True Magician / 1 (0-199 Chapters)

Chapter 102

Lucifer's Castle.

I was sitting at a small table on a single chair in the middle of a vast wasteland surrounded by mountains and forests, a cup of fragrant and hot coffee smoking in my hand. Apart from me, there was nothing here that indicated any sign of civilization and life. No birdsong, murmuring water, or insect sounds. Just me and the wasteland.

I didn't feel like waiting for the end of the lottery, so I asked Greyfia to tentatively move me to the Ranking Game field. Here I could hide from the excessive attention of the demons, at least visually for myself, and wait for my opponent in peace. I don't know who it would be, but the most plausible option would be Sairaorg. After all, he is the strongest of the younger generation.

After a while, I felt bursts of mana in the distance, and... there were far fewer than there should be. And considering who they belonged to...

And Sirzechs doesn't mess around, huh?

- "The unofficial Ranking Game is about to begin, and I, Greifia Lucifuge, Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer, will take the place of its referee. There is no time limit, the game will end as soon as Lord Archaman gives the sign. According to the outcome of the draw, his opponent is Sairaorg Bael, who..."

Then she suddenly fell silent, and there was silence on the air. After a moment of silence, Greyfia returned, but there was a slight concern and incomprehension in her voice.

- "There had been a technical glitch. Instead of Sairaorg Bael and his entourage, all the heirs present at the reception have entered the field. They are Sairaorg Bael himself, Rias Gremori, Sona Sitri, Riser Fenex, Zephyrdor Glasea-Labolas, Diadora Astaroth, and Seekvaira Agares. The game will be postponed pending clarification."

Oh? So, this is his plan? I see.

- "No need," I said loud enough for my voice to be heard all over the field, "If the heirs are okay with it, we can continue."

- "Are you sure?" Greyfia asked diplomatically, "Then what about the reward?"

- "It will depend on their efforts, as agreed with Sirzechs. There is no change in that."

- "In that case, we continue. Lord Archaman's opponents will be the aforementioned heirs I mentioned above." Greyfia stated humbly and paused, "The game begins."

-0-

For fifteen minutes nothing happened. Absolute silence hung around me, like the calm before the storm. I was still sitting in the same chair, at the same table, with the same mug of coffee. Yet...

In an instant, three magic circles lit up in three different directions, from which golden flames, a stream of water, and a black and scarlet spear of Destruction burst out, and then rushed towards me. The three attacks of destructive power formed a perfect triangle, and when they reached the enclosed field that had been erected in an instant, there was a deafening explosion, raising a huge cloud of dust and steam.

My view was blocked, but I could feel two other auras rapidly closing the distance, and another hovering directly above me about ten meters above the ground. A fraction of a second, and two holes formed in the veil, revealing Sairaorg and Zephyrdor, with their fists extended in my direction.

To block them, I created two magical circles in front of them, or rather, I tried to create them, as the small area that included only my body was covered by a pale orange barrier. Inside it, the creation of magic circles slowed down so much that even the naked eye could see the impossibility of blocking an attack with them.

With a snap of my fingers, the barrier shattered and crumbled into a cloud of shards, and another circle lit up beneath me. And when the blows almost reached my face, golden chains erupted from it, picking up the two heirs and throwing them away. Sairaorg landed on his feet before he had even traveled ten meters, and Zephyrdor crashed into the ground, leaving a small crater.