Chapter 79: Mages X and Y

Team J
Oda Fullbright
Elda Thornheart
Pontus III
Anastacia Halcourt

"Hey, hey, spatial boy!" Elda said, looking up curiously at Oda as the two walked towards the portal. She was, as usual, quite bubbly, and Oda tried to match her energy, although after the incredible showing by both Spatial Magic users before him, he wasn't feeling quite confident.

"What's happening?" he said, his voice slightly shaky.

"You can support like the Black Bull guy, right?" the glass magic user asked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Then support her."

She pointed at Anastacia, who was talking to the last member of their team, albeit irritated presumably with his antics.

Oda Fullbright tugged at the hem of his Coral Peacocks robe, trying to steady his racing thoughts. The boisterous crowd, combined with the pressure of representing his squad, was enough to make his stomach churn. The earlier matches had showcased extraordinary talents, particularly the Spatial Magic duel between Langris Vaude and Finral Roulacase, leaving Oda painfully aware of his own insecurities.

As he walked toward the portal with his team, a cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.

"Hey, hey, Spatial Boy!"

Oda turned to see Elda Thornheart, her bright eyes sparkling with mischief. The Glass Magic user's carefree attitude seemed out of place amidst the tension, but Oda envied her ease.

"What's up?" Oda asked, his voice betraying a touch of nervousness.

"You're the support guy, right?" Elda said, falling into step beside him. "Teleportation, portals—just like the Black Bull dude? Then you need to back her." She pointed toward Anastacia Halcourt, who was walking ahead of them, her crimson robe billowing behind her as she conversed with Pontus III.

Oda tilted his head. "Anastacia? Why her?"

Elda gave him an exasperated look. "Because she's the Vice Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings. She's easily the strongest out of all of us, and her attack power is insane. If we want to win this, she's our best shot at breaking their crystal. The rest of us? We're here to keep her path clear."

Oda nodded slowly, her reasoning undeniable. "Got it. I'll talk to her."

"Good boy!" Elda teased, patting him on the back.

Oda approached Anastacia cautiously, his usual confidence wavering. As he neared, he caught the tail end of her conversation with Pontus III, the haughty noble from the Purple Orcas.

"—and I suggest you focus on not embarrassing yourself, Pontus," Anastacia said, her voice calm but tinged with disdain. "We're here to win, not to play noble politics."

Pontus bristled, his aristocratic features twisting into a scowl. "Embarrass myself? Hardly. Perhaps you should be thanking me for gracing this team with the presence of House Valus."

Oda cleared his throat, stepping into the fray. "Uh, Anastacia? I just wanted to say—I'll support you during the match. With my Spatial Magic, I mean. If you need teleportation or movement assistance, I'm your guy."

Anastacia turned to him, her crimson eyes softening into a gracious smile. "Thank you, Oda. That's very thoughtful. I'll count on your support."

Before Oda could respond, Pontus interjected, his tone indignant. "You're supporting her? That's absurd! She's already a Vice Captain—she doesn't need help! If anyone deserves your assistance, it's me. House Valus is the cornerstone of this kingdom's finances. A mage of my standing—"

Oda muttered under his breath, "Yeah, you really need help…"

Elda, who had been eavesdropping nearby, burst into laughter. "Oda, you're sharper than I gave you credit for!"

Pontus shot her a withering glare but was interrupted by the booming announcement: "Team J, to the arena portal!"

Team I
X
Erin Oltzt
Y
Russell Vance

"We're still down two mages," Russell said, his brow furrowed in irritation. "Who are these mysterious 'X' and 'Y' teammates supposed to be?"

Erin nudged him playfully. "Relax. I'm sure they'll make a dramatic entrance. People like that love to show off."

As if on cue, two figures appeared in a flash of vibrant magic, striking exaggerated poses. They wore garish masks and began an overly theatrical chant:

"Prepare for trouble—"

"And make it double!"

With a flourish, they removed their masks, revealing none other than Rill Boismortier of the Aqua Deer, and Myla Fullbright of the Green Praying Mantis.

"Rill Boismortier! The artist of unparalleled genius!"

"And Myla Fullbright! The most fabulous Vice Captain in the Clover Kingdom!"

"Together, we're here to bring chaos and creativity to this battlefield!"

Oda stared at the duo in disbelief, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why is she here?"

Elda's usual cheer faltered as she whispered to Pontus, "We're facing a squad captain. This just got a lot worse."

