Promising Mage Tournament (3)
"Hello, Mage Kim Jehyun. You've just won the promising mages' individual league. Could we hear your victory speech?"
The host extended the microphone toward Jehyun. Countless spectators fixed their eyes on his lips. This was a stage of glory he never could have dreamed of in his past life. He'd entered the tournament for the prize, but this feeling wasn't half bad. His heart even raced a little.
"I got lucky. I won't rest on this small achievement—I'll work even harder to become a better mage. Thank you to everyone who cheered me on."
"Yes, short but sincere. So humble."
The host smiled warmly. He'd seen countless mages claim the winner's cup from this very stage each year. Humble ones like Jehyun were rare among them. That modesty brought a grin to the host's face.
"Now, the question everyone's dying to know: They're all curious about the magic you kept using throughout the tournament. Mind sharing what school it belongs to?"
The host asked cautiously. In mage culture, prying into someone's primary magic could be seen as rude. That's why he was gauging Jehyun's reaction.
"It's my secret art, so details are hard to share. But folks seemed to think it was mental magic, so yeah, that works."
"Ah... as expected. You've achieved something in mental magic. Thank you for answering. We'll wrap up the victory speech here. Congrats again on the win."
The arena buzzed at Jehyun's response.
"Just like we thought. Whoa, but mental magic? No way a 2nd Circle mage pulls that off. Incredible."
"Right? I dabbled in mental magic once 'cause I was curious, but I barely scraped by with the basic Confusion spell before quitting. To master it enough to dominate a tournament... unreal."
"Hey, at least you got Confusion. Most can't even handle that basic one."
"Gotta hand it to Kim Jehyun at this point. No wonder they're comparing him to the Tower Master."
Awestruck gazes poured in from the crowd. Not everyone looked on favorably—there were always detractors. Even so, they couldn't deny his genius. Whispers began naming him a true contender to challenge the Tower Master's throne.
"Wonder how the match with Kim Hyeongjin'll go."
"Kim Hyeongjin's 3rd Circle, but defending against mental magic ain't easy."
"He'll manage somehow. No way he gets steamrolled."
"You miss the finals? Mental magic's called invincible below 3rd Circle for a reason."
"Still, it's Kim Hyeongjin. Hate the guy, but he's the real deal."
Opinions split. Some said even Kim Hyeongjin couldn't handle Jehyun's mental magic; others figured he'd find a counter. Amid the buzz, the champion match began.
Thud.
As Jehyun stepped onto the stage, Kim Hyeongjin's face came into view.
"Long time no see."
"...Yeah. Didn't expect to see you here."
Kim Hyeongjin replied in a low voice. His face was stiff. Jehyun had never seen him like this—always aloof or icy before.
"Nervous?"
"...Hah, me? Because of you?"
Kim Hyeongjin's lip twitched faintly. Jehyun's taunt got under his skin, but he couldn't hide the tension.
"Acting all high and mighty off some lucky break. Think that'll work on me?"
His eyes turned cold. The confidence suggested he'd prepared counters for mental magic.
"Fine, I'll admit your recent shows. You've changed 180 degrees. But strip away the mental magic, and you're still a 2nd Circle scrub. Think you can beat me? And..."
Kim Hyeongjin flashed a sly grin at Jehyun before continuing.
"Don't you remember the old days?"
"Hah."
Jehyun's lip curled. The old days—when Kim Hyeongjin tormented him endlessly. Plus memories from before regression that hadn't happened yet. The unforgettable glare as his face was branded with fire. It hardened Jehyun's resolve once more.
I'll pay it back tenfold.
"Chant it: 'I'm dead today.'"
An explosive aura surged from Jehyun's body.
Ignis Faction.
One of the Magic Tower's largest family-backed factions.
—When it comes to fire magic, it's Ignis or Phoenix Faction. Along with Phoenix, they lead fire attribute research in the Tower. Most Ignis mages specialized in fire.
'Fireball.'
Fwoosh.
Kim Hyeongjin conjured a fireball at astonishing speed.
Whoosh!
He hurled it at Jehyun, swiftly prepping the next spell.
'Fire Wave.'
Flames rippled from his hand. A top-tier 3rd Circle spell, cast as smoothly as breathing. Kim Hyeongjin lived up to his genius rep.
But.
Fwoooosh!
Golden flames erupted from Jehyun's hand, devouring the fireball and then the fire wave.
Kim Hyeongjin shrieked in disbelief.
"Impossible! What the...?!"
No way. Even with attribute enhancement, a 2nd Circle spell neutralizing 3rd Circle? And it didn't stop—firebolts pierced through, hurtling toward him.
"Kuh, Sh-Shield."
He hastily raised a shield to block them.
"Hah... hah..."
Kim Hyeongjin panted heavily. Jehyun paused his assault, smiling faintly at the sweating foe.
"That's it? This weak?"
"Kuh, fuck."
Jehyun's casual critique boiled his blood. Spitting curses, Kim Hyeongjin unleashed another spell.
'Fire Burst.'
Roooar!
Flames exploded from his hand, lunging at Jehyun.
In that instant, Jehyun's eyes deepened to rich amber.
'I see it.'
