Chapter 50: A Victory Grasped

My ice sword, Glacies, was a blade of absolute zero. Even a glancing blow—a mere scratch—was enough to inflict devastating damage. If it touched bare skin, the resulting scar would be something too horrific to look at.

Fortunately, we were fighting in an arena protected by a special magical field, and Milica had changed into her training combat gear. Because of those safeguards, the damage from my ice sword was calculated numerically.

I didn't have to hold back. I couldn't hold back.

Weiss, please watch me. Watch who I’ve become.

“Match, start!” the announcer bellowed.

Milica still looked like she was reeling from shock. I didn’t give her time to recover. I closed the distance using Silent Step, a technique Lilith-san had taught me. By subtly varying my stride, I could make it appear to my opponent as if I had suddenly teleported right in front of them.

Until now, I had always specialized in long-range magic. I’d been terrible at close-quarters combat, and for the longest time, I had just told myself that was okay. I’d accepted it.

But not anymore. Those days were over.

“Haaaaaah!”

Milica raised her sword to intercept me. A moment later, blades of compressed air imbued with magic came flying my way.

“Don’t get it twisted! I’ve been practicing all sorts of things too!” she screamed.

I didn't even bother to dodge. I charged straight ahead. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“W-Why?! You’re taking them head-on!”

From her perspective, it must have looked like her attacks were hitting home. But right now, my body was enveloped in a faint, shimmering aura of ice magic. If I had to name it, I’d call it Ice Shadow. It created an optical refraction that made me appear shifted from my actual position.

It was a technique I’d come up with on my own. And, much to my surprise, it worked exactly as Teacher Milk had predicted.

“Lady Cynthia, they say offense is the best defense, but do you truly understand the essence of that phrase?”

“Um, does it mean that if I attack more, the opponent has no choice but to defend?”

“That’s part of it. But from my perspective, it’s different. We all unconsciously divide our magic between offense and defense. Usually, we do it intentionally at the end, but what happens to an opponent when they see your Glacies? Suppose they have 100 magic points. Normally, they’d put 30 into defense and 70 into offense. But the moment they see that sword, they are forced to flip those numbers. That is the true essence.”

This was my first time putting it into practice. I had studied Milica’s previous matches, and the power of her attacks was clearly weaker now. Or rather, she had been forced to weaken them to prioritize her own safety.

“—I absolutely cannot lose!” I declared.

Milica was desperate now, her movements frantic as she tried to defend herself, but she still hadn't seen through my Ice Shadow. She swung her sword wildly, but it didn't even come close to me.

On the counter-stroke, I delivered a sharp blow to her shoulder. The numerical value for that area must have hit its limit, because the limb immediately began to freeze over.

Milica gasped, hurriedly leaping back and clutching her frozen shoulder. This was a massive lead.

“Wh-What is this?! Milica’s attacks aren’t landing, yet Cynthia is scoring hits with ease! What on earth is happening to Nobless Academy this year?!”

I couldn't afford to be overconfident, though. This was where the real fight began. This was where she showed her true self.

“...I’m impressed,” Milica panted. “Honestly, I thought you were just coasting on your talent and would never change. But I’m actually happy, Cynthia. If you’re going this far, then I’ll face you with everything I’ve got!”

I hadn’t entered the Sword-Magic Cup on a whim either. I had researched Milica until I knew her better than she knew herself. Her attribute was Fire. Much like Lilith-san, she could shroud her blade in flames while simultaneously cloaking her body in fire to create a seamless offense and defense.

I knew that now was my best chance to strike. I knew it logically. But doing it that way felt meaningless. My goal wasn't just to win; it was to prove that I had become strong.

“I-Is this Milica’s true form?!” the announcer screamed. “Her sword is wreathed in fire, and flames are pouring from her very body!”

“The real fight starts now, Cynthia!”

The next second, she vanished as if she had teleported. By burning her flames at a high intensity, she was likely reducing air resistance to near zero, granting her a burst of instantaneous speed.

“I didn't think I'd actually have to use this,” a voice whispered from behind me.

She was right there. She swung a heavy blow aimed straight at my neck. It was a high-output attack. If that single strike landed, my magic would be forcibly expelled, and I’d likely lose consciousness on the spot.

But that’s only if it hits.

I leaped high into the air. I couldn't use Flight Magic like Carta-san, and I had failed to master Weiss’s Unnatural wall. However, I still had my ice. Until now, I simply hadn't put in the effort to truly master the gift the heavens had given me.

But I was different now.

Ice Float!

By blasting ice magic from the soles of my feet toward the ground, I propelled my body upward with a violent surge. It was like an internal combustion engine. When combined with my Ice Shadow, all she would be able to see were flickering afterimages.

Milica, this match is over. I’ve won.

“Ice Lance!”

I unleashed a barrage of ice shards from high above. Milica’s reflexes were nothing short of incredible; she sensed the attack and threw herself into an evasive maneuver.

“Wh—! Kgh!”

But she was completely out of options. I wasn't going to let this chance slip away.

“This is the end!”

Letting gravity take hold, I dove straight down, thrusting Glacies toward Milica. At the very last second, she managed to jerk her head aside, and my blade pierced her arm instead.

She let out a sharp cry of pain as her right arm went limp. It wasn't a permanent injury, but as a swordswoman, losing her dominant arm meant the end of the line.

Weiss, did you see? I...

“Milica, do you still wish to continue?”

Even with one arm, she gritted her teeth and raised her sword. God, she was amazing. The "Golden Generation" title wasn't just for show.

But I couldn't afford to be kind. Not today. Because I am the fiancée of Weiss Fancent.

“The winner is Cynthia Violetta! Milica refused to give up even with only one arm, but the lead Cynthia established early on was simply too much to overcome!”

“Holy crap! Did you see that magic?!”

“Unbelievable! Cynthia-san is incredible!”

“Lady Cynthia, congratulations!”

I looked toward the stands and caught Lilith’s eye. She was beaming at me, looking genuinely happy. Thank you, Lilith-san.

As I made my way back to our camp from the arena floor, I saw Weiss waiting for me. My heart gave a little flutter.

“Cynthia—”

“Weiss,” I interrupted, my voice firm despite the adrenaline still coursing through me. “I am your fiancée, but I have no intention of just sitting idly by your side. I will become a woman worthy of you. So please, look at me the same way you look at everyone else.”

I realized I probably sounded a bit full of myself. But that was fine. We were equals. There was no hierarchy between us anymore.

Weiss looked surprised for a moment, then a soft smile broke across his face. He held out his hand. I reached out and gave it a firm, triumphant slap—a high-five.

“Well done, Cynthia.”

“Fufu. Yes!”

Ah... finally. I felt like I could finally say, if only a little bit, that I deserved to stand beside him.

I love you from the bottom of my heart, Weiss.