Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 14

14. Laxon Delema

I didn’t know what to say.

[I’m screwed.]

That was exactly the situation. I had no choice but to look at Laxon’s sunken eyes.

‘It’s going to be hard to get away with this, right?’

[Looks like it……?]

It was hard to read any emotion in his eyes, so it was only natural that sweat ran down my spine.

‘Haa.’

It was best to just put on an innocent, childlike expression.

“This level of teleportation magic, it must be Liu’s doing.”

Laxon touched the door of the warehouse. His voice was still cold. The only good thing was that his dry voice didn’t have any anger mixed in yet.

‘He’s not angry?’

His unusual voice made me see the situation objectively. It was a little strange.

‘Come to think of it, there’s no killing intent at all.’

A person of his caliber would find it easier to pressure with his energy.

Which meant.

‘He’s at least willing to listen.’

It meant he was giving me the minimum courtesy. Maybe he would let it slide because it was related to Liu.

“Did Liu bring you here?”

“Yes. I asked him to.”

“Don’t you know that only members of the family can enter this place? Did you really think you could do this in Delema and not get caught?”

There was no room for excuses. I knew that the best thing to do was to bow my head deeply, even without my past life’s experiences.

“Haa. I’ve known for a while that there were rats coming in and out of this place. But I never thought there would be teleportation magic installed to the outside. It took me three years to find you because of Liu’s magic.”

Thud. Thud.

The sound of footsteps approaching one by one echoed in my ears like thunder.

‘What should I do?’

[Should I run away depending on the situation?]

I might have to in the worst case. Rather than being punished for breaking the family’s rules, it would be better to leave the family.

‘Ha, I guess this life won’t be easy either.’

I was imagining living while avoiding the eyes of Delema.

“To go this far. Liu must really like you.”

I raised my head at Laxon’s words that followed.

“What was the reason you asked to be sent here?”

The atmosphere was strange.

‘Is he going to let me off the hook?’

I quickly opened my mouth.

“I wanted to learn more in-depth magic.”

“In-depth magic?”

“Yes. What I learned at the academy was not enough. I was thirsty for knowledge.”

That was the best reason I could think of. Wizards were lenient when it came to learning. Craving knowledge was considered a basic quality of a wizard.

Of course, I didn’t forget to make a sorry face.

“The academy is boring, what an arrogant thing to say.”

He twitched his lips and made a sound again.

“Good. Then, show me how outstanding your achievements are. If you can convince me, I’ll pretend this never happened. And I’ll allow you to use the library until you graduate from the academy.”

It was a sudden offer, but there was no reason to refuse.

“How can I prove it?”

If I could just prove my achievements, everything would be resolved.

“I will come and test you soon. But if you can’t prove it, you’ll have to be prepared.”

* * *

After that day, nothing happened for a week.

‘When is he coming?’

But I couldn’t let my guard down. It was my instinct as a swordsman.

Whether I was walking down the street or eating. I didn’t know when something might happen.

Perhaps, Laxon might attack me to test my achievements.

After spending almost the entire night awake, I was heading to the auditorium.

“Ian! Did you sleep well?”

Drew was still cheerful as ever today.

“No…….”

“Heop! Even a genius like you is nervous about the graduation exam!”

That wasn’t it, but there was no need to explain.

“Ah, yeah. A little.”

All the children were already present in the auditorium.

Was it because it was the day of the graduation exam? The atmosphere in the auditorium was calmer than usual. The tension filling the air kept any child from chattering.

‘I should focus on the graduation exam for now.’

I tried to shake off the thoughts of Laxon that filled my head.

“Okay, those who are subject to today’s exam, come forward!”

Alloy opened the door to the auditorium and shouted.

At his appearance, some of the children’s faces hardened even more. They were all children subject to the graduation exam.

“Hoo. Can I do well?”

Drew also tried to calm his chest.

“Of course. You’re already a 3-star, so you just have to show three spells.”

The minimum achievement to enter the Magic Tower. It wasn’t a difficult requirement. You just had to show the basic talent to learn magic in earnest.

‘Don’t be nervous. You idiot. How much did I suffer because of you?’

Of course, Drew had the lowest magical talent in this class. In addition to physical training, he also received private lessons in magic.

[He’s different from you. It’s inevitable that he’s nervous.]

‘But I’ve made him able to use three spells. If he doesn’t get nervous, he’ll pass.’

There were 16 people who came forward to Alloy.

“Hoo. This class of children is special. Why is everyone progressing so fast? They’re my students after all!”

It was when Alloy’s proud eyes were directed at the children.

Squeak-.

The door of the auditorium opened again.

“It’s not always good to progress quickly. It means you’re missing a lot of things.”

The children’s heads turned towards the owner of the voice.

“Who is that?”

“I don’t know?”

“Who is it?”

All the children tilted their heads, but.

“Huh…….”

Only I and McDuff let out small groans.

“Instructor Alloy. It’s been a while.”

Alloy bowed his head to the man who naturally took control of the atmosphere.

“Laxon-nim [esteemed one]. What brings you here.”

At that name, the children hurriedly covered their mouths. Even the children of the academy knew the name well. Laxon’s indifferent gaze swept over the 16 children.

“Can I watch this academy’s graduation exam myself?”

Only then could I know.

‘The thing about coming to find me…….’

That the thing about proving my achievements was the graduation exam.

“……Yes? You mean watch the exam directly?”

Alloy showed a slightly embarrassed look, but.

“Yes, Alloy. You can step back.”

I couldn’t refuse Laxon Delema’s order. His sharp energy was dominating the auditorium.

“I also have the qualifications to judge, don’t I? It just has to be a 5-star or higher wizard from the Delema family, right? I have that much ability.”