Pontus, already pale, looked ready to faint. "A captain?! This is completely unfair!"

Anastacia, however, looked exhilarated, her lips curving into a fierce grin. "Finally, a challenge worth my time."

Myla noticed Oda glaring at her and skipped over. "Odie! It's been so long! Look at you, all grown up and ready for battle. I'm so proud!"

Oda took a step back, exasperated. "It's been a week, Auntie. Besides, I thought you said you wouldn't be coming!"

"Oh, I wasn't," Myla replied with a laugh. "Julius told me I could skip it and go to the raid instead. But honestly, the idea of coming here with Rill and wearing these silly masks? Too funny to pass up!"

Oda blinked. "Wait—what raid?"

Myla's expression turned mischievous, and she wagged her finger at him. "Ah-ah! That's a secret, Odie."

Her cryptic response only irritated Oda further, but before he could press her, the announcement blared. "Prepare for battle!"

The arena shimmered with magical crystals scattered throughout the field, their glow reflecting off the combatants' grimoires.

Rill raised his paintbrush, his artistic fervor evident as vibrant magic swirled around him. "Let's paint a masterpiece!"

Myla twirled dramatically, her voice loud enough to echo across the arena. "Try to keep up, everyone!"

Oda clenched his fists, the annoyance boiling over into determination. "All right, Aunt Myla. Let's see who keeps up with who."

Elda and Pontus exchanged worried glances, the weight of facing both a captain and a vice captain sinking in.

Anastacia, meanwhile, looked invigorated. "This is what I've been waiting for. Let's see if they can handle me."

On the spectator podium, Lars leaned toward Fransiska. "What's the deal with Pontus? He seems… unbearable."

Fransiska, usually soft-spoken, surprised him with her sharp reply. "Pontus Valus? He's a fraud. One of the only people I genuinely dislike."

Lars raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but the sound of the battle horn pulled his attention back to the field.

The match began with a roar of magic, and Team J charged forward to face Team I, a fiery determination fueling their every step.

…

The match began with Anastacia taking immediate charge, her presence commanding attention as her Armament Magic flared to life. Her gauntlets, glowing with intense crimson energy, radiated power as she turned her sharp gaze on Pontus, who stood by their crystal with an air of disinterest.

"Pontus, use your Stone Magic," Anastacia ordered, her tone brooking no argument. "Deploy Capone's Castle around the crystal. It's the best defense we have."

Pontus sneered, his arms crossed. "Why should I take orders from you, Halcourt? You—"

Anastacia interrupted, her gauntlets sparking with a menacing hum. "Do it, or we lose this match because of you."

Pontus grumbled, his pride clearly bruised, but relented. His grimoire floated in front of him, glowing faintly as he cast his spell. The ground trembled, and a massive stone castle erupted around their crystal. Thick walls rose with towering battlements and a central keep, forming an impenetrable fortress.

Elda tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she stepped onto a floating Glass Magic platform. "I hate to admit it, but that's actually impressive. For once, Pontus isn't useless."

On the spectator podium, Lars leaned toward Fransiska. "That's a pretty big structure for one spell. Is it really that impressive, or am I missing something?"

Fransiska, usually reserved, scoffed. "He's pouring every ounce of mana he has into that one spell. It's flashy, but it's all he's got. Just wait. He'll spend the rest of the match patting himself on the back."

Back on the battlefield, Elda raised a hand cheerfully. "I'll be the sentry. Someone's gotta keep an eye on our crystal while you guys smash theirs!"

Anastacia nodded, her mind already focused on their offense. "Good. Oda, you're with me. Let's take down their crystal before they can even touch ours."

Oda opened a portal, connecting their side of the arena to a spot near Team I's crystal. "All set. Ready when you are."

They stepped through the portal in perfect sync, but Myla Fullbright was already waiting for them. A playful smirk spread across her face as her sharp eyes followed their arrival. Without hesitation, she lashed out, kicking Oda square in the chest and sending him sprawling.

"You think you can just warp in without me noticing?" Myla teased, gripping her wooden staff and spinning it expertly. "Amateur mistake, Odie."

Oda groaned, scrambling back to his feet. "Of course, you'd ruin everything! Do you just enjoy getting on my nerves?"

Myla planted her staff firmly in the ground, her playful tone giving way to a rare seriousness. "You're lucky I do. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made it this far."

