Chapter 77: Hamartia

Kirsch Vermillion stood in the center of his group, his chest puffed out, one hand elegantly placed over his heart. His eyes gazed skyward, as though contemplating a higher calling. The sunlight caught his perfectly coiffed hair, and his aura exuded an almost blinding presence.

"Ah, why?" Kirsch lamented with a wistful sigh. "Why was I, Kirsch Vermillion, born so extraordinarily beautiful in a world brimming with such unbeautiful mediocrity? It is my burden, my cross to bear…"

Asta stared at him, blinking rapidly as if trying to process the statement. Finally, he blurted, "Is this guy for real?"

Magna groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Oh, he's real, all right. Real obnoxious. You're gross, dude."

Kirsch turned to him, a soft, pitying smile gracing his lips. "Ah, I see it now. Your hostility stems from envy. How unbeautiful, but entirely understandable. It must be unbearable to stand in the presence of perfection."

Magna's eye twitched. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. "Say that again, you pompous—"

"Oh, don't bother," Sol interrupted with a wave of her hand, looking equally annoyed. "This guy's clearly delusional. You can't be beautiful. You're a man. End of story."

Kirsch's expression shifted to one of exaggerated hurt, as if her words had cut him deeply. "Such unbeautiful words from a lady! Miss Marron, with your figure and bearing, you should aspire to emulate someone as refined as I am."

Sol recoiled, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "Excuse me? Did you just insult me and compliment yourself in the same sentence?"

Kirsch chuckled softly, as though addressing a child who had misunderstood a lesson. "No, no. You misunderstand. It is not an insult but a gift to receive wisdom from someone of my caliber. Truly, I am doing you a favor."

Vivianne had been quietly observing from the sidelines, her wide eyes growing wider with every word. Finally, she crossed her arms and muttered, "This guy's a walking red flag. What did I do to deserve being stuck here?"

Kirsch turned his attention to her, his tone becoming more condescending. "Ah, Madame Voss. You are young, so there is still hope for you. With proper guidance—preferably mine—you may one day achieve a semblance of beauty. Though, it will take much effort."

Vivianne's face twisted in horror as she took an instinctive step back. "What the hell is wrong with you?! I'm a minor!"

Kirsch waved a hand dismissively. "Tut-tut. My guidance knows no age boundaries. Beauty is timeless and universal."

Magna's patience finally snapped. "You're a creep! Just shut up already!"

Before Kirsch could reply, Sol groaned loudly and stomped toward Vivianne, pulling her away. "You don't have to listen to this freak. Honestly, how does someone like him even survive in the real world?"

"He probably looks in a mirror every five minutes to reassure himself," Vivianne muttered, shooting a glare at Kirsch. "This is why I don't trust pretty people."

Kirsch, entirely unbothered, turned his gaze toward Mimosa, who had been standing silently nearby. His eyes lit up, and he strode toward her with exaggerated elegance, his cape billowing dramatically behind him. "Ah, my dearest little sister! Have you yet been struck by the unparalleled brilliance of my beauty?"

Mimosa pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly battling an oncoming headache. "Brother, I told you to stop doing this. You're embarrassing yourself."

"Embarrassing?" Kirsch repeated, his tone dripping with feigned shock. "No, Mimosa, I am enlightening those around me. My existence is a beacon of hope for the unbeautiful."

Mimosa scowled. "You're a narcissist. That's all you are."

Kirsch ignored her entirely, his expression growing mockingly solemn. "Ah, I see. You've yet to truly appreciate my magnificence. Fear not, little sister. It is a journey, not a destination."

Nearby, Asta's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait… he's Mimosa's brother?"

Magna snorted. "Yeah, hard to believe, right? She's normal, and he's… that."

Kirsch, overhearing, turned his icy gaze on Asta. "And you," he said coldly, his tone dripping with disdain. "Do not address me so casually. Your very presence is an affront to beauty."

Asta grinned cheerfully. "Hi, Kirsch! Nice to meet you!"

Kirsch flinched as if struck. "Ugh. Your lack of refinement is offensive. Not only are you devoid of mana, but your… rustic appearance is a testament to the unbeautiful toil of common labor. Tragic."

