Chapter 95
Chapter 95
Academy’s Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Chapter 95
Before my fight with Mugung.
The grading of the remaining students continued.
Fighting each other was fine and all, but the students' scores came first.
We waited until all 1,991 students had been graded.
The grades for the students under my charge were as follows.
Seong Yeon-hwa, Seo Ye-rin, and Isabel got 1st grade.
No Yu-ra, Isis, and Lee Ji came in at 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, respectively.
An average of 2.5 grade.
It was a bit skewed to one side, but not a bad result overall. This was solid proof that I'd more than fulfilled my role as a temporary instructor.
In contrast, Mugung's group had a highest grade of 2nd, with six students averaging just over 4th grade.
Not good, not bad.
An ambiguous outcome.
Is that why the guy had thrown such a fit?
In the Martial Arts Studies practical evaluation.
The 'Senior TA' of 'Martial Arts Studies' had taught worse than the magic hack Baek Seung-woo. He must have been terrified of that kind of public perception.
The poor guy lived a tiring life.
Unlike me, who sat there with a bored expression, pondering Mugung's motives.
Mugung was burning with fighting spirit upon hearing the scores of the students he'd taught after class.
His passion was so intense that even Lee Ji, looking visibly anxious, came up to me.
"Um, Teacher. Are you okay?"
"With what?"
"TA Mugung... He's not from or anything, but he's famous for being incredibly strong."
Namgung Seong-jin's Senior TA.
Mugung, who had served as the heir of the Namgung family for the longest time by his side, must have seen and learned much, making it his own foundation.
His Player grade was A-rank alone.
The same as mine, but he'd taken the test five years ago.
No one knew just how much stronger he'd gotten since then.
But so what?
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"Pardon...?"
"It's not a fight to the death. Why are you so worried?"
If it were a life-or-death battle, I'd be at a serious disadvantage.
Mugung was a swordsman who excelled in swift, rapid strikes.
Once exposed to his continuous sword strikes, losing a limb would be a given. Of course, I'd take his head in return.
But this wasn't a fight for our livesit was a spar. That made it overwhelmingly in my favor.
In a spar where lethal techniques were banned, no one had ever surpassed me in the depth of martial arts.
Most had died in wars before I could see them, but the martial foundation I'd built over a lifetime wouldn't crumble even if I were half-crippled.
The iron fortress I'd erected wasn't so frail as to be shaken by a guy like that.
"Still... aren't you being too optimistic?"
"...I believe in you, Teacher."
"Hey, what does that make me then?"
"A disloyal failure who doesn't believe in you."
Unlike Lee Ji, Seo Ye-rin had unwavering faith in me.
"Yeah, you're the TA, so you'll be fine. Right, Sis?"
"I don't really care who wins."
No Yu-ra said she was fine, but she looked pretty anxious.
Deep down, she seemed to think I might lose.
Isis, on the other hand, couldn't care less about something like this.
She hadn't even paid much attention to the practical evaluation, good or badshe had no real interest in grades to begin with.
Her only concern was getting stronger.
Even now, she was fidgeting her fingers like it was a game, trying to internalize the "Double Helix" structure I'd taught her.
'...They've gotten a lot closer since we first met.'
Especially since they'd trained together several times to prepare for the evaluation. They'd worked so hard and earned excellent scores on the practical.
I couldn't let one adult's selfish desire make them retake it.
There was no guarantee they'd score even better if they did it again.
I steeled my resolve for victory in my mind and walked toward the arena interior.
* * *
The plaza prepared for the spar.
Baek Seung-woo and Mugung stepped out to the center.
Numerous students filled the wide spectator stands above.
Namgung Seong-jin, officiating as judge, sat with the other observers.
Most observers were professors or the TAs they'd brought.
A few students were mixed indirect disciples favored by each professor.
"Professor Emilia. Can I ask you something I'm curious about?"
"Ah, sure. What is it, Leona?"
"Who do you think will win?"
Professor Emilia, who taught magic to first-years, and her promising talent Leona.
Nam Hwa-yeon, renowned for her prestige in Chilseong, had also teleported here upon hearing about her disciple's spar.