Her wooden staff glowed faintly with traces of Wood Magic as she pointed it at him. "Let's see if you've finally learned how to stand your ground, or if you're still the same whiny kid I used to carry on my back."

Oda gritted his teeth. "I'm not that kid anymore. And I'm done with you treating me like one!"

Myla's smirk faded entirely, replaced with a stern expression that Oda hadn't seen in years. "Good. Then fight me like you mean it, Oda."

Nearby, Erin was weaving her own spell with precision and focus. Her Smoke Magic enveloped Team I's crystal, forming a dense, swirling cloud. With a flourish of her hand, she lifted the crystal high into the air, placing it on a mobile smoke platform. The crystal now floated erratically, darting from one side of the arena to the other.

Anastacia appeared moments later, her fiery gauntlets blazing as she closed in on the crystal. With a single leap, she punched through the smoky barrier, scattering wisps of magic in every direction.

"Stay still, you crazy weapon lady!" Erin shouted, her voice strained as she pushed her magic to its limits.

"You'll have to try harder than that!" Anastacia yelled back, her strikes relentless as she carved a path through the smoke.

Meanwhile, Rill stood idly in the middle of the battlefield, his paintbrush poised but unmoving. He stared at the chaotic scene with a distant, distracted look.

Russell, who was positioned nearby, threw him an irritated glance. "Are you planning to contribute at some point, or are you just here to admire the scenery?"

Rill sighed dramatically, twirling his brush. "I'm waiting for inspiration, Russell. The muse is a fickle thing, you know."

Russell muttered something under his breath about "useless captains" and turned his attention to Elda, who was patrolling the air above.

Elda's Glass Magic: Lucent Platform allowed her to move freely in the sky, her shimmering platforms forming a staircase of light as she ascended. She wielded a tempered glass sword with remarkable skill, each strike precise and deliberate.

Russell, brandishing a rapier of Dust Magic, met her blade with ease. "You've got talent," he remarked, parrying her strikes with calculated movements. "Impressive for someone who's so… chatty."

Elda grinned, twirling her blade. "And you're surprisingly polite for someone whose magic comes from dirt."

Their blades clashed, sparks flying as they danced across the battlefield.

Below them, Oda was locked in a heated exchange with Myla. Each swing of her staff pushed him further back, her movements fluid and unrelenting.

"Why are you even here?" Oda yelled, his frustration boiling over. "You weren't supposed to join this tournament, and yet here you are, ruining my match! Just like always!"

Myla's grip on her staff tightened, her voice low and steady. "Do you think I wanted this, Oda? To fight so you could live the life you have now? Everything I've done—every choice I made—was for you."

Her staff glowed faintly as she swung it in a wide arc, forcing Oda to retreat. "But if you've forgotten why they called me the Warrior of the Woods, let me remind you."

Oda clenched his fists, her words cutting deeper than any strike. "Fine, then show me! Because I'm not the same helpless kid anymore!"

As Oda and Myla clashed, Anastacia's relentless assault continued to push Erin to her limits. Smoke swirled chaotically around the crystal as Erin struggled to maintain control.

"I can't hold her off much longer!" Erin called out, beads of sweat forming on her brow.

Rill, still uninspired, yawned as he observed the chaos. "Such passion… maybe I'll paint something about fire and smoke later."

…

The battle raged on, with Myla dominating Oda in a display of her raw physical prowess and years of combat experience. Her wooden staff struck with calculated precision, exploiting every gap in Oda's defense. She wasn't just beating him—she was teaching him, as she always had during their training back home. Despite the pain and humiliation, Oda gritted his teeth and kept rising to his feet, his body battered but his resolve unbroken.

"You're stubborn as ever," Myla muttered under her breath, her usually cheerful demeanor slipping as she landed yet another clean blow that sent Oda sprawling.

From the spectator stands, Lars sighed, shaking his head. "He's overthinking everything," he remarked to Fransiska. "He's trying to do too much, second-guessing himself every step of the way. Against Myla's straightforward style, that's a recipe for disaster."

Fransiska smirked, leaning forward with mockery in her tone. "Well, look at you, all insightful. Should I start calling you Captain Lars now?"

Lars raised an eyebrow at her, unimpressed. "Where'd you get so mean?"

Caught off guard, Fransiska flushed slightly and stammered. "I'm not mean! I'm just—well, we're rivals now, remember? I'm supposed to get inside your head. That's how this works!"