Asta flexed his arm, unfazed. "That's right! I've worked hard for these muscles. They're my weapons!"

Kirsch sighed heavily. "How unbeautiful. Fate has already decided your path, boy. Those born without mana are simply destined to lose."

Mimosa's eyes darkened, and her voice cut through the air like a blade. "Brother."

Kirsch blinked, startled by her sharp tone. "Yes, Mimosa?"

"Win your next match no matter what it takes," she said, her expression fierce. "Because after that, Asta and I are going to give you a bloodbath."

Kirsch's jaw dropped. "M-Mimosa, have you finally come to understand my brilliance?"

Mimosa smirked. "No. I just want to wipe that smug look off your face."

For a moment, Kirsch appeared genuinely shocked. Then, he squared his shoulders and glanced across the field where Lars stood, engaged in quiet conversation with his Coral Peacock teammates. His expression grew uncharacteristically serious.

"I won't lose," he declared, his voice steady. "Not to you. Not to anyone. I have a protégé to inspire."

"Protégé?" Mimosa echoed, confusion flickering across her face.

Kirsch pointed dramatically toward Lars. "That young man possesses unparalleled potential. A reflection of beauty in its purest form. I refuse to let him down."

Mimosa raised an eyebrow. "Good luck with that," she muttered under her breath.

As Kirsch returned to his group with a flourish, Magna groaned loudly. "This guy… He's even worse than I thought."

Sol crossed her arms, shaking her head. "He's lucky I don't knock some sense into him."

Meanwhile, Asta grinned determinedly, his spirit unshaken. "I don't care what he says. Let's get to the next match! I'll show him what real strength looks like!"

Vivianne sighed, muttering to herself, "We're going out in the first round..."

…

"It doesn't look like Kirsch's team is getting along that well," Oda commented dryly, resting his hands behind his head.

"Looks ready to implode at any moment," Malakai replied in the same dry fashion as Oda.

The two teams were stationed on the battlefield, with Sharya and Quinn's team currently in a team huddle and their vice captain's team currently… doing whatever they were doing. Oda and Malakai, who had resolved to watch it together, were currently sitting on the elevated platform - well, Oda was sitting. Malakai was just standing with his hands in his pockets.

"Surely you know Kirsch better than that?" a voice said, cutting through their conversation. It was Lars, and he walked towards them, his blue eyes fixed on Team C.

"Team C - Kirsch, Vivianne, Sol and Magna vs Team D - Sharya, Quinn, Cesc and Adrien! Begin!" the capital mage yelled, raising his hand and bringing it down to signal the beginning of the match.

"Our vice captain is much more experienced than to let his vanity blind him," Lars said, "especially at a time where he declared that he'd meet me in the finals. He's the one who taught me how to lead properly."

"Now, let me show you how beautiful I am!"

"Shut the hell up!"

"If he loses," Lars said, "it won't be down to him. I'm 100% sure of that. Kt will be down to Sharya's trickiness. Then again, I don't expect him to lose."

"Flame Creation Magic: Grand Slam!" Magna yelled, creating a fiery baseball bat and hitting fireballs at seemingly nothing.

"Delinquent?!" Kirsch yelled, clearly appalled.

"Like hell I'm gonna waste any time!" Magna yelled. "The sooner we bust the shit out of that crystal, the sooner we win!"

"Agreed!" Vivianne replied. "Let's get this done quickly! Tempest Magic: Tempest Flight!"

The two rushed off in opposite directions, and surprisingly to Kirsch, had actually done his plan of having them lead the charge in opposite directions without him actually saying anything.

"My beauty influences all," he sighed dramatically. "Blue Rose girl, could you-"

But Sol was already gone, using her Raging Mother Goddess spell to encase the crystal in earth to protect it. She also headed towards the crystal, in the same direction that Vivianne had gone.

"They will fail miserably," Kirsch sighed, "so it is up to me to inspire their development with my beauty."

…

"Shakudo Magic: Hunting Jackals!" Cesc whispered. He was behind a wall, and had spotted the delinquent, so he sent three jackals made out of the copper and gold alloy to frustrate Magna.

