episode_0147

It might be a bit awkward to say this now, but.

I’m talking about my unique magic.

Not the basics of ice magic I learned through Seol Hayeon, but the unique magic of the wizard ‘Lee Hyunjin’, created purely by my own power.

In other words, the Frozen Tree, Bingmok.

It was an incredibly unique and distinctive magic, to the extent that even Seol Hayeon, a great genius of ice magic, acknowledged this aspect.

It could dominate the battlefield, control an entire area, scatter cold air at will, and sometimes even attack with tree branches.

The latter, of course, would have been impossible without the plant manipulation ability I gained through Ryu Seeun—.

In any case, there was no denying that this magic, Bingmok, was truly extraordinary.

So I thought. A pure-blooded wizard who could use both plant manipulation and nature magic simultaneously had just taken my ice magic, hadn’t they?

If I could somehow combine these and use them effectively, I wondered if it wouldn’t produce a novel result.

Thump, thud…

“Huh.”

I looked up at the Bingmok, which had soared so high into the sky that it could obscure not only a single building but the entire academy campus.

An exclamation of awe naturally burst forth. In this case, should it be called Black Bingmok?

Either way, a masterpiece had emerged.

I thought, my mouth slightly agape.

In the magic world, there exists a concept called Fusion Magic. It’s a ‘more powerful and larger-scale’ magic born from two or more high-ranking wizards combining their spells.

It’s typically one of the means to fend off powerful magical beasts that cannot be faced alone, but…

In fact, it wasn’t used all that often. Primarily, the caster needed to be a considerably skilled wizard to use Fusion Magic.

And for several such wizards to gather and complete a single spell… it was a task rarely required unless it was a major gate break incident.

Furthermore, even then, if they hadn’t mastered the same lineage of magic, the effect would be halved.

Unless it was an extraordinary situation, two people’s mana would not mix into one spell.

“…I’m speechless, truly.”

At least, until now. Now, I couldn’t understand why wizards hadn’t favored Fusion Magic all this time.

As for this Black Bingmok, it might be too early to judge based on a partial view, but.

‘It could probably block even a holy sword?’

Its defensive capabilities were extraordinary. Should I call it ‘toughness’?

It wasn’t merely a ‘frozen’ tree; it was so solid and massive, as if some ancient ice shield had been brought forth.

After a quick scan, I realized this wasn’t my ability. I didn’t possess any magic power that granted this kind of defensive strength.

It was probably Ryu Seeun’s influence, whether her plant manipulation or her nature magic.

And… looking more closely, I could tell that when two similar types of ice magic entwined, all other abilities were greatly amplified.

Its size was unbelievably massive; didn’t it feel like an umbrella protecting the campus?

It was at that very moment that I had that thought.

Clang!

“…Huh?”

A metallic sound rang out, and a sword dropped in front of me, who had been continuously observing with optimistic expectations.

Feeling an ominous premonition, I slowly raised my head. Our hero, Yang Chan-ho, floating about 5cm above the ground, was looking down at me with a cold gaze.

“Hey there, Hyunjin.”

Soon, Yang Chan-ho, who had landed on the ground, called out to me, and I could only stare at him, awkwardly frozen in place.

Yang Chan-ho’s lips parted briefly.

“An explanation seems to be in order.”

“…”

Right. Of course, you’re justified. I nodded once, then naturally stepped back and gave Ryu Seeun’s back a firm shove.

“?!”

And whether she displayed both question marks and exclamation points at the same time or not…

I simply confessed without a care.

“She told me to do it.”

“Senior!!?”

Ryu Seeun leaped up in place. Her reaction was one of utter injustice, but it couldn’t be helped. A sacrifice was absolutely indispensable right now.

It was an experiment conducted in a wide open field on the academy’s outskirts to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, but how was I supposed to know things would turn out like this?

I naturally expected a moderately sized tree to appear and then disappear.

How could I have known a tree of this insane scale would be created?

Soon, Yang Chan-ho’s coldly settled gaze turned towards Ryu Seeun.

“Jinseong’s adopted daughter, aren’t you? Seeun.”

“…!”

“You tell me. Is what he said true?”

His voice was low and calm, though somewhat softer than before.

Yang Chan-ho asked, and Ryu Seeun, as if sensing her chance, shook her head vigorously.

“Oh, no, it’s not…!”

Yang Chan-ho’s eyebrow twitched. And he slid his gaze to me, as if asking, ‘She says no?’

I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

And—.

“…Fine.”

I declared in a chuunibyou-laden voice.

“I did it.”

“…”

“So, what will you do about it?”

“…”

“Will you… kill me here?”

His tone was as arrogant as if he possessed a shinigami’s notebook.

Yang Chan-ho closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them.

“Should I just do that?”

Crackle! Immediately, the mop Yang Chan-ho had been carrying transformed into a violet holy sword.

I immediately bent at a right angle.

“I’m sorry. Please spare me.”

*****

“I’m sorry, Dean-nim! Truly, truly sorry!”

“Ugh.”

Cheon Soyul grabbed the back of my head and forced me to bow. I shot her a displeased look, but she, busy bowing to Yang Chan-ho, didn’t seem to notice.

Cheon Soyul, who happened to be at a nearby cafe, arrived at the scene a little later than Yang Chan-ho, and as soon as she understood the situation, she grabbed the back of my head.

“…No, let go of me.”

