The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 81

The Rebirth of the Mythical Archmage-82

It’s the second day of the Olympiad.

Today, the Korean team has a total of three siege matches scheduled.

One at 10 AM, one at 2:25 PM, and one at 5:30 PM.

These are the Round of 32, Round of 16, and Round of 8 matches, respectively.

And the current time is 2:30 PM.

We easily won the Round of 32 and are now in the middle of the Round of 16.

“Is it okay for it to be this easy? For the mighty Germany to be so helpless…”

Our Round of 16 opponent is Germany.

Germany, like Italy, is considered a strong team, but they were no match for our team.

“What’s the point of being strong? They’re a disorganized mess.”

“…Don’t you think it’s strange that *your* strategy made Germany look like a disorganized mess?”

Soonchan looks at me with eyes like he’s seeing a monster.

It’s an expression of awe.

Since everything is going according to my plan, it’s only natural for him to react like that.

“I haven’t done anything today?”

Today, I’ve just been standing still at the base, doing nothing. Germany is just making mistakes on their own.

“That’s right. You haven’t done anything today. Today.”

Soonchan chuckled.

It’s a ‘let’s not talk about it’ kind of expression.

“Anyway, our leader Shin Hayul’s high-level baiting strategy is working perfectly.”

“Of course. That’s why I put on such a show yesterday.”

The reason why the German team is currently making a series of mistakes is, of course, because of me.

After my opening ceremony performance and single-handedly crushing the Italian team, they became wary of my abilities, changed their tactics, and became sluggish in their actions.

That’s the result.

Even though neither I nor Soonchan are really moving, the tide of the battle is in our favor.

No, it’s not just in our favor, it’s more like we’re completely dominating them.

“But, is it really okay for us to do nothing? What if they decide to go all-in and rush Heeyoon’s group…”

Just like how Soonchan and I are defending the base.

Currently, the German team also has their leader and a subordinate defending their base.

If these two join the fierce battle where Jin Heeyoon, Adela, and Kang Shinwoo are fighting, those three will be in danger.

That’s what Soonchan is talking about.

“It’s okay. If that happens, we can join them. The battlefield isn’t that far away.”

In that case, we can just move as well.

“And well, unlike other teams, the German team won’t move.”

“…Why?”

“Their leader is as cautious as they come.”

To put it nicely, he’s cautious.

To put it badly, he’s a coward.

With that kind of personality, he’d want to avoid creating a chaotic battle by joining in this situation.

Unless we move, they won’t move either.

“So, we can really just stay still like this?”

“If our main force starts to get pushed back in the 3:3 battle, then we’ll have to move.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

Soonchan smiled confidently.

“Because there’s no way Heeyoon’s group will lose.”

“That’s true.”

The collaboration of Jin Heeyoon and Kang Shinwoo, led by Adela.

Among the combinations we’ve prepared, this trio, which boasts the strongest offensive power, has a 0% chance of losing to the German team without their leader.

* * *

[Round of 16, Match 7]

[Korea (Win) VS Germany (Loss)]

As expected, we easily achieved victory.

Our team dominated in the 3:3, making it 5:2, and then we pressured the German team.

The German team couldn’t put up any resistance and lost.

“Wow. That’s amazing. This is what a team is, this is what a country is.”

Heeyoon said with a flushed face.

It seems like the aftereffects of the excitement are still there, and her face looks like it’s surging with adrenaline.

“Soonchan, is there any reaction on Korean social media?”

“Yes, there is. Shall I read them to you?”

Soonchan excitedly read the social media posts. All of them were positive.

From comments saying that they thought it was a one-man team with Shin Hayul, but the other members are also quite good, to comments saying that they should really look forward to Korea’s performance this year.

There wasn’t a single bad comment.

The worst you could say were concerns about being worried.

“There are… really no negative comments. It’s surprisingly so.”

“There wouldn’t be. That’s how our country is. They’re endlessly kind to promising talents who are doing well overseas.”

Jin Heeyoon crossed her legs and answered with a ‘muahaha’ laugh.

“Are we really going to win a gold medal like this?”

“Oh, my. You still lack faith. If our Hayul said we could win, then we can win!”

“Scold him!”

The seniors joked and laughed with each other. The atmosphere is quite good.

