscilla Shertz appeared from behind the spire of the Royal Castle. She was perched atop a massive black staff, riding it much like Sierra-san handled her scythe.

A second later, Olynn-san’s panicked scream echoed from behind me.

"W-Why are you here?!"

"Carta Wiore, your Flight Magic is truly something to behold," Neil Albert said, appearing seemingly out of thin air. "Your skillful magic manipulation is likely world-class. And Olin Pastel... you might have been the second most troublesome opponent in this exam. Unfortunately for you, the setting didn't do you any favors. If this were a forest teeming with monsters, we might have hesitated to target you."

Neil was floating there with his hands tucked casually in his pockets, not even bothering to use a staff.

We had only decided to head for the Royal Castle because Cecil-san had been taken out, and we’d been so careful to stay out of sight! How on earth were they waiting for us?! Did they read us like a book?!

"The movements of capable people are quite easy to predict," Priscilla said, as if reading my mind. "It’s because you always strive for the optimal solution."

With those words, Priscilla raised both hands toward the sky.

Ever since Cynthia-san snapped my staff, I had spent every waking moment honing my Shield. I’d practiced until my fingers bled so that no matter what kind of attack came my way, my defense would never break, and I would never fall. Even against Upperclassmen, I had confidence in my Mana.

I’ll show them. I’ll take everything they’ve got!

I focused, wrapping my body and my staff in a shimmering Shield. The moment Priscilla swung her hands down, I braced for impact—

"—W-Wait, what is this?!"

Suddenly, my entire world flipped upside down. My stomach did a somersault as the sky and ground traded places. In my panic, I tried to right myself, but instead of soaring into the blue sky, I found myself plummeting toward the earth. Priscilla was diving right after me.

"To defeat a Flight Follower, one must first manipulate the air resistance relative to Gravity," she explained calmly. "I do apologize. This is a technique taught in the Upperclassmen curriculum, so I don't expect you to know the countermeasure."

She manifested fire and water magic in her hands, launching both spells simultaneously. They hurtled toward me and—exploded right in my face.

—DOGOOOOOOOOOON!

The force was staggering. A direct hit like that should have triggered an immediate Forced Teleportation. I was going to lose. I was going to be kicked out!

No! I won't let it end like this!

I forced my eyes to stay open, staring straight into the heart of the magical explosion. Even if I was falling, the sky was my domain. Weiss-kun had praised me. He told me my magic was amazing!

I am not losing in a place like this!

I wrenched my body around, regaining my posture and spiraling out of the way just a hair’s breadth before a follow-up Mana Cannon could delete me. Without losing momentum, I kicked off the air and rocketed back into the heights.

"...Incredible," Priscilla murmured, her eyes widening. "To break out of that on her own without any formal training... So this is what a genius of Flight Magic looks like."

It would take time for Priscilla to fly back up to this altitude. My priority now was to grab Olynn-san and get out of here. I just had to keep standing. I knew that better than anyone—

"C-Carta-san... run..."

The moment I reached the peak of my ascent, I froze. My heart sank into my shoes. There was Olynn-san, already being enveloped in the white light of a Forced Teleportation. He’d been taken out in a matter of seconds.

"You surprised me, Olin Pastel," Neil said, looking slightly disheveled. "I didn't expect to take this much damage without even being hit by a Subjugation."

Mana was visibly leaking from Neil’s body. Olynn-san had clearly landed a massive blow before going down. It wasn't for nothing, I told myself. Weiss-kun and Allen-kun can use this. They can turn this around—

"Unfortunately, it was meaningless," Neil said.

Right before my eyes, the Mana that was leaking out of him suddenly reversed course, flowing back into his body as if the wound had never existed. He looked perfectly fine.

"H-How...?" I stammered.

"Sorry, but I just happen to have excellent compatibility with these Training Uniforms," Neil replied.

[Olin Pastel eliminated. Points awarded to Neil Albert and Priscilla Shertz.]

Olynn-san vanished in a flash of white light. But in that moment, I saw it—Neil had let his guard down. This was it. My one chance!

Now!

I thrust both hands forward and unleashed a maximum-output Mana Cannon. If Neil was the "King" of their formation, this would end the match right here. At this distance, I couldn't miss. A normal defense wouldn't stand a chance. Even the stoic Neil Albert widened his eyes in genuine shock.

"...Tremendous Mana," Neil muttered. "A direct hit would have been dangerous even for me. —Priscilla."

"On it."

But it wasn't Neil who stopped me. Priscilla Shertz intercepted the beam, somehow diverting the trajectory of the blast I’d poured my soul into. She used fire and water, but she mixed in—wind?! She had used the air pressure from a controlled explosion to blow my Mana Cannon off course.

A Coordination technique like that?! Just how many attributes can she use?!

"Goodbye, Carta Wiore."

Priscilla lunged at me. She wasn't using long-range spells anymore; she was coming in for the kill at close quarters. She manifested a Water Sword in her right hand, moving with a terrifying fluidity that reminded me of Cynthia-san. She swung the blade down with crushing force, but I refused to give up!

"—You can still manifest a Shield?" Priscilla asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Priscilla-san, please, wake up! You’re—"

The Slave Crest on her skin flashed in my vision. To gain this much power... what kind of horrible training had she been forced to endure?

But before I could say another word, Priscilla pressed her hands together and detonated a spell right between us.

"It is goodbye."

"Priscilla, are you alright?"

"Yes... however, Carta Wiore escaped," Priscilla sighed, looking down at the empty air. "I didn't think she could possibly slip away from that predicament. My apologies."

"I'm surprised, but it's not a problem," Neil replied, adjusting his collar. "She consumed a massive amount of Mana to pull that off. She won't be able to use any decent Flight Magic for the rest of this match. She's effectively out of the picture. Next."

"Are we targeting Tura Enizi?" Priscilla asked. "Her actions are... unpredictable."

"I know. If we don't find her within the next few minutes, we’ll revert to the primary plan."

"Understood."

Neil looked toward the horizon, his expression hardening. "...We will win this, no matter what. Priscilla, this is the most important part. Don't let your guard down."

"Of course, Neil-sama."