A proposal to join forces.
Lea thought to herself. After what had happened last time, Rigon didn’t hesitate to interact with her again.
'He must have decided he needed my abilities to get the Professor’s bracelet.'
Of course, setting aside other matters and joining forces was an agreeable idea to her as well.
Just now, while facing the professor alone, she realized once again that it wouldn’t be easy.
“Alright.”
Lea replied dryly.
There was no point in insisting on doing it alone if the other offered cooperation of their own accord.
Just cooperation for the sake of the test. They could use each other.
When she immediately accepted the proposal for cooperation, Rigon’s expression seemed somewhat surprised.
“Oh, really? I didn’t expect you to accept right away.”
“Enough small talk. Tell me you have a strategy in mind.”
Rigon shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t have anything particular in mind. Somehow, I feel like honestly confronting him without overthinking things might be the best.”
“Why do you think that way?”
“Just a gut feeling? Well, I’m quite good at trusting my gut.”
Lea’s gaze became discontented at his careless words. Although she had come to the same conclusion.
“He’s the homeroom professor of your class. Don’t you know any weaknesses?”
“How would I know?”
“I’m kidding, but let’s do it, anyway. Let’s see what the professor does, and then we’ll deal with it.”
Lea focused her magic power and spoke.
“Shockwave spells will come flying immediately. Keep that in mind and move. I’ll support from behind with magic.”
Rigon nodded, turned his body towards Professor Rokel, and assumed a stance.
Kwaang!
The professor’s shockwave magic soared terrifyingly as he lifted his foot.
Rigon immediately dodged to the side and charged forward without hesitation.
The shockwaves continued to come one after another. Rigon gradually increased his speed and evaded them all.
Shockwave magic was something that could neither be blocked nor parried with a sword, so dodging was the best option unless you were willing to take it head on.
And Lea, too, chose a way to support Rigon accordingly.
She couldn’t deploy defensive magic that would cover all directions around a moving target, nor was it ideal to launch offensive magic to block the shockwaves due to the angles involved.
'In that case...'
Barrier-type magic in the form of floating plates emerged around her and flew towards Rigon.
Bang! Kwa-gwa-gwang!
Consecutive loud noises resounded through the air.
The barriers created by Lea pursued Rigon’s movements, floating around him and providing a maximum defense against the shockwave magic.
Although they couldn’t completely neutralize its power and only weakened it to some extent, it was enough.
Rigon also moved swiftly, making the most of Lea’s barriers.
“Oh...”
Professor Rokel quietly exclaimed as he watched the scene.
Typically, combining the strengths of two individuals doesn’t necessarily result in a perfect synergy.
Moreover, such a method was an unsuitable strategy for two individuals who had never practiced coordinating with each other.
If the barriers were too far apart, it would be pointless to defend against them, and if they were too close, it would hinder their movement.
However, the two of them seemed to read each other’s minds and were almost perfectly in sync.
“......”
Lea could feel it, and so could he.
A shockwave flew in Rigon’s path, which he dodged to the side with a low stance.
Lea’s barrier blocked the next large shockwave, shattering it into pieces.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Rigon pushed forward, absorbing the aftermath with his body.
'How is this possible?'
Lea couldn’t understand.
How could Rigon have such unwavering faith in her abilities and act so fearlessly?
But thanks to that, the distance to the line was gradually getting closer.
'The professor’s attacks are not getting any faster. Is he not increasing his speed anymore?'
Professor Rokel’s magical attack, which had been gaining speed, suddenly stopped accelerating.
Having adapted to the increasing speed, Rigon took a bolder approach. The distance to the line quickly narrowed.
Watching the scene from behind, Lea focused all her attention on the professor’s reaction.
Clearly, when the two of them combined their strength, the breakthrough became much smoother.
At this rate, they should be able to cross the line unless the professor suddenly increased his power. But...
'There’s still one more to go.'
Professor Rokel had stated that he would only use three types of magic in this test.
Having used shockwave magic and barrier magic, there was one magic remaining. It had yet to be used.
'There’s still one more left. It’s about time...'
Rigon also kept that fact in mind.
The remaining distance to the line was now only about ten steps. What kind of magic would the professor use?
The probability of it being a magic that was highly lethal and dangerous was low. It was more likely to be a magic that could restrict movement. Freezing magic? Or maybe a binding magic?
If they didn’t let their guard down and responded appropriately just once, the possibility of passing the line was high. That’s what he thought at that moment.
“......!”
A wavelike ripple emerged in the empty space right next to him.
Rigon immediately tried to create distance but was too late.
Due to the sudden force, Rigon’s body was forcefully pulled towards the epicenter of the ripple.
Following that, a shockwave spell flew towards him, and he was mercilessly thrown backward.
Rigon quickly stood up, wearing a bewildered expression, and muttered.
“What was that just now?”
“......”
Lea also narrowed her eyes and looked at the spot where the ripple disappeared.
A ripple that pulled objects around it? Some kind of suction magic?