The mana particles and structure of the incoming fire burst were crystal clear. An explosive spell. Before it reached him, he fired firebolts and fireballs precisely at its weak joints, detonating it mid-air.
Boom!
The crowd gaped. They'd chalked up his win to mental magic luck. But toying with Kim Hyeongjin like this? No.
"Whoa... is that even possible?"
"In...sane. For real. 2nd Circle vs. 3rd Circle...?"
"Pushing Kim Hyeongjin back like that."
"Is this allowed?"
The commentators fueled the shock.
"...Nothing but 'amazing' comes to mind. Mage Kim Jehyun wasn't even at full power!"
"Right. His casting speed is insane! We knew, but seeing it in combat... terrifying."
"Covering firepower gaps against 3rd Circle with sheer speed."
"But is that possible? Even spamming 1st and 2nd Circle spells should lose to 3rd Circle."
"He... instinctively grasps Kim Hyeongjin's spell structures."
"Wha... really?"
"Yeah. A genius trait, like the Tower Master. This kid's the real deal. Haha, like peeling an onion—layers on layers. No more surprises left in me."
Even the commentators were stunned. Jehyun displayed a feat only the rarest prodigies among prodigies could pull off.
'Wh-What...'
Kim Hyeongjin's eyes trembled. He'd never dreamed Jehyun could match him in raw magic. Spirit use and multi-lightning bolts were impressive, but not enough to bridge 2nd to 3rd Circle. Without mental magic, victory was his.
'That... loser's a genius?'
As a genius himself, he knew. Jehyun's display required talent on another level.
'Un...forgivable.'
His eyes tinted purple. Activating the elixir he'd taken earlier. Similar to Jinhojang's, but verified top-grade—no major side effects, hard to detect. A last resort he hadn't wanted to use.
No turning back now.
Grrr.
Manipulating mana specially, the elixir's power awakened.
'...!'
Jehyun sensed it first. Ominous mana waves from Kim Hyeongjin. Familiar somehow.
'Purple orb!'
Just like Arkanios's memories. Why did Kim Hyeongjin have it? Questions swirled, but no time—his mana was exploding abnormally.
Jehyun knew: end it before it burst.
'Dragon Fear.'
He unleashed full-power Dragon Fear on Kim Hyeongjin. First time at max in real combat. The match was over. At his level, no blocking it.
Pity—he'd only half-achieved crushing him with pure magic.
"Gahk."
Splat.
Kim Hyeongjin spewed blood with a scream.
Thud.
He dropped to his knees, body shaking like a leaf, eyes rolling back, foam at his mouth.
"Ugh... uh... uuuuh."
Focus gone, tongue lolling, grotesque moans. Blood and spit drooled from his mouth.
Utterly broken.
—That fool's an idiot now.
Jehyun nodded inwardly at Alkasha.
He'd expected this at full Dragon Fear. Plus the purple mana burst damaged his mana road permanently. Mentally and physically, half-dead.
The long feud from his past life ended today.
"Wh-What happened?"
"Kim Hyeongjin's... collapsed, vomiting blood."
"Can the match continue? ...Update: his condition's critical."
Amid frantic commentary, Kim Hyeongjin was carted off, combat-incapable.
A notification appeared before Jehyun.
You have completed the mission: Win the champion match against Kim Hyeongjin.
Checking achievement level. You have rendered Kim Hyeongjin permanently incapacitated.
Achievement Level: S
Special Reward: Valkadot's Treasure Chest x5 (Massive EXP)
A flame emblem marked Ignis Faction membership. Yang Jaejin, wearing the emblazoned jacket, spoke.
"Kim Hyeongjin's a vegetable now."
"...Totally ruined?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Tch. Experiment subject supply'll be tricky now. What about the elixir remnants in him?"
"As expected, no anomalies found. But clear signs of mana rampage. Ignis is investigating internally."
"Hmph. If it leads back to us, headache. Handle it clean."
"Don't worry. Already in motion."
Kim Manseok nodded at Yang Jaejin's words.
"Anyway... Kim Jehyun. This nobody's fucked everything up."
"Yes. Who'd think he'd toy with Kim Hyeongjin... Not ordinary."
"Yeah. Might have use. Keep eyes on him."
"Understood."
—Is that it?
"Yeah."
Back at his lodging after the individual league win, Jehyun laid out his prizes: ogre tendons, hingruu bones, grek hide, kinder horns, etc. All high-rare materials for magic tools—meant for 4th Circle crafting.
"But they're being wasted."
Jehyun held up a kinder horn. From the flame demon kinder, engulfed in fire. Typically for fire tools, but later discovered for a true purpose—no longer wasted on tools.
"Grind it first."
Crack. Grind. Cruuunch.
Using tools from Phoenix Faction, he powdered it white. Then processed per Butalik's recipe.
Flash.
Red light swirled, turning it viscous liquid.
"This is the real use."
It purified mana and boosted fire essence. Priceless elixir for fire wielders. Price skyrocketed once known.
"Alright then."
Jehyun gulped it down.
Gulp gulp.
Tasteless soup. Emptying the bowl, he circulated his mana art, focusing.
Roooar.
Heat haze rose around him.
Flash.
Explosive energy burst from within.