Published at 6th of December 2025 6:50 am

Chapter 287

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

I took my eyes off the spectators' seats at the end of the island and looked to both sides.

The Isar River flowed right next to us, and at the edge of the island, there was only a low railing, with no barrier, trees, or lifeboats. The island was not very large for a one-on-one combat magic arena, so one could fall into the river if they made a mistake.

As I sent out my first magic power as a salute, a light whistle sound was heard. The opponent's incantation came first.

[He who flees from the terror will fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare.]

The darkness of the night sky receded, and a bright blue light covered the atmosphere. As if the artificial blue light evoked fear, the onlookers who were watching the match from the fence in the Munich city center across the river gasped with surprised faces. At the same time, the opponent's magic power surged from the ground, making my clothes flutter.

I should have bought a hair tie.

Was that Wittelsbach's comment earlier actually advice? Another reason to finish this quickly has been added.

More than that, that ability, which seems to interfere with the weather. The ability to interfere with natural objects is in the realm of genius. Is that tremendous ability really the opponent's?

No way.

Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwang!!

It's just a trick. The magic of the sky poured down like arrows from above my head. I raised my hand and blocked the magic pouring down from above. For an attack from someone who can manipulate natural objects, it was too easily blocked without giving me any damage.

The opponent's expression was still calm, and so was mine. The moment I untied the ribbon under my collar with my left hand, I heard the opponent's loud shout.

[For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishmentdeclares the LORD!]

The blue magic power that had spread on the ground gathered with a roar and clung to my feet. The sensation of being trapped in a swamp pressed down on my psyche. As the magic power climbed up my legs, the force constricting my bones and flesh grew stronger, cutting off my blood flow. Is he planning to break them?

What wouldnt you do to win.

The opponent's blue magic power shone like blades from all directions, flying in, and my vision blurred with light. The sound of impacts was loud. A homing spell was attached, as the attacks flew to wherever I bent my upper body. It's a time-honored method to immobilize and shower with attacks.

However, there is a disappointing point.

It's easy to stand and endure.

Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Kwaaang!

As I pulled the strength from my feet to my heart and slammed down the staff, the magic power that had piled up like a mountain to the middle of my thigh flew away like dust. I could see the opponent blocking his front and squeezing his eyes shut. He hadn't expected divine power, and he opened his mouth with a shocked look.

No matter how I think about it, standing and enduring is easy. If he had made me run and executed this spell, he could have defeated me. It's just a shame that he used the same opportunity this way. The opponent, perhaps thinking he couldn't lose like this, quickly regained his composure, but it was too late.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness!

As I lifted the staff from the ground and swung it horizontally, a sickle-shaped mass of divine power rushed at the opponent.

Kwaaaaang Jjaenggeurang!

At this point, the opponent usually suppresses the attack, flies right up to my face, and engages in close-quarters combat. Those who have pushed their opponent with long-range attacks usually try to continue suppressing them with long-range attacks, so they don't give me the room to act on inertia. In fact, Leo often did this, and experienced mages generally move similarly. The moment I swung my staff to turn it into a sword to block a counterattack, I heard the sound of a heavy mass falling into the water, and about 10 seconds later, the buzzer sounded.

Beep!

[Match over.]

Was I hearing things? Maybe the opponent is also a divine power user. He might be trying to make me let my guard down by pretending to have fallen into the water and even manipulating the buzzer sound.

I thought so, but the island in front of me was empty. It was dead silent all around.

I could see a few kingdom mages standing by the river, pulling the fallen mage out of the water.

***

"There's a divine power-using mage."

The king closed the book he was reading and looked at the aide who had come before him. The aide had come with an excited face and was just waiting for the king's reaction without explaining exactly where and who the divine power-using mage was.

The king was about to reprimand him but shook his head slightly.

He must be talking about the competition. He could infer that much without being told.

"There was no such person on the participant list."

"He is a mage whom His Highness Emanuel Wittelsbach filled in for a withdrawn spot today."

"My brother?"

He was someone who often brought useful mages, but he had never brought a divine power-using mage before.

Name?

"Lukas Everett. He's an American."

"Anything registered in America?"

"As far as we know, no."

Age.

Twenty-three.

Not thirteen, but twenty-three, and no one has scouted him yet?

