Chapter 111
Chapter 111
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Shoddy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Hold on a second."
The one who stopped us as we tried to leave was the guy who had been with Isia. In one word: parasite pretty boy.
He was disgustingly sleazy, but what pissed me off even more was how it somehow suited him.
I wish he'd just drop dead.
He walked over with a bright smile. Even his gait exuded elegance.
What the hell is this guy's deal?
"I don't like him."
I nodded at Raphael's words. Yeah, he's the enemy. Decided right now.
"You're the club president, right?"
Up close, face-to-face, it clicked. This guy's from the Grace family.
What was his name again? Disposable villain, so I don't even remember.
"I'm Leon Grace."
Right, that was it. The guy who hit on Isia and got schooled hard.
He got his soul ripped out in a spar with Kim Tae-hyun, then vanished after his pride took a hit.
I don't know past that since it wasn't in the novel. Probably.
Anyway, what's with this guy? He's bowing formally, but the direction's off.
It's not aimed at me. This direction is—
"You really know how to read people. You know who to greet properly."
Damn blond over there. What the hell is this? Her smug expression was annoying, and this guy wouldn't even turn toward me as he lifted his head.
"I heard from Isia that you're the president but you're neglecting the club."
I glanced at Isia. She flinched and shook her head, making an X with her hands.
No way. My maid loves her work.
"And I can't stand by as a member of a magic family watching the future association chairwoman put up with that."
What are you trying to say? As I glared, he smirked and pointed at me.
"Step down as president. And get out of the club."
My brow furrowed involuntarily. What the hell is this guy on? No reason to give up this club.
Isia's my maid, and holding the club lets me meddle in festivals and sports days.
Why the hell would I?
"Hey. Ask Isia—"
"Ah~ It's so hot out~ Right? Gotta open a window~"
What the? Isia suddenly stood up and spouted nonsense, cutting me off.
I tried again.
"So, ask Isia—"
"Ah~ Nice weather~"
"No. I mean, our vice president—"
"Oh!! That's a rare bug!!"
That's it. I got pissed and approached Isia. I ignored Raphael following me with a 'This has to be on purpose.'
We huddled together, whispering so Leon couldn't hear.
"Hey. What's your deal? Don't you find him annoying? I wanna kick him out right now."
"I want to too. But I can't! She's the association chairwoman's daughter!!"
"Oh. That? Then we gotta make him leave naturally? I don't want him anywhere near here. He's annoying. Nice house, good looks, skilled—pisses me off. I don't wanna see him. I'd love it if he just vanished from my sight."
"What? He's that perfect? Now I'm annoyed too. Reminds me of Michael. I consent to kicking him out. Fully."
"That's not the point. We gotta do it clean, no backlash."
"I don't care about backlash. Raphael agrees."
"Of course I don't. Even if his face caves in, whatever."
"Yes. Majority vote passed. Done. Good job."
"No. Wait. Please. Don't do this. I'm in a bind."
Damn. Why's she so demanding? I sensed something off and stood up as Leon approached.
Isia grabbed my hand as I rose, shaking her head. Then she looked at our joined hands and toppled backward like she'd been shocked.
No idea why her face was red.
"Isia."
"Y-Yes? No!! It wasn't on purpose, I swear!!"
"Not that. You owe me one now."
What? Ignoring her response, I smiled at Leon.
"Let's do this."
I held up one finger.
Leon Grace was pleased with the current situation.
He'd been hanging around the Magic Research Club for days. All because he'd spotted the Magic Association chairwoman's daughter, Isia, by chance.
Her lonely figure sorting documents in an empty room.
She was beautiful—no denying that—but his reason for approaching was to build connections.
Linking a magic family positively with the association could only bring good. So he'd helped her, trying to win her favor.
But here's the twist. Her complaints were an opportunity for him.
A chance to grow closer to the chairwoman. If he ousted the trash president here and took over...
He didn't need to imagine further.
That's why he was sitting here now.
"The rules are simple."
He already knew from earlier, but Leon smiled amiably, listening attentively.
With a desk between them, facing three gazes, he stayed composed.
"Use magic. Draw whatever ritual circle, cast whatever spell—your call."
The guy continued. The blond beside him nodded exaggeratedly. Watching them felt like a comedy show.
"I'll just show my abilities as club president. Break my spell, you win. I win, stay away from here. You win, I'll do whatever you want."
Okay? Leon nodded at the question.
