I had already resigned myself to the limits of my talent.
On the other hand, when I was young, I was often showered with praise.
“As expected of the eldest son of House Alium.”
“Indeed. His magic aptitude appears to be quite high.”
“Lord Albert is truly excellent. The blood of the upper nobility is wondrous, after all.”
Growing up surrounded by those words, I fell under a delusion.
I believed that Albert Alium possessed true talent and was destined to become a magnificent sorcerer. I even harbored the arrogant childhood dream of reaching the rank of the Seven Grand Sorcerers.
However, I eventually learned of the existence of talent far greater than my own.
The Three Great Noble Families. Being of the same generation, I ended up attending the same academy as their eldest daughters. There were many nobles around me, and even among them, I was a prominent figure. However... the Three Great Noble Families weren’t just on the level of having "talent."
“Amazing! As expected of Lady Rose!”
“Lady Algren isn’t losing either!”
“As I thought, the Three Great Noble Families are just different.”
“Yeah. Without a doubt, the talent is just on another level. Pure talent.”
How should I describe the shock I felt back then? At the time, I was simply jealous of them. I could tell with a single glance.
The quality of their magic was fundamentally different from mine. It was precisely because I also possessed a certain degree of talent that I was able to grasp it—the sheer, overwhelming magnitude of their potential.
From that point on, it didn't take long for me to start neglecting my efforts.
I put my faith in talent, abandoned hard work, and looked down on those without gifted blood. This world was determined by lineage. That was how I was educated, and that was how I chose to live. My bloodline became the sole reason for my existence.
Looking back, I have to say that my meeting with Ray was fated.
Ray White.
A sorcerer from an Ordinary background. At first, his mere existence was an unbearable irritation. This was because looking at Ray reminded me of my past self.
He seemed like a mere fool who, in his ignorance, believed entirely in his own potential. I convinced myself that he was just putting on a front, pretending to be calm and collected.
However, he was one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers—the Ice Sword Sorcerer.
That man had said this:
—Talent is certainly important. However, talent is not the only factor; effort and environment are also necessary elements. All we can do is place ourselves in an appropriate environment and push forward with blunt, honest effort.
When I heard those words, I knew. No, I had known all along. I had been using my talent as an excuse to neglect my work.
If only failure awaited me at the end of my efforts, then I would rather live within the safety of my potential.
—I could do it too if I tried; if I had as much talent as the Three Great Noble Families, I could...
Trapped by such illusions, imprisoned by "potential," I had bound myself hand and foot.
It was exactly that—being bound by my own ropes.
Tied down by the chains I had forged myself, I had accepted my lot. No, I had been forced to accept it.
If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to maintain my sense of self.
To be honest, Ray's existence is still a mystery. Despite being an Ordinary, he reached the peak of the Seven Grand Sorcerers at the same age as me. I’ve heard of his past, and I know that his is a height that cannot be reached through effort alone.
But I wonder why. When I look at Ray, I feel utterly ashamed of myself for making excuses about my talent. I feel small.
But that was exactly why I felt... I felt the positive urge to move forward.
By losing to Ray, I gained the opportunity to advance. I was finally able to stand on my own two feet.
And the culmination of that journey was right now.
I am still an immature sorcerer. I am still far from the summit. Indeed, I might never reach Ray's domain even if I spend my entire life trying.
However, I was tired of making excuses about talent and living within the shadow of potential.
My life was defined by neither talent nor potential.
I would carve out my own life. For myself, and for no one else.
That was why I would stand my ground against the strongest existence before my eyes.
Until now, we had managed to maneuver effectively. But those surprise attacks would no longer work. This was the stage that Lucas-senpai had created for us.
We had successfully created a situation where Evi and I could face Ray... but from here on, we had no choice but to clash head-on. To win the championship, we had to defeat the strongest—we had to defeat Ray.
Ah. I knew it all too well.
Ray was strong. As we faced each other again, his presence was overwhelming.
I was trembling.
I was terrified.
Before that crushing presence, I knew I was but a small existence who could do nothing but shudder.
But you know, Ray... it was because you were there that I was able to reach this place.
That’s why I’ll show you. The footprints of my effort. Now is the time to show you the place I have finally reached.
“—White Reverse.”
Using the time Evi had bought for me, I deployed my Origin Magic. This technique, which I had first activated by chance during training, was a miracle to me.
What unfolded was a pure white world that stretched as far as the eye could see.
