The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 93

Olympiad Day 12.

The final match of the Territory Scramble began.

“Well, we’re seeing some interesting developments right from the start. Raymond, would you mind giving us your commentary?”

“Of course.”

The announcer, who was the caster for Day 12, naturally asked Raymond for his opinion.

“As Ms. Thales said, we’re seeing quite exciting situations unfolding in various places from the beginning of the match.”

Raymond’s expression was quite animated.

He looked like he considered it a stroke of luck to be able to commentate on such a match.

“Let’s start by looking at the British side.”

With Raymond’s words, the main camera focused on the British team’s formation.

“The UK is currently engaged in close combat with Thailand, Switzerland, and Italy. The three countries closest to the UK have joined forces to put pressure on them. And the overall situation… Ms. Thales, what do you think?”

“Hmm. I don’t know the details, but even for a layman like me, it looks like the UK is dominating!”

“Yes, you’re right. You have a good eye. Despite being 1 against 3, the UK is currently dominating the battle.”

Even though the numbers were 3 against 9, it was the British side that was applying the pressure.

“That’s the UK for you. They’re as strong as I’ve heard!”

The caster heightened the atmosphere with an exaggerated reaction.

“It’s true that the British team is strong, but the reason they’re dominating right now isn’t just because of that.”

Raymond twisted his lips as if he found it amusing.

“Unlike the first and second rounds, this third round is the final. That is, it’s a match to determine a single team. In other words, there are no permanent allies. Perhaps because of that, the coordination between allies isn’t very good.”

“Ah! Now that you mention it, it does seem like they’re all playing separately.”

The three countries facing the UK are currently not in a state of trust.

It’s only natural. They’re all going to be enemies eventually, so how can they trust each other?

“Additionally, they’re not able to give their all because they’re also focused on defending their territories.”

“Oh, oh. You’re right, they each have one foot awkwardly placed in their own territory!”

Raymond’s mood was further lifted by the lively reactions of the caster, Thales.

“At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the UK wins.”

“Then shouldn’t those three teams cooperate with another team to defeat the UK?”

“That’s right! If there’s no way to defeat them, they should call for reinforcements! That is, if there are any reinforcements they can call!”

Raymond’s gaze turned to the opposite side.

The caster’s gaze also turned that way.

“Ah! Spain and Egypt were stuck between the US and Korea, unable to do anything!”

“That’s right! These two countries are completely trapped between the territories of the US and Korea. They’re not in a position to form an alliance with anyone!”

Egypt and Spain were in a situation where the saying ‘my fate is the best’ [meaning they are in a hopeless situation] fit them perfectly.

Supporting the alliance fighting the UK in a 1:3 battle? Nonsense. On the contrary, they would be grateful if they received support from that side.

“Perhaps Egypt and Spain will soon be completely eliminated. If that happens, then in fact, Spain, Italy, and Thailand will also be eliminated. The scenario everyone expects, a three-way battle, will unfold!”

A three-way battle.

At those words, the cheers from the audience grew even louder.

“Wow! I see! You have such great insight!”

Thales clapped with a bright smile. She was a truly responsive announcer.

“But, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“In the current situation, wouldn’t it make sense for Korea or the US to join forces and take out the UK first?”

It’s obvious that a 1:1:1 situation has more variables than a 1:1.

Considering the current situation, wouldn’t it be better for the US and Korea to join forces, take down the UK, which is under concentrated attack, and then compete in a 1:1 battle?

“That’s a good point, but that probably won’t happen. Maybe Korea, but there’s no way the US would accept that proposal.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s simple. Korea is the strongest. Or rather, it should be said that Shin Ha-yul is the strongest.”

With Raymond’s words, Shin Ha-yul’s face was displayed on the main monitor.

“Shin Ha-yul is currently evaluated as a 6th Circle user [a high level of magic user]. There’s no way they’d want to fight such an opponent in a 1:1.”

“It’s better to have a three-way battle than to fight Korea in a 1:1. Is that it?”

“It’s a little different.”

Raymond’s smile deepened.

“As I mentioned earlier, everyone can see that Korea has the highest power right now. In that situation, what would happen if a three-way battle unfolded?”

“Well… Ah.”

Thales’ eyes widened slightly.

“You’ve noticed. That’s right. The UK and the US will join forces to put pressure on Korea.”

If a three-way battle unfolds, it’s only natural that the strongest team will be the target of concentrated attacks.

From the perspective of the US or the UK, it’s much more likely to win if they fight each other in a 1:1 than if they fight Korea in a 1:1.

“Korea probably knows this too. That’s why Korea will try to eliminate either the US or the UK before a three-way battle unfolds.”

While other teams are still alive, eliminating either the UK or the US.

That’s Korea’s essential condition for victory.

“And Korea will probably target the US. The UK is currently isolated, so they can be left alone.”

“It’s the perfect situation to compete with the US!”

“Yes. Once Spain and Egypt are eliminated, the two countries will face off.”

Raymond’s lips curled up even more, and at the same time, the referee’s whistle blew.

“And…”

The whistle blew twice.

It was the sound announcing the elimination of two teams.

“[Team Spain has been completely eliminated!]”

“[Team Egypt has been completely eliminated!]”

At the same time as the elimination of the two teams was announced on the main camera, Korea and the US began to move.

“Well, it’s started as soon as I said it! Korea and the US, or rather…”

Whoosh-!

A blue flame bloomed.

“Dahlia Salentia and…”

Tsutsutsutsutsu-!

A lightning spear decorated the sky.

“Shin Ha-yul!”

Flames and lightning clashed, causing a fierce explosion.

“The two aces are clashing!”

Amidst the magical explosions, the audience’s cheers grew even louder.

A chaotic battle unfolded in an instant.

