Episode 408. Secret Magic Society

The Wizard Association is essentially a place that researches better magic. And every year, the award given to the wizard who achieves the best research is the Association President Award. The Association President Award is selected by the votes of outstanding wizards and elders chosen by the Association.

After the presentation.

Arthur doubted his own ears at the meeting to select this year’s Association President Award. “What is that supposed to mean? A 5-to-5 tie.” “According to the vote count, Wizard Im Sol and Wizard Aiden resulted in a tie.” “….” Arthur couldn’t help but frown at the unbelievable voting result. A tie, even after a paper that shook the global wizarding academia was presented. This could only happen if it was rigged.

He looked around at the elders and wizards nearby. Young wizards biting their lips with frustrated expressions. A few of them were bowing their heads as if ashamed. They were probably forced to vote for Aiden. The problem was the elders, who were holding their heads high with confidence. Arthur gritted his teeth and glared at the elders. “How could this happen? Aiden getting 5 votes? Is there anyone who saw Im Sol’s paper and still voted for Aiden?”

“Association President. Naturally, how one feels about things changes depending on their perspective. Some people were simply more impressed by Aiden’s magic.” “Do you truly… not have even a shred of concern for the Wizard Association?” “We are all working for the Wizard Association. Our directions are just different.” The elders looked at Arthur and gave sly smiles.

While the Association President changed several times, they maintained their positions. Even a few Association Presidents who cried out for justice eventually had no choice but to bow down to the established elders. Knowing this, Arthur stopped getting angry and muttered quietly. “…You will surely regret this.”

“If Wizard Im Sol wins the award this year, it’ll be the fifth time. Four times was already an unprecedented record, but five? Don’t you realize that would actually lower the Association’s prestige? Even if Im Sol is your contact, this is a bit much.” “That’s nonsense I don’t even need to hear. You have no respect from me anymore. I won’t stand idly by either. I will do everything I possibly can.” “Good luck with that. Arthur.” “Kuhuhu.”

The elders laughed as if finding Arthur’s reaction pitiful, and Arthur clenched his fists tightly and stormed out of the meeting room. “Well. Since the Association President has left, shall we end today’s meeting here?” “Y-yes…!”

The remaining wizards, reading the room, bowed their heads to the elders.

• *

Bang- Bang-

• We’re from KLS! Just one interview…!

• Is it true that the fifth Association President Award is confirmed!

• What’s your relationship?!

“Ugh…” “I refuse interviews. I’ve made that clear.” “No, please help me out.” Im Sol and I were surrounded by reporters the moment we left the presentation hall. How on earth did the information leak for them to gather like this already?

“How did they know to gather already? Reporters are amazing.” “There are branches of the Wizard Association all over the world. Wizards like you and I who are invited gather at headquarters, but most wizards watch via broadcast.” “…They broadcast it?”

Did my presentation just air worldwide? I didn’t realize it was on such a large scale. “Yeah. Since some reporters probably watched it live, that’s why they’ve gathered like this.” “Please, tell me things like that beforehand, okay?”

Why doesn’t our Professor tell me these important facts? Magic is great, but I wish they’d think about me a little too.

• Wizard Im Sol! Please answer just once!

• Is it true you’ve opened a new path in magic?!

I turned to Im Sol amidst the overwhelming voices around us. “If I refuse the interview, everyone is calling only for the Professor, not me.” “Haa…” Im Sol started pushing through the reporters with an annoyed expression, and I flanked her, protecting her.

“Okay, okay. Let us pass.” “Just one word about this presentation, please!” “Please check the announcement at the Association.” “There’s a lot of interest in Cadet Lee Hoyeon’s debut! He’s shown tremendous growth from a young age, what do you think?!” “That will also be announced at the Association.”

Like Im Sol’s bodyguard, I answered the reporters in her stead, clearing a path. Since our Professor refuses interviews, I have to do it. What else can I do? “Wizard Im Sol! Do you have a boyfriend?” “I do not take such questions.”

“Then do you have an ideal type?” I let out a hollow laugh looking at the reporters spouting nonsense. What kind of questions do these crazy bastards even want to ask? While answering questions was bothersome, it was even more irritating to receive such questions right after presenting research I’d worked so hard on.

“Don’t touch her, she’s my woman.” “…This is a time for questions regarding research. Please escort out any reporters bringing up pointless topics.”

I checked the faces of the reporters spewing nonsense. If any of them ask me for an interview, I’ll refuse. Just then, Im Sol, who was beside me, stopped walking and spoke.

“If it’s a wizard stronger than me, I might consider it.” “…What?” The moment I was taken aback, the sound of reporters’ shutters echoed. Click- Click- “Could you please say that one more time!” “Wizard Im Sol!”

“Haa…” I sighed, grabbing Im Sol’s arm and quickly pushing through the reporters. This is driving me insane.

After returning to the inner part of the hotel, where the reporters couldn’t follow. I sighed looking at Im Sol, who seemed oblivious to what she had done. “No, what are you doing saying things like that? You know you’ll get flooded with sparring requests, right?”

“Why? Are you nervous?” “…That’s not the problem.” “You just need to try harder and beat me quickly.” “But why does that connect to anything?! You dense person!”

I shook my head watching Im Sol smile. She’s not normal. None of them are normal. Why are all the women around me like this? Are they intentionally trying to torment me? ‘That must be it. Yep.’ Otherwise, there’s no way they’d create such troublesome situations.

• There’s a lot of talk about you missing out on the Association President Award, what do you think?

• There are opinions that even your candidacy for the next Association President is at risk…

Aiden was being interviewed outside. Just by roughly hearing the questions, I could guess why his expression was sour. It must be because questions that touched his pride were pouring in. Just then, one of Aiden’s followers caught my eye. ‘Suspicious bastard.’ That guy, who seemed to be in a different hierarchy all on his own. There’s definitely something going on between him and Aiden.

