Lethal Illusions
In the heart of the academy stood Son In-hyeok’s private office. A sharp knock echoed against the door.
“Yes. Come in,” Son In-hyeok called.
The door creaked open, and a man with striking red hair stepped inside.
“Kane?” Son In-hyeok tilted his head, puzzled.
“Yes. Hello.”
“What brings you here? Have a seat first.”
“Thank you.”
Son In-hyeok poured a cup of the tea he had brewed himself and handed it over. Kane accepted it with a polite nod.
“I’ll enjoy it.”
He took a slow sip. Son In-hyeok watched him for a moment before speaking again.
“So, what’s the matter?”
He was genuinely confused. Tomorrow was the scheduled ranking match between Kane and Nam Doyun.
The wall clock confirmed it—nine in the evening. This was the time students should be resting to maintain peak condition for tomorrow’s match. So why had Kane come all the way here?
“Teacher, may I ask you for one favor?”
“Go ahead. What is it?”
“Tomorrow, I intend to use proper illusion magic.”
“Obviously you should use proper illusion magic.”
“No. When I say proper, I mean the kind powerful enough to kill him.”
“...What?”
“A situation has arisen where I must kill him. No matter what.”
Kane’s eyes flashed with cold intensity.
“Are you saying you plan to use the illusion spells forbidden by the Kayen family?”
“...Yes.”
“Hmm—”
The Kayen family possessed several lethal illusion techniques capable of claiming a person’s life. But those arts were strictly forbidden except when facing true enemies. They were simply too dangerous.
“That will be difficult,” Son In-hyeok said.
He was the exam supervisor. If anything went wrong, the responsibility would fall squarely on his shoulders. He had no desire to invite that kind of trouble.
“Teacher. In exchange, I will give you the Kayen family’s heirloom—the illusion skill book once used by the previous family head.”
“...Are you serious?”
Son In-hyeok’s eyes gleamed.
“Yes. He entrusted it to me personally.”
“.....Then let’s handle it this way.”
“How?”
“A fair number of students will be watching tomorrow’s duel.”
“Yes.”
“...Research into illusion magic is still incomplete and poorly understood.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll craft the scenario like this: an unknown facet of the illusion magic existed that even you were unaware of, and Nam Doyun died because of it.”
“Will that work?”
“Of course. The only family with detailed knowledge of illusion magic is the Kayen family.”
“...”
“Therefore, unless the Kayen family dispatches an advisor, no one can prove you killed him intentionally.”
“Yes. I understand. After all, I am from the Kayen family.”
“Exactly. Just ensure no advisor is sent. That’s all you need to do. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Understood.”
“...Now, there’s one thing I’ve been truly curious about. Let me ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Why the sudden change? Until yesterday you only planned to humiliate him. What made you decide he has to die?”
“...Ah, yes. That was my original intention.”
“Then?”
“That bastard took something precious from me.”
“....”
Son In-hyeok’s face went blank. The statement made no sense to him.
“Well, it’s none of my business. As long as you provide proper compensation, that is.”
“You needn’t worry. I’ve prepared everything.”
“Good. Then you may leave.”
“Yes.”
Kane gave a respectful bow and stepped out of the room.
The day of the ranking match between Nam Doyun and Kane had arrived.
At the center of the colosseum stood two young men—Nam Doyun and Kane.
A modest crowd of first-year students filled the spectator seats, their eyes fixed on the pair below.
“Hey, who do you think’s gonna win?”
“Obviously Kane. He’s a rising star even within the Kayen illusion family.”
“But can’t you just counter illusion magic with reflection spells?”
“Reflection magic?”
“Yeah. Cast it beforehand and any illusion bounces right back at the caster.”
“You think Nam Doyun can actually pull that off?”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
“Students, please gather over here,” Son In-hyeok called from the center of the arena.
Nam Doyun and Kane turned to face each other.
“This is nothing more than a sparring match. Both parties understand this, correct?”
They nodded.
“However, because it is a spar, unintended and unfortunate accidents may occur. You are both aware of this possibility, yes?”
Son In-hyeok spoke with a smile he could barely contain.
“Then we will begin immediately.”
Kane’s eyes burned as he glared at Nam Doyun.
I’ve loved Hayeon ever since I first saw her eight years ago.
From the moment he laid eyes on Jeong Hayeon at the academy, Kane had fallen for her. He had followed her for years. Though she had never returned his feelings, he had been certain she eventually would. His love was genuine, after all.
If only that bastard didn’t exist.
Then that guy had suddenly appeared and inserted himself between them. Background checks revealed he came from an unremarkable family and possessed mediocre grades. Yet that worthless nobody had claimed the seat beside Hayeon?
She must be under threat.
There was no doubt the disgusting bastard had discovered some weakness of hers. He was blackmailing her—that was the only explanation for why she would date someone so utterly beneath her. It was the only way any of this made sense. Especially when it meant abandoning him.
I’ll crush that son of a bitch properly.
Once he was thoroughly broken, Hayeon would return to him. She was only with that loser because she had no choice.
She’ll choose me instead.
If he eliminated the villain threatening her, how happy would she be? That joy would transform into love for him.
Kane glanced toward a girl in the distant stands. It was Jeong Hayeon.
She really did come to watch me.
Satisfaction bloomed in his chest. She had pretended indifference, but of course she cared.
Yet contrary to his delusions, goosebumps prickled across Jeong Hayeon’s entire body.
Cha Jiyun, seated beside her, spoke softly.
“...Are you alright?”
“Y-yeah. I’m fine. But Jiyun…”
“...What is it?”
