The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 30

Five months after starting school, while having a meal in the dining hall with Fars as usual, Senior Arnold sat down beside us and struck up a conversation.

“Fars, Marloa, the tournament is coming up soon. You’re planning to participate, right?”

“I wasn’t planning on it, but Fars should join,” I replied.
“Me? If Marloa says so, I’ll do it,” Fars agreed.

“There aren’t any particularly outstanding students this year, so you’ve got a good shot at winning. What about you, Marloa? Aren’t you joining?”

“I’m not aiming to become a knight, so I wasn’t planning on it.”
“You should join and win. People call you someone without magic, don’t they? Prove them wrong. Besides, if you win, His Majesty the King will present you with a reward.”

“…Fars, what do you think?”

Hearing the word “reward,” both Fars and I perked up. Arnold’s argument made sense, and the mention of a reward piqued our interest.

“My lady, why not give it a try just this year?” Fars suggested.
“Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Good choice. I’ll bet on you winning,” Arnold said with a grin.
“Betting!?”

“Of course. That’s part of the excitement of the tournament.”
I was taken aback by Arnold’s boldness.

“Fars, if I win, we’ll make a fortune, won’t we?”

“Probably. A girl without magic? Everyone will assume you don’t stand a chance,” Fars replied.

So that’s why Arnold wanted me to participate—to bet on me. Well, that’s fine. If I, a girl without magic, win, it’ll be quite the spectacle. No one would expect it.

“If I’m going to compete, I’ll need to prepare for magical attacks.”

“In that case, I can help with your training. Bring your sword to my lab after lunch,” Arnold offered.

Feeling slightly goaded but also determined, I decided to give it my best shot.

After finishing our meal, Fars and I returned to the dormitory to fetch our swords before heading to Arnold’s laboratory.

Upperclassmen alchemists each have their own laboratory, I’d heard. Occasionally, there are reports of explosions in the research wing, which didn’t surprise me.

Arnold’s lab was located at the far end of the second floor. The building adjacent to the alchemist wing housed the magic students.

—Knock, knock, knock—

“Come in.”

Arnold promptly let us in. The room was filled with various intriguing items, but thankfully nothing grotesque.

“It’s more… alchemist-like than I expected,” I commented.

“I’m not sure what you mean, but maybe you’re thinking of the magic students. They keep caterpillars and lizards, and they escape all the time,” Arnold explained.

“I figured your lab would look the same,” Fars chimed in.

“It’s just your imagination. Now, Marloa, hand me your sword,” Arnold instructed.

I handed over my sword as he rummaged through a shelf, pulling out a bottle of viscous liquid. He began coating the blade, adding another substance from a different bottle, and then chanted a spell while tracing the blade with his fingers from hilt to tip.

As we watched, the sword glowed faintly, and magical inscriptions appeared on it. Fars and I were speechless.

“There, it’s done. I’ve made it magic-resistant,” Arnold announced proudly.

“That’s amazing, Senior! Can you do mine too?” Fars asked eagerly.

“It would be pointless for your sword, Fars. Magic resistance would render it useless as a magic sword,” Arnold replied bluntly.

“That’s not fair! Just Marloa gets the cool sword?” Fars protested, his usual composed demeanor cracking.

“Maybe you could add double attack power or triple speed?” Fars suggested hopefully.

“Do you want to be disqualified?” Arnold retorted sharply.
“…Disqualified?” Fars blinked in surprise.

“I guess you didn’t know. Enhancing a weapon or using strengthening magic during the tournament is against the rules.

“For magic users, it would give them too much of an advantage over non-magic users. However, magic resistance is allowed for those without magic. Most commoners without magic can’t afford enchanted gear, but they’re permitted for fairness.

“On the other hand, defensive enhancements for armor are allowed for safety reasons. But Marloa doesn’t need to worry—her Dungeon Gear equipment is already exceptional.

“Also, this enchantment only nullifies magic; it doesn’t count as a strengthening spell. So, no risk of disqualification.”

Arnold handed back the sword and casually threw a small fireball at it. The fireball fizzled out upon contact with the blade, leaving no mark.

“That’s incredible, Senior!” I exclaimed.
“Go test it out outside,” Arnold suggested.

Fars and I went outside, eager to try.
“Fars, throw something at me!”

Fars cast spells like [Ice Ball] and [Wind Cutter] at the sword. Each time, I swung the sword and nullified the spells with a satisfying pop.

“This is so much fun!”

Excited, I swung the sword repeatedly, marveling at its capabilities.

“Thank you so much, Senior Arnold,” I said as we returned to the lab.

“No problem. Just make sure you win—that’s all I ask,” he said with a sly grin.

It was clear Arnold was determined to profit from his bet.
Fars and I thanked him again before heading back to our dorms.
At the academy, there are two long breaks each year. The first occurs about five months after enrollment, lasting a month, and coincides with the social season of balls and gatherings. The second, later in the year, is for preparing to welcome new students.

Before the first break, there are exams and the tournament.
The second break is preceded by exams and the Magic Tournament. While the regular tournament focuses on the knight course, the Magic Tournament highlights the magic students.

The Magic Tournament also features exhibitions from the alchemy and etiquette courses.

While the knight course students focus on the first tournament, upperclassmen in other courses put their efforts into the exhibitions and the Magic Tournament.