"He’s strong. Or rather, he’s shrewd, isn't he?"
"Fufu. I raised him with my own two hands. It’s only natural."
At the Colosseum, Lydia, Carla, and Lise occupied the very front row, where the monitors were most visible. Carla had secured seats for the three of them, and they were currently observing the match.
At that moment, Ray’s team had completely secured the first capture point and was en route to the second.
"Ray likely intends to settle this match early. And he’ll do it with a flawless strategy."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Truly, he’s just like me. Fufu."
A smile spilled across Lydia’s lips. It was only natural; she had long yearned to see Ray succeed. Previously, she’d been reduced to watching from the shadows—acts bordering on stalking—but now she could observe him openly. Furthermore, she was delighted that his fighting style resembled her own.
One could call it doting, but no one bothered to point that out anymore.
"Oh. They’ve reached the next point. Regardless, his team’s level of coordination is high. They seem intimately familiar with forest warfare."
"Indeed. Ray is a given, but Amelia Rose and Ariane Algren are also quite well-prepared. Ray’s instruction is likely excellent."
Lise analyzed the situation calmly. Despite her detached tone, her evaluation of Ray remained consistently high.
"Come to think of it, Lise, you looked after Amelia Rose for a bit too, didn't you?"
"Yes. At Ray White’s request, I provided her with magic instruction."
"...How was she?" Lydia’s voice turned serious.
Amelia Rose was likely the sorcerer closest to becoming one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers. Her magic, which interfered with causality, was simply too powerful. Lydia was curious about how the girl had progressed under Lise’s tutelage.
"Let’s see. From what I’ve seen, she will likely become the next of the Seven Grand Sorcerers."
"I thought as much."
"Yes. I am also considering retirement soon."
"...Has it already come for you?"
"Yes. It must be the same for the rest of you, isn't it? Though it seems you were early, Lydia-senpai."
Their gazes met. They both understood exactly what those words implied; it was a tacit understanding between them.
"So the hypothesis is indeed correct."
"Yes. The Seven Grand Sorcerers are cyclical. They revolve in the same period. While there are exceptions, the fundamental structure is the same."
"However, the cause remains unknown. All we know is the cycle..."
"I wonder if Akasha has a will of its own?" Lise asked, but Lydia simply gave a light shrug.
"Who knows. Ray is the only one who can perceive it. And apparently, he can only perceive it when he’s in that state."
"I see. That is far too dangerous."
"Yeah. That is something one must not touch. I, too, almost lost everything to it."
They cut the topic there and shifted their focus back to the match.
"...This match. It’s Ray’s victory."
"Is that so? The opponents seem to be closing in."
"Ray is only letting them do that. The conclusion will likely be reached at the fourth capture point."
"The fourth? Not the third?"
"Yeah. Even if he plans to end it early, he doesn't intend to deny the opponent every single point. He’s likely looking ahead to what comes next. Ray’s team really is highly proficient. The only team that might pose a challenge will likely be Lucas Forst’s."
"The Absolute Blade, is it..."
Both of them were aware that the title of the Absolute Blade Sorcerer had been passed down. And, of course, they understood the history and karma inherited from the previous generation. They didn't know if that had been passed down to the current Absolute Blade... but they believed that Lucas Forst certainly had some personal feelings regarding Ray.
"Now then, the situation is moving."
Simultaneously with Lydia’s words, the match began to develop even further.
◇
At the second capture point, although the enemy had moved there first, we caught up immediately and occupied the point. Afterward, we proceeded according to plan, perfectly neutralizing the movements of our three opponents.
Ariane and I sowed chaos on the front lines while Amelia supported us from the rear. It was a simple but powerful tactic, and the opponents remained helpless against it.
In the first place, relying entirely on Quick Magic meant they lacked sufficient offensive power. Even if they tried to select other magic, we wouldn't give them the time to do so. Activating Extensive Magic required the vanguard to buy time. For that reason, Team Hartnett—where everyone specialized in magic—could be said to be the team we were most compatible against.
The opponents were already starting to panic, as evidenced by the disorder in their magic. Likely due to their haste, their code construction was becoming sloppy. Such magic would not work against us.
Realizing the second point was a lost cause, Team Hartnett immediately moved toward the third capture point.
"Things are proceeding smoothly, aren't they?"
"Yeah. They seem quite agitated."
I discussed the situation with Ariane and then moved toward Amelia. One minute remained. We would likely be able to occupy all the points at this base as well. The magic tool hanging from Amelia’s chest had accumulated about two-thirds of the bright red Prima Materia.
"Amelia. Let's stick to the plan for the next one, too."
"Yes. Understood."
Then, we also sprinted toward the next base.
Upon arriving at the third capture point, the three people already occupying it glared at us. Squinting my eyes, I saw that Delay Magic had been laid out in the surrounding area. However, we had already predicted this.
"Let’s go, you two."
"Yes."
"Understood."
That’s right. We had intended to let the enemy have the entirety of the third point from the start. When we attempted to bypass it and ignore them, Hartnett-senpai wore an expression of agony. It was no exaggeration to say that we already dominated the match.
If they could get points under these circumstances, they had to take them. However, at the fourth capture point, we would be able to prepare as thoroughly as they had at the third. Should they try to prevent our preparation, or should they take all the points at the third base? The conclusion Hartnett-senpai and her team reached after much agonizing was to take all the points.
We had predicted that as well.
Thus, we arrived at the fourth point immediately. I gave instructions to Ariane and Amelia to set up Delay Magic. The match would likely end at this base. We couldn't afford to be careless yet, but with that determination, we prepared for our third clash.
"...You've really done it now."
Hartnett-senpai arrived, grinding her teeth, her eyes burning with rage. Her beautiful face contorted as she tightly clenched her fists.
"How dare you pull a stunt like this... You’ve made a fool of me!"
We faced her voice of rage. I had heard from Amelia and Ariane that this might happen—that she would likely be dominated by her emotions. To think even this had gone according to plan. I think she truly is a straightforward person.
"Very well. I have endured this far, but I shall show you my true power. You should feel honored."
In an instant, a massive amount of Prima Materia began to converge upon her. The magic she was about to activate was likely either Extensive Magic or Extensive Chain Magic.
We had already begun moving to stop her, but the Charlier sisters stood in our way. A thick wall of ice manifested. They likely intended to exhaust their strength here to allow Hartnett-senpai to activate her magic. The magic of the Charlier sisters, fueled by their iron will to protect her, could not be broken immediately even by Ariane and me.
And while we were struggling to break through, her magic construction was completed.
"Now. Dance in my garden."
Following those words, a world of deep, transparent green appeared as far as the eye could see.
"—Emerald Garden."