Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 283

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 283

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius 283

The Old Fox (3)

“My skills are superior.”

That was an undeniable fact.

Despite wielding powerful lightning like a weapon, Baek Seok-ho hadn’t managed to inflict a single scratch on me, even with the battle tipping in his favor. It’s only natural that I wouldn’t be intimidated by such a man, no matter what impressive weapon he wielded.

Me and Baek Seok-ho.

The difference in skill and experience between us was simply too vast.

However, Baek Seok-ho filled that gap with a weapon.

Astrape.

‘I don’t know where he got that, but it’s definitely superior to anything I possess.’

It was almost unbelievable.

Among the items I owned, several were brought from my original world. Even if the overall level of martial prowess was debatable, the average quality of the armory in my world was a step above this one.

The cross-shaped earrings, 「Rosary of Holy Radiance」, proved that fact.

These small earrings possessed a staggering four abilities.

Reversing the source of wounds to heal them, negating what is unjust, creating a barrier, and embodying virtue.

Each ability reached an extraordinary level.

Even earrings imbued with such abilities were deemed [Legendary].

The 「Tamamo’s Ring」 on my ring finger was also Legendary, and the prosthetic arm 「Aketrauve」 on my left arm was of Mythic grade. Even with countless other artifacts, I couldn’t confidently say that their combined value could compare to the might of that spear.

—I… I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.

‘Really? To think even you, who lived through the ancient times, have never seen such a weapon.’

—I’m not that old, okay? I’m only 1,000 years old, tops?!

‘That’s ancient enough for me.’

Tamamo shouted noisily.

Her boisterousness was unlike her usual self, but from my perspective, it was preferable. Yes, this was better than before.

Just moments ago, Tamamo had been excessively withdrawn.

‘Well, I suppose it’s understandable.’

From the moment the lightning spear, Astrape, appeared, Tamamo had frozen up. That’s how immense the pressure from that single weapon was.

Tamamo, existing only as a soul without a physical body, must have felt an even greater sense of dread than I did. She probably sensed the true potential of that spear.

Pazzzzzzt─!

Upon its appearance, the surrounding mana fluctuated wildly, and the space around the lightning distorted as if responding to the electricity.

It was like looking at the world through a convex lens.

That’s how distorted and twisted it became.

“So, it’s truly of Mythic grade.”

“You recognize it too, huh? I almost want to dissect your brain at this point.”

“You’re getting cocky just because you pulled out a spear. It’s still just a spear.”

There’s a reason why the saying ‘external objects’ exists.

External objects and possessions should be the least valued.

It’s true that one becomes stronger by acquiring good weapons, but relying solely on weapons is a flawed attitude for a martial artist. Especially for a martial artist capable of wielding such pure and powerful spear energy.

A weapon is ultimately just a weapon.

A spear is ultimately just a spear.

Once it’s broken, it can no longer hide its form in that silvery light.

—Can you break it?

‘Is there any other way? We can’t let that weapon linger for too long. Destroying it swiftly is much more likely to lead to victory than dragging things out.’

—Haa, it seems like the person who needs to act quickly has changed places…

As she said.

The person who wanted to prolong the fight and the person who wanted to end it quickly had switched. Just five minutes ago, a prolonged battle would have favored me, but from the moment he pulled out that weapon, time was no longer on my side.

Not that the spear itself had any abilities that aided in a prolonged fight.

‘The variables are too great.’

Magic and martial arts.

Baek Seok-ho didn’t surpass me in any aspect.

Neither in skill nor experience.

If there was anything, it was his physical abilities and the divine power passed down from his family. As for physical abilities, it couldn’t be helped that I was weaker than Baek Seok-ho, given my current body was weak for my level.

Divine power was not something I could do anything about.

‘In the first place, Baek Seung-woo can’t learn that field.’

Unlike how I easily learned Tamamo’s 「Primordial Sorcery」 because it suited me well, the divine power passed down from the Cheonho Baekga [Thousand-Fox Baek Clan] was a field I couldn’t learn at all.

It was due to the difference in species.

Just as a human without sharp claws cannot hunt like a tiger.

A dark fox could not master the culmination of divine power that white foxes had researched and developed for a thousand years.

‘So, I was deliberately avoiding powerful attacks to circumvent the divine power, but should I have just killed him before he even had a chance to pull that out?’

My meticulous nature had backfired.

Trying to fight cautiously.

It had led to a result that was worse than pouring everything into a single strike.

As I seriously pondered how to deal with it, a flash of light sparkled before me. The spear was aiming for my eyeballs.

“What… !”

I barely managed to block it.

「Holy Protection Manifestation」

A golden shield protected me from that eerie spear.

The earring with a yellow jewel embedded in my ear sparkled. The defensive ability built into the earring, Holy Protection, had saved me.

“Tough, I see. Is that magic?”

“…The speed has increased more than twofold. It’s the spear’s effect, right?”

“What if I said no?”

“I’d tell you not to lie so obviously.”

“Then there’s your answer. It’s the spear’s effect.”

My eyes stared at Baek Seok-ho.

He was standing not far from where he had been just moments ago.

I couldn’t believe it. How much time had passed? He had attacked me from that spot and was already over there?

It was insane speed.

No, I wasn’t even sure if I could define it as speed in the first place.

That movement was almost like teleportation.

But what was truly frightening was that even teleportation wasn’t that fast.

My senses, having reached the highest grade of S+ that a human could achieve, could read any sign.

The same went for teleportation.

My five senses were more than enough to detect the distortion of the surrounding space-time. However, his speed surpassed even my senses.

If you were to ask if I missed Baek Seok-ho because he moved so stealthily?

