20　Magic Tournament

 

　Ring of Pursuit.

　Contrary to its lame name, this is a very powerful accessory.

　Its effect 「After using an Attack Magic spell, there is a 10% chance an additional spell will be cast」 although it sounds simple, its benefits can be quite substantial.

　For example, let’s say that you’re in a situation where you have to use Magic against a boss that has very high HP. If you need 1100 casts to defeat it, simply casting 1000 spells will have 10% of those be double attacks. In other words, you can defeat it 100 casts earlier.

Some people might think it as “It’s not a big deal” or “That situation is rare”. But that’s not all there is to it.

　In fact, this accessory can be strengthened starting from Grade 3. If I later become acquainted with someone possessing a high rank 『Blacksmith Job』 they could use 《Performance Enhancement》, turning the Ring of Pursuit into something more monstrous.

　Specifically, after a Grade 3 reinforcement, the chance of an additional attack rises from 10 to 25%. That is, one in every four spells. That means, for every 1000 shots you need to make, you only need to cast 800 of them. It’s an outrageous effect. It makes me get goosebumps.

　But. There’s a reason why such a high-performance item is rare.

　Its price was a whopping 1.5 billion CL. It even came with three memory-foam pillows.

　It was that expensive in the Mobius era. I’m not sure how much it would cost in this world.

———————

　…………I want it.

　I absolutely want to obtain it.

　No matter what kind of hand I have to play.

　With my mind set, I asked to participate in the Magic Tournament.

　Luckily, the tournament is held on the last day of my study abroad. I used to tell people that the Grimoires were rare to me, so I might seem suspicious if they see me using the Second and Third Form of spells. But if that comes to pass, I’ll just do something about it then.

　I need to think of something.

　Or rather, I want the Ring of Pursuit even if they get suspicious of me.

——————————-

“Maine, are you going to enter the Magic Tournament? “

　The day before the tournament. After hearing casual words at lunch, Maine’s expression hardened.

“……Will you participate, Second-san? “

“Yeah. I will.”

“Phuuuu!? “

　By my side, Silvia spat her drink out of her mouth in surprise.

“Why haven’t I heard of this!? “

“Because I never said it.”

　She is the same as always. It was a nice reaction this time though.

“Say, Maine, do you have something against participating in the Magic Tournament? “

　I got curious and asked him that question. Afterwards, Maine answered with a cloudy expression.

“Tomorrow… Elder brother will be coming…”

“The First Prince? You don’t like him? “

“That’s no it, it’s just, I’m not very good dealing with…”

　So, you don’t like him.

“Elder brother has overwhelming talent. Because I only have talent for Magic, my brother, who is good at Swordsmanship, says that I’m a wimp and looks down on me. And even if I have no intentions of it, my brother sees me as an enemy in the fight for succession of the throne. He will come visiting tomorrow as the leader of the First Knight Order, but I think his true purpose is to ridicule me in front of as many people as possible.”

　Looks like he has a bad personality, that guy.

　However, so the First Prince is the leader of the First Knight Order, huh?

“…………”

　When I glanced at Silvia, she had a face as if she had bitten a sour bug.

　I see, I get it. Of those who used to trouble Silvia, the “Upper Echelons” in the knights, the First Prince is the very top of them.

“Can’t you just skip attending the Magic Tournament? “

“Impossible!　I’m the Second Prince after all. “

“I see, what about faking some temporary illness or something?”

“Elder brother would probably say something like: That wimpy brother of mine is a coward that can’t even present himself at the Magic Tournament, while attending the Magic Academy! “

　…If rumors that he is suspected of using his position as Second Prince to tamper with his grades and rank reach the First Prince, and he censures him in return, Maine would have no place in the school.

　But then, if he faces his brother, he would be severely abused in front of the eyes of many.　Being a prince is hard…

“I don’t know what to say… Sorry.”

“…It’s fine, Second-san. It can’t be helped.”

　Has Maine given up? He said this with an expression as if to admit defeat.

　Not worrying about such a sad reality, next to me Eko was happily eating rice. Her appearance was quite soothing.

“By the way, Second-dono.”

“Uh, what is it? “

“I’ve already learned the Third Form. Three days ago.”

“Seriously?　Three days ago!?　Why haven’t I heard of this!? “

“Because I never said it.”

“…………”

　Damn, she got me back…

————————–

　The day of the Magic Tournament.

　There were a lot of spectators on the grounds.

　After separating from Silvia and Eko, I was in the participant’s waiting room.

　There were a few other students participating, chatting and making a buzz between each other. About ten people.

“But that ring that is the prize… what is it? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Seems like, since last year was the 50th anniversary, they reduced the scale and the price this year.”

“The number of participants decreased too, and there was a change in the rules. It’s not what it used to be.”

　Chances are high these students have a low level of skill.

　But even then, to not be able to know the true value of the Ring of Pursuit, even though they wish to be magicians?　Certainly, the 10% effect of the base ring might not seem like much, but don’t they know they can strengthen it…?

“But it seems there’s a rumor that Klaus-sama will be visiting this year.”

“That’s because of that, the A class dude.”

“Ahh, I see. The Second Prince.”

“I heard a rumor they have a very bad relationship.　Why is that?”

“Do you think he might want to beat him in an exhibition match? “

“Hahaha!　That would be nice.”

　After that, they started to excitedly bad-mouth Maine. The person in question wasn’t present so they had free reign.

　Still, no matter where you go in this school, they all have the idea that “First Prince＞Second Prince” totally engraved in their minds.  Seems quite unnatural. I don’t think this is Maine’s fault to be honest, and there’s a big possibility that someone on the side of the First Prince is manipulating that impression. Does he hate Maine so much?　That guy called Klaus.

“Excuse me…”

　Along with those words, an expressionless Maine opened the door of the waiting room. At that moment, the silence in the room returned. Well, that’s to be expected. They can’t keep their previous talk in these circumstances.

“Oh, are you seeded? “

　When he heard me calling up to him, Maine’s face lit up with a smile and he ran up to me.

“Yeah. I’m in the quarterfinals.”

“Seriously? Then, we’ll see each other in the finals.”

“Hehe, yeah, let’s meet in the finals.”

　The Magic Tournament is held like a traditional tournament. The number of participants is 15. Maine was on the far left and I on the far right. Then, if Maine wins twice and I win three times, we’ll meet at the finals.

　I see, I see.

　This is becoming interesting.

 

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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