Ch.49EP.14 – Berserk?(4)

“Kunta, I have a question. So how do we win this battle? Do we just kill everyone?”

“…You’re asking this now?”

“Barbarian brother, you’re quite something, kuhaha!”

“??”

Kunta, who was sitting in the stands watching the war game, blinked innocently.

Though he desperately wanted to fight alongside the sprouts, unfortunately this battlefield wasn’t meant for him.

So he was quietly observing the warriors’ struggle, still not fully understanding this game.

But in reality, it wasn’t something to dismiss or criticize him for.

After all, he wasn’t even familiar with the common language yet.

No one had bothered to explain what a war game was to someone who wouldn’t know, so it was fair to say it was the fault of his only acquaintances.

“Let me explain now at least. In war games, killing is prohibited.”

“But it’s war?”

“Because it’s a simulated war. If people die, then it’s no longer a ‘simulation.’ So there shouldn’t be any deaths.”

“Hmm, I don’t understand, but Kunta gets it.”

“This fellow is exactly the type who shouldn’t participate in war games.”

Garand chuckled, saying he was a dangerous one, and Arno de Ophen silently agreed before continuing.

“The combat method in war games is always different. Sometimes it’s a siege, or sometimes it becomes an indiscriminate battle. However, today’s case is very simple.”

“What is it?”

“Capture the flag. In other words, protecting your commander until the end is the fundamental rule of this game.”

“Ah, so that’s why everyone was carrying those flags? Kunta thought they were toys.”

“It certainly seems like play, but—”

Gooooo…!

“—for those fighting, it’s deadly serious.”

Just as Garand finished speaking, flames erupted toward the sprouts.

* * *

Seventeen mages.

That was the number excluding Irene Windler and the social misfits who didn’t attend the magic department lectures.

Essentially, these seventeen led the magic department.

But their small number shouldn’t be underestimated.

Each mage individually possessed dangerous power.

Skilled high mages weren’t called strategic weapons capable of changing the tide of battle with their individual power for nothing.

This meant they were all talents who might one day earn such titles.

And as if to showcase this potential…

Whoosh!

A massive air current formed.

Telekinesis served as the catalyst.

Wind gathered around the telekinetic core.

The intense wind soon condensed into a mass of oxygen, and in an instant…

“[Burn, hotter. More destructively].”

Flames suddenly erupted.

Incantation.

Though it might seem like wordplay, a mage’s verbal command that constructs the spell world is called an incantation.

And the longer such an incantation, the more its power amplifies.

The casting time depends solely on individual talent, mana capacity, and mental strength.

But now, seventeen mages had gathered here.

Though their individual capabilities might be inferior to Irene Windler’s, mages in a group could deploy magic that even Irene Windler couldn’t accomplish.

Whoooosh!

A massive flame.

Just looking at it was enough to make one’s knees weak.

How immense was the power it contained?

“We’ll end this in one go. That’s the mercy we can offer.”

“Yes, well said, instructor.”

Though not as arrogant as Odwal, mages fundamentally viewed those unable to use magic as inherently weak beings.

If their professor considered non-magic users as vermin or filth, they simply saw those without magic as creatures like cats or dogs.

Beyond being a different race, they were fragile beings that needed protection.

That’s why they were being merciful.

They were giving their all even in this “predetermined match.”

“[Fire!]”

So with courtesy and mercy, they agreed to end this match sincerely and swiftly.

Delivering a decisive blow that would completely burn away their opponents’ fighting spirit.

This was their mercy and agreement.

Whaaaa!

A boulder-sized fireball was launched.

Shot like from a catapult, it wasn’t just a fireball but one imbued with an incantation.

From their perspective, the opponents had no way to block it.

‘It’s over.’

Assistant mage Ron sensed the match was over the moment the fireball was launched.

They wouldn’t die.

If they had any sense, they would dodge…

“Huh? What are they doing?”

“Why aren’t they dodging?”

“!!?”

But the mages were shocked.

They…

“──.”

Were facing the approaching flames head-on, without flinching or trying to dodge.

The mages realized something was wrong and tried to cancel the spell, but their skills weren’t yet advanced enough to dispel magic that had already been launched.

