# E9 - The Strongest Sage Duels
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/G7PU4VK2E/the-strongest-sage-duels)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:02] Iris**
Are we searching for
where the demons' leader is hiding now?
**[00:06] Matt**
Yeah.
**[00:07] Lurie**
But how do we do it?
**[00:09] Matt**
The enemy thought he could cut off
our ability to find him
**[00:12] Matt**
by destroying the relay in Elenia.
**[00:14] Matt**
But the transmission spell still carried a trace
of the caster's magic signature.
**[00:19] Matt**
I've recorded that signature here.
**[00:22] Alma**
In a magistone?
It can do that, too?
**[00:24] Matt**
Yeah.
**[00:25] Matt**
And there's a device that enables the user
to trace an enemy through a magistone.
**[00:29] Matt**
If we go to it, we can use it
to pinpoint his location.
**[00:32] Lurie**
I've never heard of such a device.
**[00:35] Matt**
Of course you haven't.
It's from thousands of years ago.
**[00:39] Alma**
Thousands of years ago?!
**[00:41] Lurie**
But you know how to use it?
**[00:45] Alma**
How?
**[00:46] Matt**
Because—
**[00:48] Matt**
Well, I just kind of stumbled into it.
**[00:51] Matt**
*That was close.*
**[00:52] Matt**
*I almost told them I created it!*
**[00:55] Alma**
So, where is this device?
**[00:58] Matt**
Here.
**[00:59] Alma**
The Radinia Alliance?
**[01:01] Matt**
Getting the king's help
will make crossing the border smoother.
**[01:06] Matt**
If we ask the headmaster,
I'm sure he'll probably mediate for us.
**[01:09] Lurie**
The king and the headmaster
are quite friendly, aren't they?
**[01:14] Matt**
For now, let's get back to the capital.
**[01:19] Iris**
Hey! I'm still eating!
***SIGN*** Episode 9
***SIGN*** The Strongest Sage Duels.
**[02:59] Alma**
We're back!
**[03:01] Lurie**
It's been only a few days,
but it feels as if we've been gone forever!
**[03:04] Alma**
I hope everyone in Second Academy
is all right.
**[03:08] Iris**
The school's gone...
**[03:10] Alma & Iris & Lurie & Matt**
Huh?!
**[03:14] Lurie**
This *is* where Second Academy was, isn't it?
**[03:16] Alma**
Of course it is!
**[03:18] Matt**
What in the world happened?
**[03:21] Matt**
"New Second Academy building,
under construction"?
**[03:26] Matt**
Headmaster!
**[03:27] Eduard**
Hey there, Matthias!
**[03:30] Eduard**
You're all back, eh?
**[03:32] Iris**
We beat up the demon
in the dungeon city!
**[03:35] Eduard**
Indeed you did. Excellent work!
**[03:38] Matt**
But what's going on here?
**[03:40] Eduard**
As you can see, we're rebuilding the academy
from the ground up.
**[03:44] Eduard**
We're making the walls thicker
and erecting a barrier to withstand demon attack.
**[03:49] Matt**
More of a fortress, then?
**[03:51] Lurie**
Where will they hold the classes?
**[03:53] Eduard**
First Academy.
**[03:55] Eduard**
Their students are helping
with the construction as well.
**[03:59] Eduard**
And it'll be good casting practice for them.
**[04:03] Eduard**
Good idea, don't you agree?
**[04:07] Matt**
There was another demon pulling the strings
in the dungeon city.
**[04:12] Matt**
In order to find him,
I need to cross the border.
**[04:15] Eduard**
I see. The border with whom?
**[04:19] Matt**
The Radinia Alliance.
**[04:21] Eduard**
That's a group of allied nations.
**[04:24] Eduard**
Unfortunately, not all the nations are friendly.
**[04:27] Matt**
Would the king be willing to help?
**[04:30] Eduard**
Yes.
**[04:31] Eduard**
I'll make a recommendation
to seek their Guild's cooperation.
**[04:35] Matt**
Thank you.
**[04:37] Eduard**
Given that there are demons involved,
I'm sure he'll make it his top priority.