Breaking a spell isn't easy. Priests' 「Dispel」, half-demons' 「Anti-Spell」—otherwise, only two ways: fully comprehend and overwrite the ritual, or overpower with another spell.
Neither simple. Leon knew only magic family heirs in this school could interfere with his spells.
Like Lucie or Isia—no one else could even dream of it.
That's the training they get: rituals etched in the brain, mana wielded like a limb.
From childhood for magic family heirs.
But this guy? A total outsider, unknown in magic circles.
Clearly won his duel with Isia through exploitation.
"Fine. I'll use a three-verse spell."
That'll do. Victory here meant honors: saving the chairwoman's daughter from beasts, tight ties with the association.
Leon didn't hesitate. The prize was too big.
He placed his palm on the desk. A turquoise ritual circle formed above it.
"《O gale.》"
First verse.
A spell carved countless times, ritual imprinted in his mind. Mana flowed through an impenetrable weave.
Second verse.
The turquoise circle glowed. The light coalesced into form.
Third verse.
Spell complete. A tightly controlled storm churned in his hand.
Perfect control—not a wisp escaped the palm.
Isia let out a short gasp. The blond watched in awe.
Leon smiled, pointing with his free hand: 'Your turn.'
"Hm."
The guy—Lee Seong-hoon—rubbed his chin, seemingly flustered. Naturally. No gap to intervene in the ritual.
That precise. His head must be spinning, clueless how to proceed.
But unlike him, the two girls were calm.
The blond lost interest in the wind quickly, urging him to 'hurry up.'
Isia started sorting documents. Leon was baffled. Before he could process, Lee spoke.
"Shoddy ritual."
"Pardon? Taunting me now?"
Unbelievable. Can't touch this intricate ritual, yet calls it shoddy? As he glared challengingly—
A fork dropped from thin air into his hand.
'Spatial magic?!'
Rare attribute. Impressive manifestation, but the action made Leon's eyes bulge.
He just stabbed the spell with a fork. That single act dispersed the whirlwind.
Without trace, as if never there, leaving his palm.
Leon's eyes popped. Unheard-of method.
No ritual interference, no holy symbols or prayers, no counter-spell.
Just poked with a fork? He checked—it was ordinary.
Leon's jaw dropped, eyes nearly bursting.
Speechless for a while, Lee twirled the fork with a grin.
"Told you. Shoddy."
Leon left.
Spouting something like 'I won't forget this humiliation!!' But who cares? His humiliation's his problem.
Not mine?
"Seong-hoon."
"Stop. Don't say it."
"Hilarious, right? Some outsider with no magic knowledge smashes it with his ability and calls it shoddy?"
"Said don't say it."
"And twirling the fork at the end? Trying to look cool? Too bad, not cool at all— Ow ow ow!! Let go!!"
Shut up. It was cool, honestly. Pinching cheeks is perfect punishment for the dishonest.
"Let go!!"
Propping my chin, pinching Raphael's cheek, Isia approached hiding her smile behind documents.
Eyes downcast, sidling over like a crab.
"What."
"Um."
She hemmed and hawed, then took a deep breath like she'd decided.
"Thank you."
Doesn't take long anymore. Growing up. I smiled at her.
"Got what you wanted?"
At my words, an exclamation mark popped over her head. She hesitated, then nodded slightly, hand over mouth.
Her flushed face peeked through.
"Yes. I really hated him. Hate when people butt in without knowing my situation."
"Huh? Seong-hoon. Doesn't that sting— Ow ow ow!!!"
Shut up. I tugged Raphael's cheek once more, then released. After, I placed my hand on Isia's head.
Simple reason.
"Wha... wha?!"
Not my fault if she topples in shock.
"Isia."
Called her, no reply. Pupils shook wildly, documents slipped and scraped the floor.
Still, I'm a man who says what needs saying.
"You owe me one, right? Then handle the club activity report. I'm busy."
"No answer? Is she dead?"
Wow. Face about to explode. Why's she like this? She must be listening.
"Please. You're the only one I trust."
For this stuff. At my words, Isia recoiled like she'd been shocked.
"M-Me, only?!"
"Yeah. Only you."
She glanced at her ring, then me, alternating, then nodded.
Good. Handed off. I stood.
"Oh. Right, Isia."
"Y-Yes? M-More to say?!"
"Yeah. Gimme 50,000 won for snacks on my way out."
Silence.
About five seconds of heavy silence, broken by Raphael.
"This guy's good intentions always backfire on him."
Shut up. I'll buy some for you too.