Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Scene 018: Janggi
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Myoil stroked his cat whiskers.
The rock in front of him split apart like tofu.
Wowww
Wendy, who saw it, let out a gasp of admiration.
Her reaction was utterly adorable.
Thinking that, Myoil manipulated his mana with delicate hand movements.
The magic carved and shaped the severed rock, soon forming a janggi board.
Little miss.
Y-Yes?!
Do you know what janggi is?
Wendy shook her head.
N-No Im sorryyy
Heh heh heh. No need to apologize for that. Its something you might not know.
In a stone chamber built near the shrine.
Myoil and Wendy sat facing each other.
A freshly made janggi board was placed between them.
To put it simply, this is a game where two people compete in skill.
Skill?
Thats right.
Myoil took out white janggi pieces from his apron pocket.
Here. These stones will be your pieces.
Yes
Move them to take down all my soldiers, and you win.
These are the soldiers?
Exactly.
Myoils pieces placed on the janggi board.
Myoil placed his hand on the board.
His pieces began to change.
Wow
The white stones squished slightly and turned into soldiers clad in armor.
Some became cavalry on horseback, others archers with bows.
They all gleamed with golden light.
Myoil, how did you just do that?
Janggi uses special stones called demon-form stones. Infuse them with your mana, and they transform into soldiers matching their properties. In short, you create your own legion out of stones.
My own legion
Watching Wendy ponder deeply, Myoil smiled.
It felt just like looking at a great-granddaughterimpossibly cute.
So Myoil looked forward to the tricks this adorable girl would show.
Thats right. Now, little miss, you try it. First, place your pieces on the board.
Yesss!
Then imagine it. A sturdy legion that can protect you.
Yesss.
Good. Now slowly release your mana.
As Wendy infused her mana, the pieces transformed.
The janggi pieces became a heavily armored knight cavalry unit.
The spearmen knights roared.
They were all clad in jet-black armor.
The Black Knights.
Myoils eyebrows shot up.
Hoo this is
I did it! Myoils are gold, but mine are blackkk.
I see unmistakably black
Wendy beamed sunnily at her Black Knights, oblivious to Myoils low mutter.
Mana carries the users unique properties.
Like fingerprints, no two are exactly alike.
But color is different.
A special privilege only certain people can have, tied to mana attributes.
Naturally, Myoil had expected white pieces
Not tricks, but talent after all
But this talent was extremely dangerous.
It had to be watched closely.
The Ruelverta bloodline that pierced his true identity.
Even his attendant was no ordinary person.
After a moments thought, Myoil composed his expression.
Then, in his usual nonchalant tone, he said to Wendy,
Well done. How about a game right now?
Y-Yes? But Myoil, I dont know the rules wellll
No problem. This game practically has no rules.
Myoils legion formed ranks.
The way to win is simple. Use your legion to take down all the opponents or
At the vanguard of the golden legion stood a commander in opulent armor, obvious at a glance.
Or take down the opponents commander first.
I seeee
But
Myoil tilted his head and asked about something that had been bothering him.
Why is your commander so fat?
Huh?
When Wendy looked at her army, sure enough, a plump black knight stood proudly at the front, just as Myoil said.
It was quite some time later when they emerged from the annex.
Repeatedly using Greed and Patience had left my mind utterly exhausted.
Wendy and Myoil, who had been playing janggi, jumped up when they saw me come out.
Did you find the book you wanted?
I nodded.
The materials were well-organized. Myoil, its thanks to your good management.
Heh heh. No, the ancient magic annex is a place people rarely visit, so I just left it be.
....
!.
...
U
O
99
I took the pocket watch from my breast pocket and checked the time.
The exam time Mondri mentioned was soon.
Times up.
Time, you say?
Instead of Myoil, Wendy answered.
Yesss Later, they said I have to take the entrance exam, but I dont know what to dooo
The little miss is taking the entrance exam? Here at Meikahel University?
Yesss And its not just any exam, its the special admissions exammm Eeee.
Wendy made a tearful face.
But Myoils expression was subtle.
So thats how it is
Myoil?
Heh heh Its nothing. I was just worried hearing the little miss has an exam.
How can you be so kinddd. Myooiiil
Wendy hugged Myoil tightly.
Myoil patted her head with his cat paw.
Was it a grandfather patting his granddaughter, or a girl hugging a cat? Hard to say.
Anyway, the two had grown quite close while I was away.
Hm? Count
Then, Wendy looked at me and asked.
What?
Have you lost a bit of weight?
Maybe from repeatedly using the traits.
Its just fatigue.
Heh heh. The Count looks tired too, so how about we go all at once instead of walking this time?
Fine by me.
Understood. Hup!
Myoil did a somersault in the air.
But this time, unlike before, he spun twice in midair.
My vision flipped twice.
The scenery before our eyes changed as if wed teleported.
Myoil where is this?
Heh heh. If the little miss is taking the entrance exam, where else but here?
A circular arena that looked like Romes Colosseum transplanted.
Just as described in the original work.
This was the underground circular arena at Meikahel University.
We stood in the center.
Hm?
I saw someone over there.
A familiar figure striding toward us in surprise after spotting us.
It was Mondri.
Count? How did you know to come here?
I brought them.
Elder?!
Mondri was greatly flustered upon seeing Myoil.
With good reason.
No, werent you in the Forest of Truth the whole time? How did you get here?
Heh heh. Reading books made me restless. The library owner came by, so I thought Id drop in and see your face while I was at it.
You couldve at least said you were coming
Indeed, worthy of the Hidden Master trait.
Myoil wasnt one to seek the spotlight.
He found most things bothersome and disliked worldly affairs.
Even University President Mondri had to speak respectfully, unable to treat him casually.
Of course, I knew the reason, but I quietly watched.
So, preparing for the exam now?
Yes.
Hmm Youve prepared quite a variety. They scout kids with stuff like that these days?
Myoil pointed to the magic tools used for exams.
Each one looked worth at least 100 million kael, top-grade items.
Yes. Since its special admissions, they need skills everyone can accept.
Pointless.
Pardon? Pointless?
Myoil took off his apron.
Who are the examiners for todays test?
It was a sudden exam, so I only contacted Hans and Beatrice. You wouldnt know, elder, but Hans is the admissions director and
Step aside.
Pardon?
Mondri had no choice but to be flustered now.
Th-Then what do we do about the exam?
Ill be the examiner.
My-My-Myoil Elder himself?!
Thats right.
The university president fawning over an old catwhat a bizarre sight.
Even if you say so, elder it puts me, the president, in a tough spot.
Your positions no concern of mine.
Elder!
Hey now, Mondri. How long will you be stubborn? Dont you trust your great teacher?
No, thats a secret!
Mondri glanced our way as he spoke.
A-Ah, understood! Ill do as you say, so please stop.
Heh heh heh. Good. Thats my prized disciple.
Ha
Mondri covered his face with a look that said all was lost.
His presidential dignity must have hit rock bottom.
Myoil, unconcerned, continued.
I hate dragging things out. Better to decide it all at once, hot and fast.
You mean the classic method?
When Mondri asked like hed been defeated, Myoil nodded.
Thats right. Its a special exam at the Counts request, isnt it? Gotta have some penalty for fairness.
Myoil looked at me and asked.
The Count has no complaints, I assume?
I nodded in affirmation.
Allowing the exam is more than enough. Myoil, or should I say Myohail Cremont?
The old cat smiled at my words.
He was the first head of the Cremont family, the very first to earn the Sage title.
And the true president of Meikahel University.