Chapter 211

Chapter 211

Chapter 211

I would stop at nothing.

Klvik, feeling pity for Yi-Han, tried to subdue him with moderation, but Yi-Han was entirely sincere in his efforts.

In fact, it would be madness for a freshman not to be serious when facing a high-ranking illusion mage.

Yi-Han had maximized his strength by casting as many enhancement spells as possible before the duel began.

These spells explosively amplified Yi-Han's already well-trained physical abilities.

The skull principal, watching his swiftly moving pupil, thought to himself, Does he really need to go this far?

Pre-casting magic before a duel wasn't cheating, especially since Yi-Han was a freshman and his opponent was a fairly well-known mage. No one would criticize such tactics, though they seemed somewhat desperate and lacking in grace.

To the principal, Yi-Han's actions appeared somewhat pitiful. He could have won the fight easily, but instead...

There's no dignity in this, he thought.

Unaware of the principal's disdain, Yi-Han continued his charge. I must get closer!

Contrary to the principal's belief that he could win even with his eyes closed, Yi-Han had no such confidence. He knew that if he took even a single hit from his opponent's magic, it would be over. Though he had shown some resistance to magic and poison in the past, that wasn't a guaranteed defense.

Facing a mage of such caliber, Yi-Han knew that his best chance lay in closing the distance to prevent his opponent from casting spells.

Thwack!

Yi-Han pulled an iron marble from his sleeve and hurled it at Klvik. Klvik, already startled by Yi-Han's movements, was shocked again as the marble flew towards him, tearing through the air.

Klvik had the skill to easily deflect such a simple projectile, but the marble flew faster than he expected.

"Ugh!"

Klvik stopped chanting his spell and ducked, the marble flying over his head. In that brief moment, Yi-Han closed the gap, grabbed Klvik by the collar, and threw him down.

Bang!

Yi-Han then pinned Klvik, twisting his arm behind him. Klvik's staff flew off to the side.

"I lose... I admit defeat!"

Klvik's declaration of defeat surprised the other illusion mages. The agility and speed of the freshman exceeded all expectations.

"Mr. Gonadaltes had his eye on this...!"

"Damn. He targeted our weaknesses. Who would've thought he'd bring a student from a knight's family?"

"Indeed. Such tactics are hard to counter without prior knowledge. Was this his strategy?"

The impact would have been unimaginable had they been defeated in a conventional magic duel by a first-year student. However, losing due to such an unexpected weakness elicited a different reaction.

-Ah, such a young boy and already so impressive!-

No, you fools...! the principal thought, exasperated by the whispering mages.

It was inconceivable that they had come to win with such cheap tricks. They were supposed to demonstrate how the illusion magic being mercilessly ignored by a first-year student...

That is not allowed. No more close combat."

"What!?"

Yi-Han was stunned.

Prohibiting close combat was too much...

"That's too harsh, isn't it?"

You don't understand. That's why you think so.

"If you want me to lose, just say it directly."

That's not it!"

The principal was doubly frustrated with his sullen student. The student still lacked confidence in his abilities.

He could've easily blocked it with his body!

"Yes, I guess so."

...

Regardless of the skull principal's glaring, Yi-Han was deep in thought.

If close combat were prohibited...

It would become really difficult.

Illusion magic was notoriously fast to cast and hard to dodge, like a curse.

If one knew the corresponding defensive spells, blocking them would be much easier, but Yi-Han was still a freshman and hadn't mastered such defensive magic yet.

No matter how fast Yi-Han cast his spells or attacked, if he got hit even once by his opponent's magic...

"Mr. Gonadaltes, it's alright!"

"There's no need to do that. Please allow the first-year student to engage in close combat!"

Surprisingly, it was the illusion mages who came to Yi-Han's aid.

They were indignant at the sight of Gonadaltes oppressing and belittling a first-year student.

Even though they had been defeated unexpectedly, they had no desire to win by imposing such a penalty on a freshman.

Is the festival disruptor, firecracker destroyer, and relic thief giving me orders now? Really, what's the world coming to

Ogonin bore the disgrace and humiliation. It was his own fault, after all.

"This great mana works in many ways, but... especially in illusion magic that directly affects the mind with pure magic, it's particularly susceptible to the influence of great mana."

Yi-Han understood as Ogonin elaborated in detail.

"So, about last time?"

"...Yes, you could say that. Especially direct illusion magic is unlikely to work on you."

"Aha. So, when the principal said I could take a hit, it wasn't an exaggeration."

I'm right here.

"That... that's one way to put it."

Yi-Han was intrigued by Ogonin's assurance.

So, the skull principal's words were actually true.

'It wasn't a trick to torment me.'

Even if Yi-Han had believed the principal, he would have fought the same way.

Because...

'Why take a hit if I can avoid it?'

Why get hit if it can be avoided? Even if there's a 0.0001% chance, there's no need to take unnecessary risks.

"Thank you for letting me know."

Bring out that book.

"Excuse me?"

The book written by Ogonin.

"..."

Yi-Han reluctantly pulled out the book.

It was a book Ogonin had written in his youth, bought from a bookstore.

Seeing it, Ogonin shot a look of utter disbelief at the skull principal.

Truly, a mage dedicated to bullying others in various ways.

What do you think?

"Obviously, since it was written in my youth, there are immature aspects..."

"It seems like a good book, though."

Yi-Han, thinking the question was directed at him, responded.

The misunderstanding was cleared, but it didn't make Ogonin feel like a great mage.

Honestly, shouldn't a great mage be able to cast magic that penetrates great mana?

Considering that, the book was well-written.

Ogonin looked at Yi-Han with a glance of gratitude for the unexpected response.

Of course, the skull principal was not convinced.

That book?! Compare it with mine. You'll see the difference.

"Well, the principal's book is indeed excellent, but that doesn't mean a book is bad just because it's comparatively less valuable. Every book has its own worth."

The skull principal was slow to react, uncertain whether to be pleased by Yi-Han's flattery or to be angry at the interruption.

"Thank you!"

Ogonin was genuinely touched.

Having received praise and gratitude from countless mages, Ogonin was not usually moved by compliments from a young mage. However, receiving such acclaim in front of the mad skull principal and from his disciple was enough to stir even Ogonin's dulled heart.

"This is a kind of fate. If it's alright with you, may I teach you?"

"!"

Yi-Han hesitated before turning to the skull principal.

Misinterpreting the intent, the skull principal gruffly responded.

Go ahead and learn. It's a rare opportunity to be taught directly by a mage like Ogonin. A good opportunity.

'I was wondering if it's really necessary to learn.'

Yi-Han thought to himself.

With professors like Kirmin Ku within the magic academy, and mages like Baldoorn outside, he had wondered if it was really necessary.

'Still, I should learn as best I can out of politeness.'

"Thank you."

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