episode_0044

To be recognized for exceptional magic, one must maximize efficiency with minimal mana. Therefore, Macderas naturally did not appreciate nor highly regard the inefficient use of mana for mere appearances. In combat, magic is a tool for killing, and its sharpness matters more than its flamboyance.

Macderas always used magic to kill someone. Even in the vicinity of men, he had improved his magic solely for efficiently killing people and living beings.

But what about them?

“Summoned creatures with multiple random attributes.”

There were about seven summoned creatures. However, these creatures seemed to prioritize outward completion rather than the cohesion of mana, designed to utilize as many attributes as possible rather than focusing on the efficiency of mana usage.

Macderas steps forward. Soon, the voice of Instructor Arnius is heard.

“The summon creature battle will begin shortly. Owners of the summons, activate them in automatic attack mode. Kael can fight as he wishes.”

It seemed like laughter was echoing from beyond the screen.

Those kinds of words that belittle him, saying things like unable to even summon a decent creature or being limited to swinging a sword.

He didn’t care. They would soon find out. It means they are nothing but frogs in a well.

Macderas draws his sword and heads towards where the summoned creatures are located.

Then, following Instructor Arnius’s signal, he charges straight at the summoned creatures.

The first summon is a creature resembling a golem based on wind and fire magic. The bulky creature strikes the ground with its heavy body, but Macderas easily evades and slips underneath it.

The fatal weakness of the golem-type summon is its weak lower part. Macderas swiftly slices through the golem’s legs, specifically severing the joints. As a result, the creature staggers, spewing flames while trying to reinforce it with wind from its hands.

“Futile.”

Macderas immediately kicks off the golem’s arm, redirecting the direction of the flames. The golem supports itself with fire, which grows even larger due to the wind blowing from the opposite arm.

Before long, Macderas plunges his sword into the charred head of the golem. Within 30 seconds, he has dealt with one summon.

Subsequently, other summons start falling one by one using similar tactics. Dodging ice-based magic attacks by sliding on the slippery ground, swiftly countering lightning-like assaults by pushing forward the corpse of a previously slain golem summon for defense.

Macderas ruthlessly exploits the exposed summons on the battlefield, even utilizing their remains. The faulty bodies, now lifeless, were proving to be more useful in death than when alive.

After about three minutes, only Macderas remained on the field.

“Instructor Arnius, is it over?”

Instructor Arnius, who had been staring blankly at the dead or vanished summons, responded upon hearing Kael’s question.

“The summon mock battle…the winner is Kael.”

—

When Macderas returned to the E-class area after leaving the combat space, the students’ gazes had changed. While they had previously sent dismissive looks, they now regarded him with suspicion.

As if questioning in place of their doubts, Instructor Arnius asked Macderas,

“Kael…you didn’t happen to use any artifacts, did you?”

Artifact. It refers to magical tools that even non-magic users can utilize. In modern society terms, it’s an item with power similar to a gun. High-priced artifacts sometimes serve as a wizard’s tool. Of course, using artifacts in a duel is considered cheating.

“I didn’t use it. Don’t you know that if you search my body?”

“Hmm…”

Arnius carefully examined Cael before stepping back. To him, there was nothing besides the sword.

“For now… congratulations.”

Receiving the blunt instructor’s congratulations, Cael returned to his place. However, there were no applause. Instead, they sent looks of wariness.

Sure enough, Tekas’ voice was heard.

“What did you do?”

“What do you mean?”

Casually responding, Tekas’ face contorted instantly.

“What did you do to break my summon without any tools? You inferior being.”

“Just your summon was lacking. Enough to break with an inferior body.”

Tekas started to shout something but then burst into laughter, nodding. He whispered to me.

“Well, you’ll see when it hits you. I guarantee you won’t escape this time. Remember the beating you took last time?”

I ignored him. There was no need to indulge in childish provocations.

Even after witnessing Cael’s exceptional performance, those around refused to acknowledge it. They only thought of loopholes, cheating, or problems with the summons if it wasn’t that.

Their defensive attitude wasn’t merely because they disliked Cael. They couldn’t accept the fact that their summons were defeated by an inferior swordsman who couldn’t even use magic.

Macderas paid no mind. As time passed, he would have to move away from magical omnipotence. The man intended to negate magic with swordsmanship.

