第２７２堀：青春、駆け抜けろ (Part3)
"Well, they call it an extra-large fireball, but in terms of size, it's more like a beach ball. Since I can adjust its density through mana manipulation, it’s actually easier to handle than juggling a hard soccer ball."
"W-wow! He’s just kicking the fireball to keep it suspended in mid-air! It’s not even touching the ground!"
"Um, that’s an incredible sense of balance, but... is there any point to that, Yuki-san?"
Ah, right. Eris usually heads back to work as soon as classes end at the Weed school, so she’s never seen me playing soccer with the kids. Well, time to finish this.
"Oh! Yuki-senshu has kicked the fireball high into the air!"
"Yuki-senshu is winding up a massive kick against the falling fireball... wait, could it be!?"
I shouted in my heart: *Drive Shoot!*
One day, I’ll nail that legendary move! A nostalgic song played in my head. My foot connected with the fireball, sending it flying toward Ardes at a speed far greater than when it was first cast.
*BOOM!*
I’d topped off the fireball with a bit of my own mana, and Ardes, unable to react to the amplified power, took the hit head-on.
"It’s a direct hit!"
"Yuki-senshu’s magnificent kick sent Ardes-senshu’s own fireball right back at him! I can’t see him through the flames, but that’s just karma! It’s wonderful! It’s so cool! Kyaaa!"
...I’m going to have to give Eris a serious lecture later. Ardes was trying his best, after all; I should at least give him credit for that. I need to turn off the BGM in my head, too. At that moment, I felt like a superhero.
Though, in reality, a "Drive Shoot" is meant to be a long-range shot that dips right before the goal to score, not a move to blast the goalkeeper into oblivion. That’s just an anime trope. Honestly, doesn't the phrase "youth defying human limits" fit perfectly here? People say it started with *The Prince of Tennis*, but isn't this the real origin?
Anyway, is Ardes okay? It was his own magic, so I didn't think he’d be incapacitated just because I bumped up the firepower a little. I stared into the center of the smoke. I expected him to do something, but there was less reaction than I thought. ...He’s not dead, is it? I did pull my punches. Probably.
"The smoke is finally clearing... Ardes-senshu is standing! He’s tattered, but he’s standing!"
Thank goodness. He’s alive. But as Ratz said, he looked like he was barely holding on.
"The referee, Vice Principal Lara, is rushing over. If the injuries are too severe, the match will be called..."
"I can still fight!"
The voice shook the arena, stopping Eris mid-sentence and causing Vice Principal Lara to freeze in her tracks. Standing before me was a man whose sheer spirit alone was enough to make those around him pause.
"Guh... I can still fight. So, please, don't stop it."
"But those wounds..."
Vice Principal Lara clearly judged that his injuries exceeded what was acceptable for a duel and looked desperate to stop it. However, her concerns vanished with his next words.
"Give it your all until the very end, and use your magic! That is the path to reaching the power to protect many! I haven't given my all yet! Please, I beg of you!"
Hearing that, Vice Principal Lara immediately turned to look at Principal Popuri.
"Permission to continue combat granted! Ardes, have you finally woken up? The man standing before you, Yuki-dono, is on a distant height that even I—no, that even you could never hope to reach! Throw everything you have at him! Give it your all! And feel the path you must walk!"
As Principal Popuri spoke, Ardes took a deep breath, stared straight at me, and opened his mouth.
"Yuki-dono! I will borrow your strength!"
"Come at me with everything you've got."
As I replied, Ardes charged at me. Despite being battered, he stomped firmly on the ground and sprinted forward. He wove a flame incantation into his clenched fist and swung it at me with his full weight and maximum mana.
*WHOOSH!*
"Ardes-senshu’s full-power strike has exploded against Yuki-senshu! Both of them are swallowed by a storm of fire! What is happening!?"
I could hear Ratz’s play-by-play. It was a good, heartfelt strike. Being young is nice. That’s the privilege of being a fool.
"...Just as the Principal said. I can't reach you at all, can I?"
"Well, that’s because we’ve had different amounts of experience."
Inside the firestorm, I caught Ardes’s thrusting fist with one hand and exchanged those words.
"Guh..." Ardes stumbled.
"Well, you gave it your all. Hang in there a little longer. I’ll show you something good."
Ardes struggled to stay upright, refusing to fall. He didn't even have the energy to answer. In that case, I’d better show him something good quickly.
"Oh? For some reason, the firestorm has suddenly vanished! Both of them are still standing! How did they endure that storm!?"
"Wait a moment. There are spears of fire around Yuki-senshu... no, fire spears, and water? Are those rocks? Ice? He’s manipulating multiple types of magic simultaneously!"
Eris said that, looking as if she were wondering why I’d reveal such a hand. Well, I couldn't help it. I had to show respect to a man who showed his spirit.
"A... multi-element mage."
It’s a bit different, but if I reveal any more of my cards, my wives will get angry, so I’ll leave it at that.
*THUD, THUD, THUD!*
Spears of different elemental magic pierced the ground around Ardes. Ardes then leaned back against one of the spears without hesitation.
"...I yield."
He said it with a radiant expression.
"Ardes-senshu has surrendered! Yuki-senshu is the winner!"
*OOOHHHHH!*
"But is Ardes-senshu alright? Vice Principal Lara is rushing over... It seems he is safe. He’s fainted, so they’re bringing a stretcher. Before he leaves, please give a round of applause for the courage he showed in facing an opponent he knew he couldn't beat."
*Clap, clap, clap, clap...*
At Eris’s words, the audience began to applaud, and the sound continued until Ardes was out of sight.
"Ardes, well done. Yuki-dono, thank you for dealing with my incompetent student."
I waved off Popuri’s words and stepped off the stage.
"Onii-chan, that was so cool!"
"Yes, it was incredibly cool!"
"I didn't know Yuki used martial arts like that. But that last part was the soccer we play at school, right?"
"...Mm. Yuki was very, very wonderful. I’m happy. But I’ve reconsidered Ardes a little, too."
"Cleena-san is right. I thought he was just a fool, but he had some backbone after all. Well, he’s no match for Yuki-sama! That was wonderful!"
The five who had been watching from the waiting room immediately came to praise me. I was very happy. But...
"Thanks. ...So, why is everyone stuffing tissues up their noses?"
Yes, for some reason, everyone except Aslin had tissues stuffed in their noses. Since they’re all beauties, I suppose it’s still acceptable?
"You see, the big sisters had nosebleeds, so I gave them my tissues."
Yeah, that’s definitely not acceptable.
"Well, that was an intense match, but it’s only just begun! Please look forward to the second match!"
"There will be a 30-minute break, so please use the restrooms. If you’re feeling unwell, please head to the infirmary..."
Now then, next is Taiki-kun. ...Should I hand some tissues to Airi-san?
So, how was it? Ardes became serious enough to be called by his name at the end. You probably realized the title "Run Through Your Youth" refers to the end of that song. Next is Taiki. What methods will the Hero use to challenge me? Look forward to the next chapter.
Anyway, I kept writing because I’m off tomorrow, and now it’s morning. Time to sleep.