The magic unleashed by the two geniuses clashed every second.

A series of high-level exchanges that far exceeded the level of the students.

“Dahlia Salentia is dominating! The Red Magic Tower’s proud Hellfire is swallowing all of Shin Ha-yul’s magic!”

Surprisingly, it wasn’t Shin Ha-yul, but Dahlia who had the upper hand in the exchange.

“Is the power of Hellfire transcending even the walls of the Circles! Or was Shin Ha-yul not really a 6th Circle user! Ah! As I’m speaking, Dahlia Salentia!”

Raymond shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Taking advantage of the moment when Shin Ha-yul’s balance was broken, she’s concentrating Hellfire on one point…!”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

“She’s firing!”

Dahlia’s magic, filled with her full power, flew towards Shin Ha-yul.

A strike aimed at the perfect timing.

“Ah! Shin Ha-yul! He can’t dodge th–”

Just when everyone sensed Shin Ha-yul’s defeat.

“–is… Huh?”

Whoosh-!

The wind blew.

A green wind.

A gentle but powerful gust.

That gust wrapped around Shin Ha-yul’s body.

The wind then soared high into the sky, guiding the flames that Dahlia had fired into the sky.

“Th…that’s…”

Raymond’s eyes widened.

Thales, who was watching from the side, was the same.

“No way…”

“That magic is…”

The audience’s reaction was no different from those two.

Everyone was staring with wide eyes, wearing expressions of disbelief.

Thump-!

Min Ga-yeon, who had been watching the battle in the VVIP room, forcefully pushed off the ground and stood up from her seat.

“No way!”

An expression as if she had seen a ghost.

An expression that made her wonder if she was dreaming.

“Wind God! How is Shin Ha-yul using Wind God!”

The proof of the Green Magic Tower.

Wind God [a unique and powerful wind magic].

Shin Ha-yul was using the one-person inherited magic that only Min Ga-yeon and Kyle could use.

* * *

Showtime.

Could there be a situation where those three syllables fit better than this?

“Shin Ha-yul! How are you using Wind God!”

At the center of the Hellfire.

Dahlia shouted with a very impatient expression.

“I told you before the match started. Don’t you remember? I deliberately extended the battle time to get a chance to observe Kyle’s magic directly, and up close.”

“That’s… Ugh!”

The gust of wind that surrounds me.

I focused that gust on my lower body and kicked off the ground at the same time.

The scenery changed at an incredible speed.

The speed was so fast that it was hard for me to adapt.

“…Behind!”

Perhaps it was because my control wasn’t perfect.

Or perhaps it was because I had adapted by fighting Kyle in succession.

Dahlia reacted immediately to my speed and moved her blue flames to my rear.

She had completely blocked my attack path.

‘Normally, it would be a loss to attack further here, but…’

In this situation.

Especially now that I’m using Wind God, things are a little different.

Wind God Sword First Strike.

Wind Strike.

My own original martial art magic that imitated it.

‘Byetener Style Modified.’

‘Wind Fist.’

The wind concentrated on my right hand.

It felt like a small typhoon had settled in my hand.

“That’s… Ugh!”

As if sensing danger, Dahlia moved her mana further.

The density of the blue flames became even thicker.

Perhaps in about 1 second, a wall of flames that I couldn’t penetrate no matter what I did would be created.

‘But I was faster now.’

One second before the flame shield was completed. I swung my right hand with all my might.

‘A strike of Wind God that cuts even the friction of the air.’

Whoosh, whoosh, whoooosh!

The Hellfire that collided with my fist shook. It repeated contractions, as if a heart was beating.

Amidst those flames, the wind swirled. It shook with the momentum to blow away all the flames.

The power struggle was my victory.

That’s what I thought when…

…Crunch!

The sound of teeth grinding from beyond the flames was particularly loud.

And at the same time, the Hellfire expanded.

‘A sign of an explosion!’

I immediately kicked off the ground.

The moment I stepped back about 1 meter.

KWA-AA-AA-ANG-!

A powerful explosion occurred centered on Dahlia.

Knowing that she couldn’t block it, she had converted the mana of the Hellfire into an explosive form.

Looking at the figure visible through the black smoke, I opened my mouth nonchalantly.

“I heard that the legitimate successor of the Red Magic Tower has near-immunity to flames. It seems like they can’t completely block explosions?”

With my gesture, the wind blew, and the smoke quickly flew away.

As the smoke disappeared, Dahlia revealed herself.

Burns all over her body.

Not severe, but not light either.

“…You said something about observing Kyle earlier.”

Dahlia brought up what I had said earlier with a sharp gaze.

“Are you saying that you observed Kyle’s Wind God in yesterday’s match, and that’s how you’re using it today?”

“That’s right.”

Well, I’d be disappointed if you couldn’t guess it after giving you this much of a hint.

“My magic eye has the power to see the opponent’s magic formula. With this power, I completely analyzed and grasped Kyle’s magic formula…”

The wind swirled around my body again.

“And now I can use it like this. That’s what I’m saying.”

“…”

Dahlia’s pupils trembled like an aspen leaf.

An expression that she couldn’t understand my words.

No, it would be more accurate to say that she understood but couldn’t accept it.

“Such a magic eye…”

“You don’t believe it?”

“…”

Dahlia expressed her affirmation with silence. She had an expression that she couldn’t believe in the existence of a magic eye that could analyze and capture 100% of a magic formula.

“But it’s true.”

I cast a new magic with my other hand.

A gray-shining light orb.

A mysterious magic that combines light and darkness.

“Even the magic of the Mystic Family…”

Moon attribute magic.

Moonlight Orb.

“This is my magic.”

It rotated fiercely around the gust of wind that Wind God had created, showing off its presence.