At that age, he would have been using divine power for over ten years, so it doesn't make sense that such a person would have been left untouched.

He probably isnt very strong.

If you look for them, you can find a few people who can use it, even if weakly. Still, even if it's just for support, there's no harm in it.

"It's about to end, right? After the results, tell the Ministry of Magic to create an apprentice position."

"Y-Your Majesty."

The king raised an eyebrow at the aide's half-hearted answer. The aide, undeterred by the displeased reaction, insisted firmly.

"I think it would be best for you to go and see for yourself, what do you say?"

"He is no ordinary talent. It seems highly likely that Prussia or neighboring countries will scout him. It would be best for Your Majesty to secure his position."

When the king still didn't answer, the aide continued.

"He finished the first round in 2 minutes. The opposing mage was knocked out immediately by his one blow. The second and third rounds also ended within 5 minutes."

"2 minutes."

That is a bit surprising. The king nodded readily.

He still felt that it wasn't necessary to go and see for himself, but the words that Prussia might covet him were not spoken for nothing. The news that he finished a match in 2 minutes gave strength to that point.

If he had an immediate schedule, he wouldn't go to the extent of canceling it to see, but there was some time until the next schedule, and it was the final match anyway.

p>Lets go.

The king immediately got ready and headed to the arena.

The 4th round is a match to determine the rankings of the remaining 5 out of the initial 40 participants. At this point, only those with the skills to be integrated into the royal guard after about a year or two of polishing remain.

When the king suddenly appeared in the spectators' seats of the arena, the judges shot up from their seats and bowed. The king waved them off and sat down in the seat prepared by his attendants, checking the match schedule.

Lukas Everett is in the last match of the 4th round. The king patiently watched the other matches.

The skills of this year's participants were decent. He could also see a mage who had shown disappointing skills last year showing much better skills this year.

After some time, the name he was waiting for was called.

[Mia Rotenhan, Lukas Everett.]

Rotenhan.

A noble family of Bavaria. Although not a ruling family, they are famous for the high individual magic power of their mages. They are also an exceptional family in the field of combat magic.

The king, seeing a familiar young man from a noble family warp to the arena, looked at the other young man who was newly warping to the opposite side. Compared to the well-built opponent, the thin mage stumbled and then calmly regained his balance.

Whats with that warping form?

Compared to the evaluation he had heard earlier, it was an unexpected sight. Warping is no big deal, yet he was pale and catching his breath as if he had gone through a major ordeal, looking like someone using magic for the first time. The long hair tied up loosely with a ribbon also caught his eye.

He had a neat and tidy appearance, which drew attention, but because of that, his awkward actions were even more noticeable.

He looks a bit like Georg Askanian.

Georg Askanian looked just like that when he was young.

No one would guess it now, as the current Georg looks like a brilliant ruler who has created a perfect successor and rules Anhalt perfectly, but until he attended the First Academy, he was also a clumsy human who strived to be perfect. Perhaps that's why he looked even more like the duke from that time.

Even though his commoner surname is a bit concerning, I should keep in mind the possibility of him being from a collateral branch.

Beep

The buzzer sounded, but Rotenhan just held his wand after the salute. He had yielded the first move.

Lukas Everett, understanding his intention, thrust his wand forward in a normal manner. A variety of blue-light magic flew fiercely.

Hmm.

The power to send out magic is good, but that's not the problem....

He's just throwing away such a good opportunity? This isn't the time to use such a normal attack.

The king glanced at the aide next to him. The aide, not at all flustered, just watched Everett with sparkling eyes. The king, feeling it was pointless, gave up and looked down at the arena.

Rotenhan, with a leisurely flick of his wrist, blocked Lukas Everett's attack and then said solemnly in a powerful voice.

[When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous have an everlasting foundation.]

At that moment, Lukas Everett's attack began to move in reverse. A gale arose. The wind did not affect anyone sitting, but it struck one person, Lukas Everett, fiercely. The barrier he had cast was continuously pushed back. I could see him clenching his teeth and enduring, blocking the front with his arm.

The king stroked his chin with his fingers. So far, the mage from the Rotenhan family is more noticeable. To make it so that no one else is affected by the magic with a targeting spell. It's a rather difficult spell, and his skills are good.

