Abandoned in the mountains, I was adopted by a lizard ~I mastered magic and surpassed my parents, but I didn't know they were legendary ancient dragons~ - Chapter 60

Chapter 60   The true identity of the prodigy

“It’s that one,” Ian said, pointing out the window.

I looked and saw a player emerging from the Metro Capital side’s waiting room. This player had a striking appearance: narrow, asymmetrical eyes, a pig-like nose, and a double chin. Her face was further accentuated by bright red lipstick on plump lips. Even through her clothes, a triple-layered belly was apparent. In one hand, she held a half-eaten pizza.

Um… is that supposed to be “Aphrodite from Handsome Paradise”…? Assuming my sense of beauty isn’t too different from others, calling that person part of “Handsome Paradise” seems incredibly off…

“Uh, Ian… that person…” I started.

“Haha, well, if you don’t know the origin of the name ‘Handsome Paradise,’ it’s understandable to be confused seeing her,” Ian laughed, amused by my bewilderment.

Alright, initial impressions aside, it’s time to gather information.

“So, that person is the Metro Capital ‘prodigy,’ right? What’s her deal?” I asked Ian.

“Yes, she’s Metro Capital Magic Academy’s third-year student and S-rank adventurer, Aphrodite. She’s called a ‘prodigy’ because she became the youngest S-rank adventurer in history. Not just any S-rank, but nearly top-class among S-ranks,” Ian explained.

“Youngest in history… thanks to Hadar not being interested in becoming an adventurer,” Jasmine quipped again.

Ignoring her comment, Ian continued, “Her strength is partly due to a naturally high amount of magic and talent, but mainly it stems from her deep desire for men. Because of her appearance, which some cruelly call ‘the ugliest in a millennium,’ she faced cold treatment from the opposite sex since childhood. This fueled her determination to become strong and prove herself. Now, her goal is to ‘collect as many pretty boys as possible.'”

“Those pretty boys are what ‘Handsome Paradise’ refers to,” Jasmine added.

Listening to Ian’s explanation, Cecilia made an observation.

“Pretty boy sugar daddies, huh… I wonder if they’re here to watch today.”

Using the Eagle Eye perspective manipulation spell, I scanned the audience. Sure enough, among the Metro Capital side, there was a group of six clearly above-average-looking guys. Two of them in the center were holding what seemed to be handmade statues of Aphrodite.

Those must be her sugar daddies. Wait, is that a sign next to the statue?

“‘Aphrodite-sama has greatly contributed to the founding of Metro Capital Magic Academy as an S-rank adventurer and has made significant achievements in establishing the free academic spirit of Metro Capital. Please let her win this tournament. Department of General Magic Studies’… What’s that all about?”

“Hadar, what are you talking about?”

“I was looking for Aphrodite’s sugar daddies in the audience… They were holding a weird sign with the statue. Aphrodite’s still a current student, right? Contributing to the founding seems out of place timewise.”

Ian laughed and responded, “Oh, the students at Metro Capital have a culture of making parody statues of famous professors or putting up joke posters.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, on exam days, the current students put up posters saying stuff like ‘Only 379 days until you pass!’ to ‘encourage’ the test-takers.”

“Encoura… huh?”

That’s not encouragement. Why are they assuming it’ll take a year…

I wanted to ask whose parody that statue was, but that could wait. I needed to gather information directly related to the match first.

“What kind of fighting style does Aphrodite use?”

“Well… I’ve heard she mainly relies on hand-to-hand combat. Sorry, I don’t know much more than that.”

So, I couldn’t get much detailed information about her abilities. In that case, I’d have to analyze her during the match.

I activated an analysis spell to start. From the data I got, she didn’t seem to be anywhere near the level of Great Seitan… But could this really measure her true strength?

While I was pondering this, the gong signaling the start of the match rang. Simultaneously, Aphrodite moved.

In an instant, she closed the distance to our vanguard and sent him flying with a slap. The vanguard looked bewildered as he was slammed out of the ring.

“What… Was that just now… could it have been teleportation?” Cecilia murmured beside me as she watched the scene unfold.

“No, it wasn’t teleportation. She just moved so fast that the vanguard couldn’t react and slapped him,” I clarified.

Indeed, her fighting style seems to be primarily hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately, the disparity in strength was so great that we couldn’t see her full potential.

I’ll have to count on Licht for that. Though, based on the internal captain decider match, my expectations are low… But he has had the vaccine since then.

As I pondered this, Licht stepped onto the arena. Aphrodite, on the other hand, continued to chew on her pizza slowly with her eyes closed.

Is that her way of focusing?

The gong for the next match rang while I was analyzing.

This time, Licht made the first move. Just like in the internal captain decider match, he aimed for a low blow by thrusting his foot into the ground.

Then… Aphrodite dodged the attack by shifting her body and grabbed Licht’s foot. She then lifted his entire body into the air.

Aphrodite began to whirl Licht around in the air.

“You… against a maiden… there are attacks you can and can’t dooo!”

With a shout, Aphrodite hurled Licht with all her might. Licht collided with the arena wall and was knocked out of bounds.

…Yeah. Once again, all I saw was sheer brute force. I was hoping to witness some secret techniques or the true prowess that makes her an S-rank, but it seems Licht couldn’t bring that out.

By the way… didn’t Ian say earlier that the typical scenario involves “three people chipping away at the genius’s stamina”? From what I saw, Aphrodite’s stamina is barely touched… In that regard, she truly lives up to her “prodigy” title.

“Hey, Hadar… What did you think of what just happened?” Ian asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“I don’t know. She didn’t even use ten percent of her strength against those two, so I have no idea how strong she really is. Theoretically, she should be weaker than Great Seitan…” I answered tentatively.

To my surprise, Ian and Jasmine exchanged worried glances.

“No, I was asking if you could judge how much you need to hold back to avoid overdoing it.”

“I’m starting to worry. Don’t overestimate her strength and accidentally kill her, okay?” Jasmine added.

…Wait, that’s their concern?

Of course, I have no intention of saying, “I’ll finish this with a high-energy particle cannon in one go!” regardless. Aphrodite’s durability aside, the barrier protecting the arena’s spectators is fairly weak, so I can’t use attacks with large residual effects.

As a result, I have to hold back to some extent.

But… that condition applies to Aphrodite as well. I’ll proceed carefully, without letting my guard down.