episode_0047

Three figures traversed the dense forest. Among them, one urgently spoke up.

It was Lorraine, a secondary major with a unique ability in the detection category.

“They’re moving.”

“Escape?”

“No, the pace is slow. Feels more like they’re guiding us.”

The one responding was Kim Hyun, a combat major disciple. He adjusted his steps while fondling the sword hanging from his waist.

“Guiding, huh… Could they have set up traps?”

“Possibly.”

Kim Hyun and his companions formed a temporary party to locate Yi Hayul, a special admission student, among the three.

Competition among disciples within the tower was allowed. However, it didn’t hinder cooperation between them.

They could join hands as needed.

Kim Hyun, a combat major, along with Raven, and Lorraine, who specialized in detection abilities, formed parties based on their individual thoughts.

Of course, none of them harbored ill intentions towards Yi Hayul.

Kim Hyun was merely curious about Yi Hayul’s skills as an examiner. He wanted to test himself against the rumored special admission student and seized the opportunity to act.

Raven and Lorraine aimed for Yi Hayul to gain points obtained by capturing special admission students.

A substantial amount of points, 1,000 to be precise. It required capturing the top-ranked student twice to acquire these points. Even if divided among the three, it would still be over 300 points each. There was no reason not to aim for it.

“Luck… perhaps. Seems like we’re the first ones to find them.”

Although Lorraine possessed detection abilities, stumbling upon traces of the special admission student was purely coincidental.

Detection abilities were not inherently convenient powers.

They consumed a significant amount of mental energy each time they were used, especially in environments with high magical concentrations.

Strictly speaking, this time, it wasn’t through detection abilities that they found the trail but rather by following traces left on nearby trees and ground.

If it was luck, then so be it. Kim Hyun and his group were targeting the special admission student.

“It’s right ahead.”

Upon Lorraine’s words, the other two tensely gripped their weapons.

They entered the clearing beyond the bushes.

* * *

Finally adjusting their senses.

Moments before the battle. Fortunately, they didn’t feel overly tense.

Thanks to Professor Atra’s teachings, they managed to keep their minds cool.

– Whisper

The pursuers’ presence was felt as they entered the clearing.

Yi Hayul turned his head in that direction.

This time, he tried to discern their magic. It was awkward, but affinity with magic helped in understanding the nature and quantity of the opponent’s magic.

“One has relatively weak magic. Probably a support major. The other two seem like combat majors. They appear skilled.”

He couldn’t make a detailed assessment. Even this judgment could be wrong.

As Yi Hayul remained silent, the three who entered the clearing tightened their grips on their weapons.

“…”

Though his eyes were closed, Kim Hyun, who stood at the front, was confident that he was being properly recognized.

Beside him, Raven, who had been holding a spear, spoke first.

“Combat major, Raven. I harbor no ill will. It might sound odd challenging you three-to-one, but I simply want to test my skills.”

“Secondary major, Lorraine.”

“Combat major, Kim Hyun. I wish to hear your name.”

In courtesy, Kim Hyun drew his sword after stating his name. It was a customary practice before engaging in a duel back in his family.

As he finished speaking, Raven, who had been aiming the spear beside him, looked back at Kim Hyun in shock. It was a gaze akin to looking at a madman.

“Hey, hey.”

“?”

Startled by the perplexity in his friend’s voice, Kim Hyun shrugged his shoulders. Rumors about Yi Hayul, particularly those concerning his ‘words,’ were well-known.

“…I apologize. I’ve been rude.”

“…”

While Yi Hayul hadn’t witnessed such a farce before, he understood the situation. Being accustomed to his smartwatch, he felt somewhat detached from any discomfort.

Nodding quietly, he drew his sword.

The signal was clear; the conversation was to cease.

– Swish.

Yi Hayul drew his sword at his waist. Hearing the clear ring of the sword, Kim Hyun inwardly marveled.

It was an ordinary standard-issue sword. There was nothing special about it, but he felt the disciplined posture when the sword was drawn.

He was skilled. It was not the stance of a novice who had barely awakened in a month.

Kim Hyun tightened his grip on the sword, raising his tension. He channeled magic by tapping into his core.

“I won’t let my guard down.”

Hayul’s unfolded challenge was already widely known. Even if the opponent let their guard down, he was a swordsman who could secure victory against a combat-oriented novice.