Second- and third-years, even professors.
They'd all come to watch the rumored wastrel face off against Namgung Seong-jin's Senior TA.
Excluding those with classes, it felt like everyone who could come had shown up.
As the spectator stands filled one by one.
"......"
"......"
Baek Seung-woo and Mugung eyed each other silently.
No greetings were needed before the spar.
This wasn't a fight of mutual respect.
Especially for Baek Seung-woo, who hadn't wanted to do this.
He'd only agreed because he had no choice.
As the two faced off, Namgung Seong-jin raised his hand and shouted.
"Begin!"
Pajijijik!!
The moment it started, Mugung unleashed the pinnacle of his swordsmanship.
A technique embodying the Azure Vault of Namgung that he'd observed and learned as a TA. Closer to magic than martial arts, closer to natural phenomena than magic.
This was the Azure Vault itself.
Kugugung!
His sword rang out with massive electrical discharge.
Like a lightning rod that had just caught a bolt.
Mugung swung the sword crackling with lightning.
Azure Heaven Infinite.
The Namgung family's ultimate technique, reinterpreted in his own way, targeted Baek Seung-woo's abdomen.
The first-years cheered at the flashy opening move, rooting for their favorites at the top of their lungs.
Muscular guys majoring in Martial Arts Studies cheered for Mugung.
Most girls rooted for Baek Seung-woo. Unlike the first-years split by taste.
The second- and third-years predicted based on their own metrics.
"TA Mugung is an A-rank Player, right?"
"He tested five years ago and hasn't updated since, so he's probably stronger than most A-ranks now."
"Whoa, does that mean he could aim for S-rank or even the rankings?! The match would be totally one-sided then."
"S-rank maybe not, but rankings? Doubt it. He's not even on the system rankings. And Baek Seung-woo is A-rank too. I think it'll be an even fight."
Most people predicted Mugung's victory.
They'd expected him to be strong, but not to unleash such a high-level ultimate technique right from the start.
As expected of Namgung Seong-jin's Senior TA.
'Now, how will you deal with my sword?'
Mugung thought as he aimed for Baek Seung-woo's gut.
The scores didn't matter to him.
He'd just taken a commission and was carrying it out.
Tough luck for Baek Seung-woo.
And sorry to the students who'd scored well.
As he pondered what apologetic words to offer, he openly ignored him.
Swipe.
Right then, Baek Seung-woo shifted half a step to the right.
Thud.
Swipe!
Thud.
Swipe!
'Wh-what?!'
Mugung's face filled with bewilderment.
He'd stepped into the Azure Heaven Infinite and dodged every sword strike just by walking.
Not with speed.
Not by moving first like he'd seen ten li into the future.
No swiftness, no foresight.
Nothing like that.
Just the sword's blind spots.
Places invisible to anyone but the creator and wielder of this technique.
One step, then another.
That was all.
'...Just as I thought.'
Namgung Seong-jin's gaze wasn't on his Senior TA, but fixed solely on Baek Seung-woo.
He'd suspected the guy was hiding something, but those movements were no novice's.
'Hiding his power?'
In the where he'd been born and raised, there were two proverbs.
The first: beware old men, women, and children.
The second: hide three-tenths of your strength.
And surprisingly, Baek Seung-woo fit both in Namgung Seong-jin's eyes.
'A frame as frail as a child's. Unfathomable skill. Mugung might actually lose.'
Mugung's current skill was at the peak of perfection.
So mature, he was aiming for the next realm.
He wasn't a genius like Namgung Seong-jin himself or the 1st-grade scorers Seong Yeon-hwa, Seo Ye-rin, or Kim Su-ho, but he was undoubtedly a prodigy.
Late thirties.
He'd passed thirty and approached not getting confused, but his passion and drive burned fiercely.
But still.
Even in the eyes of Namgung Seong-jin, who'd surpassed perfection to super-perfection.
Predicting the winner was tough.
Kwaaang!
A heavy sword plunged into the ground, knowing the weight of the high heavens.
It instantly devastated the training ground floor.
A heavy sword is heavy.