Paang

An unexpected sound of a rupture was heard. The king turned his gaze from Rotenhan and looked at Everett.

Everett's wand had turned into a sword. He cut through the wind with the magic-infused sword and advanced towards Rotenhan. Even so, his speed was slow due to the headwind.

Despite the sight of victory before him, Rotenhan maintained his composure, changed his wand into a sword, and advanced, pushing Lukas Everett back.

No, to be precise....

Hes about to push him into the river.

The king predicted the future course by observing Rotenhan's feet and wrist. The sound of swords clashing was loud. Rotenhan, with restrained movements, led Everett to where he wanted. In terms of swordsmanship, Rotenhan had the upper hand.

Hes good, but it seems the mage named Lukas Everett hasnt learned for very long.

I'm not sure, but maybe he learned for about 5 years. Rotenhan is probably approaching 20 years.

In a situation where there's also a weight difference, it's not easy for a 5-year veteran to beat a 20-year one. He might be offsetting the weight difference in the swords with magic power, but basically, the longer it goes on, the more of a disadvantage it is for Everett. Knowing that well, Everett put strength into his left leg and spun around, getting away from the railing. In the fleeting moment that Rotenhan was chasing him, the staff that Lukas Everett had changed into slammed into the ground with a roar. Rotenhan, upon seeing that, immediately changed his sword into a staff and blocked his front.

Kwaaaaang!

Everett's blue magic power rushed all the way to this spot where the judges were sitting. Even in this moment when the explosion deafened his ears and the blue magic power made his skin tingle, the king's gaze was fixed on Everett.

He was looking at a blue fire. The radially spreading magic power took the form of a flame and shot up as if to swallow the arena.

The king flicked his finger and sent out his own magic power. The magic power, which he prided himself on being stronger and superior to that of a normal mage, felt crude within Everett's magic power.

The purity of his magic is extraordinary. Being in it makes you breathless, but at the same time, for some reason, it feels comfortable. It was a strange feeling to know that you would die if you remained defenseless, yet you had to stay in it. If there is magic in its essence, this would be it.

He wasnt praised for nothing.

Not a single speck of divine power has come out yet, but I can somewhat understand why the aide was making such a fuss.

Kwaang!

Rotenhan gathered his magic power and thrust his staff to the right. Lukas Everett's blue magic power went to the right at once, and Lukas Everett also hit the railing.

He is still trying to push him into the river. He seems to believe that is the only answer. As Lukas Everett lowered his body to escape the pressure, Rotenhan's magic power pushed him to the other side again.

Divine power should be coming out around now.

Actually, it's impressive that he hasn't used any mind-type magic so far. The opponent is persistently trying to push him into the water, and he's just going to watch?

To be honest, I like Rotenhan's skills, but I don't particularly like the method of intentionally and continuously trying to push him into the river.

Of course, the way he induces him to fall into the river, the way he prevents himself from falling, and the speed at which he gets out immediately after falling and continues his attack can be a good opportunity to see his magic skills. hat's why even if he goes into the river, if he doesn't become unable to use magic, he is not considered to have withdrawn, and the river is also recognized as part of the field.

But that's only once or twice; if you obsess over one attack method, you're likely to be caught in your own trap.

Rotenhan's voice is heard.

[Terror will overtake him like a flood; a tempest will snatch him away in the night. The east wind will carry him off, and he will be gone; it will sweep him out of his place.]

If he succeeds this time, no one will think much of it.

The king looked at Rotenhan without expression. Rotenhan's voice is getting louder.

[God will hurl at him without pity; he will flee from his hand in haste. Men will clap their hands at him and hiss him out of his place.]

!

Oh oh!

Surprised voices were heard from the crowd. Hardened magic power grabbed Everett's limbs and threw him violently into the river.

Hmm, he succeeded.

Kwaang!

I thought so, but an unbelievable sound was heard for someone who was thrown into the water. The barrier that Lukas Everett had spread on the river caught him without a single tremor.

Rotenhan raised an eyebrow. The king did too. Anyone can cast a barrier, but it's normal for the barrier to shake and get submerged or break. It's a completely unexpected sight.

The sound of magic breaking came from Everett's arm, and he slowly got up, swung his staff, and walked to the riverbank. The grayish river water rippled under his feet.

"...Waaaaaaaa!"

