<Prima Materia = Encoding = Material Code>
<Material Code = Decoding>
<Material Code = Processing = Deceleration = Lock>
<Embodiment = Material>
I let the code run all at once, deploying the magic. At the moment, the only magic I could fully utilize was Quick Magic, as anything else would involve codes that were far too complex.
In my current state, I didn't possess a magic area large enough to construct such intricate sequences. I was managing to hold my own with Quick Magic alone, but for this specific battle, that was already more than enough.
I continued to manifest Ice Pillars. Aster-senpai destroyed them one after another, but that was exactly what I wanted.
The only thing that mattered was closing the distance while staying out of his line of sight.
Bit by bit, I narrowed the gap between us. Aster-senpai clearly understood that he would be at a disadvantage in a cross-range fight, and his magical barrage grew even more intense.
He deployed Thunder Snakes as if to ensnare me while using Icicle Pierces for suppression. All the while, he continued to melt the Ice Pillars I created.
He even applied Material Shift to the wreckage of the Icicle Pierces scattered on the ground, creating Ice Walls to cut off my retreat.
His magical prowess was overwhelming.
The title of the top sorcerer at Mercrose Magic Academy certainly wasn't just for show.
To deploy such a vast number of spells in parallel while maintaining sufficient power... unlike Amelia, I hadn't thought his magic area was that large, but it seemed I had miscalculated.
He possessed a significant innate magic area and the code construction techniques required to utilize all that magic simultaneously. Without a doubt, Aster-senpai ranked among the elite of all sorcerers at this moment.
I wasn't just referring to his status as a student, but to his standing among all sorcerers currently existing in this world.
However, I had already seen the bottom of his reservoir. My analysis of his magical tendencies was nearly complete.
I hadn't just been running around creating Ice Pillars for nothing.
It had also been a way to buy time.
Sorcerers almost inevitably have certain habits that manifest in their magic. Even when activating the same spell, the execution varies from person to person.
Beyond just watching with my eyes, I used my senses to feel the Prima Materia being deployed in the area.
Ultimately, if you understand the flow of Prima Materia, you can understand the signs of a spell's activation.
"It’s almost time..."
Whether he had finally lost his patience or not, his offensive against me finally slackened. However, that didn't mean he had given up.
What he was trying to activate was undoubtedly his Origin Magic.
I had expected this. Since he was so fixated on me, he was bound to play his trump card once he felt backed into a corner.
But there was also the fact that I had led him to this point. I had intentionally focused on defense to pressure him into this very situation.
However, the one weakness of Origin Magic is its long activation time.
For example, Amelia’s Butterfly Effect is a powerful Origin Magic, but because the code is so incredibly complex, it takes a significant amount of time to activate.
The only sorcerers capable of activating Origin Magic in an instant are the Seven Grand Sorcerers or those of comparable skill.
To buy the time needed for his Origin Magic, Aster-senpai switched to minimal suppression. At the same time, he began deploying a series of Delay Magic traps.
The spell triggered by the Delay Magic was Ice Wall.
It was likely the most effective magic for stalling.
"I have no choice but to use it..."
My surroundings were soon completely boxed in by walls of ice. Normally, the only option here would be to destroy the ice, likely by using a counter-spell to force a way through.
But I possessed one of my essences: Restoration.
It is the ability to return magic to its state as Prima Materia. I decided to temporarily release that power.
<Anti-Material Code: Restoration>
<Material = Anti-Material Code>
<Material: Restoration = Prima Materia>
Targeting the towering wall of ice before me, I designated the coordinates and activated the Anti-Material Code, intending to create a hole just large enough for one person to pass through.
"—Anti-Material Code, Activate."
In an instant, a hole appeared in the ice. The remnants of the Prima Materia produced by the Restoration fluttered through the air like dust.
And there, at the end of my line of sight, was Aster-senpai, still attempting to activate his Origin Magic.
The space around him had become so saturated with Prima Materia that it was practically visible to the naked eye.
I sprinted forward to stop the activation.
I dashed through the castle, my boots crunching against the ice on the floor. In my fight against Hartnett-senpai, I had given her the window to activate her Origin Magic; this time, I had vowed before the match to learn from that mistake and never let it happen again.
"—I thought as much. I knew you would break through."
I heard those words faintly.
Simultaneously, the ground began to glow with a pale blue light. It was the sign of Delay Magic.
I see. He must have assumed I would try to stop his Origin Magic and had constructed a separate Delay Magic trap just in case.
"Now, this is the end."
However, things didn't go as he predicted.
<Anti-Material Code: Restoration>
<Material = Anti-Material Code>
<Material: Restoration = Prima Materia>
The Anti-Material Code isn't only effective against active spells. It is an ability that restores any matter or phenomenon to Prima Materia.
It worked just as well on the Delay Magic that was currently triggering. Furthermore, I restored the very surface of the castle floor where the Delay Magic was anchored to Prima Materia.
In an instant.
A flash of bluish-white Prima Materia overflowed. It was the residue of the Anti-Material Code I had activated in a heartbeat.
"...H-How is this possible!?"
His face was a mask of pure shock. Aster-senpai was completely dazed, allowing me to close into cross-range.
"Senpai. Prepare yourself—"
I muttered the words and drove a fist packed with all my strength into his midsection.
From the sensation of the impact, it felt like my voice had snapped him back to reality just enough for him to barely mount a defense.
Still, I had thrown that punch with the full intention of knocking him out. Even with his defense, it was a direct hit.
He managed to stay conscious, but he looked up at me with a pained expression.
"Guh... uugh..."
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
I gave a short bow and prepared to leave to regroup with Amelia and Ariane... but at that moment, a siren blared throughout the arena.
It seemed our strategy had been a success.
That was one win. If we won the next match, we would secure the victory. Aster-senpai stood up unsteadily and approached me.
"It seems that while we were busy... your teammates managed to take the flag..."
"Yes. I look forward to our next round."
"No, we’re forfeiting here."
"...Is that so?"
I was surprised. I could still feel the spirit to fight in him, yet he made the choice.
"I used more magic than I intended. Plus, to draw you in, I had to put on a serious show of activating my Origin Magic. My Prima Materia is near its limit."
"I see."
"I’ll have to apologize properly to the other two."
He shrugged his shoulders lightly. He looked remarkably refreshed.
Then, Aster-senpai reached out a hand toward me.
"Thank you. It was a good match."
"The pleasure was mine. Your magic was wonderful."
"You really are... something else. Well, I already knew that back in the qualifiers. You’re truly amazing."
"You flatter me."
"I’ll keep polishing my magic so I don’t lose to you next time. Thank you. It was a great fight."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Shortly after, Team Aster officially declared their forfeiture. With that, our advancement to the semi-finals as Team Algren was confirmed.
I glanced down at my hand.
I had been forced to use my essence, but... everything seemed fine. There were no abnormalities in my magic area.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze.
I whipped around toward the source of the sensation, but there was no one there. And yet, I felt certain that someone had been watching me.
—Was it just my imagination, or...?
Brushing the feeling aside for the moment, I headed off to regroup with Amelia and Ariane.