Chapter 374 : Miss Karina and Miss Violetta vs Duke Remy

Back on the first floor of the academy's central building, Miss Karina and Miss Violetta attempted to close the distance to Duke Remy to launch a combined attack, just as they had done before. However, they struggled to approach him because Duke Remy kept attacking with black tree trunks that suddenly erupted from the floor beneath their feet. These black trunks were incredibly hard, making it impossible for the ladies to sever them completely. Although they managed to slash at some of the trunks with their swords, their strikes only cut halfway through; the blades would come to an abrupt halt after slicing that initial half, preventing them from completing the cut. Consequently, whenever the trunks emerged to attack, the ladies chose to dodge rather than attempt to hack through them—a futile effort given their inability to fully sever the wood.

"These tree trunks are a real nuisance. As long as they're here, we can't get close to Duke Remy. In that case, I'll use my own plant magic to hold back the trunks created by the Duke's magic," Miss Karina said.

She then stomped her right foot against the floor.

~Plant Magic: Dance of Growing Tree~

Immediately, brown tree trunks—resembling ordinary trees—suddenly sprouted from various spots on the floor. These trunks then began to attack the black ones conjured by Duke Remy, either by piercing them or wrapping tightly around them. After dealing with the black tree trunks, Miss Karina spoke to Miss Violetta.

"Since we’ve managed to handle those tree trunks for the moment, let’s capitalize on the situation. Let’s move quickly to attack Duke Remy, Violetta," said Miss Karina.

"Understood, Miss," replied Miss Violetta.

With that, Miss Karina and Miss Violetta dashed rapidly toward Duke Remy. Duke Remy appeared unperturbed as he watched them rushing toward him. Nevertheless, he gripped his sword as they closed the distance. He then spoke to Miss Karina as she sped toward him.

"Ms. Principal, it seems you are making a mistake. Do you really think the tree trunks conjured by your magic can hold back those created by mine?" Duke Remy asked.

Upon hearing this, Miss Karina quickly turned to look at the tree trunks she had summoned. The trunks—which had previously been holding back Duke Remy’s magical tree trunks—were now shattered or severed, having been overwhelmed by the force of his magic. Miss Karina looked shocked at the sight.

"What?!" she exclaimed.

While she was distracted by shock, Duke Remy’s magical tree trunks suddenly shot forward and coiled tightly around her body.

"Damn it, I’ve been caught," Miss Karina muttered as the trunks bound her.

The tree trunks also surged rapidly toward Miss Violetta, but she managed to evade them by moving to a safe spot. Entangled in the tree branches, Miss Karina struggled to break free but was unable to do so. As she continued her efforts, Duke Remy was seen raising his sword, preparing to swing it at her.

"It seems you will be the first of those still standing against me here to meet your end. Farewell, Ms. Principal," Duke Remy said.

He then swung his sword, unleashing a massive black slash toward Miss Karina—an attack born of Dark Magic. Still bound by the magical tree branches Duke Remy had conjured, Miss Karina could only watch helplessly as the dark slash hurtled toward her. The attack was mere moments away from striking her when, suddenly, it shattered and began to dissipate.

Miss Karina looked surprised to discover that the slash aimed at her had suddenly shattered. Meanwhile, Duke Remy remained motionless, showing no reaction after his attack was abruptly destroyed. He then turned his gaze toward one of the individuals still standing nearby: Queen Kayana.

"So, it was you who stopped my attack, Your Majesty," Duke Remy said.

He said this because, upon looking at Queen Kayana, he saw her pointing her magic staff toward Lady Karina.

"Yes, that is correct. I stopped your attack using my gravity magic. I could hardly stand idly by and watch the principal of the academy be struck by the attack you unleashed," Queen Kayana replied.

She then fired her gravity magic at the tree vines entangling Miss Karina. The vines were instantly shattered by the force of the spell, freeing Miss Karina from their grasp.

"Even though those vines could not be severed by swords or other weapons, it seems they can still be destroyed by my gravity magic," Queen Kayana remarked.

"It may be true that the tree trunks conjured by my magic can be destroyed by your gravity magic. However, it would be best not to overexert yourself by continuing to use it, Your Majesty. Doing so will only deplete your mana further. Given your current physical condition, combined with the mana loss from using gravity magic, it would spell disaster for you. I could easily attack and kill you once you have naturally weakened," said Duke Remy.

Suddenly, black tree trunks materialized around Queen Kayana and immediately lunged at her. Yet, Queen Kayana effortlessly shattered every incoming trunk using her gravity magic. After destroying them, she responded to Duke Remy.

"Before you can kill me, you will be the one defeated first, Lord Remy," Queen Kayana declared.

Meanwhile, MissbKarina—who had previously broken free from the constricting tree trunks conjured by Duke Remy—was back on her feet and ready to strike.

"Your Majesty, thank you for saving me," said Miss Karina.

"Of course. You can still move, can't you?" asked Queen Kayana.