"Magna will most likely go rushing in there looking to bust the shit out of the crystal," Sharya had said. "Even though your magic attribute has a natural disadvantage to his, I can guarantee you he won't think that far, so you can just continue overwhelming him with them."

Magna hit one jackal, then another, and then another, each one dissipating into a pile next to his feet.

"Then, how about this?" Cesc said, creating more jackals, a larger number than he had before.

Magna spotted Cesc and declared angrily, "I'm gonna beat the shit out of all these jackals, then beat the shit out of you!"

"Beat the shit out of all of these jackals, then," Cesc smirked, and the shakudo doggos rushed at Magna. Initially, he did a good job at fending them off, but eventually, he was overwhelmed, and had to quickly drop back - bumping into Kirsch as he did.

"Where the hell did YOU come from?" Magna exclaimed.

"Your way of fighting is crude," Kirsch replied, deliberately avoiding Magna's question as he cast Crimson Requiem to sweep all the jackals away. "Your straining is unsightly. I talk to you not only from a position of beauty, but from a position as a leader, so listen to me."

"Like hell I'm-" Magna said, but was cut off by a finger to his lips.

"You're blessed with the ability to use both close range and long ranged magic," Kirsch said, flicking his hair. "Read the flow of the enemy's mana more. Let it be your guide, and use close range and long range attacks appropriately."

Use close range and long range attacks appropriately, huh? Magna thought, then grumbled. "Fine, but this doesn't mean I respect you!"

As the jackals received from Kirsch's spell, he stood back, gesturing for Magna to attack.

The fire mage first resolved to take care of the closer ones first, hitting one in the neck, another in the stomach, and another in the back, causing them to dissipate into dust. He then launched a volley of fireballs at the rest, their forms exploding in a blaze of glory.

"And now for the one that's all the way back there!" Magna yelled, sending an especially large fireball at Cesc, who was kneeling, and couldn't get up in time to dodge. It hit the guy square on, and Magna rejoiced with an "Alright!", pumping his fist in the air and wheeling around to face Kirsch.

"Wait, where'd that sparkly bastard go?"

…

The battlefield buzzed with chaos as the match intensified. Kirsch, after guiding Magna into a semblance of strategy, turned his attention to Sol, who was clearly struggling against Quinn's relentless Marble Magic. The green and gold marbles spun through the air with alarming precision, embedding themselves into Sol's Raging Mother Goddess golems and exploding in bursts of kinetic energy. Her earth constructs, once a formidable defense, now crumbled under the sheer force of Quinn's enhanced magic.

"Damn it," Sol grunted, her brow furrowed in frustration. The crystal was safely ensconced within her magic, but the clunky movements of her spell made it difficult to counter Quinn's improved density and speed. "I'm not losing this fight," she muttered under her breath, determination blazing in her eyes. "I'll raise our squad rank and make Charlotte proud!"

Quinn, his carefree demeanor intact despite the intensity of the battle, chuckled. "Is that what you're thinking about right now? Seems a little heavy for a match like this. I'm just here because Sharya's plan was so detailed, I figured I might as well help her out." He casually flicked another marble, which shot toward Sol with terrifying speed.

Before it could connect, a wave of delicate pink cherry blossoms swept through the battlefield, disintegrating the marble midair. Kirsch appeared, his elegant stride unbothered by the chaos around him.

"Your magic is too large and slow," Kirsch commented, folding his arms as he surveyed Sol's struggle. "It lacks the finesse to defend against an opponent like this." His gaze flickered toward Quinn, his expression twisting in disdain. "And to think a commoner was granted such a beautiful magic as Marble Magic. Truly tragic."

Sol glared at him. "What's your problem?! I'm handling this just fine!"

Quinn, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow at Kirsch's remarks. "Harsh, don't you think? I'm just here having fun, but you're really laying it on thick."

Kirsch ignored the comments, turning back to Sol. "Your constructs are inefficient. If you're not using them as a feint, then their size and clumsiness are downright unsightly. Consider splitting them up. It's the only way you'll stand a chance against this … Green Praying Mantis filth." He said the squad name with such disdain it was practically a hiss.

