Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Sparring Match
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Not long before the sparring match was set to begin.
“Man, it’s been a while since I’ve come to watch one of these.”
“I heard the academy president put up a legendary artifact as the prize?”
“What? Legendary?”
The auditorium’s empty seats gradually filled as students trickled in one by one.
“But who’s it even against?”
“Dunno. Thompson, I think? Some outsider, apparently.”
“An outsider? Hah, since when does our academy do spars with randos? What a joke.”
The reactions from the overheard chatter weren’t exactly positive.
They didn’t seem thrilled about a prestigious academy student facing off against some nobody.
Even in a merit-based place like Asion Academy, that kind of exclusivity lingered.
Well, that was just human nature.
As long as they left us alone, it was fine.
Tap, tap.
“Hey... who’s that guy? Never seen him before.”
A guy from behind tapped my shoulder and spoke up.
It was the same student who’d been yapping loudly about pride and honor earlier.
“Me? Outsider.”
“......”
The chatter that had been ripping into “outsiders” finally ground to a halt.
I was just thinking I could finally watch in peace.
“Huh?”
Now someone approached from another direction.
“You’re Yoo Hanes, right?”
Turning around, I recognized one of the students who’d cozied up to me back when I’d succeeded at attribute fusion at the academy.
Right... his name was...
“It’s me, Jensen Bill. Remember?”
Yeah, Jensen Bill.
The name stuck because of its unique sound (three consonants piled in).
Pretty common in this world, though.
Oh, and she was a girl.
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Heard you enrolled at our academy, but only seeing you now? Where’ve you been?”
“Out hunting demons and training a bit.”
“Pfft, good one.”
Jensen Bill took it as a joke, let out a cartoonish laugh, and plopped down in the seat next to me.
Out of all the open spots, why here? I wondered, but didn’t bother asking.
I wasn’t some dense guy reading into every little thing just because she was kinda cute.
Heck, I was a K-Korean pushing thirty.
I’d chatted with women plenty during my office days.
Sure, I’d never dated, but...
I’d devoted my life to games.
Anyway.
“Speaking of, you come straight here to watch a spar? You’d make friends easier in the student waiting room—lots of others there.”
“Not really interested. Plus, this one’s my acquaintance fighting.”
“Oh, for real? Who? I know most academy students.”
“Not a student here.”
“Ah... then I wouldn’t know.”
We were having that exchange when...
Someone else approached me.
Not a cutie like Jensen Bill this time.
Instead, a bushy-bearded middle-aged man—the academy president, Asion Gail.
Scrape.
“......”
He politely pulled out a chair and sat. The chattering students nearby fell silent.
Probably because the president was so close—they were minding their manners.
“Why sit here? Isn’t there a president’s seat?”
“Hm, I wanted to share my thoughts on this spar with you, Yoo Hanes.”
“Other students seem uncomfortable.”
At that, Asion Gail glanced around.
Students averting their eyes whenever they met his.
But Asion Gail looked utterly unconcerned.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as you’re not bothered, Yoo Hanes. Are you?”
“Nah, not really.”
If that was the reason, I welcomed it.
Sharing insights with an 8th-circle mage was a rare chance.
Could help improve my skills.
“Then I’ll stay here.”
Was that really his goal?
Asion Gail said nothing more after that, just waited silently—and soon the spar began.
Thompson and an unknown student entered the open space from opposite sides.
The first thing that hit was...
Woooah—!
Cheers from the packed audience seats.
And then...
“Why’s that guy look like such a mess...?”
“Y-Yeah? Total bum...?”
“No way they brought in a District 7 homeless dude as an opponent?!”
“Booo!”
Jeers aimed at Thompson.
They’d forgotten the president was nearby and were heckling full-throttle.
But neither I nor the president could intervene.
Well, honestly... he did look like a beggar.
Hair sticking up like he’d been electrocuted (he had).
Bruises here and there, robes in tatters like rags.
And that dazed look in his eyes.
Seeing the results up close with the other students, guilt started creeping in even though I hadn’t felt it before.
‘...Did I go too hard?’
I’d pushed him mercilessly to prepare thoroughly, and it’d been too brutal.
The president seemed to sense it too and spoke for the first time.
“......Did you roll him in a gutter or something?”
“......Not a gutter, but yeah, he rolled.”
“I see.”
In contrast, his opponent looked every bit the pristine academy student.
A robe and staff that screamed high price at a glance.
And a mysterious book in his left hand.
