Chapter 302
Chapter 302
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 302
Chapter Title: Star Magic Battle (1)
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In the Star Heaven district, at the entrance to Peach Blossom Paradise.
“Ughhh.”
Magic Tower Elder Usher let out a groan with a dissatisfied expression.
He’d had the qualifications to enter Peach Blossom Paradise for a long time.
But he’d never bothered.
Even though some mages raved about it as an amazing landmark, he figured it was nothing special.
‘But.’
Seeing it in person, a groan escaped him involuntarily.
The expansive vista, breathing with the essence of grand nature, blended seamlessly with the beautifully constructed massive city, like...
“A painting come to life.”
Another elder, Brandon, nodded.
“I have to admit it. It really lives up to the name of utopia.”
“But so what.”
Usher couldn’t hide his discomfort.
His pride in the Magic Tower pierced the heavens.
No matter how trivial.
The fact that Star Heaven had something over them soured his mood.
“They’re going to get utterly humiliated in tomorrow’s Star Magic Battle anyway. What good is a flashy exterior if they can’t even manage their members properly.”
“Heh, you’re not wrong. They call that a rose with a worm inside. And come to think of it, Do Ha-rang and Emily were rejects from our Magic Tower, weren’t they? Haha.”
“Of course, Star Heaven is undeniably a strong newcomer.”
Usher turned to look at the elders.
“Joo Dong-hoon, the Berserker, Thunderclap, Dark Emperor—they’re plenty strong. But...”
“...”
“That doesn’t mean they can take on the Magic Tower with magic. They’re seriously deluded.”
What grated on his nerves.
Was that this matchup was still being talked about by so many people.
‘Is this even worth talking about?’
The Magic Tower winning is a given.
Bets should obviously all go on the Magic Tower.
‘But?’
The odds gap was narrower than expected.
It was true they favored the Magic Tower highly, but by his standards, it should’ve been at least dozens of times wider.
That meant someone was betting on the other side.
‘Are they insane?’
Even if it’s gambling, money is precious.
Usher couldn’t comprehend people throwing it away like trash.
“Today.”
Clench!
Usher balled his fist.
“We have to win. No question.”
“Haha, Elder? Isn’t that obvious?”
Usher shook his head at Brandon’s words.
“No, it’s not just about winning. We have to crush them. If we’re only evenly matched with Star Heaven’s mages in magic? That alone would be a disgrace to our Magic Tower.”
“You’re right. But Elder, you don’t need to worry that much.”
“Hm?”
“Forgot who we’re up against?”
Do Ha-rang, and Emily.
Pfft.
Usher smirked and nodded.
“Yeah, I was overthinking it.”
Even if the heavens split and collapsed.
There’s no way they’d lose to those two.
That’s why Usher had bet his entire fortune on combining matches 1 and 2.
Oh, and rankers have no betting limits, by the way.
“Kekeke, Star Heaven’s handing us a gift.”
Brandon 1.40.
Usher 1.40.
Combining the two folders? A solid 1.96.
Almost double.
‘What safer investment is there?’
Usher’s lips curled up as if victory was already his.
* * *
“Waaaaah!”
“Woooow!”
Thunderous cheers shook the skies over Peach Blossom Paradise.
The massive coliseum completed by Demir was packed with people.
And in the center.
- Hellooo! Your caster for the Star Magic Battle, MC Spirit!
The legendary caster known for commentating all sorts of sports, ‘Spirit,’ along with two analysts, formed the broadcast team.
- Woooow! Can you see this massive coliseum? Can you feeeel it? The blazing cheers of all you filling Peach Blossom Paradise! Let’s hear it one more tiiiime!
Kim Jin-ah had scouted an MC capable of handling this huge crowd.
And the result was this Korean-American hunter, Spirit.
His skills were indeed the real deal!
“He’s good...”
Kim Jin-ah muttered from the VVIP seats.
The cheers prickling her skin.
The host’s voice boiling her blood even before the matches began—it made her own heart race.
“Will the Magic Tower really win?”
“Ugh, I’m so nervous.”
Behind Kim Jin-ah were Kwon Sun-ji and Kwon Tam-ji.
Beyond providing intel, they were pulling double duty as her secretaries.
At that moment.
“Vice Guild Master.”
Kwon Sun-ji looked at Kim Jin-ah.
“Yeah?”
“Your energy just topped off.”
“...What?!”
Kim Jin-ah shot to her feet.
Actually.
She’d been trying to use Kwon Sun-ji’s prophecy ability for months.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the Guild Master, but massive funds were on the line in bets.
Better to be certain, right?
But.
- No can do. Not enough energy.
Every time, she’d shake her head, so Kim Jin-ah had half... no, fully given up.
“Really?”
“Yes. Should I use it now? It’ll reveal all match outcomes, but consume every bit of energy built up over six months.”
As mentioned before, Kwon Sun-ji and Kwon Tam-ji’s energy was different from normal hunters’.
