Chapter 80 — The Martial Arts of Magic

1

Second year versus third year.

Under normal circumstances, such a match wouldn’t even warrant a glance.

However, contrary to expectations, this seemingly one-sided contest drew more attention than any other.

Professors and students alike, all who could spare a moment, fixed their eyes on the arena.

Abrel Nia, the top mage of the third year.

Caesar Manus, the premier magician of the second year.

Disregarding their academic years, this was a clash of geniuses destined to shape the future.

“Wow-. The level is incredibly high, isn’t it?”

“If only they had learned Matu as well.”

Among the countless gazes were those of Jennifer and the imperial informant.

The informant spoke to the woman who was once his superior.

“Come on-. With magic skills like that, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to even suggest learning Matu?”

“With talent like that, they’d excel at anything they learn. By the way, there’s a noticeable first-year student as well.”

Jennifer turned her gaze from the spectacular magical duel to observe a woman pummeling a guardian’s shield with her bare fists.

Though still a first-year, she could wield the rare power of spirits.

Already, not just the spirit magic professor, but individuals from various organizations had their eyes on her.

At a time when most mages aspired to elemental studies, a mage who could lead battles using spirits held the value of a hidden card.

Jennifer was eager to mold that fragile physique to her liking.

“Do you think she’d flourish if we sent her to the imperial palace?”

“She’d certainly thrive there. The problem is the high probability she wouldn’t go.”

A small sigh, uncharacteristic of her, escaped her lips.

Matu.

Indeed, it was a discipline that didn’t quite fit the title of mage.

The world’s perception was changing in that direction.

But Jennifer was busy scouting for potential disciples even today.

Matu was the martial art of the imperial palace.

‘I can’t let its lineage die out.’

However, contrary to her determination, her eyes kept following the dazzling display of magic.

Especially the sight of the second and third years clashing.

The spectacle of basic 3rd class spells flying about.

Is this how mages should fight to be true to their calling?

Jennifer, despite having lived long enough to make others’ eyes widen in disbelief, still felt overwhelmed by the changing tides of the world.

‘Surely, following the world’s trends isn’t the only way to be a mage.’

Boom-!

Her brief contemplation was drowned out by the explosive sound.

One can fight spectacularly without Matu.

But something was lacking.

They hurled flashy spells at each other, but the decisive blow was missing.

If it were Jennifer, or rather a Matu practitioner, she would have closed in and ended it physically in the time it took to cast a spell.

In reality, Manus and Nia were competing to see who could deploy magic more precisely, faster, and stronger.

“Wow, it’s really fierce.”

“I guess great families are great families for a reason.”

“…”

Everyone, including Kael, couldn’t tear their eyes away from their test.

Simultaneously, they realized.

That they were still too tender and weak to venture out into the world.

Lupera, in particular, gritted his teeth as he watched the match.

Speed, power, knowledge.

Every aspect was beyond his reach.

‘This is actually better.’

Let those who are meant to rise, rise.

He would plot his rebellion thoroughly from the bottom.

Inwardly, he felt relieved.

‘After all, what I’m aiming for is the monster hunting time.’

Even monsters have their limits.

Lupera checked the reagent she had given him.

This, sleeping peacefully in his bosom, would surely be a game-changer.

The evaluation wasn’t what mattered.

What mattered was sending those guys to hell.

Lupera let out an eerie chuckle at the events about to unfold.

And the eyes of the woman watching him also curved gently.

2

‘How crude. But why is it so strong?’

‘Hey, just how much mana does this guy have?’

‘No, how can such a monstrous man exist?!’

After about 10 minutes of relentless spell casting.

A sweet taste was starting to rise in her mouth.

Maintaining magic and using different spells was becoming strenuous.

Yet, the second-year junior before her still seemed fresh as a daisy.

What on earth was going on?

Why did she feel an insurmountable wall from a second-year student?

“Phew-.”

He let out a deep sigh.

With a wave of his hand, another magic circle was drawn.

3rd class, wind attribute magic.

Nia responded with a groan.

For now, she would endure.

She planned to hold out until his mana depleted by combining elemental affinities and defensive magic.

‘Really, how persistent.’

On the other hand, Manus, having completed the magic circle, clicked his tongue.

He was indeed a cheat character, having boosted his stats with his outrageously unfair ability.

As the saying goes, “constant dripping wears away the stone,” he had unleashed dozens of spells without resorting to 4th class magic.

Without [High Restio], he would have been pushed back long ago.

Now his mana was running dangerously low.

What he needed now wasn’t magic.

‘I was planning to learn Matu anyway-.’

Abrel Nia was an extraordinary mage, reminiscent of Invidea.

If she continued to grow like this, the Abrel family would surely rise to become a great house.

That made her all the more desirable.

Mages were the core of firepower and versatile talents.

While warriors and guardians were certainly important, mages were central to dealing damage.

With more damage dealers, they could face the formidable enemies that lay ahead.

“Huff-.”

His method of using his body was clumsy.

In his previous life, he had steered clear of exercise.

Where would a salary man living day to day with overtime have time for exercise?

Still, there were things that remained faintly in his memory.

Like the Taekwondo he learned as a very young child, or mimicking the techniques of wrestling athletes he saw during his school days.

