Lejesti was undoubtedly considered a prodigy within the cult. Reaching circle six at nineteen, before turning twenty, was something promising. Because of that, he earned a promotion, becoming the leader of a group despite his young age. What he enjoyed most in battle was rubbing it in his opponents' faces that he was a prodigy. Seeing the despair in their eyes was delicious, and he would never regret that.
"Dark Line Magic – Deep Cut."
So why should he feel fear? Why was he feeling fear?
His lines formed a spiderweb, slicing the large rock into several cubes. His eyes narrowed as sweat ran down his face. He was a prodigy—but when he heard of mages who had reached circle six even earlier, he couldn't help thinking that the title of aberration was too small for them. Deep down, he was afraid. He just couldn't admit it.
'I am stronger. I am more. Don't forget that besides being older, I've had circle six longer.'
"Why do I feel like something similar happened to me before?"
Victoria's voice behind him made him spin around, the line in his hand extending outward. Like a whip on each finger, each one cut through the air and broke the sound barrier. Centimeters from the face of an arrogant Victoria, he suddenly felt his stomach struck by an absurd force. A large amount of blood poured from his mouth with terrifying ease, a few drops staining her purple clothes.
"Didn't you say you're a prodigy? Why aren't you evolving?"
"Evolving?"
"That's right. Like I do…"
It was as if she were mocking his face with that arrogant smile. It was irritating—and worse, he felt it had been a sincere question, despite her expression.
"Hm… even if we're both prodigies, that doesn't mean we're on the same level… how boring."
Boring? This girl didn't know what she was talking about. He would defeat her and show that he was superior.
Stepping forward, he advanced at maximum speed. His lines spread across the entire area, connecting to one another and forming cutting obstacles so she couldn't move.
"I'll show you whether it's really boring to fight me."
"You speak with a lot of courage for someone with that face of fear."
Victoria was right. His face was filled with fear. That courage wasn't like the moment she had felt fear and overcome it. What was happening to Lejesti was desperation—fear of possibly losing his title as a prodigy. Fear of dying. Fear of never again stepping on others.
'I will stay alive and—'
"Space Magic – Spatial Distortion."
The entire area around Victoria warped, breaking the lines and shattering the ground. Lejesti's own body began to distort as well. Victoria looked at him with boredom, understanding what would have happened if she hadn't overcome her fear in the past. She would have left as a coward who didn't even deserve to exist anymore, and she would undoubtedly hate that version of herself.
"I don't know your name, but I'll give you a tip before you die."
Several circle five cultists who tried to approach had their bodies crushed by the spatial pressure in that area. Lejesti's face twisted in terror as if Victoria stood above him—if he was on a mountain above others, then she was on the moon.
"A prodigy who doesn't evolve when afraid is destined to be an absolute failure and a clown. At least, that's my advice to you."
Extending two fingers forward, she traced a line in space. Lejesti was split in half along with that space, leaving what looked like a rift behind. The rift began pulling his corpse inward, erasing any sign that he had ever existed in that battle.
With a bored expression, she looked toward where the elves and cultists were still fighting. There were stronger people than her, without a doubt—but she wanted to see if there was someone interesting to fight, someone who could make her evolve. She had only joined this mission because her rival was here and she could use this war to grow.
"It seems there are really only two prodigies who can match my level."
"As always, she's a monster."
On the other side, Erina Montavero drove a fist coated in earth magic into a cultist's stomach while glancing sideways at the battle that had ended quickly. She was fighting three circle fives at the same time. Since her teacher had done to her what he did to Sisaka, she had reached circle six—so dealing with just three of that level wasn't very difficult.
"Surround her and attack at the same time!"
The three attacked in a circle, each wielding their weapon. With a leap upward, she dodged their weapons—a spear and two swords. Still in midair, she raised her hand while her opponents nearly struck each other due to her speed, barely avoiding mutual injury.
Erina formed a hammer of earth in her hand. It was her ego weapon, with the ability to increase its own weight and that of whatever it touched.
"Three hundred thousand tons."
The hammer came down with terrifying weight. They tried to move, but the descent was too fast. It struck one's shoulder, another's arm, and the last's head. Blood splattered everywhere along with a tremor that made the elves approaching to help turn pale.
"I think she doesn't need help."
"She's circle six at that age? What kind of humans are emerging in their world?"
"I think quite a few… and I thought that cult guy the scary girl defeated was a prodigy."
Erina rested the hammer on her shoulder while watching the staff-wielding elf being pulled back by the elven archer who had rescued him from disadvantage. As far as she knew, those two were also circle six, so they were quite strong.
"I can fight a little longer, sister."
"Quiet. When Father arrives, I'll tell him."
The elven archer sensed an attack coming from behind the two opponents her brother was facing. She turned and prepared her bow, but Erina was already in front of her, blocking the attack from both. She was clearly struggling to endure it, but the two jumped back before a spear infused with magic approached them.
"Father!"
"Thank goodness you're back."
The two behind Erina looked relieved—even the reckless young elf who had wanted to keep fighting despite losing. The spear flew back to the wind-magic elf's hand. He glanced at Erina gratefully.
"Thank you for protecting my children."
Before she could respond, the elf attacked the two opponents with a thrust. Ravith's thigh was torn as he tried to dodge, while Verias was pushed back attempting to defend with a curse barrier.
"Damn. Looks like he's circle seven. Let's retreat."
"As if I'd let you."
Gripping his spear tightly, he aimed at one's head—but the fight was interrupted by an explosion of magical power in the distance that lit up the sky. That power came from the direction where the cult leader and the old elf were fighting. At first, they thought it was their clash—but the old elf stood still, observing the battle unfolding.
"Who could—"
"It seems the professor has taken over the fight."
Hearing Victoria's voice, the elves turned to see her approaching with her hands in her pockets. In the distance, massive vines were rising toward the sky. If not for the invisible barrier created by their circle nine, the enemies would have seen that battle and come immediately. Up above, a fight between two circle eights was taking place.
"Actually, I think she's Mrs. Virelle now."