“Do you think Doyun can actually win? He has to stand still for ten minutes while Kane attacks freely.”
Cha Jiyun let out a small, amused breath. Nam Doyun losing? The idea was laughable. He was the one secretly fighting a war against Requiem all alone. The power he concealed had to be overwhelming. The thought of him falling to an ordinary student was simply impossible.
“...Hayeon.”
“Yeah?”
“...He will win without fail.”
“But how? Illusion magic can only be broken with reflection spells, and I’ve never once seen Doyun use them.”
“.....That won’t be necessary.”
Cha Jiyun shook her head slowly.
“Not necessary?”
“He will likely dismantle it through reverse calculation.”
“Reverse… calculation? For something like this?”
“...Yes. He will destroy the magic’s entire structure from its foundation.”
“...Is that even possible?”
“..For him, it is.”
Cha Jiyun smiled faintly.
Kane began circling Nam Doyun, searching for any sign of what magic he might use. Reflection magic would be troublesome if cast in advance.
Yet Nam Doyun simply stood motionless. He wasn’t preparing any spells at all. Reflection magic required an active incantation from the very beginning.
“Hey. Don’t tell me you can’t even use reflection magic?” Kane sneered.
“Reflection magic? What’s that?” Nam Doyun replied flatly.
Kane let out a derisive snort.
No need to waste the family’s secret arts.
Basic illusion magic would clearly be more than enough to kill him.
Woooong—
A purple magic circle began forming above Kane’s palm.
The moment the spell activated, Nam Doyun’s face twisted.
Kane’s lips curled into a vicious grin.
Looks like it landed perfectly.
This illusion bound the victim to a chair and drove needles through every inch of their body. The agony was transmitted directly to the brain.
Nam Doyun collapsed to the arena floor, writhing.
Kane licked his lips.
He must be at death’s door by now.
Though it was only an illusion, the pain was real. If the agony grew too intense, it could cause fatal shock.
Kane glanced up at the electronic display.
Fifty seconds. The match already appeared over. There was no need to wait the full ten minutes.
“Teacher, it looks like the outcome is already decided, doesn’t it?” Kane said, turning to Son In-hyeok.
But the teacher was staring blankly toward where Nam Doyun had fallen, as if something inside him had short-circuited.
“...?”
Kane frowned in confusion. Why was he looking over there?
He followed the teacher’s gaze.
“!!!”
Nam Doyun was standing perfectly upright. Not only that—he looked completely unaffected, as if the agony from moments ago had been nothing but a dream.
‘What the hell just happened…’
Cold sweat trickled down Kane’s back. That attack had been meant to kill.
“...How did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“How did you escape my illusion magic? I constructed it so escape was impossible.”
“Ah, that? I was never caught in it to begin with.”
“...What? You were clearly writhing in pain after getting trapped—”
“Ah, that? I was just acting.”
“...What… did you just say?”
“It seemed too one-sided. I thought it would be boring, so I put on a little performance.”
“You… you son of a bitch.”
Kane’s eyes blazed with murderous rage.
I’m really going to kill him.
The family had forbidden that particular illusion spell. He had wanted to avoid using it if possible—too many potential complications. But his mind was made up now. He no longer cared about the consequences.
His gaze shifted toward Jeong Hayeon in the stands.
I’ll kill him.
He wanted to end that bastard’s life right here, in this very spot. To spout such nonsense in front of Hayeon? To dare humiliate him before the girl he loved?
Woooong—
A far more intricate purple magic circle began forming in Kane’s hand. The pattern was vastly more complex than before.
Just as the spell was about to launch toward Nam Doyun, someone leaped into the arena and seized Kane’s wrist.
Both Son In-hyeok and Kane frowned at the intruder. It was Elvin.
“Teacher, what is the meaning of this?” Son In-hyeok growled.
“I normally prefer not to interfere with another instructor’s examination, but this seems excessively cruel.”
Elvin stared at the magic circle with clear disapproval.
“....”
“Isn’t this a spell meant for killing? You saw it and still chose not to stop the match?”
“This was pre-agreed upon with student Nam Doyun.”
“You agreed to allow magic that could kill an opponent?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“Doyun, is this true?” Elvin asked, turning to him.
“Yes. I have no objections.”
“....What are you—”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”
“There, you heard him. Now would you kindly step aside?”
Son In-hyeok smiled thinly. He had nearly broken into a cold sweat when he thought Nam Doyun might deny the agreement. But the fool had confirmed it. Now the boy would meet his end.
Woooong—
The complex purple magic circle engulfed Nam Doyun.
Kane grinned with satisfaction. He could feel the spell take hold perfectly. This time, it was truly over.
Ten seconds passed. Nam Doyun stood up as if nothing had happened.
‘It just hasn’t activated fully yet.’
A little more time and—
One minute.
Two minutes.
The seconds continued to tick by, yet Nam Doyun remained standing tall. His expression was utterly serene.
Cold sweat poured down Kane’s face.
‘This can’t be possible.’
It was absolutely impossible.
Five minutes.
Eight minutes.
Time kept flowing. Not a single change appeared on Nam Doyun’s face. If anything, he looked increasingly bored, as if the entire affair had become tedious beyond measure.
‘Another illusion spell, then—’
Kane desperately began casting every forbidden illusion technique the family had prohibited. He poured them out one after another.
“....”
None of them had any effect.
Nam Doyun simply continued wearing that unbearably bored expression.
Finally, Kane’s legs gave out. He collapsed to the ground, eyes empty, all fighting spirit gone.