Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

65 – Yearly Duel (14)

In conclusion, the fight between Nils and Laura was a predetermined one from the start.

Nils, convulsing and writhing, managed to lift his head with great effort.

“Ugh…! Huff…!”

Due to continuous hits from the ice-element magic, Nils’ limbs were frozen and turned a pale blue. Naturally, there was no sensation in his fingertips, and frozen breath escaped through his blue-tinted lips.

“Grr, ugh…!”

Nils tightly shut his eyes. It was an uninterrupted series of defeats, even in his own assessment. No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was being toyed with.

Armor-piercing shells, high-explosive shells, scatter shot, and even the magical bullets he had saved up until now.

Nils undoubtedly did his best against Laura von Adelheid, who stood unscathed in front of him. He employed every means and method available, especially showcasing the power of his rapid-fire attacks, which he took pride in. However, in the end, it was all futile. Nils’ attacks couldn’t penetrate Laura’s magical defenses and only resulted in minor injuries from the reflected attacks.

‘What is this, a monstrous…!’

A first-year student from Class A, a combat major, Nils Chamber, unleashed attacks without reservation against Laura, but her magical defenses remained unbroken.

That was the conclusion.

Struggling to accept this fact, Nils, whose lungs froze due to magic, gasped for breath, glaring at the girl before him.

Normally, mages use a spell called “Magic Barrier.” It has the disadvantage of being able to defend only in one direction, but its defensive power is outstanding.

On the contrary, Magic Defense disperses magic evenly in all directions rather than concentrating it in one place, making it weak against concentrated attacks.

In the end, Magic Defense is a useful spell in chaotic battles. Yes, generally, that’s the case. However…

“How thick is this magic defense…!”

It is irrational. No, it goes beyond that and becomes incomprehensible.

Nils clearly focused on one spot. The trajectory of the bullets was precise, and Nils’s gun barrel moved along with Laura’s every movement.

But, was that it? Did it all end with just a slight scratch? And not only that, did she manage to deflect more than half of the attacks directed at her?

How on earth?

“Are you very surprised?”

As the thickly settled dust settled, Laura, holding a flag, suddenly appeared in Nils’s sight, standing right in front of him.

“Surprised, aren’t you…?”

“Yes, that’s right. Because none of the attacks landed, right? How pitiful. You even took the initiative, didn’t you, most likely?”

“…!”

That arrogance. Laura von Adelheid, her upturned nose looking down upon her opponent. Nils was extremely enraged by it.

Boastfully showing off her noble heritage, while condemning everyone else as criminals!

“You, you…!”

Nils clenched his teeth. The sound was so loud that even Laura could hear it.

Looking at Nils like that, Laura removed the slight grin from the corners of her mouth and showed a genuinely sympathetic expression.

“Still, you did quite well in the offense. To break through my magical defense…. You truly are a student of Class A.”

“Tsk, shut up…!”

“Your behavior is also quite cheap. I am currently praising you. Please do not misunderstand.”

“And you call that praise…!”

“Yes, that’s right. Exactly that.”

What made Nils stop his resistance was Laura’s gentle words. Holding her staff up, she elegantly drew a magic circle in the air.

“Inhale, compress, maintain form, simplify.”

As the size of the magic circle decreased, it unfolded above Laura’s right hand. Nils stared blankly at the sight.

“Unfortunately, there is a time limit. To leave no trace, it would be better to quickly deal with you and leave.”

Laura extended her index and middle fingers, spreading her thumb, and folded her ring and pinky fingers as she raised her hand. The middle and index fingers, which were twirling around the magic circle, were placed on Nils’s forehead.

It resembled the shape of a gun. Nils couldn’t hold back his rising anger at her hand shape, which seemed to mock him.

“…You, damn…!”

“Fire (κρούση).”

– Bang!

The last thing Nils saw in the pitch-black vision, after being hit by compressed air, was…

“Great…! That was great…!”

With the flag tightly cradled in her arms, Laura raced down the path opening in the center of the arena.

* * * * *

“Laura von Adelheid! Dominating the duel against Nils Chamber, she seizes the final flag!! The skills of Class A students are truly formidable!”

Professor Andres shouted energetically. The widened eyes betrayed Andres’s surprise at Laura’s skill.

“Wow!”

The cheers from the spectators were overwhelming. It was on a different scale than the previous duels.

It was a duel that was both overwhelming and dazzling, and the reputation of Class A students at the Chaldea Imperial Academy was evident.

“As the final flag reaches the center of the arena, the flag snatching for first-year students concludes! A total of 64 students have passed this duel!”

