Dynamic Tournament Semifinals

* Yuri flicked her sharp teeth with a fingernail as she lounged in her chair.

"Heh heh heh, broke my savings for this day."

She'd posted about betting 1 million won online, but actually, she'd gone all-in with her entire 100 million from busted savings on Yu Eunha's win.

"UHAHAHAHA! No one knows! That this kid's the ultimate dark horse of the era! A monster who'll devour even Isara!"

She pushed up her oversized glasses.

"Heh heh heh, 1.7 billion after taxes!"

Enough to quit the tower and live easy.

"Nah, might not last forever."

Rubbing her palms, Yuri booted up her computer. YouTube had the Dynamic Tournament J3 division about to kick off.

"Shoulda taken a loan too."

Working at a tower, she could've borrowed another 100 mil easy. Yuri swished her shark tail, sipping coffee.

[Ah, semifinals finally here! First match: Independent Yu Eunha vs. Imperio Academy's Jo Eunhyuk.]

[Yu Eunha advanced via walkover and forfeit, drawing eyes.]

[Yes. Everyone wonders her skill as players enter.]

The screen showed the kid's cute puffy cheeks. Sharp cat eyes on round, plump face; mysterious sky-blue gradient hair on a 7-year-old. Chat exploded as she appeared.

While watching the chat, opponent Jo Eunhyuk entered. Match start buzzer rang.

Sponsor screen from Korean Magic Tower Union showed match specs.

Whistle blew—a massive fireball flew at the kid.

[Jo Eunhyuk opens with Fire Shot!]

[Basic 1-level for fire mages?]

[Yes! Completion beyond his 13 years!]

Ether shot with fire imagery—simple, but attribute magic's terror made Yuri's palms sweat.

"Kid block it?"

Fireball incoming, kid leaped nearly 3m.

Amid confusion, kid charged Jo Eunhyuk.

[Uwaaa! Historic! Yu Eunha... no way...]

[Battle mage?! Close combat?!]

[Wait, Yu Eunha in casting hold?]

[Casting hold? Too calm for that?!]

Kid's fist hit Jo's staff—crack, it splintered. Clear sound through Yuri's speakers. Arena roared.

[Perfect casting hold. Holding that long means...]

[High sync rate, raises hold difficulty hugely?]

[Heavens. Battle mage this good in Korea?]

Screen: kid dodges magic, flies in, kicks mage's leg. Jo loses balance, falls.

[Kick deducts 150pt!]

[Kick equals 1-level magic?]

[Yes. Specs-wise, but... does this make sense...?]

[Kick = 1-level magic...]

Flying kid's melee broke opponent's spirit.

Chat laughed; casters adjusted glasses, watching intently.

[Casting hold length/stability pro-level.]

[No waste. Like decades-trained mage.]

More exchanges—gap widened fast.

Huge gap. Match over.

[Th-this is cheating!]

13yo's scream, final spell.

Fire arrow sped at kid—but she stepped air, jumped over.

Kid closed in—straight punch to gut. Boom.

Power beyond punch. Jo flew out, slammed fence. Bang.

Perfect finish. Protagonist just bored at camera, sharp eyes chilling.

Ref with flag ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ran to Jo. Red flag up—win by opponent unable to continue.

Silence, then casters recovered.

[Uh, i-independent Yu Eunha advances to finals...]

Arena erupted.

* I rolled my stiff shoulders, heading to hotel lounge. Yuri waited.

"Said you couldn't come to Busan, why here?"

"Heh heh~ Our lucky charm's here?"

I frowned at Yuri's words.

"What is it?"

Monica tsked, exasperated.

"Yuri bet her life savings on your win."

"Oh. Could bet on win too? I only did single match."

"What?"

Monica blinked; I fetched bag from room.

"...Kid?"

I stacked 200 bundles of 50k bills, grinning.

"Won under Monica's name."

"Uwak what the hell!"

Yuri flicked a bundle, staring.

"Fees left this much."

"How much bet?"

"2.5 mil."

"Hmph small time! Kid! Ehehehe."

Yuri wagged finger.

"Kid'll smash Hong Jiyeon. 1.7 bil tomorrow mine."

"Too bad, I'd have bet win too."

We clutched foreheads at Yuri.

"Got good info for kid."

Night before finals deepened.

* Next day. At arena, I pointed at gathered reporters.

"What?"

"Dunno..."

Monica checked phone news.

"Battle mage debut got attention? Rare in Korea."

I shrugged toward entrance—voice called.

"You the battle mage Yu Eunha?"

Turned—fierce redhead kid.

"Hmph, hair says high sync."

She glared, strode ahead. Reporters snapped her.

Monica whispered, crouching.

"Haesin lord's granddaughter, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠11yo 2-level. Hong Jiyeon. Your finals opponent."

My lips curved.

"That one might be fun, you see."

Killing intent boiled around Hong Jiyeon—sure to be entertaining match.