第３２０堀：物は使いよう (Part2)
Up until now, I had focused primarily on how to inflict damage upon my enemies, so I had rarely considered such underhanded tactics. Normally, these methods are reserved for situations like hostage rescues where one cannot easily use weapons, but they are perfectly suited for creating openings against a superior opponent.
Under normal circumstances, one wouldn't bother with such a method, as creating a smokescreen or a cloud of dust is far easier than condensing light to dazzle an opponent's eyes. However, my opponent was Comet, a former Dungeon Master and a master mage. Smokescreens and dust clouds would be blown away or blocked by magic in an instant.
But a flash of light is a different story. It cannot be blown away, and the only way to guard against it is to close one's eyes or shield one's vision. That was our greatest opportunity.
Peace, Sia, and Kishua, who had been waiting behind me, lunged forward. For a mage, the most important thing is the distance between them and their opponent. It is about how well they can fight within their own range and rhythm. If a mage loses their pace to an opponent, it becomes extremely difficult for them to cast magic. They panic at the unfolding reality, lose the mental image required for their spells, and become unable to manifest them.
*Clang!!*
"I'm surprised, but something like this won't..."
Just as expected, the surprise attack from the three of them was easily parried. It is true that having one's rhythm disrupted makes spellcasting difficult, but it is precisely by training to overcome such things that one is called a first-class mage. My master would never lose her pace over something like this. Just like Eoid, she used mana manipulation to create a physical barrier, easily stopping the blades coming from three directions.
...With that, I had successfully pinned my master from three sides. Confirming this, I fired off another shot. She would have no choice but to intercept it.
"The same trick won't work twice. If I don't turn my face toward..."
*BOOM!!*
Cutting off my master’s words, a tremendous roar echoed, accompanying the flash of light. It was as if I had struck directly into her ears just as she turned her head away. This is what you call a stun grenade, or a flashbang. It neutralizes targets by inducing temporary blindness, dizziness, deafness, tinnitus, and the accompanying panic. Given its power, there is even a risk of shock-induced heart failure for those with underlying conditions. Even at my distance, my ears were ringing slightly.
Could the three who had been pinning my master at close range move to their next action? I watched the four motionless figures and prepared to follow up. I would deliver one more stun spell to completely seal her movements, then we would all unleash a barrage of magic to end this match!
The magic I fired, hoping not to miss the opening, was enveloped by a strange spell flying in from the side and vanished with a small *pop*.
"Alright, alright, that’s enough. This match goes to Popuri and the others. Ah, my ears are ringing something awful... I never imagined you’d resort to such methods."
Luna-dono said this while tapping her ears.
"Don't just stand there, celebrate. Comet is out cold."
"Eh?"
When I returned my gaze to my master, she was being held by Peace, her eyes spinning.
"It seems she was dazed by that last blast."
"I suppose she didn't expect sound to be used as a weapon."
"It was at close range, after all. Even I feel dizzy."
Sia and Kishua were also swaying, so it must have been quite a sound.
"It’s an enhanced version of a stun grenade. Hifi and Taizo are flopped over on the other side, too."
Told this, I looked over and saw Hifi-dono holding her ears and slumped over, while Taizo-dono was shaking his head.
"Hmm. You might have been able to take down Hifi yourselves with this. Anyway, come on, wake up, Comet."
My master’s head was struck with a *thwack*.
"Ouch!? You’re as merciless as ever!! This beautiful girl’s hair is going to get messy!?"
"Shut it. You’re a self-proclaimed beauty who relies on everyone around you to take care of you. Besides, get back here, you loser."
"Huh? Loser? Wait, were we having a match? Huh? I lost?"
My master looked around, bewildered. Everyone she turned to nodded in agreement.
"...Yes? Knocked out by a loud noise? I didn't even get to use a proper attack!"
"That’s right. A loser is a loser. You were observing, got caught in an opening, and were taken out before you could show your true strength. The height of stupidity."
"W-wait a second!! O-one more round!! I-I want a rematch!!"
"Hm? Go do that on your own time later."
"N-no way!! I didn't get to do anything!! That’s too cruel!!"
So saying, my master clung to Luna-dono in tears.
...Ah, was she always like this? I remember her chasing down an orphan child for real just because they took one side dish from her dinner.
I'm exhausted.