This Wide-Range Interference type Origin Magic temporarily erased Prima Materia from the designated space. While it still technically existed within matter, it could no longer be drawn out through magical means. Strictly speaking, it was a form of suppression.
I was merely creating a suppressed space where sorcerers could no longer draw upon Prima Materia.
Naturally, within this space, Code Theory did not apply.
Which meant that from this point on, the only way to settle things was with our own flesh and blood.
“White Reverse. A Wide-Range Interference Origin Magic, I see. I get it... Everything you did in the battle until now was meant to lead to this.”
“That’s right. Ray, from here on, we have no choice but to speak with our bodies.”
“So it seems.”
The Ice Swords he had been holding had already vanished.
In this space, all magic returned to nothingness. Even if it was only temporary, this was a world without magic.
All that was left was to communicate with our own strength.
This was the path to victory we had envisioned. We knew all too well that we stood no chance in a magical duel.
“Hehehe. This moment has finally come! Ray, we're gonna overwhelm you with pure muscle!!”
“Give it your best shot.”
In preparing to fight Ray, we had already reached the conclusion that we would be at a disadvantage in a magical exchange.
According to what Lucas-senpai had told us, the sorcerer known as Ray White was an outlier even if his magical abilities were sealed.
However, if we were in a situation where neither side could use magic, we might be able to close the distance.
I didn't know if Evi and I could reach him even in this state. But there was no doubt that the massive chasm between us had certainly narrowed.
U-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!””
We charged. We sprinted.
Putting all our emotions into our bodies and our fists, we rushed at Ray.
Together with Evi, I closed in. In our training sessions, we had fought countless battles against Lucas-senpai acting as a virtual Ray.
Now was the time to show the results of that training!!
We split up to flank him. Evi’s fist lunged toward Ray. At that exact moment, I unleashed a high kick. From Ray’s perspective, it should have been a complete blind spot.
I thought for sure it would land... but as expected, it wasn't going to be that simple.
Ray caught Evi’s fist with his right arm and blocked my kick with his left elbow. Furthermore, he stopped both strikes perfectly before their full force could be delivered.
He didn't perceive us through magic. It was likely the result of his vast experience. Indeed—it was the footprint of Ray’s own effort.
In this world, the talent known as magic didn't exist. That was precisely why Ray’s abnormality stood out even more. Even after doing all this, I couldn't see the top of the mountain Ray stood upon.
But we couldn't stop here.
If we didn't suppress Ray while White Reverse was active, defeat was certain. If Evi and I fell here, Lucas-senpai would likely have to face all three of them alone.
Even the senpai had admitted that such a situation would be difficult for him.
That’s why I would definitely—stop him here!!
From that point on, I simply fought recklessly, putting all my faith in my own body.
I no longer remembered how many times I'd been punched or kicked, or how much damage I'd taken. I just focused on clinging to him, on the absolute necessity of not letting him pass.
That resolve drove my body past its limits.
My Magic Area was also nearing its breaking point. However, if I released the spell now, everything would be for naught. Besides, we had actually managed to deal a small amount of damage to Ray.
Evi and I were in tatters. Blood trickled from my split lip, and after being slammed down earlier, it dripped from my forehead as well.
But we didn't stop.
Our resolve would not allow us to admit defeat.
I wondered why, but right now... I was actually having fun.
Locked in a struggle to the death, my body screaming in pain and my vision blurring.
Despite all that, I—no, we—were enjoying this situation from the bottom of our hearts.
“Hahaha...!!”
“Hehehe... This is hilarious! Right, Albert?!”
“Yeah! No doubt about it. It’s the best!!”
My body was at its limit. This Magic Area was already at its breaking point as well.
However, we were laughing.
From the bottom of our hearts, we were wearing what were likely the best smiles of our lives. Even though we were covered in grime, battered, and smeared with our own blood—how could we laugh?
Ray, too, wore a faint smile as he breathed heavily.
Ah. That was it.
We were the same. The three of us were enjoying ourselves.
This battle, this moment where we fought with nothing but our physical forms.
In this world, the only things I could see were our three figures. Everything else had faded from view. I had even forgotten the match itself. Defeat was already visible—I could see it coming—and yet, it was fun.
Just facing the greatest sorcerer in history standing before me was more exhilarating than anything. It made me happy.
My overflowing emotions would not be quelled.
My legs would not stop. I continued to stand my ground.
I simply kept moving straight forward.
Tell me, Ray. By meeting you, was I able to change? Am I finally able to move straight ahead?
No, it wasn't just Ray.
