-1544- Let's have some fun

————〈Mistgun〉.

————〈Falcion〉.

These two floating academic cities once had a brief exchange about a year ago, where they allowed each other's exchange students to study in their respective academies.

Given that both were transported to the venue of 〈Vebel〉 on the same shuttle, it was certainly a fateful meeting.

However, it was precisely because of this deep connection that they knew exactly what kind of opponents they faced.

"It seems that, at last, we've encountered some worthy opponents."

Kanata grinned.

"..."

Chloe, Yuri, and Mena remained silent.

The entire group could feel the faint aura of fighting spirit and exceptional resolve rising from the members of the representative squad from 〈Falcion〉.

"I knew it."

Rozen spread his hands as he spoke.

"Aside from those reckless individuals, the ones who would come looking for us after confirming our position would be you all."

Because the Sky Wizards led by Noel of 〈Falcion〉 had not come to participate in the 〈Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival〉 merely for victory.

Noel, in particular, didn't need much explanation.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time."

Noel raised her military blade, her gaze fixed straight on Rozen.

This girl had always wanted to defeat Rozen. Even knowing Rozen's strength, she still came forward without fear to challenge him.

The Sky Wizards from 〈Falcion〉 seemed to share this mindset.

As a floating academic city that had once exchanged with 〈Mistgun〉, they had long heard of the achievements of the S128 Special Squad, knowing that they were 〈Mistgun〉's strongest ace.

Among them, Kanata and Chloe, who had advanced together with Rozen from the first year of the preparatory course, were prodigies who had elevated the squad to A-rank, and then, by their second year, had broken through to S-rank.

Yuri was the only one in all of 〈Mistgun〉 who had passed Rozen's test and successfully joined the S128 Special Squad, having joined an A-rank squad in her first year.

As for Mena, there was no need for further elaboration. Coming from a family that had been defending humanity as knights long before the concept of Sky Wizards even existed, she was the only Sky Wizard in 〈Mistgun〉 who was not inferior to any member of the S128 Special Squad.

With such formidable opponents, it was only natural that true Sky Wizards would want to challenge them.

Those who dare to challenge the strong are either strong themselves or foolish enough not to understand reality.

The squads that attacked earlier were the latter.

But the representative squad from 〈Falcion〉 was clearly the former.

"This time, I will definitely settle things with you."

Noel declared her challenge to Rozen.

Behind her, the mana of each of the Sky Wizards from 〈Falcion〉 began to stir.

Rozen's response, of course, was straightforward.

"Since you've asked so many times, it wouldn't feel right not to accept your challenge at least once."

Rozen scratched his cheek, glanced at Noel, and smiled.

"Then let's have some fun."

With that, mana began to rise from Rozen as well.

He deliberately diluted a trace of his high-grade mana into ordinary mana, letting it ignite for his use.

Seeing this, Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena also let their mana flare up.

Then...

"Boom!"

With the roar of the air, both sides moved simultaneously.

Noel, as the vanguard, was the first to dart forward. With her exceptional footwork and agility, she shot toward Rozen in an instant.

"Order!"

Rozen immediately pulled out a gold talisman, and after chanting, it transformed into a golden sword, which he held in his hand.

Seeing this, Noel was not pleased but rather furious.

"If you want to use a weapon, then bring out your Magic Alchemical Weapon!"

Anyone could tell that the golden sword in Rozen's hand wasn't a Magic Alchemical Weapon but merely a blade formed by magic through a technique.

To be more precise, it was a jujutsu sword created from a talisman, far inferior to a Magic Alchemical Weapon engraved with various runic inscriptions and forged from rare magical materials.

Noel was enraged by this and, without hesitation, rushed to Rozen, swinging her military saber-like magic sword with the force of a gale.

Rozen, neither happy nor sad, raised the golden sword in his hand and met her strike.

"Clang———!"

The golden sword and the military blade collided, sending shockwaves through the air.

Thus began an intense battle.

Due to the dense forest around them, with trees everywhere, no effective formations could be created, and both sides could only fight individually without taking to the sky.

If they ascended, they would likely be shot at from all directions by the other squads hidden in the forest, and no one would be foolish enough to make such a move.

Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena each faced off against one of 〈Falcion〉's representative members, and fierce battles ensued.

For a time, blades clashed, explosions echoed, and both sides engaged in a relentless exchange of blows, with the sound of battle reverberating endlessly.

"Clang clang clang clang clang...!"

Rozen and Noel transformed into two streaks of light, darting through the forest, chasing each other while repeatedly clashing, with the golden sword and the military blade colliding over and over, the sounds of their battle never ceasing.

Though both were using flying magic to move at high speeds, their movements were extremely agile, as if they could see the layout of all the trees in every direction. Despite flying at speeds exceeding that of sound, they weaved through the dense forest with no obstacles, their control over flying magic and their surroundings astonishing.

Rozen, of course, used 〈Heaven's Eye〉 to observe everything around him, accurately perceiving the positions of all the trees and moving through them as if they were an empty plain. But it was surprising that Noel could do the same.

Rozen quickly realized that Noel's fighting style focused on lightness and agility, with exceptional movement and outstanding flying skills, making it natural that she could reach this level.

Moreover, Noel's swordsmanship was elegant and swift, with a layer of wind swirling around her magic sword. Not only did this increase her sword speed, but it also allowed her to control the wind, making her strikes difficult to predict.

Rozen recognized it at a glance.

It was the same technique as Real Nua, derived from flying magic — Wind Blessing.

Then...

"Try this!"

Noel shouted.

"Magic Sword Battle Skill —〈Gale Slash〉!"

The inscriptions on Noel's magic sword lit up.

In the next moment, she swung her magic sword, releasing countless blue needle-like slashes, which stormed toward Rozen like a raging wind.