**[04:40] Matt**
While we wait for leave to travel,
we'll help with the construction here.
**[04:44] Eduard**
You will?
**[04:46] Matt**
You don't mind, do you?
**[04:47] Alma & Lurie**
Of course not!
**[04:48] Eduard**
We'd appreciate the help.
**[04:50] Iris**
I wanna help, too!
**[04:56] Matt**
The pillars will be tougher
if you use a mithril alloy instead of iron.
**[05:00] Eduard**
I see!
**[05:02] Lurie**
Enchanting the building materials
will make things more efficient!
**[05:08] Iris**
Here I go!
**[05:11] Matt**
Hey, Iris!
Don't bite off more than you can chew!
**[05:14] Iris**
I won't!
**[05:23] Matt**
Yeah, thought so.
**[05:27] Eduard**
The king's granted permission.
**[05:30] Eduard**
This contains your border-crossing permit
**[05:31] Eduard**
and the king's voucher
for the Radinia Alliance.
**[05:34] Matt**
I appreciate this.
**[05:35] Eduard**
We can't let the demons
have free rein any longer.
**[05:40] Eduard**
Get to it.
**[05:41] Matt**
We will.
**[05:43] Lurie**
This is my first time
leaving the Eis Kingdom!
**[05:47] Alma**
What do you think
the Radinia Alliance is like?
**[05:49] Iris**
I hope they've got tasty food!
**[05:53] Guard**
Take care!
**[05:55] Lurie**
Having His Majesty's recommendation
let us pass right through!
**[05:59] Matt**
The Radinia Alliance is just ahead.
**[06:02] Alma**
We're almost at our destination!
**[06:05] Matt**
But now the problems start.
**[06:08] Lurie**
A restricted region?
**[06:10] Matt**
Entry to the region containing the device
is heavily restricted.
**[06:15] Matt**
The magic signature there
is likely so strong
**[06:16] Matt**
that they're afraid
a magical calamity will occur.
**[06:20] Lurie**
Does that mean we can't get closer?
**[06:23] Alma**
What do we do?
**[06:24] Matt**
According to the information
the headmaster gave us,
**[06:27] Matt**
the only way is to increase
our adventurer rank.
**[06:30] Matt**
We need to be Rank A
to enter a restricted region.
**[06:34] Alma**
How do we increase our rank?
**[06:37] Matt**
We head for the Radinia Adventurers' Guild
**[06:39] Matt**
and complete the ranking test.
**[06:41] Alma**
What? But we have a voucher from the king!
**[06:44] Matt**
Yes, but we also have
to follow the Guild's rules.
**[06:48] Lurie**
But won't passing their tests
take a whole lot of time?
**[06:53] Matt**
If they force our hand,
we'll have other ways to proceed.
**[06:55] Alma**
Like what?
**[06:57] Matt**
A darkness dragon appearing
above a restricted region
**[07:00] Matt**
would cause quite a panic, wouldn't it?
**[07:02] Matt**
We'd use that as a distraction
to reach our destination.
**[07:05] Iris**
Hey, I forgot I could turn into a dragon.
**[07:08] Alma**
You have it backwards!
**[07:09] Alma**
You're a dragon
who's turned into a human!
**[07:19] Alma**
Wow, it's so different from the capital!
**[07:23] Matt**
Let's hit up the Adventurers' Guild first.
**[07:27] Branch Chief**
Well, well!
**[07:29] Branch Chief**
Welcome!
**[07:30] Branch Chief**
So you're the Matthias party
I've heard so much about.
**[07:34] Matt**
You've heard of us?
**[07:35] Branch Chief**
The king of the Eis Kingdom
asked our Guild for help.
**[07:40] Branch Chief**
He's urging international cooperation,
**[07:43] Branch Chief**
now that the demons
are growing more active.
**[07:45] Alma**
That's our king!
**[07:47] Branch Chief**
I'm happy to help you
as much as I can.
**[07:50] Matt**
Much appreciated.
**[07:52] Branch Chief**
And you say you want
to enter the restricted zone?
**[07:55] Matt**
Yes.
