Chapter 5: Catharsis

Name: Frida Mertens

Age: 19

Personality: Usually very calm and composed, can show compassion when necessary for her to keep up her work. Around her brother, she turns ruthless and sadistic, yet still somewhat logical in her methods to ruin his life

Strengths: Basically most things

Weaknesses: Her brother

Favourite things: Anything that's purple

"Mind Magic: Kraftvoller Gedankenstoß!" Lars's voice rang out, echoing through the arena as a blast of pure mental force surged from his fingertips toward the noble across from him. The nobleman, quick on his feet, sidestepped just in time, eyes wide as he countered with his own magic.

"Plant Magic: Emerald Vines!" the noble shouted, summoning thick, twisting tendrils from the ground that shot toward Lars like coiling serpents. Lars, unfazed, extended his hand and, with a flick of his wrist, used his latent telekinesis to redirect the vines. Two of the vines slashed through the air and were dodged with ease, but the third struck the noble squarely in the chest, knocking him back. He grunted, clearly winded, but quickly regained his footing, glaring at Lars.

With a roar of frustration, he raised his hands high. "Plant Magic: Flanders' Field!" he bellowed, and in an instant, a carpet of poppies bloomed beneath Lars' feet, their thick stems wrapping around his legs, tightening like iron chains. Lars struggled, but the more he fought, the tighter the plants seemed to grip.

"I've got you now!" the noble sneered, summoning a massive vine, thick as a tree trunk, ready to strike. He flung it forward with all his strength, intending to crush Lars beneath its weight.

"Mind Magic: Infinite Thought Shield."

The words left Lars's mouth without thought, almost instinctively, as though they had been waiting for this moment all along. He didn't know how, or why, but something deep within him had called them forth, and in that instant, every racing thought in his mind went still. An invisible, shimmering barrier materialised around him, wrapping him like a second skin, perfectly attuned to his form. The vine smashed against it with a thundering crash but could not penetrate. It simply stopped in its tracks, rippling uselessly against the mind-forged barrier.

The noble's snarl grew darker. His vine retreated, and his face twisted with frustration. "If mana can't get through it," he growled, clenching his fists, "I'll just beat you down myself!"

He rushed toward Lars, fists clenched tight, every muscle in his body straining as he prepared for a physical assault. Lars, however, didn't move. His eyes glazed over, his body still as a statue.

The world around him faded, replaced by a memory.

A younger version of Lars ran up to his mother in the family garden, a book clutched in his hands. His hair was shorter, his face more innocent, but the curiosity in his eyes remained the same. "Mummy," he asked, holding the book out to her, "what does this word mean? I think it's called… ca-thar-sis?"

His sister Frida, standing nearby, scoffed. "You don't even know what catharsis means? What a baby."

Back in the present, Lars sidestepped the noble's punch as if it were nothing, moving with an almost supernatural grace. The fist swished through empty air.

The memory flickered back.

"Frida!" their mother chastised. "Be nicer to your brother."

"He doesn't deserve my respect," Frida said coldly before turning her back on Lars.

Their mother smiled gently at her son. "Catharsis is when you release all your emotions—anger, sadness, frustration. It's when you let go, and afterward, you feel lighter, as if a weight has been lifted."

Lars blinked, returning to the present just as the noble unleashed a torrent of vines, no fewer than twenty writhing tendrils, all snaking toward him from every direction.

"I've got him this time," the noble growled, his face contorted with fury.

But Lars wasn't there anymore—at least, not mentally. His mother's words echoed in his mind, blending with his newfound understanding. Magic wasn't just power. It was emotion. And if he could release that emotion...

Lars smiled, his eyes steady and clear. He raised his hands, and four magic circles appeared around him, glowing with intense light.

"Mind Magic: Grand Catharsis."

In an instant, a colossal wave of mental energy erupted from each of the circles, radiating outward with unstoppable force. The vines disintegrated into nothingness, reduced to mere ash in the blink of an eye. The poppies that had bound his legs were obliterated, and the noble was flung backward as though struck by a hurricane, his body crashing into a stone pillar with a deafening crack. He slumped to the ground, unable to rise.

Lars's eyes widened as the reality of what had just happened settled in. He rushed toward his fallen opponent. "Are you alright?" he called, panic rising in his chest. The noble groaned, still conscious but clearly out of the fight.

The crowd of examinees erupted into murmurs.

"Isn't that the guy who failed twice last year?"

"How did he get that strong so fast?"

"He nearly killed that guy!"

Lars anxiously glanced toward the referee, who blinked in surprise before clearing his throat and raising his hand. "The victory goes to candidate number 52, Lars Mertens!"

Lars stood there for a moment, still trying to grasp what had just transpired. Then he took a deep breath and looked toward the sky, feeling lighter than he ever had before.

Now to wait for the selection process, Lars thought.

Frida looked absolutely indignant at seeing her brother succeed, but then, her signature sadistic smirk appeared on her face. She whispered something to Captain Nozel Silva, who nodded.

A few hours later

"Candidate number 52, step forward."

"Who would like to register their interest in Lars Mertens, candidate number 52?"

Five Magic Knight Squad Captains raised their hands.

Fuegoleon Vermillion of the Crimson Lion Kings.

Gueldre Poizot of the Purple Orcas.

Charlotte Roselei of the Blue Rose Knights (much to her subordinate's annoyance).

Dorothy Unsworth of the Coral Peacocks.

And Nozel Silva of the Silver Eagles.

Lars' heart fluttered with joy.

He'd done it.

Author's Note: i'm having so much fun writing this lol

thanks for my first review! your support motivates me, so keep it coming!