“Your reputation as Crimson wasn’t just for show... I suppose I should leave it at that.”
The match had concluded. Digma spoke to Rei while sliding his Magic Sword back into its sheath. Rei gave a slight shrug as he swung his Death Scythe, extinguishing the Flame Bird, and finally spoke.
“The conditions were in my favor this time.”
He shot a glance toward the stage, which was currently flooded with a massive volume of water. The Management Committee Members were working frantically to drain it off the arena floor. It was only natural—another semi-final match was scheduled immediately after this one. Or rather, for the spectators in the stands, the next match was the real draw.
It was the turn of the S-Rank Adventurer, Noise the Immovable.
“It is true that I was unable to give my all. I will concede that much.”
Rei nodded inwardly at Digma’s cool-headed composure even in defeat. To begin with, the Water Dragon Digma had summoned was a ‘dragon’ in name only, consisting of nothing more than a head. If he had been at full strength, he likely would have lived up to his alias by creating and manipulating a complete, full-sized Water Dragon.
As a specialist in wide-area annihilation magic himself, Rei knew immediately that an arena of this size restricted Digma too much for him to truly get serious.
“However...” Digma continued, as if reading Rei’s thoughts. “You likely struggled with the constraints of this stage as well, didn't you, Rei? After all, you weren't able to use that famous Firestorm of yours.”
“Ah—well, yeah. I guess so.”
Rei gave a vague, non-committal answer. The Firestorm that had earned him the alias of Crimson was a phenomenon that required Seto’s cooperation. Therefore, even if they had been fighting in a wasteland or an open meadow rather than on a stage, he wouldn't have used it here.
(In that sense, the fact that the name Crimson applies to both me and Seto is actually quite accurate.)
Rei muttered to himself as he used the Misty Ring to Store his Death Scythe. To the public, Seto was simply a Gryphon that Rei had Tamed. But to Rei, who knew Seto had been created through Beast Magic—as the creator, it was only natural—the two of them together, as a pair, were Crimson.
“Hm? Is something wrong?” Digma asked, noticing Rei’s pensive expression. Rei shook his head.
“Nothing. I was just thinking... about how I’m going to handle Noise in our match the day after tomorrow.”
“I see. Well, there is a very slim chance that Noise might lose this next match, though...”
“Not a chance,” Rei said, flatly rejecting the idea.
For Rei, fighting Noise in the Finals was already a foregone conclusion. He saw no scenario where that would change. Digma widened his eyes slightly at Rei’s certainty, but a moment later, a smile touched his lips and he nodded.
“Indeed, it’s almost impossible for the Immovable to lose a semi-final. Though, by that logic, wouldn't it be equally impossible for him to lose in the finals?”
“Ordinarily, perhaps. But since I knew I’d have to face him if I reached the end, I’ve made my own preparations.”
“...Like that Wind Magic from earlier?”
Rei gave another small shrug but remained silent. He was well aware that people assumed he was a specialist in Flame Magic because of his alias and the Firestorm from the Spring War. He had been intentionally utilizing those rumors to his advantage.
In truth, the only magic Rei could cast personally was Flame Magic. However, the Death Scythe itself possessed skills. By utilizing them, he could feign the use of Wind Magic or Earth Magic.
Sensing that Digma was referring to Flying Slash and Magic Shield, Rei maintained his composure while letting out a quiet internal sigh. As long as the Death Scythe’s skills remained a secret, they could have been game-changing trump cards against Noise. But he had been forced to use them—or more accurately, Digma had pushed him to the point where he had no choice.
(It’s impossible... that he wasn't watching.)
Rei glanced toward the VIP Room and confirmed that Noise and the Emperor were both present. They appeared to be deep in conversation, but as long as they were in that room, there was no way they had missed his battle.
“You’ll just have to look forward to the day after tomorrow to see what else is in my hand.”
“Hm? I see. If you say so, Rei, then I shall look forward to it. It seems you have plenty of cards besides just Wind Magic. ...Still, that shield was incredible. I never expected the Water Dragon’s strike to be completely neutralized.”
“...I bet.”
As Rei answered, he felt a faint twinge of anxiety.
(The Water Dragon tried to bite through the Magic Shield and just kept grinding its teeth against it, so it was counted as a single continuous attack. Given how the Magic Shield works, if it had failed to bite through, pulled back, and then tried again, the shield would have vanished.)
As Rei was lost in thought, the Referee, who had been watching them from a short distance, spoke up hesitantly.
“I am terribly sorry to interrupt, but we must prepare for the next match. I must ask you to clear the stage.”
The Referee’s tone was exceptionally polite, likely due to Digma’s high standing within the Bestia Empire. If Rei had been alone, the man probably would have spoken with his usual bluntness.
“Ah, my apologies. ...Though it’s ironic for the man who created this flood to say it, I suppose I did go a bit overboard. ...Wait, just a moment.”
“Pardon? Oh, very well. I don't mind.”
Nodding at the Referee, Digma stepped forward.
“Water Spirit, gather before me.”
With that short incantation, his Spirit Magic activated. The massive amount of water still covering the stage rose into the air, swirling together before Digma into a single, enormous sphere. The spectators, still buzzing with excitement from the previous fight, erupted into a chorus of amazement, admiration, and cheers at the sight of the giant Water Ball.
Digma looked out at the crowd, then turned his gaze back to the sphere under his control. A significant amount of the water had been vaporized by Rei’s Flame Bird, yet there was still enough left to fill an entire pond.
(To think that a bird of fire could punch through this much water. He truly is an outlier in every sense of the word.)
Digma glanced at Rei and allowed his lips to curve into a faint smile before pouring more Magic Power into his next incantation.
“Water Spirit, dance in the sky and show your beauty to all.”
