**Chapter 86: Racing Through the Sky**
The advanced spell, **High Accelerator**, was a technique passed down directly from Diable. It was a fusion of the spells **Body Enhancement** and **Accelerator**, elevated to a new level. The speed achieved when using this spell was far greater and more efficient than when employing the two spells in parallel. Naturally, being an advanced spell, mastering it was no easy feat. The magical energy consumption was over ten times that of mere **Body Enhancement** or **Accelerator**. Even Diable, who had taught Rest this spell, could only maintain it for a few seconds.
“Impossible! There’s no way that kind of acceleration can last!”
Nick shouted from behind Rest, who was racing ahead with **High Accelerator**. The distance from their current location to the mansion in the Rosemary Marquis Territory was about fifty kilometers in a straight line. With such a burst of speed right from the start, it was inconceivable that Rest could maintain his magical energy until arrival.
(Well, that’s a worry I don’t need to have.)
Rest’s magical energy was infinite. With boundless magical power, maintaining **High Accelerator** was not a challenge. Though it was a feat only he could achieve, he had no intention of holding back 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 will win with all my might…!)
Even if he lost this competition, it wouldn’t dissolve his engagement with the two, but the thought of them thinking, “He’s just not worthy,” was intolerable. It wasn’t enough to simply win; he needed an overwhelming victory.
(That said… even I find it difficult to control the speed of **High Accelerator**. It’s impossible to activate it unless I’m on a straight path.)
“Ugh… I won’t lose!”
“How can that speed possibly last?!”
“I’ll catch up when he runs out of magical energy!”
Nick and the other young magicians were desperately chasing from behind. Yet, the gap only widened… until a single obstacle loomed ahead.
“Is that… a forest?”
A dense forest appeared in their path. If he could cut through it in a straight line, it would significantly shorten the distance, but the numerous obstacles would likely waste more time.
“**High Accelerator**… Release.”
The time compressed by the magic returned to normal. Although slowing down closed the gap with his pursuers, it would only be for a moment. The distance would soon 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 sky as his foothold to soar over the trees that blocked his path. The spell he used was the advanced magic **Sky Drive**. It allowed him to create footholds in mid-air and run through the sky.
While flying magic is often a staple in fantasy, it is, in reality, quite difficult. Nullifying gravity, levitating objects, lifting oneself with wind, or creating footholds in the air as Rest did are all possible, but very few can freely fly through the skies. In this world, even magicians cannot traverse the air at will.
(**Sky Drive** consumes even more magical energy 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, Diable, Rest’s magical mentor, had known of this spell but had rarely used it himself. Nevertheless, he believed Rest might be capable of wielding it.
(Even a Court Magician-level wizard would struggle to create two or three footholds. But with my infinite magical 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 mid-air, progressing through a 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 the thrill wasn’t as daunting as it seemed.
“Alright, this should be good.”
Having cleared the forest, Rest landed on the road. From here, he would just need to follow the path to reach the mansion in the Rosemary Marquis Territory. He could no longer see or hear those who had been chasing him. He had no idea how much distance had opened up, but it was unlikely they would catch up from here.
(Still, I won’t let my guard down. I won’t take a nap like that hare from the old tales.)
“**High Accelerator**!”
Rest remained utterly vigilant. With not a shred of hesitation, he dashed down the paved road at a speed that was almost imperceptible to the eye, leaving his pursuers far behind.