Genius 35

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Chapter 35. Sibling Showdown

Chris and Hermes unfolded their respective magic.

Following suit, Hermes determined to employ the ancestral magic as before.

"── 'Six are the holy bows, one is the magic bullet, their strings are the weapons of false god'"

"..."

Oh? I thought.

As a weakness of the [Emerald Tablet] handled by Hermes, it takes more time than usual to reproduce ancestral magic.

Unlike usual, it requires chanting the [Emerald Tablet], activating it, and then chanting the magic of reproduction, so naturally, Chris, who knew the inside story, thought he would take advantage of that opening.

However, he soon understood from Chris's provocative expression.

Indeed, he wants a head-on clash like that time.

Even if he was preemptively attacked, he could deal with it with reinforced general-purpose magic, but if that's how it'll be. It's convenient.

Deploying magic bullets as the opponent wished, Chris and Hermes simultaneously fired magic, and they collided midway between them.

── Hermes was overwhelmed.

"!"

The missed magic bullet flies in his direction. Hermes avoided it with a quick sideways dodge. But immediately after, Chris had already prepared the next shot.

"Hahaha! How about that, Hermes? This is my true strength!"

While moving, Hermes also generated and fired the next shot. The shootout began, but indeed Chris's firepower was stronger. Hermes was on the defensive.

Compared to when they fought before, Hermes's firepower should have increased even more as he mastered magic. But Chris had been enhanced beyond that──unnaturally so.

"Don't get cocky just because you won once! I wasn't even trying back then! Understand, Hermes, this is the unbridgeable gap between you and me──"

"Brother."

Interrupting his confident speech, Hermes asked.

"What are you hiding in your bosom?"

"!"

Upon closer observation, it was immediately apparent.

Inside Chris's robe. There was a slight bulge, and above all, its abnormal magical reaction told the whole story.

Chris gritted his teeth for a moment but quickly regained his composure. He opened his robe to show it off.

"That is──"

It looked familiar, a staff. It's a staff with a silver glow, a carving of a serpent entwined around it, and wings of light on top.

"......An Artifact."

"That's right! Its name is Caduceus, a divine staff befitting me!"

Undoubtedly, it was a magical tool discovered in the labyrinth that Hermes and Katia had visited, and presented to the royal family.

It's unclear why Chris had it, but he was Aster's subordinate. Aster might have done something.

And it clicked. Chris must be using that staff to significantly boost his magical output and the magic's performance.

For an Artifact, it wouldn't be strange for it to be capable of such things. That abnormal enhancement was the result of it.

"...Relying entirely on a tool you didn't even find yourself for your 'true strength'. Does that satisfy you, surpassing me like that?"

"Haha! Sounds like nothing but the howl of a loser!"

Though it was a question born out of genuine curiosity, Chris, now brazen, proudly raised the staff, Caduceus.

"Listen, this staff chose me! The power to wield this, with the vessel, is my true strength!"

"..."

"Jealous? But too bad, I'm the most suitable for this! You, who weren't chosen, can't do the same!!"

"Oh. Then, would you let me try using it too?"

"──Hah, what are you talking about! It's presumptuous for a human like you even to touch this divine tool!"

Hermes seemed to fear Hermes mastering the staff better than himself, but well, it's not like he could mimic him in combat now.

Moreover, there was some truth to Chris's argument.

While he didn't understand vessels and such, it was true that Chris had the authority to use them. That was what Hermes didn't have, and he had no intention of objecting to using what was available.

Setting aside Hermes, Chris spread his hands and shouted loudly.

"Now, let me show you! The true magic wielded by someone truly beloved by the gods! Unlike imposters like you!"

The staff glowed. Instead of deploying magic bullets behind him and shooting them, however...

Chris then said something else.

"[Mystall Tina]──Enchant: Flamea!"

Instantly.

The magic bullets behind Chris erupted into a crimson blaze.

As he swung his hand down, the crimson magic bullets surged forward all at once.

"...This isn't good."

Unavoidable.

Hermes judged instantly, narrowly evading the incoming magic bullets.

Even just feeling the heat wave brushing against his cheek, he could tell the power had significantly increased compared to before.

"It seems you're completely powerless!"

Even when he tried firing his magic bullets to counter, he was overwhelmingly outmatched even more.

It would be better not to fire at all. Deciding so, Hermes focused on evasion and observation for the time being.

Seeing Hermes dodging around so clumsily or perhaps perceiving his situation as being on the defensive even more than before, Chris chuckled, mocking him.

"Understood, right? This [Enchant] is the true value of [Mistle Teinn]! The essence of magic that only I can draw out! Unlike you who just foolishly shoot bullets!"

"..."

"It's obvious to anyone now! In power, and in magical talent! I'm superior in everything! You're a failure, a complete failure! It's me who's more deserving, who should stand above you!!"

"............"

Brushing off the nonsense, dodging magic, Hermes observed calmly.

Indeed, this was the limit of his magic's power. There was no trick up his sleeve beyond imbuing attributes. If there was, considering his personality, he wouldn't hold back.

And he made a judgment.

He had room to spare.

At this level, there were plenty of ways to win. Hermes could dismantle everything with the magic he possessed, and he wasn't without magic that could defeat him outright with sheer force.

But Katia had said, "Make him regret it."

And above all, he hadn't forgotten the feelings toward his brother who had been a symbol of his past failures, who had continued to oppress him.

So, he decided.

He would defeat this man with [Mistle Teinn] alone.

The magic Hermes wielded, the 'Primordial Inscription Emerald Tablet,' reproduces magic. In the process, it thoroughly analyzes the target magic, penetrating the structure, philosophy, and essence of the magic in detail. Even those born with bloodline magic sometimes overlook these aspects.

And that includes [Mistle Teinn].

Is [Enchant] the true value of [Mistle Teinn]?

He had known that long ago.

At the same time, he wondered.

If he understood that, why could he only fight in such a one-dimensional way?

Now, let's begin.

To the Chris who proclaimed to draw out the essence of that magic. That wonderful magic, to such an extent.

To surpass his magic alone, Hermes slipped through the gaps in the magic bullets, seized a slight opening, and took a breath.

He said this.

"[Mistle Teinn]──Enchant: Aques"