A belated cheer erupted from the Munich citizens who were watching the match. Rotenhan, as if acknowledging him, gave a vague smile and nodded, then his expression hardened back to normal.

Then he grabbed the staff with both hands and aimed it at Everett.

[The LORD will bind you firmly and hurl you away like a strong man, O mighty one. He will roll you up tightly like a ball and throw you into a wide land!]

Rotenhan's golden magic power struck like lightning in the darkness.

He is continuously pushing Everett so that he cannot come up, as a barrier spread on flowing water cannot be stable. If he breaks or bends the barrier and the water fills in, Lukas Everett is finished. Everett slanted his staff on the barrier and lowered his body.

An attack of this magnitude should be able to break the river's barrier.

Rotenhan's attacks were coming from all directions, so no matter what angle you were at, you couldn't see anything because of the impact sounds and light. Concerned voices were heard from among the citizens. As the attacks intensified, the kingdom mages standing in front of the fence set up a barrier in front of the citizens.

I thought that mage from the Rotenhan family had some sense, but it seems he only cares about winning.

The safety of the citizens is a secondary concern, and he is hell-bent on defeating Everett.

Rotenhan is good at suppressing his smile. The king thought, looking at his arrogant movements and poker face. Rotenhan, not satisfied with this, continued to chant. Dozens of streams of golden magic power, clearly in the form of lines rather than simple clusters of light, curved in all directions, flew close to the citizens, and then made a sharp turn. It's a type of magic that binds the opponent and delays their movement.

[You who bring shame on your master's house, you will die in that place, and there your glorious chariots will be.]

Rotenhan's eyes gleamed with satisfaction for a moment as if the binding spell had succeeded, but he soon frowned and grabbed his arm holding the wand.

Kwaaang!

!

[Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.]

The moment Rotenhan missed his move, a calm voice was heard, and Rotenhan's golden magic power was pushed back by the blue magic power. Everett, not missing the opportunity, walked over with his wand aimed.

The king let out a light laugh at those words.

He has the composure to tease in this situation.

The king looked at Everett with satisfaction. He must have sent his magic power like electricity through the binding to attack Rotenhan.

I'm starting to like him.

Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid. is just a part of an absurd incantation unrelated to floating on the river. It wasn't said in the expectation that something would be activated, but to tease the opponent.

I'm curious how he easily broke out of such a binding spell, but I liked that composure more.

Rotenhan, still unable to give up, chanted the same incantation as before while putting up a defensive spell and retreating.

[The LORD will bind you firmly and hurl you away like a strong man, O mighty one.]

[Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.]

Everett cut off his incantation and lightly swung his wand. It's a reflection spell. At that moment, the magic power that had come out of Rotenhan's body flew back to him like an arrow.

Kuung

Just before Rotenhan fell into the opposite river, the river water parted. The riverbed was revealed, and Rotenhan fell onto the land. The king raised an eyebrow at the sight.

He parted the river water? Unexpected power.

Even so, the fact that he was caught in his own trap is a significant minus.

[...Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water.... The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.]

Rotenhan shot up, slammed his staff on the ground, and chanted while leaning on it. He stood there, pressing down and blocking both sides of the river with his magic power.

He seemed to have no room to block Lukas Everett's attack while maintaining the barrier. The initial evaluation of the two participants is changing.

Lukas Everett, despite having the opportunity, just watched him.

"Attack!"

Someone among the Munich citizens shouted. It could have been considered rude in the king's presence, but the king chuckled at the words and looked at Everett.

Everett, instead of waving his wand, opened his left palm and blew a gust of wind on it. At that moment, the river water that Rotenhan had held back with his broken barrier poured in.

Kwaaaaang Peong

Everett, watching the river water crash like a wave, muttered an incantation and approached the riverbank.

[Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"]

He lightly dodged the attack magic that Rotenhan, who had crawled up to the bank, was shooting. Everett stood tall in front of him, then bent down and held out his hand to the empty railing spot that Rotenhan had blown away.

[You of little faith, why did you doubt?]

Everett's face was gentle as he said that.

A joke following the one from before. The crowd, who soon understood his intention, burst into laughter and cheers. The Archbishop of Munich and Freising, who was sitting near the king, was so taken aback by the young man's audacity that he clapped his hands lightly and let out a hollow laugh.