Sol growled, clearly annoyed, but begrudgingly followed Kirsch's advice. With a reluctant gesture, she split her massive golems into smaller, more agile constructs. The results were immediate. The smaller golems swarmed Quinn, overwhelming him and forcing him to retreat under the relentless assault.

"Guess I'll have to take this more seriously after all," Quinn muttered, a small smirk playing on his lips. But before he could counter, a blur shot past him.

"Thanks for leaving this unattended!" Sharya's voice rang out as she snatched the crystal from the golems and bolted across the battlefield.

"What the—" Sol started, but Sharya was already out of reach. Vivianne, who had been chasing her, took off in hot pursuit, her tempestuous winds propelling her forward.

Kirsch turned to follow, his determination to maintain control of the battlefield evident, but his path was suddenly blocked by Adrien. The stoic mage stood firm, his Water Magic swirling around him ominously.

"Water Magic: Climbing Coelacanth," Adrien declared, summoning a massive, sinuous water construct that slithered around Kirsch, effectively cutting off his route.

Kirsch's eyes narrowed, his usual dramatic flair replaced with cold focus. "You dare to stand in my way?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

Adrien didn't flinch. "I won't let you interfere with the assassin girl's plan."

From the spectator platform, Lars observed the unfolding drama. Oda and Malakai were watching closely as well, both visibly intrigued by the sudden shift in Kirsch's demeanor.

"He's locked in now," Lars remarked, his tone a mixture of respect and anticipation. "When Kirsch gets like this, he's 100% focused. I've seen it before. He's not going to let anything or anyone stop him."

On the battlefield, Kirsch raised his hand, a cascade of glittering cherry blossoms swirling around him. "Then let's see if your pitiful water magic can withstand my Crimson Requiem."

…

Sharya had been preparing for this moment. With a sly smirk, she flicked her fingers, her grimoire glowing brightly as the words of her spell shimmered on the pages.

"Mass Deployment!" she intoned.

From the shadows of the battlefield, nearly thirty identical Sharya clones emerged, their forms stepping into view like a silent army. Each clone sprinted toward Team D's crystal, forming an impenetrable defensive barrier. Their movements were synchronized, their expressions cool and focused as they fended off stray attacks and incoming mages.

Meanwhile, the real Sharya, clutching Team C's crystal tightly, prepared her trump card. She began chanting another spell, her grimoire flipping to a new page as a faint glow enveloped her hands. The battlefield seemed to dim for a moment, as if the very air were holding its breath.

"Clone Magic: Mirror Match!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

The spell activated, and from Sharya's magic emerged a shimmering, spectral replica of Vivianne, complete with her Tempest Magic. The clone's eyes glinted coldly as it launched itself into the sky, wings of wind forming behind it. The real Vivianne, still airborne and surveying the battlefield, nearly dropped her focus in shock.

"What the heck is that?!" Vivianne shrieked, narrowly dodging the clone's opening strike as a blade of wind whizzed past her face.

"Don't look so surprised!" Sharya called out with a grin. "It's you—well, a better version of you."

Vivianne's face turned red. "You think you can just copy me?! That's cheating!"

Sharya smirked. "Call it what you want. Guess the spell worked because you're so… small. Compact. Easy to replicate."

Vivianne's temper flared, her face now as red as a ripe tomato. "I AM NOT SMALL!" she bellowed, unleashing a cyclone aimed directly at her clone.

The storm mage's attacks met their duplicates mid-air in a cacophony of roaring winds and shimmering sparks. Every time Vivianne attacked, her clone matched her move for move, the battle becoming an intricate dance of blades and whirlwinds in the stormy skies above.

Below, Sharya watched with a calculating gaze. "The beauty of being an assassin," she murmured, "is finding openings to exploit. Everyone has flaws—it's just a matter of knowing how to push them."

She turned her attention back to the battlefield, her sharp mind dissecting the weaknesses of Team C with surgical precision.

"Sol—so blindly loyal to her captain that she'll charge headfirst into any danger for his sake. It makes her predictable."

"Magna—reckless and brash, always rushing in without a plan. He's powerful but self-destructive."

"Vivianne—her height complex is so easy to manipulate. A little teasing, and she's too angry to think straight."