As the Spirit Magic took effect, the massive sphere of water soared high into the air and instantly shattered into a fine mist. Though it was already autumn, for the spectators flushed with the heat of the battle, the mist felt like a refreshing, cool breeze rather than a chill. Sunlight poured through the mist and the clear autumn sky, creating Over 20 Rainbows that dazzled the crowd.
“Heh...”
Even Rei, standing right next to Digma, found himself captivated by the rainbows.
(Maybe... just maybe, there’s a one-in-a-million chance for an upset.)
Digma glanced at Rei’s wonder-struck face and muttered to himself, reflecting on their match. Deciding that lingering any longer would be boorish, he turned and headed straight for the Waiting Room. By the time Rei noticed he was leaving and went to call out to him, Digma had already given a light farewell wave and disappeared.
Ultimately, it was only after the rainbows covering the sky faded that the spectators—and the Referee—realized Digma had gone. Snapping back to his senses, Rei watched as the stage was cleared for the next match before departing as well.
He wasn't going home, of course. Since this was the final match before he had to face Noise, he intended to observe it closely and analyze as much of Noise’s strength as he could.
(I ended up showing Flying Slash and Magic Shield in the fight with Digma. I’d like him to show me something of equal value on his end... but we’ll see.)
Thinking this, Rei made his way to the VIP Room. While he usually preferred watching from the spectator stands, he wanted to observe this match in peace and quiet, free from the distractions of the rowdy crowd.
“Yo, Rei. A fine victory. Here.”
The moment Rei entered the VIP Room, Elk called out to him and tossed a cloth bag his way. Rei caught it, immediately noting that it was significantly heavier than when he had first handed it over.
(Since the opponent was a famous A-Rank Alias Holder, I guess there were plenty of people who didn't think a B-Rank like me could win, alias or not.)
Accepting the logic, he gave Elk a brief word of thanks and Stored the bag inside his Misty Ring. The extra coin was a welcome bonus, but his focus was entirely on the upcoming match. Sensing Rei’s intensity, Elk shrugged.
“Relax. The match hasn't started yet.”
On the stage below, Noise and his opponent were just beginning to face off. Rei was slightly disappointed to realize he had missed the Live Commentator’s introduction of the challenger, but Min spoke up to fill him in.
As for Daskar, whom the two were guarding, he was currently occupied with diplomatic duties, speaking with Nobles from the Empire’s neighbors and distant nations. While the Fighting Tournament was the main event, for the aristocracy, it was primarily a venue for networking. Since Daskar had been a key figure in the Spring War, many were eager to establish a connection with him.
Rei watched Daskar, who wore a polite smile but clearly looked exhausted by the repetitive social maneuvering, and thought once again that being a Noble seemed like an immense amount of trouble.
“Noise’s opponent is a B-Rank Adventurer well-known as a Magic Spear User,” Min explained.
“A Magic Spear, huh.”
At the mention of the weapon, the face of a certain arrogant spearman from his past briefly crossed Rei’s mind, but he quickly shook the memory away. He didn't need the past right now. He needed to look toward the future.
With that thought, he fixed his gaze on the stage. As if waiting for Rei to be ready, the Referee announced the start of the match.
The Magic Spear User moved first. Judging that he had no chance if he allowed Noise to take the initiative, he kicked off the stage with an explosive burst of speed and thrust his spear toward the waiting Noise.
However, in Rei’s estimation, the man could have taken his time. He had watched several of Noise’s matches, and the man always allowed his opponents the first move, preferring to win through counters.
This match was no different. The challenger unleashed a flurry of swift, sharp thrusts.
“Is that spear enveloped in wind?” Rei asked.
“Yes,” Min replied. “He uses those currents to extend his reach and pull off irregular attacks from unexpected angles.”
As Min spoke, the truth of her words unfolded on the stage. Noise was parrying with his sword even when the spear tip clearly shouldn't have been able to reach him. Sharp, explosive cracks echoed throughout the arena with every exchange.
“I see. So that’s how it works.”
“Exactly. He can attack along the line of the spear’s point or lash out with wind from the sides of the shaft. ...Though, in this case, he just had the worst possible opponent.”
Ordinarily, facing a wind-shrouded spear would cause at least a moment of confusion. Even if one knew about the trick beforehand, actually experiencing it in combat required a period of adjustment.
But Noise had parried the very first strike perfectly. And he didn't stop there. Every subsequent attack was parried with the same effortless precision.
“He really does have the worst opponent,” Rei murmured. “Against anyone else, he wouldn't be struggling like this.”
The Magic Spear User was fighting with everything he had, desperately pouring his strength into his attacks. When the Main Tournament had begun and Noise’s entry was announced, few believed anyone could actually beat him. But those who had survived this long were driven by a different spirit—they challenged him with the genuine intent to find a path to victory. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that anyone without that level of determination wouldn't have made it this far.
Regardless, the spearman continued to press Noise with every technique in his repertoire.
“He’s strong. ...Are you really going to be okay, Rei?” Elk asked, his voice tinged with uncharacteristic worry.
Rei understood what Elk was implying. If the goal was simply to draw the attention of the Imperial Upper Management, there was no actual need to defeat Noise. But Rei shook his head.
“If I'm going to do this, I’m going to win.”
It wasn't as if Noise could have heard those whispered words from the stage. Yet, at that exact moment, Noise turned his gaze directly toward Rei. A slight curve touched his lips—a gesture that was barely a smile.
Rei saw the expression clearly. In the next instant, Noise’s longsword was suddenly encased in a layer of frost. When it struck the challenger’s spear, the man’s arm was instantly frozen solid.
Then, the Magic Sword Blade erupted into flames as Noise swung it down to deliver the final blow.
“The winner—Noise!”