Chapter 185: Team Battle Arrangements (2)
Iriel, having completed her duties in the Holy Kingdom, gazed out the window.
It had been over a year since Rays arrival in the Holy Kingdom.
Originally, Ray should have been summoned from the Lesian Empire immediately to begin the pilgrimage, but his case was exceptional.
The Emperors illness played a significant role, but the absence of any divine command from the gods meant implicit permission was granted.
The Holy Kingdom was currently engrossed in preparations for the pilgrimage.
Some administrative tasks and various chores received assistance from Griaia and others.
As the Saint, Iriel enjoyed relative freedom during this busy time.
Though the Holy Kingdom was bustling, there were no tasks that required her direct involvement.
Once the preparations were complete and Ray returned to the Holy Kingdom, their departure would likely be immediate.
Their first destination was intended to be the Silia Kingdom.
Holding a letter handwritten by the Pope, Iriel whispered to herself.
Its been a while since Ive seen my parents They must be happy, right?
The choice of the Silia Kingdom as the first site for the pilgrimage was no coincidence.
Eclays influence must have been essential for this decision.
It was more surprising that it hadnt happened sooner, considering that the Pope and the Saint were in agreement.
Iriels lips curved into a slight smile as she pictured his joyous reaction.
The swordsmanship team battle concluded successfully with a victory.
The subsequent magic team battle ended in a flash.
While Ray had defended the flag in the swordsmanship battle, this time he pushed forward to capture it.
The opposing team watched his approach with confidence.
Dealing with five spells simultaneously would take time, even for him.
Though they remained wary of his ability to conjure over a hundred fireballs, reaction speed was a separate issue.
The real trouble began afterward.
Defeat the one in front of me! Lightning!
Fireball!
As they cast their spells, all attacks focused on Ray.
Yet the spells failed to reach their target.
Ray calculated where the magic would manifest and collided his mana with it.
This manipulation of mana prevented the spells from materializing.
Cancel.
Whoosh
The conversion of mana vanished, dispersing the magic.
The magic users could only gape in disbelief at this impossible feat.
Fi, Fireball!
Cancel.
Entangle!
Cancel.
Every attempt to cast a spell was continuously canceled, leaving them with no will to try anymore.
Ray, indifferent to their spells, continued running forward.
As they watched his retreating figure, dumbfounded, the match was already over.
The flag of the opposing team vanished in an instant, then reappeared in their own base, leaving even his teammates bewildered.
All strategies and tactics were futile.
What wizard could counter someone who cancels spells while running?
Even in defeat, they felt no frustration.
Thus, Ray easily secured another victory in the magic team battle.
It felt more like a raid than a team battle, given how things had turned out.
After stepping down from the duel arena, Ray wandered around and stumbled upon an archery contest nearby.
There, a figure clad in a robe, presumably a woman, was fitting an arrow to a bowstring.
Her right hand holding the arrow remained at shoulder height, and her waist was perfectly straightened.
Her posture alone was impressive.
The woman, after focusing briefly on the target, released the bowstring, and the arrow shot off at a terrifying speed.
Zing
The sound of it cutting through the air was intense.
The arrow she fired didnt just pierce the target; it completely shattered it.
Boom
The sound of the air bursting echoed as the target was obliterated.
Judging the shot was somewhat difficult.
Though the arrow had certainly struck the target, it exploded, making it impossible to ascertain the score.
The robed woman scratched her nose.
Ah, I shot it with control
Control, she said.
One wondered what would happen without control. Would it drill holes through mountains?
The judge approached her and shook his head.
If you continue like this, we cant give you a score. Please participate properly.
Thats what Im saying, I did control it
Nonsense! Without control, would you blow holes through mountains?
The judge seemed to share a similar thought.
The woman retorted, sticking out her tongue.
Sigh Ill try again. But isnt the target too weak? Make it out of iron next time.
If the targets were made of iron, more than half of the participants wouldnt even be able to stick their arrows in them.