The mages turned pale and squeezed their eyes shut, trying to avoid witnessing the impending tragedy.

However,

“Raise spears-!!!”

The sprouts, no, the valiant berserkers wearing bear pelts, raised their spears.

A stance as if they were about to throw their spears.

The one giving commands like a commander was a girl who, though physically weaker than anyone else present, possessed a spirit and courage second to none.

The girl, Levi Jeanne d’Arc, raised her hand forward, precisely indicating the direction her comrades should throw, and they waited only for her command.

In less than a moment.

Judging that they had gathered their full strength, the girl…

“Throw.”

With that calm command, she was the first to throw her spear, and the others followed suit.

The wooden spears looked hopelessly weak.

One might wonder why they would use wooden spears when even metal spears would seem insufficient.

Even the spectators’ hearts trembled, but in the next moment…

KWAAANG!!

A massive explosion occurred as the eighteen wooden spears collided with the fireball.

Power versus power.

Logically, the spears shouldn’t have been able to counter the fireball’s force, but surprisingly, the eighteen wooden spears…

Whaaaa!

Blew away the fireball.

“Th-they neutralized it!?”

Professor Odwal of the magic department was shocked.

The flames, such destructive magic, had been neutralized in an instant.

And with mere wooden sticks…!

It was impossible.

What kind of magic was that!?

While he was in shock, even more astonished were the students watching the war game, the faculty, and…

“What did I just witness?”

“Did those fellows just use ki techniques?”

“No, it’s not ki techniques. But they did use explosive power.”

The nobles, especially those trained in ki techniques, saw it.

The massive flow of power momentarily concentrated in the wooden spears.

It wasn’t ki power.

But it was similar to ki power—a pure flow of strength imbued in the wooden spears.

…Even if someone complained that this explanation was incomprehensible, they couldn’t answer any differently.

Even they were seeing this for the first time.

But regardless of whether they were surprised, the knight watching his disciples’ growth didn’t care.

His only concern was pride in his students who had finally properly manifested their power.

“Yes, that’s spear energy (chang-gyeong).”

“Then, if you put energy into a sword, is it sword energy?”

“That’s right.”

“…The names are quite simple.”

“Simple names are easier to remember.”

“Hmm.”

“And above all.”

If the firepower is strong, that’s all that matters.

A nation of firepower.

Nothing was more important to the descendants of Hwanung who loved greater firepower and power.

A proud soul of the Chungmugong lineage, whose love for firepower remained unchanged despite reincarnation.

* * *

“Now!”

Levi Jeanne d’Arc had been in a commanding position from some point.

Unlike others, the results of her early studies in sovereignty and military science were evident here.

Bang!

And they followed Levi Jeanne d’Arc’s orders.

Not just because the girl was more educated than them, but because they trusted her.

They revered the girl who called them comrades and the power that the Grand Master had personally beaten into their bodies.

They ran with such force that they left indentations in the ground.

They weren’t using energy techniques.

They were simply kicking with all their might.

But their movements truly resembled bears.

Not because they wore bear pelts, but because they were truly as ferocious and agile as bears ready to hunt.

It was an overwhelming speed made possible by their bodies strengthened through energy training.

A speed of 30km/h.

But they couldn’t maintain this speed indefinitely.

That’s why they were running…

“Now!”

KWANG!

Once again, they assumed the spear-raising stance.

Taking out the wooden spears strapped to their backs, they prepared to throw from a closer distance than before.

Crack!

Energy, mass spreading throughout their bodies.

In their inexperience, they couldn’t yet channel their entire body mass.

Still…

‘Even we can channel at least a fraction of our power!’

And that alone was enough to threaten the enemy.

Whoosh, the wooden spears flew relentlessly toward the mages.

The mages panicked and deployed telekinesis.

To block all the incoming spears.

But.

Bang!

Kwang!

Crack!

“Ugh, urrrgh!”

“Uweeek!”

“Eames!!”

“Damn it! What the hell is happening!”

A powerful pressure that couldn’t be completely neutralized by telekinesis engulfed them.

After covering the distance in an instant, the warriors threw spears from all directions like a crane wing formation.

Each warrior carried eight spears.

