Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Spar with Roan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was the first time we'd all gathered like this since escaping the Magic Tower, and the conversation showed no signs of stopping.
It started with stories about the now-deceased Tower Master’s background, moved to their own exploits in the battle, insights on magic, and so on.
Eventually, it drifted to what I'd done when I closed the rift.
“Everyone remembers when the top rank went off alone, right? I still can’t forget that scene!”
“…It was impressive.”
“Yuhan, how the hell did you move like that?”
“Just don’t get scared.”
“What rotten luck.”
After shooting them a look that said, *What do you want me to do about it?*, I chugged my beer. That’s when I noticed one guy sitting quietly, unable to join in.
It was Liep.
I set down my glass and casually asked him.
“What’s up with you?”
“Huh? Oh…”
Liep seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.
“…Thinking about that day still makes me feel pathetic about myself.”
“Pathetic? Why do you think that? You fought way better than in the evaluation, didn’t you?”
“That’s true, but…”
Liep bit his lip in frustration.
“It’s not about that. I mean… I’m just too weak right now.”
“Hmm.”
I got what he meant.
During the rift, Liep had fought well, but he hadn’t achieved anything remarkable.
The same went for the other mages.
“Yeah, aside from Thompson, Roan, and Yuhan… we were just extras.”
“…Pretty much.”
They’d been bragging about how great they were earlier, but now everyone’s faces were dark.
The mood had sunk awkwardly.
They were probably dwelling on their own shortcomings and feeling defeated.
I decided to lighten the uncomfortable atmosphere.
“Stop moping around. It’s not like this is the first time. That’s even more pathetic.”
“…What?”
“You guys showed courage and became better mages. If you’re not happy with the results, what do you think you should do?”
“…”
No one could answer easily.
It wasn’t that they didn’t know. The answer was simple.
Muttering started as realization dawned.
“…We need to work harder.”
“…Yeah, you’re right, Yuhan. Moping won’t make us better.”
Meanwhile, Liep, who had been deep in thought with his eyes closed, lifted his head with a resolved expression.
“Yuhan, I want to be like you. What do I need to do?”
*How do I become like you…?*
It was a welcome question.
I’d been planning to bring it up anyway, even if he hadn’t asked.
“First, you need to rework that weak body of yours. Luckily, I know a good training hall I can introduce you to.”
“A training hall? You’re telling me to train my body right now?”
“If you don’t want to, don’t. But keep this in mind: you’ll never be like me without physical training.”
“…”
Seeing Liep lost in thought, I prodded him further.
“You going or not?”
“…If I go there, can I become like you?”
“The results depend on your effort.”
It was a lie.
No matter how hard this guy tried, he couldn’t catch up to someone with two mythic traits.
But so what? As long as he grew, the outcome didn’t matter.
Not everyone had to aim for the top.
“Then I’ll go.”
Soon enough, Liep nodded.
The others, who had been listening quietly, followed suit.
“Top rank! Can I come too?”
“I was thinking of visiting the Tower of Fire… guess that’ll have to wait.”
“Yuhan, introduce me to the place too.”
“Sure.”
They were all guys sharing the same pain.
I turned to the one who hadn’t said a word yet.
“Roan, you’re not interested?”
“I’m fine. Physical training… I don’t think it’s all that useful.”
Roan refused flatly.
“Alright, whatever… it’s up to you.”
I didn’t push him.
A guy with a legendary trait would still be ahead of others no matter what he did.
That’s what I was thinking when—
“Um, Yuhan.”
Roan tapped my arm and spoke softly.
“Can we talk for a sec?”
“Talk?”
Roan jerked his head toward the back, gesturing for me to follow.
He only spoke once we were outside the tavern.
“Yuhan, you know I’m part of the academy, right?”
“Yeah, I even heard you’re the top student. Why?”
“I want to invite you to our academy.”
“…The academy? Out of nowhere?”
Whoosh!
Roan nodded once and immediately cast a spell.
A small blade floated above his palm.
It was Roan’s specialty: the ice spear.
“You definitely used something similar to this when you closed the rift.”
“Yeah.”
“Try summoning one.”
I didn’t know his intent, but I followed along.
A spear of light, the exact same size as Roan’s ice spear, floated above my palm.
“Now compare them. Your spear and mine.”
“Hmm.”
As Roan suggested, I examined the spears closely, and differences started popping out one by one.
*It feels a bit more refined.*
The size and design were similar, but Roan’s ice spear was more intricate and precise.
But… what was the point?
“Isn’t this just a difference in proficiency?”
I’d only used this spell twice, after all.
At this level, it was fair to call it a proficiency gap.
Roan didn’t see it that way, though.
He made another request.
“Then this time, try forming the principle behind the spear—the magic circle.”
