Chapter 25

25 . The second match

Me and Misha are heading up the stairs towards the upper levels of the dungeon .

Catching up? Misha asks .

Sasha tried to use Flight <Fres> but I prevented that . Walking normally we still havent caught up though . Perhaps shes running?

Itll be fine .

I raise my foot slightly and stamp on the floor . With a rumbling noise, the dungeon begins to shake so violently even standing becomes difficult .

Hold on .

Nn

Holding onto my hand Misha is able to stay upright somehow .

After about a minute the shaking finally stops .

You can let go now .

Misha gently lets go of my hand .

What did you do?

I changed the topography a little and made some dead ends . We can catch up now .

After advancing onward for a while a bright space appeared in front of us .

The room where nature magic could be performed .

Sasha was there though she appeared to be at a loss .

The reason was probably the fact that the passage we came through was no longer there . When I stamped my foot the terrain changed dramatically and collapsed the tunnel .

Yo Sasha .

When I spoke she jumped before turning around . She still grasping the kings sceptre .

Is this your doing?

I assume shes on about the dead end .

Why would I tell a traitor?

Sashas eyes take on a grim look .

Shes being cautious since she doesnt know what my aim is .

If you want the king sceptre youll have to kill me .

What? No . Misha wants to make up with you .

Sasha rolled her eyes with irritation .

Are you an idiot? Have you already forgotten what you did to me a while back?

Sharp words but Misha just stares at Sasha .

Im amazed at this idiot doll as well as you Arnos . You take everything this child says so seriously . This child you are so enamoured with does not exist . It has no life and no soul . Its just a trash doll that will disappear tomorrow .

Fumu . Ive already heard about that . So what?

Were my words unexpected? Sasha appears to be at a loss .

. . I see . She told you . Doll-san has been behaving like shes alive for a long time now . Is it afraid of disappearing?

Wrong .

What is?

Its decided that I will disappear . Theres nothing to be scared of . Misha said indifferently . But before that, I want to make up with Sasha . Thats all .

Sasha glares at Misha .

I also want to know the truth .

About what?

In a rare moment of hesitation Misha stalls before asking Sasha

Does Sasha hate me?

Sasha didnt answer the question and instead turned to me .

Nee . Do you want to fight again?

Shes a woman who obviously hasnt learnt her lesson .

What kind of match?

I will draw a magic formation . If you can use it on your first attempt you win . If you cant its my win .

Using the magic formation that another person has built is very difficult . You need to know what type of magic it is as well as understand the technique for using it . Normally the side drawing the formation will have an overwhelming advantage but thats only if their opponent is not me .

Thats all? Its quite advantageous for me . You can apply some more handicaps if you want .

Im fine . Even you will find this impossible to do .

Fumu . Shes confident . How interesting .

What are you betting?

If you win I will answer that childs question .

And if you win?

Youll use a single magic of my choosing without refusing .

A strange condition .

What magic?

Oh? You have to check? Are you too scared to play now?

Hou . This fellow knows how to rile someone up .

The condition is to use one magic unquestioningly . Its a broad condition and the use of Contract <Zekt> will make sure its absolute . <Zekt> cannot be cancelled by being halfhearted either . I need to be cautious due to my high magical power .

If she makes the conditions simple and limited, using <Zekt> should be okay .

Very well . I accept your challenge .

Sasha smiled in satisfaction and used <Zekt> .

After checking the contents I sign it .

Well then, whats the formation?

Im going to start drawing it now .

Sasha turns around and walks off before stopping in the centre of the room .

Closing her eyes she holds the kings sceptre with both hands and raises it up .

Magic power particles begin to rise up and an original magic circle starts to form at her feet before gradually spreading out all over the room .

Its a magical formation of considerable scale .

Originally, this formation would be beyond what Sasha could cast due to her power levels but with the kings sceptre and the <Phoenixs Vestment> her magic power has risen enough to let her create this formation .

Magic characters and gates form one after the other . Ten minutes or so pass and Sasha is still building it .

I still have no idea what this magic is .

For starters, I dont know this magic . It resembles no magic from the age of myths . This is either something developed in the last 2000 years or judging by Sasha confidence something she herself has created .

Another reason is the formation is unfinished . By my guess its not even at 10% yet .

Theres too many options to guess at the moment . At this stage, even for me, its impossible to narrow down what kind of magic it is .

How long is this going to take?

Dont worry . It will be done before that child disappears at midnight tomorrow .

At her current pace, it will only just be done by midnight tomorrow .

I see . Its probably a strategy to delay me . Does she think Ill be in a hurry to save Misha before midnight so Ill rush and fail or is she planning something else entirely?

Oh? Are you getting impatient a little?

You challenged me to a match so you should do your best . Dont ruin it with petty tricks .

What wonderful confidence . Take a look . Ill win this time .

During our last match, the differences in our abilities were clearly shown . Wheres her confidence coming from? Sasha understands how powerful I am .

Interesting . Out of respect for your reckless courage, Ill not look at all until you complete the formation .

I sit down and close my demon eyes before casting Magic Clock <Teru> to see what time it was .

Sasha is concentrating on constructing her formation . At this scale if she makes even a tiny mistake she wont finish in time though I dont think her pride will allow her to make a mistake .

With considerable concentration, Sasha continues drawing without making any mistakes .

As the sun goes down moonlight enters the room .

Misha watches her sister figure desperately building the magic formation as if trying to burn the scene into her eyes . Its like she would regret even blinking and continues watching her .

In this way, time passes and eventually <Teru> shows the time 11:45