"And then there's Kirsch…" Sharya's eyes narrowed. "He's vain, sure, but that vanity hides something dangerous—he's a tactician at heart. I have to tread carefully."

But even as she spoke, a sense of unease crept over her. Something didn't add up. She glanced across the battlefield, searching for Kirsch, and froze. Adrian was sprawled on the ground, his Water Magic snuffed out, while Kirsch stood tall and unscathed, brushing imaginary dust off his pristine uniform.

"Impossible…" Sharya whispered. Adrian had been holding him off. How had he—?

Kirsch turned slowly, his eyes gleaming with triumph. He raised his hand, his grimoire glowing with a radiant light as cherry blossoms began to swirl around him. The petals multiplied rapidly, creating intricate patterns that stretched across the battlefield like a living maze.

"Cherry Blossom Magic: Blossoming Illusion Garden," Kirsch declared, his voice calm but commanding.

The battlefield erupted in an explosion of pink petals, each one glowing faintly with magical energy. The petals carved out distinct paths through the chaos, directing Sol, Magna, and Vivianne toward Team D's crystal.

"Wait—he's controlling the entire field?!" Sharya realized, panic flashing in her eyes. "No—stop them! All clones, defend the crystal!"

But it was too late.

"Go forth!" Kirsch yelled. "Walk the path to a beautiful victory!"

Sol charged forward, her loyalty to Kirsch unwavering as she smashed through the clones with her Earth Magic, creating a path for Magna. Magna followed close behind, his fiery fists blazing as he tore through the remaining defenses. Above, Vivianne, still locked in battle with her clone, broke away just long enough to unleash a whirlwind aimed directly at the crystal.

Their combined assault hit Team D's crystal with devastating force. The structure shattered into a thousand glowing shards, signaling Team C's victory.

Sharya sank to her knees, clutching the remnants of her failed strategy. The sound of the announcement—"Team C wins!"—echoed hollowly in her ears.

Kirsch strode forward, the picture of elegance and smug satisfaction. He stopped in front of Sharya, extending a hand toward her as if he were offering a royal pardon.

"Your strategy was truly beautiful," Kirsch said, his tone dripping with mock reverence. "A web of deception so finely crafted. Truly befitting of someone with your… skill set."

Sharya looked up, her expression a mixture of anger and reluctant admiration. "Then how did you beat me?" she asked through gritted teeth.

Kirsch's smile widened, as if he'd been waiting for this question. "Because your greatest flaw—your hamartia—is that you're an assassin. Assassins think in terms of singular, calculated kills. You play the short game, focused on immediate results. But this wasn't a duel; it was a war. And wars are won by those who can see the grander picture."

He flipped his hair dramatically, his voice growing louder as he basked in his self-perceived brilliance. "You see, Sharya, you lack vision. You focused on controlling the board, while I focused on controlling the players. It's the difference between beauty and true, transcendent perfection—which, naturally, I embody."

Sharya's hands trembled, her frustration mounting. But instead of lashing out, she took a deep breath and reached for Kirsch's offered hand. "You're insufferable," she said, her voice steady but laced with irritation. "But… you're right. This was a war, and I underestimated you."

Kirsch tilted his head, looking genuinely pleased. "Ah, how delightful. Acknowledgment of my superiority is always a welcome treat."

Sharya smirked despite herself. "Don't get used to it. Next time, I'll wipe that smug grin off your face."

Kirsch chuckled, giving her hand a theatrical shake. "Oh, please do try, my dear assassin. After all, the pursuit of my brilliance only elevates those around me."

From the spectator platform, Lars watched the scene with a faint smile. Turning to Oda and Malakai, he crossed his arms. "Kirsch might be the most narcissistic person I've ever met," he said. "But when he gets serious, he's unstoppable."

Malakai snorted. "Too bad he's impossible to live with afterward."

Oda grinned. "Yeah, but that's what makes it fun. Let's see how long it takes Sharya to knock him down a peg."

"You're going next, right?" Lars said, glancing at the snow mage.

"Yeah," Malakai said, walking away from the two.

A/N: Kirsch used to be a very hateable character for me. Now he's my goat.