The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 11

May 1st, 1:30 PM.

I watched Soon-chan’s match from the spectator seats.

“Ji Soon-chan. For someone from a merchant family, he’s holding up pretty well.”

“Yeah, he is.”

Soon-chan was a promising talent, ranked within the top 20 of the second-year students, but his opponent was just too much.

“But Adela is on another level.”

Adela Steart.

Her Korean name is Wi Ji-soo.

A half-French, half-Korean prodigy who has never fallen from the top spot since entering the academy.

“Ha. I’m so jealous of her arcane magic.”

“Yeah. That’s what you call a golden spoon.”

In this world, there exists a special type of magic called arcane magic.

It’s a form of magic inherited through bloodlines, and unlike the magic listed in the [Open Source Library], it’s a special magic that you can’t learn just because you want to.

“She’s not just a golden spoon, she’s a platinum spoon.”

“True. She’s mastered two arcane magics.”

The prestigious Steart family of France.

The prestigious Shinbiwi family of Korea.

Adela Steart, born between these two prestigious families, had naturally mastered all the arcane magics that each family boasted.

“Moonlight Bullet. It’s amazing no matter how many times I see it.”

“Whoa. The effects are insane.”

One is a special attribute-type non-Mado magic that the Shinbiwi family boasts.

A complex combination magic of light and dark attributes.

Commonly known as Moon attribute magic.

The harmony of light and darkness is said to resemble moonlight shining down from the sky.

“What’s with that range?”

“How are you even supposed to break through that?”

One of the advantages of arcane magic is its secrecy.

Unlike open-source magic, where the range, distance, power, and characteristics are all listed, the information about arcane magic is kept strictly hidden.

In modern magic battles, where you have to read your opponent’s moves and change your actions accordingly, like in Go or chess, secrecy is the ultimate weapon.

‘Of course, you can gather information by analyzing videos, but…’

Whatever the case, the information is bound to be more uncertain compared to open-source magic.

“Is it even possible for a 3rd circle magic to have that range and power?”

“Ha. I’m really feeling the reality check.”

And most arcane magics boast overwhelming performance.

It’s called 3rd circle magic, but it could easily be considered 3.5 circle magic.

There are countless other advantages that arcane magic possesses.

“As expected, Ms. Adela is amazing.”

While I was focused on Soon-chan and Adela’s match, a male voice suddenly entered my ears.

“Gasp! Th-the Blue Magic Tower Master!”

“M-Mr. Kim Kang-in!”

Before I could even check their faces, the people around me shouted.

“It’s been a while.”

The Blue Magic Tower Master placed his hand on my shoulder and sat down next to me.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve been too well! Haha!”

He had the same smile as when I last saw him a year ago.

“Wow. To see the Blue Magic Tower Master this close.”

“S-should I ask for an autograph?”

“No, more importantly, did he come all the way here to see Shin Ha-yul?”

The murmuring grew louder.

“Thank you for the notarization. Thanks to you, I was able to focus on the exam.”

“I was worried that I was being too nosy, but I’m glad it helped.”

The Blue Magic Tower Master replied with his trademark good-natured smile.

“By the way. I was surprised. I never imagined that Ha-yul would become a 4th circle mage.”

“I was just lucky.”

“You’re still as humble as ever.”

Blue Magic Tower Master Kim Kang-in.

The youngest 8th circle mage in Korea and the symbol of Korean mages.

His hobby is talking to talented people.

“The Wind Spear you used yesterday. Would you mind if I asked what magic formula you used?”

And analyzing magic.

He probably approached me because he was interested in the uniqueness of the Wind Spear I used yesterday.

“Would any mage reveal their secrets so easily?”

“Hmm. I guess not.”

The Blue Magic Tower Master smiled and looked at Adela in the arena.

There was no hint of disappointment on his face.

It was probably because he had expected from the start that I wouldn’t reveal my magic secrets.

“Then, I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to sell the magic formula for your modified Wind Spear either.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

I don’t even have a way to sell it in the first place.

I didn’t modify the Wind Spear’s magic formula.

“You’re firm. James will be sad.”

“…The Red Magic Tower Master?”

