episode_0132

If there was one strategy that worked particularly well against pure-blooded mages.

It was, without a doubt, a method of driving the battle into close combat.

That was their most vulnerable point, as pure-blooded mages preferred fighting by bombarding from long range.

Of course, those who had reached a certain level of mastery would have one or two techniques to prepare for even that.

Still, it would certainly be an effective method.

No need to look far, just like now.

Thud!

“Gah, ugh…!”

Hong Myeongseon groaned, properly struck by my spinning kick. His wide-eyed expression was filled with shock.

Roughly paraphrasing, it would be, ‘A mage, by name, engaging in close-quarters brawling?’

‘It’s been a while since I ceased to be a pure-blooded mage, Elder.’

I mumbled that inwardly, not bothering to say it out loud.

Certainly, it would be an overstatement to call me a complete ‘mage’ after mastering all sorts of unique abilities, wouldn’t it?

Just now, didn’t I use Baek Ayun’s leg strength to deliver a powerful kick to Hong Myeongseon?

With more than just one or two such abilities, it would be more accurate to consider me an all-rounder battle mage.

“Hoo-”

The moment I landed a blow, I immediately took half a step back to create distance, and I smoothly deflected the flames Hong Myeongseon urgently shot out using Seo Harin Sunbae’s wave ability.

Next, I used etherealization for stealth, stomped the ground hard with leg strength, infused my fist with mixed lightning and flame, and immediately extended my arm.

My fist, approaching Hong Myeongseon again in the short time it took to catch a breath, plunged into his abdomen without a moment’s pause.

Crash!

“…!”

Hong Myeongseon’s face contorted in pain once more. However, the impact didn’t seem as great as before.

I raised an eyebrow.

‘I definitely increased the power…?’

Having used various abilities simultaneously, that last punch should have delivered an intense shock comparable to Baek Ayun’s full-power punch.

If taking that blow only resulted in a gasp, there was a high probability that a defensive barrier had activated.

Hummm-

As expected. Concentrating my sight, I faintly glimpsed a bluish membrane around Hong Myeongseon’s abdomen.

Perhaps this is the limit of the advantage I can gain from close-range attacks. I muttered to myself, stomped the ground, and sent ice blades soaring high into the sky.

Crrraack!

“…This brat!”

Hong Myeongseon nearly got caught in the fan-shaped cluster of ice shooting high up.

But his years of experience weren’t for naught; he quickly emitted heat from his entire body, dispersing the ice magic that had assaulted him.

His face was flushed red and blue, filled with rising anger…

It seemed he was displeased with the fact that he was evenly matched with me, contrary to his expectations.

‘…My conscience is aching.’

I, too, felt a severe sense of guilt for assaulting an Elder.

Of course, my heart couldn’t be at ease punching a seventy-year-old man.

But I quickly changed my mind. Wasn’t this, after all, a duel between mages that unfolded by mutual agreement?

In that case, hesitating to use violence against him by bringing up his age might actually be disrespectful to him.

Which means, whether I punch Hong Myeongseon in the face with all my might or not, it wouldn’t be a problem at all…

Thus, brainwashing and suggesting this to myself, I soon launched my body forward again.

“I’m coming, Elder!”

“You fiend!”

My non-warning made Hong Myeongseon’s face even redder, but what did I care? The one standing before me now was not an Elder, but a legitimate participant in a duel!

Having finished that simple rationalization, what I chose next was—

Thud!

“Gah-ack!”

Another punch, of course. The most primal and savage form of violence.

At the same time, two or three fire arrows unleashed by Hong Myeongseon struck my entire body, but the super-regeneration ability I gained through Violet instantly made such minor injuries disappear.

She might have been a villain, but she was a villain who gave me good things.

Her abilities, and her body, too… Hmm hmm.

I could almost imagine Yang Chan-ho-ssi’s grimace, having unintentionally put Violet under surveillance while on vacation in Busan.

I quickly dismissed that fleeting, regrettable thought and lifted my leg high.

Thud!

“Guhp!”

Hong Myeongseon’s jaw was directly hit by that kick.

At this point, it was almost elder abuse.

But the opponent was Hong Myeongseon, Flame Emperor Hong Myeongseon. One of the few mages with the greatest firepower in Korea…

If I hesitated even a little in my attack, I would be the one getting hit.

…Anyway, that’s how it would be…

I detonated the ice.

CRASH!

One of the ways to use Icewood, a weakened attack that applied the principle of causing a massive explosion with its large mass at the last moment.

The same principle as a fragmentation grenade, where finely shredded fragments fly out upon detonation.

Pat pat pat!

Sharp ice shards ruined the garden, including Hong Myeongseon.

