Chapter 9

Chapter 9

- My name is Arad Ludwig, a genius magician who became the youngest Atlas (3-star) in the empire at the age of twelve!

Whenever I think I might have forgotten, the memories from 300 years ago resurface somewhere in reality. This might seem like a contradictory explanation, but to me, it's just something that happened not long ago.

- That's strange. Wasn't Lin the youngest in the empire?

When the shaman of the dragon, Pride, tilted her head at the pipe, I yawned and replied.

- No, I got it at thirteen.

To be precise, I obtained the ranks of Paladin (1-star), Limitis (2-star), Atlas (3-star), and Gladus (4-star) all at once when I was thirteen.

- Huh? What, why?

- Because it was troublesome.

Taking the rank exams was so troublesome that I was a rankless magician until the headmistress dragged me by the ear.

- Come on, Lin! I'll prove that I, not you, who doesn't even know the basics, am the one who fits beside the noble and beautiful heroes like Lady Rista and Lady Pride!

Rista, who had been giggling as if she were a princess caught up in a love triangle, suddenly flared up, but Pride grabbed her shoulder and chuckled.

- Calm down, she's just a kid who doesn't know any better.

Then, placing her hand on my shoulder, she lowered her voice so that Arad couldn't hear.

- Don't just overpower her with force; think about teaching her something.

- I don't want to. Why?

- Because being an adult means not just overpowering someone with force, but also knowing how to push someone's back with that strength.

Pride, who usually had a mischievousness that was hard to handle, sometimes showed a smile that was more mature than anyone else's.

When I met that smile, I couldn't even think of how to argue and would always look away first.

Then Pride pushed my back hard towards Arad, and as I recalled that shock, the memories of the past faded from my eyes.

"What..."

Just like the Arad of long ago, Krista narrowed her eyes arrogantly and placed her left hand on her hip.

"Are you challenging me? What's your ulterior motive?"

"I came to take the exam, so I plan to take it."

"Are you serious... Don't you know this is an additional exam venue?"

"You're right. I was late for the regular exam, so I have to take the additional one."

At this straightforward answer, Krista's mind went blank for a moment.

This guy, the legitimate successor of the family, is taking an additional exam? And he was late for the regular one? Does he have no sense of shame?

While Krista was confused, Professor Caroline stepped forward.

"Master? I'm sorry, but do you know what kind of magician Krista is?"

"Yes, just a decently skilled one, right?"

"Not just decent. She graduated top of her class from the Delighten secondary school and is already a member of Delighten through a recommendation, which is given to only one person each year."

Hmm, so-called geniuses have always had people around them who praise them, haven't they?

I remembered how Arad Ludwig's servant had talked for about five minutes about how great his master was. I didn't want to go through that again.

I yawned indifferently and replied.

"I want to see more of the city, so can we start quickly after this introduction? It'll be over soon anyway."

Over soon?

Caroline let out a blank laugh, while Krista's face turned red as she grabbed Rain's collar.

"Over soon? Me? Ha! Fine, come at me. I'll crush you like clay!"

Sigh...

Caroline smiled wryly.

'This kid's competitive spirit always kicks in at the strangest moments...'

And when her competitive spirit was ignited, her mouth would get rough. Caroline checked the supervisor's documents, the list of additional exam takers.

'Huh, there's no name on the list of additional exam takers?'

No, it was there.

After searching the documents for a while, Rain Ludwig's name appeared at the very end. Her gaze was drawn to his background.

'No graduation from a magic elementary or secondary school. No competition awards. No rank achievements...'

Up to this point, it matched the widely known reputation of the genius master.

The underlings were making high-level jokes about the family's young master.

However, there was something strange about his background.

An assistant to Scalz Ludwig, the former head of the Magic Alliance and the builder of the Magic City?

From what Caroline knew, that person was not someone who would casually cover for family.

If you were useless, you were mercilessly cast aside. How many times had she seen Elin Ludwig, a senior, cry from being scolded?

'If he really assisted in that person's class... why is he called a genius master among the eight major schools?'

It was quite puzzling.