“Yes. He contacted me yesterday at dawn. He said he wanted to buy your modified Wind Spear magic formula.”

Kim Kang-in covered his mouth and chuckled.

“It was the first time I’d seen him so excited. He was full of praise for you.”

The Red Magic Tower Master is known for being stingy with praise.

It felt strange that such a person had openly praised me.

“Then, I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to reveal any of the new magic you develop in the future either.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

As I said, there’s no way to share my magic.

Unless they are a Vaitener-style magic adept with the same constitution as me.

“Oh, really?”

The Blue Magic Tower Master’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.

“Does that mean that there are other modified magics like that Wind Spear?”

“Yes.”

“…Interesting.”

The Blue Magic Tower Master smiled with a look of pure joy.

“Then, I’ll be going now.”

The Blue Magic Tower Master stood up. Then, he lightly patted my shoulder and smiled.

“Oh, and by the way, I’m looking forward to the main tournament.”

With those words, the Blue Magic Tower Master left the spectator seats.

* * *

“Loser, welcome back.”

I greeted Soon-chan with a bright smile.

“…Yeah. Thanks, you real friend.”

Soon-chan replied with a twitch in his brow.

“How was it?”

I casually handed Soon-chan a sports drink.

“How was it? You saw it. It was amazing.”

Soon-chan smiled bitterly and drank his beverage.

“He’s grown so much since last year. All I could do was just hold on.”

“You held on pretty well, though?”

“Anyone can hold on like that if they give up on counterattacking.”

Soon-chan sighed as if the ground was about to cave in.

“Ugh. What’s my fate? To meet Adela in the round of 32.”

“Yeah. You really have terrible luck.”

I laughed playfully.

“…Alright. I’ll pray that you meet Adela in the round of 16.”

Soon-chan smiled with gritted teeth.

“I hope that happens.”

At that moment, a female voice came from behind us.

“Adela Steart…”

Adela, who had just come out of the waiting room, approached us with a blank expression.

“That was a good fight. You did a great job.”

Adela greeted Soon-chan with a stiff expression.

“Ah, yes. I learned a lot thanks to you.”

Soon-chan replied with an awkward smile.

He couldn’t even look Adela in the face properly and was even fumbling.

It’s not that Soon-chan is shy or has feelings for Adela that he’s reacting like this.

It’s just that he’s overwhelmed by Adela’s aura.

“I look forward to the day we compete again.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll try to show a better performance next time.”

The unique beauty of a mixed-race person and her exotic blonde hair.

A strange charisma emanating from her doll-like appearance.

Strong eyes that make anyone who looks at them want to avert their gaze.

And even her magical skills that encompass all of that atmosphere.

Not only Soon-chan, but most of the students also act awkwardly when facing Adela.

“It’s been a while.”

Adela, who had finished greeting Soon-chan, turned her gaze to me.

“Yeah, it has.”

For the record, I’m also included among the majority of students who feel awkward around Adela.

Of course, it’s not that I’m overwhelmed by her aura or her beauty.

“I heard the news. You’ve finally found your path.”

“…Yeah.”

It’s an awkwardness that comes from the complexity of our relationship, I guess.

“I’m glad.”

Adela and I have known each other since before entering the academy.

The Madoshin family and the Shinbiwi family have a pretty good relationship, so we often met at exchange events.

“It’s a relief.”

If I had to describe the relationship between me and Adela in one word, it would be ‘rivals’.

Of course, it’s Adela who unilaterally harbors a sense of competition.

Anyway, Adela was the only one among my peers who could be called my rival.

“I am glad that the reason I chose Obelisk Academy has returned.”

The reason Adela gave up on going to France and chose Obelisk Academy was because of me.

I remember her declaring that she would beat me no matter what.

“Well, I did find my own way, but it’s not enough to be your goal again.”

But when I actually entered Obelisk Academy, I, who was her goal, became a misfit and fell from grace in an instant.

Adela’s goal also disappeared in an instant.

After that, the relationship between me and Adela completely fell apart.

Thanks to that, we haven’t had a proper conversation at school for the past year.

Neither Adela nor I knew how to treat each other.

“That may be true now.”

Adela’s eyes sparkled.

