episode_0094

“Ladies and gentlemen~~~ The second match of the semifinals will now begin~~~!”

With the words of the passionate male caster, the fireworks installed on the stage began to explode all at once.

The cheers, cheers, and thunderous shouts of countless spectators.

I adjusted my black gloves and slowly walked forward.

Across the street, I saw Yoo Mirae walking with her straight white hair flowing.

She also walked slowly, holding the staff with a determined expression,

We shook hands in the middle of the stadium, facing each other.

“I hope I can learn a lot from this sparring.“

“I hope I can learn a lot too.“

“Don’t pay too much attention to it. I may be lower level than you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t win.“

“As you are an elite of the Mir Association…you can look forward to it, right?“

“Of course. Just like the people who have competed with you so far, I will not be defeated easily.“

After shaking each other’s hands, we slowly returned to our respective seats.

Then the stadium’s brilliant spotlight began to surround me,

I slowly took out a wooden sword from subspace.

“Ah, Han Seo-jin. I took out the wooden sword again…!”

“Wow…you look so confident. That’s really cool. However, I don’t know if it would be okay to deal with this opponent with a weapon like that.”

“That’s right! Mirae Yoo, who is competing in this match, is also one of the strong candidates for the championship!”

“Now then… we will begin the second match of the semifinals~~~!”

Clink ding—!

As soon as the bell rings to start the game,

She quickly raised her staff.

Kugugugung…

As she hit the floor hard,

The floor trembled and a large lava flowed quickly inside.

The bright red solution gradually took shape, revealing a minion that looked like a gigantic giant.

“Is it a wooden sword again…I’ll make you regret looking down on me!“

Boom—!

Mirae Yoo stretched out her hand straight toward me.

Then the fire spirit swung a huge mace and screamed,

A huge flame meteor flew quickly towards me.

‘Here… like this…!’

Kwagwagwagwang—-!

With a roar, a burst of heat flew out, threatening to engulf everything.

I quickly placed both hands on the ground and chanted a spell.

“Soar.“

Kugugugugugung…

bang—-!

A huge hand made of clay rose up through the ground of the stadium,

I accurately caught the vicious-sized fireball flying towards me.

“This…I can’t believe it…! It’s an incredible sight! Student Han Seo-jin, who thought it was a swordsmanship class, used magic arts!”

「That too… showed off a very powerful level of technology. “I can’t believe how this happened!”

“What…what…? Surely I will continue to use the sword until now…“

“Oh, this? It’s just…one of the leftover tricks I’ve learned.“

Mirae Yoo looked at the huge trowel that had been stretched out with a shocked expression.

A skill comparable to the powerful fire spirit she had practiced countless times.

It was a natural reaction to be surprised since I, who must have thought I was a swordsman, had just used such a level of skill.

“Don’t be too surprised. Because we haven’t even started yet…!“

Paaa—!

I kicked off the ground and jumped up into the air with all my might.

Then, the huge hand that rose from the floor changed its shape and looked like a platform.

I landed on top of it and quickly kicked the ground and jumped into the air.

“Chiit…! Attack again!!“

Wood-dud-dud-duk….

Boom—-!

The giant flame monster swung its burning mace at me once again,

I immediately jumped off the end of the platform and snapped my fingers in the air.

Just—!

“Mo…what does it look like…?!“

“What happened… I can’t see student Han Seo-jin…!”

“Ah…no, look over there…! On top of monsters!! “I’m standing on top of the flame spirit’s head!!”

“If you beat me with a match…how long can you last…!“

I exhaled and chanted the spell.

Slurp—!

Blah blah blah… blah blah…!

A coldness like an ice cap that seems to freeze the whole body.

The cold, blue warmth began to flow through the sword body and into the air.

“Freeze!!“

Quad-duk—Quad-duk—!

Let’s plunge the wooden sword as hard as we can into the top of the spirit’s head.

Along with the intense frost-colored energy, a deep blue chill quickly spread from the spirit’s neck to its entire body.

Boo—boo-boo—!

“No….! My spirit!!!“

The giant flame monster tried his best to reach out for the blade that landed on the top of his head, but

bang—-!

