Black Summoner – Chapter 684

Milky Crespella, the director of the Lumiest Magic Research Institute and the head of the Selva Dormitory, was highly confident in the special stage she had prepared for this versus match. They had enlisted Caesar, master craftsman at the pinnacle of his profession, and incorporated the combat power of the current S-Rank Adventurer, Art. Numerous durability tests had been conducted over a long period. Every time theoretical or research flaws were discovered, various elements were thoroughly re-examined. Facilities, materials, personnel—everything that was needed had been acquired. If anything was lacking, it was only the steadfast enthusiasm and determination to achieve a great feat. It was said that during the preparation period, a madness of researchers and artisans resided within their team.

“Thanks to all that hard work, the completed stage has turned out to be to our satisfaction. Not only in terms of pure physical and magical durability, but the stage also possesses a function for automatic, high-speed repair. As long as there are mages waiting in the surroundings, no matter what kind of attack is unleashed during the match, the stage will absolutely not be destroyed. Yes, absolutely not.”

“M-Instructor Milky!? What in the world made you suddenly start talking like that!?”

As if on cue, at the very moment Kelvin was moved, the explanation of the stage could be heard. Hearing this, Kelvin and the other S-Rank Adventurers were further convinced. However, Suzu, who was actually in the middle of a match, had no time to listen to such things, focusing solely on the approaching threat.

“Circle: Storm.”

“…!”

Suzu swung down her Fuuraito towards Bel’s gale. Then, what happened? A fierce wind, capable of opposing Bel’s wind, was unleashed from the staff. The flowing wind formed a circle, deflecting all of Bel’s attacks outward.

“Purging Pass.”

Bel’s decision was swift upon realizing her attack had been blocked. Bel’s pursuit, which didn’t even allow for a blink, unleashed a wind spear specialized for penetration from a sharp kick, closing in on Suzu’s throat as she tried to parry. However, this too was deflected in an unintended direction, carried by the swirling wind.

The impenetrable wind barrier was a magic generated from one of the staves of the Fuuraito, the one that controlled wind. This magic required no magic power from the user, instead drawing its power from rotation. Conceptually, it’s similar to wind power generation where a turbine is spun to convert energy. Rotation, meaning the number of times the Fuuraito was swung and its strength, could be converted into wind and lightning magic. Suzu, who had never used magic before and lacked skills, was now able to counter Bel in this aspect by using the Fuuraito.

(Hmm, it blocked Purging Pass. It doesn’t seem like a first-time maneuver, but did she hear about my technique from Kelvin? Well, even if she did, the response would probably be a jab involving Sister Sera—Wha!?)

A split-second evasive action. Bel dodged something approaching her face by shifting sharply to the side. Immediately after, a pain grazed her cheek, and Bel’s blood trickled down from a red line.

“I see, you’re fast. I’m quite surprised.”

“…You seem to have plenty of leeway considering that. You managed to dodge my initial ‘Flash’ by a hair’s breadth!”

“Setsuna?” (*Correction: This should be Bel speaking, so the translator assumes this refers to Bel speaking about Suzu’s ability, not the character Setsuna*)

Let’s set aside misunderstandings. The attack that wounded her cheek was a kunai thrown by Suzu. No, to be precise, it was a projectile from the staff that controlled lightning, the opposite of the one that generated wind. It should be called a bullet akin to a railgun. The principle is unknown, but Suzu’s hidden kunai seems to produce such phenomena when fired with the Fuuraito.

“Fufu. I underestimated you, and while the difference in skill is indeed real… I might have to apologize. You’re more capable than I imagined.”

“Thank you for that. However, rather than an apology, I’d like you to show more fighting spirit. Otherwise, I won’t be able to enjoy myself like Master.”

“Rest assured, that’s the plan. —Wind-Cutting Azure Sword.”

With a roar of wind, a blade of azure tempest materialized. Bel’s Wicked Demonic Sword, attached to one of her legs, possessed an utterly extraordinary presence. It was understandable that most of the audience was captivated by its sight and spectacle. Suzu desperately wanted to do the same, but the situation wouldn’t allow it.

“Wind God’s Kick.”

(S-So fast—)

Further enhancement, speed multiplication. Bel’s speed, once like this, was imperceptible even to Suzu’s eyes. The moment she noticed, Bel had already approached the wind barrier formed by a circle. And that wasn’t all. About half of the barrier had already been torn apart by Bel’s demonic sword, putting it in a semi-destroyed state.

(My ‘Circle,’ a memory created with Master, is being forcibly ripped open!?)

The ultimate technique, which was supposed to be a culmination, was being broken so easily. Suzu’s shock was immeasurable, but she had no time to be swayed by her emotions.

(I only have a few more seconds! I need to dodge with Willow—)

“—Heavy Wind Pressure.”

“Hmph!!??”

As if preempting her thoughts, Bel’s magic was continuously deployed even during her attack. Crushed by sudden pressure, Suzu was forbidden from executing her evasive maneuvers, including her ninja footwork.

(Hea-Heavy…! With this, Willow…!)

A flashback began to flash before Suzu’s eyes. Cooking with her mother as a child, training with her father during adolescence, adventurer activities after becoming an adult, admiration for Kelvin, recent memories—they all flowed by in an instant, creating an illusion that time around her had stopped. However, even in this slowed-down world, Bel’s attack maintained a speed comparable to a normal kick. Suzu’s circle was on the verge of collapse, and she was forced to make a decision while shaking off the flashback.

(Then, should I catch it with my bare hands!? No, that would be nothing short of reckless! Whether defending or deflecting, both my arms would be taken! The only remaining option is, after all—)

—Zaaan!

“Ah…”

“…”

Bel’s demonic sword, which had sliced through the circle, pierced Suzu with a returning stroke. The blade, which clearly pierced her chest area, was covered in a thick coating of blood. The battle, which had been unfolding at super high speed, finally caught the audience’s attention.

“Th-This is, Bel’s attack pierced Suzu!? B-But, Suzu…”

“No, not yet.”

“Eh?”

To Milky’s denial, Ran couldn’t help but voice her genuine reaction. But the audience all had the same response.

“Oh? That’s strange. My Wind-Cutting Azure Sword surely pierced you and drenched you in fresh blood?”

“…Sky.”

Suzu was alive. She was on one side of the stage, completely opposite to the area where they had been exchanging attacks just moments before. While she was on one knee, there was no trace of being pierced by a demonic sword on her chest, and she was in perfect condition.

Meanwhile, Suzu was nowhere to be found with Bel’s demonic sword, and even the bloodstain that should have been there had neatly disappeared. She had certainly felt resistance, and the commentator Ran and the surrounding audience should have witnessed it. Yet, Suzu was alive and well over there, a baffling phenomenon. Bel, who had witnessed these events up close, pondered several possibilities in her mind.

“I didn’t feel any flow of magic power, so it’s not a fake or illusion made with magic. More than that, from the sensation of piercing, it was definitely real. And you even seem to have a technique name for it, but it’s not something that can be completed with mere technique. Well, it’s probably safe to assume that was your Unique Skill. Are you okay? Are you more exhausted than before? Ah, maybe using that consumes stamina? Is my intuition right?”

“…Monster.”

Sweat trickled down Suzu’s forehead as she unintentionally revealed her trump card. However, her smile remained.

“—Up, Level! Come Forth!”