Hong Myeongseon managed to wrap himself in a flame barrier, preventing major injuries, but.

“Hah, hah.”

Now, he seemed quite at his limit. As if he lacked the strength to endure further, his breathing was twice as heavy as before.

Hong Myeongseon’s complexion was pale, but the emotions in his eyes were not just anger.

Shock and horror, and disbelief, too.

In other words, the denial of reality.

The sight of being unilaterally pushed back by a junior mage, so incredibly young… Naturally, he wouldn’t be accustomed to it. He couldn’t be accustomed to it.

Even Cheon Soyul wouldn’t dare to confront Hong Myeongseon now.

Perhaps, if I had to name someone, Cheon Woohyuk or Yoo Seonghyeon Sunbae?

Those two might be able to hold their own against Hong Myeongseon.

“…That’s enough, Father-in-law.”

Soon, Hong Yeonhwa’s father approached Hong Myeongseon and cautiously suggested stopping the duel.

He, too, showed clear signs of bewilderment, but seemed relatively calmer than Hong Myeongseon.

Hong Yeonhwa’s mother was the same. Her emotion seemed more surprise than confusion; patting Hong Myeongseon’s shoulder, her eyes looking up at me were quite wide.

“More than we thought… our son-in-law was truly an amazing mage.”

I nodded and replied.

“I am quite outstanding… Huh?”

And then, belatedly, I snapped my head up. What did she just call me?

Hong Yeonhwa’s mother gave a faint smile and touched her cheek.

“I am a bit open-minded, so it’s fine. I understand everything. A capable man should be able to have multiple women. There’s a reason they say ‘a flower in both hands’ [an idiom for having two desirable things, often women].”

“Ah? What?”

“But if possible… please don’t neglect our Yeonhwa too much, and treat her well. Our son-in-law, can you do that?”

“What??”

Before I could even collect myself and understand her words, Hong Myeongseon, whose shoulders were trembling, rose and shouted furiously.

“You fiend!!! I, I don’t acknowledge this! Before dirt enters my eyes, I will not give my granddaughter to a bastard like you—!”

Splash! And then Hong Yeonhwa’s mother scooped up a handful of garden dirt and flung it at her father.

Hong Myeongseon screamed “Aargh!” and writhed on the garden ground, clutching his face.

Watching that scene, I felt cold sweat drenching my spine.

“You can do that, son-in-law, can’t you?”

“…”

The only answer I could give, the only answer I could choose, was simply ‘Yes’…

I stiffly nodded, realizing whose hands held the absolute power in this Hong family estate.

*****

The situation was settled, and the time was evening.

Thump-

In the garden, now only with Lee Hyunjin, Hong Yeonhwa kicked an innocent stone and turned her head sentimentally.

“Oppa, you’re strong after all. You must have held back a lot when you fought me.”

Her face was somewhat flushed, but… given the time of day, it was just enough to blame it on the sunset.

Hong Yeonhwa merely pouted her lips slightly and gazed up at Lee Hyunjin.

“…I heard everything too, you know? About you openly declaring to my grandfather that you would take me, that is.”

And as she uttered those words, she shyly lowered her head.

At this moment, it somehow became difficult for her to look at Lee Hyunjin’s face.

“…Ha. Yet the person in question isn’t even thinking of giving herself away. My family already thinks that Oppa and I have reached an agreement. What are we going to do about this?”

Hong Yeonhwa subtly twitched the corners of her lips at an angle Lee Hyunjin couldn’t see, and cautiously wiggled her hands hidden behind her back.

“Um, what was it.”

And when she spoke next, her voice was greatly shrunken.

“I, I don’t really intend to be in *that* kind of relationship with Oppa… but, well, if Oppa truly wishes it, a brief romance could be—.”

Therefore.

“Oh, don’t worry about that.”

Lee Hyunjin burst into hearty laughter, not properly hearing Hong Yeonhwa’s trailing words.

Waving his hand as if not to worry, he immediately continued.

“I might have said that in front of the Elder… but I have no intention of forcing someone who doesn’t feel for me. What happened last night was just a mistake because we were both drunk, right?”

“?”

Hong Yeonhwa quickly lifted her head, her eyes wide, but Lee Hyunjin interpreted the meaning of her expression however he pleased.

Lee Hyunjin let out a small chuckle and patted Hong Yeonhwa’s shoulder.

“Of course, it’s not like I’m not disappointed, so if you ever feel like it, contact me. I’ll keep in touch occasionally even after returning to Cheongsong Academy—”

CRASH!

Hong Yeonhwa kicked Lee Hyunjin squarely in the groin with a flame-wreathed leg.

Lee Hyunjin’s expression froze instantly.