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A voice rose, stained with disbelief. Swordsmanship students watching the duel were lost for words at the sight that had unfolded before their eyes. Among the first graders of the swordsmanship department, the elite Choi Kwang-il fell to the floor and could not get up. Reality was suspended for a moment; the situation was so bizarre that nobody could believe their eyes.

“Medical Team!”

It was Kim Moo-jin who broke the silence.

The medical team waiting next to him jumped in response to Kim Moo-jin’s voice. Thanks to the magical immunity, Choi Kwang-il’s skin was not directly burned, but the steam rising from his clothes showed that the shock was great. Choi Kwang-il was gasping for breath. His eyes were out of focus, and the medical team was busy tending to him. The injury of a warrior at the hands of a wizard was a strange sight.

Nobody could have predicted that Choi Kwang-il would be hurt in a life-and-death duel.

“Has there ever been such a case?”

It couldn’t be said.

There had been injuries before, but never to the degree of Choi Kwang-il, who had been hit by a lightning shock, swept away by a fire lance, and suffered heavy damage from the mana explosion of the final firebolt. It was a damage that couldn’t have been sustained by the tough skin of a reinforced warrior. Fortunately, Choi Kwang-il protected his body with mana, even amid the explosion.

“It’s a temporary shock. The shock is severe enough to warrant medical attention, but it is not a major injury.”

“Sigh.”

“Thank God.”

At the medical team’s words, the students sighed a collective breath of relief. Then, they suddenly thought of an idea that had been suggested before.

“The magic armor of the fortified warriors used in life and death duels isn’t tough enough. If one of them is hit properly by magic, it could lead to serious injuries.”

The finances put aside for investment in magical protection equipment had been abandoned for a simple reason: magic students didn’t beat reinforced warriors. During the 100-year history, the armor had been sufficient enough to prevent significant damage. Besides, the combination of second circle magic and the strong-bodied warriors didn’t seem to merit the investment. On that day, it was different.

Choi Kwang-il was taken to hospital, as he required treatment, but the students had a question that could not be resolved.

“Kang Min-hyuk fired a firebolt close to Choi Kwang-il. But how can Min-hyuk be safe? There was no sign of using defensive magic like a shield at all.”

It was a mystery. How had he won? How did he survive the blast? The confrontation was enigmatic from start to finish.

Only one thing was certain: “The duel is over. The winner is Kang Min-hyuk from the Department of Magic.”

As Kang Min-hyuk descended from the training ground, the swordsmanship students’ eyes were fixed upon him. It was an impossible situation, one that required an explanation.

* * *

The training was over.

As before, Kim Moo-jin was obligated to explain the student’s video who showed the greatest ability.

“Here’s the video of Choi Kwang-il and Kang Min-hyuk.”

Pop.

The recording appeared on the screen. Every student was fixated on the video, trying to decipher what was so special about Kang Min-hyuk.

“Lightning Shock.”

[Zap!]

“Kang Min-hyuk’s strategy was clever. Knowing that he couldn’t hit Kwang-il, who moves quickly, he deliberately guided Choi Kwang-il’s position with a fireball. He attacked from the left. Of course, Choi Kwang-il had to move in the opposite direction, and Lightning Shock was waiting for him. From then on, Kang Min-hyuk’s trap began. Choi Kwang-il was deprived of the initiative and was left with only one choice.”

The students were fascinated. As a spectator, it seemed as though he was just using magic quickly, but when they heard the explanation, they saw things in a different light. All of Kang Min-hyuk’s choices were made under thorough calculation. When the opponent moved and reacted to attacks, he anticipated the other person’s situation and surroundings and utilized appropriate countermeasures. Choi Kwang-il made the best choice in an urgent situation, but it was easy to target the opponent’s weakness, which is one of the basics of fighting.

“Wow.”

“How is his casting speed so fast?”

“I don’t think it takes less than 3 seconds to cast the Circle 1 magic?”

It was shocking.

Students don’t even know the existence of superlative magic or the theory of correlated circles. The appearance of Kang Min-hyuk completing the casting at the speed of light seemed alien to them. At the climax, in which the fire lance exploded, Choi Kwang-il was rushing toward Kang Min-hyuk. This was the most questionable part. Wizards are weak in close combat. However, how did Kang Min-hyuk avoid Choi Kwang-il’s blow and survive the firebolt’s explosion?

