“Mikhail Balabanov here.”
“Kamikita Emika.”
“Indeed, you are different from the rest. How many years have you prepared for this brief moment?”
Mikhail drew his battle axe towards Emika.
It was an ugly piece for a portable magical construct.
Emika raised her head, directing her gaze upward.
A black leather jacket. Scars crossing the face.
His deep-set eyes looked like that of a drug addict or a soldier on the brink of war.
The neatly styled slicked-back hair and occasional stubble added to his mature appearance.
Emika tightened her white dobok and spoke calmly.
“Anyone who enters the Katsuhata School is given the duty of achieving success in life. Everyone trains from a young age to become a successor. I’ve been practicing since I was seven years old, so it’s been about eight years.”
“I’ve been holding a wand since I was five. I’ve dedicated eleven years to this competition.”
“I believe what matters more than the quantity of training is the intensity of it.”
“Haha, it seems that talking more will only tire us out… I’ll make it the worst day of your life.”
“That’s what I was hoping for.”
The sound of ten beeps echoed, imposing silence upon the entirety of existence.
Beep—
The 60,000 audience members in Tokyo Dome clasped their hands and prayed earnestly.
Beep—
Just one step away from the title of the world’s strongest.
Beep— Beep— Beep—
With the fifth beep, an orange light lit up on the traffic signal.
Both Emika and Mikhail summoned their auras simultaneously.
For them, external manifestation was a given.
Their talents in magic and aura were all exceptional to the point of being hard to distinguish in strength.
Beep— Beep— Beep— Beep—
Their muscles expanded to their limits, enveloped in an aura as solid as steel.
And at the last beep,
Bii-i-i-ing—!
The wands unleashed magic circles before them.
“Katsuhata Emika”
[Adelea (Unique Magic) – Japan]
[Category: 1st Circle Physical Impact Magic]
[Rank: A]
“Mikhail Balabanov”
[March of the Brown Bear (Unique Magic) – Russia]
[Category: 2nd Circle Physical Impact Magic]
[Rank: B]
They dashed forth with animal-like speed across the sea of sand,
Boom—!
Creating a windstorm as they clashed in the center of the training hall.
“1 to 0.”
The girl beamed a delightful smile.
* * *
“Let’s see if you can guess the magic Emika will use first.”
“2nd Circle Ignis Katsuhata.”
“1st Circle Adelea.”
“You’re using Adelea right away?”
Did she think he would bring out his secret technique first?
Emika was an extreme efficiency enthusiast.
The losses that occurred when only one side clashed were devastating.
Seeing through this, Emika quickly moved her feet and enveloped her sword with the most powerful Adelea in close combat.
Akitaro Dangju, who quickly recorded his first loss, propped his chin and thought deeply.
My gaze remained fixed on the stadium.
Betting is a game of probabilities.
But as probabilities repeat, luck cancels out and only skill remains.
In an instant, assessing the battlefield situation, remaining stamina and barriers, players’ habits, action patterns, and intentions.
The more information gathered, the higher the odds of winning the bet.
“Emika just entered Nanatsuno Tachi. Which direction will she escape at the end?”
This person doesn’t even give me time to think.
“Right, from Emika’s perspective.”
“Right.”
Our answers matched.
The sharp blade sliced through the neck, shoulders, wrists, and waist.
As Mikhail took a step back, Emika lunged forward and thrust her sword in a straight line.
The boy unleashed the pre-cast lightning magic as if he had been waiting.
Emika twisted and turned to the right with a sensual response, ensuring her safety.
It ended in a draw.
Now the turn would come back to me.
Mikhail Balabanov cast the phantom barrier magic.
Emika was well-prepared for the barriers.
“Barrier release time. Let’s decide within 18 seconds or less.”
“Less than.”
“I’ll go with more than.”
A round magic circle was drawn above Emika’s head.
Mana coalesced and sparkled like falling snow.
Emika’s limbs froze solid.
She maximized her resistance through external manifestation and began her work.
As the barrier tightened, Mikhail stepped forward steadily.
‘15… 16… 17. Surely that’s more than enough time?’
He stepped into the effective range.
Mikhail discarded the barrier and leaped high, spinning the battle axe around.