More than puzzling, it was intriguing. So she decided to check it out, regardless of the outcome.

"Alright, let's continue the exam."

* * *

On the marble floor of the exam venue, two magic circles were interlocking like gears and rotating.

Shock absorption, damage reduction.

The shock absorption magic was to minimize damage to the structure, while the damage reduction was to protect the examinees' bodies.

"Alright, the rules of the match will be the same as before, using Illuweden."

Illuweden.

In the language of the gods, it means 'three'.

Each side casts up to three spells, and the one who neutralizes the other's spells and subdues them wins in this magical duel.

"Anyone who puts the other's life in danger will be declared the loser. Do you both understand?"

On the marble floor, the boy and girl, standing ten steps apart, nodded.

"Yes."

"Good, then let's begin!"

As soon as the command was given, Krista extended her right hand.

Whoosh.

A magic circle rose above it.

Constructing the magic circle, inscribing runes, and calculating the mathematical formula... this is the typical process of casting a spell that alters the laws of the world.

'The battle of battle mages is like a competition of spell casting speed.'

It's a true proof of genius.

Of course, most magicians carry spellbooks with pre-drawn magic circles and cast spells by infusing mana into the appropriate circle. Mental calculation is the domain of geniuses.

'In that sense, Krista's spell casting speed is not something her peers can match...'

The magic circle on Krista's palm was elegantly detailed.

Runes were inscribed at the center, and the mathematical formula that alters the laws of the world filled the circle's border with intricate detail.

'How does he plan to face such a Krista?'

Was she thinking the same thing? Krista's eyebrows twitched as she looked at Rain.

"Are you not preparing to cast a spell?"

She had to ask.

Laying the foundation, i.e., extending the palm to form a magic circle, is the most basic of basics in a magical duel.

But the boy was doing nothing.

"There's no need to prepare for a low-level spell battle."

The boy's answer was truly remarkable.

"I'm thinking of a spell that won't hurt you, so finish what you're doing."

"A spell that won't hurt me?"

Ha, Krista laughed, but then her eyes suddenly turned cold.

"You've been provoking me with wordplay this whole time... I'll shut your mouth so you can't say such arrogant things again!"

At that moment, a second magic circle was born on top of the rotating one on Krista's palm and interlocked precisely.

'2-star spell...!'

The air rippled as mana surged, causing Caroline's clothes to flutter wildly.

"Krista, it's dangerous! A spell of that level...!"

"So what! This guy is confident, right? If it gets dangerous, I'll stop on my own, so don't worry!"

Being able to use a 2-star spell through mental calculation is a sign of genius.

Can you calculate two mathematical formulas simultaneously in your head? That's what a 2-star spell demands.

As the magic circle, which was glowing brilliantly and rotating, was finally grasped in Krista's palm,

Ching, the clear sound of the magic circle breaking, and the miraculous became real in the mundane.

'The Warden family's bloodline limit is earth summoning magic...'

While the Ludwig family is known as 'thieving magicians,' the Warden family is known as 'commanding magicians.'

Rumble...

As dust storms swirled, a massive form descended behind Krista, exuding an overwhelming presence.

"Here, Sandstone Golem!"

A sturdy sandstone skeleton and joints that move smoothly due to the buoyancy of sand...

The spell was cast perfectly.

As if resonating with Krista's act of brushing her hair, the golem's eyes flashed fiercely.

"Let's end this here."

"Why?"

"You're just talking big. Your level is only this much. You couldn't cast any spell until I brought out a 2-star spell, right?"

What a pitiful guy.

Krista, praised as a genius of the century, had only seen powerful magicians or those with vast mana. In a sense, they were the elite of magic.

'Compared to practice duels with such people, this match with him...'

There's no tension at all.

No excitement.

No anticipation of what spell he might bring out. It's a complete waste of time.

"Be grateful. I chased away the other examinees, so at least no one will see this pitiful sight..."

At that moment, the boy smirked and raised his index finger.

"...I'll give you one tip."

"What?"

"Magic... it's not about who casts first being stronger."

