Chapter 181: Rigel vs Ero-Ra
The moment it was decided that Rigel and Ero-Ra would have a mock battle, a cheer rose from the surrounding examinees.
(Well, well... This has gotten bothersome)
Rigel complained inwardly. In a high-visibility mock battle, there was no chance to rape. Still, if he had not participated and let Ero-Ra’s provocation continue, his position as the bottom of the year would have been sealed. And that would have made his future rape situations one-note. To avoid that, he had no choice but to accept the mock battle... Yet even as he walked toward the mock battle field, his irritation continued to grow.
(That girl is the ’Illusion Eye’ Ero-Ra, huh?)
"Is she really going to challenge her? She can’t win, right?"
"I could beat that weak-looking brat any day!"
The voices of the surrounding examinees reached his ears.
(Shut up...)
Rigel cursed inwardly. In his eyes, Ero-Ra was nothing more than an extra. But the fact that the others were stirring so loudly irritated him. Just then—
"Rigel-kun, do your best! We’re cheering for you!"
"Ero-Ra might turn you into a wreck. If it gets dangerous, please forfeit early!"
Two girls were cheering for him. They were Nessis and Testarossa, whom he already knew.
"Yeah, thanks. If two girls are cheering for me, I can’t afford to make a pathetic showing."
Rigel replied lightly. For Rigel, who only thought about rape, these two girls in a friendly role were precious. He wanted to deepen their friendship first, then rape them grandly when the time was right. He could not ignore their words for that reason.
"Ero-Ra and Rigel! Are both of you ready!?"
The examiner shouted. Rigel and Ero-Ra nodded, and each took their position.
(Now then... What should I do?)
Rigel thought. In a mock battle, both sides start at a distance. Basically, it’s a simple exchange of spells. Whoever finishes casting first has the advantage. The one being attacked must decide whether to use a defensive spell or simply dodge with body movement.
(There are infinite ways to win, but...)
To Rigel, who possessed the cheat skill [Rape], Ero-Ra was nothing but a weakling. He could kill her instantly with a preemptive attack from overwhelming casting speed. He could also deliberately match her casting time and overwhelm her with sheer power. Of course, there was also the option of closing the distance physically and toying with her.
All of those methods would make him stand out. Maybe it would be best to exchange spells casually at first, then deliberately look like he was losing slightly. Not winning, and not being overwhelmingly defeated — just moderately defeated. That way, Rigel’s impression would remain low, and he could maintain his mob position after enrollment.
"Well then, let’s begin the mock battle! Three, two, one..."
The examiner began the countdown. Rigel’s thoughts accelerated along with it.
"Zero!"
The moment the mock battle began, Ero-Ra released her magic. It was a water-attribute spell. A water sphere shot from her hand toward Rigel.
(Hmm...)
Rigel sighed inwardly with admiration. It was a water spell with decent accuracy. The casting was also smooth. As expected of one of the ’Miracle Generation’ and the bearer of the title ’Illusion Eye’. But—
"Your aim is painfully obvious."
Rigel muttered. He stared at the approaching water sphere. Ero-Ra’s strategy was to use a quickly cast water sphere for a preemptive attack. After that, she would use the more powerful ’Water Blade Tempest’ or the ’Illusion Eye’ itself to confuse him.
"Aim is sloppy. It’s just coming straight at me, right? A water sphere like that isn’t scary."
Rigel held his hand forward. Then—
"Hmph!"
With a shout of spirit, he punched the incoming water sphere.
"Wha!?"
Ero-Ra was stunned. Her water sphere simply dissipated upon being punched by Rigel.
"That’s..."
Ero-Ra’s expression changed. It was true that the attack was nothing more than a feint and had low power. However, even that should have been stronger than a low-grade mage’s water sphere. Yet Rigel had scattered it with a single spirit punch.
"Sorry. Then I’ll go too. —[Water Shot]"
Rigel held his hand forward. A fierce stream of water rushed toward Ero-Ra.
"Ku! [Water Barrier]!!"
Ero-Ra reflexively deployed a defensive spell. However, her ’Water Barrier’ was pushed back by Rigel’s ’Water Shot’.
"Ugh...!?"