A 5-star or higher wizard. It was the minimum requirement for graduating from Delema Academy. Of course, there was no way Laxon, who was on the verge of reaching the 9-star realm, would not meet the requirements.

“I understand. It would be an honor for the children if Laxon-nim would attend.”

In the end, Alloy bowed his head.

“Are those children in front the ones subject to this exam?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Good. Let’s not drag it out. Let’s start right away.”

Laxon, who was standing next to Alloy, scanned the children on the platform.

“Everyone is excellent. They haven’t even been in the academy for 5 years and they’re subject to the graduation exam.”

His eyes lingered on me for a while.

“I came here because I wanted to see how outstanding their achievements are. I hope everyone understands.”

He was clearly talking to me. Laxon turned his head and took a seat in the corner.

At that sight, Drew trembled.

“Wow, he’s really scary. What should I do?”

“Don’t worry. You just have to show the three spells you practiced.”

I reassured Drew like that, but Laxon was not so easy to deal with.

“The academy’s graduation exam is a place to confirm whether you can go to the Magic Tower. Everyone knows what the requirements for entering the Magic Tower are, right?”

At Laxon’s question, Gampe raised his hand and answered.

“You must have 3-star mana and handle more than three attributes!”

“That’s right. But! I don’t think magic used in a comfortable state is proper magic. You must be able to handle more than 3 elements in any situation.”

No one could question Laxon, who opened his mouth with a straight face. Not a single child dared to ask him a question.

‘In any situation?’

Everyone was just tilting their heads.

“So I’ll give you a condition. Two people come out and have a magic duel! And show off your achievements while dueling.”

“Um…… Laxon-nim. Of course, that’s a good idea, but the children have never dueled before.”

At the sudden situation, Alloy hurriedly tried to dissuade him, but.

“Are you protecting them because you raised them? I can’t stand seeing Delema Academy graduates being ignored at the Magic Tower. It’s not important how many graduate, but the quality is important.”

Alloy quietly bowed his head. He didn’t seem to have the courage to object to Laxon’s words twice. Just by objecting once, he could fully understand his heart for cherishing his students.

Laxon added a word to him.

“And the person who loses in the duel will not pass the exam.”

The atmosphere in the auditorium could only become more subdued.

* * *

The test started right away. According to Laxon’s order to have two people come out in the order they were standing.

“Bella Raghem.”

“Anders Dolman.”

The two children standing at the very front went up to the platform.

‘I feel sorry for no reason.’

If it wasn’t for me, it would have been the exam that was held as usual. For no reason, half of the 16 children are being eliminated.

[Well, what can you do. It’s not like you did it on purpose.]

‘Hoo. But I still feel bad.’

The two children on the platform. Among them, Anders was given a pitiful look.

‘Bella will definitely win…….’

Anders had just started handling three attributes, while Bella had already achieved it half a year ago. She was the most talented among the children except for McDuff and Ariel.

“Then start.”

As expected, the situation was obvious. Anders blocked Bella’s water ball once, but.

Chwaak-!

He couldn’t respond to the next water ball that was fired continuously and quickly.

“Ugh!”

Anders knelt on one knee on the platform, and Bella was beaming and enjoying the joy of victory.

Alloy’s gaze turned to Laxon. He was waiting for his judgment.

“The passer is…….”

But the words that came out of Laxon’s mouth made everyone doubt their ears.

“No one.”

Clearly, Bella had won, but he didn’t raise Bella’s hand.

“W-Why am I not passing?”

Bella mustered the courage to ask back, but.

“I clearly told you to show off three attributes.”

Only Laxon’s cold voice returned. But Bella couldn’t accept the result.

“B-But. I can handle three attributes.”

Bella was showing off the flames in a hurry, as if to prove it.

“No. Anyone can use it in a comfortable state. Don’t you know why I told you to duel? If you can’t even understand that, you don’t seem to have the qualifications to be a wizard.”

Laxon frowned as he scanned Bella up and down. No one could refute his contemptuous gaze. Even Alloy just twitched his lips for a moment, but couldn’t stop him.

‘Even if you win, it’s useless if you can’t use all the attributes.’

[Geez, he’s so strict. To kids who are just sixteen.]

Disappointed, Bella knelt down.

“Okay, next.”

The exam was continued.

* * *

The exam didn’t take long. The magic that the children could use was limited. The outcome of the duel was quickly decided.

“Hoo.”

McDuff, who had taken the fire off his fingertips, looked at Laxon.

“McDuff Delema. Pass.”

He was the guy who knocked down his opponent using three attributes. At that sight, Drew, who was standing right in front of him, seemed even more nervous.

“Can I do well?”

As his turn approached, his worries grew. Drew’s opponent was Garson Harpers in front of him. He whispered softly so that Garson couldn’t hear him.

“Listen carefully, Drew. You’re lucky.”

Garson’s main attributes were fire, wood, and lightning.

“Fortunately, the attribute compatibility you use is better. If that guy uses fire attribute magic, respond with water attribute right away. If he uses wood attribute magic, respond with fire attribute.”

“Then when he uses lightning attribute, I can block it with earth attribute.”

“That’s right.”

It was easy to say, but Drew was the only one among the current academy children who could do it.

‘That guy’s dynamic visual acuity is no joke.’

The guy with the innate martial arts constitution would be able to judge the opponent’s magic in that fleeting moment.

‘I should worry about myself now.’

My opponent was the child right behind me. It was Ariel. Talent that is second to none when it comes to water attribute. It was clear that she was the most difficult opponent.

[Well, the more confident they are, the more flaws they have.]

‘That’s right. Flaws tend to be revealed in the parts they are confident in.’

Of course, it was difficult, but I had no intention of losing at all. For me, this exam had a meaning beyond graduating from the academy.

‘I’ll win no matter what.’

I had to pass Laxon’s test without fail.