Ch.226221 – Instinct

I fixed my gaze on Shin Yeon-ho and slowly settled into my stance.

What entered my vision were my own two hands.

When I waved my arms through the air, I couldn’t quite feel the coolness of the air. It felt somewhat stifling.

The mana barrier’s output was 5000kW. Enough to withstand direct hits from two or three 3rd-circle spells.

Since the duel would only use 2nd-circle magic or below, safety was absolutely guaranteed.

The particle barrier reducing kinetic energy was at 20%, while the mana particle barrier neutralizing magic was at 80%.

Since Shin Yeon-ho had sealed off direct physical attacks himself, I only needed to regularly check the mana particle barrier.

“Everyone knows the classic rules, right? Magic limited to 2nd-circle and below, casting only through wands, and unlimited aura usage. Only NoName can use physical force.”

Professor Bae Seo-jin activated the anti-mana device by operating the central control computer.

“Don’t be too nervous. I’ll end this in the blink of an eye, like getting a flu shot.”

Shin Yeon-ho spoke while twirling his umbrella-shaped wand.

“Did you make the proper adjustments?”

“The wand? I was only going to use 2nd-circle magic anyway, but I still added a parallel circuit. When something’s clearly wrong, I can’t just ignore it.”

“That’s an admirable attitude.”

“Haha, thanks! It’s an honor to be praised by NoName.”

As Shin Yeon-ho said, his team’s wand had the highest completion level.

But the output issue was a critical flaw. I wondered if he had found other problems that neither the professor nor I had mentioned.

This duel would verify that.

“Whew…”

I took a deep breath with cold aura in my mouth to cool my heated mind. The cold air piercing my lungs snapped me to attention.

Currently, we were about 13m apart. The floor material wouldn’t let me slip easily, but the friction would be significant if I fell.

My opponent was 184cm tall, 70cm taller than me.

The reach difference was even more extreme. If direct hits were allowed and the fight became close-quarters combat, it would be extremely disadvantageous for me.

His weight was nearly four times mine, so by simple calculation, I would need to move twice as fast just to be in the same weight class.

But the energy or mana needed to move twice as fast is a whopping 8 times more. That’s because we live in a three-dimensional world.

The ceiling height was 16m, noticeably higher than other buildings. I wouldn’t need to worry about hitting my head.

[Victory conditions: when one type of mana barrier is destroyed by 70% or more, when a wand overloads or breaks, when the opponent surrenders, or when symptoms of mana exhaustion appear. Got it?]

Professor Bae Seo-jin emphasized firmly, speaking informally.

That’s how dangerous duels could be, even if the possibility was small.

We nodded and gripped our wands tightly.

[Since this is your first time, I’ll give you a generous 30-second countdown.]

[30]

A monotone beep sounded.

Simultaneously, my heart began to race uncontrollably.

Though countless experiences were accumulated in my head, my body was experiencing this for the first time.

It really is different from fighting in a game.

I’m not even sure if my body will respond as I want it to.

[20]

“Nervous?”

“Maybe.”

“Yet you’re calm.”

“I may lack experience, but I have abundant knowledge.”

“Is that so?”

I’ve lived longer than you.

Even Korea’s most brilliant genius looks like nothing but a novice to me.

[10]

I gradually drew up my aura to warm up.

From now on, I have complete control over my body.

My heartbeat, lung contractions, pupil dilation.

With extreme aura utilization, I can control everything at will.

Control instinct with reason, then entrust judgment back to instinct.

[3]

[2]

[1]

<<Veritas Lux Mea>>

The worst that could happen is death.

That’s the mindset these kids should learn.

Since they haven’t watched my streams, I’ll start with this.

* * *

As the countdown began, Shin Yeon-ho could feel NoName’s aura distinctly change.

‘What’s this…?’

NoName bent her knees to lower her center of gravity, left hand pointing toward the floor, right hand hidden behind her waist—taking the “textbook” dueling stance.

It was excessively textbook-perfect. In other words, flawless.