"Certainly. Neither Lord Remy's attacks nor the pressure from this sudden aura will stop me from moving," Miss Karina replied.

"Good. In that case, you and Miss Violetta must approach Lord Remy and defeat him with a combined attack. I will clear a path so you can reach him without having to contend with the tree trunks spawned by his magic," said Queen Kayana.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Come, Violetta, let us approach Lord Remy again," said Miss Karina.

"Very well, Miss," replied Miss Violetta.

With that, Miss Karina and Miss Violetta once again darted toward Duke Remy. Duke Remy showed no reaction as he watched them rushing toward him; he simply stood still, making no move whatsoever. Yet, despite remaining motionless, he spoke as he watched them approach.

"No matter how many times you try, you will not be able to get close enough to attack me again," Duke Remy said.

Shortly after, black tree trunks emerging from the ground began to writhe and snake toward Karina and Violetta. Although the two women easily dodged the initial movements, the trunks did not stop; they continued to pursue them relentlessly. Despite their agility, Karina and Violetta were unable to evade every single one; several trunks closed in, nearly striking them. Yet, before the trunks could land a hit, Queen Kayana intervened, shattering them with her gravity magic.

~Gravity Magic: Gravity Slash~

Queen Kayana swung her staff, unleashing a slash of gravitational force directed at the trunks threatening Miss Karina and Miss Violetta. She continued to swing her staff repeatedly until she began to show signs of exhaustion, her breathing growing heavy. Even so, she did not stop; she kept swinging her staff.

Queen Kayana was not the only one aiding Miss Karina and Miss Violetta; Charles and Chloe also stepped in to help.

~Great Waves Slash~

Charles unleashed a massive slash of water from his sword—now enveloped in surging waves—aiming it at the trunks attacking Miss Karina and Miss Violetta.

~Great Explosive Arrow~

Meanwhile, Chloe fired her flaming arrows at the tree trunks. Upon impact, the arrows detonated, creating powerful explosions. Although the attacks launched by Charles and Chloe had little impact on the tree trunks—failing to sever or shatter them—they succeeded in deflecting the trunks, forcing them to veer off course so they would not strike Miss Karina or Miss Violetta. Thus, the attacks by Charles and Chloe still served to aid the two ladies.

Moments later, while Queen Kayana, Charles, and Chloe were busy fending off the trunks that had been targeting Miss Karina and Miss Violetta, similar tree trunks suddenly emerged around them. These trunks immediately launched an assault on the Queen and her two companions. While the three of them would normally have easily evaded such attacks, their fatigue and the oppressive aura permeating the area hindered their movements, preventing them from dodging perfectly. Consequently, they suffered scratches and injuries from the striking trunks.

"Charles, Chloe, are you alright?" Queen Kayana asked, seeing that they had been wounded by the attack.

"I am fine, Mother," Chloe replied.

"I am too. What about you, Mother?" Charles asked.

"I am fine as well. Minor injuries like these are nothing to me, though they seem to be affecting you both quite a bit. If you wish to stop, feel free to do so. I can continue helping Karina and Violetta reach Lord Remy on my own," Queen Kayana said.

"No, Mother. We won't stop; we will continue to help Miss Karina and Miss Violetta," said Charles.

"That's right, Mother," said Chloe.

"Very well, if you wish to keep helping. But you mustn't push yourselves too hard. Our situation is quite difficult right now; besides helping Karina and Violetta by constantly attacking the tree branches coming for them, we also have to dodge the branches attacking us. You both need to be extra careful," said Queen Kayana.

"Understood, Mother," said Charles and Chloe.

Afterward, Queen Kayana, Charles, and Chloe continued to strike at the tree roots that were attacking Miss Karina and Miss Violetta. The three of them kept up their assault on the roots while simultaneously dodging the ones lashing out at them. Meanwhile, the distance between Miss Karina and Miss Violetta and Duke Remy was rapidly closing. The two ladies prepared to launch their attack on Duke Remy. Seeing them readying themselves, Duke Remy certainly wasn't about to let them simply go through with it.

"I won't let you attack me," Duke Remy declared.

Suddenly, the roots conjured by Duke Remy’s magic surged forward, darting rapidly toward Miss Karina and Miss Violetta. The ladies were momentarily startled by the sudden movement. Nevertheless, they managed to evade the roots—though not perfectly, as the wood still managed to graze and wound them. Confused, they realized the roots had actually succeeded in striking their bodies.

"These roots managed to hit and wound us. Your Majesty, Prince Charles, and Princess Chloe should have been keeping them at bay so they wouldn't reach us. Something must have happened to them," Miss Violetta said.

"It seems so," Miss Karina agreed.

They turned around to look for Queen Kayana, Charles, and Chloe. To their shock, they saw that the three had been ensnared and pierced in various parts of their bodies by the black roots spawned from Duke Remy’s magic.

"Your Majesty!!!" Miss Karina and Miss Violetta cried out in alarm.

-To be continued