Quad deuk—Quad deuk—!

With one hand, he pushed the wooden sword stuck into the top of his head deeper,

At the same time, he powerfully pushed away the giant hand that was attacking him with his telekinesis.

Then, the monster’s whole body froze faster and faster,

The spirit’s form became increasingly translucent and began to lose its power.

“That’s it…!“

Tad-dak—!

I immediately jumped on the monster’s head and stretched out my hands toward the floor.

Then, numerous trowels rose from the floor again and quickly snatched me up and covered me.

Boom—!

Manipulate the mace held by the monster with telekinesis,

I pulled towards the monster’s head with all my might.

bang—-!

Kaaah—-!

The blunt object flew at high speed and hit the spirit’s head exactly.

bang—-!

Along with the strong explosion, a strong wind arose in the area,

It turned into a pile of ashes along with a whitish smoke, and the spirit’s appearance disappeared everywhere.

“Wow…it’s amazing…! Mirae Yoo’s flame spirit is so easy…!”

“It looks amazing! The fire spirit that has been active for several matches so far has just been subdued!”

Mirae Yoo hurriedly grabbed the staff and raised it towards me.

“Kellook…Kolokkolk…Ugh…because of the smoke…I can’t see…!“

Wow…

bang—-!

Grrr!

Numerous fire techniques were deployed and all flew towards me,

I immediately slid into the smoke and barely avoided all the attacks.

Intense levels of flame pillars, fireballs, and even arrow-shaped fire magic.

Even in situations where we narrowly miss,

With her eyes wide open, she was reciting the principles of the spells in her head.

“The smoke is so strong that I can’t see clearly…!”

“There are numerous fire techniques being deployed. Is this a situation that is advantageous to Mirae Yoo?!”

Tad-dak—!

“Aiming in the smoke won’t be easy. Right?“

“Kk…! It’s no use hiding all the time…!“

Even though Mirae Yoo was confused, she continued to cast the spell.

The spells, completely lost, were just being fired helplessly, eating away at mana.

With my eyes closed, I moved my body nimbly, relying only on my extra senses, like a blind swordsman.

When all the techniques were finally finished, I finished copying all the techniques in my head.

Tup…

“Now…let’s finish this slowly…!”

“Ugh…!”

I took a pose, breathing slowly through the smoke.

Proficiently, and now completely mastered.

He swung the sword once, adjusting his strength enough not to hurt her.

Taaah—-!

“Kkeuuun

When it hit her precisely on the wrist, Mirae Yoo dropped the staff she was holding and fell to her knees on the floor.

phut—-!

I swung the wooden sword horizontally with all my might,

A fierce wind rose following the sword’s trajectory, quickly blowing away the smoke that had enveloped us.

“The smoke has finally disappeared…! The winner of this duel is…”

“iced coffee! Student Seojin Han is standing proudly! “I think the winner of this battle is student Han Seo-jin!”

Mirae Yoo chewed her tongue and looked up at me,

I brushed off the ashes on my shoulder with my hand and approached her.

“Ha…congratulations. I told you not to look at it, but…you didn’t have to be this sincere…“

“Huh? Oh, I did adjust my strength. It must have hurt a little.“

I chuckled and twirled the wooden sword.

“Still, the fire spirit was really cool. I will put it to good use.“

“Well…you use it…?”

I smiled and slowly helped her up.

“You’ll find out later when you watch TV. You can look forward to it.“

“Foot…Okay. Thank you for the good teachings. Really…I still have a long way to go.“

“Yeah…I still have a long way to go…I have to deal with real monsters from now on.“

“The winner of this semifinal is…Central Academy student Han Seo-jin!!!”

“It was a truly amazing match. “Continuing from now on…”

I helped her up, smiled and shook her hand.

Afterwards, the medical team slowly helped Mirae Yoo and took her outside.

After waving my hand at the audience and performing for a while,

I slowly walked towards the locker room.

—–

Trash…Trudge…Trudge…

The sound of stepping towards the competition venue with powerful steps.