Manus executed the movements he dredged up from the depths of his memory.

‘This is the end.’

[Ignira]

Crackle-!

Flames writhed like snakes as they shot forth.

Simultaneously, Manus kicked off the ground.

It was a strange sensation.

His mana moved on its own.

As if providing an answer to ‘how to move faster and stronger’, it flowed naturally.

Boom-!

“What, Matu-!”

“Hnngh-!”

Though amateurish, he imitated it.

The Buckley family’s passive, enhanced physique, and Caesar’s mana correction.

All these combined to create a somewhat plausible movement.

Boom-.

He stepped into a fighting stance and stretched out his hand.

A posture that seemed like it should be accompanied by a shout of ‘Hya-!’ from somewhere.

The mass of mana that burst from his fingertips exploded.

“Kyaaah-!”

Bang-!

Nia flew to the edge of the arena with a shrill scream.

She couldn’t react in time to the figure that rushed in as soon as their spells collided.

Because of warriors and guardians, modern mages are too weak in close combat.

Depleted mana.

A head so dazed it reeked.

A stomach so compressed she could barely breathe.

‘This is beyond my limit.’

She raised both hands.

She had lost.

It was frustrating, but she had to admit defeat.

At the same time, she realized how high the level of geniuses could be.

“I lost. Ugh, to think you’d pull out Matu at the end. Where did you learn that?”

“I just tried it.”

“-Just tried?”

What kind of person is this guy?

Nia let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

Just tried?

It had been a series of surprises until now, but how much more was he going to astonish her?

And… how much more was he going to make her feel miserable?

“You mentioned joining the club, right? A promise is a promise… I’ll come find you after the evaluation.”

“Good work.”

Manus bowed his head slightly and extended his hand.

At that moment-.

Wooooah-!

As soon as it was judged that the match had ended, the surroundings, which had been engulfed in silence, filled with a massive cheer.

Nia looked around with a dazed expression.

Everyone was looking at her, at the man in front of her.

Unreserved cheers.

Had she ever received such acclaim before?

“There are always people who will cheer even if you lose.”

“…Wouldn’t those cheers be for you?”

“Let’s listen.”

The cheers that had seemed distant.

Upon closer inspection, she could clearly hear it.

Those saying she was amazing.

Those saying it was the best match.

Those expressing admiration, and so on.

Countless people were chanting her name.

An overwhelming emotion filled her chest.

“Ah-. This much is satisfying. Let’s have another match next time. I won’t be so easy then.”

Manus gave a faint smile and turned away.

That scene was deeply etched in everyone’s mind.

Especially in one person’s.

“D-Did you see that just now?!”

“Yes. I saw it.”

“Was there anyone in the Caesar family who used Matu?”

Jennifer shook her head.

If there had been such a person, she would have known.

From her perspective, it was far from proficient, but the strike Manus delivered showed potential.

He wouldn’t have shown such a move simply for victory or performance.

She was called the top of the third year, the eldest daughter of the Abrel family.

It was a meaningful blow against her, strong enough to finish the match.

It was as good as a declaration to everyone.

“So this is why they call him a tyrant.”

A tyrant cannot maintain their position without strength.

The moment that cruel and willful person realizes they’ve lost their power, the wolves who had been holding their breath will tear the tyrant apart.

That boy, barely in his teens, must have instinctively, or perhaps with his exceptional intelligence, realized this.

One year, maybe more.

He showcased a hidden move now, at the most optimal timing, that he had kept deeply concealed.

To sternly warn those who had mocked and despised him, saying he couldn’t match up to third-years.

“I’ve found a target.”

“Pardon?”

“I must make that guy take my class by any means necessary.”

“Is, is it that significant?”

Jennifer nodded.

A satisfied smile had unknowingly spread across her lips.

The informant, knowing what that curved lip meant, shuddered.

Amidst the unceasing cheers, the next match began immediately.

Manus, seemingly untired, finished with a winning streak up to the last match.

[Next is the team competition. Please gather with your team members and standby.]

[There will be a random draw in 1 minute. As the matches will be held consecutively, we hope for good results.]

Now the main game was about to begin.

Two people, a man and a woman, approached, panting heavily.

Alano and Guillermo had shown their mettle by achieving consecutive victories.

While the favorable draw had played a part, securing consecutive wins against third-years was by no means an easy feat.

Manus smiled at the two.

“You’re not tired, are you?”

“Of course not. The battles we’ve been through were tougher than this.”

“-What do you take me for?”

Though their answers differed, the conclusion seemed to be that both were fine.

Phew-.

As Manus caught his breath, his mana and stamina surged back.

Time was on his side.

Not just the three of them, but everyone here must have experienced varying degrees of power consumption.

The professors’ eyes were gleaming.

That’s right.

True ability doesn’t come from being in perfect condition.

“From now on, it’s the real evaluation, so let’s end it quickly.”

How well can one preserve their strength in a situation where consumption is inevitable?

How much ingenuity can one display in difficult situations?

They must have drained their strength to evaluate all these aspects.

[We will now begin the group evaluation.]

[Please check your group numbers carefully and proceed to the arena.]

The final phase had begun.

–TL Notes–
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