Of course, a good atmosphere doesn’t always bring only positive effects to the team.

Increased tension naturally leads to a lack of focus, which soon converges into carelessness and mistakes.

As a leader, I need to calm this excessively high tension.

I was about to step forward when it happened.

“Everyone, let’s not get too carried away. The Olympiad has only just entered its second day.”

Kang Shinwoo stepped forward before I could act. It seems Kang Shinwoo was thinking the same thing as me.

“Besides, our Round of 8 opponent is none other than England… Kyle Bentia. This is not a situation to be excited about.”

“…”

“…”

Everyone fell silent at Kang Shinwoo’s words. They all seemed to realize that their tension had risen more than necessary.

“Sorry. I’ll focus.”

Jin Heeyoon calmed her mood with a deep breath.

The others were the same.

They became calm and serious, as if they had never been excited.

‘As expected, they’re good.’

Not just in magic, but also mentally, the 10 of them are perfectly put together.

The fact that the team’s completeness is close to perfect is what this is all about.

I’m very satisfied.

“Alright, alright. But everyone doesn’t need to be too serious. Is Kyle Bentia a problem? I’m here.”

I eased the somewhat stiff atmosphere.

“That’s true.”

“We’re not worried about you. We’re worried about you making a mistake.”

“Ah, I admit that. Heeyoon, you really seem like you’re going to make a mistake.”

“Yeah. Jinseok, shut up.”

The atmosphere became just right, good but not too excited.

With this momentum, there wouldn’t be any problems with the British team or the American team.

I had that conviction.

* * *

5:25 PM.

5 minutes before the match starts.

[Round of 8, Match 3]

[Korea VS England]

Since it was a match between the top contenders, the stadium was as noisy as it could be.

“Who’s going to win this time?”

“Hey. Don’t you know the history and tradition of England? Of course, England will win.”

“History and tradition, my foot. Didn’t you see Shin Hayul during the performance? He single-handedly crushed five members of the Italian team? Of course, the Korean team will win.”

“Kyle could have done that much too?”

“Wanna bet?”

“Shall we bet?”

Such scenes were unfolding throughout the stands.

Some were betting on dinner, some were betting on a light flick on the forehead, and some were even betting money through illegal activities like Toto [a form of lottery or gambling].

“Who do you think will win?”

And here, in the VVIP room, there were also people who were betting.

“Of course, our Kyle will win.”

“Hayul will win.”

The masters of the Red, Green, and Blue Magic Towers. Mages who belong to the 8th circle, of which there are less than 100 in the world, are childishly engaging in a war of nerves.

“Hehehe. Seeing this from a third-party perspective, it couldn’t be more fun.”

This match is between Korea and England.

The master of the Red Magic Tower is an outsider.

Thanks to that, he can purely enjoy the match without any worries.

The war of nerves between the two tower masters is also quite interesting.

“Red Magic Tower Master. What do you think?”

“James. What’s your opinion?”

But that was just James’s delusion.

Being stuck between these two, he couldn’t be an outsider.

Both of them asked for James’s opinion at the same time.

“Uh…”

James trailed off with a troubled expression.

In this situation, am I supposed to take one of their sides?

That’s a bit difficult.

“Don’t hold it against me, just speak freely. Evaluate it coldly. Who do you think will win?”

The Green Magic Tower Master, Min Gaeun, asked with a gentle smile.

She said she wouldn’t hold it against him, but her expression clearly showed that she would definitely hold it against him.

For reference, Min Gaeun’s grudges are very bad.

“That’s right. You can speak freely.”

Kim Kangin smiled gently, as if he really wouldn’t hold it against him.

He actually wouldn’t hold it against him.

“Ugh.”

James let out a small groan.

This is really putting me in a difficult spot.

Thinking that, he let out a small sigh.

“Okay. I’ll just speak purely based on my personal judgment, okay?”

“Yeah.”

James slowly opened his mouth, scanning the faces of each team member displayed on each monitor.

“I think the Korean team has the advantage.”

At that, Min Gaeun’s expression soured, and Kim Kangin’s expression brightened even more.

“…Why?”

Her expression and gestures clearly showed that she was holding it against him.

James sighed softly with an ‘I knew it’ expression.

“Let’s be honest. Green Magic Tower Master, you also know deep down who has the advantage.”

