Episode 388. Close Combat Training

Chwajajajak-

Nam Daeun and I simultaneously created distance, and as soon as the magic barrier of the sparring arena dissolved, I collapsed onto the spot.

“You worked hard. Hoyeon-ah.”

“Haa, haa…. Yeah. Thanks.”

I put down the training sword and caught my breath.

As expected, moving my body directly is damn tiring. Choosing to be a mage in the first place was definitely the perfect choice.

“Let’s get some hydration.”

“Ah, thanks.”

“Not at all.”

Scarlet offered me water from the side.

Still, drinking water makes me feel a bit better.

“Hoo, how was that just now? I think it wasn’t too bad, considering.”

I asked Nam Daeun, who had just sparred with me, while wiping away sweat.

It was the first sparring match without using magic, and even considering that Nam Daeun went easy on me, it was a decent match.

I wasn’t even thinking about beating Nam Daeun already, anyway.

I was plenty satisfied with just this much.

“Hmm….”

“Hmm.”

I waited for the two women’s reactions.

Nam Daeun, who was quietly pondering, spoke first.

“I think it’s good. If you polish your skills, you’ll be able to spar with me properly.”

“That much?”

“Yeah. Hoyeon, you have talent.”

Nam Daeun said with a giggle.

Indeed, I thought so too.

It’s swordsmanship I haven’t even learned properly, yet I’m this good; it’s definitely usable.

“I think differently.”

“Scarlet-ssi?”

However, Scarlet’s subsequent words calmed my excited heart.

“You definitely have talent. You surpass the close combat abilities of most students I’ve seen. It’s also true that if you train intensively, you can become as strong as Nam Daeun-yang.”

“But what’s the problem?”

Aren’t I becoming incredibly strong if I’m strong in magic and also strong in close combat?

As if answering my question, Scarlet continued.

“Since you use magic, you’re naturally much stronger than Daeun-yang to begin with. I don’t know what your goal is, but I think you’re probably aiming much higher.”

“… Yeah. That’s right.”

The Maestro and the Demon King of the Underworld.

I have to face the strongest villains in the world.

Being moderately strong is far from enough.

“Rather than spending time on close combat training, I think it would be better to focus on magic while only learning the basic countermeasures for close combat.”

“Hmm… what you say makes sense, but it’s also because of the magic nullification barriers.”

Like Scarlet said, I naturally know that using magic is stronger.

The problem is that Pandemic has barriers that nullify magic.

I experienced it firsthand, which is why I’m trying so hard.

If that weren’t the case, I could comfortably just train magic.

“Magic nullification barriers. Those aren’t a big problem either.”

“What do you mean?”

“If the opponent can’t use magic either, even a demon can’t inflict much damage.”

“But humans and demons are different in terms of sheer size. What if they just crush me with their size when I can’t use magic?”

“Such precise combat is impossible for a demon’s body, and even demons capable of it can’t inflict much damage without magic. If you learn basic countermeasures as I said, you can at least block and endure the opponent’s attacks.”

Scarlet took out some papers from her pocket.

“I even prepared basic textbooks for close combat like this… but it seems unnecessary now.”

“… You prepared textbooks too? When exactly did you start preparing?”

“I started preparing from when you mentioned it before. However, your instincts seem superior to theory. Your response during the sparring match just now was perfect. It’s just that you lack fundamentals, so you only need to improve that.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

When it comes to combat, I get a bonus buff.

In most situations, my choices can be considered the best.

Scarlet put the textbooks back in her pocket and continued.

“Let’s spar more instead. You called us because you felt something after fighting Moon Sungmin, right?”

“Yeah. The close combat types are overwhelmingly faster than me, so I wanted to overcome that.”

“Actually, it’s logical for a mage to be at a disadvantage the moment they lose distance… but shall we try? This time, Daeun-yang and I will attack you simultaneously.”

“… Me too?”