I would shake my head.

Baek Seok-ho never moved stealthily.

He was charging at me, wielding the spear wildly, with lightning engulfing his entire body.

It’s just that he was faster than my senses could perceive.

If I hadn’t instinctively deployed the barrier, I would have lost an eye in vain.

“For the record, when I wield this spear, all my speeds increase more than fivefold. Or maybe less, or maybe more than fivefold.”

“You have a truly nasty personality.”

Yeah, I didn’t think twofold would be the limit.

It’s supposed to be the spear of a lightning god, so twofold is too weak.

I had no choice but to engage in the fight while keeping in mind that at least tenfold was possible.

‘Then, dealing with it using magic is impossible.’

—Why are you suddenly canceling the magic you were secretly preparing?

‘You. Can you assist with magic as well as sorcery?’

—Magic? It’s not my specialty, but I have seen and learned a few things on the side while being behind you all this time…

‘Can you do it or not? Just tell me that.’

—I can. It’s just that I can’t do fire magic as well as you.

While Tamamo and I were talking.

Baek Seok-ho looked at me and fiddled with the spear.

It didn’t seem like he needed any time, and it seemed like that guy was mistaking our staring contest for a battle of nerves?

I had to finish communicating quickly at this time.

‘Then, what about 「Five Senses Script」?’

—I can’t do that. It’s not compatible with me at all.

‘Then, just assist with sorcery and magic. I’ll figure out the script somehow.’

—What are you trying to do?

‘No time. In case of emergency, I’ll give you the authority to move my body as you please, so judge and act accordingly.’

—Hey! You have to explain everything before you go!

I turned my head away from the sharp voice calling out to me.

Facing forward, I ignited a flame in my hand and pulled out a crimson spear from beyond the flames.

「Dawn Spear」

The flames took the shape of a spear and then materialized.

The intense energy wrapped around the spear.

Of course, it wasn’t comparable to Astrape.

But it was enough to block it.

Clang─!

The spears clashed in mid-air.

The lightning-covered spear struck down, and the flame-spewing spear blocked it.

Creak, the spear shaft bent.

With a single strike, 「Dawn Spear」 was being destroyed.

It wasn’t a matter of strength. It was a difference in material, like wood breaking when it collides with iron.

“It’s holding up quite well! A good craftsman must have made it with good materials.”

Baek Seok-ho said with a surprised look.

He looked at me as if he was seeing a weapon withstand his spear for the first time.

Indeed, Noya’s spear.

It was the first time I had seen Ong’s spear bend in just one exchange. Just how sturdy was Baek Seok-ho’s spear?

‘Can I break it?’

It would be better if I could take it, but now is not the time to be blinded by greed.

That spear is a huge variable.

I might get my neck cut off by a variable if I get greedy wanting to have it.

‘Rather.’

If I can’t have it, I have to break it.

Break it thoroughly so that even its shape is unrecognizable.

I made that decision, but as soon as I made that decision, Baek Seok-ho’s offensive came in so fast it was terrifying.

Bang!

I blocked the attack aimed at my heart with the spear shaft.

Bang!

This time, the brain.

I cleverly deflected the spear that was trying to pierce my forehead in one go.

But the force was so strong and the speed so fast that the sound of the spear bouncing off was incredibly heavy.

Clang!

A clear sound of metal colliding with metal.

This time, the tips of the spears were exquisitely intertwined.

In that position, Baek Seok-ho and I began to exert force.

Cheeeeeee─!

With the tips of the spears intertwined, the tips began to wear down and spark with a loud noise as we applied force from both sides.

A sound that could be heard from a construction site unfolds from the hands of two men.

We didn’t change our posture and switched the event from skill to a power struggle.

To be exact, it wasn’t us.

Baek Seok-ho wanted to change it, so he forced the change.

“As expected… Lord! Your knowledge of spears is also outstanding. Truly martial arts befitting the head of the Cheonho Baekga! [Thousand-Fox Baek Clan]”

“Don’t praise me, just curse me out. You’re annoyed right now, aren’t you? You’re angry that your spearmanship, honed over decades, can’t break through the spearmanship I’m displaying, right? Right? Huh?”

“Haha! If you’re going to run your mouth, why don’t we have a debate instead.”

Uh-oh, he’s dodging the question?

It seems he doesn’t want to admit that he’s being pushed back in spearmanship.

That’s why he changed the event to a power struggle, but this is disadvantageous for me!

My body was already messed up, so muscles don’t build up well.

The only ways I could increase my strength and endurance were doping and magic. Was that why?

Bulge!

The muscles began to swell as if they would burst.

Mana permeated the muscles, casting enhancement magic.

As my strength increased, the power struggle that had been pushing me back gradually began to even out.

But it was still not enough.

“Puhaha! Cute little muscles, Lord. Is that magic too?”

“…I still have one shot left.”

“What?”

—I’ve invested all the circuits that can be allocated from your mana circuits into physical enhancement. It will be difficult to withstand the mana consumption and aftereffects, but hold on for now!

Cheeeeeee─!

In a power struggle where we were aiming spears at each other, finally, instead of maintaining equilibrium, I began to overwhelm him.

“W-what is this suddenly…?!

“What kind of pain is this really!”

Baek Seok-ho was flustered when he was pushed back in strength as well.

Of course, I was also flustered. It hurt so much that I couldn’t fully concentrate on the power struggle. It was that painful.

The load on the bones and blood vessels from the greatly increased muscle strength was enormous, but it was an unavoidable sacrifice to win.

Hang in there! If I just damage the bones and blood vessels a little, I can win.