Chapter 294
Chapter 294
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: Burning Bait
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There was one community in particular.
A site similar to the "Hunter Board," but called the "Sanctuary of Mages."
Not just domestic, but a place where mages from around the world gathered to exchange information. And there, one piece of bait was burning hot.
What kind of bait?
- Starhaven vs. Magic Tower.
- Which one is better at magic?
It was this utterly pointless bait.
Normally, everyone would side with the Magic Tower, of course.
Starhaven wasn't a magic-specialized group to begin with.
But not anymore.
Some mages had started siding with Starhaven.
Here's how it started.
While meticulously analyzing the battle footage compiled via Allen Mask's satellite link.
Attention poured onto one skeleton unleashing flashy magic.
[Who is this skeleton mage? Can you even call this a skeleton?]
[Magic rivaling dragons, one skeleton spotlights from media worldwide]
[Magecraft that astonished mages around the globe... "This is the most wondrous magic I've ever seen."]
Some media outlets began covering this one skeleton.
And just as the curious public emerged.
A magic expert uploaded footage to the Sanctuary of Mages, shortened to "Mage Sanctum."
- Here! Pause it!
- Yes, this scene!
- Did you see the fire that skeleton just conjured?
The expert in the video was passionately analyzing the battle footage.
Wearing a mask, perhaps to hide his identity.
- This spell is called "Fire of Despair"!
- Nicknamed the Flames of Despair, the exact same type the Tower Lord used in her fight against the dragon!
- But why is this amazing?
As if comparing.
The video showed Arin's battle scene and Sophia's side by side.
- Because this is the pinnacle fire-attribute supreme spell that current humanity can cast!
- How do I know?
- Anyone who's read the Magic Tower's required texts probably knows this spell.
- Yes.
- Among mages, only the Tower Lord could cast it, and now a mere skeleton has done it.
- Isn't that shocking?
But that wasn't all the screen showed.
Arin's figure kept flowing, unleashing a variety of spells beyond just fire magic.
- And here, here, here!
- All of them, spells I've never seen in my life!
- To be honest.
- Any mage who was there in front of the Earth Dragon at the time would know.
- The way that skeleton handled mana back then... whew...
- Yes, dare I say, it was nearly on par with the Tower Lord.
The analysis from this expert mage racked up massive views.
And in no time, it claimed the top spot on the BEST list.
▶ Is this for real?
▶ Insane!
▶ But even so, it can't be stronger than the Tower Lord, right?
▶ Yeah. That skeleton was summoned by Joo Dong-hoon anyway? He's ranked lower than the Tower Lord to begin with, so the skeleton can't surpass her.
▶ Still impressive though;; What skeleton matches the Tower Lord's level?
Reactions were heated.
At first, most agreed the Tower Lord was stronger than any skeleton.
But as a few stepped up, the debate structure began to form.
▶ Hmm, but personally, I think that skeleton was more impressive than the Tower Lord.
▶ ??? What are you talking about?
▶ Mages who were there would have felt it.
▶ Whoa, you from the Magic Tower?
▶ Yeah, saying it anonymously... but plenty felt that way, I bet?
▶ lol bullshit.
▶ You believe that? Just agro. More impressive than the Tower Lord? lmao
▶ Think what you want.
Truth or troll!
Fact or bait!
As replies piled up, one post lit the fuse on the bait entirely.
The poster? Starhaven member, White Magician Do Ha-rang.
[ID: World Rank 103]
[Recommendations: 41]
[Title: Review after visiting both Magic Tower and Starhaven!]
- Honest thoughts.
- First off, that skeleton in the video is someone named Arin.
- Bluntly, she's incredibly strong.
- Honestly, I can't yet gauge which of the two is stronger.
- But I'm not dissing Sophia of the Magic Tower, okay?
- But she's super busy, right?
- When I was at the Tower, I even held a professor position, but barely saw her face.
- But here? Not at all.
- When I'm stuck on something, I go to the training grounds and ask Arin, and she explains it crystal clear.
- If there's a true professor of magic as an academic discipline, it's textbook Arin.
- And you know those texts they're teaching at the Magic Tower now?
- Yeah, they all originated from translations out of Starhaven, right?
- This is common knowledge among those in the know at the Tower.
- And Emily Strip.
- Met her here at Starhaven, and she's Magic Tower alumni too.
- She agrees with me.
- In summary.
- Honestly don't know who's stronger between the two.
- But if we're talking where a mage can grow more, I'd side with Starhaven.
Do Ha-rang's post was deleted after about 30 minutes.
But screenshots were already flying everywhere, fanning the flames.
His ID was legit.
And a ranker's direct statement amplified its power.
On top of that.
Even Magic Tower rankers joined in, and the fire raged uncontrollably.
- Starhaven above the Magic Tower? Amateur judgment from a low-rank professor.
World Rank 74.
Dark Mage Usher spoke up.
- Arin? I acknowledge that skeleton's strength, but she doesn't even reach the great Tower Lord's toe!
World Rank 90.
Towering Inferno Brandon jumped in too.
- Comparing the Magic Tower, which has delved into magic research for over five years, with newbie guild Starhaven? Total nonsense.
World Rank 100, War Mage Damian.
Even three Magic Tower elders voiced their opinions via the Mage Sanctum board.
