Princess’s Struggle for Survival

Besides Iris's current opponent, the audience below also noticed the arcane factors emanating from her at the same time. Lyra's lips parted in surprise, wanting to ask something but her voice caught in her throat. She subconsciously hooked the white lace trim on her leg with her finger.

With the help of the magic projection on the field, she could see the same details as the female mage, including Iris's sword-swinging movements and the faint light points when [Magic Counter] took effect.

[Magic Counter], as its name suggests, is the use of magic to counter the spells cast by an opponent. As a general arcane spell, its strength is determined by the amount and quality of mental power the mage transmits during chanting, ranging from Apprentice level to Arcanist level.

Of course, in actual combat, the use of [Magic Counter] is not as simple and crude as its name implies. Since the spell benefits a person rather than a spell, and its duration is quite limited, only about three to five seconds, it requires the user to predict the opponent's next spell release to a certain extent to achieve the so-called "counter."

And chanting a spell that requires such precise timing can naturally bring great benefits. Once the spell takes effect, [Magic Counter] not only renders the opponent's carefully crafted powerful magic completely ineffective but also causes them to suffer a backlash of magic from the mental level, resulting in mild tremors that affect subsequent spell chanting, or in severe cases, directly losing combat ability and ending the match early.

Realizing that Iris had cast [Magic Counter] at some point, the petite female mage quickly stabilized her mind. But before she could prepare, the magic backlash, as if striking her soul, followed.

"Astrid... If I'm not mistaken, she was about to cast the peak tier sorcerer spell [Arcane Stasis]..."

Looking at the mage on the field who was a beat slower in her movements after being hit, Lyra unconsciously bit her lip and asked softly.

"A spell that can counter [Arcane Stasis] must be at least of the same level. In such a short time, how did Iris manage to cast a [Magic Counter] of that level..."

"And the match has just begun, even predicting it seems too fast..."

As a mage, Lyra was already finding Iris's operations difficult to understand.

On the other side, Astrid, who had been watching the match, blinked and shifted her gaze from the light points flashing on Iris's sword tip to the latter, responding gently.

"Lyra, don't always view a Magnus from the perspective of a Sorcerer level."

"When they reach that realm, magic is no longer inert to mages. They can piece together and stitch various magic circles, and naturally, they can also cut down certain spell release steps."

"Does Lyra remember the latter half of the [Magic Counter] incantation?"

After a moment of thought, the pink-haired girl replied.

"...Return to your most primitive state, no longer driven by anyone."

It was the concluding phrase of [Magic Counter], and also the death knell that made many mages' hearts tremble during battles.

Astrid nodded slightly and then spoke.

"And which part of the entire spell does this incantation correspond to?"

Hearing Astrid say this, Lyra was stunned for a moment, then vaguely guessed her intention and spoke thoughtfully.

"...It corresponds to the last step of shaping the array, making the spell effect last."

Regardless of how the user casts [Magic Counter], it can only last for three to five seconds. However, even so, the last link in the incantation is quite important. If it were omitted, the effective duration of the chanted spell would be even shorter than three to five seconds, and the actual effect might not even last for one second.

"Astrid means... Miss Iris deliberately shortened the incantation, and omitted the last circle that made the spell effect last, thus gaining a faster casting speed..."

"But if she does that, the effective duration of [Magic Counter] becomes less than one second. This is too risky."

Countering spells relies on a mage's ability to seize opportunities. The three to five-second effective duration was already tight. Shortening it to less than one second only indicated that the caster was very confident, believing she had complete control of the battle and the opponent's attack rhythm, and didn't need to worry about the mental power consumption and backlash from a missed [Magic Counter].

On the sparring platform, using the control advantage gained from [Magic Counter], Iris had already suppressed her opponent to the edge of the area. The sword in her hand continuously emitted the sound of ice shards shattering, and a thin white mist lingered around her.

The petite mage was panting slightly, struggling to support her body and mind. She waved her staff, conjuring a fire spell and attacking Iris.

With a light tap of her boot, Iris, enhanced by the levitation spell, dodged the fire snake like a soaring bird and approached her opponent again.

This distance was no longer a safe casting distance, meaning the offensive and defensive positions of the mage and knight were swapped.

"It seems the outcome is decided."

Astrid spoke faintly, her crimson pupils fixed on the ice shards glowing on Iris's sword.

The next second, the purple-haired girl in the center of the arena raised her sword, and the fierce wind, carried by the sword's edge, tore through the scorching fire field created by the mage opposite her. The crackling sound of electricity flowed along the spine of the sword.

As expected, this would be the decisive blow.

Like most of the audience, Lyra held her breath, her gaze fixed on the sword in Iris's hand, secretly breaking out in a cold sweat for the person the sword was pointed at.

Just as Iris was adding the final enchantment to her sword, the petite mage standing opposite raised her hand, signaling the referee to end the match.

There was no need to continue fighting; she had a premonition that she couldn't block this sword.

"This match was won by contestant Iris. I concede."

Looking at her opponent, who had deactivated all magical defenses and had no intention of continuing the fight, Iris nodded politely and replied gently.

"Thank you."

...............

Looking at the magic projection of the victor on the stage, Lyra was slightly lost in thought, her mind still lingering on the sword that the foreign princess had brewed for a long time but ultimately did not swing.

It wasn't until the students around her began to leave the venue in small groups, their scattered and bright footsteps finally waking Lyra.

Seeing Lyra's focused gaze, Astrid touched the ruby pendant at her collarbone and lowered her crossed legs, her pink lips parting slightly.

"Overall, how do you feel about this duel?"

