Magician Marigold

16.

One-on-one duels between knights and wizards were not common.

Unlike knights, who would clash swords at the slightest hint of boredom, wizards didn’t see any reason to risk injury and engage in physical combat.

‘Wizard, let’s compete in knighthood!’

‘Why should I fight? What do I gain from it?’

This was precisely why duels between the two were rarely seen.

Even Lancel, who was seasoned in knight-versus-knight battles, hadn’t dueled with wizards often.

When he did draw his sword against a wizard, it was usually during war or hunting. Finding a wizard willing to spar was inherently difficult.

But this was the academy.

And academy students had to do what they had to do.

“My name is Angèle Godd. Through numerous training sessions and research over the past 10 years under my master, I graduated this year with 2nd Circle Magic and am preparing to advance to 3rd Circle…”

“Too much talk!”

“No, I haven’t even started yet…!”

Seeing the knight rush at him, the wizard hurriedly began to form hand seals. Whoosh, a cold wind enveloped his body, instantly forming ice crystals.

“Don’t underestimate me, knight! Taste the Ice Spike that’s sharper than needles!”

“Too late.”

Before the ice could even form a sharp shape, a kick landed in front of him first.

“Cough!”

Seeing the wizard collapse from a single kick, Lancel chuckled dryly.

“Kehek, keheek!”

Having been struck in the vital point of his side, he clutched his waist and trembled.

It was the result of overlooking the agility of knights.

“Don’t expect me to wait for your Magic to be completed. The moment I get close, the match is already decided.”

“Hehe, isn’t this too easy, Professor Lancel?”

The knight, who had dealt with the wizard in one blow, swaggered, cracking his neck from side to side.

“Don’t get cocky just because you won once…”

The eyes of the Wizard Department sharpened. A woman wearing a large, deep-brimmed hat stepped forward as the next challenger.

“Rinne Airi. 2nd Circle Wizard. I’ll give it a try.”

“Wait, is that even allowed?”

The triumphant knight pointed at the female wizard’s hand.

She was already forming hand seals before the duel had even started. Mana swirled around her body, causing her robes to flutter wildly.

She had already completed the preparations to activate her Magic.

“Is there a problem? How is this any different from drawing a sword first? Are you scared because you think you’ll lose?”

“Where did this rude commoner wizard learn her manners…”

“If there are no complaints, let’s begin.”

Laura, who had been watching from afar, made a circle with her fingers.

“It’s only natural for wizards to have their own preparations. Approved.”

“That’s right. Consider it a handicap.”

“Tch.”

When even Lancel said that, the knight clicked his tongue and raised his Wooden Sword.

“Start.”

As soon as the command was given, the wizard’s hand gripped her wand.

“Air. Vibration. Raging wind.”

The short incantation flowed from her lips, and a terrifying gust of wind swept across the ground.

“Whoa!”

The knight momentarily lost his balance and floated briefly into the air. He flailed in the air, trapped in a state of weightlessness.

As if waiting for that moment, the wizard’s wand pointed at the ground.

“Crash down.”

The knight’s body tilted instantly. He was thrown headfirst into the ground by the Mana.

Thud!

“Kuh-uck!”

He rolled several times on the ground, blood flowing from his nose.

“Got him!”

“Hehe.”

A smile escaped the wizard’s lips as she formed hand seals again.

“How does it taste? I can do it a few more times if you want.”

“Tch! What a damn annoying Magic.”

The knight spat out blood-tinged saliva and raised his head with bloodshot eyes.

Lancel saw the Mana boiling within him, concentrating at his feet.

‘He’s really angry.’

The female wizard tilted her wand, a smile still on her face.

“Keep acting tough, knight. Seems like your pride is hurt from getting hit by a commoner wizard.”

The next moment.

The condensed power exploded from the knight’s feet.

Kwaaaang-!

The front of his foot tore up the entire dirt floor.

The knight’s figure shot forward in a straight line.

The Wooden Sword drew a picture-perfect line as it reached for the wizard.

“Huh?”

It was only when the Wooden Sword was right in front of her that the wizard came to her senses.

“Kyaaah!”

She covered her face, anticipating a violent impact, but felt no pain.

“Take it easy, are you trying to smash her head?”

Lancel had deflected the Wooden Sword, lightly turning its blade away.

As if he hadn’t expected it to be blocked so easily, the knight stared down at his empty palm with bewildered eyes.

The Wooden Sword he had swung was already rolling far away on the ground.

