Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 236: Last Words I Want to Leave Behind

As soon as Scarlet finished speaking, the arena was engulfed in shock.

It wasn’t because they didn’t understand her words. On the contrary, they understood them all too well, and the shock they felt was so overwhelming that it rendered them silent.

With those final words, Scarlet collapsed without making another sound.

“Scarlet!”

“S-Scarlet!”

Several knights rushed up from the knight faction to retrieve Scarlet’s body. She had already lost an eye and an arm, and her appearance was far from normal.

“Ugh─.”

Scarlet coughed up blood.

She began to try to say something. Everyone held their breath, focusing on her next words.

“Let’s… act like knights. Act like knights….”

The other knights nodded repeatedly. After confirming this, Scarlet slowly closed her eyelids.

“Lady Scarlet! Lady Scarlet!”

“Don’t make a fuss.”

Viola interrupted curtly, as if annoyed by the situation.

“She’s just sleeping. Losing an eye and an arm were her own mistakes, so there’s no need to worry.”

Then, she made an indifferent gesture towards the escort knights, who hurriedly transported Scarlet to the infirmary.

“In the end, we lost again.”

Viola was preoccupied with thoughts about the outcome.

If they were to maintain the knights’ privileges, this kind of atmosphere was definitely not good.

Even if she were to become a hero and preach the greatness of knights, those who had witnessed today’s match with their own eyes would not believe her words.

Or she would become a hero who blatantly lies.

“…Damn it!”

Viola stomped on the ground in frustration.

The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became. Especially when it came to Scarlet.

“What on earth was she thinking!”

Scarlet had sacrificed herself to boost Flan. Viola could never understand the chivalry that Scarlet embraced.

And then, Viola’s gaze turned to Flan.

‘Flan….’

Viola furrowed an eyebrow.

‘So there was a reason.’

They said he was a magician without precedent.

One who had never experienced a single defeat. And the one who had elevated the status of the Magic Department to this level.

And Viola thought she might understand that sentiment a little.

‘How old is he?’

If she considered him to be the same age as the representatives of the Magic Department… he should still be at the academy, attending classes. In other words, his achievements were unimaginable for his age.

What would happen when a magician like that reached the age of the Capital Knights? The mere thought of it made Viola feel quite unpleasant.

Viola quickly shook her head.

‘If I become a hero, that will be the end of it.’

She decided to boldly abandon all other goals except reaching hero status. And until the day she died and closed her eyes, she would not experience defeat.

No matter how exceptional Flan was, he would come to realize that soon enough.

If there are walls that can be overcome, there are also walls that cannot be surpassed. For Flan, that wall would be Viola.

“I will show you the full power of a Capital Knight.”

Viola glared fiercely at the Magic Department’s faction.

Just a glance from her was enough to make the representatives of the Magic Department flinch in reaction.

“So, that’s Viola.”

“It’s not even easy to meet her gaze.”

The representatives of the Magic Department, who had already encountered and even confronted the escort knights and Capital Knights here, found Viola’s presence truly exceptional.

“She’s so different from the other knights, isn’t she?”

It was at that moment when Trixie, Becky, and Louis simultaneously had the same thought.

“Are you Viola?”

A low voice resonated heavily across the floor.

The owner of the voice was, of course, Flan. And then something surprising happened. As soon as Flan’s voice was heard, the trembling bodies of the Magic Department representatives steadied.

“There’s no need to drag this out. Proceed with the next match immediately.”

“…”

“Though the result is obvious, it still has to be done. Isn’t that right?”

Flan gestured with his chin, indicating for Viola to come up to the arena. He didn’t care about Viola’s face, which had hardened noticeably.

In fact, he delivered the final blow.

“Why? Are you hesitating?”

“Hah…”

Viola tried to maintain her composure, but the eyes of the escort knights standing next to her were shaking.

The knight faction was already experiencing a losing streak, and they couldn’t predict what kind of trouble would come their way if Viola accepted such a provocation.

No, it might not just be trouble, but a volcanic eruption level of disaster.

“Uh, Lady Viola…”

The escort knights attempted to gauge Viola’s reaction with worried voices, but she nonchalantly raised a hand to stop them.

“Hey, Flan.”

“I’m listening.”

“Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”

Flan nodded as if it was obvious.

“I always take responsibility for my words. Always.”

“…”

Viola didn’t respond out loud to Flan’s words.

Instead, she walked towards the arena.

◈

“Whew…”

Conette, the Dean of the Magic Department, took a deep breath.

This couldn’t be called a simple or ordinary match. Conette understood the significance of the match between Flan and Viola, and her heart trembled with anticipation.

“It feels like the previous matches were just a prelude.”

Flan, who had made it possible for the Magic Department to participate here and now, and on the other side was Viola, known as the most promising hero candidate.

It was a match anyone could look forward to, and at the same time, it was the most important match.

Regardless of which side won…

“The story of this match will spread across the continent.”

That much was certain.

“Dean.”

Violet spoke in a rather trembling voice.

“Do you think Flan… can do it?”

“Ah.”

Conette nodded quietly as if she had expected it.

She knew Violet would say something like that, and all the magicians present were likely thinking the same.

“It’s normal to assume that Viola will win.”

“Ah… right?”

In Conette’s mind, Viola was truly a formidable wall.

There was no official rank between Capital Knights and heroes, but if such ranks were detailed, Viola would occupy the highest position among them.

So, realistically speaking, it was incredibly difficult for Flan to win against Viola.

“Just getting this far is amazing. He achieved a complete victory against Scarlet, and the other representatives did so well… Even if we return now, the prestige of the Magic Department will be enormous.”

“But.”

“Yes?”

Conette cut off Violet’s muttering.

“Flan has never done anything according to common sense.”

Knowing what Conette meant, the magicians sitting nearby began to smile brightly.

“That’s right. Common sense doesn’t apply to Flan at all.”

“No matter who the opponent is, he doesn’t seem likely to lose.”

As the magicians started chatting one by one, the people sitting in front of them began to turn their heads towards them. Most of these people were influential figures in the merchant guild.

One of the merchant guild members spoke up.

“I don’t mean to dampen the mood, but are you all serious about this?”

“Yes, we are serious.”

Conette answered calmly.

“I’m sure you understand.”

The nervousness that had made her take deep breaths was nowhere to be found. Conette, now back to her usual composed self, smiled slyly and said,

“We might already be Flan’s fanatics.”

◈

Finally, the last match.

Viola’s eyes were as serious as ever.

As Flan approached to exchange greetings, Viola felt a strange sensation.

“Living long enough, you see all kinds of things. I never thought I’d experience something like this.”

Who could have predicted that she would engage in a full-force battle with a magician who was still supposed to be attending the academy? Even Viola hadn’t expected such a thing.

She thought it was already quite disgraceful, but to become a hero, one had to endure unpleasant tasks.

‘For the future, it’s best to end this now.’

In truth, Viola didn’t harbor much ill will towards Flan.

If anything, Viola’s resentment was primarily directed at the weak knights. How could she blame Flan for being an exceptional magician?

But even without ill will.

For the future of the knights, and for herself to become a hero, it was right to defeat Flan now.

Srrrrk─.

Viola slowly drew her sword.

“Flan. Any last words you want to leave?”

No answer came.

At the moment their gazes met in the air, the match began.