Chapter 206 - Aoi’s Magic and Fiddiq Academy
I couldn't stare directly at it, but I looked up vaguely at the flame and spoke.
"...It's a massive flame, just like the sun. However, it differs from the sun. The sun operates on nuclear fusion, but considering the principle behind this, it's likely an ordinary combustion reaction. In that case, the approach would be to either block the oxygen or lower the temperature, but..."
I analyzed the flame and selected my magic. Against an ordinary flame, water or ice magic would suffice. However, once the temperature exceeded a thousand degrees, extinguishing it became no simple task. At those temperatures, even earth and rock would melt.
So, what if I did both simultaneously?
"...I have something I'd like to try, so may I conduct an experiment?"
When I asked, Rivett looked puzzled.
"Hmm? An experiment? Well, I don't mind, but..."
I gave a slight bow to the bewildered Rivett and said, "Then, here I go." I raised my head and resumed analyzing the flame.
"...Judging by the flow of mana, there appears to be a heat source at the center, and thermal waves circulate through the fireball from there. If so, I'll start by dealing with the central heat source..."
I considered how to use my magic while simulating it in my head. After a few seconds of thinking through several patterns, I finally arrived at the most efficient method.
"Alright... First, let's start with this. Ultra-High-Pressure Water Blade—Triton."
I muttered the spell name and released my mana. The water current, pressurized to its absolute limit, transformed into a blade of tremendous mass and came flying in. However, an extreme ultra-high temperature would evaporate the water before it could even reach the heat source. The countermeasure for that was a confrontation with ultra-low temperatures.
"...Absolute Zero—Cocytus."
As I activated the spell, the water blade froze solid and, maintaining its frigid temperature, hurled itself into the flames. A collision between the massive fireball and the water blade. Normally, one would simply wait for the result. However,for that blazing heat, the frozen blade alone wouldn't be enough to extinguish it.
Therefore, I delivered a further follow-up attack.
"...This is the final one. Vacuum Severance—Hollow."
I cast the spell in succession, instantly robbing the air around the flame. The space that became a vacuum suddenly entered a state of intense negative pressure, and the flame compressed and shrank in on itself.
Deprived of oxygen, its heat source slashed by an ice blade, and further subjected to ongoing cooling from ice magic—under those conditions, even the divine flame had no choice but to rapidly weaken.
Within a matter of ten-odd seconds, the flame lost its momentum and vanished completely. The elves watched this spectacle without uttering a single word.
Complete silence fell over the scene. In that stillness, where even the sound of the wind blowing through the valley seemed unusually loud, I spoke.
"...It's completely gone. No residual mana either. How was that?"
I confirmed the result and turned back toward Rivett.
Rivett looked at my face with an exasperated expression, raised an eyebrow, and let out a deep sigh.
"How was that, you say? There's no 'how' about it. Not once has anyone ever nullified my magic. With results like this, I could hardly be so narrow-minded as to refuse to acknowledge it... Honestly, what a predicament. Never did I expect that someone would nullify my magic before I'd even seen the candidates' spells."
Snorting, Rivett muttered words that sounded like a complaint.
At that, one of the candidates, Asor, let out a groan. He looked up at Langus and the others as if seeking help. Lenji blinked and stared at me, but Rivett was different.
It wasn't hostility, exactly, but he was looking at my face with an extremely serious expression. Perhaps he felt conflicted about having his kingly magic broken.
As I was thinking that and observing the situation, Strass and the others approached from behind.
"Amazing, Aoi! What was that magic?"
"As expected of Aoi! Three consecutive silent casts!"
"Th-that was truly incredible magic... I never imagined you'd nullify the Elven King's magic..."
The three of them showered me with astonishment and admiration. As I smiled at them, Glenn came charging over from beyond, his eyes bloodshot.
"A-Aoi? Wh-wh-wh-what was that? What on earth was that magic just now? H-hold on, could you do it again for me? It's fine! The kingdom folks will be delighted too, so don't worry about it..."
As Glenn, fully wound up, started making a racket without regard for the eyes around him, a hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey, Aoi."
I turned at the voice and found Owen had somehow come over from the other side, also approaching with bloodshot eyes.
"I don't know that magic either. How did you do it? I thought the only way to counter that fire was with water magic—the opposite attribute. And specifically, extinguishing it through sheer volume like that Hedniz fellow's water magic. How did you come up with another method? No, of course, I considered ice magic as a secondary option, but at best it would be a combination of water and ice. To think that additional magic would prove so effective... Hey, are you listening?"
