331: A New Magic (Cecil’s Side)

It had been several dozen minutes since Weiss-kun started his battle against Teacher Milk.

Even from where I stood, I could feel the terrifying pressure of their clashing mana and the literal shockwaves of their fight. It was enough to make my head spin.

Allen and the others were busy fighting Darius.

Lady Cynthia’s group was currently locked in a struggle with Teacher Coco.

And then there were Carta, Olynn, Tura, Belk, and Meryl, all of whom were tied up fighting the monsters.

But here? It was just me.

And—well, her.

"Whatever possessed you to come here?" Teacher Chloe asked, her voice cool and composed. "I believe you should be giving commands from a safe distance. Or, better yet, you should have gone to find someone—anyone—else to bring back with you."

Ouch. She really knows how to pick at my insecurities, doesn't she?

"I guess even Teacher Chloe doesn't know everything," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

"……And what is that supposed to mean?"

"The only reason I’m standing here alone is because I actually have a plan to win."

At least, I’m trying very hard to convince myself of that.

At my words, Teacher Chloe began to flow mana into the whips held in each of her hands. Suddenly, a series of sharp, dry cracks echoed through the air, the tips of her weapons moving far faster than my eyes could possibly track.

She was swinging those things at a ridiculous speed. While most people opted for swords, shields, spears, or magic staves, a weapon like the teacher's was incredibly rare.

Usually, imbuing a weapon with mana boosts its effectiveness by leaps and bounds. However, when you need the flexibility of a whip, you have to maintain its suppleness even while reinforcing it with energy. It’s a delicate, frustrating balance.

Teacher Chloe was just like me—she didn’t have much mana to work with.

That was exactly why she chose the whip. It was a calculated choice that allowed her to focus her limited energy into a single burst at the exact moment of impact.

It made perfect sense. Honestly, if I could actually master it, I’d probably be a lot more formidable than I am now. In fact, Teacher Chloe had even offered to show me the ropes once. She told me she’d teach me how to use the whip, but I’d turned her down.

If I just followed in her footsteps, I’d never actually surpass her.

It happened all the time in Battle Universe. Someone would come up with a brilliant, high-level strategy, and immediately, everyone and their mother would start trying to imitate it. But that was just a shallow copy; they weren't grasping the essence of the move.

Everything has a reason. Every choice has a meaning. The truth you finally reach after agonizing over every doubt and conflict—that is what constitutes real strength.

That was why I’d spent so much time worrying.

And finally, I’d found my answer.

A weapon and a magic that belonged to me—and only me.