Chapter 86: Racing Through the Sky
The advanced spell, High Accelerator, was a technique passed down directly from Dibble. It was a fusion of two spells: Body Enhancement and Acceleration, elevated to a new level. The speed achieved when using this spell was far superior to simply casting both spells in parallel, and it was remarkably efficient. Naturally, being an advanced spell, mastering it was no easy feat. The magical power consumed was over ten times that of just Body Enhancement or Acceleration alone. Even Dibble, who had taught Rest this spell, could only maintain it for a few seconds.
“That’s ridiculous! There’s no way that kind of acceleration can last!”
Nick shouted at Rest’s back as he sped away with High Accelerator. The distance from their current location to the Marquis Rosemary’s estate was about fifty kilometers in a straight line. With such a burst of speed right from the start, it was impossible for Rest to maintain his magical power until arrival.
(Well, that’s a worry I don’t need to have.)
Rest possessed Infinite Magic Power. With such boundless energy, continuing to use High Accelerator was not a challenge. Although it was a feat only he could perform, he had no intention of holding back; he wanted to demonstrate the difference in their abilities.
(There’s no way I can take it easy in a competition to prove I’m worthy of Viola and Primula. I’ll win with all my might!)
Even if he lost this match, it wouldn’t dissolve his engagement with the two, but he still found it unpleasant to think they might consider him unworthy. It wasn’t just about winning; he needed an overwhelming victory.
(That said… even I find it difficult to control the speed of High Accelerator. It’s impossible to activate unless it’s in a straight line.)
“Damn it… I won’t lose!”
“There’s no way that speed can be sustained!”
“I’ll catch up to him when he runs out of magic!”
Nick and the other young magicians were desperately chasing from behind. Despite their efforts, the gap only widened… until a single obstacle loomed ahead.
“Is that… a forest?”
A dense thicket of trees appeared in their path. If he could cut through it in a straight line, it would significantly shorten the distance, but the numerous obstructions would likely waste more time.
“High Accelerator… Release!”
The time compressed by the magic returned to normal. Although slowing down caused the gap with his pursuers to narrow, it would only be for a moment. Soon enough, the distance would widen again.
“Sky Drive!”
““““What…!”””””
Gasps of astonishment erupted from behind. Rest, having firmly planted his feet on the ground, leaped into the air, using the momentum to soar over the trees that blocked his way. He had invoked the advanced spell Sky Drive. This magic allowed him to create footholds in midair, enabling him to run through the sky.
While flying magic is often a staple of fantasy, it is actually quite challenging to master. Nullifying gravity, levitating objects, lifting oneself with wind, or creating footholds in the air—as Rest was doing—were all possible to some extent, but very few could freely fly through the skies. In this world, even magicians could not navigate the air at will.
(Sky Drive consumes even more magical power than High Accelerator. I have to solidify the air and maintain it at a level that can support my weight.)
To put it plainly… this magic was so inefficient that few would dare to use it. In fact, Dibble, Rest’s mentor, had acknowledged its existence but had rarely used it himself. Yet, he believed Rest might be capable of wielding it.
(Even a court magician can only create two or three footholds at most. But with my Infinite Magic Power, I can create them continuously and keep flying!)
It felt as if he had become a character in a game. Jumping from block to block in midair, advancing through the stage… that was the sensation he experienced. Falling would have its consequences, but if he missed a step, he could simply create another foothold, so it wasn’t as thrilling as it might seem.
“Alright, this should do it.”
Having cleared the forest, Rest landed on the road. From here, he would just need to follow the path to reach the estate in the Rosemary Marquisate. He could no longer see or hear the others chasing behind him. He had no idea how much distance had opened up, but it was unlikely they could catch up now.
(Still, I won’t let my guard down. I won’t take a nap like that old tale’s rabbit.)
“High Accelerator!”
Rest had not a shred of complacency. With unparalleled speed, he dashed down the paved road, leaving his pursuers far behind.