The next morning at 7 AM, everyone reached the stands. While the others were watching, only Licht, Lichee, Isurugi, Liebe, Alysa, Fate, M, and Gaia were in the field. As it was time, Licht said, "Don't fight unless Alysa and Isurugi are down."
Liebe said, "I'll try."
Licht said, "I'm serious."
Liebe said, "What kind of man would I be, seeing my friends fight while I stand back?"
Licht said, "The kind that knows the meaning of the word 'strategy.' But fine, do whatever you want."
As they were ready, they all went down. From the opponent's side, it was Hwang, Meili, and Ziki. It was time. As they shook hands before the match, the rules were simple: the battle area was a 17 km radius, and it would be a three-hour-long battle. Win conditions were simple: the side with the most people standing wins. Beat all three members of the other side, and you win. After one hour, the battlefield would begin to shrink until it became a sphere with a radius of just 2 km.
In the first hour, as both teams were ready, the referee said, "It's time for it to begin." Someone said, "Spatial Magic: Gate!" Two gates were created for each team. The battle would begin with both teams on opposite ends of the battlefield.
Hwang said, "Let's make this a clean fight, and no matter who wins, let's not hold grudges."
Liebe said, "Of course."
As they bumped fists, their teams went through their respective gates.
When they reached the battlefield, the match was being broadcasted via mana crystals. The battlefield was plains with a few rivers, and in the center was a lake connecting the rivers.
As everyone was watching, Lichee said, "Liebe will win this easy."
Gaia said, "Then we can celebrate."
Fate said, "The odds are in our favor."
M said, "Victory alone isn't our objective."
Licht said, "We have to win without Liebe's help. Otherwise, it was all pointless, since our priority is preserving the secret of Liebe's Dark Magic."
M said, "Yet Hwang isn't the type to go down so easily."
Licht said, "And the battlefield is plains with rivers and a lake. And due to the fact it's all plains, there aren't any forests to hide in. And because of the lake, all water magic users are at a huge advantage. Yet Isurugi can use it himself, as water is a great conductor. The question is: what plan will Liebe choose? Battle on the ground, air, or water? No. Land or water? Battle in air against a water magic user is just stupid."
Lichee said, "Why? If I was there, there wouldn't be any difference. Even if it was underwater, I could use my Abyssal Gate to turn it all to dust."
Licht said, "And you would be wide open doing so, and on the ground, with a single attack without mana to protect yourself? In battle, move bravely with caution."
Lichee said, "So you're stating if anyone from the other team has water magic, we are done for?"
Licht said, "No. I taught Isurugi to deal with them. Depends if he has the mana to do what I said."
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Isurugi said, "Sir, what is the plan?"
Liebe said, "Pincer attack."
As Liebe and Alysa flew to the lake, there were Hwang and Ziki. They stood before each other, looking the other team face to face.
Ziki said, "You… you sure have a hot babe."
Alysa said, "What?"
Liebe said, "Don't worry. You'll be on the ground before it all."
Hwang said, "Good luck, because you are against me."
Alysa said, "We won't let you lay a finger on Liebe as long as we are standing."
Hwang said, "Don't be so sure."
As Liebe and Alysa were grabbed by a hand-shaped water, they were pulled down and trapped in a water bubble with condensed water.
Ziki said, "Time to end this. Sorry, babe. Mercury Magic: Silver Strike!" As he launched countless mercury arrows toward them.
Hwang said, "Smoke Magic: Heaven's Judgement!" As she launched countless smoke spears at Liebe and Alysa.
Liebe said, "Isurugi, handle this from underwater."
Isurugi said, "Understood, sir. Lightning Magic: Raging Heart!"
As they watched, Lichee said, "What happened? They can't move! Why aren't they doing anything?"
Licht said, "They can't breathe. Without oxygen, the brain can't function properly. And if Liebe does anything, the world will see it. Now Isurugi is left."
Lichee said, "What can he do?"
Licht said, "Evaporate the lake with my Light Magic would have taken me 10 seconds. Vexus can do it in a minute, since lightning can't evaporate water as efficiently as my Light. And Isurugi is far weaker at that. Yet the fact he is underwater is their only hope, because an average lightning strike has 2.26×10¹⁸ J of energy. And right now, he is the literal heart of a thunderstorm. Usually counting 10 strikes a minute, it would take a lightning storm 85.6 years to evaporate the lake. But we don't have that long."
Meanwhile, inside the lake, Liebe thought, This is bad. But now that we are underwater, I can use it. Now then… As he gave the last of his oxygen to Alysa through a kiss, Liebe said, "Isurugi, do it!"
Isurugi said, "Burn bright! Thunder of the Heavens!"
As a huge thunder from the bottom of the lake hit the bubble, even though it evaporated the water, the bubble was intact.
