The Evil Noble Desires A Beautiful Demise - Could It Be That You're Stuck In A Loop? - Episode 4

It had been about four years since I realized this was a game world. Salifa’s body had been growing steadily, and her stamina had been increasing as well. She still looked quite slender, not like she had much muscle.

Things are going smoothly with the magic as well.

“……the Ice Coffin”

The training golem prepared by Zebras, the magic teacher, was enveloped in ice. The core embedded in the golem’s chest lost its light and completely ceased functioning.

“Hohoh, you’ve completely mastered the fourth-tier magic, haven’t you?”

Clapping his hands, Zebras said that. Four years have passed, but it still seems suspicious.

The term “stepladder” refers to the rank of magic.

The higher the number, the more difficult it is to master, and fewer magicians can handle it. The highest-level magic is the eighth tier. Well, since in regular combat, only up to the fourth tier is usually used, many people don’t bother trying to master magic beyond that.

“With this, I can now call myself a full-fledged magician. My, oh my, to achieve this in just four years. If the other magicians of the world heard about it, wouldn’t they be so disheartened they’d hang themselves?”

It shouldn’t be that bad.

However, this growth rate was indeed abnormal.

“As expected of my adjustments. Hehehe, at this pace, I might even aim to become a great sorcerer.”

Those who have mastered magic up to the seventh tier are called Grand Sorcerers, right? They are specialists in magic, with only a few in the world. Well, one of the protagonists reaches that level, though.

“……What should we do next?”

I’ve already mastered up to fourth-tier magic, but what should I do now? I could move on to fifth-tier, but most of those are large-scale annihilation spells. Even if I practice, it seems like it would cause damage in various places, and besides, they don’t really have much practical use.

“Yes, indeed. It’s quite unexpected for it to be this fast. Well then, since we’re at it, shall we start practicing our unique magic?”

“……Training in a unique magic?”

I know about the inherent magic.

It is a special type of magic that deviates from the basic eight elemental magics. The magic that manifests depends on individual qualities, so it is said that the same magic does not exist. But isn’t that a talent you’re born with? What is training, I wonder?

“Isn’t it mysterious? Generally, it’s recognized as a talent one is born with, but according to my theory, unique magic is something everyone possesses. In other words, all humans have unique magic within them; it’s just that it hasn’t awakened yet.”

Isn’t that a major discovery?

Because the unique magic I know is all powerful. If everyone could use it, the world situation might change.

“Well, the current situation is just a theoretical exercise, you know? If you’re interested, shall we give it a try? It would be nice for me to gather some data too, you know?”

“…I’ll give it a try.”

A unique magic, huh?

I’m starting to feel pumped up.

“That’s good, isn’t it? Then, please empty all the magic power from your body, okay?”

“……Huh?”

Isn’t that the super spicy one?

It’s called magic deficiency, and it causes dizziness, headaches, nausea, and various other physical ailments.

“Come on, come on, please start quickly. Time is limited, you know?”

I’ve already started regretting it.

Well, since I said I would do it, I guess I have no choice but to go through with it…

Over the past four years, Zebras has surprisingly been teaching magic properly. Well, there have been many unreasonable demands like this time, but since they had their meaning, it was hard to complain.

The pursuit of magic continues.

The training in swordsmanship was also progressing smoothly.

“……Meteor Sword”

Activating his martial arts, he unleashed a series of flowing strikes on Firai. The continuous slashes were so rapid that his arms seemed to blur, but Firai deftly countered each one.

“……Falling Star ”

Cancel the Meteor Sword midway and switch to the next martial technique without any hesitation. This skill is a crucial element at the heart of the Firai-style swordsmanship.

A powerful downward strike from above attacks Firai. However, it is dodged with an abnormal reaction speed. Firai smirks. The large technique’s martial art has a slight delay after activation, so he must be aiming for that.

“……Star breaker”

Activate an additional martial technique mid-swing.

This is not a technique of swordsmanship but falls under the category of shock footwork. However, our purpose here is to buy time until the paralysis is lifted. As planned, Firai’s counterattack stops, and our paralysis is lifted.

At that moment, they both kept their distance from each other.

“Wonderful, Lady Salifa!!”

Sheathed the sword, and Firai applauded with praise. Firai always compliments me, but this time, it was unsatisfactory.

“…I haven’t scored a single point.”

“Hahaha, well, I have my own pride too! But it seems like it’s getting harder to maintain that pride.”

Saying that, Firai’s expression softens.

“The level of proficiency in martial arts is hard to believe for someone who has only been wielding a sword for four years.”

Martial arts are like magic for front-line jobs.

You can unleash powerful attacks and abilities with effects. Well, there are corresponding drawbacks, though.

“Selecting martial arts techniques that incorporate rapid switching and recovery from stiffness. I have absorbed all the teachings and can put them into practice. If, by any chance, I were to take on a disciple in the future, I might find it unsatisfying.”

You’re really flattering me today.

Indeed, I think I’ve improved at an astonishing speed up to this point, but I still can’t catch up to Firai. Even when compared to my knowledge of the game, I should have become quite strong, but isn’t Firai too strong? It’s strange that I’ve never heard of him in the game, even though he’s this strong.

“I want to catch up to Firai…”

“Haha, that’s quite a nice thing to say! Normally, one might feel anxious about being caught up to by their student, but I find myself looking forward to it. As the founder of the Firai style of swordsmanship, it might be a bit peculiar, though.”

It seems that Firai’s swordsmanship was self-taught, and I was surprised when I heard there was no school of thought behind it. Martial arts techniques are usually developed over many years by various schools, but it’s strange that Firai managed to create so many on his own. Well, I suppose a school can sometimes be born from the genius of a single individual.

By the way, when I became a teacher, I named it the Firai style. We discussed several candidates, but in the end, we settled on a safe name. I’m glad it didn’t end up being the Beautiful Star’s Radiance style.

“Well then, let’s move on to the next stage. I thought it was still too early, but seeing such rapid growth so far makes me excited too.”

“…The next stage?”

Was there really such a thing?

“Yes, that’s right. It’s called, Transcend Exceed.”

Oh, you mean the Transcend Exceed!

In the game, it refers to a super-enhanced state that activates under specific conditions. The power of magic and martial arts increases, and evasion abilities are significantly boosted.

Does that mean it can be activated at will?

“If you can do this, Lady Salifa’s abilities will increase several notches. Well, actually, I was using it just a moment ago…”

“……Is that so?”

I didn’t notice at all.

I mean, I think it’s amazing that you can use Exceed on your own will during battle.

“That’s right. So you were that cornered!”

Firai laughs.

It’s a refreshing smile that shows they are genuinely happy about my growth.

“Well then, as for the Transcend Exceed, it requires quite rigorous training to master. Therefore, whether to aim for mastery or not is entirely up to your decision, Lady Salifa.”

Firai is staring intently.

Even if I say I probably won’t master it, no one will say anything, but my mind is made up.

“Please… tell me.”

Of course.

It would definitely be cooler if it could be used.

“Hahaha, I thought you’d say that! This Firai will definitely master it!!”

He thumps his chest and declares.

Really, he’s such a reliable and good person.

I think the reason he has been able to continue his swordsmanship training for the past four years is undoubtedly because of Firai’s character. He apparently took this job because he was in financial trouble, but I hope Firai can escape before the Duke of Grietz becomes a traitor. If I’m still alive by then, I will definitely help him, but I can’t promise that.

The training in swordsmanship continues.