Chapter 126 — Defeat is Just a Crossroad, Not the End of the Journey

---

1

First year.

A time when students truly begin their journey into the depths of magic, taking their first real steps toward understanding its mysteries.

For some, it was the start of a lifelong journey to a destination they might never reach.

Though each person’s starting point was different, for most first-years, there were clear limits to their abilities.

But… what was this?

Why did it seem like these first-year students had no such limits?

Those who had yet to reach such heights could only watch the magical duel with awe.

Meanwhile, those who had already walked that path observed with great interest and anticipation.

[Ignio]

A 3rd-class spell shot toward Kael without hesitation.

The crimson flame, shaped like a spear, hurtled toward her with intense mana far beyond what Anais had ever shown before.

Kael met the attack with her own magic, neither backing down nor showing weakness.

Another 3rd-class spell?

No—Kael instead chose a technique she had seen from Anais and their instructor during previous duels.

[Anima]

BOOOOM—!

With a 2nd-class spell, she nullified a higher-tier magic.

To perfectly replicate such a technique after just witnessing it required precise control.

If everyone could simply imitate what they saw, then the level of instruction for first-years would be far more advanced than it was now.

A gust of hot air blew through the arena.

Despite the intense heat, neither of the two mages stopped chanting.

Mana swirled around them as they calculated and constructed their next spells.

1st-class, 2nd-class, 3rd-class.

They unleashed spell after spell, regardless of their power, each one skillfully aimed at a vital point.

It was impressive.

The way they used lower-tier magic to strategically strike at weak spots was truly awe-inspiring.

“Oho, witnessing a magical duel with my own eyes is indeed remarkable,” one of the professors remarked.

“Weren’t you uninterested in these kinds of matches, Professor Trevor?” asked another.

With droopy eyes, thick eyebrows, and small pupils, Professor Trevor nodded. Despite his tired appearance, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

A bitter smile crossed his lips as he replied.

The professor who had asked the question noticed Trevor’s expression and realized his mistake, quickly fumbling to explain himself.

Everyone knew Trevor had been scouted from a rural region—somewhere so remote that finding a mage was rare.

“I’ve misspoken. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“Ah, don’t worry. I understand. Isn’t it incredible, though? To see such young students performing magic of this caliber.”

Trevor’s eyes sparkled for a moment.

It was a match worthy of being recorded for future study—a duel so high-level that even veteran mages would be impressed.

The match showed how mages should grow, like a perfect demonstration straight from a textbook.

“Haha, indeed. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from first-years, but they’re displaying high-level magic,” the other professor agreed.

“Right? It’s my first time seeing something like this, but even I can tell how extraordinary it is. I’m envious.”

“They are the students we’re responsible for guiding. Let’s keep a close eye on them.”

Trevor nodded deeply, his eyes glowing with admiration.

Kael and Anais—what radiant talent they possessed.

Such brilliant, shining potential that he even felt a tinge of envy.

He carefully imprinted this moment into his memory.

Regardless of the outcome, the fact that they had demonstrated such high-level magic was enough to make them stand out as precious jewels, ready to be polished.

It was the mindset of a true teacher.

“It seems like they’re about to finish,” one of the professors noted.

“—Yes. Let’s watch,” Trevor responded.

The two of them fell into silence, watching the match unfold.

Back on the battlefield, Kael and Anais had both nearly exhausted their mana reserves.

Both were visibly shaken from the fierce exchange, but Kael’s face, in particular, had stiffened.

She hadn’t lacked confidence going into the match.

Whether it was confidence or arrogance, she wasn’t sure, but Kael had believed that Anais still hadn’t reached her level.

But after clashing with her directly, Kael realized how foolish that assumption had been.

Her friend had grown by leaps and bounds, far beyond what Kael had anticipated.

Even though Manus might have guided Anais, in the end, it was Anais’ own effort that had brought her to this level.

Self-loathing welled up inside Kael.

‘I’ve been too complacent.’

Anais’ growth was remarkable.

Just like Kael had once been at the start of her journey.

Right now, Anais might even be stronger than her.

The only way to confirm it was to face each other with their full power.

Kael gritted her teeth and gathered every last drop of her remaining mana.

As if reading Kael’s intent, Anais also pooled her remaining mana to prepare a final, massive spell.

“I’ll end it with this.”

“—Alright.”

They had silently agreed.

Kael’s eyes glowed red, while Anais’ flames took on a crimson hue.

Seeing Anais’ spell take shape, the professors narrowed their eyes and scrutinized her magic.

Then, in awe, they began clapping in admiration.

It wasn’t hard for mages of their level to analyze the nature of Anais’ spell.

Seeing the black flames, they had initially wondered if it was black magic, but they soon realized it was purely elemental fire magic.

“That’s…”

“Yeah. This is my personal spell.”

“Then, I’ll…”

Anais’ spell was powerful, radiating a quiet but unyielding strength, much like a slow-burning ember that would never be extinguished.

Faced with such power, Kael had no choice but to reveal her trump card as well.

‘I didn’t want to show this just yet.’

It was going to cause a stir.

Even Manus had known how to use this magic but had kept it hidden for a reason.

A brief flicker of anxiety crossed Kael’s mind, and she instinctively glanced toward Manus.

Anais did the same.

Both of them knew.