“Ah, d-did I win?”

“Yes. You won. Wizard Rinne Airi, defeated. Step back.”

“Ugh, I have no strength in my legs…”

The female wizard, her legs giving out, was eventually dragged away by her comrades.

“Next, who will step forward?”

.

.

.

Four more wizards stepped forward in succession, but the result was the same each time.

They all fell one after another, unable to overcome even a single knight, defeated by a single punch, a single kick, a single Wooden Sword strike.

“Is this all the Wizard Department is capable of!”

“Let me fight too!”

A sense of ease and laughter flowed among the knights, who anticipated an easy victory.

‘Is the difference in experience still too great?’

Lancel smiled wryly.

It wasn’t that the Wizard Department’s level was low.

The fact that they could wield Magic of 2nd Circle or higher at such a young age was proof of their exceptional talent. Each and every one of them was undoubtedly worthy of being called an elite.

With just a little training, many of them could toy with ordinary knights with one hand. But that was just a distant dream for now.

“Cleaning…cleaning…”

“I can’t do it, I can’t do it, I…”

“Hngh…Aaaah…!”

The Wizard Department was already showing clear signs of defeat.

They could already see themselves cleaning every nook and cranny of the Knight Department’s dormitories.

“Marigold. 1st Circle Wizard.”

And Marigold, she stepped forward as the seventh challenger.

“Finally!”

“We’ve been waiting. Marigold.”

“Ah, that little kid should have been my opponent.”

A fervent welcome erupted from the knights’ side.

‘She’s popular, Marigold.’

Even as everyone cheered for her, Marigold’s gaze was fixed solely on Lancel.

‘…?’

Burning emerald eyes.

“I have a request. Professor Lancel.”

“…What request?”

“If I defeat all ten of them.”

Marigold’s eyes flashed with such intensity that they seemed to radiate light.

“Please accept the penalty with me, Professor Lancel.”

“…Huh?”

Lancel’s mouth hung open in a daze.

“That impudent little brat!”

It was the moment when the Knight Department trainees collectively stood up.

“How dare you speak so carelessly to the professor!”

“How dare a mere commoner speak to Professor Lancel, the idol of the Knight Department!”

“Bow your head and apologize!”

‘I was an idol?’

No, that’s the first I’ve heard of it.

“Ahem. Quiet.”

Lancel, who had calmed down the overheated Knight Department, nodded to Marigold.

“If you defeat all ten of them, I will definitely do so.”

“Thank you.”

Watching Marigold turn away with a pout, Lancel scratched the back of his neck.

‘Is she sulking?’

17.

“Marigold, I was bored, so it’s good you came along.”

Even as the Wooden Sword sliced through the air, Marigold’s expression was strangely calm. She only glanced sideways at Lancel from time to time.

“Don’t lose. Show Marigold the strength of a knight.”

“Don’t worry, Professor.”

Each time Lancel encouraged the knight, a twitch ran across her face.

“…”

It didn’t take long for her to gaze at Lancel with moist eyes. She had been keeping a slight distance for the past few days, so perhaps some resentment had built up since then.

‘Don’t think badly of it, Marigold. I’m still a professor in the Knight Department, how can I take your side?’

Lancel tried to ignore her expression and raised his hand.

“Ready.”

Tension rose between Marigold and the knight.

“Start.”

The knight was the one who moved as soon as the command was given. He dashed across the ground in an instant, rushing towards Marigold.

“Marigold. I’ll give you a big bump on the head!”

With just two leaps, the distance between them closed to the point where they could reach each other with a sword.

On the other hand, Marigold didn’t seem to care about him coming towards her. She quietly closed her eyes and focused her Mana.

“Hoo.”

That’s when it happened.

Marigold released the wooden staff she was holding in her hand.

“……?”

Lancel’s eyes narrowed.

Marigold’s feet and staff floated into the air.

“Compress. Release.”

Bang-!

Lancel’s eardrums went numb. A powerful shockwave spread out from Marigold.

“Kugh!”

The knight, who had taken the brunt of the formless shock that struck his entire body, staggered back several steps.

Marigold’s mouth didn’t stop there.

“Compress. Release. Compress. Release. Compress. Release.”

The shockwaves were repeated not just once, but six, seven, eight times in a row.

Bang-! Bang-!

“Kugh!”

A labored groan gradually escaped the knight’s lips.

“1st Circle Magic. Mana Pulse.”