They couldn’t carry more as it would be too cumbersome, and having used most of them, they prepared to throw their final spears.

For a quick resolution.

But before they could throw…

“[Blow, greater, sharp as a blade!].”

An incantation was heard.

The mages weren’t just standing idle.

“It’s a wind-based spell! Retreat immediately! Don’t throw the spears!”

Levi Jeanne d’Arc shouted with all her might, and those who had been visibly excited by her words tried to move away immediately.

But.

“[Water, pour down, abundantly, quickly!].”

“[Earth, melt, deeper!].”

“[Freeze, bring the cold of the frozen land!].”

The wind that seemed about to blow was a lie.

They had deceived with their incantation and prepared a different attack.

Mages are born strategists.

Splash!

The warriors were directly hit by the mages’ spells before they could escape.

Suddenly, heavy rain poured down, and the ground became muddy or swamp-like and began to freeze.

Their feet were bound to the ground, slipping, and freezing.

Their mobility was instantly gone.

They panicked and their expressions contorted severely, and the mages didn’t miss this opportunity.

“…Could they have been planning a blitz?”

Ron, who had taken on the leadership role among the mages, immediately understood their attack method.

A swift, decisive battle.

They didn’t seem to want to drag this confrontation out.

Just like them.

But probably not for the same “merciful reason” as them.

There was another reason.

“I see, that power has a time limit!”

Ron realized.

The power they were using.

Whether it was ki technique or not didn’t matter now.

What mattered was that the power had a time limit.

If not, there would be no reason for them to panic so much about losing their mobility.

Realizing this, Ron smiled, understanding that time was on the mages’ side.

They might have taken some hits, but ultimately the victory in this match would go to them…

“The Grand Master said: There are none as arrogant as mages, so they often get caught off guard. Those words were true.”

“!!?”

When had she approached?

The girl who had never given up despite being slower than others was now holding her drawn sword in stance.

Levi Jeanne d’Arc spoke calmly, her face showing no hesitation or despair.

A completely composed appearance.

She seemed far too calm to believe the advantage had been lost, indicating she hadn’t given up yet.

“Yes, as you said, neither I nor my comrades are familiar with energy techniques yet. So we’re undeniably lacking.”

The time they could use energy techniques at full power was at most 15 minutes.

In actual combat, this would be reduced even further to just 3 minutes.

That’s why this fight needed to end quickly.

It was an unavoidable choice to secure victory.

Therefore…

“We needed to get close.”

The current distance between them and the mages was about five steps.

But between them stood the wall of telekinesis, so they would have to forcibly break through it to subdue the mages.

However…

“Subduing you isn’t the ‘rule,’ is it?”

Yes, this is a game.

One with victory conditions.

Capture the flag.

And toward the fluttering flag, she…

“Thank you, instructor.”

With sincere gratitude, she swung her sword through the air.

The mages watching thought it was a foolish act, but soon…

Whoosh!

A sharp wind brushed past the mages’ heads.

Thud…

“…Huh?”

The mages looked back.

The flag.

The flag they were supposed to protect…

“It-it broke?”

Had fallen to the ground in an absurdly simple manner.

“…”

…The mages stupidly looked back and forth between the flag and Levi Jeanne d’Arc.

The situation was too confusing to comprehend.

But Levi Jeanne d’Arc didn’t care whether they were confused or not.

Right now…

“…I did it.”

She was too busy feeling the thrill of achievement and the joy of victory.

The girl was happy.

Although it wasn’t powerful enough to pierce rocks like her instructor, what mattered at this point was having enough power to break a single flag.

The manifestation of energy.

Namely…

“I’m glad the ‘energy release’ was successful.”

Thud.

With her strength depleted, the girl collapsed, but her face bore an extremely satisfied smile.

As radiant as a flower.

– 2 minutes and 39 seconds.

That was the time it took for the Swordsmanship Department to defeat the Magic Department.

“So, um, what was it you said?”

“…”

“That you’d follow any order from the person who defeats you?”

“…”

“Slave. Stop crying and answer me.”

“…Khuheuk!”

It was also the moment when the arduous life of Magic Department Professor Odwal Bernard began.