Chapter 11 - The Plot Is Ruined.
Guiche opens his arms in a mockingly friendly gesture, challenging me with an arrogant smile. "You're quite interesting, Familiar! I thought you wouldn't have the courage to show up!"
I bite my cheek lightly, trying to ease the nerves gripping me at this moment. The gaze of many people is upon us, from servants to students, and even some prominent members like Kirche and Tabitha. "Why should I flee? Besides your random luck with women, I doubt you have any other magical skill to display," I reply with a mix of bravery and sarcasm, trying to conceal my own insecurity.
"You... I'll teach you to keep your mouth shut when speaking to your superiors! But I'll give you a chance, commoner! Get down on your knees and beg for my forgiveness, and perhaps I'll be merciful," orders Guiche, pointing his rose-shaped wand directly at me.
Louise bursts in from the side, her voice filled with anguish. "Guiche! Duels are forbidden! Stop this now!"
Guiche raises his forearm arrogantly, laughing disdainfully. "Duels among nobles are forbidden, but a noble and a commoner? There are no such restrictions... But don't worry, I'll try not to harm your servant..." his tone is full of mockery as he prepares for the confrontation.
A pleading look from Louise seeks my approval, but I simply shake my head in response, firm in my decision to face Guiche by myself. I watch as Louise retreats to the side, resigned to witness what will surely be my defeat. At least, that's what she believes.
Guiche turns to me, raising his wand with determination. "Now, let's see if you're as pathetic as you seem. Behold the magic of the Gramont family, Brass Valkyrie!" he shouts, making a skilled gesture with his wand. A petal breaks off and, upon touching the ground, emits a bright white glow, quickly transforming into a golem armored with feminine features.
The golem, approximately a head taller than me, holds a lance emanating a dangerous aura. With its thick armor and imposing presence, even the most experienced warriors could feel intimidated by its formidable appearance.
I do my best to maintain confidence, but facing something that could easily kill me quickly drains my courage. Fortunately, I know I have the means to not be paralyzed by fear.
The golem backs off and rushes towards me, attempting to strike me in the face or upper body. But just before it reaches me, I raise my hand and shout, "Crystal Ice!"
A flash of magic surges from my outstretched hand, and sparkling ice crystals shoot towards the brass golem. Gasps echo among the students and especially from Louise as the ice crystals impact the golem, causing it to lose an arm and topple to the ground.
A smile forms on my lips at my magical feat, but I furrow my brow slightly upon seeing that the golem is still not completely defeated. However, the revelation of my magical abilities causes tremors in the crowd watching us, and I can see the expression of astonishment on the faces of the onlookers, especially Guiche, who seems ready to bolt.
...
...
Without Mash knowing, the biggest surprise for the rest wasn't the fact that he could use magic, but the discovery that he didn't need a wand to do so. In this world, the use of magical focus to cast spells had been a deeply ingrained practice; even the great Brimir couldn't avoid that limitation. Seeing a 'commoner' do it so effortlessly almost made some people call him an elf and attack him on the spot.
...
...
I return to pointing at the golem with my hand, unsure of how much mana I have left but deciding to finish it off as quickly as possible. "Crystal Ice!"
A second burst of ice crystals shoots towards the golem, disintegrating it in an explosion of light particles. I'm about to demand Guiche's surrender when, in response, he summons three more bronze valkyries. "I will not be defeated by some fake noble! Valkyries, attack!"
I feel an instinctual alertness seeing the new threats charging towards me. I instinctively step back, but then I reaffirm myself, pointing forward as I shout, "Crystal Ice!"
This time, three ice crystals shoot out from my hand, hitting all three Valkyries simultaneously. I watch them fall to the ground, stunned by the impact.
I wasn't sure how much mana I had left, but I didn't have time to think about it as I ran towards Guiche to finish the fight. However, before I could reach him, I was once again blocked by two valkyries standing in my way. Shaking my head to clear my mind, I gathered all the confidence I could and extended my hand forward.
"Crystal Ice!" I yelled, letting the power of the spell flow through me.
But unfortunately, I underestimated the amount of effort I put into the spell, resulting in a disaster. An additional, larger ice crystal than intended hit Guiche directly on the hand. The expression of pain on his face was evident as he fell to the ground, letting out a gut-wrenching scream that echoed throughout the plaza.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...!"
The spectators were stunned, horrified by what had just happened to their classmate. Silence filled the Vestori Plaza, broken only by Guiche's screams and the worried murmurs of those present.
Guiche collapsed either due to pain or blood loss, as healers rushed to assist him and quickly carried him to the hospital.
Shock overtook me as I watched the scene I had accidentally triggered. I was terrified by what had just happened. I never intended to hurt Guiche, but the outcome of my spell could have caused him significant harm. I touched my chest, feeling bile rise in my throat, completely unaware of the disdainful looks being thrown my way by the nobles surrounding me.
Although most of them didn't really care about Guiche, he was still a high-ranking noble, which meant this attack would not go unpunished. Some of them might even be rewarded by Earl Gramont if they managed to stop me... However, my earlier demonstration of wandless magic had scared most of them enough that they didn't even try.
I snapped out of my thoughts when someone began pulling at my arm, and the pink flash in my periphery revealed it was Louise. I let myself be dragged away, unsure of how things would change from here on... But one thing was certain: I could no longer rely on following the predetermined plot.