Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Festival
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"Uh..."
I was racking my brain over how to respond to that utter nonsense when, thankfully, the announcer called out to us.
[And with that, let's have a quick chat with today's stars. First up, Cadet Shin Dong-min?]
"Yes."
[Honestly, we've watched you for three years, so no questions there. On to Cadet Lee Ho-yeon!]
"Pfft."
Shin Dong-min, who had been waiting for questions aimed at him, looked like he'd just bitten into something foul. I couldn't hold back my laugh at the sight.
He shot me a blazing glare, but I ignored it and turned to the announcer.
[I heard the first-years just finished their survival exam up until yesterday. Judging by Cadet Lee Ho-yeon's tired face, it looks like he made it to the end. Is that right?!]
My face was up on the massive hologram screen in the auditorium hall.
My hair was dry and frizzy from having my energy drained, my cheeks pale, eyes bloodshot with dark circles underneath. I looked like absolute hell.
But since my face was handsome, it came off more as ruggedly charming than ugly.
"Ah... yeah, that's right. To be honest, I overslept. I ended up late, so thank you for holding things together."
[No, no, it's fine. It really heated up the atmosphere, thanks to you.]
"Go, go, go!!! Vice President!"
"Shin Dong-min! Shin Dong-min! Shin Dong-min!"
Sadly, most of the auditorium was on Shin Dong-min's side.
The guys were mostly rooting for him, and they were loud about it.
"Lee Ho-yeon, fighting!"
"He's so handsome!"
There were cheers for me too, but they weren't that loud.
[With it being a friendly match against a third-year, a lot of people are expecting a loss. What do you think, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon?!]
"I'll show you with the results."
Can't we get this started already?
My head's starting to hurt.
[Ooooh! Such confidence! Who knows how this battle will turn out! Alright, let's begin. First, we'll draw the arena!]
The magic circle spread out in the center of the auditorium activated, and a giant roulette wheel began spinning.
[Since this is an event match, the arena field is randomly selected! Depending on what comes up, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon might have a real shot!]
"Hm..."
Even after showing my skills in that one-on-one duel, the crowd was still like this. Probably because the opponent's a first-year.
I should wrap this up decisively this time. It's about time I stopped hearing this crap.
Thud thud thud—
The roulette slowed, and the pointer landed on one spot.
[Ah—! Sea Buoy Field has been set! That's like a bolt from the blue for Cadet Lee Ho-yeon! Completely advantageous terrain for Cadet Shin Dong-min!]
"Heh, tough break."
'...So predictable.'
Looking at his face, there was definitely some backroom dealing.
But I don't care.
The salty sea breeze wafted to my nose.
By the time I came to, my surroundings had turned into ocean.
The space expansion magic circle around the arena expanded its size into a vast sea. Under my and Shin Dong-min's feet floated a buoy several dozen meters across.
[And now! The friendly duel between Cadet Lee Ho-yeon and Cadet Shin Dong-min officially beeeegins~!]
The reason I wasn't fazed by the field was simple.
Incredibly, my romp with Lilia had pushed me to a whole new level.
I still didn't know her secret, but breaking down those high-level spells in the process had elevated my own magic to the next stage.
There was that rumor before about me awakening, and public opinion had gone nuts then too.
It ended with everyone concluding a first-year couldn't possibly have awakened yet.
'This time, it's really gonna blow up.'
The mana barrier between me and Shin Dong-min vanished, and the churning waves surged upward.
Splash! Crash—
Thump. Thump.
'He's strong, alright.'
The game's power balance was way off. Academy cadets stronger than active hunters?
Thump.
The familiar Combat Sense wrapped around my body.
Shin Dong-min, as if prepared in advance, unfurled a magic circle. With each sweep of his hand, the surrounding water molded into various shapes.
I slowly gathered my mana while eyeing the massive wave crashing toward me.
Roooar—!
Behind the wave, water dragons rose into the sky.
"No way! Water dragons?!"
"It's over. Even the field's on Shin Dong-min's side."
The voices from the stands carried all the way here—impressive.
I didn't hear them during the one-on-one duel. Maybe because this was an event?
[Cadet Shin Dong-min! Incredible spellcasting! Summoning five water dragons in an instant!]
The giant tsunami and five water dragons bearing down on me.
The stands were in an uproar, calling it an insane spell.
It was pretty cool, sure.
"But what am I supposed to do about it?"
That kiddie water play wasn't important to me.
I'd promised to play with Lilia. I couldn't waste time here.
Thump.
I unleashed the mana surging from within me.
Long time no practice with anything but fire magic, but... it'll be fine.
I can do it now.
Crackle—!
Clang. Clang.
Craaackle. Clang.
Chill spread out from my body at the center.
The water dragons and waves charging at me froze solid upon contact with the cold.
Crunch. Crackle—
The waves turned into massive ice chunks, still threatening in size.