Liebe said, "Damn it! Now that this plan failed… Dark Magic: Summon Abyssal Gate!"
As the Abyssal Gate appeared, Liebe said, "Now, Abyssal Gate, open! Turn to dust!"
Meanwhile, in Eldoria, while everyone was seeing it, Gelda screamed, "Take that! Now that's the Abyssal Gate!"
Lilith said, "He is using it… my signature spell."
While Isurugi was fighting Meili, Meili said, "How are you awake?"
Isurugi said, "As a wolf demi-human, I have far greater physical capabilities. Now! Lightning Magic: Verde System Strike!" As he used his broadsword to fight Meili.
Seeing how Liebe was turning the water in the water bubble to dust, Hwang said, "Do it now!" As they launched a combo spell: Mercury x Smoke Magic: Grey Strike.
Alysa appeared before them and said, "I won't allow you to lay your hands on Liebe!"
Hwang said, "How did you…?"
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Dark Castling!" As he swapped places with Alysa again, and he was fighting them.
Hwang said, "How? What kind of spell is this?"
Ziki said, "I see. He can swap places, like castling in chess. While the babe takes the hits, he lands the hits."
Liebe said, "Love Magic: Cupid's Strike!" As he launched several arrows. "Now, Dark Magic: Dark Castling!" As they swapped places.
Alysa said, "Dark Magic: Dark Grand Blades!" As Alysa slashed them.
Ziki said, "How? How does this babe have so much power, even greater than the dude?"
Hwang said, "Nothing makes sense."
Liebe said, "Switch plans from Z to A. Now, Dark Magic: Dark Castling!"
Lichee said, "What is happening? Since when does Liebe have Love Magic? And since when can Alysa use Dark Magic? Huh?"
Licht said, "They can't. But by using the Mask of Ifrit, Alysa is creating the illusion she looks like Liebe, while Liebe looks like Alysa. So even though it looks like Alysa is the one fighting, actually it's Liebe. And by constantly switching places, while one is fighting, the other is healing underwater."
Lichee said, "So we basically won."
Licht said, "No. Isurugi is fighting underwater, and he can't hold his breath for much longer. It has already been seven minutes since he's been underwater. Demi-humans may have greater physical characteristics than humans, yet they aren't infinite. They should end this quick. So far, it has been one hour and 39 minutes since the fighting began."
Lichee said, "Huh? So we will lose?"
M said, "No. It depends on how long they can keep switching."
As Liebe and Alysa kept switching places, Hwang said, "Ziki, do it!"
As they launched their combined attack, Liebe said, "Love Magic: Encore!"
Alysa said, "Dark Magic: Dark Castling!" As it didn't work.
Alysa said, "Alysa, switch with me! You can't take it!"
Alysa said, "No, I can! Right now, I'm in your place, and I will do it as your shield! I will be your shield, no matter what!" As Alysa took on the hit.
Liebe said, "Dumbass! Dark Magic: Dark Castling!" As he forced her to swap.
Hwang said, "How did you…?"
Liebe said, "I'm done playing tricks." As he removed the Mask of Ifrit, Model Loki.
Ziki said, "Wait, so the 'you' was the babe? Total bummer."
As Liebe carried Alysa to the ground and put her down, he said, "Idiot, who told you to do this? …Thanks. I will end this now."
Alysa said, "I'm sorry."
Liebe said, "It's alright."
Ziki said, "Hey, little man, you done being a baby?"
Hwang said, "Ziki, it's too much."
As Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Endless Execution!" Everyone was watching.
Licht said, "Crap."
Lichee said, "What's wrong?"
Licht said, "Liebe has smelled the blood in the water. Now he's going in for the kill.This fight is over"
From the stands, Lia screamed, "Do it, Liebe! End it all!"
In an instant, Liebe was in front of Ziki. Liebe said, "You are done for, bastard!" ziki said," mercury" ma.. As Liebe punched Ziki in the guts, he bled from the punch. Liebe grabbed him by the head and smashed his knee into it. Liebe said, "I will end you now. Dark Magic: Black Impact!"
In a single impact punch, Ziki crashed into the ground, creating a crater with a 5 m radius.
As Liebe sensed Isurugi was almost done for, he said, "Dark Magic: Harpoon Strike!" As he threw a single harpoon, and Meili was fighting Isurugi. As he was pierced through, Liebe said, "Dark Chain!" He pulled both of them from the water.
Hwang said, "Now it's just you and me."
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Dark Impact!" Yet the attack just went through Hwang since he was smoke.
Hwang said, "Smoke Magic: Judgement Strike!" As the attack went through Liebe, yet Liebe was unaffected.
Hwang said, "How? I'm smoke, but how?"
Liebe said, "My dad was also a smoke magic user, and he taught me this trick: Smoke Barrage!"