Professor Andres roared mightily. It was a volume that could make one’s ears ache.

“Well, as expected of student Adelheid…”

Professor Esther, who was watching with me, sighed in admiration. I just silently watched Laura running with the flag.

My feelings are complicated. I knew that Laura would win the fight, but still…

“…Laura von Adelheid.”

Adelheid. The value of those five letters doesn’t fade. The match clearly showed that the legacy of the magical family is still strong.

My feelings are strange. Even though my students fought proudly, each showcasing their abilities, a smile doesn’t appear on my face.

The students I took charge of. In place of Helena, I must lead these students.

So, I should smile at their achievements. Praise them. Show a smile. Yes, I should do that, but…

“…”

This awkward feeling, what on earth is it?

In my heart, it was divided into two now. One was sincerely delighted by Class A students’ achievements, and the other was a nasty sense of envy creeping up as I subtly nodded at Laura’s achievements.

That’s why it’s confusing. I don’t know what expression I should wear.

My tightly closed lips tremble. I put more strength into closing them.

Laura von Adelheid. In the early days of class, I didn’t particularly like her, but as the classes continued, I could let go of my narrow perspective.

So, I thought. I won’t be bound by the past anymore. Just like vowing not to hate the child of an enemy, I won’t treat Laura von Adelheid as the same as her father.

“Funny.”

Yes, it was a joke. It was solely because I hadn’t witnessed Laura using magic with my own eyes; it wasn’t because I had shed my biased thinking.

Look at me now. Look at me projecting her father’s image onto Laura as she uses magic.

I can’t even congratulate or be happy for my students who proudly showcase their skills. How pathetic is that?

Adelheid. Because of those five letters, can’t I be happy in a situation where I should be happy? Just because of that?

It was hard to accept, but that was the truth. Other than that, there’s no way to explain my feelings.

Ah! Right now, the first-year students are coming out! Please welcome them with applause!

And then, the first-year students who finished their sparring began to emerge from the training ground. The visible wounds had completely disappeared, and they looked perfectly unscathed.

“I mixed in some welcoming magic. I gave them a little help. Hehe….”

Professor Esther scratched her head and smiled, but I couldn’t muster a smile.

The procession of first-year students exiting the training ground. Leading the procession were the students from Class A, walking in a line.

Unfortunately, where I stood was the passage connecting the training ground exit to the waiting room and infirmary.

In Laura’s face, confidently at the forefront, the joy of victory and her usual arrogance were deeply ingrained.

Laura, standing proudly at the front, continued to scan her surroundings as she exited the training ground. Her expectant expression testified to her searching for someone.

Who could she be looking for? Did Duke Adelheid come to watch?

And then, Laura’s eyes found me.

“Ah…!”

She let out a short gasp and quickly regained her composure, walking towards me. I silently watched her approach.

As Laura arrived by my side, she confidently placed her hands on her hips and spoke with a self-satisfied expression.

“Professor Antonelli. How was I?”

“….”

Father Antonelli, don’t resent me too much. I just chose the best path for the future of the empire.

Her shameless expression, the unwarranted dignity in her actions and speech, and even the gaze treating me as beneath her—all of it seemed identical to the Laura she was now.

“…It was truly an excellent sparring session.”

I had no choice but to deceive myself.

…What a truly spineless person.

That person was me.

* * * * *

Inside the dormitory bathroom.

Laura, immersed in the hot tub filled with water, wore a relieved expression.

“Ah…”

Water droplets clung to her white hair, falling off one by one into the tub. Immersing herself in the warm water, it felt like the fatigue from her entire body was being released at once.

After the first day of sparring ended, Laura quickly solved dinner and returned to the dormitory.

It was more tiring than usual, partly due to the maze navigation, but the main reason was undoubtedly the formidable opponent she faced in the final sparring, a student named Nils Chamber.

It was to the extent that Laura’s magical protection was being seriously tested. It was an unprecedented event, and Laura had pushed herself a bit to decisively finish Nils. She replayed the battle she had witnessed and experienced firsthand today.

“Hmm….”

The sparring sessions of the second and third-year seniors had left a lasting impression. The matches that unfolded after the first-year students’ sparring were certainly worth paying attention to.

However, such things were not important to the current Laura.

– It was truly an excellent sparring.

“Huh, hee…!”

Suppressing a laugh, she happily played the water drum while soaking in the hot water.

The praise and recognition from Professor Antonelli. It was one of the few thrills Laura had experienced.

“With this, twice….”

Once during the evaluation of the assignment and now the second time.

As Laura mulled over those memories, she was also imagining the future third time.

And so, the first night of the annual grade-level sparring deepened.