Chapter 36: Ancient Magic

Kazuya and Kalif faced off, swords drawn.

"First, let’s fight without support—just our own strength."

Kalif made that proposal.

Now that I thought about it, Kalif was a battle junkie who loved strong opponents. He probably enjoyed testing his skills rather than ending things in an instant.

But Kazuya wasn’t the type to take such offers lightly. Besides, the enemy was a demon—there was no need to humor him when it could be a trap. We should finish this quickly.

"Fine. Miki, no support."

"Wait, hold on—!!"

Damn that straightforward idiot Kazuya!

"Don’t take the bait, Kazuya! It might be a trap!"

"Nah, it’s not a trap. I can tell."

He declared it with absolute confidence.

No, no, this is a life-or-death battle! Even if the opponent was a former hero, he’s now a demon with power on par with the Demon King’s elite. Why would you trust him?!

"Relax, little lady. I don’t lie in battle—it’d just make things boring."

"Miki, it’s fine. Trust me."

Grrr… Once he says that, I can’t argue. I can’t interfere. All I can do is believe in Kazuya.

Glancing at Nevaska, she spread her hands in a "What can you do?" gesture. Seems she felt the same way. I guess this is just how heroes are.

"Fine, Kazuya! I trust you!"
"Let’s see what you’ve got, Kalif."

With that, we each sent our partners forward.

After a brief tension-filled moment—the two moved at the same time.

"Here I go! Azure Moon Awakening!"
"Golden Awakening!"

Almost simultaneous awakenings. The fact that he could use Awakening—a power unique to heroes—confirmed he really was once a hero.

Azure Moon Awakening… Azure—blue? So, water attribute? If so, that’s a decent matchup for Kazuya.

And with Nevaska, who likely specialized in ice magic, their synergy would be strong. Ice magic is more effective when there’s already water present, since it allows for higher-quality spells without needing to conjure the water first.

While I was thinking, the battle had already begun.

First, a clash of blades—testing each other’s strength. Now, they were taking turns attacking, defending, dodging, and countering in a rhythmic exchange.

Kazuya was faster, but Kalif was better at evasion.

But it was obvious—they were still feeling each other out. Neither was serious yet.

After crossing blades once more, they broke apart.

"Hah! This is fun!! …Alright, warm-up’s over. Time to get serious!"

"Yeah, I’m warmed up too."

Seriously? They really love this kind of thing, huh? I get it, but still…

Honestly… if Kalif weren’t a demon, he might’ve been a good mentor for Kazuya. Though, under normal circumstances, he’d have died long ago. Thinking about it like that made me feel complicated.

Kazuya unleashed lightning, wrapping Takemikazuchi in crackling energy.

Kalif responded with water magic—probably Dragon God Avalanche, a simple but devastating spell that floods the area with crushing water pressure. He absorbed it into his sword. While it couldn’t match Takemikazuchi (forged from orichalcum), it still had decent magic absorption.

They lunged forward at the same time—but Kazuya was faster, closing the distance first and swinging. Kalif, having gauged his speed from their earlier exchange, didn’t bother blocking—instead, he deflected the strike.

But even as he parried, the lightning coursing through Takemikazuchi traveled along his blade, shocking him. And since he was coated in water, the damage was amplified.

"Tch! Damn lightning—worst matchup ever!"

Grumbling, he still twisted into a counterattack.

"Dragon God Sword—Permeating Flash!"

Kazuya blocked with Takemikazuchi—but then let out a pained groan.

"Guh—?! What?! I blocked it!"

"Like water seeping through cracks, it bypasses shields and armor to strike the body directly. That’s Permeating Flash."

And so, neither could fully defend against the other’s attacks, forcing them into a high-speed duel of evasion.

Kazuya had the edge in speed, Kalif in evasion—a perfect stalemate. There was no end in sight.

"This is getting us nowhere! Let’s call it here!"

"Agreed. Next time, we go all out."

Accepting Kalif’s suggestion, they both returned to their partners. It seemed the no-support 1v1 was over—next would be a serious 2v2.

Nevaska and I cast healing spells, preparing for the real battle.

I cast a body-enhancement spell on Kazuya, then glanced over at Nevaska and Kalif—only to see them locked in a deep, almost ravenous kiss. A faint glow emanated from their bodies as if they, too, had been strengthened.

…Wait, that was—!! Ancient Magic body enhancement?!

