Chapter 216: Hidden Powerhouse
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 216: Hidden Powerhouse
Turk inspected the barrier protecting the inner walls of the training ground.
I’ll have to call the contractors again…
It was a relief he’d spent the extra money to use military-grade Level 5 reinforced material for the walls. Given how badly the barrier had been trashed, the impact on the inner wall must have been immense. If it hadn't been military-grade, the entire building might have collapsed.
After sending a text requesting barrier repairs, Turk looked at Frey, who sat alone in the center of the training ground, steadying her mana.
If she’s taking this much time to compose her mana, was this even a spar? It felt more like a duel to the death.
Even though Turk was close with Yeon-woo, he didn't visit every single training session. Between managing Greyhound on Frey’s behalf and his own busy mercenary work, coming once a week was a lot. And every time he took the time to observe Yeon-woo and Frey’s training, Turk couldn't hide his astonishment.
Yeon-woo didn't seem to realize it himself, but he was making staggering progress every time Turk saw him.
The half-destroyed barrier alone told the story of how fierce the spar had been. Even though many of Frey’s spells focused power into a single point, it was hard to cause this much damage unless she was directly attacking the barrier itself. It meant she had been circulating and exhausting a massive amount of mana.
"Boss, what percentage of your power were you using against him?"
At Turk’s question, Frey answered while keeping her eyes closed, still focusing on her mana.
"Ninety percent."
"Hah…"
It was a rate of growth that defied words. Although the spar had been a landslide victory for Frey, the fact that she had to pour ninety percent of her power into it was significant.
"It’s getting to the point where it’s hard to hold back anymore."
Still with her eyes closed, Frey let out a small smirk.
A 12 Zodiac-class mage. No, she wasn't just 12 Zodiac-class. She simply wasn't one of the 12 Zodiacs because she wasn't part of the Government; if Frey were an Agent, she would undoubtedly hold one of those seats. One of the world’s greatest mages had to show her full strength against a mere student.
"I knew he was a monster, but this is surprising."
"He still has a long way to go. I have to teach him more."
"…It started then, didn't it? Right after he absorbed our magic, he suddenly hit a growth spurt."
After a brief period where his growth seemed to plateau, Yeon-woo’s skills shifted drastically as he began acquiring magic much faster than before—as if he’d eaten something incredible. Before that, he was a Mana Barrier one-trick who ignored defense, took hits, and relied on counter magic for a single strike. Now, he fought skillfully, utilizing all sorts of magic to suit the situation.
Turk found it absurd that someone with such combat sense had ever tried to stick to a counter-based style using only a Mana Barrier.
"Was the Mana Barrier actually holding him back? His combat sense is incredible."
"It’s not sense."
"…It’s not?"
This was an unexpected answer for Turk, who had watched the spar from the beginning. Yeon-woo had clearly led the situation by using magic in the right places at the right times, actively applying Frey’s teachings. If that wasn't sense, what was?
Frey opened her eyes slightly and chuckled at Turk’s bewildered face.
"Do you know what I consider to be his greatest talent?"
"Given the way you’re saying it, I guess it’s not his near-supernatural ability to learn."
"He has experience… though 'experience' might not be the right word. Let’s say… he’s seen a lot?"
"Seen a lot?"
When Turk only blinked, still not understanding, Frey scratched her head as if struggling to explain.
"You know those guys. The ones who watch things made from imagination, like games or manga… and then just copy them."
"…That doesn't exactly sound like a compliment. And he doesn't even play games that much, does he?"
"I saw him playing a mobile game the other day."
"Oh, he asked me to play that with him, so I started too. But now our level gap is so huge we can't even play together."
In his past life, Yeon-woo had consumed all sorts of content, but now he was too busy keeping up with Yggdrasil classes, training under Frey, performing commissions, and managing businesses to enjoy hobbies.
"Really? Then it gets a bit vague… Anyway, he has this quality. No matter the situation, he has a method of responding already in his head. Whether that method is actually effective, whether he’s learned the necessary magic, or whether he has the physical ability to pull it off is a separate story."
"Ah… so that’s why you had him learn various spells and sparred dozens of times every training session."
Turk nodded, finally understanding what she meant by "seen a lot" even if it wasn't "experience." It happened sometimes in sports, didn't it? People who weren't actual players or professionals but had watched hundreds or thousands of matches and gained expert-level knowledge through their own observations.
If that was the case, this inefficient, spar-heavy training method made sense. He knew a lot from watching, and while he could analyze things, he couldn't actually react in the moment. She was trying to build up his experience to bridge that gap.
Now that the training method made sense, Turk began to understand Yeon-woo’s sudden spike in strength. Before, he couldn't react, so he just endured with his Mana Barrier and used counter magic. But now that he had accumulated experience, he could react, and by teaching him all sorts of magic, Frey had increased his options for every situation. It was a talent he’d had from the start, but it was only now beginning to shine.
"He really is one surprise after another. Teach him a bit more slowly, though. He’s been pestering me for a spar lately, and it’s getting awkward."
"Why? If he wants it that bad, why not give him a round?"
"And risk embarrassing myself? I might be able to hold the upper hand until the midway point, but how am I supposed to deal with that ridiculous Mana Barrier?"
That was the biggest problem in facing Yeon-woo. Even in a straight fight, he boasted considerable skill now, but his original focus was counter magic using the Mana Barrier. Even if you gained the upper hand or landed a successful attack, the counter magic just kept stacking up, so you never truly came out ahead.
Turk briefly considered how he would fight him, but no answer came to mind.
"If you don't want to be embarrassed, you should train harder."
"How can a commoner like me keep up with a hardworking genius?"
"But did you do something wrong to him? Why does he keep asking for a spar? Or is he just trying to show off now that he’s gotten stronger?"
