Chapter 171 Part 1
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Translator: Jiro Editor: Ryunakama
4
Night came and Milly and I once again headed towards the Sky Tower.
There was a crowd outside of the tower, all of them waiting just to get a glance at a Heavenly Mage fighting.
「It’s Zeph Einstein!」
「Do your best!!!」
Some of the crowd even cheered my name.
It wasn’t nearly enough the amount that Urohime was receiving, however, it seemed that I had also managed to make a name for myself.
「In the end, Zeph, you were the only one that managed to pass the qualifiers.」
「Apparently… Good grief, the elderly sure don’t know the meaning of holding back…」
Apparently, all of the other participants had been bested by Urohime’s subordinate. However, as a result of this, the tournament between those who had qualified had not taken place, making things easier for me.
I had time to look at the other qualifying matches because I had finished the qualifier early, but Urohime’s subordinates had not held anything back. Unless one had trained themselves sufficiently they wouldn’t be able to win.
Even Milly had ended up losing.
「That aside, Zeph, what’s your plan?」
「Just go in like normal. I haven’t planned anything in particular.」
I could have opted to strengthen my resistance towards a specific system, just like Silverie had done before. However, if I were found out it would turn sour really fast.
It would be fine if I knew what my opponent specialized in, however, since there was close to no information about Urohime, it wouldn’t be useful.
The best course, in this case, would be to just go in as usual.
Well, it’s not like I don’t have some tricks up my sleeve…
I thought while clenching a fist with my prosthetic arm.
Lydia, thankfully, had stayed up all night to finish the repairs to my arm. She was, however, currently sleeping at home as a result of this.
She had strongly expressed her desire to watch the match, however, since she had been really exhausted we had no choice but to force her to lay down.
Currently, my prosthetic arm was even equipped with the techniques that were used in the protection barrier, so it would probably prove really useful in this Title Match.
「Well then, let’s go, Milly.」
「Okay!!」
The gate that led up to the arena had only a single corridor which I would have to pass through upon being called in by the announcer.
Milly, on the other hand, was accompanying me as my support.
She was ecstatic to be able to see a match between two high-levelled magicians, and she also saw it as an opportunity that could benefit her in the future.
For the time being though I’ll have her stay near the exit of the arena.
「Whoa. Zeph there are so many spectators… Isn’t it even more than the time when Silverie fought?」
「Judging from the way Shiranui and the other subordinates acted, it’s probably been a while since a Title Match was held in the Soul Tower. It’s no wonder there are this many people.」
The spectator seats were full to the brim.
Milly was completely dumbstruck at the sheer volume of people.
「Urgh… I’m starting to get nervous…」
It was normal for Milly to get nervous in these kinds of situations. Me, on the other hand, I was completely calm.
Rather, I was the type of guy who became even more fired up as the number of people increased.
Kuku, now this is exciting.
My focus deepened, as magic power filled every nook and cranny of my body.
「DEEEDEDDEDERERERADEEDE♪ CHARARATTATTA!」
Suddenly the announcer’s carefree humming voice echoed in the arena.
It took a special kind of skill to be able to make those sound effects with just one’s mouth. This time’s announcer was certainly the same one who had spoken throughout Silverie and Yera’s match.
I’m surprised she’s still going at it after so many years.
「SORRY TO HAVE KEPT YOU WAITING EVERYONE! I WOULD FORMALLY LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE START OF THE TITLE☆MATCH!!!」
「「「YEAAAAA!!!」」」
As usual. She sure knows how to fire up the crowd.
「Without further ado, let’s invite the fighters!」 the announcer said, waving her arm towards me.
I guess I should go. Kuku. This makes me feel like the centre of attention.
「Do your best Zeph!」 Milly said, clasping her fists
「I will.」
After nodding her head, I headed toward the arena.
The stark contrast, between the dark corridor and bright lit arena, blinded me for a second as I entered the arena.
As soon as I entered the cheers grew even louder, and in an effort to reply to them I raised my hand.
「Despite not having been held for a very long time, we finally have a challenger for the Soul Title Match! The man in front of you is this year’s only challenger! He fought through the rigorous qualifying round and earned the right to stand in this arena! I present to you, Zeph Einstein! He is quite the handsome one if we exclude the nasty look he has hidden beneath his grey hair!」
What does she mean by a nasty look?! That aside, she’s right about the handsome part.
I suddenly noticed Shirushu and Claude sitting in the front row of the spectator seats, right next to the arena’s entrance.
As soon as our eyes met, they cheered loudly so that I could hear them even amongst the other noises.