In the world, there existed numerous unconventional and unique types of magic. Lea didn’t claim to know all of them.
But even if she didn’t know exactly what it was, Professor Rokel’s intentions seemed to be clear with this.
'It’s a magic that is the opposite of a shockwave spell.'
In other words, Professor Rokel intended to prevent their approach by using only the force of pushing and pulling.
“A magic that creates a force pulling objects in the vicinity. Do you know what kind of magic it is, Lea?”
“I don’t know. But there won’t be any new magic now. How’s your condition?”
Rigon replied while swinging his arms.
“I’m still okay. You’re the one who seems tired already, aren’t you?”
“Ridiculous.”
“Alright then, shall we go again?”
Rigon, with a raised corner of his mouth as if enjoying himself, assumed a stance.
“Wait, now that we knew the three types of magic the professor was allowed to use, let’s plan properly...”
Before Lea could finish speaking, Rigon’s body shot out.
Lea clicked her tongue and drew upon her mana.
Rigon thought simply. He was just slow to react because he didn’t know what kind of magic was coming.
If it was a pulling magic, couldn’t he simply quickly move out of range before the magic unfolded?
However, it didn’t take long for him to realize that it was a careless thought.
“Ugh...”
Once again, Rigon, caught in the ripple, was thrown back in the same sequence.
Lea narrowed her eyes as she looked around.
'...If things continue like this, there’s no way to avoid it.'
Professor Rokel had already spread his mana widely throughout the area.
In this state, it would be difficult to read the flow of magic and determine the timing of the ripples in the air.
Lea felt her pride being hurt a little.
Magic output, control ability, speed of deployment - the professor matched all the elements to their level.
But even with all the conditions the same, how could there be such a difference in skill?
'I have to do something.'
She couldn’t rely on Rigon’s abilities any further.
As a mage, she had to find a way to block the professor’s magic, no matter what.
But how could she stop a magic whose nature she didn’t even know?
Even the barrier’s defenses were useless, as the force was pulling Rigon through the intervening obstacles.
On the other hand, it was difficult for her to read the timing of the ripples, just like Rigon. If she made even a slight mistake, she could end up hitting Rigon, who was caught in the ripple.
So how the hell was she going to--
“Lea.”
Upon hearing Rigon’s voice, Lea turned her gaze towards him.
“Put your barrier magic as close to my body as possible.”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense.”
If they narrowed the gap any further, it would only hinder their movement.
The problem was the pulling magic at the moment, so how would narrowing the barrier help?
“I have a plan, so just do as I say for now. I trust your control abilities.”
Snap.
Rigon threw the sword down to the ground and propelled himself into the air once again.
If he was just going to avoid it, the sword would only be a hindrance, but he wanted to make his body lighter, even if it was just a little.
Lea bit her lip and controlled the barrier. Just as Rigon requested, she brought them as close to his body as possible.
With her concentration pushed to its limit, she controlled the barrier around Rigon, who was moving erratically.
Her exceptional control ability played a part, but Rigon skillfully avoided colliding with the barrier and made remarkable movements as he charged forward.
And in an instant, a shockwave appeared and pulled Rigon’s body.
“...!”
At that moment, Lea instinctively understood Rigon’s intention and maximized the stability of the anti-gravity fields between him and the shockwave.
Instead, Rigon jumped towards the shockwave, using the fields as a foothold, which propelled him away.
Escaping from the range of the shockwave, Rigon regained his balance and rushed straight towards his target.
Only about five steps remained.
The point where the shockwave appeared this time was right above their heads. Rigon’s body was being pulled upward.
If things continued like this, it was obvious that the vulnerable body suspended in mid-air would be hit by the shockwave directly.
However, Rigon didn’t resist and instead spun his body around, focusing all his remaining strength on his legs.
Because he believed that Lea would immediately move the barrier upward.
Shwooosh!
As expected, the barrier flew up above Rigon at the right timing.
Rigon pushed through the barrier and dropped back down to the ground.
Dodging the last shockwave by a narrow margin, he threw his body beyond the line.
Rigon rolled on the ground and then stood up, while Lea took rough breaths.
Silence descended upon the previously tumultuous area. The gazes of the two students converged on Professor Rokel.
Professor Rokel withdrew his outstretched hand and gave a faint smile.
“It’s a success.”
He hadn’t even thought that the two of them could pass together, but...
These students were truly extraordinary and beyond expectations.
He removed the bracelet from his wrist and handed it to Rigon before immediately stepping outside of the common area.
“Both of you did well. If you move to the end of the western corridor, the exam will be over.”
As he watched the professor’s departing figure, Rigon shifted his gaze to Lea.
Lea, exhausted to the point of staggering, was now sitting on the ground.
Controlling so many barriers in time with Rigon’s movements had taken its toll on her.
Approaching her, Rigon reached out his hand.
“Are you okay?”
“...”
Lea, still seated, glanced at Rigon’s outstretched hand with a somewhat vacant expression.
