NOVEL NEXT Chapter 320 - Goot vs Asuka
Goot vs Asuka
“He’s taken the spirit into his body… when did he learn such a technique, I wonder?”
Schlie-san, sounding impressed, said this. A spirit into his body…? I’ve never heard of that before.
“Is that even possible?”
“Yes. But it does use up quite a bit of magic power, and it’s not something you can do unless you’re incredibly compatible… ah, see? It doesn’t last long, because it’s his first time.”
“But it’s still incredible that he succeeded on his first try,” Schlie-san said, astonished. Of course, I’m also surprised! It’s like scales falling from my eyes, that it’s actually possible.
Apparently, even Schlie-san takes Nephry-chan into his body when he’s flying. So that’s why he’s so agile! I’ve always felt like I was just being carried when I’m flying with Fuu-chan, so I’d been wondering if there was a better way. So that was it, we were using different methods.
“Compatibility is key, so we don’t normally teach them this technique. It’s also something that’s not possible unless the spirit agrees.”
“So it really is incredible, that Asuka was able to do it! It looks a bit difficult for him to handle right now, but does it mean he’ll get even stronger if he practices? Wow!”
Asuka must have asked Shaio when they were talking in the spectator seats. It’s incredible that he even thought of it, and was able to immediately use it in a match!
But it’s only possible if the spirit agrees, huh? I wonder what my spirits think? I wonder if I can also do it with at least one. I have quite a few contract spirits, so there might be one who’s compatible. So I casually asked, but…
『I can!』
『Me too!』
『Me three!』
They all casually agreed, and I felt a bit dizzy. Eh, wait. Eh, really? When I asked, bewildered, Shou-chan dropped another bomb:
『You can probably do it with any spirit, Master. Because the quality of your magic power… is a perfect match with all the spirit attributes!』
“…………”
“…Meg.”
I was speechless, and then Schlie-san quietly spoke up. Th-That’s right, he can hear us, because he’s also a nature magic user.
I turned to face him, creaking, and was met with that incredibly bright smile. He then placed his index finger on his lips. Wow, he’s beautiful…!
“…Please… don’t tell anyone?”
“O-Okay…”
Y-Yeah, so I’m kind of… special. Eh, um… I should probably think carefully about when to use this ability. Ahaha… and Gil-san, please stop sighing knowingly! I get it!!
But I do want to try it at least once. And it would be great if I can use even more magic power. Because I have too much… it’s a serious issue!
『Oh, what incredible speed! It looks like Goot has the upper hand, but what do you think? Zahariash-sama!』
That’s right, the match is still going on. One of the commentators is Father-sama. They’ve been exchanging blows at super speed, so it doesn’t look like there’s been much progress, but what’s the situation?
『Hmm, Goot’s maintaining his speed, and Asuka’s still a bit inconsistent. But Asuka seems to have something up his sleeve. Goot can’t let his guard down either.』
『You’re right. Asuka has more options. Goot’s attack patterns are a bit… monotonous.』
Oh, so the other commentator is Chezario. Hmm, I see. Does Goot usually win quickly, because of his speed? Maybe that’s why his patterns are so predictable.
But I don’t think it means he has no other options. He just hasn’t had the need to use them. Neither of them can let their guard down!
Goot’s enveloped in lightning, and Asuka’s enveloped in light, so my eyes started to hurt from staring. I looked to the side, and my eyes met Heidemarie’s. …Huh? Wasn’t she watching the match?
“Hey, Heidemarie. Stop staring at her and watch the match!”
“But it’s too fast, I can’t follow their movements. So I’d rather admire Meg-sama, it’s much better for my eyes.”
“Haa! This one’s hopeless!”
U-Um, yeah, I also feel awkward being stared at! Our eyes meet every time I glance at her, and she always smiles. O-Oh… no, that’s not it! I just want us to become casual friends!
『Oh! Asuka’s making a move!!』
I immediately looked at the monitor when I heard the cheers. Asuka, enveloped in light, was using wind magic to capture Goot! Goot, wrapped in the wind, was floating, unable to do anything.
『Is this it for Asuka!? But oh! Goot’s not giving up, he’s adjusting his posture!』
Goot, who’d been upside down, had somehow managed to right himself. But Asuka then ran towards him and then kicked him, aiming for his stomach!
『Goot’s blocking Asuka’s kick with both arms! But he’s being blown away!』
It doesn’t look like he took any direct damage, because his arms were crossed, but he couldn’t stop the momentum, because he was still enveloped in wind, and was sent flying by Asuka’s kick. Is he going to be knocked out of bounds!? Just as I thought that, the wind around Goot suddenly vanished. Eh? What? What happened?
