episode_0109

It was one of the regular events held at the academy, and also one of the most popular spectacles, consistently ranking among the top three each year. It was an opportunity for everyone to witness the faculty’s skills firsthand. It motivated the internal students and showcased the competence of each faculty member to outsiders. In short, it was an event that served to prove the academy’s reputation as the best.

Perhaps because it was an event that brought a sense of pride, it became a hotly debated topic among the students. As members of Gallimard, it made their blood boil.

“Looks like it’ll be fun again this year?” “The practical exam was definitely tough, but I endured it, thinking about watching this.” “It’s a chance to see a fight on a completely different level, isn’t it? You can’t find an opportunity like this even if you search the entire continent!” “Watching it alone will definitely give us new insights.” “I wish it would start soon!” “Speaking of which… did you all hear? Some first-year caused trouble this time, didn’t they?” “Everyone’s buzzing about that guy these days.”

This year, the excitement was particularly intense. The first-year top student had declared war on a professor. Thanks to this, the intriguing confrontational dynamic drew attention. Related stories circulated endlessly among the students.

“That side is the challenger.”

The Snake, who had declared it to the professor. After the previous provocation, the academy’s reaction was largely divided into two. One side found the audacious act refreshing, while the other expressed displeasure, claiming it was going too far. Due to the harshness of the remark, facing backlash was unavoidable.

“He seems to be looking down on the professor too much.” “He’ll get what’s coming to him this time.” “Still, I like his spirit. Isn’t it better to charge head-on than to back down for no reason?” “If you like it so much, bet on that idiot in this wager.” “Of course, that’s out of the question.”

Predictions regarding the outcome were overwhelmingly biased. Most predicted the Snake’s defeat. Perhaps it was an obvious result. If the previous opponents had been students, this time it was a faculty member, someone not on the same level. Moreover, this was a gathering of those considered the best in the entire continent. No matter how talented a student, it was logically impossible to defeat professors who walked above them. It was natural to be inferior in all aspects, including skill and experience.

“Besides, his opponent is Professor Cadell.”

Cadell Evans. A legend who reached the pinnacle of magic at the youngest age in history, and a person who suddenly resigned his position due to boredom and took on the role of professor. He was currently a core figure among the faculty members.

“Not just any professor… how could he even think of challenging that person?” “He might be able to scratch him, I guess.” “Does the title of professor look easy? He’ll be slammed to the ground with a single gesture!” “So his undefeated streak is finally over… I expected it ever since he started picking fights everywhere.” “Might as well let him feel the wall this time.” “I didn’t like him from the start, always surrounded by girls.” “Isn’t that just jealousy?”

Students who seized this opportunity to express their envy. As he had accumulated a brilliant record over the past few months, there were also many students within the academy who were jealous of the Snake. Their voices mingled, and the atmosphere seemed to overheat. Of course. It wasn’t just negative opinions. Those who slandered him were actually a minority. Most simply watched with interest. Indeed, outstanding talent often garners the admiration of others. Students who were captivated by his past achievements had also begun to support him. The children’s eyes sparkled as they anticipated an exciting match.

“At least he won’t be unilaterally pushed back, I think.” “He crushed the second-year top student with just a gesture last time, didn’t he? Of course, winning might be hard, but don’t you think he could at least hold his own?” “He’s already far beyond student level.” “He might be a bit unhinged, but he’s an interesting guy.” “I’ve decided to cheer for the top student this time. I bet all my living expenses for this month on him.” “You crazy underdog-backer.”

Students chattering about the topic everywhere. There was no doubt that immediately after the practical exam, he had captivated all the academy’s attention, which had been floating aimlessly. And then. 《The match will now begin!》 Amidst such fervent interest, the tournament began. From the very start, their respective magics clashed fiercely. One was a sword sharply drawn from shadows, and the other was an arrow fired from water compressed to its limit. A brutal roar echoed as shockwaves spread to the surrounding barrier. Boom! A clash that far transcended their ranks. The barrier surrounding the spectator stands vibrated precariously. The dizzying spectacle was enough to make the students cheer.

The match continued with an unstoppable flow. Contrary to many predictions, the match maintained a taut, swirling tension. Every time they clashed, a harsh sound rang out. Clang! Crunch…!

“He’s holding up quite well?” “How is that ‘just holding up’? He’s not being pushed back at all against the professor!” “They’re both so fast, our eyes can’t even follow…!”

Exclamations spilled out from everywhere. The students were engrossed in the match. On a stage that swallowed even the fervent heat, the golden boa constrictor swung his shadow, smiling. Before him, the Elephant displayed obvious signs of surprise.

***

Swish—! Following that, an arrow rushed in. It was a straight shot. It was an attack that aimed for the moment my posture was disrupted, but I calmly rotated my wrist without flinching. The tip of my sword, drawing a circle, precisely deflected the sharp projectile. Scrape—! Immediately after, the arrow scraped roughly across the sword’s surface. A heavy recoil remained in my palm. As I shook off the stinging impact, thorns poured down as if to give me no respite. I spread a shadow above my head, defending myself. Patter-patter! The sound hitting the canopy resembled a summer downpour. However, the water now was neither cool nor gentle. It merely drew sharp lines, seemingly ready to cut through everything it touched.

