Checkmate

As a magician, Alderman lacked the compatibility to become a Tactical-Class Magician, but his magic compatibility was not poor by any means.

With fourth-grade compatibility in the transformation system and control system, as well as first-grade compatibility in the interference system and structure system, his magic compatibility was indeed outstanding, just a step away from Tactical-Class Magician compatibility.

Although this step seemed like a heavenly ridge and impossible to overcome, the path of a magician could still be described as smooth sailing for Alderman with fourth-grade compatibility in the transformation and control systems.

Because of this, he immediately took splendid action at the beginning of the second round.

First, he chanted defensive magic at the fastest speed, raising a barrier.

In a battle between magicians, casting a magic defense barrier was the first action any magician would take, allowing oneself to withstand the opponent's magic attack while also buying time to chant other magic to counterattack.

If the opponent were a swordsman, the first thing to do would be to create distance or force them to retreat and find a way to cast a physical defensive barrier that would place oneself in a safe environment. Afterward, one could slowly chant powerful magic that could determine the battle's outcome.

Needless to say, if the opponent were a magician, the physical defense barrier would be almost useless since the magic defense barrier would be the most practical choice.

As for defensive magic that simultaneously possessed both physical and magic defense effects, such magic did not exist in combat-class magic; only in tactical-class magic could one find such a perfect combination.

Therefore, judging which type of defensive magic to use in combat was essential for a combat-class magician who could not afford any mistakes.

Alderman took impeccable action by swiftly erecting a magic defense barrier and chanting magic from the control system, summoning two earth puppets from the ground in front of him.

These two earth puppets were about two meters tall, bulky in size, resembling small giants. The moment they were summoned, they immediately stepped forward and charged toward Yuri.

At this moment, Alderman had already started chanting another magic from the transformation system, preparing to attack her with large-scale, high-powered elemental magic while his earth puppets tangled Yuri.

All of this happened within a matter of seconds.

Since the beginning of the fight, Alderman had been chanting magic fluidly, completing three actions in one breath—raising a magic defense barrier, summoning earth puppets, and attaching attributes to his magical energy for the elemental magic attack.

His use of combat-class magic became incredibly natural and swift, a demonstration of excellence without exaggeration.

It could be said that Alderman's series of actions, even if written into textbooks, would have no problems whatsoever.

However, a problem arose here.

"If things continue like this, Sir Alderman might not be able to win."

On the specially invited seats, the young nobleman from the royal capital sighed after just a glance at the battle before making such an evaluation.

"Eh?"

The young nobleman's attendant nearby was quite engrossed, even finding Alderman's smooth flow of magic usage impressive. However, upon hearing his master's words, he was stunned.

"Why? I thought Sir Alderman's performance was brilliant?"

"It was brilliant indeed..." The young nobleman didn't deny it, but he still didn't look favorably upon Alderman. "It just... his fighting style is too rigid."

Being textbook-level exemplary might sound like high praise, but to some, it was worthy of criticism. Because combat was ever-changing, what actions to take in a battle couldn't simply be copied from textbook content.

Alderman's mastery of magic was proficient, even remarkable. He could consecutively cast three different types of magic systems in a short time, seamlessly convert magical energy, and effortlessly cast magic without any difficulty. Such mastery of magic is something that even many Tactical-Class Magicians and Strategic-Class Magicians couldn't achieve.

Yet, the young nobleman still shook his head in apparent regret.

"However, mastering the technique of using magic is one thing, using it in combat is another."

The following events would prove his point.

Facing Alderman's textbook-level magic usage, Yuri remained calm from start to finish and also took action the moment he did. However, unlike him, who cast a magic defense barrier first to protect himself, she stood there chanting magic without using any defense barrier.

"Foolish daughter!" Alderman exclaimed loudly. "As a magician, how can you not first think of using defensive magic? What are you even thinking?"

Yuri's approach was akin to standing completely defenseless in front of her opponent. Not to mention Alderman's forthcoming release of powerful elemental magic, even a punch from his charging earth puppets would have left her severely injured.

After all, magicians were not like swordsmen who trained their bodies. Even a hit from an ordinary person could cause prolonged pain. For magicians, engaging in combat without using defensive magic was akin to inviting death.