“…”

Min Gaeun fell silent.

She was hit right on the mark.

“Currently, the power of the Korean team, no, Shin Hayul, has surpassed Kyle and even our Dahlia. The skills of the other team members are also not to be underestimated. In terms of team power, there is no team that surpasses the current Korean team.”

James recalled the battle between the Italian team and the Korean team yesterday.

Shin Hayul, who used magic that exceeded the power of 5th circle magic in succession.

If Shin Hayul and Dahlia fought 1:1, could she win?

What if he starts using 6th circle magic there?

The current Dahlia cannot win.

“If it was just about magic output, I wouldn’t know, but Shin Hayul even has a magic eye comparable to the Blue Magic Tower Master’s.”

Shin Hayul also has the upper hand in detection ability.

“On top of that, he’s also smart, so it’s hard to gain an advantage strategically.”

Here, Shin Hayul also has the upper hand in strategic aspects.

All indicators point to Shin Hayul’s advantage.

“That’s why I said Shin Hayul has the advantage.”

No matter how much you think your own child is cuter and more amazing, there’s a limit.

Currently, Shin Hayul is the top power that is clearly on a different level.

“…You’re only saying things that are right, so I can’t even argue back.”

Min Gaeun let out a small sigh.

Of course, Min Gaeun also knows what James just said.

There’s no need to explain it in detail, the result is obvious the moment it becomes a 6th circle vs 5th circle situation.

“Okay. I’ll admit it. I tried to act tough. Shin Hayul is a bit more advantageous.”

Min Gaeun slightly raised both hands and gave a surrender sign.

“Even so, 6th circle is crossing the line.”

If it was 5th circle vs 5th circle, there would be some chance of victory.

Shin Hayul is currently 6th circle.

The odds are clearly in Shin Hayul’s favor.

“Hmm.”

The Blue Magic Tower Master let out a small groan. Could it be that Shin Hayul’s plan even deceived these two tower masters?

‘From the moment he first saw the Four Seasons [a magical artifact], he was thinking about this plan?’

He’s scary, even though he’s on our side.

“Kangin, aren’t you being a bit too much? If he was 6th circle, you should have given us a heads up?”

“Ah, I admit that. Can we really do this to each other?”

The two looked at Kim Kangin with a disappointed expression. Kim Kangin smiled as if he was in trouble.

“Hmm. Would you make me one promise?”

Kim Kangin suddenly brought up something out of the blue.

“A promise? What promise all of a sudden?”

“A promise that you will not tell anyone what you hear from me here.”

“…”

“…”

At Kim Kangin’s serious expression and words, the two tower masters’ expressions also became serious.

“Okay. I swear on the name and mana of the Magic Tower. I won’t tell anyone what I hear here, not even Kyle or my secretary.”

Min Gaeun seemed to have realized something and recited the oath.

“Me too. I swear on the honor and mana of the Red Magic Tower.”

James was the same.

Kim Kangin smiled with a satisfied expression at the two’s oaths.

The honor of the tower master, as well as the oath of mana. It was the best promise these two could offer.

“Good. Then I’ll tell you.”

Kim Kangin turned his gaze back to the monitor.

The time on the monitor was 5:29:43.

In 17 seconds, the match will begin.

“First of all, Hayul’s level is not 6th circle.”

Kim Kangin explained Shin Hayul’s strategy to the two tower masters.

The latest artifact, the Four Seasons, created using Element Mana Light.

The tactic of using that Four Seasons in the performance to cause everyone to misunderstand.

He explained the meaning of all of Shin Hayul’s actions on the first day, one by one.

And after all the talk was over.

“…That was all a strategy?”

Min Gaeun let out a hollow laugh as if she was dumbfounded.

“A contact lens-type artifact made using Element Mana Light. We’ve been completely fooled. Completely fooled.”

James covered his eyes with his palm and lamented.

“But, if what Kangin said is true…”

A different light flowed from Min Gaeun’s eyes.

“In a 1:1 battle, our Kyle might be able to win?”

“Yes. That’s right. Because Hayul is not 6th circle.”

And at that moment, cheers erupted from the stands.

The camera showed the two aces clashing right after the start of the match.

—They’re clashing right from the start of the match! Shin Hayul versus Kyle Bentia!

The announcer’s excited voice heightened the current situation.