Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Don't Talk Shit
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"What about Raphael?"
I asked before sitting down. The room we'd been shown into didn't have so much as a glimpse of that golden blonde.
I wasn't worried or anything, but we'd come all this way because of her. If she wasn't here, I'd really lose my temper.
They didn't sit until someone answered. Finally, the Association President let out a sigh and snapped his fingers—crack.
There she was, that damn golden blonde, stuffing her cheeks full of food like a chipmunk.
"Haa."
This is driving me insane. I should give her some safety training later. Didn't they teach her anything up in the Heaven Realm? Don't follow strangers. Please.
What was she planning to do if she got lured away by food? Even elementary school kids don't fall for that these days.
"Satisfied? Sit down."
"...Yeah."
It felt all kinds of off, but I did as told. Why'd he call me here, anyway? The reason was obvious. Still, my frontal lobe was desperately trying to escape reality, throwing up all sorts of wild thoughts.
Did he see my match earlier and come to scout me?
What did Isia say about me?
Maybe it's that? Peak popularity? That escapist fantasy didn't last long.
"I told him to kill you."
"Pardon?"
"You know that rank-500 student who challenged you earlier?"
Yeah, I know him. All too well. I'll never forget that bastard.
"I put him up to it. Told him to kill you."
"?"
It was so absurd my brain couldn't keep up with the conversation. But the Association President didn't stop.
"He failed. You were stronger than expected. Yeah, looking back, it was stupid to think some rank-500 punk could take down the guy who beat my daughter."
Hold on. He tried to kill me? Why? Because I made Isia my maid? Over that? Isn't that a bit too doting-dad?
"Wait a sec. We can talk this out. Killing people doesn't solve everything."
Right. Saying he tried to kill me means it's off the table now.
"You're right. Killing someone doesn't solve everything."
See? We can resolve this with words. Maybe he overheard my chat with Lucy earlier—that miracle could still be in play?
I only said nice things. For some reason, my heart urged me to be kind. It was all for this moment. He'd say something like 'Just this once,' acknowledge me, and we'd be good?
Perfect. Time for my silver tongue to—
"But it solves almost everything. Once the other guy's dead."
"Pardon?"
Crack.
Another finger snap, and my vision went black. Darkness, fading oxygen, a blue window.
And a voice echoed.
"It's my life philosophy."
Who the hell created this doting-dad character?! I thought, but...
That was me.
Damn it.
Karma's a harsh bitch.
"Hm."
The Association President, legs crossed, checked his watch. Not even 30 seconds since Lee Seong-hoon went in.
He'd start struggling soon enough.
It was a mid-level 6th-circle spell. It trapped the target in darkness, slowly killing them.
Commonly called a torture spell. You could even talk to whoever was inside. One-way, though.
"At first, I wasn't even planning to kill you."
Talking to the guy you're about to kill is pretty funny. Still, don't they deserve to know why they're dying?
Basic courtesy to the condemned.
"Yeah. It was my daughter's choice. She made the bet, she lost. I figured she'd handle it herself."
True story. It hurt to be strict with her, but I thought it'd help her grow.
"But hearing it straight from her mouth... I just couldn't take it. Try to understand. You'll get it when you have kids. Or next life, whatever. Just please."
As if reacting to his words, crack—a fissure split the orb of darkness. The incantation was flawless. He tilted his head, reinforcing it.
Feeling mana swirl in his hand, he spoke again.
"Of course, I know you saved her. Thanks to you catching Park Shin-woo, Julia pinpointed the location and nearly crippled the Half-Demon. Grateful for that."
That's that, and this is this.
Those words were like a trigger.
Crack—!!!
The orb shook violently. Realizing it wasn't the spell's fault, the Association President's eyes widened.
He was flustered but kept his dignity—no undignified flailing. Just wide eyes from his seat.
'A 6th-circle cast spell.'
Its power was slightly reduced by Chant Cancellation, but no student could break it. Especially not against the Magic Association President.
Meaning: one of the world's only five archmages.
And this kid was breaking an archmage's spell? As if answering, another crack—!!
A split in the darkness.
Gulp.
The President swallowed. Was this even possible? No matter the magic resistance, this shouldn't happen.
This spell had killed countless Half-Demons on the special list. Never broken. Not once.
Yet—
Crack—!!!!
"Insane."
His subordinate muttered. Normally, a sharp glare would've shut him up, but not now.
"Fuc...king hell..."
Huff huff.
The man who shattered the dark orb gasped for air. Sweat-soaked black hair whipped around. Unfocused eyes looked up at him with effort.
"I didn't wanna say this... huff... but you..."
The man grinned. Like he'd won.
"Don't talk shit. Hard to listen to."
Association President. Lee Si-woo.
The revolutionary who created the first magic institution for mages outside the Mage Tower.
And now...
His eyes trembled. Staring at the black-haired man.
Normally, he'd have ripped him limb from limb the moment he heard that. But he was too shocked.
