The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 83

The Rebirth of the Mythical Archmage-84

10 AM the next morning.

[Semi-Finals Match 1]

[USA Team VS France Team]

We were in the waiting room, watching the other teams’ match.

“France isn’t bad, but the US is just too strong, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. It’s overwhelming.”

The battle was overwhelmingly in favor of the US.

Unless the world turned upside down or the sun rose in the west, it was impossible for the French team to make a comeback.

In fact, the US victory was practically a foregone conclusion.

―Semi-Finals Match 1 Concluded!

Just then, the announcer declared the end of the match, and the screen on the monitor changed.

[Semi-Finals Match 1]

[USA Team (Win) VS France Team (Loss)]

As everyone had expected, the winner was the US.

It was a completely one-sided match.

“They won so easily without even using arcane magic…”

Soonchan muttered with a serious expression.

Dahlia Salentia didn’t use any of the Red Magic Tower’s signature arcane magic, Scorching Hell. [A powerful fire-based spell]

In other words, Dahlia hadn’t even used 50% of her full power.

Even so, the US overwhelmed France.

It was natural for Soonchan to be nervous.

“As Hayul said, it’s right to assume that we don’t have any reliable data on Dahlia.”

“I guess so.”

As I expected, Dahlia’s skills had also improved dramatically.

Like Kyle, she seemed to have made remarkable progress in the past three months.

It would be best to discard all of Dahlia’s analyzed data and start investigating her directly from scratch.

“Anyway, our opponent in the finals is the US.”

At Soonchan’s words, the seniors showed dramatic reactions.

“Wow. It feels so surreal. The finals.”

“Last year, if we were to face the US, it felt like we were heading to our own funeral.”

Jin Heeyoon and Ma Jinseok said in turn.

They must have felt a new sense of emotion, having participated in the Olympiad last year.

“Um, seniors. We haven’t confirmed our place in the finals yet, have we?”

Soonchan raised his hand slightly and said.

We had to play the second semi-final match in 10 minutes.

Only after winning that match could we advance to the finals and face the US team.

“Well, isn’t the semi-finals already in the bag?”

“We beat the UK team, what’s the problem?”

The seniors joked with a half-joking, half-serious tone.

I wondered if they were taking the victory too lightly, but looking at their expressions, it didn’t seem to be the case.

‘A joke to lighten the mood.’

It was a last resort to try and restore the atmosphere, which had been dampened by watching the US team’s match earlier.

Jin Heeyoon was really quick-witted in this regard.

“Of course. The semi-finals are easy.”

I also threw out a comment to boost the mood, matching Jin Heeyoon’s rhythm.

“Oh. Shin Leader~ You’re so cool~”

Jin Heeyoon whistled and further lifted the atmosphere.

“That’s what a leader should be.”

“Why does this feel so reliable?”

“Why is it sexy?”

“I… I might have awakened to something…”

In that way, the team’s atmosphere quickly returned to normal.

I looked at everyone, who were making a fuss, and clapped loudly.

At that moment, everyone’s attention turned to me.

“Then, we will move to the stadium now.”

We moved to the stadium to play the second semi-final match.

* * *

[Semi-Finals Match 2]

[Korea Team (Win) VS Canada Team (Loss)]

All the semi-final matches scheduled for the morning were over.

The majority of Koreans were cheering and excited about the miraculous results created by Shin Hayul and his companions.

Thump-!

“…Damn it.”

Shin Jihan was furious alone.

It was a natural anger, as he held both a sense of rivalry and inferiority towards Shin Hayul.

‘I expected them to achieve some good results, but I never thought they would achieve this good of a result…’

If it was just about achieving good results, he wouldn’t have been this angry.

‘Hayul is a 6-circle mage…’

The main reason Shin Jihan was currently furious was none other than Shin Hayul’s achievement.

A 6-circle mage at the age of 18. [A high level of magical proficiency]

Shin Hayul, who was 10 years younger, had caught up to his level.

This fact was currently making Shin Jihan anxious.

‘Already, there are talks within the family that Shin Hayul should be pushed as the next family head.’

Unfit?

A year of misconduct?

Compared to the achievement of becoming a 6-circle mage at the age of 18, that’s nothing.

He had achieved a feat that no one in history had ever accomplished, so what flaw could that be?

‘In this situation, if he wins a gold medal at the Olympiad… no, even a silver medal…’

Then, Shin Hayul would truly secure the position of the next family head.

The old fogeys of the family, who loved formal honor and numbers more than anything, would have no reason not to support Shin Hayul.