"No, he doesn't even realize he’s strong."
"…Why?"
Yeon-woo still didn't know exactly how strong he was. And half the responsibility for that lay with Frey. As a master, she couldn't show weakness to her disciple—especially one who hadn't even been training for a year—so their spars had always ended in Frey’s overwhelming victory. As Yeon-woo’s skill improved, Frey simply revealed more of her own true strength, and now she was crushing him with nearly ninety percent of her power.
Since he was on the receiving end every time, how could he know he was strong?
However, Turk couldn't say that directly to the head of Greyhound, so he gave the other half of the reason.
"He’s never had a proper fight."
"What? He goes on commissions all the time."
"Yeah, and he only beats up monsters."
"Has he never fought a mage?"
"He has, but… they’re either few in number, or they’re either top-tier powerhouses or low-level mages."
Most of the opponents Yeon-woo had faced were at extreme ends of the spectrum. It was either Frey or the Black Branch, or otherwise extras who were treated like trash mobs in the game. Aside from the time he briefly held back Akito during the Diana Clan incident, the closest match he’d had was against Isaac, the one Yeon-woo called "Under-the-Bed."
"He takes plenty of exams at Yggdrasil."
"You were there, you know. He’s never fought properly in an exam."
Frey fell silent at Turk’s words. He’d set fires on the deserted island, and during the Exchange Meet, he’d spent the whole time being chased by everyone alone. Yeon-woo had never had a proper, straightforward fight with anyone. Looking back, his track record was absurdly empty.
After a moment of awkward silence, Frey looked at Turk.
"Then…"
"No, I’m not doing it."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
"You’re going to tell me to spar with him. I have my pride, too. If you want to test him, just bring someone in from the outside."
*
Recalling his conversation with Frey, Turk watched the battle before him.
He had believed that there would be no rival for Yeon-woo in his age group. Even if that rival was the son of the strongest mage, Daihara Yukio. And Yeon-woo did not disappoint.
"Yesssssss!!"
As Yeon-woo delivered a refreshing blow to Akito’s head with the Etiquette Infuser, Randall pumped his fist and cheered.
Though Yeon-woo occasionally showed clumsy movements, cast spells in a panic, or took hits head-on relying on his Mana Barrier, it was clear that he was dominating Akito.
"This is impossible…"
Kurumi watched the scene unfolding, looking dazed as if she couldn't believe it.
When Akito used a perfect movement to dodge an attack and take Yeon-woo’s back, Yeon-woo didn't even look back. He simply raised his hand and cast a powerful light spell over his shoulder. It was a light so intense that even the people outside the barrier had to turn their heads; Akito, who took it right in the face, must have been blinded.
As the flash faded, Akito was seen with his eyes shut, and Yeon-woo spun around, swinging the Etiquette Infuser.
Whoosh—
Even while blinded, Akito sensed the attack and dodged by arching his back.
"Kh—!"
Before Kurumi could even admire his reflexes, a stone pillar erupted from behind Akito, slamming into his back.
He predicted the dodge…? No, there were two attacks from the start.
It was a combat style based on spatial dominance. Raising the stone pillar served as an attack, but by placing it there, Yeon-woo could respond to multiple scenarios. It could be an attack, a shield, or an obstacle to Akito’s path.
How…?
Dominating space in combat wasn't easy. It required reading the flow of battle and predicting the opponent’s next move. It was a style that required immense experience and skill, usually only seen in famous masters or veterans. How could someone who used to fight so crudely…
Kurumi’s thoughts were cut short as she saw Yeon-woo, who had reversed the situation in an instant, kick Akito’s leg out from under him.
* * *
A thrust aimed at the shoulder… no, the chest.
I parried Akito’s sword, which seemed to be a downward strike before it suddenly stopped and lunged forward, and then I manifested Sunwoo’s Phantom Sword.
Akito, who had been pressing in, hurriedly retreated to avoid the Phantom Swords stabbing from all directions. As the Phantom Swords vanished, I used Turk’s Powerful One-Shot.
The name of the spell is literally "Powerful One-Shot," which is a bit embarrassing, but its power and casting speed are both incredible. It’s an original spell that Turk uses as his main weapon.
Akito desperately blocked the Powerful One-Shot flying in a straight line, but he couldn't offset all the force and was sent flying back.
What’s going on? Am I actually strong?
Akito is going down so helplessly that I’m actually getting confused. I thought I’d worked hard enough not to get beaten up everywhere I went, but… this is Akito we’re talking about.
Is Akito really this weak?
…Ah.
I get it.
This guy is throwing the fight.
Man, I was actually nervous! I wondered why he was being so stubborn about Fable. He created this whole situation to save my face and give me a justification, didn't he? What a nice guy.
Wow… even though he must have his pride as a mage, he’s losing on purpose. He’s really sacrificing himself. As expected of a protagonist!
Thanks, man. I didn't know you were such a good actor, too. You actually look like you’re struggling.
But he’s making it a bit too obvious. He could at least make it look like I’m in a bit of danger. Viewership is important, you know? People might think this is staged.
That could cause rumors, so I should play along.
"Guegh! Arghhh~!"
I pretended to fail to block an attack and took the hit. I timed it to jump backward as if I’d taken a massive impact, slammed into the barrier, and rolled across the ground. Now it looks like I’m being pushed back, right?
"Wow… Yeon-woo’s personality is really trash. He’s actually teabagging him now."
"Oho—as expected, you have to mock an idiot like that. I like it."
Was it that obvious?
Embarrassed by Park Yu-jeong and Randall’s comments, I stood up and brushed off the dust. When I looked up, Akito’s expression was frozen in a terrifyingly stiff grimace.
Uh… sorry. I didn't know my acting was that bad.
Don't be mad. I'll do better from now on.