Red Sea (3)
Faculty Exhibition Match.
As one of the regular events held at the academy, it was also a spectacle that was among the top three in popularity every year.
It was an opportunity to see the skills of the faculty members with one's own eyes.
For the students within, it was a motivation, and for those outside, it was a showcase of the competence each faculty member possessed.
In short, it was a place to prove one's worth.
Especially since it was an event worthy of pride, it was a hot topic among the students.
As those who were part of Gallimard, their blood boiled.
-It looks like it's going to be fun this year too, right?
-The practical exam was definitely tough... but I endured it just thinking about watching this.
-It's a chance to see a fight on a completely different level, isn't it? You can't find an opportunity like this even if you search the entire continent!
-Certainly, just watching will surely make you realize new things.
-I wish it would start soon!
-By the way... did you all hear? Some freshman caused trouble this time?
-Everyone's been talking about that guy lately.
This year, the heat was particularly intense.
The first-year top student who declared war on the professor. Thanks to this, the interesting confrontation caught the eye.
The story was constantly on the lips of the students.
-That's the challenger.
The snake that declared war on the professor.
After the last provocation.
The academy's reaction was generally divided into two.
One side found the bold move to be pleasant, while the other side expressed displeasure, saying it was overstepping.
Due to the radical nature of the statement, it was inevitable that there would be backlash.
-It seems like he's looking down on the professor too much.
-He'll probably get what's coming to him this time.
-Still, I liked his guts. Isn't it better to go all in rather than holding back?
-If you like it so much, why don't you bet on that idiot this time?
-Of course, that's out of the question.
Predictions about the outcome were overwhelmingly skewed.
Most were betting on the snake's defeat.
Perhaps it was a natural result.
If the opponents he had clashed with so far were students, this time it was a faculty member who couldn't be considered on the same level.
It was a gathering of individuals who were considered the best on the continent.
No matter how talented a student was, it was common sense that defeating the professors who walked above the sky was impossible.
It was natural to be inferior in all aspects, including skill and experience.
-Besides, the opponent is Professor Kadel.
Kadel Evans.
A legend who reached the pinnacle of magic at the youngest age in history, and a person who resigned from his position because he was suddenly bored and became a professor.
Currently, he was a key figure among the faculty members.
-Not just any professor... how could he think of challenging that person?
-I wonder if he can even make a scratch.
-Do you think the title of professor is easy? He'll be pinned to the ground with a flick of a finger.
-So his undefeated streak is finally coming to an end... I expected it since he was picking fights everywhere.
-Let him feel the wall this time.
-I didn't like him from the beginning when he was always hanging around with a bunch of girls.
-Isn't that just because you're jealous?
Students who were envious took this as an opportunity.
As much as he had built up a splendid record over the past few months, there were also students in the academy who were jealous of the snake.
The atmosphere seemed to heat up as their voices mixed.
Of course.
It wasn't just negative opinions.
Rather, those who criticized were a minority.
Most just watched with interest.
Great talent is bound to be admired by others. There were also students who were fascinated by his activities and supported him.
The children's eyes sparkled in anticipation of an exciting match.
-At least it won't be one-sided.
-Didn't he destroy the second-year top student with just a flick of his finger last time? Of course, winning will be difficult, but isn't it possible to at least hold his own?
-He's already far beyond the level of a student.
-He's a bit of a loose cannon, but he's an interesting guy.
-I decided to support the top student this time. I bet all my allowance for this month on him.
-You crazy underdog better.
Students chattering about the topic here and there.
There was no doubt that it had captured the attention of the academy, which had been adrift since the practical exam ended.
And.
《Let the match begin!》
Amid such intense interest, the exhibition match began.
Magic clashed violently from the start.
One was a sword that sharply drew out shadows, and the other was an arrow that compressed water to its limit and fired.
A shockwave spread through the surrounding barrier along with a tremendous roar.
Kooooooong-!
A clash that far surpassed any level.
The barrier surrounding the stands swayed precariously.
The breathtaking scene was enough to make the students cheer.
The match continued in a relentless flow.
Contrary to many predictions, the match maintained a tense balance.
Every time they collided, a harsh noise rang out.
Chaaeng! Kaddeuk...!
-He's holding up pretty well?
-How is that just holding up? He's not being pushed back at all against a professor!
-They're both so fast I can't even follow them with my eyes...!
Admiration flowed from everywhere.
The students were immersed in the match.
On the stage that swallowed even the intense heat, the golden boa constrictor swung its shadow and laughed.
With the clearly flustered elephant in front of him.
***
Swaeaeaek-!
The sound of piercing through the air fiercely.
Then, an arrow rushed in.
It was a straight shot.
It was a blow that aimed for the gap when my posture was broken, but I calmly rotated my wrist without panicking.
The tip of the sword, which had been drawing a circle, soon accurately deflected the sharp point.
Kageugeuk-!
Immediately after, the arrow roughly scraped past the blade.
A heavy recoil remained on my palm.
As I shook off the numb shock, thorns poured down as if not giving me a moment to rest.
I defended by spreading the shadow over my head.
Tudududuk-!
The noise hitting the tent resembled the summer rain.
However, the water now was neither cool nor soft.
