"Is this alright...?" Dale suddenly asked as he watched Princess Anne enter the enchantment with her staff.

"Hmm? Since she herself said it's no problem, then let her give it a try. Even if we lose, it doesn't matter, right?"

"...Hmm."

"What kind of expression is that? Don't tell me...you've got feelings for Princess Anne?"

"No, I just don't want anything to go wrong with our research subject, regardless of their element."

Dale pouted and then walked away.

What's this guy thinking...oh well, it doesn't matter.

Turning my head to the arena, I saw the opponent on the other side...it turned out to be Anus, the "Black Prince".

...

Shameless, absolutely shameless. Are captains of recent teams worth nothing? Not long ago, they took away one of our captains, and now the captain of another team challenges the mage with the lowest level in our team...

You wanna be taken away too?

No, no, no. They want to fight against our weakest member with their strongest force, aiming for absolute victory, right?

Although I don't know how confident Princess Anne is in challenging them, it's always good to have the desire for improvement. At a time like this, I should research well and maybe find a suitable fighting style for her.

"Your Highness, I apologize."

I didn't expect Anus to suddenly speak as soon as he stepped onto the stage.

"I myself didn't want to cause you trouble in this way, but..."

"I know, I know~ Probably no one knows better about that than I do."

Princess Anne responded with a relaxed expression on her face.

"I also know that my level is not enough, so I hope to understand my limits as well."

As she spoke, Princess Anne even glanced back.

"It wasn't because of anyone's order that I joined the 'NEET Tea Party,' but because their members are absolute libertarians. They won't do anything because of someone else's command, only because of their own will...perhaps that's why they are stronger than you."

"..."

After listening to these words, Anus fell into silence and sighed after a while.

"Perhaps, but...even so, we won't be shaken by that! We fight for the honor of the knights. Although we are not free, one day we will be able to completely control our power."

"I see, I wish for that day to come soon."

"Princess Anne, do you want to win this match?"

After hearing their conversation, I smiled and said.

"Huh?"

Both of them suddenly turned their heads in surprise.

"How about this...let me give you something, maybe it will greatly increase your chances of success."

Saying so, I threw a ring into the enchantment.

Since the match hasn't started yet, the enchantment can still be freely crossed.

"Does this ring...have any special abilities?"

"That depends on luck. It may have special abilities or it may not. It all depends on your luck."

"This..."

"Well, it won't hurt to give it a try, right?"

"Alright."

Princess Anne put the ring on her finger and then nodded.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Victory is something we all hope for."

"The match is about to begin. Please prepare!"

The referee, a sleeping teacher in her pajamas, announced.

No choice, it's already 2AM, and I'm almost falling asleep, really...

"Begin!"

As soon as the signal was given, black light suddenly burst out from Anus, and he swung his spear, charging directly towards Princess Anne in the form of a black shadow!

"Arcane·Tsunami!"

Princess Anne pointed her staff forward, and a massive magic formation appeared directly in front of her.

...Instantaneous activation?

Exactly, almost in the moment she recited the skill, the magic formation was completed, and the surging waves pouring out from the magic formation told me that the casting time of the skill she used was almost zero!

How is it possible? How can people in this world cast magic in an instant?

Anus was also startled by this incoming attack. He swung his spear and quickly pierced the tip into the oncoming giant wave. Countless puffs of air burst out from the spearhead, continuously bombarding the wave.

"Ultimate skill·Black Prince's Crush!!"

With a loud bang, a large hole exploded on the wave, and Anus flipped his body and passed through the hole.

"Really, using Arcane so proficiently, this is truly..."

However, in front of him appeared Princess Annie, holding a magic staff with her eyes narrowed.

"You..."

Anus paused for a moment, and his expression suddenly changed as he charged towards Princess Annie again.

"Grand Arcane·Downpour·Corrosion"

But suddenly, raindrops fell on his armor, making a squeaking sound as they hit. Then, a heavy rain poured down!

"Great ultimate·Black Emperor·Shield of Stars!"

A black aura directly enveloped Anus. Although he had used the ultimate skill at the fastest speed, most of his armor had already been corroded!

"This... how is it possible..."

Anus looked at his armor in disbelief, then at Princess Annie.

"You can actually use the Great ultimate? How is it possible, you shouldn't be able to..."

"Nothing is impossible."

Princess Annie smiled.

"As long as you're willing to pay the price, anything is possible, isn't it?"

"You..."

The downpour gradually weakened and then stopped completely.

Anus removed his protective shield, then pressed a certain part of his heavy armor.

Unexpectedly, his armor loosened, revealing the school uniform underneath.

"But even so, I can still fight!"

"Is that so? Arcane·Tsunami!"

A huge wave surged towards Anus, causing him to take two steps back and smile bitterly.

"It seems like I underestimated you... 'Black Prince' mode unleashed!"

A black armor suddenly replaced the original armor on Anus. Why does this armor always feel familiar?

"In that case, let's fight!"

"..."

After saying that, Annus lifted his spear and was about to charge forward.

But at that moment...

"I surrender."

Princess Annie suddenly spoke.

"I've decided to surrender!"