She fitted another arrow and lightly drew the bowstring.
Upon closer inspection, even pulling it seemed quite difficult.
While the material of the string was unknown, it was certainly not ordinary.
Despite drawing the bowstring lightly, the arrow still flew at a remarkable speed.
Whoosh
Though it lacked the previous sensation of tearing through the air, it was still powerfully effective.
Ray thought to himself,
Wow, isnt this going to pierce through the target?
Bang
As he predicted, the wooden target was punctured right in the center.
He was impressed by her clean skill.
Who could display such magnificent archery? Perhaps an elf, but even for them, the strength and mana required to draw that bowstring wouldnt be easy.
The robed woman smiled.
Wow, that should do it, right?
Ye-Yes
The flustered judge watched as she hit the barely visible center of the target several times.
Despite a few arrows destroying the target, her score gradually closed the gap with her opponent.
Eventually, when she had used all her arrows, she won the fourth round of the competition.
Thanks to her, the area around the archery contest swarmed with spectators.
Amazing, right? The arrows didnt arc but flew in a straight line.
I saw it, too. She seems young, but her talent is remarkable.
If only I had a son
Even if you had a son, it wouldnt have mattered. Hahaha.
Ray watched the woman in the robe closely.
The robe seemed oddly familiar.
Her voice also reminded him of someone he had met at the fountain: the bard.
That bard was a half-elf.
Although only of half-blood, it was likely that the elven talent for archery and magic had flourished in her.
This would explain the exceptional archery skill she had just displayed.
But then the question arose, Why participate in an archery contest?
If his guess was right, she was a half-elf.
Despite being part human, elves living in villages wouldnt overtly reject her, as half-elves typically exhibit stronger elven traits than human ones.
Moreover, humans are often more intolerant toward half-breeds than elves are.
Its not unheard of for half-elves to end up being sold by slavers in such conditions.
The risk she took leaving the elven village to participate in an archery contest was baffling.
It didnt seem to connect to learning about the world, as per Grandmas words.
While he pondered, the woman who had just descended from the arena approached Ray, recognizing him.
Ah, are you the person from the fountain? Its nice to meet you again.
As she murmured about their seemingly destined encounter, Ray returned her greeting.
I never thought wed meet again here. And you handle not only musical instruments but also a bow quite well. Did you learn this in an elven village?
His mention of the elven village, a place difficult for ordinary humans to reach, implied some connection.
She nodded, honest yet slightly guarded.
I had spent over three hundred years in the village practicing music and archery. It would be strange if I werent good at it.
Pride overflowed in her words as she lightly patted her chest.
After all, practicing anything for over three hundred years would make anyone a master.
Ray asked her something that piqued his curiosity.
But why enter an archery contest?
Oh, for the prize money.
Her bright smile seemed out of place for an elf, who were typically indifferent to human affairs, including both material and spiritual desires.
It was unusual for a half-elf to think this way.
She continued, Without money, you cant do anything. You need it to move around, buy information, get food, or rent a place to stay. Its inevitable, even for an elf.
She seemed convinced by her own reasoning, nodding to herself.
However, Rays expression remained pensive.
Elves usually found food when necessary, or created a village if there was nowhere to stay.
Yet, this half-elf was more preoccupied with earning money.
Had capitalism created this anomaly?
It was alarming how capitalism could sway even the steadfast nature of elves.
She smoothed her robe and said, It might seem odd for an elf, but money is necessary. Even my grandmother said so.
Indeed, money was essential, even indispensable, for life.
So, will you leave the Lesian Empire after you get the prize money?
As he inquired, she packed her bag and replied, Since my goal is the prize money, Ill leave the Lesian Empire once I have it. This place has many magical devices, but its hard to find reliable information.
That meant she had already seen everything she wanted to see in the area.
Ray waved goodbye to the elf, thinking to himself.
Three hundred years with the bow and musical instruments then, who exactly is Aira?
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