**[07:56] Matt**
So I'd like to reach Rank A
as soon as I can.
**[08:00] Matt**
Can I take the ascension test?
**[08:02] Branch Chief**
Of course you can.
**[08:03] Branch Chief**
I'd normally require you to start at Rank G,
the lowest level there is.
**[08:08] Branch Chief**
But I'll let you skip right
to the Rank A test.
**[08:12] Branch Chief**
I'm afraid that's the best
we can offer you.
**[08:15] Matt**
Understood.
**[08:16] Lurie**
But will we be all right,
going right to the Rank A test?
**[08:22] Matt**
What exactly does the test consist of?
**[08:24] Branch Chief**
A mock battle with a prearranged proctor.
**[08:28] Branch Chief**
He should be arriving any time now.
**[08:34] Giluas**
Did I keep you waitin'?
**[08:36] Branch Chief**
Giluas! What are you doing here?!
**[08:39] Giluas**
I'm the proctor for their ascension test.
**[08:43] Branch Chief**
Y-You can't...!
**[08:45] Matt**
*He has a powerful magical signature.*
**[08:47] Matt**
* High enough that I might suspect*
* he was a demon,*
**[08:51] Matt**
*but he's definitely human...*
**[08:54] Matt**
Who is this man?
**[08:55] Branch Chief**
You haven't heard?
**[08:57] Matt**
Have any of you?
**[08:58] Alma & Iris & Lurie**
No...
**[09:00] Matt**
Is he famous in your lands?
**[09:02] Branch Chief**
He's a Rank S adventurer!
**[09:05] Matt**
"Rank S"?
**[09:06] Branch Chief**
Fighting is basically all he thinks about.
**[09:10] Matt**
*Your average battle maniac, then?*
**[09:13] Giluas**
Branch Chief!
**[09:15] Giluas**
You oughta know by now
that I'm the real deal!
**[09:17] Branch Chief**
But you're not the one I called for!
**[09:21] Branch Chief**
What are you doing here?!
**[09:23] Giluas**
The proctor you asked for ran off,
bitchin' about some stomachache.
**[09:28] Branch Chief**
What?!
**[09:29] Giluas**
So I'm bein' real generous
and offerin' to stand in.
**[09:35] Matt**
I don't mind.
**[09:37] Matt**
Let's begin the test.
**[09:38] Branch Chief**
But no one's ever passed a test
run by Giluas!
**[09:43] Alma**
Really?!
**[09:44] Branch Chief**
He's failed every previous applicant
without even fighting them.
**[09:49] Iris**
Hey, that's mean!
**[09:51] Giluas**
Shaddap!
**[09:52] Giluas**
It's 'cause they were all trash,
not even worth fightin'!
**[09:57] Giluas**
I got time only for the real strong guys.
**[10:03] Matt**
Intriguing.
**[10:09] Giluas**
You first!
**[10:11] Giluas**
And you!
**[10:13] Giluas**
And you!
**[10:14] Iris**
Yes?
**[10:16] Giluas**
You all pass.
**[10:19] Giluas**
That's it for the test.
You can head on home.
**[10:21] Matt**
*What in the world?*
**[10:23] Giluas**
Now, you...
**[10:25] Giluas**
You'll fight me.
**[10:28] Giluas**
One on one.
**[10:30] Giluas**
I've heard about you, Matthias.
**[10:32] Giluas**
You're the heroic demon-slayer
from the Kingdom of Eis.
**[10:36] Matt**
* I see. He just wanted*
* to fight me from the start.*
**[10:40] Matt**
I suppose you're on.
**[10:43] Judge**
We will now commence
the Rank A ascension exam!
**[10:47] Judge**
The proctor, Giluas,
will evaluate Matthias's skills in a mock battle!
**[10:52] Giluas**
Been a while since I got
to fight someone real strong.
**[10:55] Giluas**
Can't wait to show my stuff!
**[10:57] Matt**
*Let's see what a Rank S fighter can do.*
**[11:01] Alma**
He'll be okay, right?
**[11:03] Lurie**
It's hard to imagine
Matty ever losing, but...