For the first time in his life, wondering if it was a dream.
Even more shocking was the man's attitude. After breaking the spell, he casually sat back in his chair.
Sweat poured down, but he was recovering. No ordinary human.
'A dragon or something?'
Dragons.
Their scales nullify magic. Nothing else explained this.
But it made sense now. Why his daughter lost. If this guy smashed his magic so easily, of course hers shattered too.
A mage without magic is a soldier without a gun. A fighter without fists.
Winning would've been the anomaly.
"Phew. Starting to feel alive again."
The man wiped his sweat. His posture turned arrogant. Arms draped over the chair, legs crossed, looking down.
'Should I kill him?'
Torture failed, but attack magic? He dismissed the thought.
He wasn't dumb enough to try magic on someone immune.
"Let's talk now, you damn doting dad."
"Watch your tone."
"Would you speak nicely to someone trying to kill you?"
Lee Si-woo didn't answer. A tsk followed.
"Whatever. Bottom line: you don't like me keeping Isia as my maid."
"Wrong. I'm worried your shitty personality will harm her—"
The words cut off. The arrogant man thrust his hand forward.
A small device in his hand. Smartphone.
The thing modern mages carried, dooming incantations.
"Oh? Mind if I tell Isia about this, then?"
"What?"
"Y'know, her dad going around killing people? Because she got in the way?"
"You provoking me?"
Nope. Lee Seong-hoon made a firm gesture.
"Self-defense. Tech's great these days—one button and it's sent. Who knows? If Isia finds out, she might cut ties with you. Oh, don't even think it. Kill me, and that button's already pressed."
What? Lee Si-woo's mind exploded with thoughts.
His daughter.
The apple of his eye. Cutting ties...?
—Don't contact me, Dad.
—I don't have a dad anymore!!
—You murderer. Ashamed to share blood with you.
Some drama scene replayed in his head. Imagining it brought tears of blood.
The daughter he'd raised like gold and jade. Cutting him off—
So of course, this came out.
"What. Do you want?"
Power-corrupted minds think alike. Money covers everything. Smooths it over.
Not always true, but Lee Seong-hoon was that type.
Crazy for cash and items.
He grinned, raising his other hand. Forming a money sign.
"Gonna need the treasury, at least~ Lives were on the line. Can't just let it slide, right??"
Does this punk think the treasury's his bedroom? Even I don't go in often—
"Hello~? Isia? Yeah. Tomorrow work? See, something happened today—"
Snatch.
Lee Si-woo snatched the smartphone, hastily ending the call. Cold sweat poured; dignity forgotten.
"Fine. I'll open it. But prove you're not a harm to my daughter—"
Cut off again. Lee Seong-hoon was silent, but the interruption was his gaze. On the smartphone.
Smartphone. 21st century's greatest invention.
Texts arrive in under a second. Meaning—
"Haha."
Lee Si-woo laughed hollowly. Lee Seong-hoon laughed along.
Three seconds of silence.
His mind raced.
Definitely his daughter's style. Adorable.
But why to this guy? What's with the cuteness?
"There's context, y'know? I can explain?"
Step.
"Don't come closer. Stop!! Wait!!"
Step.
"Stop! Please stop. Hey!? This is just normal chat, okay? Not what you're thinking! Kids talk like this these days?!"
"Guess I gotta kill all the kids these days, then."
That's too much, isn't it—?! The echoing voice was desperate.
Crack—!!
"Ow!! Why'd you hit me?!"
"From now on, you go nowhere without me. No wandering alone. You'll get killed for real."
"Huh?! Why? Jealous I ate good food alone?"
"Not that. I'll go easy on the chores, so don't run off."
Heh~ Raphael smirked irritably. Revive this?
"See? You've finally realized how precious I am. In just half a day, you felt it to your bones!!"
It's 'cause you cause trouble when I'm gone. And why does her face look so pleased?
"Whatever. Drop it."
Today alone, she nearly got me killed. Why wander off, get caught by the Association, and drag me into it?
Honestly, trapped in that spell? Thought I was dead.
If not for Dragon's Blessing, I'd have been crushed.
Even after escaping, pretending to be fine was exhausting. Nearly died explaining because of Isia's clueless text.
I almost really died, and she's casually eating.
World's unfair. Too unfair.
But not without gains. His price for the treasury: 'Prove you're no harm to Isia.' I already bet Lucy, anyway?
"Hell training starts tomorrow."
"Outta nowhere?"
"Not from me."
For some reason~ She nodded like it made sense. Ignoring her, on the way back to the dorm.
Something caught my eye.
A girl. Or close to it—kinda ambiguous age.
Like a kid lost from parents, wandering. Red hair, red eyes.
She spotted us. Made a face like she might cry.
"Seong-hoon?"
Raphael looked at me like what do we do. Do I look like the type to ditch a kid?
"What a pain."
I saw that right.