If that happened, no matter how strong Shin Jihan’s faction was, they wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

It would crumble like a mock castle made of sugar.

‘That can’t happen. Absolutely not.’

The sound of Shin Jihan’s index finger tapping the table grew faster and faster.

It was an action that showed Shin Jihan’s growing anxiety.

‘Tkish. That damn bastard isn’t even answering my calls…’

Tkish, a member of the Black Magic Tower, had completely disappeared after the Baekryeong Island incident. [An incident that occurred on Baekryeong Island]

He had said that he would take care of Shin Hayul, so there was no need to worry, but he was still uneasy because there was no news.

There had already been two previous failures. What if he failed this time too?

Tap, tap.

The sound of his index finger hitting the table echoed loudly.

Bzzzzzz-!

It was then that the phone on the table began to vibrate.

A restricted number.

Shin Jihan quickly answered the phone.

―You’re really impatient. I thought I told you to leave it all to me.

Tkish’s voice was heard over the receiver.

A voice full of annoyance.

It was a voice that seemed to be at the end of his rope with Shin Jihan’s frequent calls.

“Shouldn’t you report on the progress of the work?”

Shin Jihan spoke, trying to hide his anxiety and impatience, and pretending to be calm.

He didn’t want to be seen as a petty person consumed by anxiety.

―I understand you’re anxious, but please calm down.

Of course, Tkish wasn’t fooled by Shin Jihan’s acting.

Even if his voice acting was perfect, the record of Shin Jihan’s continuous calls remained.

Also, the calls had become more frequent since Shin Hayul had successfully completed his performance.

It was clear that Shin Jihan was anxious.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I be anxious?”

―Tsk.

Tkish clicked his tongue as if he was extremely annoyed. He decided that once this mission was over, he would delegate the dealings with Shin Jihan to another executive or subordinate.

He made that resolution.

―If not, then it’s fine. You asked about the progress of the work.

Tkish changed the subject.

“Yes.”

―The work is progressing as well as it could be. So, you don’t have to worry.

Shin Jihan’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Can’t you tell me exactly how you’re going to handle it?”

―No. I can’t tell you. I can’t tell anyone about this matter, not just you, Mr. Shin Jihan.

Tkish said in a serious voice. It was a deep voice that showed his determination not to tell him anything, no matter what.

―Just a hint, the executive who will be handling this matter is not just me.

“…What?”

All the executives of the Black Magic Tower are 7-circle mages or higher. [An even higher level of magical proficiency]

More than two of those high-ranking personnel were involved?

―So, you don’t have to worry about Shin Hayul. We will eliminate Shin Hayul no matter what.

Tkish’s voice had a sharp edge like a blade.

Tkish also didn’t like Shin Hayul, who was constantly interfering with his work.

* * *

1:50 PM US time.

10 minutes before the start of the 5:5 siege battle final.

Two prominent figures were talking in the VVIP spectator seats.

“It’s an honor that Family Head Shin Inhyuk has come to watch the match in person. Hayul will be very happy if he knows.”

One was Kim Kangin, the head of the Blue Magic Tower.

“I don’t know. I don’t think he’ll even care.”

The other was Shin Inhyuk, the head of the Mado Shin family.

“Did your work go well?”

“Yes. The International Counter-Terrorism Headquarters has agreed to accept 100% of our opinions.”

“Oh. Those stubborn guys? You must have had a hard time.”

“…Tsk.”

Shin Inhyuk clicked his tongue.

He looked annoyed just thinking about it.

“How about your side?”

“Our side is also resolved. James and Sister Gayeon also said that there were no problems.”

The secret preparations to prepare for the Black Magic Tower’s attack were still progressing smoothly.

They were even setting up traps to completely eradicate the Black Magic Tower this time.

“You’re only telling people who will keep the secret, right?”

“Yes. We also wrote magic oaths and paid attention to the selection of personnel. You don’t have to worry about keeping the secret.”

“…Hmm. If you say there’s nothing to worry about, then there isn’t.”

“It’s an honor that you trust me.”

Shin Inhyuk disliked Kim Kangin, but he didn’t distrust him.

Anyone would have no choice but to trust Kim Kangin’s upright personality and clean work ethic.

He was annoying because he was too righteous, but still.

“It seems that the heads of the Green and Red Magic Towers aren’t coming today.”

“Yes. They both said that they had urgent matters that they couldn’t possibly postpone.”

The heads of the Red and Green Magic Towers.

Both of them were unable to watch the match in person today due to their duties as tower heads.

The voice of the head of the Red Magic Tower, who was lamenting, ‘How can I miss such a big match!’ was still clear in my ears.