**[11:07] Branch Chief**
Giluas is a combat prodigy.
**[11:10] Branch Chief**
It's said he's never lost a duel.
**[11:14] Alma**
He's that good?
**[11:16] Matt**
What are our rules here?
**[11:17] Giluas**
Match is over when one of us
gets knocked out or gives up.
**[11:22] Matt**
Very well.
**[11:23] Giluas**
I don't use magic,
but you can if you want.
**[11:29] Matt**
You don't use magic?
**[11:31] Matt**
* Given his magical signature,*
* I'd pegged him as a spellsword like me.*
**[11:36] Matt**
Are you holding back on me?
**[11:39] Giluas**
'Course not.
**[11:41] Giluas**
This ain't some handicap
I'm givin' you.
**[11:43] Giluas**
I just never use magic.
**[11:46] Matt**
What's that?
**[11:46] Giluas**
This is all I use!
**[11:51] Matt**
*This feeling...*
**[11:52] Matt**
*A physique enhancement spell...*
**[11:55] Matt**
*But I don't think Giluas is lying.*
**[11:59] Matt**
I'm ready.
**[12:01] Matt**
Come at me any time!
**[12:02] Giluas**
Don't mind if I do!
**[12:06] Matt**
*Enhance Physique!*
**[12:11] Matt**
* He's definitely using*
* an Enhance Physique spell.*
**[12:14] Matt**
* But he doesn't even realize*
* he's casting it.*
**[12:19] Matt**
*Is he just using it instinctively?!*
**[12:21] Giluas**
Just what I'd expect
from the heroic demon-slayer!
**[12:26] Giluas**
An attack like that
don't even faze you, huh?!
**[12:31] Giluas**
Looks like this'll be a pretty fun fight!
**[12:36] Matt**
* He's mixing in other enhancement spells*
* like Enhance Fortitude and Sunder Steel.*
**[12:44] Matt**
*Most humans can't cast spells unconsciously.*
**[12:48] Matt**
* Yet he's doing it perfectly,*
* without a moment's thought...*
**[12:52] Matt**
*Incredible.*
**[12:56] Alma**
Awesome!
He's matching Matty blow for blow!
**[13:00] Lurie**
He really is!
**[13:01] Branch Chief**
I never thought I'd find a man
on equal footing with Giluas...
**[13:06] Giluas**
Hey, you ain't holdin' back, are you?!
**[13:10] Matt**
*Good instincts.*
**[13:12] Matt**
Yes, I certainly am.
**[13:14] Giluas**
Oh, yeah?
**[13:15] Giluas**
Well knock it off already!
**[13:17] Matt**
If you want to see what I can really do,
**[13:19] Matt**
I'll show you!
**[13:28] Giluas**
Sounds good to me!
**[13:30] Giluas**
I'll make you get serious!
**[13:31] Matt**
*Giluas's magic power is growing stronger?!*
**[13:34] Matt**
*His casting is improving even as we fight.*
**[13:38] Matt**
*His instincts are incredible.*
**[13:40] Giluas**
I ain't never fought anyone
**[13:42] Giluas**
who got my heart racing like this before!
**[13:46] Matt**
* I'll bet he's never fought anyone*
* better than him.*
**[13:51] Matt**
* Now that he's hitting a wall,*
* it's increasing his combat instincts.*
**[13:58] Matt**
* It's the height of foolishness*
* to leap that high without magical enhancement.*
**[14:01] Matt**
* He's just making himself vulnerable*
* until he lands.*
**[14:06] Giluas**
Watch this!
**[14:11] Lurie**
Is that...
**[14:12] Alma**
He's fighting the way Matty does!
**[14:14] Matt**
*He learned how I fight...*
**[14:17] Matt**
*After seeing only it once...*
**[14:20] Matt**
*He adapts that quickly?*
**[14:23] Giluas**
Here we go!
**[14:29] Giluas**
How'd you like that?!
**[14:39] Matt**
A strike combining Enhance Physique
and the gravity of a long fall...
**[14:44] Matt**
An ideal fighting style if you want
to force your way past the opponent's guard.
**[14:48] Matt**
But your casting strength
is entirely insufficient.
