*
In the game, there was a setting introduced to explain unrealistic stories.
Mana.
When a person is born, their limit is set, and it is a substance that recovers by consuming food.
It exists in blood or bodily fluids and is used in the setting that the blood of the Ten Heroes is dense.
Combined with magic, swordsmanship, spirit magic, and divine power.
‘Pina can create clones with magic, and Nex can summon spirits….’
It was the source of power that allows one to achieve the ‘concept’ of ignoring the laws of physics in reality.
Being able to cut hair or wash my head while wearing an unremovable helmet was thanks to this.
But.
What happens when multiple people who can use this mana gather?
“….”
That’s right. It goes haywire.
It’s only natural when people who can make the impossible possible come together.
Just like in the plaza where players gather.
“Just a joke, they’re seasoned pro end gamers,” or whatever.
When Pina and I rushed to the center of the forest to get a special rune.
“There it is! It’s empty! Move over there!”
“It’s the Helio team! They’re guarding the rune!”
That place had already turned into a complete mess.
A golem that looked like it was made from a pile of dirt was blocking our team member’s path.
“Let’s move forward! Ceres!”
Once again, the mace made with divine power smashed through it in an endless fierce back-and-forth.
After all, a priest who doubles as a combat class is quite strong.
If Pina had used divine power well when she was the Nameless Saintess, would she have been carrying a mace like that?
It might even have a cute accessory on the handle.
“Licht. What are you thinking?”
“…I’m thinking of breaking through there.”
As I stared at the weapon being swung by the Inrang Tribe boy, Pina gave me a nudge from the side.
“That’s a lie… isn’t it?”
No, that’s wrong. It’s just that I was concerned because he happened to be wearing priest robes.
There was a rule that prohibited attacks during the scramble, but.
“Isn’t this unfair?! Making an ice wall in the middle of the forest, what’s up with that?!”
As magic could be used to block paths or strengthen oneself.
The scene of Academy students fighting to seize a single rune reminded me of a battlefield.
A rune the size of a soccer ball.
Even from a distance, it sparkled golden, as if expressing its value.
‘..The Helio team has already claimed the rune.’
Students in red vests were gathered around, guarding the rune.
But was there really a need to do that? Can’t they just transfer it to their base?
As I noticed something odd,
“That rune… isn’t moving.”
Pina was slightly lifting her heels, looking around, and whispered to me.
I have to acknowledge her natural eyesight, it seems.
It must have some conditions, just like other runes.
If not, there wouldn’t be a need to maintain formation and guard it.
It would help their score to just transfer it to their base.
“Licht. Can you approach it?”
“Well….”
Pina casually asked with her arms crossed. Seriously, it’s no wonder she has such a strong possessiveness since she’s from the Inrang Tribe.
What should I do?
Even if I used a spirit to teleport, I might be blocked by the dense trees that don’t let any sunlight through.
Even using a recollection would count as an attack attempt against the other students, leading to elimination.
Nex is using Phoenix’s Cradle to protect it.
No matter how I think about it, I couldn’t come up with a sharp idea. I felt like my head was going to burst.
“Do you think it’ll be tough..?”
Whispering, Pina had been speaking into my ear so that others wouldn’t hear.
It’s a pity that my armor was blocking it.
I wish I could hear her cute, slightly high-pitched voice directly one day.
Even if I create a clone to feel it….
Ah, come to think of it, Pina’s glass magic has been enhanced.
“Mardol, do you want to hug once more?”
Mirror Mirage. It must be strengthened by Lunar Potion, so this strategy might work.
“..Hiccup.”
Pina hiccuped. She twitched her whole body.
Just a moment ago, she was asking me for a favor after using the combination move.
It seems she really isn’t resistant to men.
Or maybe she’s being punished for thinking of it too deeply and hugging too much.
Normally it would have been nice even if it had been a back hug. Was it just a reckless challenge?
“Alright.. let’s do it right now.”
Moments later, I got the green light from Pina. Once again, a murky glass wall surrounded us along with a soundproof magic circle.
It felt like the space became narrower than before. Pina.
The place for casting the combination move was narrowed as if to make us get closer.
“Please.. hug me.. Licht.”
Once I took off my helmet, there was a wolf that couldn’t meet my eyes. Her cheeks and neck were already red.
She was slowly calming her breathing, likely trying to soothe her heart, but.
“I understand. Pina.”
Without giving her a moment of space, I hugged her tightly. Our breaths mixed to the point of feeling suffocating.
Now that I’ve done it a couple of times, wrapping my arms around her waist felt natural.
“….”
Pina also wrapped her arms around my neck and dove in hard.
She pressed her face against my chest like a predator seeking prey.