“Well now… this is annoying.” Already 10 minutes had passed since the match began. It was a fierce battle. It was a downpour embroidering the sky with monstrous force, but I was calmly navigating the situation. I subtly spoke while adjusting my chipped sword.

“Aren’t you attacking a bit too fiercely, Professor?”

My gaze looked up. Between the shimmering streaks of rain, Professor Cadell was visible. He was hovering as if floating in the air. A platform created by thinly compressed water. By stepping on it, he could fly in the sky. The professor frowned, as if something bothered him.

“……This is unexpected. I didn’t realize I’d lose 10 minutes.”

“May I take that as a compliment?”

“Of course.”

So replied Cadell, all while still pouring down arrows. I evaded the attacks flying from all directions, moving with elegant steps as if dancing. I swung my sword amidst the dangerously narrowly missing lines. Clang—! The shadow violently collided, creating a gap. A hole appeared in the sky, which had been adorned with arrows. Not missing the opportunity, I fired a bullet woven from pure blackness. The sudden surprise attack directly struck the opponent’s forehead. Thwack—!

“Khh…?!” The professor’s head snapped back sharply. Was it due to carelessness? He hastily deployed a defensive barrier, but it seemed he was too late to block it perfectly. Only a large red mark remained on the young man’s forehead.

“Heh heh… doesn’t that wake you up, Professor?”

I sneered nonchalantly. My tone was subtly grating. The opponent reacted with a frown. It seemed his pride had been scratched.

“Just hoping to break your boredom.”

“Ha.”

Cadell let out a hollow laugh. Struggling against a student was annoying enough, but with trivial provocations flying his way, it was understandable that his composure would waver. His uniquely arrogant personality couldn’t tolerate being mocked. Eventually, the young man, who had been gathering mana, unleashed a burst of energy from both hands.

“You mere brat…!”

Roooaar—!! The clamorous roar of magic echoed. It seemed he was finally getting serious. I felt the distinctly changed power and blocked the falling barrage of magic with the flat of my sword. Cracks slowly began to appear in the precarious situation.

‘He’s strong, as expected.’ I thought to myself. Perhaps a professor, considered the best in the academy, truly was different. He was the most formidable opponent I had faced recently. ‘He’s probably on par with Lena.’ A considerable powerhouse, even when considering the entire continent. An ordinary student would have been knocked out in less than 3 seconds. I even considered trying to recruit him into the organization, just for fun. His arrogant personality seemed to have some basis. The professor swatted away the shadows flying towards him, then brushed off his blackened sleeve and spoke. His eyes were filled with annoyance.

“Quite… no, remarkably excellent.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s see if you can block this too!”

Cadell waved his hand grandly. Immediately after, water surged up from the arena floor, and a sharp wave rushed towards me. I created a thin board from shadow and stepped onto it. I surfed the wave, evading the attack. At the same time, I murmured.

“This time, I’ll come to you.”

Thud—! I kicked off the board and leaped. I quickly closed the distance. If it was difficult to hit him because he was floating in the sky, then I simply needed to rise to the same height. I aimed the tip of my jet-black sword and shot towards my opponent. Swish—! A trajectory as straight as an arrow. The wind brushed past me. Before I knew it, the gap between us was less than five hand-spans. And then, as I swung my sword.

“Your trajectory is simple.”

Cadell, who had been motionless, murmured. A slight flick of his finger. At the same time, a jet of water erupted from the side, striking my body. Thump—!

“Cough…?!”

The Snake flew backward with a powerful impact sound. He was slammed straight into the arena floor. Looking down at the rising dust, the professor smiled disdainfully. Mana surged from his hand, which had struck out emotionally.

“I would never allow such a one-dimensional attack…”

“Is that so?”

However. That was a clone woven from illusion.

“Then, how about this?”

“……?!”

The real one was behind him. His eyes wavered. My palm was pressed against Cadell’s back. He belatedly realized he had been tricked and turned to look, but the game was already over the moment he gave up distance. I gathered mana at my fingertips.

“Shatter.”

A single, soft murmur. The magic that had filled the surroundings was reversed in the blink of an eye. He wasn’t even given a chance to resist. The mana, having lost its meaning, scattered like smoke. The barrier protecting the surroundings also lost its power, and even the platform he stood on in mid-air crumbled into water. I pushed the young man’s back.

“It’s time for you to come down.”

“You gen—!”

Cadell fell, unable to finish his sentence. Looking down at his retreating face, this time I showed him a bright smile. I lightly greeted him.

“Farewell.”

And then. Craash—!! The professor was slammed into the ground with a terrifying sound. It wasn’t just the force of gravity; it seemed the impact was considerable because I had thrown him down with a bit of a ‘lie’. The young man couldn’t easily get up, writhing on the ground.

“Ugh, cough…!”

“Heh heh.”

The Snake landed gracefully. Adjusting the hem of his coat, which fluttered in the wind, his ominous slit eyes surveyed the professor lying fallen before him. The boy, completely unblemished, asked a question.

“Do you perhaps intend to continue?”

The watching spectators made no sound. The atmosphere solidified, stunned by the shocking scene. The students all stared at the arena with blank expressions.