“The output is…”

The wizards stared blankly, their mouths agape. They could feel the wind blowing even from a distance.

Marigold gripped the wooden staff. A round sphere was slowly forming from the end of the staff.

Ggrrr-!

Mana was relentlessly compressed into the center of the sphere. Light, air, and heat were all sucked into it.

The Mana was tempered layer by layer, becoming more and more solid at a single point. The scenery around the Mana Sphere gradually blurred.

“Ggrrrraaaaa.”

Marigold’s body trembled uncontrollably. It was a violent vibration that made her teeth chatter.

The Mana’s threshold.

“Now!”

Her eyes snapped open.

The end of the staff pointed towards the knight.

“Go.”

“……!”

Bang-!

The Mana Sphere plunged straight down.

“This…!”

A huge explosion erupted next to the knight, who was desperately rolling on the ground.

Kuuuung-!

A cloud of dust billowed up. Dirt and sand rained down from the sky.

A deep pit, large enough to fit two or three people, was carved into the grassy field.

“Huh…uh?”

The knight, who had been clutching his chest, soon turned pale.

Centered around Marigold, a Mana Sphere much larger than before was slowly rotating. It wasn’t just one. There were as many as five.

“There’s still more.”

Amidst the shock of the explosion, which was thick with dust, her eyes scattered a faint glow.

“The sin of corrupting Lancel-nim…accept it willingly!”

‘What is she talking about.’

As soon as Lancel saw the five Mana Spheres being fired, he raised his Wooden Sword.

Marigold’s Magic output was too strong. No matter how well-trained a knight was, if they were hit head-on, they wouldn’t get away with just a broken bone.

“Marigold. Stop…”

Before he could, Laura’s wand pointed at the knight.

“Shield, protect the knight.”

A Mana barrier made of grid-shaped fragments enveloped the knight. The five Mana Spheres immediately detonated upon it.

Kugugung, a deafening sound that assaulted the brain erupted in succession.

“Kuh-uck!”

In the aftermath of the explosion, the ground was overturned in a fan shape, as if drawing a spindle.

Only the spot where the knight had been standing remained intact, protected by Laura’s shield.

The knight, who was slumped on the ground as if he had lost all will to fight, looked somewhat despondent.

“That is Magic…”

A stiff voice escaped from the Knight Department crowd.

Witnessing the power of the ‘real Magic’ they had only heard about in stories, they seemed to snap to attention.

That’s right. Although they were rarely seen on the battlefield, high-ranking wizards were all powerful beings.

They were by no means easy opponents to be ignored by mere fledgling knights.

‘How strong does an Archmage become?’

Lancel was lost in thought.

Even if he brought back his 3rd Regression self, he wasn’t sure if he could face a fully realized ‘Archmage Marigold’.

Could he win?

Even if he did win, would he be in one piece?

“Miss Mary. You have talent.”

A quiet admiration flowed from beside him.

It was Prince Aldehar of Lucia, who had approached Lancel without him noticing.

“To have that much output with just 1st Circle Magic. Miss Mary may have talent close to or even greater than mine. If nurtured well, I wonder how far she could go…it’s frightening.”

Close to or even greater than his.

Lancel stifled a laugh. Did Aldehar even know? That Marigold was the only one on this land who could become an ‘Archmage’.

Even if you looked at the entire world, there was no one with more potential than Marigold. She really could become anything.

‘Marigold, you’re definitely the protagonist.’

Lancel clicked his tongue, feeling that Marigold’s talent was beyond his imagination.

“Miss Mary’s victory!”

Laura’s bright voice.

“We won!”

Even the Wizard Department erupted in admiration.

“Ugh…!”

And as soon as Marigold’s body landed on the ground, she collapsed.

“Miss Mary!”

“P-Professor! Mana depletion!”

“Oh no, move Miss Mary to the infirmary. Make sure she rests.”

In any case, it was difficult to continue the duel any further.

The Training Ground, ravaged by Marigold’s Magic, had been completely transformed into a dirt field.

“Then what happens to the bet?”

“Well, that’s…”

Lancel shrugged at Professor Laura’s question.

“It’s 7 to 1, after all.”

A complete defeat for the Wizard Department.

.

.

.

That night.

“Marigold.”

Lancel once again faced the full moon.

More precisely, he faced Marigold, who had grown up greatly beneath it.

-Lancel.

With a faint smile under the moonlight.

Marigold, the one-horned being who had grown into a large body.

-Hehe…