CH 225

[Her Way of Fighting]

The showdown between Tite and Kleine had finally reached its final stage.

Facing Kleine who barraged her with offensive magic, Tayte held her ground with her defensive magic. Less than a minute remaining, yet the uncompromising offense and defense continued, and everyone was starting to expect that it would end without a winner.

Kleine was also aware of this, and as time passed, the momentum of her attack decreased instead of increasing. This was also a major factor in why the surroundings determined it would be a draw.

–But, I begged to differ.

This match would have a clear winner and loser.

Tayte wouldn’t let it end in a draw.

Then, when there were less than 30 seconds remaining…

“Haa!”

Kleine released fire magic, like her previous attack.

Naturally, Tayte would repel it with defensive magic—or so everyone must think, but…

“Hm?”

“Huh?”

“Ah!”

Jarvis, Eureka, I—closely watching the match—sensed a change and involuntarily exclaimed.

Kleine’s fire magic—Tayte didn’t show any signs of defending against it. Mana covered her whole body, but she wasn’t casting defensive magic.

“W-why is Young Mistress not activating defensive magic…?”

“I’ve no idea. Barrett, does she have a trump card up her sleeve?”

“I don’t know, she never told me.”

Could she have run out of mana?

…No way that was true.

Her whole body was covered with mana… which meant, she must have some sort of plan in mind?

As I was thinking, the flames Kleine had released got closer and closer to Tayte. Just a bit more, and they would make a direct hit—but in the next moment…

“Ei!”

With a short shout, Tayte thrust her hands forward.

Then, a semi-transparent circular shield bloomed before her hands. Was it some sort of defensive magic?

However, the magic had an unexpected effect.

When the fire magic landed on the shield, Tayte suddenly threw her arms up into the sky–then the flames released by Kleine began to rise into the sky as if following Tayte’s guidance.

“Wha?!”

Kleine was at a loss for words.

The same was true for us; we could only gape in silence.

At that point, the bell rang signaling the end of the match.

Tayte had sent Kleine’s fire magic in the direction she wanted.

So, was it counter magic or something of the sort?

…I had completely no idea she could do that kind of magic.

When I asked Tayte about it after she had gone off the stage…

“I only recently mastered it, actually… I’ve kept it secret until today to surprise you.”

I see.

To surprise me, huh.

Well, her plan was a great success.

“You really surprised me there. You were amazing, Tayte.”

“U-um… I just wish I could be of help to you, if just a little…”

She was so lovable!

That’s why I loved her!

Afterward, Jarvis, Eureka, Cornell, and even the couple of Melia and Kleine came over, surrounding Tayte. They lavished her with praise, but Tayte remained humble.

…But I had discovered another truth.

The present Tayte was clearly stronger than in the original storyline.