Obviously an artifact to aid spellcasting...
“The participant is Yuri Cendia. Her strength is her clean ice magic handling.”
“Circle?”
“Just hitting 4th-circle territory, I hear.”
Ice attribute, late 3rd circle.
Slightly disadvantaged matchup-wise, but skill level about equal to Thompson’s.
If not for the two weeks of hunting and the dozens of practice spars just before.
“Won’t be easy for Thompson.”
“We’ll see.”
“Confident, eh?”
You bet.
Not just confident—certain.
Thompson had stably entered 4th circle now.
Plus.
‘Real combat experience gap is huge.’
Thompson had life experience on his side for a crushing win.
‘Think a nerd like that knows the disgust of being drenched in purple demon blood?’
As I thought that...
A woman stepped between Thompson and the student.
White-haired, kindly-faced middle-aged woman. Familiar face.
“Professor Jairen.”
“You remember. She’s refereeing today.”
“I see. How’d you know I met her?”
“......Looking forward to seeing the winner.”
Asion Gail pretended not to hear.
He must’ve known I’d audited her class before...
‘Had me tailed?’
Slip-up revealed it anyway.
Sloppy for a president.
Eh, didn’t matter if he’d tailed me or gotten reports.
He already knew I meant no harm.
Probably just curious how I’d observe.
I let it slide.
“Please take positions at the lines behind you.”
Step, step.
Under Professor Jairen’s guidance, Thompson and Yuri Cendia got into place.
Spar about to start.
“Rules are simple. Any attack using mana is allowed. Go for a light takedown or full kill intent—your call. No danger to you. But forbidden magic is off-limits.”
Forbidden magic.
Black magic that eats the caster’s mind, or ancient spells erased from records.
Even after a century, they strictly banned those two.
‘Simple and clean.’
As Jairen said, rules were straightforward.
Just a long-winded way of saying anything goes except forbidden magic.
One potential issue, though.
“That okay?”
A bit risky, no?
“No need to worry. If anything happens, Professor Jairen steps in.”
“Her? Isn’t she a theory prof?”
“True. But theory experts aren’t weak in combat. Looks can deceive—Jairen’s 7th circle.”
7th circle.
One below Asion Gail, but still insane level.
Enough to lord a small magic tower.
Aldeon’s elders were mostly under 7th.
Meaning...
“Overthinking it.”
No worries at all.
To a 7th-circle mage, this was kids’ play.
“Understood?”
“Y-Yes... sir.”
“Yes, Professor.”
Pop!
As they nodded, a small explosion burst from Jairen’s fingertip.
Signal to start.
And that instant.
“Spread, chill winds—.”
Shwaaa!
The student slammed his staff down, and the auditorium floor froze over.
Like he’d turned the whole place into his domain.
‘Ice Field.’
I knew it.
Essential skill for any frost mage in the game.
Effects: ongoing slow, +30% ice magic potency, temporary bind.
Proving it, Thompson’s legs froze solid the moment [Ice Field] activated.
Clean casting was her strength, huh.
‘Sure looks it.’
Fast cast, no mana waste.
Textbook precise spellcasting.
Accounting for the artifact book in her left hand, still impressive.
‘...Minus that cringey chant.’
I shifted my gaze.
Thompson stood there, legs bound in ice, but I wasn’t worried.
That old man’s leg muscles would shatter it with a flex.
But.
Wobble. Wobble.
“Hm?”
Something off with Thompson.
Not breaking the ice—he could barely stand, staggering.
Everyone, me included, saw it and started clicking tongues.
“Tsk tsk, over already. Yuri wins.”
“What? Done in by one [Ice Field]?”
“Looked off from the start. Conditioning’s part of skill.”
“Does he even know magic...?”
“Sheesh, boring.”
Dissatisfaction at the tensionless end.
Even the opponent looked lost on what to do.
How long passed?
Everyone had called Thompson’s loss, some rising to leave.
Then—
CrackcraCK!
A stone pillar erupted where the student stood, launching him into the air.
“Wha, wh-what...?”
Caught off guard by the sudden shift.
And simultaneously.
Boom!
Thompson leaped high toward the same spot.
Ignoring the ice on his ankles entirely.
His body rocketed upward, instantly covered in stone.
And a familiar voice rang out.
“Ham, bur—ger!”
That’s when I remembered the sure-win strategy I’d told Thompson.
-Sure-Win Strategy #1.
-Induce opponent’s carelessness.
Yeah, I’d definitely said that.
Almost got me too.