I Have been Reincarnated As a Lazy, Arrogant Noble, but When I Destroyed The Scenario Through Effort, I Became The Most Powerful With Extraordinary Magical Power - 68

068 – Doubt

“Weiss, what should we do?”

“Considering the remaining time, bold moves will likely emerge. We need to strike there. For now, let’s wait.”

“I’ll guard the rear.”

Lillith, clad in her jet-black training uniform, moves away from me and Cynthia.

“Remaining time: 10 minutes left, remaining time: 10 minutes left.”

The magical birds cry out, circling above.

We are currently at the training grounds of Noblesse Magic Academy, a place dotted with ruins of houses and buildings.

Originally, it seems to have been a small town, but the headmaster has cast a special spell on it. Even if damaged, it automatically repairs itself over time with permanent magic.

In short, it’s a combat test in a simulated town. As lower-level students progress, this type of battle becomes more common.

While wars in countries often happen outdoors, in a world full of adventurers and criminals, battles within towns are inevitable.

A while back, when the Bhutan trio accosted me during a practical test, that’s exactly what happened.

Although I must admit that I started the fight with them.

“Alan Squad, Beefy Squad defeated, points have shifted.”

At that moment, the magical bird in the sky raised its voice.

“Squads” refer to the fact that the training is done in teams of three.

At Noblesse, individual battles alternate with team battles in training.

It’s efficient and fosters camaraderie.

My team consists of Cynthia and Lillith. Naturally, Alan is partnered with Duke and Shari.

We’re currently in the lead for points. Since mastering the Ice Sword Glacieus, Cynthia has become nearly invincible.

Lillith has also become significantly stronger.

However, there’s a team that’s chasing us relentlessly.

At that moment, I feel a killing intent from Lillith behind me.

More accurately, she’s emanating magical energy, signaling that there’s prey nearby.

“Let’s go, Cynthia.”

“Yes!”

We run toward the back, where lower-level students are engaged in battle.

They must be eager for points.

While I did overcome the Calamity, I’m still learning tactics. Merely defeating immediate foes won’t ensure my survival in the future.

Taking the initiative is crucial, but sometimes entering later is necessary too.

“Now, go.”

Following my command, Lillith and Cynthia also charge forward.

An attack from beyond our field of vision – I take down one of the lower-level students.

Cynthia and Lillith attempt to finish off the rest…

“Haah!”

From high above, Karta fires a magical cannon. It hits one of the lower-level students, causing magic to leak out.

Instantly, Riz’s Pipis appears… and defeats the remaining one.

“Tch, it was snatched.”

In my line of sight, on top of a ruin’s roof, a bespectacled girl smiles at me.

The points a squad member earns are shared within the team.

The two squads –

“Cecil Squad, Feezy Squad defeated. Currently in second place.”

Led by Cecil, a trio comprising Karta and Olin.

After the Calamity, she’s undergoing significant changes compared to her original self. Even during the school trip, she was reading books on strategy. Her motivation is clearly high.

Karta wields an incredibly powerful magical cannon fired from flight magic. And Olin, after feeling frustrated by his powerlessness during the demon battle, constantly strives to exceed the limits of the creatures he can command.

Cecil supports them with her exceptional intellect, of course.

In individual battles, I remain undefeated. Precisely because of that, Cecil won’t attack head-on.

Moving back and forth, much like during the Calamity, battles are chaotic.

There’s no “Ready, set, go” here; it’s a constant cycle of evading and engaging.

Until now, I believed that as long as I grew strong, I could achieve total victory. However, that’s not the case – I also need to strive for strength in tactics.

Perhaps their squad, even among the lower-level students, is the most well-balanced.

“Weiss, Weiss!?”

“Well then, see you later.”

Although I’ve defeated one, the time has run out.

“Weiss Squad, first place. Cecil Squad, second place. Alan Squad, third place.”

Looking at the results alone, our victory is assured, but it’s probably a narrow margin.

We’ll definitely surpass them if we continue this way.

I can’t let that happen.

But I also feel happiness.

The stronger I become, the more rewarding overcoming challenges is, and the more reliable I become.

Well, there are others who care about this even more than I do.

“We lost… it’s my fault…”

“No, Alan, it’s my fault… My muscles aren’t developed enough…”

“It’s because of me, being a burden…”

Alan, Duke, and Shari.

…Please don’t weaken in inverse proportion, you guys…

“Are they okay?”

“Don’t worry, Cynthia. They’ll be back soon. It seems they’re still keeping their weapons hidden.”

I know they’ve been secretly training at night.

The use of ancient magical tools is permitted, but it seems they haven’t mastered them yet since they haven’t brought them out during tests.