It just drew sharp lines as if to cut everything it touched.
"This is quite... bothersome."
It had been 10 minutes since the start of the match.
The match was a fierce battle.
It was a torrential rain that decorated the sky with a monstrous force, but I was calmly resolving the situation.
As I fixed the chipped sword, I casually spoke.
"Aren't you being a bit too harsh with your attacks?"
Looking up.
Through the swaying raindrops, I could see Professor Kadel.
He was floating in the air.
A platform made by thinly compressing water. By stepping on it, he could fly through the sky.
The professor was frowning as if something was bothering him.
"......This is unexpected. I didn't think I would lose 10 minutes."
"May I take that as a compliment?"
"Of course."
Even as he said that, Kadel poured down arrows.
I avoided the attacks coming from all directions and took elegant steps as if dancing.
I swung my sword through the narrowly missing lines.
Chaeeng-!
The shadows collided roughly, creating an opening.
A hole appeared in the sky where the arrows had been. I didn't miss the gap and fired a bullet made of jet-black.
The momentary surprise attack hit the opponent's forehead directly.
Paak-!
"Kuh...?!"
The professor's head snapped back.
Perhaps it was because he was off guard.
He hastily deployed a barrier for defense, but it seemed he couldn't block it perfectly due to the late timing.
A large red mark remained on the young man's forehead.
"Fufu... Doesn't that wake you up?"
I taunted him casually.
A tone that subtly scratched his insides.
The opponent reacted by furrowing his brows.
It seemed his pride was wounded.
"I wanted to break the boredom."
"Ha."
Kadel let out a hollow laugh.
He was already annoyed by the situation of struggling against a student, and now with the trivial provocation, it was understandable that he was losing his composure.
His typically overbearing personality couldn't stand being looked down upon.
Eventually, the young man who had been gathering mana exploded with energy in both hands.
"You little brat...!"
Kwaaaaa-!!
The loud roar of magic.
It seemed to be starting in earnest.
As I felt the distinctly different power, I blocked the falling magic with the back of my sword.
The precarious situation gradually began to crack.
'He's strong, indeed.'
I thought to myself.
As expected, the top professor at the academy was different.
He was the most outstanding opponent I had faced recently.
'He might be on par with Lena at this rate.'
A formidable force even when considering the entire continent.
If it were an ordinary student, they would have been knocked out in less than 3 seconds.
I even thought about recruiting him into the organization as a joke.
His overbearing personality seemed to have some basis.
The professor brushed off the shadow that flew at him, then flicked his sleeve, which was now stained black, and said.
His eyes were filled with annoyance.
"Quite... no, remarkably impressive."
"Thank you."
"Let's see if you can block this too!"
Kadel swings his hand wide.
Immediately, water rose from the arena floor, and a sharp wave rushed towards me.
I created a thin board with my shadow and stood on it.
I rode the wave as if surfing, escaping the attack.
At the same time, I muttered.
"I'll take my turn now."
Taak-!
I kicked off the board and leaped.
Closing the distance rapidly.
If it was difficult to hit the target because he was floating in the sky, then I just had to reach the same height.
I pointed my jet-black sword and shot towards the opponent.
Swaeaeaek-!
A trajectory as straight as an arrow.
The wind brushed past me.
Before I knew it, the gap between us was within five spans.
And so.
As I was about to swing my sword.
"Your trajectory is too simple."
Kadel, who had been standing still, muttered.
His fingers twitched slightly.
At the same time, a stream of water that popped out from the side struck my body.
Ppeo-eok-!
"Keoheok...?!"
The loud sound of impact and the snake flying away.
Looking down at the scene where dust was rising, the professor smiled as if it were nothing.
Mana was overflowing in his emotionally charged hand.
"There's no way I would allow such a one-dimensional attack..."
"Is that so?"
However.
That was a doppelganger created by weaving an illusion.
"Then how about this."
"......?!"
The real one was behind him.
Shaking eyes.
I had my palm on Kadel's back.
He realized he had been tricked too late and turned around, but the game was already over when he gave up the distance.
I gathered mana at my fingertips.
"Shatter."
A softly muttered word.
The magic that had filled the surroundings was reversed in the blink of an eye.
I didn't even give him a chance to resist.
The meaningless mana scattered like smoke.
The barrier that had been protecting the surroundings also lost its power, and even the platform he had been standing on in the air shattered into water.
I pushed the young man's back in that state.
"Time to go down."
"You bas...!"
Kadel fell without finishing his words.
Looking down at the receding face.
This time, I showed a bright smile.
I said goodbye casually.
"Farewell."
And.
Kwaaaaaang-!!
The professor crashed to the ground with a terrifying noise.
It wasn't just the force of gravity, but it seemed that the impact was significant because I had struck him down with a bit of 'deception'.
The young man was rolling on the ground, unable to get up easily.
"Ugh, keoheok...!"
"Fufu."
The snake landed softly.
As he adjusted the hem of his coat fluttering in the wind, his ominous slitted eyes examined the fallen professor in front of him.
The boy, whose body was unscathed, asked.
"Do you wish to continue?"
The spectators who had been watching couldn't make a sound.
The atmosphere was frozen by the shocking scene.
The students were all staring at the arena with blank expressions.
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