BCST 17

chapter 17

Preparations moved quickly.

Weapons were limited to the level where they wouldn’t cause serious harm.

I also promised to tone down the power of my magic.

“Then, we’ll begin with one person.”

Security guards formed a wall with light shields, encircling us like a fence.

Amid them, a flash of blond hair stood out, but it wasn’t the time to care about that.

“Let’s have a good match.”

“Likewise.”

The opposing security agent greeted me casually.

Of course, they couldn’t possibly expect one agent to capture a level-3 mage alone.

Their tactics were built around team play.

But this sparring wasn’t about winning or losing—it was for camaraderie, cooperation, and mutual understanding.

So, there was no need to be too sharp about it.

“Then, we’ll start now!”

At the team leader’s signal, the match began.

Tap!

The agent dashed in low.

A military knife aimed straight for my chest.

But I wasn’t new to combat.

I twisted my torso lightly to avoid the strike. At the same moment, his free hand grabbed my elbow.

Thump.

He yanked me toward him, trying to slash with the reverse-gripped knife.

We were fighting at point-blank range, where my shield mattered most.

A mage’s shield usually forms a spherical barrier around the body.

But—

[Shield]

Clang!

“—!”

My localized shield stopped the blade just before it touched me.

In that instant, my hands closed around his arm and mouth.

Grip!

[Arcane Blast] [10-Chain]

I split the points across his joints, reducing the destructive force drastically.

Bzzzzzt!

Instead of a concussive shockwave, the blast just created dazzling light—like lightning striking through his body.

“Damn it! Modi!”

Someone watching behind the shields shouted.

But—

Crackle…

“…I’m fine.”

The agent appeared unharmed.

Once I confirmed he was okay, I slowly released my grip.

“I’ve learned something today.”

He stepped back neatly and bowed.

I thought he might be disappointed at how quickly it ended, but he was surprisingly cool about it.

“Combat is like this—life or death in an instant. I learned a lot.”

Then he slowly faded back into the crowd.

Hmm… was that it already? Now I was the one feeling unsatisfied.

Sensing my mood, the team leader made another suggestion.

“Let’s increase the numbers. Now that we know both sides can control their strength, let’s go properly.”

I nodded.

As I said, they knew no single person could take down a level-3 dark mage.

Their advantage would show in team combat.

“All right, next group—step forward.”

At his call, three more emerged from behind the shields.

My [Senses] told me these three were stronger than the last one.

Finally, this might get interesting.

“Before we start, excuse me.”

[Shield]

I expanded my shield until it formed a dome around us.

People’s expressions shifted instantly.

“…You use magic in such a versatile way.”

“Well, it just turned out like this.”

After fighting that vampire who smashed through my shields, I’d gotten better at adapting their use.

But isn’t this normal?

In the game, sure, I only used it as a personal barrier—but this is reality.

Anyway, that wasn’t the point.

“You seemed hesitant about using firearms earlier. Is it fine now?”

Even though they’d set up a shield fence around us, I’d noticed their hesitation about using guns.

Of course, they couldn’t just unload their rifles here—this was a carefully staged exhibition.

But with my dome up, they’d feel freer to use their weapons.

Sure enough, all three now drew firearms—pistols paired with knives.

“We’ll make use of this.”

Good.

As tension rose between us, the team leader gave the signal.

“Begin!”

Pew!

Silenced pistols fired instantly.

[Shield]

I maintained the large shield, but I had to focus hard now.

Tat-tat-tat!

Two agents split to flank me.

If they got behind me, it’d be troublesome.

So I stepped back, gathering mana in my hands.

Dash!

One agent, seeing me charging power, abandoned flanking and lunged straight in.

Just before his knife hit my shield—

Pew-pew-pew!

The other two targeted a single spot with their bullets.

Crack!

And the knife struck the weakened point.

Scrape—

The shield began to fracture under the combined assault.

Still, it wasn’t enough to break through.

But then—

Vrrrrm.

The knife vibrated violently, resonating against the shield.

Cracks spidered instantly—

Fwoosh!

And high-pressure gas hissed sharply from the blade tip.

[Pick & Blink]

I teleported out just before the shield could explode from within.

Luckily, I reappeared right in the middle of the three.

With [Senses] and [Mana Detection], I pinpointed their positions before even seeing them.

[Arcane Blast] [3-Chain]

Rumble—

The sudden strike sent two flying before they could defend.

Clack!