Yet, Yuri remained silent, even closed her eyes, and continued chanting her magic without care.

Suddenly, the change began.

*BOOM!*

Just as the two earth puppets were about to reach Yuri, the ground beneath them suddenly exploded, swallowing them into two large pits.

"A trap?!"

Alderman's pupils contracted, but he didn't stop chanting and continued with his magic chant. He still had a magic defense barrier, which could withstand Yuri's magic attack a few times. Even if the feigned attack of his earth puppets failed, he should still have enough time to cast his magic successfully.

As he thought like that, Alderman completely failed to anticipate that the magic Yuri would unleash next was not specifically for him.

*BOOM!*

As the familiar purple vortex flashed, the ground beneath Alderman's feet vanished, becoming a pit.

Indeed, the magic Yuri released wasn't aimed at him but rather at his foothold.

"AHHH—!"

Alderman felt a lightness beneath his feet and let out a startled cry as he tumbled into the pit. Not only was his magic chanting interrupted but he was also left in a state of dizziness.

His magic defense barrier couldn't defend against physical damage as this fall alone nearly broke his bones.

As Alderman tried to get up, Yuri's voice rang out at just the right moment, reaching his ears.

"The way you use magic is as rigid and old-fashioned as you are. You really lack flexibility and adaptability. Even if you study combat-class magic for decades, your combat ability won't improve much."

After saying that, Yuri successfully unleashed her next magic.

It was a swamp magic.

Alderman, lying in the pit, suddenly found his surroundings becoming soft. Rocks turned into marsh, and the earth flowed like water, gradually engulfing him and trapping him in the swamp.

"Ugh!"

Alderman quickly chanted weight-reducing magic, coupled with levitation magic, and soon broke free from the swamp.

Unfortunately, just as he escaped from the swamp, a sandstorm descended from above, pouring down like torrential rain, directly pouring into the pit, and washing him down.

Now, Alderman's situation was extremely grave.

Below was the swamp, where he would be engulfed once trapped.

Above was the sandstorm, striking him relentlessly, making it impossible for him to fly.

Whether swamp or sandstorm, both were physical existences, but ironically, Alderman's magic defense barrier was useless against such things.

'No! I can't use this magic defense barrier anymore!'

Gritting his teeth, Alderman dispelled his magic defense barrier and quickly chanted physical defense barrier.

When the physical defense barrier was formed, the sandstorm that had descended from the sky and rushed toward him was separated by the barrier. The swamp beneath him was also parted, finally allowing him to break free.

Alderman hurriedly rushed out of the pit, pushing aside debris along the way, and finally returned to the surface.

""WHOAAAAAA—!!!""

In the audience seats, a burst of uproar immediately erupted.

It was not without reason.

Alderman, who had just emerged from the pit, was quite different from before.

The previous Alderman was elegantly dressed, like a refined middle-aged gentleman, calm and handsome. But the current Alderman was covered in mud, swamp water, and gravel, looking utterly miserable compared to before.

'Damn it!' Alderman felt humiliated and cursed inwardly.

In this state, he had no idea that the audience was roaring not just because of his miserable appearance but also because a figure had already appeared by his side.

*Buzz—!*

A purple vortex fluctuation formed on the figure's fingertip, tapping Alderman's back.

Sensing the touch, Alderman's body froze.

"..."

The entire training field fell silent once again.

"You're easier to deal with than I imagined..." Yuri remarked calmly, her words piercing her father's self-respect deeply.

"When... did you...?" Alderman gritted his teeth, squeezing the words out of his throat with difficulty.

"Fufufu, obviously when you fell into the trap I set." Yuri said while laughing. "Don't look so surprised. I walked over slowly and waited for you here for quite some time, y'know? I knew you would try to escape this trap by using a physical defense barrier, but that way, you wouldn't be able to defend against my magic attack, no?"

This was a checkmate.

"Admit it, you can't keep up with this era anymore."

"Whether it's your fighting style, your magic, or your thoughts and beliefs."

"They're all outdated."

After saying those words, Yuri calmly turned and walked away.

"The second round's winner goes to... Marquis Frenzel—!!!"

""OOOOOOHHHHHH—!!!""

Upon hearing the announcement, Alderman collapsed to the ground.

His face was filled with shame.