Her ability to dominate space with aura, her posture concealing her first spell, her eye movement, weight distribution, and even warming up her aura on top of everything else.

Shin Yeon-ho instinctively raised his wand and took his stance.

His instincts were warning him.

‘Why?’

The pressure he felt in the quarterfinals of the National Martial Arts Tournament came flooding back.

Was she better with aura than magic?

Sometimes people are born with such genius.

When self-contemplated knowledge exceeds what’s learned from others, their aura utilization becomes unparalleled.

The blind female student who used “Heavy Aura” in the quarterfinals was such a person.

I wonder if she’s suffering among philosophy majors and gym bros now?

He shook off these thoughts as they had nothing to do with the current battle.

‘I can’t let my guard down.’

Magic doesn’t discriminate by age.

Without barriers, even a 1st-circle spell cast by an elementary student could cause injury.

Shin Yeon-ho planted his feet firmly and yielded the first move to NoName.

‘Now, what strategy will our genius girl use?’

The duel began with Korea University’s motto displayed.

NoName extended her hidden right arm to the side and gathered mana.

[Formation: Microparticle Replication Propulsion]

‘A formation circle?’

NoName overturned his expectations from the very first move.

The reason wands are called “simplified formation circle generators.”

The wand itself serves as a formation circle that assists with magic circles.

Yet she’s creating another formation circle with her wand?

‘She’s extraordinary. I can’t even interpret it.’

Breaking down magic requires luck as well.

Inefficient counter-formulas are for amateurs who aim for one-hit kills.

True masters focus solely on gradually wearing down barriers.

Shin Yeon-ho shifted his gaze from the formation circle back to NoName.

[Casting: Laminar Flow]

She overlapped a magic circle behind the formation circle.

A ticking clock sound emanated from the formation circle.

It wasn’t an auditory hallucination.

As the magic circle formed, she took a powerful step forward.

Even as NoName moved, the magic circle remained.

“You can even do coordinate transformation! You really are a genius!”

NoName’s fist, wrapped in golden aura, flew toward Shin Yeon-ho’s chin.

Seeing the girl suddenly appear before him, Yeon-ho laughed cheerfully.

The muscular man’s forearm easily blocked the frail girl’s punch.

Shin Yeon-ho’s gaze returned to the magic circle.

Analyzing a magic circle cast in an instant was nearly impossible, yet Shin Yeon-ho extracted information momentarily. Such techniques were simple for 2nd-circle magic.

‘The punch is a feint. Now, what spell will come? El, Maven, Psyche base, so water attribute?’

Tick-

Tick-tick-tick-

Whoooom-

Finally seeing the true nature of the magic, Shin Yeon-ho’s eyes widened.

“…! Holy shit!”

KWAAAANG-!

A 50cm diameter.

A straight white beam occasionally tinged with blue shot toward Shin Yeon-ho at merciless speed.

The gymnasium wall shook violently.

“What is that?”

The professors and students who had been watching with interest jumped to their feet.

First, the magic circle glowed as blue mana explosively leaked out.

Then the formation circle gathered the blue light like a giant lens and fired a laser.

From the billowing dust, Shin Yeon-ho, who had been hit directly and pushed to the wall, protested strongly.

“That’s cheating! Suddenly using 3rd-circle… Wait, what?”

[Circle: 2]

The main screen in the auditorium displayed in red letters that the spell was only 2nd-circle.

The cost of enduring with his bare body rather than destroying his wand was enormous.

30% destruction of the mana particle barrier.

Equivalent to taking a direct hit from a 3rd-circle spell.

A dark shadow fell over Shin Yeon-ho as he exhaled heavily.

NoName approached again with that mysterious magic.

[Casting: Laminar Flow]

[Delayed Casting: Laminar Flow]

This time there were two.

Whoooom-

“If you don’t know, you have to learn the hard way, right?”

NoName uttered these chilling words with an innocent expression.

Double casting at eight years old. Actually, counting the formation circle, wasn’t it triple casting?

Now that’s truly unfair.