Thus, powerful.
If you ignored how much larger and slower the movements became.
"Sloppy."
Mugung, exposing his side as he slammed his sword down.
Baek Seung-woo dodged all the debris from the floor and targeted that side. No special footwork needed.
Swordsmanship was his specialty.
He could read the trajectory and intent just from the swing.
Thwack!!
Wrapping his finger in flame, he used an earth technique to pierce Mugung's side.
The superheated finger melted cloth and flesh.
Shing!
Mugung didn't miss the moment, whipping his body around.
Give flesh to take bone.
His eyes reddened with pain, looking like a yaksha, a feral grin on his lips.
Good.
This was victory.
The instant his finger was even faintly embedded in the side.
Now was the moment of truth.
Shiiiing!
Azure Heaven Infinite.
The clear blue sky has no end.
Once more, infuse this wretched sword with the distant azure heavens.
The glowing blue blade flew toward Baek Seung-woo's neck.
A strike more dangerous than expected.
He tried to leap back.
But the finger buried in the opponent's side wouldn't budge. Mugung had forcibly contracted his muscles to lock it.
'No way around this.'
No evasion options.
Only defense or attack.
Shlick.
Right then, Baek Seung-woo's body bent backward.
The moment Mugung stepped forward to pursue.
Roar!!
A massive blaze erupted from the ground, swallowing Mugung.
Instant wit without any casting posture.
Gasps of admiration rose from the stands at unleashing magic of that scale in one breath.
"Gotta admit the guy's skilled," or "If his personality's trash, at least his skills should be top-notch."
Comments like that filled the air.
Even Professor Emilia, watching it all, spoke in surprise.
"...That's 'Flame'?"
The most basic fire magic.
Simple and straightforward as a foundation, forming the frame for all fire magic, mid-tier or high.
Yet Baek Seung-woo's 'Flame' maintained its spherical shape astonishingly.
The only change was the mana array comprising it.
'Double Helix.'
Two strands twisted in a helix, spitting out intricate flames.
But as if that were nothing.
Mugung sliced through the flames with his sword and walked out.
He seemed a bit drained, but not by much.
'What now?'
Baek Seung-woo ran through scenarios in his head.
His finger bone was slightly twisted from the earlier earth technique.
Proper treatment after would leave no aftereffects, but right now, his right hand was out.
Well, he'd never planned to move vigorously anyway.
To face Mugung, he needed time to cast larger-scale magic.
Buy time with magic, without using his body.
The answer was simple.
"Offset it is."
Make two opposing forces cancel each other out.
That was offsetting.
But they didn't have to be perfectly opposed.
I had the wonderful trait 'Magic Saint,' after all.
[Trait, 'Magic Saint,' analyzes 'Azure Heaven Infinite.']
[Significant time required for analysis.]
[Estimated time: 102 hours, 27 minutes, 33 seconds.]
[Common factors found with some of your accumulated martial arts!]
['Thousand Dull Sword Technique,' 'Heavenly Thunder Secret Art,' and 'Azure Vault Nine Paths' used as basis to analyze 'Azure Heaven Infinite.']
[Estimated time: 1 minute, 14 seconds.]
[Skill, 'Azure Heaven Infinite,' perfectly analyzed!]
The Azure Heaven Infinite that Mugung had devoted his life to mastering.
I'd grasped it perfectly.
Filling in gaps with my own martial arts accumulation.
Plenty enough to mimic his life's work.
"Something like this, right?"
He murmured low, for the opponent's ears only.
At the same time, a brilliant thunderbolt exploded.
Pajijijik!!
Mugung couldn't hide his shock.
What the hellwhy are you using it?
Seeing Baek Seung-woo casually replicate the fusion of martial arts and magic he'd researchedthe intersection he'd painstakingly foundMugung nearly fainted.
"What? Why's everyone staring at me? I didn't teach him!"
Meanwhile, Namgung Seong-jin drew cold stares from the surrounding professors and TAs.
Cold glares at the fool suspected of leaking his family's ultimate technique to an outsidernot even a disciple, but the infamous Baek Seung-woo.