“Now that the summon practice is over, I will give Cael a fitting reward. As mentioned before, we will change seats today, so move according to the layout on the screen.”

When Arnius displayed the prearranged seating chart, students began to move one by one. I also naturally changed my seat.

Then, someone walked over hesitantly. Glancing sideways, it was Levya. I thought she might have something to say, but it wasn’t the case. Looking at the seating chart, it seemed Levya was my partner.

“Of course, she ends up next to me.”

According to the online forum posts, Levya felt uncomfortable around Cael. In other words, she was uncomfortable with the current Macderas. He had no intention of forcing emotions on her or trying to be friends. Therefore, without any personal intrusion, Macderas simply gazed ahead, whether she sat down or not.

“Um…”

Levya spoke first. Looking into her eyes, there was a sense of curiosity.

“Speak.”

“How did you manage to defeat all the summons in the recent summon duel without using any magic…?”

“I was just stronger than those summons.”

It wasn’t a lie. Even if magic was used, ultimately, effective strikes needed to be landed. Focused on showcasing flashy spells, there weren’t enough binding or coordinating spells to immobilize opponents, and thus, magic couldn’t lead to effective strikes; it could be thwarted with swordsmanship alone.

However, all these were stories for when one had practical experience and combat knowledge. In short, the student-made summons here were overwhelmingly weaker than Macderas.

After hesitating for a moment, Levya softly said,

“My younger brother can’t use magic like you.”

“So?”

“It seems like I’m being bullied at school… There’s a culture of rejecting people who can’t use magic.”

“I see.”

“I got beaten up a lot yesterday. I tried going to the school my younger sibling attends to investigate, but it was no use… And of all the bullies, there seems to be a noble’s child among them… Even telling the instructors didn’t change anything.”

“If you want to help your sibling, wouldn’t you use stronger methods regardless of whether there’s a noble’s child involved? Or ask for help from your parents.”

“It’s impossible… My… parents are not around. I want to resolve it through words as much as possible… But no matter what I do, it doesn’t work…”

“Bullying doesn’t just disappear because a third party intervenes. If those who were supposed to stop it in the first place had no intention of doing so, they wouldn’t have allowed such behavior in the first place.”

Listening to the girl, Macdullas finally began to understand. It was what the girl had mentioned before

— “That’s true, but… we made a promise, didn’t we… that if you muster the courage… I’ll help you too.”

Her story about helping Kaell escape bullying if she mustered the courage. Macdullas couldn’t quite grasp the atmosphere in which these words were exchanged. It was a strange tale. A guy with no romantic interest confessing discomfort on a public forum and then offering to help escape bullying? Why bother? He had thought.

He began to wonder if she was inherently kind, but now he understood. The girl’s sibling was in a situation similar to Kaell’s, and she probably overlapped Kaell with her own sibling.

Levia looked at me hopefully.

“Kaell… If you have swordsmanship skills like yours, my sibling won’t be bullied… Or at least, even if you can mimic half of it, you won’t be ignored by those kids.”

“On one condition.”

As Macdullas cut the conversation short, Levia, looking momentarily bewildered, spoke.

“Could you teach my sibling some swordsmanship…? I know it’s a selfish request. But you’re the only person I can ask around here…”

Macdullas looked at Levia.

Kaell had liked Levia to the end but was ultimately rejected. In contrast, Levia called Kaell a good friend but stated she felt no romantic interest whatsoever. She even found recent repeated confessions somewhat uncomfortable.

What was their relationship like? Would Kaell have listened to each worry as it was shared?

Perhaps Kaell and Levia had a deeper connection. The fact that Kaell had multiple opportunities to confess to her indicated they had conversed extensively.

‘What response did Kaell give to Levia’s request?’

Macdullas knew only fragments about Kaell. Posts and comments on the community, combined with brief writings in a diary.

However, Macdullas was certain. If Kaell found herself in this situation, she would likely have accepted her offer gladly. Perhaps she even dreamed of becoming closer and confessing again after this incident.

Such a relationship was not right. Kaell probably just went along with it. From an overwhelming sense of duty, he would have relentlessly pursued love.

Kaell might find fault with him, but Macdullas acted according to his conscience. Looking at Levia, he spoke clearly.

“Why should I help you? You made me uncomfortable from the start.”