Chapter 776: Mystic Eyes vs. Mystic Eyes

The first time she felt a similarity was due to their personalities. This time, it was because of their magical characteristics, or rather, their innate talents.

Reines' fiery, constantly shifting eyes were not the result of using some form of magic but were something she was born with. This is an anomaly, or one might say, a condition unique to magus.

Usually, her eyes are a common European blue, but once exposed to magic, they appear as if they are burning, continuously heating up. Fortunately, after a diagnosis by experts at the Clock Tower, it was determined that this was not a bad thing, but rather a sign of talent.

These burning eyes are a type of Mystic Eyes, capable of detecting even the slightest fluctuations and changes in magical energy. The projection mechanism set by Touko, almost perfect, was seen through by Reines, thanks to her eyes.

As for the heating of her eyes, this is a side effect of the Mystic Eyes. The powerful insight they provide means that her eyes process information at a speed beyond normal human capabilities. However, only her eyes have mutated; her brain and magic circuits are normal. As a result, her brain and magic circuits can't keep up with the processing speed of her eyes. It's like running a game at the highest graphics settings, causing the CPU to overheat and lag.

Some might suggest lowering the graphics settings, but unfortunately, Reiness Mystic Eyes are passive and always operate at their highest level, with no way to turn them off. Because of this, she uses special eye drops to suppress their effects when overused or in public settings.

Fortunately, this burden is temporary. As her brain and magic circuits develop, the side effects will improve or even disappear altogether.

Thanks to these Mystic Eyes, Reines' magecraft is exceptionally precise. And precision happens to be Touko's specialty as well. Despite only having 20 magic circuits, Touko rose to the pinnacle of modern magecraft, relying on overwhelming precision.

Reines clearly understood this, and she performed a lady-like bow.

"It is an honor to receive such praise from you. You have always been someone I admired."

"To be honest, that's really not a good choice."

Touko was not being modest but merely stating a fact.

"In comparison, that 'modern Paracelsus' would make a better role model."

"There's no such thing as better or worse; it's just a different path. If I had chosen the path of a Lord, I wouldn't be standing before you now."

Reines shook her head, her calm words carrying a maturity beyond her years.

Indeed, Kenneth had always supported Waver in secret, but he had never asked Reines to leave the family or give up her right of succession as a Lord. Everything was Reines' own decision. When she left the family, her succession rank had already risen to second place, creating a significant threat to the first-ranked successor.

In the end, Reines gave up her claim to succession and, in exchange, received a large amount of capital from her only competitor. This became the foundation for the first major success of the El-Melloi classroom and solidified Reines' unshakable position within it. Even if Waver were to marry someone else, no one could replace Reines.

Reading the resolve in her flame-colored eyes, Touko sighed helplessly:

"If you regret this in the future, don't say I didn't warn you."

"I'll never regret the path I've chosen."

"Then what are you waiting for? Show me how far you can go."

"I'm asking for your guidance."

Reines massaged her temples, focusing all her attention on her eyes, using them to search for any openings in Touko's defense.

There's no such thing as perfect magecraft; even a Grand has flaws, but most magus can't detect them.

"This kind of intense use of Mystic Eyes will damage your vision, you know?"

Touko warned, having suffered from deteriorating eyesight during her youth due to excessive effort.

"Against you, there's no other way."

Reines gritted her teeth, not letting up.

"So stubborn... I guess I'll just have to make you rest for a while."

Touko's eyes were originally a shade lighter than Reines', but at this moment, the light reflected in them surpassed the burning gaze of Reines.

It wasn't just the light; even the magical energy was overwhelming.

"Mystic Eyes!!!"

Touko Aozaki also possessed Mystic Eyes.

It was too late to avoid her gaze.

The only way was to focus all of her magic to resist. Broadly speaking, the effects of Mystic Eyes are a type of magecraft, and if it's magecraft, it can be resisted.

If it's just a matter of comparing magical power, then she should have the upper hand, so—

'Wait, what is that???'

'This—this is absurd!'

Because she could see the changes in magical energy, Reines understood better than anyone else what Touko had just done, and it was something she had never considered—something utterly ridiculous.

The effect of the Mystic Eyes was the most common and easiest to resist: Binding.

The type of Mystic Eyes was also the most common and easiest to handle: Projection-Type Mystic Eyes.

If Mystic Eyes are compared to modern firearms, this type's flaw is low firepower; no matter how much you enhance a handgun, it's still a handgun—it could never compare to a cannon.

This was a rule widely recognized by magus, but Touko had broken that rule.

The handgun was still a handgun, but instead of one, there were countless of them.

One handgun can't destroy a fortress, but if you have enough of them—

No matter how strong the opponent's resistance is, just overwhelm them with enough bullets.

This was Touko's Mystic Eyes—Accumulative Mystic Eyes.

Within the Mystic Eyes, she created an identical set of Mystic Eyes, then arranged them like two mirrors facing each other, thereby turning the effect of her gaze (and its impact) into something infinite.

To duplicate a Mystic Eye within another was already absurd. To then make them reflect off each other, managing the progressively replicated magic without it spiraling out of control, was sheer insanity.

This was the principle of the Accumulative Mystic Eyes, a near-perfect weapon in the world of magecraft, where concepts hold power.

Reines was trapped, and she understood: she wouldn't be able to move until Touko shifted her gaze.

So, if she could just make Touko look away—

"Svin!"

"Awwooo~"

With a howl, Svin eagerly charged forward.

During the conversation between the two women, he hadn't been idle, continuously honing his magic and repairing his phantasmal body. Now, fully transformed into wolf form, he launched an attack on the black cat's master.

Touko casually drew symbols in the air, which turned into a tangible force that repelled Svin.

As she glanced at the phantom wolf on all fours, mouth open in a growl, the corners of Touko's mouth curled into a peculiar smile.

"A golden wolf... My, my, what kind of day is this? All these nostalgic things are popping up out of nowhere."