Chapter 92: Holy Night Showdown (The Final Gamble)
『How many of them!?』
Led by me through the mist, Souta came rushing over the moment he spotted me lying face down on the floor.
The world flipped upside down, and the next thing I knew, I was being lifted up. My small frame was effortlessly cradled in Souta’s arms.
"...gh!"
A cry slipped from my lips as pain shot through my entire body.
『S-Sorry... Are you okay?』
My vision finally started functioning properly again, and I could see Souta clearly.
『Yeah... This is nothing. I’m fine.』
I forced a grin, trying not to worry him.
It’s thanks to telepathy that I can even talk like this. My mouth's torn up and swollen—I probably can’t speak properly out loud. It tastes like blood and iron.
『That is definitely not "nothing."』
Souta replied with a tone of exasperation. We were using telepathy to avoid being overheard by Aymok.
『Stuff like this happens all the time in another world. I can just heal it with magic later, no big deal.』
『...Are you serious?』
He sounded very skeptical.
I’m not lying. Why does he look like he doesn’t trust me...?
『Anyway, listen. We don’t have much time.』
Even now, I was activating the Ice Lance spells I’d set up earlier, keeping Aymok in check. Each time I cast a spell, a pounding pain slammed into my skull, making me dizzy and nauseous.
There were only a few of those Ice Lances left on the stage. And more importantly, my magic power was nearly depleted.
I couldn’t keep stalling much longer.
『Got it... What do you need me to do?』
Souta asked me seriously, his expression firm.
『Honestly, there’s no special plan. But if we just keep going like this, we’ll lose without doing anything. So I want to bet on your potential.』
『My... potential? But I haven’t been able to keep up with you guys at all...』
Souta spoke with frustration.
Normally, jumping into a fight between mages without even using magic would be suicide. Just holding off that shadow assault earlier was already an insane feat...
『Most of our combat ability comes from magic-enhanced physical strength. That’s why I’m thinking of using the same magic on you now.』
『For real!? Then I can fight that guy too! …Wait, but if you could do that, why didn’t you just do it from the start?』
A natural question. Not like I was trying to be stingy with it.
『Even if your physical strength increases, if your mind can’t keep up, it can actually lower your combat ability. In my case, it took me a whole week before I could fight without feeling off.』
It’s like someone who’s only ever driven a compact car suddenly being told to race in a Formula 1. Using it on the fly like this is reckless—borderline suicidal.
But even so...
『My magic’s almost gone. Once it runs out, I’ll have no way to keep fighting. If there’s any chance of you controlling that enhanced body, then betting on that is our only shot to beat Aymok with just you left.』
I had talked it over with Alicia, but we couldn’t come up with any other possibilities.
I felt guilty, knowing I was throwing all this on Souta, putting the outcome of the battle entirely in his hands. My face twisted with shame.
『Well then, I guess I’ve got no choice but to try it... Like you said, we don’t stand a chance as we are now.』
He answered with a light tone, but there was a strength behind it that made him seem incredibly reliable.
『Sorry for forcing this all on you, Souta... I overestimated myself, thought I could handle it all alone. If I’d enhanced your body and helped you get used to it earlier, none of this would’ve happened...』
I was overconfident. I thought I could overwhelm any opponent with magic—and this was the result.
The truth is, the water magic I can use right now is primarily supportive in nature. If I had focused on backing up Souta from the beginning, enhancing him and providing cover, the outcome of this battle might have been entirely different.
『We didn’t know Aymok was this strong, so don’t beat yourself up. Besides, your injuries are my fault. I’ve been nothing but a burden, so if there’s even a chance I can fight, I’m more than willing to take it.』
As he said that, Souta placed a hand on my forehead. His large, rugged hand gently patted me in reassurance.
『This was my fight to begin with, right?』
He gave me a thumbs-up and flashed a confident smile.
『…Souta.』
『Don’t worry. You know this, right? I’m pretty good at clearing games blind on the first try… So come on. Hit me with it. Then leave the rest to me and get some well-earned rest.』
With the last of my magic power, I began the chant for Lesser Physical Enhancement.
“…Oh? So you were hiding there. I was looking for you.”
As my magic power ran dry, the fog that had blanketed the stage lifted, clearing the field of vision.
The sun had started to set at some point. The seaside stage, once full of summer brightness, was now bathed in the red hues of dusk.
Aymok stood calmly on the stage, shadows swirling around them. His features were obscured, but I could feel his smug grin, radiating the certainty of victory.
Souta had helped me to sit, leaning against a utility pole at the edge of the stage. With the Fog Territory spell now gone, I could still see how this would end.
“So, you’ve finally run out of magic. After casting that many spells in a row, I suppose it was inevitable. Still… to find a vessel with that much mana in this world—surely, we must be loved by the gods.”
Don’t call me a “vessel.” It’s disgusting.
There’s no universe where I’d ever give birth to your child.
Aymok’s burning gaze made my skin crawl. I shuddered involuntarily.
The next moment, Souta stepped in between us, cutting Aymok off from my view.
“…Hey now, don’t go thinking the fight’s over just yet.”
Souta’s back looked so broad, so reliable. At the same time, I hated how useless I felt—just sitting there, unable to help.
“Kamishiro Souta. You have potential, I’ll grant you that. But in the end, you are a mere human with no magic. Know your place.”
Aymok clearly didn’t see Souta as an equal. Now that I was down, he was certain he couldn’t lose.
“…Enough talk. Let’s get started.”
――And so, the battle reached its final stage.
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