Kim Suhyeon, Irina, and even Baek Seojin - all three knew it.
Someday there would come a time when they'd have to converse not with words but with strength.
Since neither of them had any intention of yielding or giving up, it was inevitable.
Though none of them expected that 'someday' would be today.
"Will this place work? It's quiet, and no one will come."
The place Irina moved to at Kim Suhyeon's sparring proposal was none other than the secret training hall managed by the association.
This is where S-ranks compete with each other to find and fill their shortcomings.
And the reason Irina chose such a place as today's sparring location was just one.
It meant telling Kim Suhyeon to go wild without watching anyone's reactions.
"Now then, the rules are the same as last time. I'm done when you surrender. You're done if you inflict even the tiniest wound on my body. No objections? By the way, I'm in top condition?"
S-rank. Among them, Irina who's called the 'top,' and Kim Suhyeon who just became A-rank.
That alone would be sufficient for others to watch. Or they'd say even that is difficult.
But Kim Suhyeon, the person involved, seemed to think differently.
"Not enough."
"Huh? Really? Then what should I do? Not use both arms?"
"No. A small wound isn't enough."
For a moment, Irina's eyebrows twitch.
"What are you saying?"
"You're definitely going to get wounded. So instead of saying you can't accept defeat when the time comes, let's just do it until one side can't get up."
Irina lets out a "Ha!" as if dumbfounded.
Then she turns her gaze toward Baek Seojin standing over there.
As if asking what his opinion is on her saying such things.
As if asking if he agrees that she really wants to get beaten to a pulp on a rainy day.
"Suhyeon."
Baek Seojin, also seeming worried, calls Kim Suhyeon.
But Kim Suhyeon smiled slightly, indicating she was fine.
Since she came out that far, Baek Seojin could no longer stop her.
It's largely his fault that the situation came to this point, so he can't say anything.
"Do whatever you want. If you want to get hit, I guess I have to hit you."
Irina stands crookedly and shows her fist.
That appearance looks like an adult dealing with a small child.
At a glance, it's an act of completely ignoring Kim Suhyeon.
But at Kim Suhyeon's next words, that composure instantly disappeared.
"The person who used her wish ticket and still came second looks very happy."
"...What?"
"I'm relieved. I thought you'd cry and say you're frustrated about losing the examiner to me."
Powerful provocation. Naturally, Irina couldn't not react to it.
Letting out a dry "Haha" laugh, she slowly lowered her fist.
Of course, that act absolutely didn't mean she'd quit the sparring.
Rather, it was her characteristic behavior of engaging with just a bit of 'seriousness.'
Susususu—
Golden energy begins to faintly ripple around Irina's fist.
The mysterious color her unique magical power produces. Magical power only Irina can emit.
Once that golden charge begins, whatever's in front gets pulverized.
"Our Suhyeon talks too harshly?"
"Better than someone who waves her fists around carelessly."
Simultaneously with those words, Kim Suhyeon also drew the sword at her waist.
But instead of the sound that should be heard, a sound that shouldn't be heard takes its place.
WHOOSH!—
"Huh?"
Seeing that scene, Baek Seojin, who was watching the situation from afar, unconsciously lets out a gasp.
When Kim Suhyeon drew her sword, bright red flames appeared on the blade and began swaying fiercely.
As if flames had manifested from the scabbard itself, it was a picture that could never normally happen.
"...You had something to rely on?"
Even Irina seemed slightly surprised by that strange appearance.
The flames burning before her eyes aren't just fire.
Like what magic-types do, it's flames created using her magical power as a medium.
Flames that don't easily go out, demon fire that burns until magical power runs out.
Fearsome fire that destroys enemies to the end as long as its magical power owner doesn't fall.
Look at the magical power felt from Kim Suhyeon right now, and from the sword in her hand.
It's not that of an ordinary ability user. Hard to believe she just became A-rank.
Her magical power was surging both purely and fiercely to that degree.
At that level, she should be able to fight better than before.
"That's good."
Looking at Kim Suhyeon like that, Irina smiled.
"At least there'll be some satisfaction in beating you up."
Kugugugu—
As if answering Kim Suhyeon's burning magical power mockingly,
Lightning-like magical power flickers around Irina's surroundings.
Meaning she too will give her all to the sparring about to unfold.
"Ready to get hit?"
"Ready to get hurt?"
The two women who were glaring at each other, without anyone going first,
Rushed toward their rival with eerie light, just like that.
*
Damn it, I'm crazy. What kind of mindset made me do such nonsense?
If you had any brains, you should have chosen one, not both.