Thump…thump…thump…

The sound of drums beating in time with the heart.

Wow!!!

With the resounding cheers of the audience.

“You’ve waited a long time!!! The final final…! The finals are approaching!!!”

From the broadcast seats to the thrilling narration that resonates.

Pap-pap-paaat—!

With lighting so strong that it blinds your eyes,

As soon as I entered, cheers rang out from the audience and the atmosphere in the stadium was heating up.

“The rising star and dark horse of this tournament…! 1st year student at Central Academy… Contestant Seojin Han!!!!

I slowly walked into the stadium and took my seat on the stage.

After adjusting my gloves again, I checked my accessories, caught my breath, and looked at the aisle on the other side.

“And the champion of the last competition…I am a third-year Xiao contestant from the same Central Academy!!!”

She slowly walked towards me, her red cloak waving.

Just by walking lightly, it felt like the ground was shaking like it did that day.

When I made eye contact with Xiao, my heart started pounding loudly and a sharp tinnitus sounded in my ears.

“Seo Jin-gun.“

“Xiao.“

We smiled and slowly approached and shook hands.

She held my hand and looked straight into my eyes.

“In that short period of time…you’ve grown really well.“

“Same goes for you, I feel much stronger than before.“

“Hehe… Thinking about the day I will compete with you today, I couldn’t stay still… While waiting for this day, I defeated so many monsters in the gate… I can’t even count them. “

Xiao let go of my hand and began to smile leisurely,

Then he crossed his arms and spoke to me with a serious expression.

“Like I said that day…If you defeat me today, as I promised…I swear to become your sword.“

“No matter how many times I think about it, it seems like you’re all right. You judged those who committed evil deeds in the name of the church… and even stopped so many of them all by yourself… You must have saved me from my ignorance.“

“So you don’t have to worry too much. Even if you can’t beat me today…I won’t hurt you. Although you may not be able to live free from the High Priestess… lest you be bound by the church’s badge and hold you back. I made plans to go abroad for a while.“

“Xiao…did you go that far?“

“Yes, of course. I want you to know again how precious you are to me to the point of doing this.“

flutter…

Her red cloak fluttered bravely in the wind,

Xiao confidently spoke to me with a charismatic smile.

“But everything has risks and returns. If you lose to me today…you will have to pay the price.“

“Um… price? Now… wait a minute… no way… “

Xiao chuckled and licked his lips naughtily.

“In a way, wouldn’t this be seen as an act of rebellion against me? When I thought that Seojin was trying to run away from me… I felt heartbroken, and it interfered with the training I did every morning.“

“Ever since that day…ever…my body hasn’t been the same as before, it feels like it’s burning hot…my heart is pounding so I can’t sleep well. It was as if my body was anxious to embrace you. So…“

“If you lose to me today, I will treat you very cutely. 3 days in a row…all night, hehe…I’m looking forward to it.“

“Xiao…“

She lightly stroked my head and smiled.

“Do you know that? Actually… the love we shared that day was amazing, but even more than that… I loved the warm embrace you held me in.“

Trash…Trudge…Trudge…

She slowly turned around and walked away, then looked at me with her fists clenched.

“Okay then, let’s get started. I hope you don’t get offended too easily. Ah…of course, if you like me so much…I don’t mind losing on purpose.“

“Don’t worry too much. I’ve prepared a lot to take you down…“

“Ho? I’m quite looking forward to that. “

Thump…thump…thump…thump…

The inside of the stadium shook with a strong vibration that seemed to shake the ground.

“Okay then, from now on!!! The finals of the National Martial Arts Tournament have begun~~~~”

“I’ll do it!!!!”

Paaa—!

Paaa—!

She and I kicked the ground at the same time and rushed towards each other.

bang——-!!!!!!

The two fists clashed and a powerful explosion occurred.

Inside the stadium, the audience seats shook with extreme vibrations.

Xiao and I looked into each other’s eyes and smiled.

A black energy that is deeper and darker than Xiao’s darkness.

And the clear blue magic that flowed from my heart.

The moment when those two energies clash at the same time,

A fierce, heart-pounding fight has begun.