The blows they were about to exchange would bring significant change.

From a distance, they could see Manus’ faint smile.

He gave them a small nod.

[Don’t hesitate.]

It was as if his expression was telling them that, and so both of them poured everything they had into their mana.

There was no longer any reason to hesitate.

Whatever the consequences, they would deal with it later.

Perhaps they would gain knowledge that would help them conquer the Tower.

There might not be only good people in the world, but there were certainly those worth trusting.

The first-year students, their minds now clear, unleashed their fearsome spells.

Kael’s unique technique—a strange fusion of multiple spells—took shape.

[Ventus] — [Ignira]

[Double Spread]

A fierce windstorm erupted.

It was nothing like the earlier [Atabulus] from the 1st-class tier. This wind held the destructive power of multiple combined spells.

Kael’s glowing red eyes burned with dangerous intent.

Seeing this, the professors jumped from their seats in shock.

“What the—!”

“…Did you just see that?”

“Is this even possible?”

What they had just witnessed was an impossibility.

It was something no one had seen before and something they believed couldn’t happen.

The core of magic relied on one fundamental truth:

Each magic spell was an independent entity.

No external interference was allowed once a magic circle was formed.

This was why mages were vulnerable to outside disruptions—because of the fragility of the magic circle.

This was also why casting speed was paramount.

“Huh… to think there was a method like this.”

“It’s not something just anyone could pull off.”

The professors, temporarily forgetting the match, began testing their own spells.

But none of them could replicate what Kael had done—combining multiple spells into one.

By that time, both Kael and Anais had completed their magic.

A black flame that consumed everything and a scorching windstorm that tore through anything stood poised, ready to clash.

The searing heat reached not just the arena but even the stands.

The audience watched, holding their breath, as the final showdown began.

[Anais’ Signature Spell: Dissolute — Sator]

[Solario Ventus]

The fiery black flames that devoured everything and the sun-like heat of the windstorm collided.

They roared and raged against each other, each trying to overpower the other.

Sweat dripped from Kael and Anais, their bodies drenched, though it was hard to tell if it was from the intense heat or the effort of controlling such powerful mana.

It was like watching two dragons locked in combat—one wreathed in red fire, the other in black flame.

For a while, the two spells wrestled for dominance, but soon one side began to overwhelm the other.

“—Ah.”

It was the first time Kael had ever seen her magic falter against someone else’s.

She had been so certain she wouldn’t lose to someone her age.

She had believed that her magic was unique, special, and untouchable, much like the person who had taught her.

But now, it felt like her radiant light was being swallowed by darkness.

Her brilliant flames lost their luster.

Her magic was devoured by the dark fire.

Kael’s fingers twitched.

‘I feel dizzy.’

Her crimson eyes traced the patterns of mana.

The unique spell she had crafted by layering Altus three times began to unravel, the complex magic circles scattered in all directions.

Instinctively, Kael knew.

Her magic wasn’t something that could counter this attack.

No, she wasn’t skilled enough yet to handle this mana.

Nor did she have enough mana left to cast another spell.

“—Haha.”

From deep within her chest, a surge of emotion bubbled up.

It wasn’t despair or jealousy.

It was frustration—frustration at having lost.

She wanted to win.

She didn’t want to lose next time.

For the first time in her life, Kael felt the desire to fight back against something.

What would Manus say if he saw her like this?

Raising her hand, she admitted defeat.

“—I’ve lost.”

“Match over—! With Kael’s withdrawal, the winner is Anais of the Flois family!”

Waaaaaaaah—!

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The applause that had once been for Kael now surged toward Anais.

Watching this, Kael smiled softly.

There’s no need for words from the loser.

She joined the applause, offering her genuine congratulations to Anais.

Anais waved to the crowd before rushing over to Kael, panting slightly.

She knew the feeling of looking at someone’s back—the feeling of being left behind as someone else moved ahead.

“Kael, are you okay?”

“Yeah, congratulations.”

“You didn’t use up all your mana, did you? Let’s get you to the infirmary.”

Kael smiled, shaking her head.

There was something she wanted to do first.

The infirmary could wait.

“Will you let me join the student council?”

“Huh? Of course! But… do you think Senior Manus will be mad? What if we can’t climb the Tower?”

“That won’t happen.”

Both girls turned their heads.

Standing before them was Manus, smiling as he looked down at them.

Alano, Nia, and the rest of the first-year students soon followed, crowding around to congratulate them.

Kael clenched her fists.

With so many people around her, there was no way she would let herself be consumed by negative thoughts.

Manus watched her for a moment before speaking.

“Keep working hard. Your story has only just begun.”

“—Yes.”

Kael smiled.

Truly, it was times like these that made her feel happiest.

As the group celebrated, a stiff voice cut through the atmosphere, disrupting the cheerful mood.

“Kael, once you’ve recovered, come see me in my lab.”

“Oh, yes, understood.”

Kael nodded without hesitation.

She had a good idea of what the professor wanted to say, and why she had been summoned.

Manus glanced at her and made a casual remark.

“Hopefully, they don’t ask anything unnecessary.”

“—Agreed.”

Next to him, Alano nodded in agreement.

The election for the first-year Student Council President had ended.

The position had gone to Anais of the Flois family.

But more important matters awaited them all.

–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading

Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt