In response to my answer, Leo immediately moved to the far end of the training ground and took his stance.
Leo drew his wand and performed a simple preparatory gesture.
Watching him triggered a memory from somewhere deep within me, a fleeting image of my father and brother performing similar gestures when I was a child.
'I remember our family having its own stance.'
I knew how to perform it, but I didn't particularly want to follow the family's traditions.
I merely nodded my head slightly and adjusted my grip on the wand.
'…!'
Suddenly, Leo's magic was right in front of me.
Instinctively, I spun on my heel to the side.
BOOM―!
His attack shattered part of the training ground's wall, debris falling to the floor.
Seeing the damage, I broke into a cold sweat.
'Impressive.'
If I had been a moment slower, I would have taken a direct hit.
Leo wasn't someone who would use cheap tricks to win. His speed was incredible, even though he had attacked right after I had nodded my head.
It's unimaginable how much effort it took for someone of his limited talent to achieve this level of skill.
In reality, the idea of facing off against Leo was absurd.
Lucas hadn't been able to use proper magic for nearly ten years. No matter how talented he was, without practice, that talent was as good as nonexistent. He couldn't compare to someone like Leo, who had devoted himself madly to magic for a decade despite lacking talent.
But that didn't matter.
I wasn't here to win. I was here to draw Leo to my side.
"Avoiding?"
Leo, as if expecting this, launched attacks to surround me.
As his blue magic spread around, it felt like I was submerged in water.
"Ugh!"
I barely managed to shield myself with minimal magic, but some of it penetrated the barrier and pierced my skin.
The power was almost unbearable….
'It feels like he hasn't even started seriously yet.'
Come at me properly. That's when I'll strike.
What Leo wants is for me to use proper magic.
Since I know his unspoken desire, the true winner of this duel was already decided.
BOOM! CRASH!
I barely managed to fend off countless attacks aimed at scattering my focus.
I could overpower him with sheer strength as he wanted, but it wasn't the right time yet.
Just a little more patience.
As I focused on defense without using any significant attacks, Leo spoke in a voice laced with contempt.
"What's the point of stepping forward? Are you just here to waste time?"
Exactly.
I didn't respond, only smiled.
Of course, the moment soon arrived.
Leo spun his wand between his fingers, extended it, and struck the ground.
BOOM!
Thorny vines erupted from all directions, hindering my movement. Vines wrapped around my jacket sleeve, extending toward my wand.
Apparently aiming to end it, another flash appeared in front of me with no escape.
'Now's the time.'
CRUNCH!
I mustered all my strength to tear my arm free from the vines and aimed my wand at him.
Drawing the maximum output from my core, I channeled my magic. As I tore my arm free, the thorns pierced my skin and disrupted my magical flow.
But it was too late. The magic was already cast.
As my jacket tore, it served to brake his magic momentarily.
BOOM―!
A tremendous noise erupted as our attacks collided. Dust filled the air from the shattered wall and floor.
But….
'There should have been a counterattack by now.'
Could it be…?
Waving my wand to clear the dust, I saw Leo collapsed on the floor, clutching his forehead.
"…!"
He hadn't dodged.
A faint smell of blood reached my nose.
A bitter laugh escaped me.
'As expected, he really let himself get hit.'
From the start, his reason for calling me out was to see me use my full power in magic.
Although I assumed he wasn't very interested in the outcome of our duel, the fact that he let himself get hit meant he was quite the madman.
"Hey, are you okay…."
"…Ha."
Leo let out a hollow laugh and slowly got up.
Seizing the moment, I quickly scanned his condition. Fortunately, aside from the scratch on his forehead, he didn't seem to be seriously injured.
'My attack must have been mostly nullified by his.'
"Haha, ha… Yes, this is it. This is what I was waiting for!"
Leo laughed, clutching his bloodied forehead.
The sight of his face sent a chill down my spine.
"What…."
"To see this again… I've waited so long for this day…. I'll never be able to keep up with you at this rate. Yes, you've won. You've won."
As he staggered to stand, he fell back to the floor but continued to laugh as if something wonderful had happened. It was an utterly bizarre scene.
I wanted to shut the door and leave immediately, but since it was my attack that caused this, I couldn't just abandon him here.
I approached and slipped my arm under his shoulder, helping him up.
"…Hey. Sorry. You seem a bit out of it. Let's get you some medical attention."
"No, do more. Use more magic."
'Crazy bastard.'
"Huh? I can take as much as you've got. No, please. I can't believe what I saw. Just once more, if you hit me one more time, I'll accept it as reality…."
Thud―!
Chills ran through me, and I dropped him back to the floor.
Too much passion can do this to a person.
Sure, he had an exceptional enthusiasm for magic even in the novel, but I didn't expect him to be so nonchalant about injury.
"Snap out of it. My magic was nullified by your attack, so you're only hurt this much. If you take it again without any defense, you could die. Don't you get that?"