In essence, he was no different from a novice. A faint sense of rivalry emerged. It was a natural feeling for someone who prided themselves as a swordsman.

With a deep breath, just as he was about to charge, Hayul raised one hand and pointed at Kim Hyun.

“What’s this?”

A sudden move.

Just before feeling any doubt, a chilling intuition prompted Kim Hyun to immediately raise his sword. Simultaneously, he surrounded the blade with vigor.

– Woong!

Low-level magic

“Magic Thrust”

His intuition was correct. The powerful thrust tore through the ground and flew towards him. It was too late to dodge; he urgently swung his sword.

– Kwagagagak─!

“Tsk…!”

Kim Hyun’s eyes widened as the powerful thrust sliced through his vigor.

Using magic. Naturally, rumors had spread.

However.

To wield the Shadowless Blade so swiftly. And to possess such power, he hadn’t expected it at all.

Kwagak, as his legs dragged across the ground, they eventually detached.

– Thud!

Thrown by the thrust, Kim Hyun’s body flew far away. A belated gust of wind engulfed Raven and Lorein.

Raven’s bangs fluttered wildly.

“Insane.”

The battle commenced. Raven cursed as he effortlessly pushed past several trees towards the advancing thrust.

Low-level magic, Magic Thrust. Even Raven, who had not delved into magic, knew about this level of spell.

The force was overwhelming, causing a delayed reaction.

The sharp blade of the spear was wrapped in vigor. With a snap at his wrist, the spear shot out. It was a textbook spear technique.

– Klang!

Naturally, the sword interjected along the spear’s path. Similarly, the sword’s edge wrapped in vigor blocked the spear, intertwining.

– Kwak! Klang! Kwagak…!

The spear and sword clashed, striking each other. The vigor wore away.

“Damn, what is this?”

Spear technique versus sword technique.

Raiden hailed from a reputable family and had already proven his skills upon entering Shiyoram. He had confidence in his spear technique. He had wielded a spear since a very young age; his life was intertwined with it.

The spear met the sword. It wasn’t about the superiority of spear technique but rather his own being blocked by the sword technique.

The linear yet adaptable spear was overpowered by the graceful sword technique.

– Chwack

Of course, he wasn’t completely subdued. In this skirmish, Raven held the upper hand.

The tip of the spear dislodged the sword and jabbed. Hayul twisted his head. The spear grazed his cheek narrowly.

This pattern repeated during the brief skirmish.

But that wasn’t the issue.

– Kwagagagak!

Their armaments clashed, wearing each other down. Before their armaments broke, the overlaid vigor on top was gradually worn away.

…His own vigor being worn away. Raven’s face contorted in astonishment.

Spear technique. Frankly, what was most shocking was not being overwhelmed. He understood talent and all that. He had heard about using detection spells to substitute for sight, but being unable to overwhelm with spear technique left him at a loss for words.

The strength of the vigor. He was being pushed back. It was evident at a glance. When their vigors collided, his own was further worn down.

What did that signify?

His accumulated 20 years of magic, his trained vigor techniques, were being outmatched by Hayul’s magic and vigor techniques honed in just about a month.

“Sigh…”

I’m going crazy. Raven opened his wings with a hollow smile. Following the trajectory of the altered window, the sword stuck closely behind.

Hyayul, who had been planning, twisted his waist. The sharp tip of the sword grazed his clothes narrowly. Lorein, who had suddenly dug in from the side, swung the sword.

Hyayul stepped back and gripped the sword. 2 against 1. Kim Hyundo, who had been blown away by magical impact, would soon join.

“Raven.”

It’s a bit heavy. His responses were clumsy with an unstable sense. In fact, within a short time, he had wounds all over his body.

Although not visible, according to the original description, there were red particles flowing.

Spear and sword. It was futile to respond based on the distance. He hadn’t even handled the spear well enough to create distance in a short time. It was too crowded to narrow the gap.

“Lorein.”

A minor in combat. Still, he wielded the sword as if preparing for battle. If they fought one-on-one here, it could be resolved quickly. But Raven wouldn’t leave him alone.

“Kim Hyun.”

The leader of the group. This person who asked for his name and apologized. Probably the most skilled among them.

Even for Raven, it would be difficult to deal with three of them together with swords.