As I watched him intently, that guy who seemed to operate on a different hierarchy… I noticed him subtly slipping away, leaving Aiden, who was being interviewed alone. “…Professor. Please go back to the room first.”

“Hm?”

Tadadak-

Without waiting for Im Sol’s reply, I immediately went after the guy. ‘If I get a little closer, I might be able to break through the barrier and figure out his identity.’ I didn’t have a chance to get close in the presentation hall.

The guy was heading towards the hotel’s back exit. I naturally approached him. First, I should try to talk to him. “Hello. Would it be possible to talk for a moment?” I approached him with a friendly smile.

Dadadak-

But the guy casually turned his head, and the moment our eyes met, he frantically started to flee. “Agh, this is really annoying.” Why does nothing go right? I quickly chased after him, but he seemed to have better physical abilities than me.

He fled outside the hotel faster than me. ‘If I chase like this, I’ll lose him.’ Recalling the paths outside the hotel, I headed towards the route the guy would likely escape through. ‘Accelerate.’ No matter how fast the opponent runs, if I anticipate and wait using acceleration…!

“Kuurk?!” “Gotcha. You bastard.” We confronted each other in a narrow back alley.

Kwadeudeudeuk-

As if guilty about something, the guy drew a magic circle the moment he saw me. Magic ropes climbed up my legs, accompanied by intense heat. I lightly countered, launching an ice spear back at him. “Khuuk!” Immediately following was a Shadow Cutter.

The guy couldn’t resist the shadow blade slicing through his body and collapsed on the floor. Seizing the opportunity, I used my mana to secure him firmly. “What do you think you’re doing! Do you know who I am?!”

“Hey. You ran because you were guilty of something, right? Just tell me honestly. Why did you run.” “I-I see now, you’re Wizard Lee Hoyeon-nim. I tend to have many enemies…” “What are you talking about?”

“Kuaaak!”

Thwack-

I kicked the downed guy in the stomach and released the barrier surrounding us. Simultaneously, I felt an unpleasant surge of mana. Only then could I clearly discern the guy’s true identity.

“You’re a fiend, aren’t you? How did you sneak into the Wizard Association?” “K-kuhh.” “So, there’s a fiend among Aiden’s followers, and that guy is controlling Aiden. Hmm.”

If a fiend could sneak into the Association, the Association must be incredibly rotten. I rummaged through the guy’s belongings. Judging by his strength, this guy is just a minion. There must be something that can serve as evidence.

Soon, a familiar purple cloth slipped from the man’s pocket. “A token of Pandemic?” Looking at the symbol drawn on the cloth, it seemed to be of quite a high rank. Meaning he was entrusted with important work.

‘…Are they all connected?’ Aiden and Pandemic. And perhaps the Secret Magic Society too. This is going to be incredibly troublesome. I pocketed the Pandemic token and looked at the fiend, licking my lips.

“For now… maybe I should hide this guy in my room.” Killing him or leaving him behind would make handling him later difficult. I headed to my room, dragging the thoroughly bound fiend along.

*

The day after the Association presentation. Im Sol and I sat in a cafe, drinking coffee and talking with Arthur. “You worked hard. Yesterday’s presentation caused quite a stir worldwide.” “Of course it did. Professor Sol and I created it.”

“Hoo… Professor Sol, you say. You two seem to have gotten quite close.” “…” “Aack…” Im Sol lowered her hand under the table and pinched my thigh, and I cried out in pain, burying my head in the table. It seems calling her that in front of others is still a bit too soon.

“Anyway, that’s all I needed to say. As Association President, I am truly sorry.” “As I’ve said many times, I’m not particularly interested in the award.” “Yes. I’m very grateful you say that…”

What Arthur was saying was simple: This year’s Association President Award would be postponed due to unresolved disagreements. Honestly, it was hard to understand why Im Sol wouldn’t receive it, but since it didn’t hold much significance for me either, I didn’t pay it much mind. Arthur seemed more disappointed than both Im Sol and I.

“Mister. By the way, do you really not need any help? I’ve scheduled a bit more time due to that Secret Magic Society thing.” “The Secret Magic Society… Hmm. I don’t know if such things even matter anymore.”

Arthur sighed deeply, giving a bitter smile. He wasn’t usually like this, why is he acting so down today? “What’s going on? Did you fight with the elders again?” “It’s always like that. Isn’t that what the Wizard Association is like?”

“Is it related to that Association President Award, perhaps?” “As expected, Sol has good intuition. Correct.” “Hmm…” I watched their conversation, thinking about the right time to interject.

The fiend I caught yesterday was still tied up in my room. I had discussed it with Im Sol, and we concluded it would be best to tell Arthur first. That’s why I came to meet Arthur, but his condition today was quite poor. As soon as we met, he seemed drained, like a weary office worker.

“The guys supporting Aiden and I, who supports you, are in opposition. They don’t acknowledge you.” “That’s always been the case.” “Yes, it has. But this time, it’s gone too far. They’ve crossed the line.”

Arthur’s lips trembled as if he shuddered just thinking about it. His pride as a wizard had been wounded, and I could feel his anger radiating towards me. “Mister. Are you okay?” “Don’t you worry about it. This is a fight I’m staking my wizarding life on. I will find their weakness, no matter what it takes.”

Listening to Arthur, I thought. Their weakness? ‘Don’t I already have that?’ I have that fresh fiend I caught yesterday. I subtly turned my head and looked at Im Sol. She nodded at me, and I turned back to Arthur.

“Uh, Association President-nim. As it happens, I have something I can show you.”