I can’t say I’m confident I’ve fully unlocked the potential either.

My attack power has increased, but I still don’t fully understand how to utilize the unique abilities of this weapon.

I turn my gaze to the Dual Sword, my magical blade.

A jet-black sword, covered in light – the ultimate blade. But that’s all it is.

“Expand your own weapon,” Milch Sensei always says.

While I’m refraining from using the whip to become more accustomed to the sword, I desire something overwhelmingly impactful.

To achieve that, I need to train more.

I’m not saying I’m the protagonist of a shonen manga, but I might be seeking something like a special move.

…Though such convenient things rarely happen.

After training, in the evening, I was casually strolling through the schoolyard.

Noblesse Magic Academy boasts beautiful scenery. Nature is abundant, rivaling the Royal Capital National Park.

Tactics are difficult. They can’t be mastered overnight.

Perhaps it’s experience that’s necessary above all else.

There are many things I still don’t understand within the academy.

…Outside, in the world.

Well, this might be just the right timing.

If it follows the original work, it should be about time…

Lost in these thoughts, I’m surprised to see an unexpected person standing before me.

Well, considering she’s my senpai, it’s not that surprising.

“How are you doing, junior?”

The invincible, strongest goddess, Eva Avery.

She’s still undefeated in individual battles. A top student among the intermediate level students, no one can surpass her.

Students who dream of their future at Noblesse are always told not to compare themselves to Eva.

She’s different. No matter how much talent you have, you can’t see a future where you beat her.

I know the state of her “brokenness” well, perhaps because I’m familiar with the original work.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to end things with just admiration.

Surpassing Eva is one of my goals.

And incredibly, that opportunity has come my way, driven by her whim.

“It’s okay, I guess. Or rather, it’s quite rare.”

Eva is a student, yet she’s a shut-in who rarely leaves her room.

She even has her meals brought to her room, adhering to the setting from the original work.

Although intermediate students wear the same uniform as us, Eva often wears casual clothes.

It’s her prerogative, but there aren’t many people like that.

Currently, she’s in a white dress-like style, which further sets her apart.

After yawning sleepily, she speaks.

“I woke up at a weird time. For a wake-up call, how about…?”

Noblesse students possess personal points. Based on these points, students can challenge each other to battles. However, because Eva is at the top, you need to be ranked quite high to challenge her.

But if she nominates you and the lower-ranked student agrees, it’s different.

It’s an unexpected stroke of luck… Though it’s not an official match, there won’t be any point exchange, but it’s still a great opportunity.

“I don’t need to wish for it.”

“Hehe, then shall we?”

Noblesse’s training room is in the basement. While it’s open for observation, not many gather here unless it’s an official match.

However…

“Weiss, do your best! Stay alive!”

“Eva Senpai!”

“Don’t die, Weiss…”

Whether it was the fact that Eva and I were walking side by side, or that we were heading to the training room, the topic quickly spread, and a crowd gathered.

Perhaps some just woke up or were about to sleep – some were even in their pajamas.

Even senior students we don’t usually see were there.

Well, they’re probably concerned about me.

“Hehehe, you’re quite popular, Weiss-kun.”

“…It’s you, isn’t it? So, what are the rules?”

“Anything goes. You can use controlled monsters, ancient magical tools, whatever you like. Well, I won’t use anything, though.”

Eva always goes empty-handed. Even in the original work, she didn’t use weapons. I know she carries a staff for transportation magic, but that’s about it.

“…I won’t hold back. Devi.'”

“Debi-bi-bi!”

Appearing next to my head with a pop.

I’ve recently learned that Devi can store a certain amount of items. It’s convenient not to always have to carry a sword around, and it’s also useful for storing things.

And now, I grasp the handle of the magical sword Dual Sword, which is nothing but the hilt. As I infuse it with dark magic, it takes on the form of a sword.

People who haven’t seen my sword, including Devi, seem to be excitedly yelling about it.

“What’s with that sword!? And the controlled monsters… scary yet cute.”

“Can Weiss really control them?”

“Such immense magical power.”

While I’ve practiced with Devi several times, it’s still quite challenging.

It’s often said that having four limbs is a good thing. Imagining Olins as multiple bodies is laughable.

While summoning, I’m constantly expanding magical power, so if we don’t coordinate well, it becomes a disadvantage.

There are various constraints and it’s difficult.

But I wonder how effective my current abilities will be against Eva. I’m looking forward to finding out.

“No need for the bell to start the match. Just come whenever you’re ready.”

Her hair, as white as silver, sways. She behaves as though she’s about to drink coffee.