To be exact, it was a wolf rubbing all over me. Acting like a puppy trying to leave its scent.
Ah, so this happens.
At first, I was too dazed to notice.
With our bodies pressed against each other, I could feel Pina’s entire form.
I gripped her delicate waist that felt like it could snap.
Her quivering breaths and fingers sliding along my neck.
It felt like touching a fragile glass sculpture that would shatter at any moment.
There was no sinister thought.
Time felt like it slowed down to a stop.
My mind was blank, as if whitened, and only the scent of roses seemed to captivate my soul.
Rather, I wished for this moment to last forever, praying and praying.
“Damn!”
But what shattered that eternity was my spirit.
Did I just think something unnecessary? The little black one kicked my knee hard.
Balancing, I quickly wrapped my hands around her head to prevent her from getting hurt.
Thud, the two bodies shook violently.
“..Are you hurt, Pina?”
I fell to the ground while holding her. I tried to prevent her from getting hurt by placing my hand down first, but.
“….”
Pina brushed her white wolf ears back, her small lips trembling.
She seemed startled, unable to answer my question, only hiccuping repeatedly.
Her wide eyes were shaking, lost, and her face turned as red as a blooming rose.
Maybe I should have hugged her and cast the combination move from behind.
As I finally got up and kicked the dirt, I felt a wave of guilt toward Pina.
The little black one must also respond to my feelings.
I guess I was pretty suffocated too.
*
Kainel had arrived at the special rune before anyone else.
“Kai… why isn’t this budging at all?”
“Tell me about it.”
Now, from childhood friends to girlfriend status, alongside the elf mage, Ariel.
However, even when they combined their efforts to move it, the golden egg-like object hadn’t budged even a bit.
“It seems like there are conditions for this as well.”
Typically, a common rune features a total of four magic circles.
Blue for magic.
Orange for swordsmanship.
Red for spirit magic.
And lastly, yellow for divine power, creating different hues with each.
But what is this rune?
“All four seem mixed in. Kai.”
Is there a student nearby that can handle swordsmanship, spirit magic, magic, and divine power?
Ariel tilted her head in confusion.
“Should we call Nex and Schartines?”
There was no other option. The surrounding crowd was busy trying to fend off the incoming rival team.
At the forefront was Nex Aureus, creating a dome with purple wings.
“Nex is probably busy with the cradle… wait a minute!”
As Ariel moved away from Kainel to call him, a gap was created.
“..Licht?”
In that gap, several men donned in black knight helmets started to push through the cradle.
“Why are there more than one?!”
Kainel was dumbfounded as he watched the black knights swarm like bees from a distance.
If it’s Pina Grancia’s clone spell, shouldn’t they be transparent or mimic movements?
Yet, the Licht ‘clones’ were acting independently.
“..What should I do?”
Attacking one was prohibited. Even if I used the Holy Sword, could I stop them?
Let’s try. I’ll rush in and grab the main body, maybe the clones will stop.
“Hello, Kainel.”
With that thought, when I activated the Holy Sword, I faced a black knight rushing at me with Wolf Fang.
‘..Which one is real?!’
The group of Licht clones approached from all directions.
Kainel was still standing by the golden rune.
Without Pina, Licht couldn’t use spells or divine powers.
There’s a chance to win here.
Boom─! The hands of the two boys met. Kainel stopped the charging Licht.
“What did you do for it to multiply like this?”
“…I don’t know.”
Even his severely burned face was still intact. As if someone liked that look.
“I absolutely hate holding another man’s hand. Kainel.”
Every Licht clone had their mask lifted, showing their bare faces.
Kainel was beginning to feel pressured in strength.
Roughly scratching the ground, he started to step back.
Was their strength always this strong? It felt like borrowing someone else’s power…
“I’ll take the rune. I need to win points for the Emperor Rock.”
While Kainel was distracted trying to hold one down, another Licht moved towards the rune.
“Do you think you can take it? Licht?”
Kainel gave a snicker. The rune could only be moved using magic, divine power, spirit magic, and swordsmanship.
“Seriously. It’s not moving at all.”
On the other side, Licht had failed to lift the rune.
Three black knights struggled, but the golden object didn’t budge an inch.
“So, the magic circles are mixed in, huh.”
Letting out a deep sigh, he stared at the rune and continued speaking.
“But, it’s not that all abilities are crammed into this rune….”
Licht pulled some smaller runes from his pocket and brought them closer.
“It’s about absorbing other runes into this one. Look, it fits into this empty space.”
The golden rune, after consuming four smaller runes, briefly lit up.
“Sorry, Kainel. I’ve released something similar before.”
Then the man in the black knight helmet began carrying it away.
