Well, what should I demonstrate? If we were talking about a useful original spell, a possibility was my flying spell. However, since I had used it when I came to the Holy City, Gem should already know about it.
In that case, there was no way that Gem's confidence could be shaken by merely flying magic.
"Now that I think about it, you mentioned something about fire magic," I said while raising a hand in Gem's direction.
"W-what?! What are you up to?! I'll have you know, I can cast advanced magic with just three verses! Don't think you can beat me!" Gem shouted, clutching his staff.
I didn't intend to fight, but it was true that it was a good way to experience magic firsthand.
Well, for now, I’d see how things went by demonstrating some magic. I planned to use one of the most powerful spells I possessed.
I concentrated mana into my fingertips and brought my five fingers together to form a hand blade. I poured in most of my mana and slowly extended it forward from my fingertips. After gathering enough mana, I opened my mouth. "[Divine Flame Spear, Falarica]."
The moment I said this, a pale blue flame appeared from my fingertips. The flame engulfed my arm up to my elbow and immediately extended to Gem's side as a flame spear.
The flame spear pierced through the center of the stone stairs, melting the surroundings like glass liquefying under extreme temperatures. The core temperature of the flame was around 1,500 degrees Celsius, allowing it to melt the stone with almost no resistance.
"Eeeek!" Gem cried out and stumbled away from the stairs.
I moved the flame spear slightly in his direction, slicing through the stone steps and continuing to melt them.
"Huaaah…!"
I noticed Diageo's panicked expression at the top of the stairs, so I quickly shortened the flame spear. About a third of the stairs had melted, causing the top to buckle.
"W-w-what is that spell…?! "Gem shouted, his face deathly pale.
The hall was in an uproar, with some even pointing their swords at me.
"This is my original fire spell. Since fire magic was ineffective against the red-scaled dragons living in the volcanoes, I practiced and strengthened my fire magic until I could defeat them. Now, it can easily cut through iron, mithril, and even orichalcum," I explained.
Gem spat and shouted in disbelief, "Ridiculous! The red-scaled dragons that live in volcanoes are among the most powerful fire dragons! No magician can defeat one of them alone! And orichalcum?! That's a treasure even for royal families, a divine metal! There's no way a little girl like you could have obtained any!"
As Gem lost himself in anger, Rose stepped forward with a curious expression. "Seeing how effortlessly you melted and sliced through the stone stairs, it's hard to dismiss your words as lies. Your Majesty owns one of the sacred treasures of the Maple Leaf Holy Empire, the Orichalcum Dagger, don’t you?"
Rose spoke with a slightly pleased look, then turned her gaze to Diageo, who was standing at the top of the stairs.
"W-wait a moment. I absolutely cannot allow this dagger to be used. It is the most important treasure of the Holy Empire. I can never allow it to be used for such a test." Diageo hastily placed his hand on his waist. It seemed he kept it close at all times.
As I watched Diageo stand protectively atop the sloping stairs, I suddenly remembered that I had damaged part of the audience chamber.
We were in the middle of a conversation, but I should fix it for now. "[Stone Craft, Block Rock]."
After I cast the spell, the melted and deformed stairs gradually took shape and solidified. Within seconds, the stairs were back to their original form. They should be twice as strong as before, so that should be enough.
"W-was that… chantless?" Gem muttered in shock as he examined the restored stairs.
Balblair, who was in the audience chamber, sighed and said in exasperation, "What are you saying now? She's been doing that since the beginning. If you had done your research over the past two days, you should have known that Aoi-dono can use magic chantless. Did you just conveniently ignore everything that didn't suit you?"
Gem turned around, his eyes wide with disbelief. "It can't be… Chanceless magic is impossible. How can such a thing be…"
Seeing Gem unable to hide his agitation, Balblair harrumphed and waved her hand dismissively. "It is a new magic that you despise so much. To admit that would be the same as admitting defeat, wouldn't it? Just shut up and keep that smug look on your face."
Awald let out a deep sigh. "Vice-Head Magician Gem, Aoi-dono also cast chantless magic in the labs. From what I've heard, she can do it with all elements. Did you not investigate that?"
When Awald pressed him further, Gem fell silent, as if the words were stuck in his throat.