「ZEPH-SAAAN! DO YOUR BEST!」
「ZEPH-KUN! FIGHT!!!」
I waved back at them and then looked over the stands once more.
In the back, I noticed Yera, and standing right next to her I could even see Silverie.
In contrast to Yera, who was standing up to wave at me, Silverie had just slightly raised her hand.
I could just see her lips moving slightly. From their movement, I realized she was telling me to give it my best.
As I nodded back at her, and despite her cheeks turning red she didn’t avert her gaze.
She’s probably giving it her best to watch so that she can share with Lydia what happened afterwards.
After I entered the Isolated Space inside the arena I patiently waited.
I was meditating with my eyes closed when I felt the air in the arena start to shake.
「Facing him we have, the one and only! The Soul of Soul, Urohime Tatsumigawa!」
As soon as the announcer’s voice filled the arena, a wave of cheers, even louder than the one just now, crashed inside the arena.
Upon entering the arena, Urohime didn’t even reply to them, as she quietly entered the Isolated Space.
She gave me a small bow as soon as she walked in.
「Let me introduce myself anew. My name is Urohime. As you’re probably aware I’m the Soul Heavenly Mage.」
「I’m Zeph. Well you probably already know me I presume…. It’d be great if this fight turns out to be a good one.」
「I wonder. I’m not quite the fighter you see.」 Urohime said, narrowing her eyes.
Her magic power began to silently but fiercely well up as she did so.
It was on a whole another level compared to Shiranui’s.
Despite her placid appearance, Urohime’s eyes burned with a fierceness that implied she was a true fighter.
Not a fighter my ass. Don’t make me laugh.
「Kuku… Don’t be too hard on me.」
「Even though we’re about to fight, you seem quite happy, Zeph-san.」
「Aren’t you the same? Your excitement is as clear as day.」
「…Fufufu.」
Urohime’s face, which had been expressionless up to this point, now smiled slightly.
Since she told her subordinates to clear all of the participants I thought that maybe she hated to fight, but it seems I was wrong. She’s the same as me. Well if that wasn’t the case she wouldn’t be one of the Heavenly Mages in the first place. This is going to be fun.
As soon as I took my posture, Urohime took one as well.
The air in the Isolated Space began to shake.
Having felt that, both the spectators as well as the announcer didn’t utter a sound.
「Zeph! Do your best!!!」 Milly’s carefree voice was the thing that broke the silence.
The silent crowd slowly began to raise their voices, which grew louder and louder as time passed.
The buzzing atmosphere from just minutes ago was going at full blast once more.
Having been influenced by that, Urohime’s expression grew a bit softer.
「You have quite the cute companion over there.」
「I guess you’re right…」
As I hopelessly waved back at her, Milly put her chest forward, showing how proud she was. She really can’t read the mood.
Well, thanks to her things got a bit easier.
「You both seem to be just about ready! Let’s not make the crowd wait any more!!!」
As soon as the announcer spoke the crowd grew louder.
Their voices grew louder as if they couldn’t wait any longer.
Amongst the buzzing of the crowd, the announcer managed to grab the only moment of short silence and raised her hand.
「LET THE TITLE MATCH BEGIN!」
「「「YEAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!」」」
In the midst of the thundering noise, Urohime and I charged at one another.
The white clothes that Urohime wore had the effect of strengthening her Magic Power Lines and as long as she wore them her Magic Power would be increased.
The Isolated Space shaved off one’s magic power each time they were hit and on top of that, the Summon Servant spell consumed a great deal of magic power as well. Which meant that this match would turn into a battle of attrition.
One of the most useful things inside the Isolated Spaces was a large amount of magic power.
I, as well, had clothes which increased my magic power, however, the several layers of embroidery on Urohime’s clothes made them several times more effective than mine. However, there was a trade-off in terms of mobility.
If it turns into a long-range spell battle I’ll be the one that gives out first. This means that I have to get in close!
I had charged at her having made that decision. However, as I charged, a bad feeling rushed over me and I immediately jumped to the side.
It happened immediately after that.
A warrior in deep crimson armor appeared at the location where I was just about land.
The gap in the warrior’s helmet revealed two bright crimson eyes.
「HERE IT IS! Urohime’s familiar! What kind of fight will the foreign country’s warrior, the samurai, show us I wonder?!!!」
An armor that resembled a demon with horns, as well as a katana in its hands… The familiar’s appearance somewhat resembled that of Shiranui.
And it wasn’t just its appearance. Its stance was the same as well.
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