But one managed to dodge.

He raised his gun quickly.

But—

[Grasping Claw]

Whip!

“Wha—?!”

I yanked his arm aside, forcing the shot wide, then turned to face him.

“…”

A moment of silence.

Then the last agent slowly raised both hands.

“I yield.”

“Ooooh!”

“Holy crap, that was insane!”

“That fight was nothing like the dark mages I’ve faced before—what was that?!”

Cheers and applause erupted.

Clap clap clap.

“Excellent! Still, you realize we couldn’t show our full strength?”

“Of course.”

After all, fighting with rifles on full auto is a different story from knives and pistols.

Their complaint wasn’t unjustified.

But—

“Didn’t we agree to handicap ourselves from the start? I held back too.”

I hadn’t spammed teleport or shield layering.

And if I’d activated [Rapidfire], the Arcane Blast trait, the fight would’ve ended in a single instant—just like the one-on-one.

The team leader gave a broad smile and nodded.

You noticed too, huh?

“Indeed. After all, you only used… first-tier and minor magic.”

…Wait, what?

“If Sir Eddy had used second- or third-tier spells—hah, I don’t even want to imagine it.”

At his words, the other agents murmured.

“Come to think of it…”

“Yeah, all the spells he used were first-tier.”

“‘Arcane Blast’ is a minor spell.”

“But wasn’t the way he used them unusual?”

“Right. Same with the shield…”

Their chatter spread.

Wait—do they think I’m a third-tier mage?

But dark mages do specialize in amplifying low-tier spells, building up traits.

Our mainstay is minor spells like Arcane Blast.

So me fighting like this is completely normal.

“…For someone at my level, this much is more than enough.”

Haven’t they fought dark mages before? They should know this.

I tried to correct the misunderstanding, but—

“Hey! You hear that? He says first-tier alone was enough! Step it up, guys!”

“Hell no—throw five of us at him, a full team!”

“Shut it! If three of you couldn’t take him in close quarters, that’s shameful enough!”

“Damn right!”

The place turned rowdy in an instant.

Then—thud!

The team leader stomped once, silencing everyone.

“As expected from someone trusted with personal protection. We’ve learned a lot.”

“…Glad to be of help.”

“Then, shall we move on to scenario training?”

Right—that was the main purpose anyway.

Feeling a bit drained, I nodded.

“Let’s get on with it.”

The scenario training went smoothly, perhaps because they now respected me after the sparring.

Later that evening, after finishing all the schedules—

Clink.

“This is delicious.”

“Right? Please, eat plenty.”

I was dining with Aria in one of Aires’ restaurants.

Behind us, the city lights glittered. The room was elegantly decorated, with fine dishes served.

Roast lamb chops, baked potatoes, gorgonzola salad, sautéed green beans, polenta…

Just days ago I was eating nutrient sludge packs, and now here I was, in a skyscraper, eating this.

Truly, overwhelming.

Clink, clink.

I was busy cutting my meat when—

“Um… Sir Eddy?”

Aria spoke softly.

I glanced at her plate instinctively—she hadn’t touched her lamb.

Looking puzzled, I turned to her. She hesitated, then finally spoke.

“The security officers praised you a lot. They said you’re really strong. Even Father said yesterday that you’re a good man.”

Oh, those guys?

We’d bonded after sparring. Decent folks.

Even her father evaluated me well? Despite the commotion?

Well, I guess so.

“And?”

I popped a piece of lamb into my mouth.

“Well… during the mock battle earlier… I, um…”

Her voice faltered, and her face flushed as she continued.

“Every time I watched your magic, something inside me went thump, thump… I’ve never felt that before. Ever.”

Hmm.

Gulp.

I drank some water, buying time to think.

Had I done something to impress her like that?

Scenes from when I first met her until now flashed rapidly through my mind.

“Do you know what it feels like for your heart to race? Sometimes it’s so strong it’s frightening, like you want to run away. But today I realized—that very trembling is proof I’m moving toward what I truly want.”

Her eyes looked dreamy, her cheeks slightly flushed.

This wasn’t what I expected at all.

I felt flustered—but my mind raced.

How could I reject her without hurting her?

“I want to ask you something—may I?”

But before I could figure out what to say, she continued.

“Could I perhaps…”

What should I say? Sorry? I don’t have the time?

Whatever it was, I had to answer fast.

“…enter a contract with you, the way you have with your partner?”

“Absolutely not.”

I answered firmly.