Ch.109Red Sea (3)

“Faculty Tournament.”

It was one of the regular events held at the academy, and also one of the most popular spectacles of the year, easily ranking in the top three.

After all, it was an opportunity to witness the faculty’s abilities with one’s own eyes.

It motivated the students internally while showcasing the competence of each faculty member to the outside world.

In short, it was close to being a venue for proving one’s supreme reputation.

Perhaps because it was an event worthy of pride, it was a hot topic among the children.

Each and every one of them, as members of Gallimard, had their blood boiling with excitement.

“Looks like it’ll be fun this year too!”

“The practical exam was definitely tough… but I endured it just thinking about watching this.”

“It’s a chance to see a battle on a completely different level, right? You can’t find an opportunity like this anywhere else on the continent!”

“There’s definitely a lot to learn just from watching.”

“I wish it would start soon!”

“By the way… have you all heard? Some first-year caused quite a stir recently.”

“Everyone’s been going crazy because of that guy lately.”

This year, the excitement was particularly intense.

A first-year valedictorian who had declared war against a professor. The resulting confrontation had caught everyone’s attention.

The story was constantly on the students’ lips.

“He’s the challenger.”

The snake who had made that declaration against the professor.

After the previous provocation.

The academy’s reaction was largely divided into two camps.

One side found his boldness refreshing and entertaining, while the other expressed displeasure at his overstepping boundaries.

Perhaps due to the extremity of his statement, it was inevitable that he faced some backlash.

“He seems to be taking the professor too lightly.”

“He’s going to get what’s coming to him this time.”

“Still, I like his spirit. Isn’t it better to charge in headfirst than to back down?”

“If you like him so much, why don’t you bet on that idiot?”

“Well, that’s out of the question, of course.”

Predictions about the outcome were overwhelmingly one-sided.

Most expected the snake to lose.

Perhaps this was only natural.

While his previous conflicts had been with students, this time his opponent was a faculty member—someone on an entirely different level.

This was already a gathering of those considered the best on the continent.

No matter how talented a student might be, it was common sense that defeating professors who walked above the heavens was impossible.

It was only natural to be outmatched in all aspects, including skill and experience.

“And his opponent is Professor Cadel.”

Cadel Evans.

A legend who had reached the pinnacle of magic at the youngest age in history, then suddenly stepped down from his position claiming boredom, to become a professor.

Currently, he was also a key figure among the faculty.

“Not just any professor… how could he even think of challenging someone like him?”

“I wonder if he can even leave a scratch.”

“Does the title of professor seem easy to you? He’ll be pinned to the ground with just a gesture!”

“So his undefeated streak ends here… I expected this from the moment he started picking fights everywhere.”

“Let him experience what hitting a wall feels like.”

“I never liked how he’s always surrounded by women.”

“Aren’t you just jealous?”

Students taking this opportunity to express their envy.

Having built up an impressive record over the past few months, there were plenty of students throughout the academy who were jealous of the snake.

As their voices mingled, the atmosphere seemed to be overheating.

Of course.

Not all opinions were negative.

In fact, those who criticized him were in the minority.

Most were simply interested in watching what would happen.

Truly exceptional talent tends to inspire admiration in others. Some students had become fans, captivated by his achievements so far.

The children’s eyes sparkled with anticipation for an exciting match.

“I don’t think he’ll be completely overwhelmed, at least.”

“Remember how he destroyed the second-year valedictorian with just a gesture? He might not win, but I think he can at least hold his own.”

“He’s already far beyond the level of a student.”

“He might have a screw loose, but he’s entertaining.”

“I’ve decided to support the valedictorian this time. I bet all of this month’s living expenses on him.”

“You crazy long-shot gambler.”

Students discussing the topic everywhere.

Right after the practical exams ended, there was no doubt that this had captured the full attention of the academy.

And then.

《The match will now begin!》

The tournament began amid this intense interest.

From the start, their magic collided fiercely.

On one side was a sword sharply drawn from shadows, on the other, arrows shot from water compressed to its limit.

With a terrible roar, shockwaves traveled to the surrounding barrier.

BOOOOM-!

A clash that far transcended ordinary levels.

The barrier surrounding the spectator seats wobbled precariously.

This breathtaking scene was enough to make the students cheer.

The match continued at a relentless pace.

Contrary to many predictions, the match maintained a tense atmosphere as the two remained evenly matched.

Harsh sounds rang out each time they clashed.

CLANG! CRACK…!

“He’s holding up pretty well!”

“What do you mean just ‘holding up’? He’s not falling behind at all against a professor!”

“They’re both moving too fast for my eyes to follow…!”

Admiration flowed from all around.

The students were immersed in the match.

On the stage that had swallowed even the heated atmosphere, the golden boa was smiling as he wielded his shadow, facing an elephant who clearly looked flustered.

***

SWOOSH-!

A sound piercing sharply through the air.

Followed by a barrage of arrows.

It was a straight shot.

The attack came targeting a moment when my posture was disrupted, but I didn’t panic and lightly rotated my wrist.

The tip of my sword, which had been drawing a circle, precisely intercepted the sharp projectile.

CRACK-!

The arrow roughly scraped against the blade’s surface as it passed.

A heavy recoil remained in my palm.

As I shook off the tingling impact, more thorns rained down, giving me no time to rest.

I spread shadows above my head to defend.

