Two hours later, Kaito hadn't napped. Instead, he spent a pleasant and cozy time with Hirano's massage.
Honestly, he was considering staying at Raya Lucaria Academy for a while.
Not only to explore the environment and enjoy the scholarly atmosphere, but also to study the magic of this world.
Learn all the stellar magic and the like.
He couldn't use them now, but he could memorize them all. After clearing the game and becoming Elden Lord, he could return here.
Perhaps even bring the whole family to stay for a while.
Then, he could naturally use the magic he learned.
The magic of this world had its merits; it could even be described as spectacular.
Whether the various exaggerated super-tier spells, forbidden magic, and such from Elden Ring mods existed here and were feasible, he didn't know.
Returning to the arena, Kaito noticed the Tarnished spectator section had tripled in size!
Clearly, word had spread to the Roundtable Hold during this time.
Setting aside Kaito's earlier performance in the challenges, he was the only Tarnished who had cleared Stormveil Castle, defeated Godrick the Grafted, and obtained a Great Rune!!
Now, over half a year later, he had come to Raya Lucaria Academy to participate in the challenges.
Not only were the challenges no difficulty for him, but he was also teaching the mages!?
Clearly, Kaito came prepared, armed with overwhelming strength, with the power to clear this challenge.
Thus, many Tarnished who had been challenging Raya Lucaria Academy rushed over.
Partly out of curiosity, but mainly out of fear that Kaito would succeed.
If Kaito succeeded, they would lose their chance to challenge Rennala and would have to go elsewhere.
Elsewhere...
Meant risking death!!
With mixed feelings, these Tarnished had their Maidens use the grace of the Erdtree to transport them to locations they had previously visited.
That explained the sudden influx; even paying the fee was worth it, especially since they didn't need to challenge.
The mages were also suddenly accommodating, allowing them entry without the usual spectator fee.
Perhaps...
The mages themselves knew Kaito was bound to succeed and would then challenge Rennala?
"Do you want me to guide you?"
"No, Lord Kaito. I hope you will fight me with all your strength. I wish to witness your prowess!"
"Oh? Then... be careful."
"Yes, yes."
The mage nodded.
As the eighth-ranked combatant, he was a high-ranking member of Raya Lucaria Academy. His strength was on a different level from the previous seventh-ranked mage!
Not an unbridgeable chasm, but certainly a significant gap.
That was why many Tarnished hit a wall here, suddenly facing immense pressure and ultimately failing.
The battle began.
Kaito had just formed a rock spear.
Although he said he'd fight with all his strength, he still planned to go easy on him. If not a sea, at least a large lake.
He couldn't just one-shot him, right?
This wasn't about testing strength?
It was about building connections.
But he hadn't expected that just as he formed the spear, his opponent fired off a series of instantaneous spells.
Well...
Pretty strong.
The previous mages needed incantations, even if short, fast, or silent. But this one just opened his mouth, spoke a rune, and a spell manifested. It was a bit much.
Was this a more powerful mage?
Watching the massive fireball, its temperature over a thousand degrees, Kaito knew it was a test, the real attack following behind.
Sure enough.
Kaito didn't try to block it or use his spear to disperse it; he dodged left.
He glanced behind.
A smaller fireball trailed the larger one, but its temperature far exceeded the first!
Seeing Kaito easily dodge this layered attack, the mage wasn't surprised.
He pointed his staff-less left hand towards Kaito.
Snap—!!!
A flash of lightning.
A thick lightning serpent shot towards Kaito instantly.
This was a truly powerful mage.
He didn't even need to move; he could just act as a stationary turret.
Casually unleashing powerful spells was terrifying.
Seeing this, Kaito smiled.
The opponent had some strength, but not much.
He was only the eighth-ranked mage; there were two more after him.
He swung his rock spear, aiming directly at the mage, and hurled it.
The spear dispersed the lightning serpent, still crackling with electricity, as it flew towards the mage.
The mage, seeing this, didn't rashly use a magic shield. Instead, he cast a self-enhancement spell to dodge.
But...
Kaito had somehow appeared beside him.
His decision had been correct.
If he had stayed put and used a shield, Kaito would have already been swinging a rock greatsword at him.
Seeing the mage dodge successfully, Kaito began chasing him across the arena, using low-flight techniques and continuous magical attacks.
Smiling, he drew his greatsword and gave chase.
Any magic in his path was brute-forced aside; no matter how powerful, he cleaved through it with his sword.
Any residual effects were blocked by his shield, not harming him at all.
Outside the arena, all the Tarnished forgot to breathe.
He was strong, incredibly strong!!
From start to finish, Kaito had barely used any abilities. No flashy moves, just creating rock spears or greatswords, and a shield.
Then?
He just chased that mage down!
The mage was bold. Realizing kiting wouldn't work, he transformed his staff into a blade, empowered it, and engaged Kaito in close combat.
Unfortunately!
That only hastened his defeat.
"...Lord Kaito, were you using your full strength?"
With the rock greatsword at his neck, the mage asked with a wry smile.
"I don't want to discourage you."
"...I understand. Thank you, Lord Kaito!"
"Heh, you're welcome!"