Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 410 Imitation Ark
A spatial storm swept in.

Hecate, who had originally planned to jump up and give chase, retreated far away.

Ritas hadn't expected Hecate, who constantly mimicked cat sounds and was indeed as agile as a cat, and who seemed to be able to manipulate gravity, to fall for his trick. However, seeing that the vast space contained only some dust and clods of earth on the ground, flickering irregularly in the chaotic space, he still frowned.

While it's true that the opponents I encounter are sometimes not quite right, isn't the hit rate of this irregular teleportation a bit too low?
Once the news of his impending legendary status spreads widely, those who dare to challenge him will only become more and more skilled. Therefore, he should perhaps consider improving or changing his attack methods.

"Uncle, think of something, meow. If the space is disrupted, we won't be able to teleport, meow."

The spatial storm had not yet subsided, and Hecate shouted to her companions as she watched the white disc still spinning on the ground.

The protective barrier that Ritas had previously built and "bought" now appeared transparent. Since ownership was now in the hands of the middle-aged man, Ritas's little trick could only last for a few seconds.

Seeing that the middle-aged man's vision was no longer obstructed, Ritas seemed somewhat flustered and tried to recall the white disc.

However, the quick-witted middle-aged man had no intention of giving him that chance and asked in his fastest voice possible.

"Excuse me, may I transfer this prop to you, sir?"

"can!"

Before the middle-aged man could finish speaking, Ritas's voice rang out, leaving him somewhat taken aback.

With a deeply ominous premonition, the middle-aged man listened as Ritas continued...
"There's no need for a forced acquisition. Let's settle on the market price for this 'Ark Fragment'."

As Ritas spoke, the middle-aged man who was examining the unassuming white disc on the ground turned ashen-faced.

In the battlefield within Horo, Ritas slowly retrieved the disc.

On the other end, the middle-aged man who was trying to "acquire" the white disc was completely stiff.

Previously, after witnessing the middle-aged man forcibly buy his protective barrier, Ritas's thought wasn't about how to prevent his things from being forcibly bought again. Instead, it was about how to sell the other party something they absolutely couldn't afford.

Especially after seeing his protective barrier being bought at a price that clearly exceeded its intrinsic value.

He possesses items whose value is normally immeasurable.

Even if the white disc malfunctions and is actually bought, Ritas still possesses fairy tale books containing numerous "priceless items." And even if fairy tale books, which are crystallizations of primordial power, can be bought, there are still Miriam's holy weapons at the very least.

Therefore, the question is how to get the other party to take the initiative to make an acquisition offer.

After a quick thought, Ritas decided it would be better to sell the white disc.

On one hand, there was a white disc, which he had painted over so much that it was almost unrecognizable. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize its original form from its appearance. Usually, it would not arouse suspicion.

On the other hand, there is the teleportation magic circle that has been drawn on the white disc for a long time, which is exactly what the middle-aged man's abilities are capable of.

Using teleportation abilities becomes extremely dangerous when the surrounding space becomes chaotic. Previously, the middle-aged man had appeared via teleportation even when unnecessary. Therefore, the other party might rely heavily on this convenient ability.

Although the middle-aged man and Hecate were surrounded by a relaxed atmosphere, Ritas could still sense that the attack from the two opposite him was less an attempt to kill them and more of a test.

Since it's a test, leaving yourself a way out becomes extremely important.

"What's wrong, 'customer'? The 'Ark Fragment' is still in my hands. Offer an equivalent value, and it's yours."

Ritas continued to press the middle-aged man, who was indeed sweating profusely in the distance, with words.

“That’s not a ‘fragment of the Ark,’ but a part of the ‘simulated Ark.’”

The middle-aged man, realizing he had let something slip, quickly covered his mouth with both hands.

Watching his somewhat comical actions, Ritas learned the official name of the white disc for the first time through a strange means.

Of course, this is on the premise that the name provided by the middle-aged man is correct.