Before long, the truth was revealed.

[Bang!]

Kang Min-hyuk avoided the attack as though it was nothing. He calmly watched Choi Kwang-il’s attack until the end, and its retaliation formed a firebolt. It’s shape dramatically altered as it hurtled toward his opponent, causing a huge explosion as soon as it reached Choi Kwang-il.

[Huh?!]

In one swift maneuver, Kang Min-hyuk grabbed and pulled Choi Kwang-il’s clothes, and swept behind him, using his nemesis like a meat-shield – Choi Kwang-il’s instinctive ascension of mana worked to deflect the blow not only from himself but also from Min-hyuk. Thanks to this, even though Kang Min-hyuk did not use a special method, he could withstand the mana explosion with minimal effect.

The students were very surprised to see this. Kang Min-hyuk protected his body with Choi Kwang-il’s movement, rather than using a more obvious defense mechanism such as shield magic. They thought that Kang Min-hyuk showed them ‘the essence of real magic’ here.”

Kim Moo-jin noticed at once what was going on at the time of the explosion, but he couldn’t help but admire Kang Min-hyuk’s method.

It was a bold choice.

Dodging the opponent’s attack and using Choi Kwang-il as a meat shield merged both wizard and warrior methods. Kang Min-hyuk was not bound to the stereotypes of wizardry. A mage was always perceived as weak in a case of close combat. The idea itself was a fatal mistake that loomed like a death sentence over a wizard.

“You should remember what Kang Min-hyuk showed today. The wizard uses magic from a distance and needs to solve the problem by moving directly according to the situation. Thinking that is not bound by prejudice will solve the insoluble.”

For a mage to be hugely successful, they couldn’t give up as soon as their magic failed; they had to work intuitively to come out on top of any situation.

Kim Moo-jin’s gaze turned to Kang Min-hyuk, who looked up back to him.

“Kang Min-hyuk. Of the many magical students I’ve seen, you’ve proved yourself to be the best.”

The words were heartfelt, and Kang Min-hyuk appreciated them. Until the moment the joint class ended, Kang Min-hyuk remained the main character.

* * *

Kim Moo-jin saw Kang Min-hyuk’s dueling techniques and perceived the ideal form of a wizard. He didn’t know that Kang Min-hyuk didn’t reveal all of his abilities with Choi Kwang-il, a difficult opponent. He had defied the odds and broken barriers that had stood for a century. He had deliberately chosen the most difficult opponent to test himself. While taking advantage of Seon Gong Kwon’s privileges, Kang Min-hyuk restricted himself by using only static casting.

“The significance of this duel is great.”

Choi Kwang-il fought back until the end, but Kang Min-hyuk defeated Choi Kwang-il without surpassing his own limits. The only movement he made was to avoid the last attack. To defeat the strongest student while standing still was an incredible feat. In comparison to the people of Suhomun, Kang Min-hyuk still wouldn’t be seen as strong, but through this duel, Kang Min-hyuk saw a wizard’s potential.

He was still only in the third circle. After that, he would hit the fourth, then fifth, and strive for the unknown sixth. Even in a one-to-one, Kang Min-hyuk couldn’t be beaten. He would start a revolution for academic magic.

Kang Min-hyuk’s heart pounded. He was thirsty for more. He craved to challenge himself on deeper and deeper levels. The world was vast, yearning to be explored. In such a massive realm, his experiences were merely droplets falling into a great ocean. He still had so much growing to do. His accomplishment didn’t satisfy him; in fact, it hardened his resolve, encouraging him to try harder.

“One day,” he told himself, “you will be exceptional enough to satisfy even your standards.”

Kang Min-hyuk was tired after training, but he did not take a break. Instead, he proceeded to train in the mana room immediately. The driving force behind his hunger for growth was not simply because of Klinss’ knowledge.

Time had passed, and again brought about the day of his appointment with Klinssman.

[I have something to ask of you.]

Klinssman’s message was left in a shabby room.