『It looks like Goot somehow managed to hold on because the wind disappeared! He somehow managed to land… eh!? But Asuka’s falling!?』
He’s right! Asuka, who’d been in the air because of his kick, was now falling headfirst! What happened!?
『Hmm, he’s probably been electrocuted.』
『Electrocuted? Zahariash-sama?』
『Yes, I’m sure he released lightning the moment he blocked.』
『You’re right. And that’s probably why the magic surrounding Goot and himself vanished. He’s a nature magic user, so maybe the lightning also affected his spirit.』
I looked at Asuka, listening to the commentary, and noticed that Rilf-chan, his wind spirit, was also falling. Ah, and Shaio, his Light spirit, is frantically flying around Asuka. He can’t support him!
If this continues, Asuka’s going to get hurt! I worriedly clenched my hands, and then saw a flash of lightning in the center of the venue. Was that… Goot?
『Oh! Just in time! Goot caught Asuka before he hit the ground! Wow, that’s so coool!』
Catching someone who’s falling must put a strain on you, and yet, even though he landed on his butt, Goot still managed to catch Asuka. He’s wincing slightly. I wonder if he’s okay?
『Are they alright!? The judge’s approaching…』
Kron-san, the judge, was approaching the two of them, who were crouching in the center of the venue. I worriedly stared at the monitor, and then a hand was placed on my shoulder. It’s Gil-san’s large, warm hand, and that made me feel relieved. Like he was telling me it’ll be fine.
『The judge’s raised her hand! Asuka’s unconscious! The winner of this match is… Goot!!』
Cheers erupted throughout the venue. I’m happy and amazed that Goot won, but right now, I’m worried about Asuka. He’s unconscious. I wonder if he’s okay…
“There’s no need to worry so much, Meg. Someone from the commentators’ seats will immediately step in if it’s a dangerous attack.”
“Eh?”
“So basically, it’s not anything serious because no one stepped in.”
That’s why they didn’t put up any barriers in the commentators’ seats, so that they can instantly jump in. I see, so that’s why the guild leaders are taking turns commentating… because there’s no one better suited to assess the situation. It’s incredibly reassuring, even for the adults’ division.
But I can’t help but worry. I fidgeted, and then finally, Asuka and Goot returned to the waiting room.
“Asuka!”
“Meg-sama, it’s okay, he’s fine, he’ll wake up soon.”
“Kron-san… that’s a relief. Thank you.”
Asuka was being carried by Kron-san. She placed him on the bed and then, smiling, reassured me. I was incredibly relieved because she gave a genuine smile, you know? So he’s definitely fine!
“…Where’s Asuka?”
“Reki!”
Just then, the door that leads to the Ortus spectator seats opened, and Reki entered. It looks like he’s going to treat Asuka here. I was even more relieved and let out a sigh. It would be a nuisance if I stayed nearby. I quietly retreated.
And then I noticed Goot, furrowing his brows, looking awkward. I approached him, saying, “Good work.”
“Ah, Meg… um…”
He faltered, averting his gaze. I wonder if he’s worried, that he put Asuka in danger. It’s a match, and it can’t be helped if you get hurt. And Goot even caught him, so there’s no need for him to feel bad.
“Goot, thank you for catching Asuka. And congratulations on winning!”
So I thanked him and congratulated him. Goot, at those words, looked up and blushed slightly, but his “thank you” still lacked energy. Hmm, what should I do?
“Hey Goot, that match was incredible. You were almost knocked out of bounds, but you still managed to make a comeback. It was a splendid victory, you know, so you should be happy.”
“Eh, but…”
“Asuka would be angry if you kept making that face. He’d be like, ‘I lost, but what’s with that face!?’”
I’m sure Asuka will be frustrated. Incredibly so. I don’t know if he’ll do it in front of everyone, or quietly on his own… but he was determined to win. So he’ll probably be furious if he sees Goot like this.
“You won because you tried your best. Be proud! The Annulus members will also be sad, you know?”
“Yeah… yeah, you’re right. Thank you. I’m, um, happy.”
It’s a tournament. You have to enjoy it! It’s better to be smiling if you won! I gently took his hands.
“Congratulations again, Goot! You were so cool!”
“Eh? U-Ah… th-thanks…!”
I’d said that because I wanted him to smile, but Goot, instead of smiling, widened his eyes, looking surprised, his ears turning bright red, and then his dog ears and tail suddenly appeared. Huh?
“Kyah! Meg-sama, you’re such a heartbreaker!!”
Heidemarie, for some reason, is getting excited… ah, he’s probably embarrassed, because I praised him to his face. He really is shy. Sorry?