I let out a hollow laugh in exasperation and pushed Cheon Soyul’s hand away.

Cheon Soyul’s eyes widened, but I didn’t care and defiantly argued.

“Are you my mother or something? Why are you acting like a parent?”

“I’m your wife, you punk. So just shut up for now…!”

At her next words, I quickly understood and nodded. Indeed, I couldn’t disobey my wife’s orders…

I naturally bowed my head towards Yang Chan-ho, and he let out a hollow laugh.

“…You two seem to have gotten very close, haven’t you? Well, you always were, but it seems even more so than when I saw you together before.”

“We’re kind of like that. Ugh.”

I got elbowed in the side for saying something unnecessary. Cheon Soyul shot me a sharp glare, giving me a hint, and I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

For now, fortunately… Cheon Soyul’s appearance had considerably eased the atmosphere.

Oh, and by the way, Ryu Seeun was huddled in a corner far away, radiating awkwardness with Rachel, whom she had just met today.

Then I paused for a moment and thought. Why is Rachel here?

“…I’m truly sorry, Dean-nim.”

Anyway, whether I wondered about Rachel’s sudden appearance or not, Cheon Soyul frantically apologized to Yang Chan-ho.

And gesturing towards me, she said,

“As you know, this guy isn’t usually this thoughtless, but it seems he had a drink today, of all days. I’ll make sure to scold him sternly.”

‘But I drank yesterday.’

She was needlessly turning an innocent person into a drunkard. I felt a complaint rising, but since watching Cheon Soyul sweating profusely was somewhat entertaining, I decided to just stay quiet.

It seems Cheon Soyul thinks I’ve caused a great nuisance to the academy because of the Black Bingmok’s existence…

‘…And Yang Chan-ho, he probably flew here thinking the same thing at first.’

Still, listen to me. I gauged the mood and made eye contact with Yang Chan-ho.

I had something to say.

“Hmm.”

Just then, Yang Chan-ho, noticing my gaze, turned his head towards me, and I seized the opportunity to quickly open my mouth.

“Dean-nim, please hear me out. This absolutely won’t be bad for the academy.”

“?”

And Yang Chan-ho displayed a question mark. He turned his gaze to look at the Bingmok soaring high in the sky, then looked back at me.

The doubt and bewilderment in his eyes were so clear they were almost palpable.

I continued speaking with an awkward laugh.

“…It’s a tree that’s already been created anyway, isn’t it? Since it’s a stationary spell, it won’t last long, but since things have come to this, let’s just use it.”

“Use it? How and for what?”

Yang Chan-ho asked back. A reasonable question, indeed. So, where on earth could such a massive ice tree be used? Well, it was for…

“…I don’t think those Moonlight Cult bastards will stay quiet.”

That, of course, was for the academy’s defense.

I lowered my voice seriously.

“They failed in Busan, so there’s a high chance they’ll make a fuss trying to secure otherworld-specialized Awakened ones again… If they aim for somewhere, wouldn’t they try Cheongsong Academy?”

“…Surely not.”

At these words, Yang Chan-ho also swallowed his hesitation and rebutted in his own serious way.

“They’re the ones who once targeted our school and got a thorough beating. If their leader has any sense, I don’t think they’d invade again.”

I shook my head emphatically.

“You never know. I’ve seen it myself, that cult leader, she’s truly crazy. A lunatic, pure and simple. There’s no telling what insane things she might do.”

And then I started to thoroughly badmouth the cult leader, Haru. Although, having talked to her, I felt a needless twinge of guilt…

But when you really thought about it, the fact that Haru was crazy was true, so that feeling quickly evaporated.

Anyway, based on my theory of Haru’s psychosis, I expounded on the necessity of a ‘barrier’ to protect Cheongsong Academy.

“…So, that ‘barrier’ is this hideous tree you set up?”

Yang Chan-ho, having heard everything, asked back in an incredibly subtle voice.

“Hideous,” I thought the expression was a bit harsh, but I nodded anyway.

“That’s right.”

“…”

Yang Chan-ho pressed his lips together. It was a reaction that seemed to say he had much to say, but since my words also had some basis, he wouldn’t bother speaking.

“Certainly… one can’t help but worry about the Moonlight Cult’s stirrings again.”

Soon, Yang Chan-ho said that, and I, feeling hopeful, my eyes twinkled.

See? I was right, wasn’t I? If we maintain our Black Bingmok, won’t it be useful?

It was then, feeling like a salesman who had just succeeded in a dramatic negotiation, that I wore a bright expression.

“However.”

Yang Chan-ho completely changed the tone of his voice again and began to glare fiercely at me.

Oh, what now?

“Nevertheless, the offense of disrupting campus discipline and causing chaos cannot go unpunished. Convincing the students will also be a task, won’t it?”

“…That is…”

“I don’t think you have anything more to deny, Hyunjin.”

“Hmm.”

I swallowed a groan and smacked my lips. It seemed that negotiating the severity of my offense with half-truths and half-jokes had reached its limit.

‘…Well, maybe he’ll make me clean the campus or something?’

I looked at Yang Chan-ho, signifying that I would accept my punishment willingly.

“I’ll entrust you and Seeun with a mission.”

“?”

Soon, Yang Chan-ho, with a subtly mischievous expression, curled the corners of his lips upwards and declared.

“From now on, you two are to convince the great wizards of this country to participate in the Moonlight Cult subjugation operation and then return.”