After meeting so many friends, was I... finally moving forward?
The answer to that question had been there for a long time.
Right inside my heart.
That was why I could fight like this. That was why I could move my body before such an overwhelming existence.
Everything passed as if in slow motion.
Our fists crossed.
I tumbled across the ground again and again. Trading places with Evi, I stood up over and over. I continued to stand my ground.
Recklessly, moving straight forward, as if to prove my own existence.
“Ha... ha... ha... cough... ugh... uuu...”
“Hehehe... Albert... the rest... is up to... you...”
The two of us sprawled out on the ground.
With those final words, Evi lost consciousness. He had been fighting Ray the entire time to allow me to activate my Origin Magic.
Even after White Reverse was deployed, he had protected me countless times. With that massive frame, he had continued to soak up Ray’s attacks.
It was no wonder he finally blacked out.
Thank you, Evi. I was happy to fight alongside you. It was the most fun I’ve ever had. If you hadn't been here, I definitely wouldn't have been able to make it this far.
So for your sake, too, I will—still stand up.
“Ha... ha... ha... Ray, I... won't lose. I can't... ha... ha... lose.”
I fixed my gaze on him. Ray was also bleeding from his forehead. Our damage had certainly landed.
Even so, he stood there composed. He gazed back at me quietly. His Fighting Spirit showed no sign of waning. He still held me in his sights, perfectly ready for combat.
Ah. I already knew. In the end, I still hadn't reached him.
Even with the two of us, Ray was simply overwhelming.
“Albert. Come at me with everything you have. I will take that spirit of yours head-on.”
A chuckle escaped me.
I was already a walking corpse. Without a doubt, I would suffer defeat in the next exchange. I was about to walk toward that certain future, toward the edge of the abyss, of my own accord.
It was hilarious. Ah, I really was... a hopeless fool.
But thank you.
Because if you weren't here, Ray, I surely wouldn't have been able to reach this place.
“Ha... ha... ugh... uuu...”
I took unsteady steps forward. My body was screaming at me to stop all activity. It was begging me, but—this last strike, I would drive it in with everything I had!!
“U-UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
As I sprinted toward Ray with all my might, a sound like a sharp crack echoed out. Ray had caught my fist firmly in his right hand.
A jolt of pain like an electric current surged through me. From that point on, as if sensation itself was draining away... I slowly collapsed where I stood.
In that moment, I let out my true feelings.
“Hey... Ray.”
“Yeah.”
“Did I... get stronger? Did I... grow more than I was back then?”
“Albert. You have undoubtedly become stronger. You have grown. I will be the witness to that.”
“Ah... I see... Is that so...”
A single tear fell.
Part of it was happiness. But the frustration was still there. I only ever seemed to lose. I was always losing.
But that was only natural, wasn't it?
Because while I had been neglecting my efforts, being arrogant about my talent, and immersing myself in the pleasure of looking down on others, Ray had been working.
I couldn't get used to defeat. Surely, this was something I would never get used to for the rest of my life.
But that was what would make me grow even more.
I fell. Without even being able to break my fall, my body collapsed as if its strings had been cut.
“Ha... ha... ha...”
I stared at the ceiling.
It was a defeat. As I accepted that reality, White Reverse was released, and the original world returned.
Finally, I spoke my last words to Ray.
“Ray. Thank you. Thanks to you... I was able to... come... this far.”
“...Albert, I feel the same. I have nothing but gratitude for you and our friends. I’m glad we could fight.”
“Ah... I see. Ray... felt that way too...”
“Yeah. Well then, excuse me.”
“...”
The sound of him running echoed away.
As he moved further from this spot, Ray would likely seize the flag and head toward the final confrontation.
It was a genuine shame that I wouldn't be there for that fight.
However, I had no regrets. Because I—we—had fought to our absolute limits.
Unlike back during the Magics Chevalier, I didn't shed tears of frustration. I simply accepted my defeat with a calm heart.
My vision gradually blurred.
My consciousness would likely fade soon.
Haha, it seemed I had really pushed myself too far.
Ah. I wonder why. The world looks exceptionally beautiful today. Even though I can see almost nothing now, a beautiful world is reflected behind my eyelids.
—Ray, thank you. Truly, I have nothing but gratitude for you.
I will use this defeat as nourishment to move forward again and again. Even if there is nothing waiting beyond it. Because the only thing I can do is keep moving.
Being able to fight Ray again... I... was... truly... happy—.
And in that moment.
I let go of my consciousness.