Published: August 2, 2025
Today, three chapters are posted simultaneously.
This is the third chapter.
"Stop right there! The winner is Lucas!"
My announcement was almost simultaneous with the crowd’s cheers from the stands.
The match between the instructors proceeded smoothly, and in the third match, our Lucas won. Whether they win or lose, it doesn’t really matter, but it's always nice to see a comrade win.
As a referee, I treat everyone fairly, though.
"Alright then, time for some study. Both of you, please explain. Lucas, you go first."
"Got it. My weapon was introduced at the start—this hammer. Some say it's heavy and hard to handle, but as you saw, those issues can be more than compensated for with strength and practice. And above all, if you hit cleanly, the power is huge."
"I got knocked back along with my shield too," the opponent swordsman added with a light laugh. He skillfully fought using a wooden one-handed sword in his right hand and a shield in his left, but after taking a direct hit from Lucas’s hammer, his chances quickly worsened.
Shields come in various types, but the one-handed shield he used isn’t meant to outright block attacks—it’s designed to deflect or parry them.
He failed at that, and the shield, which took the hammer head-on, was slightly dented. His left hand holding it seemed unable to apply force properly.
After their explanation about their weapons while reviewing the match, I called out as the next participants prepared to switch in.
"Carmine, is your hand alright? Any injuries?"
"It’s pretty numb, but there’s no pain, so it should be fine."
The hammer’s heaviness and impact were its defining features. So, Lucas and his opponent fought using the hammer and shield they normally use, unlike the other participants.
"Alright, but don’t overdo it. You should go check with Ryoma. He’ll cast some healing magic on you—the slime will."
That was said just before the first match started. Apparently, Carmine had brought a heal slime along.
He said he would conserve mana for the fight and let the slime handle healing, which was still perched atop his head.
"By the way, healing magic is free during the training period."
"That's great. Maybe I’ll have it check my whole body… but it’s scary if it finds some weird disease..."
"No, if there’s a disease, it’s better to find it early."
Well, healing magic can only cure injuries. And what weird disease could he be suspecting?
"Roche! Ready when you are!"
"Alright, coming!"
The next match was ready to begin.
"Well then. Make sure you get checked properly."
Parting ways with Carmine, I returned to my duties as a referee.
"Now then... Mage Lucy versus dual swordsman Bosco! Fourth match, start!"
Cheers rose again. But then...
"Whoa, oh!? Aaaahhh!?!"
Amid the cheers, a deep shout silenced the students.
Bosco, the source of the noise, sank into the ground, struggling without his sword.
There was no way he was doing that willingly.
Looking at Lucy, the opponent, she gave me a calm smile, as if to say, “What did you expect?”
"Ah... that's enough. This match goes to Lucy!"
I declared, but this time, no cheers followed.
Instead, a murmur of confusion spread among the students who didn’t understand what just happened.
First, we pulled Bosco out... a few people had to help, but it’s fine. He doesn't seem injured, and the dirt can be cleaned up later by Ryoma.
He’s a quiet but effective helper behind the scenes... quick with his work, and having someone like that is definitely helpful.
"Lucy, explain."
"Alright, pay attention! Um, first, you all understand that I caused this situation, right?"
Since I’d declared the winner, the students nodded in agreement.
"And I’m a 'mage.' Naturally, I used magic to cause this result. Does anyone know what kind of magic I used?"
"Earth magic!"
"Water magic!"
"But the adult is buried up to his neck, so isn’t it earth magic?"
"Look closely at the ground. She used water magic to make the ground muddy."
Most guessed either earth or water magic. Not wrong, but that’s not the whole picture.