"Whether it's a fragment of the Ark or a simulated Ark, what are you waiting for? Since you can't afford the acquisition fee, why not cancel the deal?"

"Is it because it's impossible? As an exchange that can be 'forced' to sell at three times the price, once the 'deal' is made, it cannot be withdrawn?"

"I doubt it. If that were the case, your ability would have been completely ruined after accidentally acquiring an unaffordable item like today. So, canceling the deal comes at a price, right? And the reason you don't want to bear that price isn't so much because the penalty for breach of contract is huge, but more because it would be very troublesome. For example, if you cancel our transaction, the previously agreed-upon deal will become invalid, and you won't be able to get these gold bars back. Not to mention, you will never be able to trade with me again, or at least not for a short period of time, is that right?"

Ritas approached step by step and asked.

Ritas's experiences in the fairy tale world gave him a preliminary understanding of "primal" abilities.

Those incredible and irresistibly powerful abilities are essentially based on "rules." These rules, while granting them power, also become shackles. Furthermore, because the rules carry such weight, they can sometimes be exploited by others or adversaries.

Moreover, Ritas understood all too well the psychology of middle-aged men who liked to steal the achievements of others.
"Meow! Cover your expression, no, just turn around, old man! Otherwise, your abilities will be completely seen through!"

Hecate's cry interrupted Ritas's words.

This somewhat quirky girl offered quite appropriate advice.

The middle-aged man, who already exuded a timid air, simply covered his face and squatted down with his back to Ritas. This meant that even though Ritas transformed the protective barrier surrounding him, which had been bought, into a mirror-like material, he could no longer obtain any information from the man.

"Avenge the old man, meow—!"

With the spatial storm completely dissipated, Hecate charged forward once more.

As the brown-skinned girl rushed towards him, Ritas unleashed the enhancement magic he had previously refrained from using for fear of having it taken away.

In the instant the light of the enhancement magic flashed, from behind Ritas, who had sidestepped, Miriam blocked Hecate's claw-wielding attack with a longsword formed from a fierce wind created by the enhancement magic.

"It seems that a sword made of magic cannot be 'softened' by you."

Miriam's figure collided with Hecate's figure, rapidly exchanging attacks, with numerous afterimages and phantoms seemingly intertwined.

Behind Miriam, Ritas, who had immediately distanced himself, spoke in a deep voice.

"Do not be afraid, Miriam student. Without the protection of your magical power, she is merely an inexperienced opponent relying solely on her innate talent and savagery. Her abilities are insignificant compared to yours. You must believe in your own growth rate and in the combat experience you have gained that most people could never acquire in a lifetime. Among your peers, you are a unique genius!"

Miriam, who was in the midst of the battle, suddenly felt a surge of energy, and the attacks he unleashed with his magic sword became even more ferocious.

"Damn it, meow—" Watching Ritas retreat further and further away, not only using magic but also giving Miriam buffs with his voice, Hecate genuinely found this person extremely annoying.

The slapping motion of her cat-paw gloves wasn't actually limited to neutralizing tangible things; it simply couldn't affect living beings.

Even when she knocked the magic sword in Miriam's hand until it limp, Miriam would simply discard the original sword and pick up a brand new one. Throughout the entire process, Miriam's movements were completely fluid and without the slightest hesitation or pause.

This was the first time Hecate had ever seen someone cast enhancement magic so swiftly and precisely. She also sensed how formidable Ritas and Miriam would be, given their incredibly coordinated teamwork.

Suddenly, a change occurred amidst the constant clash and stalemate between claw marks and sword marks.

Pink mist quietly appeared at Miriam's feet, enveloping the surrounding space.

The star-patterned power from Tabasha was activated by Miriam.

Two similar forces collided, first intertwining with each other, and then suddenly spreading outwards.

Affected by the shockwave, which was as gentle as a breeze, Hecate instantly lost her balance.

Oops?

