NOVEL NEXT Chapter 316 - Goot vs Pia
Goot vs Pia
Amidst the cheers, Myke and Asuka, after bowing, returned to the waiting room. They’re going to quickly clean the waterlogged venue. It looks like it’ll take about ten minutes until the second match starts.
Asuka and Schlie-san returned to our spectator seats after a while. We of course, welcomed Asuka back. He scratched his head shyly when we all clapped. How cute!
“You did it, Asuka! That was amazing!”
I called out to him, as Schlie-san was using magic to dry his wet hair and clothes. I’m still excited! I’d naively thought it would be fine as long as he tried his best, but seeing him win made me want to win too!
Asuka, as expected, smiled and said, “Thanks,” looking embarrassed. Huh? He seems a bit down. He’d usually be like, “Right!? I’m amazing, right!?” What’s wrong?
“You properly aimed for an opening and attacked. That was great timing, Asuka.”
“There was a slight opening when Myke was controlling that water dragon.”
Schlie-san praised him, smiling, and Gil-san gave a supplementary explanation. I see, so that’s what it was. I couldn’t tell at all. I’m hopeless. Thinking about that, Asuka really is amazing!
“He’s gotten into the habit of doing that. But it’s incredible that you saw that and took advantage, Asuka!”
Juma-nii then ruffled his hair, also praising him. So basically, it means there was a flaw in Myke’s attack. I wonder if that’ll be an issue for him.
Asuka, on the other hand, was still a bit dazed, different from usual. When Juma-nii removed his hand, he finally spoke up, looking troubled.
“Um, I actually… didn’t know there was an opening. It just felt like I should jump right then, and my body just moved on its own…”
I see, so it was an unconscious action. That’s why he couldn’t really process everyone’s praise, why he couldn’t be happy about it. I see, so that’s why he’s making that awkward expression.
“My, that’s even more amazing, isn’t it, Asuka? It’s incredibly important, in battle, for your body to move before you even think. Of course, you also need to be able to see openings, but that’s even more important, for practical use.”
“That’s right, be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Ryuasukatius, congratulations.”
Asuka finally gave his usual smile, as if gradually realizing the significance of what he’d done, after hearing Saura-san and Kei-san’s words.
“I see, I… won… I won! I’m amazing!”
Yeah, yeah, that’s the Asuka we know! He then spread his arms, saying, “Yay!”, and coming towards me, so I spread my arms too, to catch him. I almost lost my balance when he jumped into my arms, but Gil-san gently supported me, so I was able to properly catch him. Thank you, Gil-san!
“But we have to watch the next match!”
“That’s right, you’ll be fighting the winner of the second match.”
“I need to watch carefully! Schlie, let me sit on your lap! Ah, next to Meg!”
“Okay, okay.”
Asuka, suddenly pulling away, hurriedly said that to Schlie-san, and then rushed towards the spectator seats. Fufu, he’s so cute, all excited. I made eye contact with Gil-san, smiled, and then we also headed for our seats.
“Um, so the next match is Goot versus Pia. Schlie, do you know them?”
“Yeah, a little. I’ve met Goot before, but I’ve only seen Pia.”
Asuka’s sitting on Schlie-san’s lap, leaning against him, swinging his legs. It’s so soothing, he looks like a normal boy his age. It must be hard for Schlie-san, because he’s not sitting still, but he’s not showing it, which is incredible.
…I also want to try. I timidly leaned against Gil-san.
“? What’s wrong? Are you tired?”
He said that, as overprotective as ever. I ignored him and swung my legs. O-Ooh? It’s more stable than when I’m sitting on a chair. He really is incredible.
“Fufu, you wanted to copy Asuka, didn’t you, Meg-chan?”
“Eh? Ah, s-sorry! I just…”
Saura-san’s comment made me embarrassed. I really wish I could stop acting like a child!
“It’s fine.”
He’s saying that, but that look in his eyes is painful, so please stop. No, no, I’m the one who’s going to stop! I’m so sorry! I’ll behave!
“Ah! I’ve met that Pia girl! I passed by when she was training.”
“Eh, really!? Tell us what she was like, Juma!”
Juma-nii leaned in from behind Asuka’s seat and interrupted. Ah, I want to know too! Asuka and I looked up at him.
“She seemed timid, she was always crying, so I was like, ‘This is hopeless,’ and lost interest.”
“That’s too straightforward, Juma. Don’t ever say that to her face, okay?”
It’s true that it was incredibly straightforward. I’d definitely be hurt if someone said that to me. “But it’s not like that!” Juma-nii said passionately.
“I thought she was hopeless, but I was wrong! She uses some incredible magic, you know! She was just letting loose, using all those powerful spells, it was so much fun to watch! I thought, ‘Good for you!’”
I guess his standards are based on strength. He loves strong people, he’s consistent. But he’s also kind to me, so I’m sure he also just loves people. Dad said he’s unusual, as an Oni. It’s true that Razield was scary. I have to get stronger so that I don’t get glared at, okay.
“High-powered magic…? She is a Sea Rabbit demi-human, so maybe the venue will be flooded again. Ah, they’re here.”