Compared to most other contestants who relied solely on magic, Iris, like Lyra, used a sword, and both primarily used combat techniques as their main output. It was expected that observing each other's battles would yield much.

Hearing Astrid's question, Lyra glanced at the Sword of Light leaning against the back of the chair, opened her lips, and said.

"Miss Iris is very strong... No, extremely strong..."

She was a top-tier powerhouse among early tier Magnus.

"Is that all?" Astrid asked again.

Lyra shook her head and then spoke.

"Of course not... There's also the battle style..."

"Miss Iris's fighting style is very aggressive. She barely uses any defensive measures. Even her superficial defenses are just illusions for subsequent counterattacks."

"It's also possible that the opponent's attacks were not enough to make her defend with all her might, so her combat style appeared more proactive..."

Lyra explained softly as she watched people descend from the stage, her voice slowing down.

"Also... I feel Miss Iris is very confident..."

Hearing this, Astrid blinked a few times and said gently.

"Is it because of that [Magic Counter] with an effective duration of less than a second?"

Compared to the other flashy spells that were merely the brilliant colors naturally bursting from the collision of elemental particles, what was truly worth paying attention to was that [Magic Counter] with its deliberately shortened incantation.

Whether it was predicting the exact time [Arcane Stasis] would affect her and countering it precisely, or because Iris had correctly guessed that the opponent's spell strength was at the peak tier Sorcerer level, thus the mental power transmitted was just enough to offset it.

In Astrid's opinion, these were the most astonishing aspects that the princess had displayed in today's match.

"Yes, this should be the most important part," Lyra nodded and continued.

"Besides that, it's probably Iris's performance in battle..."

"As if she knew what to do and when to do it... Defending and counterattacking with ease, everything under control..."

Through the projection, Lyra could almost feel the suffocating feeling of the mage fighting against Iris's continuous onslaught.

Is this what they call genius?

Noticing the envy in Lyra's eyes, Astrid tapped her fingers and gently agreed.

"I feel the same way about this."

Perhaps this princess had poured all her talent into combat from birth, resulting in her political talents being far inferior to her older brothers and sisters.

However, even with Monica's help, could such a young princess truly change the Kingdom of Velys after the war?

Astrid was currently in the Valeria Empire, and as an Imperial Princess, her knowledge of foreign countries was limited. Although she knew Iris was a dove faction that disliked war, she was also unaware of the specific power structure within the kingdom.

Based solely on Iris's performance since entering the empire, Astrid was not optimistic about her ability to rule in the future, even thinking that Iris's political talent was inferior to her imperial brother Lucas.

If the outcome was truly unfavorable, she would have to consider if there was a backup plan. The empire was Astrid's last resort. When all else was unavoidable, she could only try to exchange the empire's long-term peace and prosperity for a price the other party could not accept.

Unaware that Astrid's thoughts had long since moved beyond a simple match, Lyra's spirit remained immersed in the duel.

If Iris's opponent had been herself, how would she have performed...

According to the competition schedule of the Magic Exchange Competition, in the quarter-finals after the group stage, the organizers would determine the next match by drawing lots. Under this premise, it was not impossible for her to face Iris head-on.

With her current strength, if she were to step onto the stage, let alone defeat Iris, she would have to give her all to last even a few minutes in her hands.

..............

Iris's match was the last one in the afternoon. After watching the entire match, most people had already left the spectator stands.

Gathering her notes and sword, Lyra got up with Astrid. The match had too many details worth her careful consideration, and she could only review them slowly back in the dormitory.

As they walked towards the exit of the main venue, coincidentally, Monica and Iris were also just leaving. The latter noticed Lyra looking at her and raised her light purple eyes to meet hers.

"Your Highness Astrid is leaving now, did you just finish watching the previous match?"

Monica took the initiative to greet the group. Astrid nodded and replied with a few pleasantries.

"I was planning to go back and rest after watching Lyra's match today, but I heard from Iris that Your Highness Iris also had a duel, so I specifically stayed to watch."

After speaking, Astrid turned her head, her wine-red pupils fixed on the petite purple-haired girl standing beside Monica, and spoke gently.

"Your Highness Iris once again displayed a combat technique different from magical combat. Her agile fighting style in actual combat is even more unforgettable."

"It's fortunate I stayed today, otherwise, it would be a pity not to witness the presence of Your Highness the Princess."

Hearing Astrid's words, which could be interpreted as praise or official rhetoric, Iris moved her fingers slightly and replied softly.

"Your Highness Astrid flatters me. My victory today was purely by chance."

This statement was not entirely modest. At least, judging from Iris's fighting style, she was the type of aggressive and confident fighter who dared to take risks.

Besides that precisely timed [Magic Counter], her complete lack of defense and focus on offense, which resulted in a stormy offensive, were also the biggest proofs.

"On the battlefield, winning is winning, and losing is losing. There is no such thing as chance."

Being stared at by Astrid like this, feeling the pressure emanating from the Imperial Princess, who was exceptional in both appearance and temperament, Iris quickly withdrew her gaze and lowered her head to look at the sword in her hand.

Monica was right. This Astrid Calliste was indeed not simple.

With just a few glances, she could feel a strong sense of oppression. Moreover, judging by the other party's words and demeanor, Astrid was clearly not doing it intentionally; it was just the natural aura of a superior that easily suppressed her.

Monica also sensed the change in Iris's mindset. She politely exchanged a few words with Astrid and then, citing physical discomfort, prepared to take the princess away.

Watching Iris leave with her sword, Astrid said leisurely.

"I am looking forward to Your Highness Iris's future performances."

Hearing this, Monica paused, her delicate silver heels tapping lightly on the pavement.

"I believe it will not disappoint Your Highness Astrid."