**[14:52] Giluas**
What'd you say?
**[14:54] Giluas**
That was the best attack I can—
**[15:13] Matt**
Want to keep going?
**[15:18] Giluas**
I give.
**[15:22] Judge**
The winner is Matthias!
He passes!
**[15:25] Alma & Lurie**
Yeah!
**[15:27] Iris**
Is that a successful dispatch?
**[15:30] Alma**
He didn't dispatch anyone!
**[15:33] Giluas**
That's the first time I ever lost.
**[15:36] Matt**
But your skills are incredible.
**[15:39] Giluas**
Tell me!
How do I get as strong as you?!
**[15:44] Matt**
That's a good question...
**[15:47] Matt**
Read this.
**[15:50] Lurie**
Matty. What's that?
**[15:52] Matt**
It's a textbook I wrote.
**[15:54] Giluas**
A textbook?
**[15:56] Alma**
You wrote one of those?
**[15:57] Matt**
What you lack is knowledge
of spell casting.
**[16:01] Matt**
You might surpass me
if you put in the work,
**[16:04] Matt**
but you have the talent, either way.
**[16:08] Giluas**
You makin' fun of me?
**[16:10] Matt**
I'm completely serious.
**[16:12] Matt**
If you internalize
what's written in that book,
**[16:15] Matt**
you'll definitely grow stronger.
**[16:17] Giluas**
And spell castin' is supposed
to help me out in combat?
**[16:20] Matt**
It certainly will.
**[16:22] Giluas**
But chantin' spells leaves a guy
open for ages.
**[16:26] Giluas**
You didn't cast any, either.
**[16:28] Matt**
But I did!
**[16:30] Matt**
You don't need incantations to cast spells.
**[16:34] Giluas**
Really?
**[16:36] Matt**
You're actually casting spells unconsciously.
**[16:38] Matt**
To enhance your physique and such.
**[16:40] Giluas**
I am?
**[16:42] Matt**
If you start to do it consciously,
you can get even stronger.
**[16:46] Giluas**
Awright!
I'm gonna read the heck outta this!
**[16:54] Giluas**
It ain't stickin', man!
**[16:57] Giluas**
You got a spell to make me
better at readin'?
**[17:01] Giluas**
Tryin' to read
gives me a big damn headache.
**[17:05] Matt**
The healing spell on page 132
works well on headaches.
**[17:18] Giluas**
You really ain't gonna go for Rank S?
**[17:22] Matt**
I'll pass.
**[17:23] Giluas**
Shame.
**[17:25] Giluas**
You could be the strongest
in the land, for sure.
**[17:28] Matt**
We just needed Rank A
to enter restricted territory.
**[17:34] Giluas**
What restricted territory?
**[17:35] Matt**
The Etelis Plains in the Folkia Region.
**[17:39] Giluas**
Folkia, huh?
**[17:41] Matt**
Does that mean something to you?
**[17:43] Giluas**
Nah, I just hear
the city's got a weird vibe.
**[17:46] Matt**
What do you mean?
**[17:48] Giluas**
I hear the atmosphere there
has changed a lot lately.
**[17:51] Giluas**
Checkpoints along the nearby roads
have grown stricter all of a sudden, too.
**[17:56] Giluas**
And I hear parties have gone missing
on the way there.
**[18:01] Giluas**
So if crap goes down, just lemme know!
**[18:04] Giluas**
I'll help out.
**[18:06] Matt**
I appreciate that.
**[18:12] Lurie**
Is this one of the checkpoints
he mentioned?
**[18:14] Alma**
Seems pretty normal to me, but...
**[18:18] Soldier A**
Halt. Papers, please.
**[18:22] Soldier B**
Where are you headed?
**[18:24] Matt**
I'm here on adventurer work.
**[18:27] Soldier B**
Each of you, take one of these passes.
**[18:31] Soldier B**
They're valid only for the main road,
though, so be careful.
**[18:34] Matt**
Understood.
**[18:38] Alma**
That was easier than I expected!
**[18:40] Lurie**
I don't know why we were so nervous!