Let’s start by observing her behavior.

And without a word, I charge forward.

I won’t do something as foolish as facing her head-on.

Just before reaching her, unnatural walls called “Unnaturals” appear to the left and right, and I jump between them like skipping.

Even if it’s Eva, she’ll likely have trouble reacting to being moved at such speed right after waking up.

I move Devi to the back and sandwich her from the opposite direction.

And the moment I swing my sword…

“Haaah!!”

“Debi-bi-bi!”

My all-out attack and Devi’s dark magic cannon.

Although I’ve only recently started controlling it, its power is far from insignificant. If it were a lower-level student, they’d probably be knocked out in one hit.

Both attacks are coming from different directions. It’s the coordinated combination technique, “Combination,” that Olin taught me.

No matter how skilled Eva is…

“Hehehe, nice. I like your enthusiasm.”

However, Eva clenches magical power in both hands. With just that… she easily intercepts my sword and Devi’s magic.

It’s not an unavoidable barrier, nor a complex spell. It’s purely overwhelming magic resistance.

“Eva Senpai, that’s too much, isn’t it!?”

“She blocked Weiss’s attack so easily!?”

“Seriously, Devi’s magic is strong.”

…Indeed, the official bug cheat.

What kind of magical power is she using? It’s way too broken.

And Eva, with a pleased expression, smiles.

“You’re strong, really, you’re strong.”

“You say that often. And to block it so easily.”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean. By the time I graduate, I’m sure I’ll be capable of something incredible.”

From Eva’s perspective, it might be the highest compliment. But from mine, it sounds like she’s taunting me.

In other words, I’m weak for now.

Haha, interesting.

“I see. Well, then, how about this?”

Next, I’m going all out with the intent to kill.

[Divine Healing and Destructive Impulse]

I’m growing too.

The ground spreads out at a faster speed than before, heading toward Eva.

And the power flowing into me – I shudder instinctively.

Unfathomable magical power, overwhelming strength, it keeps flowing even beyond the limit.

Just like when I was a dragon. If I keep absorbing like this, my body will swell up and explode.

“Are you alright?”

But it doesn’t come to that. I’m growing, after all.

Before it overflows, all I need to do is use magical power to the fullest.

My movement speed had also increased. I felt a strength several times greater than before.

The more powerful and numerous the opponent, the more advantageous this magic becomes.

Since the magic power is also inherited by Devi, which I’m controlling, I unleash an even stronger magic blast than before.

While adding a sword strike at the same time, Eva still receives them with her bare hands, unchanged.

And Eva quietly let out a smile.

Her hands didn’t move, but I felt an indescribable sense of fear. Surprised, I backed away.

But I saw it. The unseen hand…

“It’s amazing, isn’t it? Have you figured out what this is too?”

In the original story, Eva’s secrets haven’t been revealed due to her voluntary withdrawal from the school. However, I felt like I had grasped a little bit of the secret behind her strength.

Then, amidst the crowd, Eva and I continued our battle.

In terms of results, I didn’t lose. But I didn’t win either.

My attacks landed, but dealt minimal damage. Eva seemed to be more interested in morning exercises than fighting seriously. It was more of a workout than a real fight.

Still, when I listened to the conversations of the other students of the same grade as Eva, even that seemed unbelievable.

“Going up against Eva… is that guy Weiss?”

“Amazing…”

“Yeah…”

When the students from our grade looked at Eva, their eyes were filled with admiration. It seems to have transcended the dimension of winning or losing.

And that somehow made me feel a bit lonely.

After the match, everyone praised me. But no one spoke to Eva.

Still, she smiled satisfied.

She told me it was fun with a few words, then turned to leave. So, I pushed through the crowd…

“Thank you, Eva Senpai.”

“—Likewise, it was fun.”

This wasn’t a real match.

If I were to liken it to Battle Universe, it would be something like a coaching duel.

This is how it should be, I felt Eva was teaching me.

Constantly striving for higher levels is important, after all.

“Lord Weiss, that was amazing! Your movements were incredible!”

“Yes, Weiss, we’re proud of you.”

Strangely, I could genuinely accept the praise from Cynthia and Lillith.

I’m still not on equal footing with the strongest goddess, but I’ve grown strong enough to be acknowledged.

I won’t become conceited, but maybe it’s okay to praise myself once in a while.

But then again…

“Cynthia, Lillith, would you two skip the afternoon lectures and help me with my training? I’d like to practice a bit more with Devi.”

“Of course, we’d be happy to assist. We’re at your service.”

“Let’s skip! I prefer moving my body!”

I won’t stop putting in effort.