Rotenhan's composure broke, and his face turned bright red with anger.

His confidence is amazin.

Everett is confident that he will win now. The king was sure of it after looking into Everett's eyes.

Being complacent because you overestimate your abilities and being complacent because you have legitimate confidence are different in attitude, and experienced mages can spot it immediately.

Since his skills back it up, he has no choice but to be confident. His associates would find it absurd, but in fact, more than anything else, I like his sarcasm that stands out along with his skills.

Rotenhan, who was glaring at Lukas Everett with burning eyes, muttered in a small voice.

[Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?]

In an instant, he appeared on the opposite side of the arena as if he had warped. Then he lightly tapped the ground with his staff.

[O LORD our God.]

A light like divine power arose amidst the sun-like golden light.

The Munich citizens' eyes widened. The king also watched the magic with interest. If that person is trained well, he could be someone who can use divine power, even if weakly. Seeing the scale of the magic he had used so far, it was plausible.

Rotenhan, holding the staff as if in prayer, shouted. His barrier was blocking Everett's attack.

[Now, O LORD, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone!]

Blood began to flow from Rotenhan's face. It's a magic that borrows the power of God, fitting for the incantation. Of course, that's just a symbol; to be precise, it's a magic that uses life force to amplify the effect of the ensuing magic. He is drawing out more than his limit. I could see Everett, who was launching an attack at him, looking horrified. The aide next to me said urgently.

Your Majesty.

"Leave him be."

How far can one go beyond their limits? Ultimately, this competition is to see that. If a serious problem is expected, he will be sent to the hospital, but not yet. Going that far is also a choice based on Rotenhan's will.

Perhaps he is overdoing it after confirming that the king is here. It would be better not to come next time. The king thought and clicked his tongue.

The calm voice of Rotenhan, who had closed his eyes and was supporting himself with his staff, was heard.

[With an overwhelming flood he will make an end of that place; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.]

While everyone was looking at Rotenhan, the king's gaze, unlike the others, was directed at the river. From the middle of the incantation, the river's depth had become drastically shallow, and the color of the bottom was visible. The king slammed down his staff and spread a dome-shaped barrier in front of the spectators' seats.

Kuung

"Oh oh oh!"

Aack!

At that moment, people were startled and pulled back. Everett also seemed quite flustered and his eyes widened. The river water began to rise to the sky like a wave with a living momentum. It's not a lake or reservoir with trapped water, not a stream, but a river. To use such a vast amount of water for an attack, enough to see the bottom of the river, he's a great mage, although there are many points to fix. But those many points to fix are the biggest problem. The idea of trapping the opponent with the river water itself since he can't throw him into the river is good, but his flexibility to change plans according to the situation is severely lacking. It's time to let go of the river water.

The king thought, looking at the water that had obscured the sun, shot up endlessly, and then began to fall fiercely downwards. Screams were heard from here and there because it was an amazing sight despite the barrier.

Everett, who was watching the water falling to the ground with a shocked expression, raised his hand.

I establish my covenant with you.

A white light like a fragment of sunlight flashed. The water droplets that were falling above his head stopped in mid-air. The sound of the water ceased, and silence fell.

Kuung

The sound of Rotenhan, who had used up all his magic power, losing consciousness and collapsing was heard. The murky gray river water sparkled with the light of the divine power. The light rode the water and rose to the sky. The night sky looked as bright as day.

Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.

The falling river water froze and then fell back into place as if time had been turned back. The sound of the river flowing calmly was heard as before. A gasp of admiration erupted from the frozen city of Munich.

Your Majesty.

Despite the aide's cautious call, the king did not close his eyes for a single moment and looked ahead. The king had to interpret whether Everett's incantation had a joke mixed in it this time as well. But he didn't have the energy to think that far. Sunlight that shouldn't be here at this time is shattering down from the sky. Fragments of divine power are falling everywhere you look in the city of Munich. The cool energy of the divine power felt like it was seeping into his bones, and he even had the illusion that all his magic power was draining away.

The divine power he had just seen was incomparable to all the divine power he had seen in his life. The pope's divine power he had seen at a papal coronation someday was not like this.

The king stared at Everett's bright blue eyes as he looked up at the divine power and said.

"Bring him."

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