‘Bluffing!? Why is he doing this right now?!’
I shouted inwardly.
Deliberately dragging out the barrier.
Now free, Emika summoned a lightsaber to her left hand.
Using Katsuhata’s treasured sword, she easily deflected the axe, striking sparks off the lightsaber.
Mikhail stumbled heavily.
“Then it means I’ve won. 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss.”
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue, showing my displeasure.
Even if he had released the barrier sooner, there would have been plenty of advantages gained.
That gamble from him wasn’t like Emika.
But Mikhail, unable to see through such an obvious gamble, received a fatal blow.
10% of the barrier diminished, granting an advantage to Emika.
“Waaahhh!”
A thunderous cheer erupted from the stadium.
The expressions of the Katsuhata elders brightened instantly, while conversely, the Russian delegation’s faces soured.
“Emika seems to be in good condition today. She has the psychological edge too.”
Akitaro Dangju trembled one leg, chuckling softly.
It was true that she had won this psychological battle.
But her actions were not the same as in practice.
I wasn’t sure how much this would affect her.
“This match could be tougher for Emika than expected. Please ask questions.”
* * *
The tide of the contest suddenly shifted.
The cheers and applause slowly dwindled until they were almost inaudible.
Kaboom—!
Only when Emika unleashed a desperate strike would there be a slight “Oh!” from the crowd.
[Final Match 63]
[Mikhail Balabanov] [33% | 48%]
[Katsuhata Emika] [37% | ⚠️19% (Cannot Recover)]
She entered the point of no recovery.
Wiping the sweat mixed with sand, Emika infused her wand with contrasting mana.
“64 techniques of the Seven Blades. Katsuhata seems intent on winning here. If I can reduce more than 15%, or even 10%, I can turn the tide.”
Akitaro Dangju introduced a technique handed down in secret.
Although he mentioned the specific amount of power, I wasn’t fooled.
“I’ll choose less. I think even 5% is tentative.”
“…”
“If you say nothing, I’ll take that as more.”
“I’ll choose less too.”
It was only after 23 minutes into the match that Akitaro Dangju regained his senses.
‘Admittedly, that felt a little late…’
Until the 15-minute mark of the first half, they had both accrued three wins each, keeping the bets tightly contested.
But the second half marked a turning point.
Emika crumbled helplessly before the overwhelming mass of the battle axe.
Every time the sword connected, it shattered.
The energy difference was too great for her to counter with an external manifestation of the lightsaber.
Akitaro Dangju fell alongside her.
24 matches, 7 wins, 13 draws, 4 losses.
In the nine bets of the second half, five had decisive outcomes, and I had won four of those.
Humans generally tend to make optimistic predictions.
Especially if it involves themselves or someone they cherish.
[Just like the brilliant comeback shown in the Dessanpaio match, can a brilliant reversal occur again! Katsuhata Emika rushes forward without hesitation! This is Japan’s indomitable will! Take that!]
Japanese commentators cheered until their throats were raw.
“Katsuhata Emika”
[Angular Momentum Adjustment – USA]
[Category: 3rd Circle Physical Quantity Transformation Magic]
[Rank: C]
She entered into a contest of strength against Mikhail.
And he utterly craved that.
The two weapons produced a sharp sound of collision.
Emika’s desperate battle cry reached even the broadcast drone camera.
[Huaaaah!]
“Indeed, Emika is struggling right now. She’s definitely feeling the pressure of her stamina. At this rate, it might be better to just withdraw midway.”
“Your keen insight is invaluable…”
Akitaro Dangju bit his lip tightly.
It was the worst scenario.
Or perhaps she had narrowly escaped true calamity.
At least Emika seemed to realize that this wouldn’t work, as she retracted her weapon.
Sighs arose from all sides.
There is no clearer sign of defeat than pulling back during a contest.
[Katsuhata Emika is retracting her sword and catching her breath…! The more hurried, the more calmly she needs to think. There is still hope…!]
[Recasting the Demon Lord’s Horn. Is she preparing a long-range Adelea?]
[Sometimes returning to one’s original intention can be a method in itself! You can do it, Miss Katsuhata!]
The commentators injected hope into the dying ember of hope.