If unused, it kept regenerating—a special trait.
“Hmm.”
After a brief ponder, Kim Jin-ah shook her head.
“Nah, forget it. Let’s just watch.”
Hoo!
She let out a deep sigh.
It wasn’t some simple [Gotta trust the Guild Master!] emotion.
‘If I was gonna do it, should’ve before betting.’
It was a cost-effectiveness issue.
Kwon Sun-ji’s ‘Prophecy’ was invaluable, and she’d already placed her bets.
‘What’s knowing the results do now?’
Nothing changes.
Just wasting energy.
“Let’s think positive, positive... Sports are more fun without knowing the outcome...”
She said that, but her tension showed—her hands were slick with sweat.
Crunch, crunch!
She was even biting her nails without realizing.
‘Vice Guild Master looks in bad shape.’
‘Well... If you knew how she handles guild funds normally, no one could say a word.’
The Kwon sisters pitied Kim Jin-ah.
* * *
At that time, in the players’ waiting room.
Kim Jin-ah wasn’t the only one tense.
“Sis...”
Do Ha-rang’s eyes trembled.
“What do I do? I gotta pee.”
“Really? I’m so nervous my heart won’t stop pounding.”
Beside her, Emily placed a hand on her chest, feeling her racing heartbeat.
“Whoa, your heart won’t stop...?”
Huh?
Wait.
If your heart stops, you die?
It might sound ridiculous to outsiders, but Do Ha-rang had no energy to argue.
She could barely calm her own anxiety—how could she comfort anyone else?
Rank 74 vs Rank 103.
And.
Rank 90 vs Rank 153.
Ridiculous gaps, and the matches were right around the corner.
Especially thinking of Kim Jin-ah, who visited constantly with that [You absolutely cannot lose. Got it?] look...
“Can we really win?”
Emily muttered.
She knew Elders Usher and Brandon’s skills better than anyone.
They’d trained under Arin for half a year, but that was it.
Just endless aura-sensing drills, so no objective measure of their growth.
Plus.
No ranking changes.
Still 103rd and 153rd.
Unless it was New Year’s with massive shifts, or someone died or some big event, minor changes didn’t happen...
‘How do we beat that ranking gap?’
‘We haven’t changed.’
‘Not even high-tier spells—just win with energy bolts against those elders?’
As they fretted.
Clunk!
The waiting room door opened.
“Guild Master!”
“Lady Arin!”
Do Ha-rang and Emily shouted in unison.
“Everyone ready?”
“G-Guild Master.”
Do Ha-rang stammered.
Then, in a crawling voice, she asked.
“I have one question...”
“Ask away.”
The Guild Master smiled warmly.
As expected, the Guild Master was an angel.
“J-Just in case... What happens if we lose...?”
Do Ha-rang asked, burdened.
Whoosh!
Arin’s head snapped around.
“Eek!”
“Eeeeek!”
Eloise Arin.
Infinitely gentle to her master, but more ruthless than anyone else otherwise.
Half a year of brutal mana training had instilled pure terror in them.
“Lose?”
Arin asked coldly.
“You’re saying you’ll tarnish your professor’s face? That it?”
‘Whoa.’
‘Bad news.’
‘That tone always meant double the training.’
And Arin always.
Reacted even harsher to anything involving her professor.
But.
“No need to worry too much.”
Maybe because that professor was right beside her?
Arin smiled softly.
“You all gave it your all for half a year. Enough for me to acknowledge. You probably can’t grasp how much stronger you’ve gotten, no matter what I say. So.”
“...”
“Feel it for yourselves.”
A hundred words don’t match one experience.
Arin tilted her head toward the exit.
- Woooah!
- Waaaaah!
Massive cheers erupted from outside.
The sound involuntarily clenched their fists.
Gulp!
Emily’s expression turned resolute.
‘Really.’
Me.
Beat those elders?
Ignoring the rankings?
How much time passed?
- Alright! The moment has arrived! With your blazing cheers, audience! Match 1! Beeeeegins!
MC Spirit’s opening roared.
- Match 1 is Magic Tower’s elder! World Rank 90! Towering Inferno! No monster stands before this mage without turning to ash! Come on out! Set the arena ablaze! Braaaandon!
With cringey lines, pounding flashy entrance music.
Clunk clunk!
The exit door shook.
Emily stared at it with a stiff expression.
And finally.
The awaited voice rang out.
- Now, next up! Star Heaven’s mage! World Rank 153! Don’t underestimate the lower rank! If opponent’s fire, she’ll smother it flawlessly in earth! Earth Witch! Eeeemily Streeet!
“Haaaaah!”
Emily let out a mighty kiai and headed to the arena.
Crucial first match to seize early momentum!
‘I worked hard.’
Emily steeled her eyes.
The hardest half-year of her hunter life.
Time to claim the reward.
‘No matter what.’
Match 1 began.