Chapter 9

After school, Cerulia and I headed to the training grounds.

Since Cerulia stood out so much, slipping away quietly was out of the question. Besides, if I ran away now, I was sure Dolk would spend the rest of his life branding me a coward.

Despite the fact that the duel had only been decided today, a sizable gallery of spectators had already gathered at the grounds. Everyone must have a lot of free time on their hands.

Dolk stood on the opposite side of the field, arms crossed.

“The rules are simple. The match is over when a mage loses consciousness or admits defeat. No objections, I assume?”

“None at all. I shall end this quickly for you!” Cerulia declared loftily.

Honestly, this felt less like a duel between me and Dolk and more like a duel between Cerulia and Dolk.

As for me, my only plan was to line up some [Light Shields] around Cerulia once the match started. While I wasn’t completely incapable of combat magic, I hadn’t exactly planned on joining the military, so my skills were only mediocre.

One of the teachers had been recruited to act as a referee. Technically, dueling isn’t forbidden by school regulations. I think this speaks to the magic school’s liberal atmosphere.

“Then, let the duel begin!”

The teacher, whose hairline was in a state of serious retreat, lowered his hand.
And we were off.

I immediately began an incantation. A mage can’t do much of anything without chanting. Strictly speaking, there are spells without chants, but they’re usually too weak to be useful.

Incidentally, this spell didn’t require a magic circle. Except for large-scale rituals, most White Magic can be activated through chanting alone. One reason for Dark Magic’s lack of popularity is likely the fact that most of it requires magic circles, which is a huge hassle.

“O bunches of radiant morning light, grant your blessing now upon the heavenly warrior standing amidst the enemy!”

I cast [Light Shield] on Cerulia, while mentally retorting that she was less a “heavenly warrior” and more a “Succubus from the Underworld.”

Translucent shields materialized around Cerulia. This would mitigate physical impact to some degree, though it was an unknown factor how much of a Golem’s attack power it could withstand.

“Master, thank you! My courage is increased a hundredfold!”

“Just make sure you don’t get hurt!”

On the other side, my opponent had naturally summoned his White Golem immediately. Its body looked like it was constructed from stacked cinderblocks. It was about seven meters tall. Two eyes glowed in the area where its face should be.

If you used this thing for hauling cargo, it would be incredibly efficient. It’s a very practical spell for finding employment.

“Go, White Golem! Crush that Succubus! …Wait, actually, go easy on her, don’t hurt her too much…”

It seemed he even felt a bit guilty about attacking a beautiful girl.

Whether the Golem truly processed that nuanced command was a mystery, but it charged at Cerulia with a speed one wouldn’t imagine from its appearance.

“Well, I suppose this is the best you can do.”

A staff appeared in Cerulia’s hand. I wonder if she summoned it from the Underworld. Then, while muttering an incantation that sounded distinctly like Dark Magic, she began to draw a magic circle right where she stood.

“The… the familiar is casting magic?!”

That exclamation came from the referee teacher.

“I see! Even for a familiar, if they are of high enough rank, they can learn magic of their own will! Which means Franz’s side effectively has two combatants! He has an overwhelming advantage in terms of firepower!”

This teacher sure talked a lot! Before I knew it, he had taken up the position of a live commentator. Still, thanks to him, I understood Cerulia’s intent.

Cerulia intended to defeat the enemy with her own magic. This was a battle for a familiar to avenge the enemy who had insulted her Master’s honor.

Cerulia finished her chant.

Suddenly, several writhing things sprouted from beneath the White Golem’s feet. They coiled themselves around the Golem’s legs.

“T-tentacles!” I shouted involuntarily.

Dozens of octopus-like tentacles emerged, binding the Golem tightly.

“I am a Succubus. Any magic that is… ‘sexual’ in nature, I can master in a very short time and activate with less mana than usual. Therefore, I can easily summon even a terrifying entity like this!”

Apparently, she had summoned some sort of high-ranking demon for a bargain price, using the logic that “tentacles can be used for lewd things.”

“Hey, Cerulia… just what did you summon?”

“If an ordinary human hears its name, they may occasionally go mad from pure terror. Therefore, I cannot speak it.”

Please don’t summon such dangerous things.

“If we take too long, the main body attached to the tentacles will emerge, so we must settle this before then.”

Dark Magic really is a bit scary… or rather, Cerulia is just too strong.

“A familiar that uses even more magic? Just how powerful is she?!”

Dolk was also reeling from the shock. It was certainly a complete departure from common sense.

“It simply proves how great my Master is!”

Well, I suppose if Cerulia is amazing, then I, as the one who made her my familiar, must be amazing too. I must have had an incredible compatibility with Dark Magic.

The Golem resisted, but it was eventually dragged down by the tentacles. The number of tentacles, which had started at three, had multiplied to over ten. Even a Golem was helpless against that.

“Impossible… My Golem, fallen prey to tentacles…” Dolk lost his words at the shocking sight.

“You are the next prey.”

Cerulia turned a cold gaze toward Dolk.

“Feel the weight of your sin for challenging my Master to a duel!”

One of the tentacles lunged at Dolk. It didn’t blow him away—instead, it constricted him tightly.

“Urgh… can’t… breathe…”

Dolk passed out on the spot, and the match ended abruptly. With Dolk unconscious, the Golem crumbled back into ordinary soil. The tentacles also vanished back to the Underworld or wherever they came from.

“If he had resisted further, I was going to attack by shoving a tentacle into his mouth, so I’m glad he fainted quickly.”

Dark Magic for combat really is ruthless…

“I have protected your honor, Master.”

Cerulia returned to me with a bright smile.

“Yeah, thanks, Cerulia.”

I felt too shy to hug her again, so I patted her head instead.

“Ahn… please, pat me more.”

Cerulia made a cute sound that made it impossible to believe she had just summoned a horrific monster.

“And with this, you can become a Baron. You are a member of the nobility, Master!”

Come to think of it, he did stake that on the duel. I don’t really feel like a noble, but I suppose I’ll take what I can get.