Anyone who has watched long enough knows that comebacks in unfavorable situations are exceedingly rare.
To turn the tide, there must be a justifiable basis.
Finding a foothold in a close situation is difficult to begin with, let alone in a disadvantaged one.
“The opponent’s preparation was too thorough. They might have anticipated meeting us before the tournament even began.”
The Dangju sighed.
Emika couldn’t find a path to victory with the tools she had.
This wasn’t due to a lack of luck, but purely a lack of her capabilities.
A deep sigh filled the air.
“All of Emika’s moves have been thwarted.”
“True.”
“Are you really saying that ‘all moves’ are blocked?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ll ask the next betting question. Will Emika use Adelea as her next magic, or won’t she?”
“Of course!”
The Dangju thought he had the only knowledge that she would use Adelea after the Demon Lord’s Horn.
“Isn’t she not going to use it…?”
“I’ll bet that she won’t use it this time.”
“Why? Are you trying to show mercy now?”
If I were to win even once more, the final bet would become my victory.
Did the Katsuhata Dangju misunderstand and think I’d let him win? He clenched his fists.
But I had no intention of losing.
“Still, Emika cannot be handed over to Korea. Even if you sever ties with Adelea and the Demon Lord’s Horn, if that style were to fall due to something minor, it would have been better off collapsing long ago.”
“Indeed, the Katsuhata School has a long enough history that it cannot be easily brought down by such trivial matters. But!”
Tap—
I slammed my hand down onto the armrest of the chair and stood up.
“Aren’t you curious? How much that talent will shine in this vast world?”
I turned my head to look back.
Emika’s horn had grown a few inches longer.
“Katsuhata Emika”
[Continuing the Demon Lord’s Horn (Continued) – Horn of the Fairytale – Korea]
[Category: 3rd Circle Other Magic]
[Rank: B]
The red energy of the lightsaber was consumed and swallowed by the yellow.
All that remained in her hand was a katana forged by the artisans of Katsuhata.
The aura the color of the sun formed the sword’s energy, manifesting a sharp blade.
“From now on, Emika will not use any magic.”
“Has the aura… changed?”
The Dangju opened his eyes wide, leaning his upper body forward.
[The qualities of the aura have changed! A new aura that has never been seen from Miss Katsuhata!]
[It’s going to be challenging to utilize the multi-aura…! Although I’m unsure if she really practiced, I can boldly declare that this is her only option!]
A multi-aura that manifests only after enduring the collision of two worldviews and mindsets.
Even for Ban So Wol, a master in aura arts, it wouldn’t be easy to proficiently manipulate a second aura.
The Demon Lord’s Horn has a function that stabilizes mental chaos.
But beyond that, it rests upon Katsuhata’s will.
I lightly exchanged swords with Emika during our training and showcased techniques from my past life.
[It’s a sword style I’ve never seen before!]
[Right? I also don’t know why it was made like this. I’m not sure if it’s efficient, but it seems to work unexpectedly well. Isn’t it really hard to block this?]
[Uh-huh! The sword strikes in completely unexpected directions, making it hard to counter. And above all, it’s incredibly heavy…]
[According to Marquis Bastienne, it contains the presence of great nations.]
At that time, there had been no opportunity to practice due to time constraints.
Establishing external manifestation was a top priority.
If she truly wants to win, Emika must remember those memories from back then.
“You can definitely do it. You’re a genius too.”
Her feet grew noticeably heavier.
Each step must feel like running a marathon.
Emika drew her left foot back, lowering her body flat.
Mikhail swung the battle axe horizontally to intercept the offense.
Starting at his waist, it ascended toward the sky.
“Kaizen-style Sky Cut.”
Szzzzz—!
Mikhail’s solid protective barrier split in half, glowing blue.
The barrier quickly restored, but the cold air that entered through the gap made him seem momentarily flustered.
The flurry of attacks continued.
“Next is the wrist. Disarm that annoying weapon from your hand.”
The movements were still somewhat clumsy.
But as long as her will was steadfast, the rest would fall into place with the help of her aura.
[Kaizen-style Wrist Cut]
Emika’s eyes sparkled golden, and blue lightning struck her two horns.
Boom—!
With a grand explosion, a terrifying storm swept through the training hall.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")