**[18:42] Iris**
I wanna hit that city fast.
**[18:45] Matt**
No, there's still trouble ahead.
**[18:49] Matt**
There's a magical code
inscribed in these passes.
**[18:53] Alma & Iris & Lurie**
"A code"?!
**[18:57] Lurie**
"Caution.
Party of four high-rank adventurers."
**[19:02] Alma**
"Motives questionable.
Deal with immediately"?!
**[19:05] Iris**
What do they mean by "deal with"?
**[19:06] Matt**
The content doesn't matter.
**[19:08] Matt**
What matters is that the coding technology
is the same as the one the demons use.
**[19:14] Alma & Iris & Lurie**
What?!
**[19:15] Lurie**
But those guards weren't demons, were they?
**[19:19] Matt**
No, they were human.
**[19:21] Matt**
But to set up checkpoints,
you need to hold local power.
**[19:26] Lurie**
Then if the checkpoint
is using demon coding technology...
**[19:31] Alma**
All of Folkia might be
under the demons' control?!
**[19:35] Matt**
It seems entirely possible.
**[19:38] Matt**
Look.
**[19:39] Matt**
We have visitors already.
**[19:41] Matt**
Probably someone's hired goons...
**[19:45] Matt**
They're out to finish us off
before we reach the city.
**[19:49] Matt**
And Giluas mentioned parties going missing.
**[19:53] Matt**
I suppose this is what he meant.
**[19:55] Iris**
You want us to stamp 'em out?
**[19:57] Matt**
No, that wouldn't be good.
**[20:00] Matt**
We'll put them all to sleep instead.
**[20:02] Alma**
To sleep?
**[20:03] Iris**
We can't just beat them?
**[20:05] Matt**
If they put up a fight
and raise a commotion,
**[20:07] Matt**
it could make
infiltrating the city harder.
**[20:09] Matt**
Iris and I will draw their attention.
**[20:12] Matt**
Lurie, Alma.
**[20:14] Matt**
Get around behind them
**[20:16] Matt**
and use this magic item
to put them to sleep.
**[20:18] Lurie**
Understood!
**[20:19] Alma**
We will!
**[20:23] Lurie**
What are these?
**[20:25] Matt**
I used a spell to create illusions.
**[20:28] Matt**
From a distance,
they should look convincing enough.
**[20:31] Matt**
All right, let's begin!
**[20:35] Matt**
We're under attack! Be careful!
**[20:39] Sideburns**
Looks like they saw us.
**[20:41] Blond Archer**
Better get started.
**[20:43] Sideburns**
Get 'em!
**[20:44] All**
Yeah!
**[20:47] Matt**
Now, let's have a bit of fun!
**[20:50] Iris**
That's what I like to hear!
**[20:54] Iris**
Ow!
**[20:55] Iris**
Ow, ow, ow!
**[20:56] Sideburns**
The arrows don't hurt her?
**[20:58] Sideburns**
What's going on here?!
**[20:59] Iris**
Darn you...
**[21:01] Iris**
This is so annoying!
**[21:07] Iris**
Why did you do that?
**[21:09] Matt**
If you run in,
someone's definitely going to die!
**[21:12] Iris**
Oh, right.
We're just putting them to sleep.
**[21:18] Alma**
Great! They haven't noticed us!
**[21:20] Lurie**
Let's activate the magic item now!
**[21:29] Sideburns**
Wh-What the...
**[21:30] Brown scarf**
Damn! I can't see anything!
**[21:33] Mustache Beret**
Gettin'... sleepy...
**[21:38] Matt**
That was perfect.
**[21:42] Iris**
He's fast asleep, huh?
**[21:44] Matt**
Where are Lurie and Alma?
**[21:46] Iris**
Good question.
**[21:52] Matt**
They're asleep.
**[23:26] Lurie**
This is Matty's handwritten textbook?
**[23:29] Iris**
Let me see!
**[23:31] Alma**
It's good to be studious!
**[23:35] Matt**
Sh-She's asleep...
**[23:36] Lurie**
She just wanted it for a pillow?
***SIGN*** Episode 10 The Strongest Sage Works With a Team.