With her body tilted and seemingly about to fall, but actually with both feet slightly off the ground, Hecate had this thought.

But soon she saw that Miriam's condition wasn't much better. He was now in a position where he was falling backward in slow motion.

So, the opponent intends to turn the battle into a muddy mess, where they are at a great disadvantage in close combat, and win by relying on their rich experience in chaotic battles, since neither side can gain an advantage?

At this moment, Miriam himself was mostly unharmed. However, his clothes were covered in tears and rips.

Although Ritas's words were encouraging, Miriam was still far from being a match for Hecate in terms of physical ability alone.

It was precisely because Miriam's defeat was already evident that Hecate had her previous speculations.

The one who recovered quickly was Hecate.

Seeing Miriam still leaning back in slow motion, Hecate ruthlessly swung her cat paw fist at him.

The moment she struck, she grasped something incredibly hard.

Magic barrier?

Hecate was a beat slow to realize that Miriam, who had been fighting her with a magic sword, was actually a mage as well.

The students of the "Shield Mage" are not just worthy of the name.
Hecate's claw attack, launched before she could even stand firmly, naturally failed to break through the shield Miriam had cast on herself. Not only that, leaning back while still preparing an attack spell, Miriam unleashed a wind blade towards Hecate.

Hecate managed to dodge the wind blades that looked like they were flying from her belly in time. However, the "hat" made of white cloth wrapped around her head was knocked off.

For the first time since the start of the war, Hecate showed signs of annoyance, aiming her paw-shaped paw ball at Miriam.

The next instant, as Hecate released her cat claws, the sharp blades that had been softened and heavily folded around her paws instantly stretched out like springs and became hard and sharp again.

Unable to dodge and forced to block, Miriam's protective barrier shattered instantly. Furthermore, the armor-like enhancement magic that Ritas had cast on his body failed to completely withstand the force.

Miriam, who had flown far away, was caught in time by Ritas, who was in control of the situation.

After wiping away a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, Miriam turned his gaze to his formidable opponent and was momentarily stunned.

Beneath the brown-skinned girl's white cloth hat, what was hidden was not a pair of cat ears, but a pair of devil's horns, positioned just a finger's width from the top of her head and pointing forward parallel to it.

"Demons."

In this era where the Human Alliance has long been the dominant force on the continent, even the learned Ritas has only ever seen "demons" through illustrated books, sculptures, and other means.

until today.

"Demon race is just a name you gave us without my permission, meow."

Hecate, picking up the scattered white cloth from the ground and re-wrapping the demon horns on her head, responded in this way.

"Since you're not, then... uh... 'Meow' is?"

Miriam looked unsure whether she should ask, but ultimately couldn't resist her curiosity.

"Just a hobby."

After securing her white cap, Hecate shrugged and replied nonchalantly.

"."

"Now that we've been seen, to fulfill your expectations of 'demons,' I'll take you back for dinner—though I won't actually eat you—"

As Hecate spoke, she slowly bent down, placing her hands on the ground in an upright position.

Ritas and Miriam both clearly sensed the aura emanating from Hecate, which was completely different from before.

It was a ferocious beast, ready to hunt.

Ritas turned his gaze to Miriam, who shook his head almost imperceptibly after meeting his eyes.

Perhaps, he has transformed into the form of "Eileen." In their previous encounters, he might have been able to "absorb" a portion of his opponent's power. This could be used to unravel some mysteries.

For example, why are both Hecate and the middle-aged man using two completely different abilities that are similar to the original power?

But it's a pity.
Now, it's not just Hecate. Even the middle-aged man who had been squatting with his back to them has stood up again.

Faced with an opponent who had become completely serious, Miriam and Ritas no longer had the luxury of gathering information.

Just as a new round of conflict was about to break out between Hecate, the middle-aged man, Ritas, and Miriam.

A blazing fire ignited above the arena in the center of Horo City.

(End of this chapter)