Ero-Ra’s entire body was soaked, and her expression twisted. Compared to fire or lightning magic, water magic had low killing power. If she had changed the shape of the water like in ’Water Blade Tempest’, it might have been different... But a mere ’Water Ball’ or ’Water Shot’ was nothing more than harassment. However, the physical damage and drop in body temperature from the mass of water were certain to drain her stamina.
"Hey! Ero-Ra is being pushed back!"
"Impossible... She’s being easily overwhelmed like this!?"
"Who is this Rigel guy? Could he be the next ’Miracle Generation’ member!?"
The surrounding examinees began to stir. They were clearly surprised that Rigel was overwhelming Ero-Ra.
(Oh, damn... I went a little too far)
Rigel felt a slight regret. He had thought he was holding back, but Ero-Ra was even weaker than he had expected. He wanted to adjust his strength more carefully, fight with just enough superiority, and lose in a natural way. That was what he was thinking.
—-
The mock battle between Rigel and Ero-Ra had begun. Ero-Ra went first with a preemptive attack, but she was instantly blocked by Rigel. Then, her counterattack with water magic left her the one taking damage.
"Ugh..."
Ero-Ra suffered a certain amount of physical damage from the water. Her clothes being wet and her mobility reduced was also a minor but annoying disadvantage. Rigel had the advantage, but his expression was not particularly satisfied.
(I went a little too far...)
Rigel muttered inwardly. He had underestimated Ero-Ra. Even from here, he had to adjust his course. He was thinking about it, and then he acted.
"Zee... Zee... Fu, fuhahahaha! How is it, the taste of my all-out ’Water Shot’? This is already the end of the match!!"
Rigel spoke while panting.
"Eh...?"
Ero-Ra was shaken by his words. After all, the match had only just begun. Yet Rigel had declared it over.
(What on earth is he thinking...?)
Ero-Ra tilted her head. The surrounding examinees were doing the same. But soon they understood.
"Hey now, was that supposed to be his finishing move?"
"I see... She had the upper hand all along..."
"Of course. A ’Miracle Generation’ member wouldn’t lose to a nobody."
"It was the two of them clashing — Ero-Ra’s water magic, calculated ahead of time, versus the nameless Rigel’s all-out, reckless strike."
The examinees voiced their understanding one after another. They had bought Rigel’s act.
(Fuhaha! Perfect! This works!!)
Rigel laughed inwardly. The ’Water Barrier’ she had deployed had been easily pierced by his ’Water Shot’. It was purely a difference in strength. However, by continuing the act afterward, he had forcibly changed the perception around them.
"Hmph! I see! So that’s it! I was invincible after all! A piece of trash like you could never beat me!!"
Ero-Ra proudly puffed out her chest. The examinees, and even Ero-Ra herself, had been fooled. She had completely underestimated Rigel.
"Too bad! I still have plenty of reserves left! Thinking you defeated me with that much is ridiculous!!"
Ero-Ra shouted with a smug face. She was completely riding the high.
"What’s wrong! Is that all your power!? It’s boring if you don’t put up more of a fight!!"
(Playing along is tough...)
Rigel felt a little frustration inwardly at her taunting. The examinees had been completely taken in by his act. He had wanted to keep losing from now on. He had already shown enough in the first exchange, and he might still manage to secure his mob position after enrollment. That was why he thought this way.
"Ku... Damn it! I’m done!! I can’t beat you!!"
"Hmph! You’re talking big! Thinking you could stand above me with that much strength!? Pathetic!!"
Rigel spoke regretfully. Ero-Ra, however, was in ecstasy. She was completely on cloud nine.
"Examiner! Listen! I surrender—"
"[Aqua Laser]!!"
The instant Rigel tried to admit defeat, Ero-Ra unleashed magic toward him. His words were cut off.
"Gwaaa!?"
Rigel had no time to respond. The follow-up attack caught him off guard. More accurately, it was acting, but...
"W-what are you doing! I already admitted defeat— Gwaaaaa!!?"
Rigel tried to keep acting, but Ero-Ra’s attack interrupted him. It was relentless. Rigel continued acting seriously.
"You dared to oppose me! You’re not just going to end with a little exchange of magic! —Die! [Illusion Eye]!!"
Ero-Ra released her unique magic. Rigel and Ero-Ra were enveloped in her magical power.