Didn't you think this situation would happen? You crazy bastard!
I cursed at myself while watching the terrifying carnage unfolding before my eyes.
Honestly, I just want to run away from here quickly.
The fight between those two aside, the reason they're fighting was scarier.
"Just started the race and already talking about winners and losers? Not a chance!"
"A first partner is an eternal first partner. Even if you died and came back, that won't change."
"Who knows? Just because someone's the first doesn't mean it lasts forever?!"
"No! It's eternal! I'll make it eternal!"
BOOM!— BANG!—
Magical powers spread in all directions, tearing the atmosphere apart.
Forces that couldn't be controlled properly turn into shock and vibration, pounding the world.
If this place wasn't very far from the city center,
I guarantee ability users would have deployed thinking monsters or Elders were attacking.
That's how eerie and terrifying Suhyeon and Irina's fight was.
At first, I expected Irina's overwhelming superiority.
Natural thing. Irina is already S-rank, and among them, a top-tier powerhouse.
Conversely, Suhyeon just spread her wings and still needs a bit more time.
Meaning even if she could become the same S-rank as Irina someday, not yet.
'But...'
Suhyeon went way beyond my expectations.
Not that she was gaining the upper hand against Irina, or that it was hard to determine superiority,
Unlike the thought that she'd be overwhelmed instantly, she was fighting very well.
WHOOSH!—
The secret lay in the flames decorating the ground and air ahead.
The flames burning with Suhyeon's magical power as medium also absorb Irina's magical power.
Growing in strength that way to attack Irina with bigger, more powerful force.
It was like a wildfire surging greatly to spread to another mountain.
Thanks to those flames, Suhyeon gained a powerful advantage.
She could prevent being pushed back helplessly against that 'Irina.'
"Haaah!"
And along with those flames, Suhyeon's swordsmanship was also shining.
Inheriting Kang Minseong's blood doesn't go anywhere - concise yet domineering.
To the point where it's momentarily hard to distinguish if that's sparring or real combat.
CLANG!— CLANG CLANG!—
Of course, Irina receiving that sword with bare hands and legs was more amazing.
"Hey. Can't you put more power into it? I can't tell if I'm being hit by a sword or a cotton swab."
"Must be nice being stupidly strong. Irina-ssi."
"Well, better than being weak like you!"
BOOM!—
With those words, Irina strongly thrusts out her fist.
Suhyeon, who allowed the strike, slides backward.
She's biting her lips, seemingly unable to offset the damage.
I thought about stopping them even now, but that was impossible too.
Neither Irina nor Suhyeon. Neither of them showed signs of quitting.
In such a situation, forcibly stopping them would only leave embers.
Rather, this opportunity to burn everything out completely,
That way, not even smoke would rise for a while - that's the better path.
...Though honestly I just want to stop them.
"Or did you lose all your strength from doing it too much with Seojin oppa? Cute. You seem to try to look mature in front of me, but did you whimper like a puppy in oppa's arms?"
"Seeing you say that, it seems the examiner didn't even hold you properly in his arms."
"What are you saying? Do you know how passionate oppa and I were?"
"You were the only one who felt that way, weren't you?"
...Wait a minute. Wait, girls?
Why is the conversation suddenly flowing to strange places?
"You don't know how crazy Seojin oppa was about me, do you? Ah! We did it so much that my whole body, especially between my legs, still aches!"
"I can still feel the heat I felt from the examiner too."
Excuse me? Hey. Hey! Just spar. Please! What are you saying?!
"Oppa and I did it once more after waking up!"
"The examiner and I did it until dawn without sleeping!"
"You, you! Did oppa lick here for you?! He did for me!"
"Wh-why did you make him lick such a dirty place?! Crazy woman!"
"What are you saying! Oppa did it himself! Looking at this, he didn't do it for you? Aha! I was clean but you were dirty so he didn't do it! Right? Right?!"
"...I, I! The examiner let me climb on top of him!"
Why are these women doing this?
Until just now they were fighting scary enough to kill each other,
Now they're suddenly bragging about their first experiences?
You might not know, but I'm dying of embarrassment.
So please, can't you stop? I'm begging you. I'm pleading like this.
"Wow, really. Anyone can see oppa likes me more, but you can't admit it?"
"Anyone can see he likes me more, but you have no intention of admitting it!"
The two women clash properly once again, with no thought for me at all.
Roaring sounds, magical power collisions, and huge waves spread in all directions.
"I match better with oppa!"
"I match better with the examiner!"
...In a different meaning from before, I'm filled with the desire to escape this place.