"Damn it, you keep using nothing but magic. Are those dual swords just for show? Next time I'll come at you from— Gah, why... You betrayed me..."
And just like that, Hector collapsed on the spot.
Cheers of jubilation rose from the commoners' stands, while cries of despair echoed from the nobles' seats.
Amid all that, I descended from midair and gently picked Hector up, handing him over to the medical team.
Man, I can barely keep myself from laughing.
Hector had endured the ice attack, received healing, and was about to strike back at me (though I'd been holding back just enough that he could survive it), but the healing spell the hidden priest was about to secretly cast on him was the Light Magic "Extra Heal."
It was a fairly high-rank recovery spell, but since I'd used [Reverse] to invert its effect, it ended up dealing Hector damage equal to what should have been healing — and that was the finishing blow.
That's why Hector thought he'd been betrayed.
As for me, I'd already stolen [Pride] and [Diamond Power] from Hector while pretending to tend to his injuries.
[Pride] nullifies all damage from those weaker than you, but it makes people really hate you.
Honestly, I didn't need it, so I used [Reverse] to flip it and turned it into [Humility].
The effect reduces damage from those of equal or higher rank.
That said, it doesn't actually make people like you any more.
◇◇◇
A little while later, the awards ceremony began — presided over by the First Prince of the royal family, who was also the tournament's organizer.
Oh, right, I almost forgot — Prince Mercurius, the First Prince, was the one who owned the Royal Oak that attacked the Third Princess, wasn't he?
And when the First Prince reached for the prize — the "Book of Skills" — an objection was raised by Ryan Vermilion, my dear old man.
"Your Highness Mercurius, if I may be so bold!"
"Lord Ryan, I am generous enough to hear you out without reprimanding your insolence. But if what you have to say turns out to be trivial, you know what awaits, yes?"
"I am most honored that my request has been granted. That person, Arisa, should be disqualified."
"On what grounds?"
"She left the field. While a momentary leap might be excusable, floating in the air without any contact with the ground constitutes leaving the field."
Huh? What the hell is that?
No, no way. This can't be real.
There was nothing like that in the Martial God Festival rules!
If that's the argument, then what about Hector getting support from the audience stands?
But my inner protests fell on deaf ears, and the prearranged farce continued onward.
And after pretending to deliberate for a brief moment, First Prince Mercurius delivered his verdict.
"...I see. Indeed, having no contact with the designated field can be said to constitute leaving it. I recognize your appeal as legitimate. Therefore, the victory shall go to Hector, and the 'Book of Skills' shall be bestowed upon him."
Ryan was looking at me with a smug grin, wearing a face that practically screamed "How do you like that?"
He probably doesn't even know I'm Alan, but it's infuriating.
"Hector, step forward before His Highness."
Following the announcer's words, Hector respectfully approached the prince and received the Book of Skills.
After this, the Book of Skills would likely be handed from Hector to the Vermilion family, and Cain's skill would level up.
Grrr.
Just kidding.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Arisa, who had won the Royal Capital Martial God Festival through sheer skill, was disqualified thanks to some bogus reasoning.
Would the Book of Skills really end up in Cain's hands, turning him into a Sword Saint!?
But there was no way Alan would just stay silent!
Next Time: "I Hope You Can Become a Sword Saint"
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Phantom Thief Gentleman] [Dark Magic] [Rock-Iron Magic] [Holy Magic] [Space-Time Magic] [Scorching Magic] [Freezing Ice Magic] [Magic Hand] [Temptation] [Pain Relief] [Complete Status Abnormality Resistance] [Flame Spirit's Protection] [Phantom Demon] [Lightning Speed] [Dark Spirit's Protection] [Monstrous Strength] [Thunder God Sword] [Fortune] [Clear Breeze Magic] [Humility]
Rank: Silver (Arisa: Gold)
Thank you always for reading 😊
[Diamond Power] has been integrated into [Monstrous Strength].