As he said this, a ring of light appeared on his outstretched palm and began to rotate brilliantly.

"It's about who uses the most efficient spell in the situation."

Krista gasped.

The speed at which runes were inscribed and the formula was calculated in the magic circle... it was really in the blink of an eye.

'Even if it's a 1-star spell...'

The spell was already fully cast before Rain finished speaking.

"Sandstone!"

Sensing the danger, the golem aimed at Rain and raised its massive fist, scattering dust in all directions.

The shape of the magic circle was a circle.

The inscribed rune was 'Ryul'.

Rain's spell, in short, was a water attribute spell with the property of 'expanding greatly'.

Boom──!

With the destruction of the magic circle, water spread out in the air and poured down on the golem, which was about to strike with its fist.

'A water attribute magician...!'

Krista, who was drenched from the waterfall, raised her eyebrows.

'Water is the nemesis of earth... but with a 1-star spell, it's impossible!'

The golem's defense and mobility would decrease, but it was impossible to deal a fatal blow with such a spell.

Boom───!

The golem's fist, striking the ground, shattered and splattered mud in all directions.

The world instantly turned into a mud pit.

But at the same time, the flying mud also disrupted the view.

'I was aiming for this...'

Just as she was about to control the golem and incapacitate the boy with a near-explosive attack,

'What...?'

Before she could even think, the ring of light rotating on Rain's right hand was already two layers deep...

'No, he just cast a 1-star spell and it hasn't even been two seconds...'

While Krista was bewildered and couldn't even blink, all the calculations in Rain's mind were already complete.

The shape of the magic circle was a double square.

The inscribed runes were 'Yul' and 'Gwe'.

It gives the property of 'restraint' and 'reversal of flow' to earth attribute magic. The mathematical formula to be calculated mentally is 'Previs differentiation'.

"Solution derived, law altered."

Ching... As the magic circle shattered, scattering fragments of light, countless vines burst forth from the cracks in the marble tiles.

Crack──!

They penetrated deep into the golem's legs, weakened by the water attribute spell, and continued to climb up.

Rumble...

The golem convulsed violently like a beast impaled on a spear, but its movements quickly stiffened and it was immobilized.

"Sandstone, Sandstone!"

Krista called out urgently, but the golem only groaned and couldn't move.

Then, the last vine sprouted at her feet and instantly bound her hands and feet.

The binding was so strong that she couldn't move at all, no matter how hard she struggled. Rain's voice was heard.

"See, it's not always the one who casts first who wins."

I lost... Krista, trying to sort out the current situation in her mind, burst out shouting.

"You, you, let me go! You won't let me go?"

"The match is already decided."

"Shut up! I only used one spell! So this is invalid! And I gave you several chances─"

"─Losing to someone doesn't feel good, does it?"

Krista, struggling against the vines, stopped her movements at the calm and composed voice.

"You seem pretty strong, so you didn't have to crush me so hopelessly."

"That, that's...! It's a test, after all. I have to test my aptitude!"

"Being strong isn't just about crushing someone with force; it's about knowing how to push someone's back with that strength."

I still don't fully understand the meaning, but after watching those three's backs for five years, I think I understand to some extent.

Really.

It really doesn't suit me.

But I wanted to change like them... After relaying what Pride said, I felt embarrassed and cleared my throat awkwardly as I retracted the vines.

"..."

Whether the boy's heartfelt lesson reached her or not, Krista was speechless and remained silent.

'It's unbelievable.'

On the other hand, Professor Caroline, who had been watching the situation, couldn't keep her mouth shut.

'He didn't fail to cast a spell at first; he chose not to...'

For a perfect counter? Or was it the super-fast calculation he just performed?

'After deriving the golem's weakness with a water attribute spell, he finished it off decisively...'

What made it possible was a spell calculation speed that could only be described as unrealistic.

'Is that calculation speed... almost on par with the president?'

But that was something she couldn't accept.

Isn't the president of Delighten, Madelia Paige, currently a Gladus (4-star) magician?

In the next moment, Caroline muttered to herself.

"How is he a disaster sent by heaven...?"