With clenched fists, he infused magic into the handle. The trembling sword blade contained immense strength. Gritting his teeth, he swung the sword forward.

Magic obtained through potions. Now there was enough magic to make combat possible.

Additionally, there was still some unabsorbed amount. At this moment, the unabsorbed amount was responding.

– Kkagagagak!

Scattered energy surged forward. Raven stepped back, and Lorein, who was late in dodging, got a small cut on his arm.

“Ugh.”

They distanced themselves. Hyayul regulated his breathing and extended his senses beyond.

Beyond the magic impact, Kim Hyun, with a determined face, was rushing towards them.

“3 against 1.”

An unfavorable situation. The other two confirmed Kim Hyun’s return and adjusted their pace and distance.

It seemed like they were planning to encircle me in a triangular formation.

Hyayul nurtured the magic within his body and took a deep breath. The obedient magic moved according to the owner’s will without any resistance.

Kim Hyun approached head-on. A clean energy wrapped around his sword. The blade drew a neat trajectory.

It was a swordsmanship worthy of admiration.

Watching him, Hyayul kicked the ground.

– Kuung!

The ground trembled around Hyayul’s leg, and a thick wall of earth rose up.

“Magic!”

Once again, a high-speed spell that was difficult to detect, like Shadowless Spear and a prelude. Kim Hyun swung his sword in amazement. A clean straight trajectory was engraved above the earthen wall.

Low-level magic

“Magic Impact”

The cleanly split impact rushed forward. Parallel casting. Kim Hyun’s sword blocked the magic impact.

– Kkagagagak…!

This time, they were prepared for magic. As a result, instead of being pitifully blown away, they could push back.

Unexpectedly strong for a low-level spell. However, they could withstand this level of attack. Thinking so, they pushed the energy once again.

But Kim Hyun miscalculated.

Low-level magic

“Magic Impact”

Originally, low-level magic is not powerful but has high efficiency for rapid fire.

The attack came again… three times. Kim Hyun flew in panic.

Three impacts that tore through the ground. The small wounds felt like the claws of a giant beast.

After using magic, Raven and Lorein aimed at each side.

Hyayul calmly gripped the sword. Once again, the magic within his body writhed.

Thud! This time, without a starting step, the ground rose up in front of Raven.

“Is the impact coming?”

Raven pondered internally. It was because of the recent sequence. Raising the ground, just before breaking it, a magic impact flying towards him.

A moment of contemplation. In that time, Hyayul turned his body towards Lorein, facing him, and struck the ground.

Loreain gritted her teeth and thrust the sword with both hands. The sharp tip of the sword cut through the wind.

It was distinctly felt. The splitting wind lingered around her ears.

The thrusting sword. Above it, a burning vigor was sensed.

Yi Hayul exhaled. His senses sharpened. Suddenly, a drop of sweat trickled down.

Engaged in battle, his senses became extremely acute. Still inexperienced, but now at a level worth trying.

A strange sensation.

Though nothing was visible, it could be felt.

Perceiving the world through mere sounds, magical auras, the touch felt on the skin, etc., was profoundly mysterious.

Facing the extended sword.

Swords clashed. Huh? Loreain let out a gasp.

It wasn’t just a simple clash. Over the blade of the sword, Yi Hayul’s sword flowed naturally like water.

– Clang!

Dissonance. A swiftly changing trajectory struck the sword upwards. The sword left the hand. Arms spread wide.

The spinning sword flew into the sky. Loreain watched her floating sword in the sky like a bird.

“Oh.”

The disparity in talent. He keenly felt it. He belonged to the Spring Faction. Although he didn’t share camaraderie with Yi Hayul, his skills were clearly felt through the duel.

Victory in combat specialization and dueling. Even though it was a special admission, the victory changed the subtle glances towards him.

Although he had won by catching his opponent off guard, there was no reason to underestimate his skills.

But at that time, they were almost evenly matched with Loreain. Initially, Loreain was a novice in a non-combat major.

At that time, they were evenly matched. So naturally, he thought he would win. It was 3 against 1. Naturally, he thought he would win.

Now, he was almost overwhelmed in a single blow. The reality hadn’t fully sunk in.

While having such thoughts, a chilling sensation pricked his forehead.

Thud! Roughly pushing in like splitting a watermelon, the sword edge was not gentle.

“One.”

Hayul silently counted inwardly.