- Um, elders. I don't think so...?
World Rank 190, Water Witch Olena spoke too.
But her words were quickly buried.
Why?
Because stopping a fight before it starts kills the fun.
▶ Whoa, this is getting good? lmao
▶ Magic Tower's right though. Compare apples to apples.
▶ Starhaven's impressive as a newcomer. But not yet at Tower level. Especially in magic.
▶ lol but I'm curious. Who knows? Starhaven might win.
People are like that.
"Who's stronger?"
Basic curiosity.
And isn't watching a fight the most fun next to a fire show?
The disaster-weary public craved primal pleasure.
▶ Now that it's like this, just have them duke it out fair and square!
▶ lmao agree. Someone grab broadcasting rights.
▶ Fight! Fight!
Whoosh!
The uncontrollable blaze.
Eventually reached the ears of the Tower Lord and Kim Jin-ah.
* * *
I got the call and headed to the conference room.
“Whew...”
Kim Jin-ah was sighing deeply, as if the ground might cave in.
Before her sat two mages in respectful postures.
Do Ha-rang, Korean in his mid-20s.
And Emily Strip, American woman in her early 30s.
‘Good grief.’
I was stunned internally.
Even as vice guild master, having two rankers sit there with guilty expressions.
Wasn't it a bizarre sight?
Something unimaginable in the old days.
“Do Ha-rang.”
“Yes.”
“You're not some kid in your early 20s... Why so reckless?”
“People kept hyping only the Magic Tower... It got under my skin...”
“Do Ha-rang?”
“S-Sorry.”
Do Ha-rang bowed his head deeply mid-reply.
Whoa.
Kim Jin-ah, handling rankers like rats.
I was newly impressed by her charisma.
She doesn't act like that with me.
“Ahem.”
I cleared my throat, and Kim Jin-ah turned.
“You're here, Guild Master?”
I'd already gotten the explanation via message.
Roughly, one Starhaven member caused a stir.
And they were handling the aftermath.
“Reactions are getting fiercer. They're egging on a fight nonstop. Sigh, I'm worried this might blow up into something big.”
Kim Jin-ah sighed again, frowning as she glanced at Do Ha-rang.
“Stirring up controversy by jumping into the public's squabble was unnecessary. Plus... even if there's no hierarchy among Starhaven members, a newbie is a newbie, right?”
“Mm.”
“Not something to overlook. Especially since we're close allies with the Magic Tower and have received plenty of help... Sigh, my face is at stake here.”
As Kim Jin-ah continued.
Do Ha-rang's head bowed deeper.
“Same for you, Emily. You agreed while he was posting, right?”
“Yes. I'm sorry.”
The Earth Witch beside her bowed her head too.
Yeah, Kim Jin-ah's right.
Not a single wrong word.
But.
Why did I see it differently?
“Calm down first, Vice Guild Master.”
“Does this look calmable?”
“They're rankers, but still young.”
“Young?! Same age as you, Guild Master?”
Huh.
Really?
Well, 2024 standards, I'm 25...
Yeah, that tracks.
Same generation as me, Rank 100s?
Impressive in another way.
Sure, rankings rose from the Earth Dragon incident.
But 20-something rankers are rare.
‘Mm, but.’
Come to think of it, I'd done something similar.
Casually asked the community about Arin's "Fire Dragon Staff" (S-Grade) info.
Partly curiosity, partly bragging.
[I got an S-Grade item!]
Looking back now, I realized.
How childish that was.
“But no need to see it all negatively, right? Neither you nor I spoke directly, and the Tower side responded too...”
“...So you're taking Do Ha-rang's side now?”
Flames sparked in Kim Jin-ah's eyes.
Whoa.
Momentarily thought it was Eloise?
“No, no. Of course Do Ha-rang was reckless. Just... I don't think he was wrong.”
“...Mm.”
Finding logic in my words, Kim Jin-ah's raised brows relaxed.
Do Ha-rang was reckless, sure.
But his statement briefly elevated Starhaven's status from below the Tower to equal.
Guild master or vice couldn't say it.
Would hit guild diplomacy.
But a regular member?
Could even yield positive effects.
“So this statement is an opportunity?”
“No need to avoid it.”
Honestly.
I think our Arin is stronger than the Tower Lord.
Just lacks stamina now.
She was one of the four great Tower Lords of the magic world.
And that's not all.
Lately, she'd risen from "Follower of Ancient Magic" to "Candidate of Ancient Magic."
Sorry Sophia, but different leagues.
I actually felt refreshed that Do Ha-rang said it.
“Whew.”
Kim Jin-ah let out a short sigh.
“Fine. But that doesn't absolve Do Ha-rang of responsibility. Regardless of truth, discipline is needed. Clear rewards and punishments keep the organization smooth.”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
If she says so, it is.
She's Kim Jin-ah.
“And I'll contact the Tower Lord separately. Need to discuss this incident.”
“Mm.”
Woooong!
Then, the Azure Pure Heart Method activated.
Phenomenon when catching a massive aura.
And.
I knew exactly whose aura it was.
I smiled.
“No need, Vice Guild Master.”
“Yes?”
“The Tower Lord. Seems she's coming herself.”
World Rank 4.
Oxford's Sage.
Sophia Silverstone's aura was approaching at tremendous speed from the portal direction.