I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes
c66

"I'll explain the rules. I won't lift a finger. If any of you manage to land a single hit on me, you pass."

Standing confidently in the center of the fifth training field, Linlin explained the rules with a commanding presence.

Upon hearing that Linlin wouldn't be attacking, the participants breathed a sigh of relief.

But that relief would only last until they witnessed Linlin's magic.

"Does 'a single hit' mean we just need to land any attack on you, Linlin-sensei?"

"That's right. The amount of damage doesn't matter. Not that any of you will even manage to scratch me, though."

Linlin taunted the students with a smug look on her face.

Though she was now a teacher, she had once been a court mage. She had spent her life in an environment where she constantly had to push herself to improve, and that essence hadn't changed.

While most of the participants were reassured, a few remained visibly tense.

Rushel, Letitia, and Lilisha.

Only these three had already grasped the extent of Linlin's power at this point.

"A single hit, huh...?"

Was that Esty over there?

She looked pretty nervous too.

Wait, why did she even join this? Shouldn't she be fine just maintaining her fan club?

"Alright, let's begin. Everyone, come at me."

"Huh? Linlin-sensei, isn't this supposed to be one-on-one?"

"Lilisha, who said anything about that? I don't have time to waste, and dealing with all of you at once is more efficient."

"...Sensei, you're going to regret this."

Lilisha's magical energy was surging with intensity.

Linlin wasn't underestimating her students.

She was simply stating the truth, fully aware of her own strength.

Besides, there would be plenty of times in the future when they'd be looked down upon.

It wasn't a bad idea to build up their tolerance and learn to stay calm in the face of overwhelming odds.

Lilisha was the first to leap onto the field.

"I can handle this alone."

"Lilisha, I understand how you feel, but that would put the other students at a disadvantage. Everyone, come at me."

Urged on by Linlin, all the participants stepped onto the field.

It was one against many, but Linlin remained composed, standing tall with her arms crossed.

"Quite the sight. Everyone looks so determined."

"Alright, sensei, here we go!"

Lilisha took the initiative, launching the first attack.

Fireballs of various sizes erupted from the flames she conjured in her hand, raining down on Linlin like a barrage from a volcano.

But—

"Too small."

Linlin was now clad in a sleek, black armor.

Blades extended from both of her arms, giving her an almost alien-like appearance.

The fireballs that struck her metallic armor sizzled and vanished like water droplets hitting a hot stove.

"W-what is that?"

"Since when did she have that?!"

It was no wonder they were shocked. That was Linlin's magic.

Having mastered earth attribute magic, Linlin could instantly refine and shape minerals at will.

That armor was one of her creations.

"This is my magic. This armor is made of anti-magic ore. No matter how skilled a mage you are, no magic can penetrate it."

"To create something like that in an instant... That's otherworldly control over magic."

"Lilisha, any court mage could do this. Your father included."

"My father too..."

What Linlin said was true.

While the methods might differ, manipulating magical energy in less than a second was child's play for high-level mages.

Even my Shadow Servant uses a similar technique.

But creating something with such tangible quality in an instant like Linlin did? That's impossible.

Even if dark magic doesn't require it, the technical difficulty of her feat is on another level.

You'd need a clear mental image of the material, precise control over your magical energy, and the ability to refine it all in an instant.

To put it bluntly, it's godlike.

Not something just anyone can achieve.

It requires not only effort but also a rare, innate talent.

"Come on, bring it. If you can so much as scratch me, you pass."

With Linlin's words as the signal, the students launched a simultaneous assault.

As expected of students from this academy, their skills were far beyond those of amateur mages.

Fire, wind, rock—magic of all kinds flew wildly. Yet, Linlin simply smiled with delight.

"Impressive growth. I'm proud of you all."

Of course, the magic colliding with Linlin's armor dissipated harmlessly.

But her armor didn't cover her entirely.

The students weren't fools; they aimed for the gaps.

Linlin, however, intercepted their attacks with her armor.

She anticipated their strikes, transforming the blades into shields to block every assault.

Then, just as quickly, she shifted the shields back into blades, slicing Lilisha's fireballs clean in two.

And as if it were nothing, she proceeded to cut through the other students' spells as well.

It was almost laughable.

The difference in experience was staggering.

This wasn't just about magic or magical energy—their combat skills were on entirely different levels.

"N-no way... How...?"

"Lilisha, everyone, don't be too disheartened. But if this keeps up, none of you will pass..."

"Took you long enough to notice, Linlin-sensei."

I finally spoke up, having been quietly observing until now.

"Alfis, is it? You've been awfully quiet. Don't tell me you've given up already?"

"Of course not. I want to fight you one-on-one."

"Ahahaha! What are you even saying...?"

Linlin laughed heartily.

She acknowledged my strength but didn't for a second think I could surpass her.

Her confidence was palpable.

"You're strong, but you're not ready to face me yet. If you're just aiming to be selected, you've got a good chance."

"Let me put it this way—if things keep going like this, there's a real possibility no one will be selected. You must have realized that by now, right, Linlin-sensei?"

"Maybe."

"So if I win, let me choose four others besides myself to pass."

My statement caused the students to exchange glances.

They all knew it too.

The more they attacked, the more they realized the hopeless gap in their abilities.

"No. You'll follow my lead here."

"Absolutely?"

"Absolutely."

Linlin replied with unwavering resolve.

Just like her magic, she was unyielding.

I really didn't want to do this, but I had no choice.

"Come on, Runrun-sensei. For the sake of that cute name, cut me some slack. You're feeling cheerful, right?"

"...What?"

"Ah, my bad. It's not Runrun, it's Ranran, right?"

---

In that moment, I felt—not metaphorically, but literally—as if my body was being sliced apart.

The pain of countless blades cutting into me was delivered not by Runrun—no, I mean Linlin's magical energy.

It erupted like a storm, and for an ordinary person, the pain alone might have been enough to send them into shock.

"...Who are you calling Runrun or Ranran? Who do you think is all sparkly and cheerful?"

The students, sensing the murderous intent radiating from Linlin's magical energy, fled the field in unison.

Even Lilisha.

Rushel was the first to bolt. Did anyone see her wings?

"I'll kill you."

Linlin directed a simple, unadulterated killing intent toward me.

It was terrifying, but more than that, I couldn't stop trembling with excitement.

My mind was flooded with exhilaration.

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