Ancient magic includes reinforcement spells that require physical contact. Most are weaker than modern enhancement spells and, as expected, drain far more mana—making them practically useless.

Except for one.

Enhancement through mucosal contact—specifically, kissing—is the single strongest reinforcement magic in existence. The downside? Still mana-intensive, inefficient, and impossible to use mid-combat since no one has time for that in a life-or-death fight. It also lacks sustainability.

But for that first decisive strike at the start of battle? It’s unmatched.

There’s another problem, though—the "mucosal contact" requirement.

Kissing, especially the kind that qualifies, isn’t something you do unless you’re extremely close. Even couples might hesitate.

Which is why I’d written it off entirely. I never thought I’d see it, let alone consider using it.

"Won’t doing that right before a fight just make you lose focus…?"

Kazuya muttered. To an outsider, it’d look insane—sharing a kiss before a battle to the death.

"No, it’s not like that. It’s an ancient body-enhancement spell. Stronger than the one we usually use."

"Huh?! That’s a reinforcement spell?!"

After a stunned pause, Kazuya crossed his arms, deep in thought, before turning to me.

…Oh no. I can guess what’s coming next.

"Then… uh… should we… y’know, do it too? Not for, like, weird reasons! Just to win! I mean… it’s stronger, right? …No good?"

Called it.

I won’t get mad, so tell me—what’s the real percentage of ulterior motives here?

…Ugh. This guy’s hopeless.

"What if I say no?"

"…I’ll drop it."

He deflated like a kicked puppy.

"Quit looking so pathetic. Fine. If they’re going all out, we should too. Can’t afford to lose just because we got shy."

I tried to sound casual.

Is my face red? Did that sound natural?

This wasn’t just a peck—it’d be like what Nevaska and Kalif were doing. That kind of kiss. Right now.

The only time we’d ever come close was when Kazuya almost pushed me down once. Our birthday "kiss" barely counted—just lips brushing. And honestly? I barely remember the other one because of the situation.

Meaning this might as well be my first time.

"You okay? Not forcing yourself, right?"

I’m not okay.

My heart’s pounding like a war drum. I’m sweating bullets. If we’re doing this, it has to be now—before I chicken out.

"Just hurry up! I mean—wait!"

Crap, I got so fixated on the kiss that I forgot the magic part.

I tried to focus. Focus. Chant the—

…I can’t.

A deep breath. Calm down. Focus.

"Okay! I’m ready! Go for it!"

I closed my eyes and braced myself.

…This was a mistake. Not knowing when he’d do it made it worse.

Kazuya didn’t go straight for my lips. First, his fingers gently combed through my golden hair, trailing down to the nape of my neck—then pulled me in.

Our bodies pressed together. He tilted my chin up.

It’s coming. It’s happening. We’re about to kiss. Like, a real one. My heart’s gonna explode—

A soft brush of lips.

Then his tongue licked along my mouth, seeking entry.

I’d clenched my teeth without realizing it, blocking him. He nudged insistently until I finally relented, parting my lips—

And then he took over.

Our mouths sealed together, no space left between. His tongue invaded, exploring every inch—licking, tangling with mine, sucking lightly, even playfully nipping. He mapped out my teeth, my gums, the roof of my mouth, drinking in my taste like he was starving.

And I let him.

No—more than that. I reciprocated.

The texture of his tongue, the faint salt of his saliva, the way our fluids mixed—it shouldn’t have been sweet, shouldn’t have been good, but my hazy mind registered it as nectar.

I wanted more.

By the time he pulled away, I was dazed, my thoughts scrambled. My body only then remembered to breathe, gasping for air.

"How was—? Actually, never mind. I can tell." Kazuya grinned, voice rough. "That was amazing. Next time, let’s make it even better. Oh, right—the enhancement! This is insane. Way stronger than usual. Thanks, Miki!"

I barely processed his words.

My lungs burned. My head was foggy. But—

It felt so good.

I wanted to do it again. Wanted to drown in the afterglow.

Even as my breathing steadied, my pulse refused to calm.

"Miki. Time to switch gears."

…Huh? What was—?

Oh.

Right. The fight. Nevaska and Kalif. Life or death.

If I stayed like this, I’d die.

A sharp breath. Focus.

Across from us, Nevaska and Kalif had also finished, adjusting their clothes with determined expressions.

"Let’s go, Miki. You ready?"

"Yeah. I am."

Kazuya and Kalif activated their Awakenings in unison.

The two elves charged at each other.

The battle began in earnest.