The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

"The very first match, and he's already facing the Nine Hell… Orario's strongest mage?"

A worried voice came from the crowd watching the game.

"This isn't good… Lord Yoru also fights using magic. Against Lady Riveria, that puts him at a real disadvantage."

As a pure-blooded elf herself, Ryuu seemed to understand Riveria's strength. She replied calmly to Syr's worried remark.

"H-how could that be…"

Syr clenched her hands anxiously, eyes fixed on the magical mirror.

Seeing her like this, Ryuu sighed slightly.

"Forgive my bluntness, but why do you care so much about that heartless man?"

"Wh-what heartless man?! There's nothing going on between me and Lord Yoru!" Syr stammered, her face red. Then, gazing at his proud figure in the mirror, she spoke with admiration.

"I really… I really admire Lord Yoru. To so bravely pursue his love…"

"…You silly girl."

Ryuu, understanding her unspoken feelings, gently pulled Syr into a comforting hug.

—Meanwhile, on the 30th floor of Babel, Loki watched the start of the first match with a smug grin.

"Hmph, looks like this'll be over quick. If I'm not mistaken, that brat Yoru was recently asking Riveria for magic training, wasn't he?"

"Oh? And what of it? The student surpassing the master isn't unheard of."

Hestia retorted with a snort, completely unfazed.

"Hmph, get real. When it comes to magic, no one can beat Riveria!"

"If I remember correctly… Riveria's strongest spells are ice-elemental, right?"

A soft voice suddenly echoed among the gods, drawing everyone's attention.

The silver-haired goddess Freya approached with a faint smile. Her every movement and expression captured the eyes of those around her.

"S-so what if they are?" Loki stammered, momentarily caught off guard.

"Nothing much… Just that maybe this match will be a lot more exciting than we imagined."

As Freya's words fell, the first clash between Riveria and Yoru unfolded in the mirror.

The battle between mages was unlike that of warriors—no flashy swordplay, no close-quarters combat.

Instead, it was a graceful and dazzling display of magical brilliance. A duel of mana reserves. A contest like an enchanting nocturne.

In a way, it was Riveria who had truly led Yoru into the world of magic. But now, facing him, she didn't dare let down her guard even for a moment.

Because she knew—when it came to mana reserves, she couldn't outmatch Yoru.

Since she couldn't win through sheer magical endurance, there was only one path left: use elemental advantage to overwhelm him!

With that in mind, Riveria immediately decided to switch her magic attribute—to fire!

In the next moment, searing magical energy burst forth from Riveria's body, adding even more heat to the already blazing atmosphere.

Yoru, watching her response, shook his head with a wry smile.

Riveria… have you forgotten something so crucial? Ice and fire don't naturally counter each other—it all comes down to who's stronger!

Raising his hand in response, a strange staff that looked more like a charred fire poker floated up into the air.

The moment it appeared, laughter erupted from the audience—compared to Riveria's ornate wand, Yoru's weapon looked pitiful.

Was that thing even a real staff?

Ordinary citizens and adventurers laughed, but the gods watching from Babel weren't so quick to dismiss it.

When they saw that peculiar "fire poker" in Yoru's hand, many of their expressions turned strange.

That weapon… it wasn't something that should exist in the mortal world. And that alone meant a great deal.

Hefesto's expression, in particular, grew awkward. After all, she was the one who had brought it down from the heavens. She didn't know exactly what it was, but one thing was clear: it had incredible magical conductivity and was an ideal material for making magic staves.

Back in the divine realm, she had exhausted every means but still failed to process it. As a god of smithing, being unable to work with such a perfect material was a blow to her pride. She kept the whole matter a secret.

No one else knew about it, and over time, even Hephaestus herself had forgotten it—until Yoru provoked her with that smug attitude, and she remembered. With no way to forge weapons that could withstand his magic, she had handed it to him.

A burst of flame exploded in the mirror—Riveria had made the first move. No chanting needed. One massive fire blast after another rained down from the sky, instantly engulfing the entire battlefield in thick smoke and scorching heat.

"What terrifying firepower!"

"Where's that Level 1 adventurer? Don't tell me he's already dead!"

"Lady Riveria really didn't hold back… so their romance was just a rumor after all?"

The audience murmured as they watched through the mirror. On the stage, Riveria remained on high alert, not letting down her guard in the slightest.

She knew better than anyone—those rapid attacks had only been probing strikes. Yoru had yet to unleash his mana.

The moment Yoru released his magic…

As the thought crossed her mind, she suddenly felt her own thinking slow. Her eyes widened in alarm as she instinctively leapt into the air.

It was here. That bone-chilling, soul-piercing cold—far beyond anything she had ever experienced.

So that's it… In all our training sessions… you were holding back, Yoru?

As the flames and smoke cleared, standing unscathed before everyone's eyes—was Yoru.

He slowly raised his head, eyes narrowed.

And the previously rowdy crowd fell completely silent.

The entire city… fell deathly quiet.

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