Dynamic Tournament Finals: Busan's Burning Pride

Hong Jiyeon clicked her tongue in annoyance, taking a sip of milk from her seat in the players' box.

"Manager, is this for real? It's supposed to be Busan's big representative tournament, and the finals are against a 7-year-old kid?"

"Still, they say she's a pretty skilled battle mage."

"That pisses me off even more. Battle mage? Gimme a break."

Hong Jiyeon bit her lip. Sharing the spotlight was one thing—she wasn't some ridiculous monster like her rival Isara or Seong Jiho. But it grated on her that Busan's pride, the Dynamic Tournament, was turning into a laughingstock. Bringing a battle mage to an official tournament? Come on.

"Battle mages have never won a single time in this country!"

Battle mage? Good strategy? Catch her off guard? What a joke. There was a reason battle mages had gone extinct in Korea.

"Jiyeon, you can't let your guard down. Yu Eunha is a mage with real skill."

"Everyone's saying you'll win 'cause it's Busan. Like a battle mage imitation is enough to take the crown here."

Hong Jiyeon gnawed at her sleeve. "That damn Jo Eunhyuk, that icy bastard. What the heck is he doing, coming out here to eat shit..."

Even mumbling in dialect, her manager handed her some water. "Jiyeon. Magic is a battle of mindsets."

"I know! I know, alright... Don't get antsy, stay focused. Yeah, yeah, I got it."

Jiyeon gulped down the water and stood from the sofa. Her eyes were calm now, unlike before.

"I'll show 'em Busan has rookies that can stand toe-to-toe with Isara or Seong Jiho."

"Of course. You're Busan's pride, Jiyeon."

Her expression grew heavy at that. Her grip tightened on her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠staff. All the nation's support and talent poured into the Gangnam Dungeon. Even if the Seomyeon Dungeon was a low-activity inactive Abyss, it was still Core-grade. Collapse or bubble explosion—disaster could hit Neo Busan anytime. But the adults only cared about Gangnam, as if it was obvious. Tossing them the administrative name Neo Busan Special District like charity and leaving them to rot.

Jiyeon furrowed her brow and ground her teeth. "Dad said Haesin Tower's funding got cut again this year."

"......"

"They want the tower to shut down or what?"

Her eyes sharpened as she gripped her staff. It bore Haesin Tower's emblem and Busan's seagull.

"I can't lose. I'll make 'em turn and look. Busan's still alive."

She was the granddaughter of Haesin Tower's lord, Haesin Tower's pride, Busan's future.

I steadied my mind reading the data on the scoreboard.

"Go get 'em, kiddo~"

"Hey! Beat her to a pulp! She's just some backwater Busan mage!"

I shook my head at Yuri's words.

"A billion on the line, huh? That little punk."

I drew a deep breath, eyeing the red-haired girl with her staff. The hostility radiating from her, the warping ether waves—they told me she was leagues above the kids she'd faced so far.

Facing such an opponent while hiding my strength. I'd limited my ether to under half, and Reverse Flow was completely off-limits.

The foundation league was coming up anyway—all junior mages had to grind through it. I could show my true worth then.

I stepped onto the court and bowed in greeting. My sharp-eyed opponent nodded lightly.

Ether surged around us with the whistle.

I finished my casting hold and dodged sideways. Then—

The Fire Shot veered sharply toward me.

"......!"

I twisted away to evade, but it clipped my leg.

Even after hitting my leg, the Fire Shot hadn't lost momentum—it still hung in the air. She smirked confidently at me.

"Yu Eunha the mage? The reason seniors don't use battle mages is..."

"...Korean mages' ether control is on another level."

Whoosh—the fireballs hurtled at me. I rolled to dodge.

"Huh?"

I evaded both speedy shots and charged straight at Hong Jiyeon. I knew about spells like this. Stealing confident ether control and hijacking magic was my specialty.

Closing in instantly, I threw a punch. She frantically blocked with her staff, but I grabbed it and followed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with a kick.

Crack—the arena barrier flashed, registering a valid hit.

"......"

Her cheeks flushed—embarrassed at getting smacked after her cool line.

"Damn, looks like I can't hold back."

Ether swirled around her.

Blue flames erupted around her, and Fire Shots came flying.

"Tougher than expected."

I'd seen aura barriers that blocked approaches before.

Indeed, ether was draining rapidly around her.

"Once your ether runs dry, we fight... Oh."

Tournament rules: shared ether pool. Burn it all, and accumulated spells decide the winner. Or brawl till knockout.

"......"

Cold sweat at the hostile redhead—three years my senior. 'No-cast brawl? I'd lose.'

Plus, she'd shown plenty of spells already. Unless I KO'd her with fists, her TP lead would win, per Monica's explanation.

"Can't let that happen."

I cast Ether Shot and plunged into the flames. Her shocked face was crystal clear amid the blaze.

"What the—?! Charging in? This idiot..."

Crack—the crisp sound rang out. Off-balance Hong Jiyeon tumbled, and I fired.

"Tch, not quite out of bounds."

Hong Jiyeon clung desperately to the edge line. I taunted her.

"Fight fair and square. Hiding behind a shield is coward's play."

"This damn..."

Before she finished, I rushed in for close combat. She yanked up ether in panic, but no time to cast.

Knowing the danger, no mercy on time.

Snap—the staff's midsection shattered, flying skyward. Staff broken, no more auras. She seemed out of options.

"It's over. That was fun."

Poison flashed in her eyes at my words.

I barely twisted past the faster shot, closed in, and punched.

Crack crack—the sharp sounds echoed. Exchanges flew; her body swelled with bruises. Arm guards already shattered.

Crack—'End it now.' As I wound for the finisher.

Hong Jiyeon grabbed my leg.

While I faltered, flames ignited from her hand.

"Uh."

"Casting hold ain't just your trick. Burn, ya fool."

Flames raced up my leg from her grip.

I bit my lip as flames climbed my leg. Through the red blaze, her resolute eyes burned.

Hand or ether—nothing extinguished it. Glancing at the board, my score ticked down fast.

"I never lose. I can't lose!"

Fierce obsession beyond her years. Her demonic glare like a rakshasa's—I nodded.

"Didn't wanna use magic, but no choice."

I envisioned a black wave glittering with stars. Scant ether responded, dampening with moisture.

Twinkling waves. As I prepared the massive control spell—

A shadow loomed overhead.

"Wait, what the hell is this—?!"