The dragons, with their wills, struggled to fend off the freezing, but only ended up freezing in even uglier poses.
Crack. Crack. Crackle.
The cold, seeking its next prey, began freezing the sea itself.
With crackling sounds, the expanding ice made Shin Dong-min panic and yell.
"N-No way! I-Ice?!"
[...W-What's happening?! Cadet Lee Ho-yeon has ice magic! Is this... dual attributes? Dual attributes?!]
Craunch— Craaackle—
The sea froze over.
The buoy, swaying unsteadily on the waves, was proof.
"You don't plan to end it there, do you?"
I gave Shin Dong-min a slight smile.
After all that hype, he couldn't quit over this.
"..."
"Oh. You've got pride."
Shin Dong-min didn't give up and drew another magic circle.
Water mages didn't need existing water; they just used less mana summoning it. Water magic inherently included creating water from scratch.
Thump. Thump.
I'd used a good chunk of mana just now.
Not in top condition, so better end it quick.
I lifted chunks of the frozen sea with my remaining mana.
Shin Dong-min, mid-circle, looked around and paled.
"You said you'd do anything if I won, right? Stay away from the president from now on. If I catch you again, I'll really kill you."
Crack!
Hundreds of ice chunks hurtled toward Shin Dong-min.
"Aaaargh!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
He blocked a few dozen with frantic magic circles fueled by desperation, but the match was over the moment his first spell failed.
Krunch—!
The ice pierced through his magic, embedding in his body. Cumulative damage weakened his spells further.
"Why! Why!!!"
Seeing him howl while blocking the ice made me chuckle.
"Should've trained instead of rigging the field, Senior. Might've changed the outcome."
"Gaaah!"
Splat. Splat. Splat. Splat. Splat.
Ice chunks slammed around Shin Dong-min, and eventually, a massive ice pillar formed around him.
Not Elsa, but a human snowman.
[Ah... Match over! Winner: Cadet Lee Ho-yeon!]
Whoosh—
The frozen sea melted away, reverting to the original arena.
Shin Dong-min, trapped in mana-formed ice, collapsed when it vanished. Medics rushed in, loaded him onto a stretcher, and carted him off.
Last time I got carried out. This time, it was him.
"Ugh."
My head was spinning.
Need to crash soon.
[Cadet Lee Ho-yeon? A quick victory comment!]
The announcer approached. I was exhausted and wanted to bolt, but he'd covered for my lateness, so I owed him this much.
"Ah... thanks. I revealed my secret weapon this time—hope everyone enjoyed it. Have fun at the Heavenly Festival. I'm off to bed."
[Whoa! So cool. So cool! Cadet Lee Ho-yeon looks beat, so guild reps can explain the dual attributes! On to the next event!]
Thankfully, the announcer took one look at me and skipped further questions.
Ugh, wiped out.
I descended from the arena.
Should at least say bye to the student council folks.
"Good work. I'm heading out."
"You were awesome, Junior... Leave the rest to us!"
"Yeah, thanks. Where's the president?"
I looked around, but Moon Soo-rin was nowhere.
"She was over there, but... where'd she go?"
I left the puzzled female cadet and headed to the VIP lounge.
She probably didn't like crowds.
"Ho-yeon...!"
Right as I stepped out, I bumped into Moon Soo-rin.
"Soo-rin sis. Thanks. I'm beat, so I'm going. Just came to say bye."
"Yeah. Get some real rest. Your face is a mess."
I thanked her as she cupped my cheeks worriedly, then left the lounge.
Dorm time for real.
"Heyy~ Handsome! Good job."
"...Is 'Handsome' my permanent name now?"
Heading out of the auditorium toward the dorm, Kim Young-han approached. He'd been waiting outside.
"Yep!"
His goofy grin was annoying.
"Sigh... Just call me by name."
"Why? It's great. Handsome. Rolls right off the tongue."
"Ugh, aren't you tired?"
He'd survived to the last day with me, yet he looked full of energy.
"Nah, I didn't fight hard like you, Handsome. Spent the last day just running."
"Call me Handsome one more time, and I'll start calling you Fourth Lackey of the Thorn Escort from now on?"
"..."
"I'm off to rest. Tired."
I ignored his sulky look and headed to the dorm.
Thinking of hugging Lilia to sleep warmed my heart.
Ding—
I unlocked the dorm door and entered.
I'd bolted out at 8:50, back in under an hour.
On the way to my room, I stripped like Hansel and Gretel leaving breadcrumbs.
Lilia was asleep in bed, just as she'd been when she left.
I stripped down and slid in beside her.
Snuggle snuggle.
I pressed right up against Lilia, resting my hand on her chest.
The soft touch against my body and hand soothed my mind.
"Haa..."
Lying in bed, tension and exhaustion hit me all at once.
'Wake up and play with Lilia. Oh, and ask about her magic too...'
Snap—
My memory cut off there.