Lars chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Fransiska."

Meanwhile, Pontus suddenly stormed toward his team's crystal, his voice booming with irritation. "What is everyone doing? Anastacia, you're supposed to be attacking, not wasting time! Elda, stop floating around like you're on a picnic! Oda—why are you lying down? Myla's a pushover!"

The entire team froze, their expressions a mix of shock and exasperation.

"Pontus," Anastacia growled, her tone dangerously low, "if you don't stop talking, I will make sure you're the next one lying down."

Elda let out a theatrical sigh, floating down gracefully on her glass platforms. "Oh, Pontus, darling, you really know how to inspire a team. Truly, you're the glue holding us all together."

Even Oda, despite his bruises, let out a weak groan of annoyance. "Can someone please just gag him already?"

Rill, meanwhile, stood silently, observing the chaos with his paintbrush poised in thought. His sharp eyes flitted from Myla's relentless beatdown of Oda to Anastacia's explosive assaults on Erin's smoke-shielded crystal. He watched Elda's elegant footwork as she danced above Russell's relentless strikes, and even Pontus, in his blustering, caught his attention.

Then, suddenly, it happened—his eyes lit up, and a wide, manic grin spread across his face. "Ah! Inspiration! A masterpiece is born!"

Without warning, Rill sprang into action, his Paint Magic bursting to life in a dazzling cascade of colors.

He began with Anastacia, catching her mid-strike with an explosion of vivid blues and yellows that wrapped around her gauntlets, pinning them to the ground. "What the—Rill!" she shouted, struggling against the enchanted paint.

But Rill was already moving. He darted toward Myla and Oda, unleashing a tidal wave of swirling reds and purples that forced Myla to leap back with a scowl.

"Rill!" Myla barked, her voice sharp. "I was handling this! Stay out of it!"

Oda, meanwhile, found himself swept off his feet by the surge of paint, spinning helplessly in a vortex of colors. "This is not helping!" he yelled, his voice muffled by the whirling magic.

Ignoring them both, Rill turned his attention to Elda. She tried to evade, leaping from platform to platform with her Glass Magic, but Rill's paint surged upward like a living thing, engulfing her platforms in a cascade of sparkling hues.

Pontus, oblivious to the chaos, stood proudly beside his massive stone castle. "Behold, Capone's Castle! An unshakable fortress, the pinnacle of Stone Magic! None shall—"

A single stroke of Rill's brush silenced him. A tsunami of paint crashed into the castle, reducing it to rubble in an instant.

Pontus stared at the destruction, his jaw hanging open. "No! Impossible! My castle was indestructible!"

"Indestructible?" Rill mused, tilting his head as he examined the remains. "Not anymore."

With one final flourish of his brush, Rill obliterated the crystal, ending the match in an explosion of radiant light.

Team J had won.

As the dust settled, Rill stood in the center of the battlefield, his masterpiece glowing in vibrant hues all around him. "Magnificent!" he declared, spinning in place to admire his work. "This is the greatest work of art I've ever created!"

The rest of the battlefield, however, was far less impressed.

Russell approached, his rapier dragging along the ground in irritation. "Seriously, Rill? I had that under control."

Myla, her staff resting against her shoulder, glared at him. "You had no right interfering with my fight with Oda. I wasn't done teaching him a lesson."

Rill looked genuinely confused. "What? I thought we were supposed to win!"

Russell and Myla exchanged a glance, then simultaneously grabbed Rill by the arms.

"Wait, what are you doing? Let go of me!" Rill protested as they began dragging him away from the battlefield.

"This is your punishment," Myla said flatly.

Russell smirked. "Consider it justice for poaching everyone's battles."

"No! Wait! My masterpiece! I need to look at it one more time!" Rill wailed, kicking his legs like a child throwing a tantrum.

As Myla passed Oda, who was still sitting on the ground, battered but alive, she paused. Her hand reached out, ruffling his hair affectionately. "You did good, Odie. Really good."

Oda blinked, surprised, as she walked away. For a brief moment, he caught the faint shimmer of a tear behind her glasses. Myla, ever the stoic, had always been his fiercest critic—but also his biggest supporter.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Oda's lips. "Next time," he murmured, his voice full of quiet determination, "I'll beat you for real."

A/N: In contrast to my unparalleled hate for Hugo, I love Myla and Oda. Their dynamic is so fun to write!