“But I believe you will soon become my goal again.”

Her eyes were mysterious, and I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

“Because the Shin Ha-yul I know is that kind of man.”

To put it in a metaphor, it was like a fisherman who had been drifting at sea finding the light of a lighthouse beyond the fog.

* * *

Adela Steart was watching Shin Ha-yul’s match alone in the spectator seats.

“Wow, that Wind Spear is really impregnable.”

“Has everyone been toyed with by that Wind Spear so far?”

“Baek Sa-hyuk and Ji Min-hoo, they can’t even handle it with 3rd circle magic.”

Shin Ha-yul’s opponent in the round of 32 was Ji Min-hoo.

Like Baek Sa-hyuk, he was a promising talent who had mastered the 3rd circle.

He was a true 3rd circle mage, even more highly regarded than Baek Sa-hyuk.

“He’s a true 1st circle archmage.”

“What’s with that title?”

“I don’t know. That’s what they call him on the internet? A 1st circle archmage who toys with his opponents with mysterious 1st circle magic.”

Shin Ha-yul was overwhelming such Ji Min-hoo.

He wasn’t even using any significant magic.

‘He’s completely toying with his opponent by thoroughly predicting all of his magic and exploiting their weaknesses.’

Even insignificant basic magic turns into deadly magic when used by Shin Ha-yul.

The 1st circle magic Water blocks the 3rd circle Explosion.

The 1st circle magic Wind twists the trajectory of the opponent’s magic.

“How are you even supposed to attack that Wind Spear?”

“Even if you block it, it comes back, and even if you try to erase it, it changes its trajectory.”

To Adela, Shin Ha-yul’s battle looked like a work of art.

A battle that only Shin Ha-yul could do.

Currently, Ji Min-hoo must be suspecting that Shin Ha-yul is reading his mind.

‘He’s back.’

A shiver ran down Adela’s spine.

That’s Shin Ha-yul.

A monster of one-on-one combat who counterattacks with more than what you prepare.

The very person who gave Adela her first defeat and the man who was Adela’s goal.

‘My idol is back.’

When she heard the news of his revival, she felt like she was flying in the sky.

It was like finding a lighthouse while wandering the sea without a landmark.

“Match over! Winner! Shin Ha-yul!”

“Wow!”

“Amazing!”

“Shin Ha-yul is so cool!”

After the match, cheers echoed through the arena.

‘Shin Ha-yul.’

Shin Ha-yul, who had achieved victory.

Adela’s eyes, looking at him, were filled with longing.

‘I want to fight him.’

She wanted to compete with the current Shin Ha-yul.

A flame called competitive spirit blazed in Adela’s heart.

* * *

10 PM that night.

I was looking at the main tournament bracket that had just been released, and I let out a groan.

[Match 8]

[Shin Ha-yul vs Adela Steart]

“…I’m going to punch Soon-chan in the face as soon as I see him tomorrow.”

Soon-chan’s curse had become a reality.

My opponent in the round of 16 was Adela.

I sighed.

Adela’s arcane magic is too much for me to handle in my current state.

No, in the first place, it’s a perfect counter to my current fighting style.

‘My tactics of blocking the opponent based on information and the secrecy of arcane magic are a terrible match.’

The last time I fought Adela was before I received the artificial intelligence, before I was 17 years old.

At that time, Adela wasn’t very good at using arcane magic.

Naturally, I don’t have any data on Adela’s arcane magic in my head.

‘She’s not an opponent I can beat with just 1st circle magic without solid information.’

Adela is that strong of an opponent.

At least, I don’t have a way to win with my current abilities.

‘But I have to win.’

My goal is to be in the top 10 in this exam.

To do that, I need to beat Adela and get into the top 8, no matter what.

And there’s only one way for me to beat Adela right now.

“…I was going to get more used to it before using it.”

It can’t be helped now that things have turned out this way.

With a determined face, I opened [Ray Bell Vaitener].

[If you believe that your mind has reached its peak, infuse your magic power into the magic circle on page 203.]

[That magic circle will lead you to a new realm.]

[I repeat, do not be impatient. Impatience is the poison of magic. Be sure to use this magic circle only when you believe that your mind has reached its peak.]