I looked at the venue when Schlie-san said that, and saw a familiar boy with creamy, curly hair, and a quiet-looking girl with her silver hair in braids. Her eyes are red, and she looks like a rabbit. Ah, she was a rabbit demi-human, right? Because she has rabbit ears. Eh, she’s the one who uses incredible magic? Looks can be deceiving!
『Sorry for the wait! It’s time for the second match! Goot, from Annulus, and Pia, from Stella! It looks like Goot’s competing in his human form! Will this be an advantage, or a disadvantage!? What do you think, Chezario-san?』
『Hmm, considering that he’s Diega’s son, I’m sure he’s been told to only compete in his human form.』
『Hmm, that’s strict! It sounds like special training!』
Karina-san’s cute voice, and a cool-sounding man’s voice, resonated throughout the venue. The man’s voice is Chezario-san, he’s the leader of Stella, if I remember correctly. He’s probably right. He seems like the type to be strict with his son. And probably with Rune too.
『But if he’s focused on that, he might not be able to fight properly. Maintaining your human form is hard, right? Chezario.』
『You’re right, it’s already an achievement, for someone his age, so we don’t know how it’ll affect his match.』
Ah, it’s Dad’s voice! He’s the other commentator for this match. I see, so maintaining your human form is difficult. It makes me realize once again that everyone, including Ortus, is incredible!
『I see, so that’s another thing to watch! Ah, they’re in position! The judge’s hand… is lowered! The match has begun!』
The match began the moment Kron-san lowered her hand. Pia immediately created a large magic circle at her feet.
I flinched. Gil-san then squeezed my arm tightly, and I somehow managed to calm down. I’m so sorry for troubling you… it’s a reflex, please forgive me.
『This is… quite a large magic circle.』
『Woah, Pia has a lot of magic power. I’m looking forward to seeing how she grows!』
I could hear Chezario-san’s impressed voice, and Dad’s nonchalant voice. It’s true that she has a lot of magic power. It’s even more terrifying, because Juma-nii said she was just letting loose with those powerful spells. And she looks so cute!
『The magic spell Pia-san’s unleashed is… a tsunami! Kyaa! That’s incredible! Isn’t it on the same level as Kron-sama!?』
It-It really is a tsunami…! It’s incredibly powerful, seeing it up close. It must be shocking for Goot, who has to face that. I’m sure I’d freeze for a second.
The tsunami, maintaining its power, surged across the venue. But Pia, who’d cast the spell, and Kron-san, the judge, were still in the same place, protected by a membrane. It really shows just how strong Kron-san is, that she’s able to casually stand there! But… where’s Goot? Don’t tell me… he was engulfed!?
“It’s over.”
“Eh?”
“Yeah, Goot won.”
“Eeh!?”
I was worried, so I was peering into the venue when Gil-san suddenly said that. And then I was even more surprised by Schlie-san’s words. “Eh? What do you mean!?” Asuka and I shouted in unison. “See,” Schlie-san said, pointing at the venue with his finger.
And then I saw it… Goot, holding Pia, who’d collapsed, with one arm, in the center of the venue, after the tsunami had receded. E-Eh? What happened!?
『Sh-She’s unconscious! Pia’s collapsed! Wh-What happened!? Commentators, please!!』
Even the announcer, Karina-san, sounded bewildered. Do your job properly! But I was astonished by the fact that even she, who was given this job, missed it.
『What Goot did was simple. He just went to where Pia was before the tsunami hit, and chopped her neck. That’s all.』
『Eh? Just that!?』
That’s amazing. Just that? It’s true, but the incredible part is that he was able to do that, in that instant.
『Goot’s a Lightning Speed Dog demi-human. Explosive speed, that’s his weapon.』
『Woah! That’s amazing! Well then, congratulations! The winner of the second match is… Goot!!』
So basically, he’s as fast as lightning? Th-That’s impossible to see! Goot’s incredible! Wow…!
“Well then, your next opponent has been decided, Asuka.”
“No way! Goot’s that strong?”
Asuka, when Schlie-san chuckled and said that, looked down, losing his confidence. Ugh, I’m sure I’ll be the same…!
“Speed isn’t everything. Okay, Asuka? It means he’s not suited for long battles. And he was struggling to maintain his human form, so you actually have the advantage.”
“Eh? Really?”
Asuka looked up at Schlie-san’s words. “That’s right,” he continued.
“So it all comes down to whether you’ll be able to see his movements. I’m sure you can do it.”
“But I couldn’t see it at all. I don’t even know what happened…”
“That can’t be helped. I’ll give you a hint… what was your first contract spirit?”
Asuka’s eyes widened at those words. It looks like he’s realized something. He thought about it for a bit and then called out to Shaio, his Light spirit.
“Shaio… I have an idea.”
『Hmm! Tell me! Leave it to me!』
“Geez, I haven’t said anything yet! Well…”
The two of them, Asuka and his spirit, Shaio, began to strategize. I’m glad, it looks like he’s figured something out. I let out a sigh of relief. …No, no, I can’t relax, because I might have to fight him too! I’m going to learn as much as I can by watching these matches! And my opponent will be whoever wins the next match. I clutched my chest, feeling nervous!