“A magic circle, huh…”
I closed my eyes and thought about the principles of the light spear.
But it wouldn’t come easily. I even started doubting how I’d cast it in that state.
Meanwhile, Roan effortlessly formed a highly intricate and precise magic circle beside me.
“See what I mean now?”
By this point, I could guess what Roan was getting at.
“My knowledge is lacking, huh.”
“Exactly. Your magical talent is incredible—beyond even what I can match. But that’s not enough. For perfect magic, you need systematic education. That’s why I’m inviting you to the academy.”
In simple terms, he was telling me to parachute into the academy and get a proper magic education.
“Hmm.”
It did seem like something I needed.
Up until now, I’d just been mimicking spells I’d seen in the game.
If I went to the academy as Roan suggested and got formal training, my level would definitely rise.
Plus, with the academy’s help, I might even research my light magic trait.
The only question was—
“Why help me?”
I couldn’t read this guy’s true intentions.
We’d grown close through a few incidents, but kindness like this was suspicious.
This was a world where you could get stabbed in the back anytime.
Roan’s answer was simpler than expected.
“I want to properly gauge the level of the person I need to surpass…”
I stared into Roan’s eyes to judge if he was sincere. They burned with firm resolve.
The will to definitely surpass me.
It wasn’t a situation that bothered me.
No, it was actually good.
“You’ll regret it.”
“That won’t happen.”
“…”
I did warn him, right?
***
The next day, training was in the morning. I’d promised Roan to head to the academy in the evening.
So I got Barundel’s permission and moved the session up.
“Focus more, more on the sensation!”
In the middle of that intense training, some mages visited the training hall.
Barundel’s eyes widened at the swarm of noble mages.
“Oh, you’re here?”
“Yuhan, who are these…?”
“Mages who’ll be training here starting today.”
“Really…?”
“Yeah.”
Then Liep approached and bowed politely.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Liep of the Hermon family.”
The others followed, bowing and introducing themselves one by one.
“Well, I’ll be…”
Barundel looked at me in disbelief at the nobles bowing so courteously.
“Didn’t I promise to bring you some customers before?”
“Yuhan, you really…”
Was he that happy to have customers?
Barundel cleared his emotional throat with difficulty.
“Ahem! Raise your heads, mage sirs. Before we start training, there’s something I need to say.”
They looked up at Barundel.
Their eyes brimmed with enthusiasm.
“The training we do here is anything but ordinary. If you’re not prepared, you’ll get hurt bad. Especially for mages who’ve never used their bodies much. Still okay with that?”
Their passion didn’t waver at Barundel’s warning.
“Yes!”
A resounding reply.
It was a fine sight, but… seeing it stirred bad memories.
*When I first came here, I was that full of energy too.*
And how did that go?
Oh, right.
I spread my hand and covered the eyes of Liep, who was at the front.
“…What are you doing, Yuhan?”
“Liep, what do you see?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s your future.”
“…”
That night, I definitely had nightmares.
***
Eight hours into the training.
The training hall reeked of sweat, and sunset light was streaming through the windows.
That’s when Roan arrived.
“Oh, aren’t you the mage who fired that ice spear back then?”
“Pleased to meet you. Roan Bilgeff. Here to pick up Yuhan…”
Roan stopped mid-sentence.
He’d taken in the scene.
“What… is this?”
More precisely, he’d seen the guys sprawled on the floor.
Groans were rising from all over.
“Ugh… I’m dying!”
“Damn it…! Why won’t my arms work?!”
“…I can’t get up.”
Some had passed out, others were chugging potions nonstop.
Roan asked me with a dissatisfied look.
“Is this the training you mentioned yesterday?”
“Yeah. Looks rough, but it’s super effective.”
“Seriously, what a waste.”
“…Huh?”
At Roan’s words, the sprawled guys started getting up.
“Useless?”
“Wouldn’t studying magic be way more efficient than this?”
Roan stated firmly.
Of course, that didn’t change my mind.
*Physical training benefits magic.*
It was a conclusion I’d tested countless times in the game.
The problem was…
“Are we doing something pointless…?”
The other mages, who’d been training hard, were shaken by Roan’s words.
*…With faith this weak.*
In the end, I stepped in.
“Roan, you really think that? That physical training doesn’t help magic.”
“Of course. Building basic stamina… sure, it’s not bad, but learning magic is a hundred times better than this extreme stuff.”
“Is that so?”
Whoosh—!
For the others’ sake, I tossed Roan a practice staff I’d prepared in advance.
Roan caught it and tilted his head.
“…What’s this?”
Using magic with a practice staff like this reduced its power compared to real spells.
Even the strongest magic wouldn’t risk lives.
In other words, we could go all out.
“Let’s spar, Roan.”
It looked like this clueless blond noble needed a proper (lesson) in not muddying the waters.