“Yes. That way, Hoyeon-nim’s multitasking ability will improve.”

I nodded.

Since it’s sparring anyway, it’s okay to make it harder.

“Alright.”

“Imagine we’re strong enough to easily withstand your magic. Then you might come up with other methods.”

I activated the sparring mode of the training ground.

Since I put plenty of magic into it, there was no risk of getting hurt.

Scarlet and Nam Daeun took their positions on the opposite side.

My body, heated up from the previous fight, buzzed with a pleasant combat sense.

‘It seems difficult to face both of them without overpowering them with magic.’

I pondered my strategy, recalling Scarlet’s words.

My specialty is reacting faster than the opponent with overwhelming magic control and unleashing powerful spells.

However, that method doesn’t work well against strong opponents.

If I had some tricks up my sleeve, it would be easier to find openings, but I’m completely straightforward.

If the opponent can withstand my magic, technique is what matters.

What I learned from my match with Moon Sungmin is that multi-casting has its limits.

It was insufficient to cast multiple spells in a real chaotic battle, let alone sparring.

It’s also an issue with my concentration, and fundamentally, it’s a method the human body cannot handle.

The software was good, but the hardware couldn’t keep up.

‘I need a way to use magic more simply.’

While pondering, I gathered magic power in my hand.

Something had vaguely come to mind since I started researching the core incantations of magic: deploying magic using only the core incantations.

I clumped the core incantations of magic together and threw them into the air.

Paz- Pazjij- Pik-

The core incantations were perfect, but without subsequent processing, the magic power collapsed futilely.

But I didn’t stop there.

I tried overlapping the core incantations, and tried drawing the entire magic circle before compressing it.

The goal is to enable myself to resolve all combat situations alone.

To create openings for the opponent, I need breathing room too.

My current combat style is a downgraded version of Professor Im Sol’s.

Since I don’t have overwhelming magic power and casting speed like Professor Im Sol, I have to put in effort in other ways.

I had to completely overhaul my combat style itself.

“Hoyeon-ah? The sparring….”

“Shh. Daeun-yang. Leave him be. He might gain some enlightenment.”

The sound of their conversation faintly reached me, but I focused on the sphere forming before my eyes.

Among the numerous methods, this was the most practical one.

──『 Arc Conjuration 』──

▶ Unique Skill

▶ A magic sphere that implements the core incantations of magic into a perfect spell.

It consumes the caster’s magic power and willpower, so the more you increase it, the greater the burden.

───────

“… Done.”

I inserted the core incantations of Tempest Wind into the magic sphere rotating around me.

Kwagagagag-

Seeing the strong wind generated the moment I inserted magic power, I smiled.

‘Enough.’

A new magic using the core incantations of magic.

It’s a power granted to a sphere, made by taking a part of my willpower, to draw magic circles.

This way, the time required for each spell is significantly reduced compared to multi-casting, which requires drawing magic circles.

“Arc Conjuration… I can just call it Arc.”

If the name is too long, concentration drops.

Let’s call it Arc cleanly.

I apologized to Scarlet and Nam Daeun, who were waiting in front of me, and said.

“Sorry for making you wait. I think I’ve gained a new magic, could you help me test it?”

“Anytime.”

“Please take care of me.”

Chwaryureuk-

I summoned two Arcs next to my shoulder.

I felt a slight headache, but it felt like I’d get used to it soon.

*

The next day.

Yesterday, I was completely absorbed in training and continued sparring until night.

In the end, Scarlet and Nam Daeun looked like they were about to collapse, so I had no choice but to stop, but I was quite satisfied.

Chwak-

I summoned Arcs around me.

Although I still had a slight headache, it was much less than when I first created them.

At this level, it seems usable in actual combat.

“….”

“Agh….”

“Hey guys. Are you okay?”

When I went out to the living room, I saw Scarlet and Nam Daeun slumped over the table.