PATTER-PATTER-!

The sound of impacts hitting the canopy resembled a summer downpour.

However, this water was neither refreshing nor gentle.

It merely drew sharp lines with the force to cut through anything it touched.

“This is… quite annoying.”

Ten minutes had passed since the match began.

The match was a fierce battle.

Though it was a monstrous downpour painting the sky, I was calmly working through the situation.

While repairing my chipped sword, I casually spoke.

“Aren’t you attacking a bit too viciously?”

Looking up.

Through the rippling rain, I could see Professor Cadel.

He was floating in the air as if levitating.

A platform made of thinly compressed water. By standing on it, he could fly through the sky.

The professor was furrowing his brow as if something was bothering him.

“…This is unexpected. I didn’t think I’d waste ten minutes like this.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

“Of course.”

Even while saying this, Cadel continued to rain down arrows.

I avoided the attacks coming from all directions, taking elegant steps as if dancing.

I swung my sword through the lines of attacks that narrowly missed me.

CLANG-!

The shadow collided roughly, creating an opening.

A hole appeared in the sky that had been filled with arrows. Not missing this gap, I fired a bullet woven from darkness.

The sudden surprise attack struck the opponent’s forehead directly.

SMACK-!

“Kuh..?!”

The professor’s head jerked backward.

Perhaps due to his carelessness.

He hastily deployed a defensive screen, but his timing was too late to block it completely.

A red mark remained prominently on the young man’s forehead.

“Hehe… Doesn’t that wake you up?”

I taunted him nonchalantly.

My tone subtly grated on his nerves.

The opponent responded with a frown.

It seemed his pride had been wounded.

“I just wanted to shake off your boredom.”

“Ha.”

Cadel let out a derisive laugh.

It was understandable that his composure would be shaken—not only was he struggling against a student, but now he was facing provocations as well.

His characteristically domineering personality couldn’t tolerate being taken lightly.

Finally, the young man who had been gathering mana released energy from both hands.

“You little brat…!”

BOOM-!!

A thunderous roar of magic.

It seemed things were getting serious now.

I blocked the cascade of falling magic with the back of my sword, feeling the clearly increased power.

Cracks began to form in what had been a precarious balance.

‘He really is strong.’

I thought to myself.

Perhaps this was what made him considered the top professor at the academy.

He was the most formidable opponent I had faced recently.

‘He’s probably about on par with Rena.’

A considerable powerhouse even across the entire continent.

An ordinary student wouldn’t have lasted three seconds.

I even considered recruiting him into the organization as a joke.

It seemed there was some basis for his domineering personality.

The professor deflected the shadows flying toward him, then brushed off his sleeve where dark stains remained, saying with irritation in his eyes:

“Quite… no, very impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s see if you can block this too!”

Cadel made a grand sweeping motion with his hand.

Immediately, water filled the arena floor, and a sharp wave rushed toward me.

I created a thin board with shadows and stepped onto it.

I escaped the attack by riding the waves as if surfing.

At the same time, I muttered:

“Now it’s my turn to attack.”

THUD-!

I kicked off the board and leaped.

Quickly closing the distance.

If it was difficult to hit him because he was floating in the air, then I simply needed to rise to the same height.

I pointed my pitch-black sword tip at my opponent and shot forward.

SWOOSH-!

A trajectory straight as an arrow.

The wind brushed past me.

The gap between us was now less than five spans.

And then.

As I was about to swing my sword…

“Your trajectory is too simple.”

Cadel murmured as he stood still.

A slight flick of his finger.

Simultaneously, a stream of water shot out from the side and struck my body.

SPLASH-!

“Kuhak…?!”

With a powerful impact, the snake was sent flying.

He crashed into the arena floor.

Looking down at the scene where dust was rising, the professor smiled as if in contempt.

Mana swirled around the hand he had used to strike in emotional response.

“As if I would allow such a one-dimensional attack—”

“Is that so?”

But.

That was just a clone created from illusion.

“Then how about this?”

“…?!”

The real me was behind him.

His eyes wavered.

I had my palm pressed against Cadel’s back.

He realized too late that he had been tricked, and though he turned around, the game was already over once he had given up his position.

I gathered mana at my fingertips.

“Shatter.”

A single whispered word.

All the magic that had filled the surroundings reversed in the blink of an eye.

I didn’t even give him a chance to resist.

The now meaningless mana dispersed like smoke.

The barrier that had been protecting the surroundings lost its power, and even the platform he had been standing on crumbled back into water.

In this state, I pushed the young man’s back.

“Time for you to go down.”

“You damn—!”

Cadel fell before he could finish his words.

Looking down at his receding face.

This time, I showed him a bright smile.

I gave a light greeting.

“Farewell.”

And then.

CRASH-!!

With a terrifying noise, the professor was slammed into the floor.

It seemed the impact was considerable, not just from gravity alone, but from a bit of “deception” I had added to the strike.

The young man couldn’t easily get up and was rolling on the ground.

“Ugh, kuhak…!”

“Hehe.”

The snake landed gracefully.

Adjusting the coat fluttering in the wind, his ominous narrowed eyes examined the professor collapsed before him.

The boy, without a single scratch on his body, asked:

“Would you like to continue?”

The watching spectators couldn’t make a sound.

The atmosphere had frozen from the shocking scene.

The students were all staring at the arena with blank expressions.