I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 25

Chapter 25: The Annoying Type, Cedric-kun

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After finishing the second round, we were taking a break in the backstage waiting room. The students whose matches had ended became spectators, and their murmurs faintly echoed through the stone walls.

“…Phew, I’m exhausted.”

I lightly rolled my shoulders. Honestly, I was tired to the point that “exhausted” didn’t even begin to cover it. The leader of that commoner team had certainly been capable. Their strategy aside, each individual’s level of magic control had been high. Their chant speed and judgment weren’t bad either.

Well, compared to me, it was like the moon and a turtle—like a snail and a supercar.

“Don’t overdo—”

“I’m not. You could tell just by watching, right?”

Yuka stared intently at me. Her eyes shimmered as if light itself was swaying within them. Was she really that worried? Sure, there was a moment that got a little dangerous, but still. It was when I looked away from Yuka…

“—You seem quite composed.”

A low, nasal voice. When I turned around, a blond young man was standing there. Well-proportioned features. But what dwelled in his eyes was blatant contempt.

“Cedric Eisenwald, of the Count’s house.”

…Ugh, what a pain.

“Do you need something?”

“Need something? That should be obvious.”

His blue-gray eyes turned toward Yuka.

“I merely came to see the fool who is wasting a rare attribute.”

The air seemed to grow cold. Yuka stepped closer behind me. Seeing that, Cedric smiled thinly.

“The Light attribute is a power that resides only in the chosen. It should not stand beside a weakling with such meager magical reserves.”

“…Huh?”

The Light attribute… that was one of the rare ones, right? I didn’t really get how that connected to Yuka, though?

“She should come over here. To the side of one who possesses magic of equal standing.”

Yeah, I don’t really get it, but…

This guy was treating our Yuka like she was some kind of object, wasn’t he? I had no intention of handing her over to anyone except someone who said they’d make Yuka happy.

“I refuse.”

An immediate answer. Of course. Cedric’s brow twitched slightly.

“Luka, does she even have the right to refuse?”

“Of course she does.”

I stepped forward.

“Yuka is my—”

Silence.

Is “slave” okay? Or would “maid” be better? …If I need to assert my rights, “slave” might make it clearer.

“Yuka is my slave.”

Is that okay? Hey, that’s okay, right?

A dry laugh followed.

“Ridiculous. To think that you, a duke, had purchased a slave.”

The air grew tense.

Don’t say that… I’ve thought the same thing myself.

Just then, an announcement echoed through the arena.

『First match of the semifinals—Allen Milford versus Lula—』

Looks like it was time. I wonder if this loudspeaker is one of those relic-type artifacts? Cedric spoke while turning his back.

“I will be waiting in the finals. There, I shall prove it… Who is truly worthy.”

His back receded into the distance. Yuka grabbed my sleeve.

“…Luka-sama, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

I smiled just a little.

“I’ve just got one more reason to knock someone out.”

The door to the arena opened.

Alright, let’s go, Elysia-san, Serena-san! Let’s wipe them all out!

Cheers roared. Allen was waiting at the center. This was the semifinals. Everyone left was the cream of the crop, meaning the real fight started here. The arena filled with cheers. Facing us were Allen and Kaiel. Neither showed the slightest opening.

“To think I’d face you here, Luka.”

Allen cracked his shoulders.

“Sorry, but this is where you’re going down.”

Kaiel briefly raised his staff. The referee’s hand swung down.

“—Begin!”

First move.

“Let’s go!”

Allen moved first.

“—Flare Shot!”

A basic Fire-attribute spell. A straight-flying ball of flame. At the same time, Kaiel began chanting.

“—Aqua Ball!”

A water projectile followed up. A straightforward frontal assault combo.

“Elysia!”

“Yes.”

After her calm reply, I heard her chant.

“—Ice Lance.”

The released spear of ice canceled out the fire and water. And then it continued straight toward Allen and Kaiel.

“—Crap.”

They reacted just in time and blocked the ice lance. But that was a loss.

“Freeze Patch.”

In an instant, the floor froze over. Allen’s advance slowed.

“What—?!”

He slipped. In that opening…

“Now, Luka.”

“Got it.”

I thrust both hands forward.

“—Smoke.”

Gray smoke spread out all at once, the absolute limit of my magical capacity. Both sides lost their vision. I could clearly hear the murmuring from the audience seats.

“Stay calm! Sense their presence—!”

Allen’s voice echoed. But with the frozen floor and zero visibility… In the meantime, we climbed onto a slightly elevated ice platform Elysia had created.

Kaiel’s frantic voice echoed.

“Damn it, where are they?!”

There. In the smoke, I aimed toward a faint light.

“Serena.”

“Yeah, leave it to me.”

Her voice rang clear.

“—Lightning Shot.”

A basic Lightning-attribute spell. Unlike the equally basic Spark, this lightning struck accurately even at a distance. A sharp bolt of lightning tore through the smoke. The frozen floor became a conductor. There was nowhere to run here. In an instant, a pale blue-white flash streaked across.

“Guh—!”

Allen dropped to his knees, his pendant glowing.

“Ugh—ahh…!”

Kaiel fell at the same time. When the smoke cleared, what remained was a single isolated boy.

“…Eh? Ah…”

The two of them couldn’t stand from the numbness. The referee’s voice rang out.

“…Winner, Team Luka!”

The cheers exploded.

See? It’s strong when it hits, right?!

After the match, Allen smiled bitterly.

“…A-as expected of you. That was beautifully done!”

You should head to the infirmary already.

Kaiel opened his mouth as well.

“Ice into smoke, then lightning…”

“A flawless combination.”

You too… Go already, okay?

…I mean, that ended way too easily. I knew it, but all I did was release smoke…

“E-even with just basic spells, there’s a way to make it work, right?”

Suddenly, I felt a gaze from the audience. When I looked up, a blond figure was sitting arrogantly. His cold eyes fixed on me. Cedric Eisenwald was quietly watching from above. Contempt dwelled in his eyes.

“…Luka-sama, next is the final.”

Yuka murmured softly. Yeah. Next was him. The noble with his Light-attribute elitism. And… The man who called Yuka someone meant to be with the chosen.

…For now, I’ll just beat him down. I’ll beat that irritating face until I’m satisfied.

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