It’s usually time to prepare breakfast, but seeing them like this, they must be really exhausted.

“My whole body hurts. It’s my first time experiencing this….”

“You’ll be fine after a little rest… but why are you so full of energy?”

“I have good natural healing abilities.”

The improvement in natural healing I gained while strategizing against Lucy.

This is unexpectedly helpful.

It gets rid of not only the wounds from fights but also the fatigue from training.

“I’ll prepare breakfast this morning.”

Seeing their condition, they probably can’t eat breakfast.

I took milk from the fridge, put cereal from the shelf into bowls, and placed them in front of the two.

“Thanks, Hoyeon-ah.”

“This… Yes. I’ll eat this at least.”

“What’s wrong with cereal? It’s so delicious.”

I chuckled watching the two shoveling cereal while shivering my arms, then glanced towards the sound of a door opening.

“Argh, sleepy…!”

“Liliana, good morning. But what’s with your clothes?”

Along with the familiar sound of a door opening, Liliana came out of her room.

Liliana looked down at my words, then her eyes widened.

“Huh? Ah, I guess it’s because I fell asleep right after the broadcast ended yesterday.”

“Dress a bit more moderately sexy. That’s too revealing.”

I said, looking at Liliana’s sexy outfit.

The outfit, barely covering her chest and lower parts, was too revealing even for my standards.

What if you just show something like that to others?

“Huh? It’s fine. Even succubi don’t have their seductive powers on screen.”

“… What are you talking about? I don’t like it, so don’t wear it.”

“Are you jealous right now? Huhu.”

“Come and eat breakfast.”

“What’s the harm in just admitting you’re a little jealous!”

Liliana frowned and went back into her room.

Is she perhaps sulking?

Kkik-

A moment later, Liliana came out wearing tracksuits that were clearly modest.

She kept glancing at me, and somehow I knew what she wanted, so I approached Liliana and complimented her.

“You can show it to me. But wearing anything too revealing to others is forbidden. Got it?”

“Okay. It’s so much better when you say it like that.”

Liliana finally seemed satisfied, rubbing her face against my hand and nodding.

Then she went to the table, poured milk onto the cereal, and started eating it with a spoon.

No, you’re supposed to put the cereal in a separate bowl and then add milk.

Who pours milk directly into the cereal bag?

“Baby’s Daddy. Good morning!”

“Ah, Rebecca-ssi. You seem to be in a good mood?”

Just as I was about to say something to Liliana, Rebecca spoke to me.

Rebecca, who appeared while stretching, looked inexplicably happy.

“Mmm. I feel heavy, like I might be pregnant.”

“Hmm…. That would be good news.”

Every time she says something like that, I don’t know how to react.

Should I cheer, “Wow! Pregnant!” and clap?

“And the pressure from Pandemic seems to have lessened. My contacts have started responding to my calls again.”

“Oh, that’s really great news. It hasn’t even been a full day yet, has it?”

“Yeah. They probably feel threatened by us. As expected, Baby’s Daddy’s words were effective.”

“What did I even do? Rebecca-ssi did everything.”

And it’s only the first day, so we need to watch a bit longer.

I hope it leads to good results.

“What are you doing now, Baby’s Daddy? Isn’t it the closing ceremony soon?”

“Yes. The closing ceremony is tomorrow.”

It’s called a closing ceremony, but there’s nothing special about it.

It’s just the day regular classes end.

There were no special events, so there won’t be any terrorist attacks, right?

We’ve dampened Pandemic’s momentum, and it’s an event that passes quietly even in the original work.

“….”

“Huh? Baby’s Daddy, what’s wrong with your face? Are you not feeling well?”

“No. I’m just getting the chills for some reason.”

“Come here. I’ll warm you up.”

Rebecca hugged me and patted my back.

It’s warm and comforting, but I feel uneasy for no reason.

My experience surviving in this world until now told me something.

It would never pass quietly.