"Owen! Wait your turn! I was asking questions first, wasn't I? Priority goes to whoever spoke first!"
"What are you talking about? You old geezer, you were with me at the academy all the time. Order doesn't matter."
"O-oh, you...! You really haven't changed one bit! Besides, if I'm a geezer, then you're just as much of a geezer since your mental age is the same! You geezer elf!"
And so, with my face caught between them, they started arguing. Was this the kind of energy that came from childhood friends? Glenn had turned into a completely different character from his usual self. No, Owen also seemed a bit more childish than usual, too.
However, there were plenty of elves here older than both Glenn and Owen, so I wondered if it was really okay for them to keep shouting insults about the elderly.
It didn't matter to me, but having them yelling at each other right in front of my face was noisy, so I wished they'd stop.
As I let them shake me by the shoulders with half-lidded eyes, Spire, who had been quiet until now, shrugged and spoke up.
"...Everyone, you may have forgotten, but this Elder Council meeting is meant to compare the candidates' magic and serve as a reference for deciding the next king."
When Spire said that, everyone looked startled.
"...I forgot."
"I don't think I can get into that mood today anymore."
"I'm unusually exhausted, too."
Such words came from the Elder Council members. Even the candidates, who were the main subjects of the agenda, would surely be troubled by this.
Thinking that, I turned my gaze toward them. Lenji had returned to her usual vacant expression, and Asor looked at me with an air of not quite understanding what was going on. And for some reason, Langus was still staring at me with the same serious expression as before.
Had I done something to anger him? No, if he thought I had disrupted such an important occasion for deciding the next king, I suppose I couldn't blame him for resenting me.
Langus's gaze bothered me a little, but for now, I decided to clearly state my own position and opened my mouth.
"I apologize. I am indeed interested in the candidates' magic as well, but I would like to challenge the common belief among elves that elves are the superior race and all other races are beneath them. It's undeniable that elves have many excellent mages, but other races also have numerous powerful mages. I'm sorry to say, but even among the Elder Council members, defeating Marquis Ramsey of the beastmen in single combat would likely be difficult. Additionally, I believe that some Fiddiq Academy faculty and even certain students could put up a good fight. There are surely also excellent mages among the court mages of other nations. Considering that, it would be difficult to assert that elves are absolutely the superior race."
With that, I looked at the elves in turn. Then, Edra glanced sidelong at Hedniz and opened his mouth.
"...Honestly, until I met you all today, I had full confidence that elves were the most superior race. Of course, that doesn't mean I looked down on other races, but it's true that I believed no mage could defeat an elf. However, not only Lady Aoi, but even that beastman girl over there showed us magic that we cannot use, and that confidence of mine has been greatly shaken."
After saying that, Edra shifted his gaze to Owen.
"...And then there are the words of one of the candidates, Lord Owen. 'The foolishness of holing up in the mountains and believing without question that you are the best'—was that it? When I heard those words, they struck me right in the chest."
He gave a self-deprecating laugh and then turned his eyes to Glenn.
"...My impression of Fiddiq Magic Academy has also changed drastically. I had thought that even if it was called the finest academy in the human nations, it couldn't possibly rival the elven kingdom's magic academy, but reality seems to be quite different, to the point where I can no longer hold that view..."
As Edra confessed his changed views like a penitent, Rivett suddenly raised one hand and spoke.
"Wait a moment. What about that girl's magic? I haven't seen her magic yet. Demonstrate it right now."
At the king's completely tone-deaf remark, Shenley jumped in surprise.
"Huh!? M-me!?"
Shenley flustered. It would truly be cruel to suddenly make her perform in front of such a large crowd, so I raised my hand and spoke.
"Please wait a moment. In that case, I will demonstrate lightning magic instead. Shenley gets nervous, and it would be dangerous if she made a mistake, so..."
When I said that, Rivett furrowed his brows and looked at me.
"...Come to think of it, Aoi can use lightning magic as well. It's become something that can no longer be called a lost art. You're not going to tell me that lightning magic is a subject taught in regular lectures at Fiddiq Academy, are you?"
Rivett asked that question with a self-mocking laugh. I shook my head and answered.
"No, of course not. As of now, there are only about ten people who can use lightning magic. Since everyone here can use it, I imagine the number will increase by several dozen by next year, though..."
When I answered honestly, Rivett's expression froze.