“Hmm. That’s a shame. I wanted to say hello to the head of the Green Magic Tower after a long time.”

Shin Inhyuk stroked his chin as if he was disappointed.

He should have built some rapport with the tower heads at times like this. It was truly a shame.

“Well, wouldn’t it be nice for the two of us to cheer for Hayul together after a long time?”

“…There’s something wrong with your words.”

Shin Inhyuk glared at Kim Kangin.

The nuance of the word ‘together’ was not good at all.

“Haha.”

Kim Kangin laughed as if it was funny.

“And I don’t think there’s any need to cheer.”

Beyond the monitor.

The corners of Shin Inhyuk’s mouth slowly rose as he watched Shin Hayul enter the stadium.

“…Indeed.”

Kim Kangin was not someone who didn’t know what that raised corner of his mouth meant.

“The ghost of the Mado Shin family, Shin Inhyuk, also thinks his own child is cute.”

Shin Inhyuk didn’t bother to answer. There was no need to answer.

“It’s starting.”

As if responding to their silence, the clock hand on the monitor pointed to exactly 2 o’clock.

―The first match of the Olympiad! 5:5 Siege Battle! We will now begin the long-awaited final!

Along with the announcer’s declaration of the start of the match, the cheers from the audience penetrated the soundproof walls of the VVIP room.

* * *

Immediately after the start of the final match.

I immediately began my solo action.

The goal was to lure Dahlia out.

‘Dahlia Salentia’s specialty is high-powered fire magic and wide-area annihilation magic. There’s no point in fighting team-on-team, it’s just a loss for us.’

From our perspective, it’s best to create a 1:1 & 4:4 structure, like when we fought the UK team before.

To do that, I need to separate Dahlia.

‘There are two main actions that the US side can take in response to my solo action.’

First.

As I intended, they send Dahlia to me, creating a 1:1 & 4:4 structure.

And second.

They don’t send Dahlia to me and instead launch a full-scale attack on our base with all five of them.

‘If they send Dahlia to me as in the first method, I can use the pre-installed fixed magic to crush the opposing team’s main force, just like with Kyle before. If they choose the second method, a full-scale attack, I can immediately rush to the enemy base.’

The first structure is obviously advantageous for us.

Even if it becomes the second structure, a base capture battle, our team is overwhelmingly advantageous.

Unless Dahlia is blocking me, it’s faster for me to break through the opposing team’s base.

There are other miscellaneous methods, but all results converge to our victory.

‘There’s only one way that they can have a chance to win…’

A strategy that I would have used if I were in Dahlia’s position. The only way the US team can gain an advantage.

I wondered if the opposing team had realized that method.

I waited for about a minute while thinking about that.

“Hello.”

Exactly 1 minute and 10 seconds later, Dahlia Salentia appeared.

“The weather is nice. On a day like today, we should be taking a walk in a scenic park, not fighting like this.”

Dahlia approached me alone.

Just by looking at this, it seems like they made the same choice as the UK team, but the only thing that’s the same is that the representative came to stop me.

The actions of the other four members of the team besides Dahlia are different.

“The other four are still in the base, I see?”

“Yeah. It would be troublesome if we moved and got caught in the traps you set up.”

The traps I set up.

They must have noticed through analysis that my long-range support is pre-installed.

“Our team’s strategy is to have all four members defend, except for me.”

Flames surged around Dahlia.

Blue flames, not red flames.

The Red Magic Tower’s direct line arcane magic. [Magic directly inherited from the Red Magic Tower]

That magic unfolded before my eyes.

“By the way, our US team has no intention of moving even a step from the base unless we see your team’s four members trying to join you.”

There was no reason to have a 5:5 team battle against the US team, which had Dahlia Salentia, a specialist in wide-area annihilation.

Therefore, there was no reason for our team to join me.

Since our team wasn’t moving, there was no reason for their team to join them either.

‘It’s also burdensome for our team’s main force of four to attack the US camp.’

The win rate of a 4:4 battle is at best 60%.

For now, it’s better to avoid a 4:4 battle.

That means.

“The outcome of this team battle depends on the outcome of your and my fight.”

It was a 5:5 team battle in name only, but it had become a 1:1 individual battle.

“…You thought well.”

The strategy that I thought I would have used if I were in Dahlia’s position.

The only strategy where Dahlia’s side had a chance to win.

‘Even if Dahlia loses, it’s the only way to get my information.’

A definite 1:1 match.

The US chose the best option.

“I’ll have to show you my true skills, Shin Hayul.”

Dahlia’s blue flames surged even more fiercely.