Chapter 116

The contemptuous nickname for the Society was ‘swine.’

They had no goals of their own, so they merely coveted the desires of others.

-They’re just mirrors, having lost their own form.

Lytol had remarked.

When Academy mages desired barrier magic to protect humanity, Society mages had already seized it.

When the madmen of the Magic Tower desired human experimentation to wield stronger magic, Society mages anticipated this desire and secured test subjects in advance.

When the fanatics of the Truth Tower, under the pretext of creating a new world, summoned calamities to a small continent and destroyed its inhabitants along with the entire landmass, Society helped compose the destruction magic.

That was the kind of organization Society was.

To other groups with concrete goals, they were merely greedy swine, devoid of beliefs or sincerity. Yet in the end, everyone sought deals with Society despite their contempt. Society always had a head start on what others desired. Their creed was essentially: “World destruction, magical perfection, dawn of a new era—blah, blah, blah. I’ll possess and accumulate everything you want, more and more. That’s what satisfies me.”

I intended to gain their favor and, if possible, convert them.

There were two key points:

First, demonstrate “power” that could overcome this chaotic era.

Second, show “magic” capable of moving even those without beliefs.

Such people existed even on Earth—patrons who devoted their final years to arts like dance, song, painting, and writing, their souls captivated. All the more so on the Star Continent, a world of true mysteries. A world where even those who cared only for profit seriously studied magic. And the spells I wielded possessed mysteries “magical” even by this world’s standards.

So, this duel was a kind of show.

Kiiiing!

The 5th Circle mage’s necklace flew up to block my fist. The “Protection Necklace,” an essential defensive magical device for mages.

Well, as expected.

[Telekinesis]

This was Hwarin’s Gift. The ascending necklace was caught by an invisible force, its trajectory disrupted.

“Te-telekinesis? N-no way. It must be just imitated through visualization magic—GACK!”

Whack!

The mage spun around and was flung away. He flew so far that he fell completely off this wide pillar. This was the result of level 5 enhancement, Ki-blood magic, a completely transformed body, and Fel’s Gift [Physical Enhancement] added on top. My punch could do this much even without activating Iron Blood.

Feels good!

[Spatial Leap!]

I leaped in front of the mage as he tried to deploy flight magic.

“Huh!”

Smack!

I struck the bewildered mage again. This time he flew to the next pillar over and crashed into it.

Ah, hitting a 5th Circle mage feels refreshing. I used to barely handle 3rd Circle Han Se-hoon and 4th Circle Kasha Boronin… now I’m thrashing a 5th Circle mage.

Oh, right.

Come to think of it, weren’t those two also from Society?

Boom!

My fist carried a bit more emotion this time.

“Guhk! Even with my Iron Skin Ring on, how could the impact be…!”

The one who took the stomach hit screamed, but looking at his face, his lip was just slightly cut.

That Iron Skin Ring must be quite effective?

Then how about this?

[Fatal Wound!]

“Spell Resistance!”

Splurt!

Fatal Wound was Kasha Boronin’s Gift. It slices through the molecular structure of visible targets.

Despite the 5th Circle mage hastily casting a protection spell, his neck was torn. The wound wasn’t deep. About two spoonfuls of blood sprayed into the air.

“It penetrated a 5th Circle spell protection?”

This seemed to be surprising enough that I could hear mages murmuring.

“Can a 3rd Circle mage’s memorized spell do that? That kind of efficiency only comes from a Gift! Same with Spatial Leap… could he really be replicating Gifts?”

Yes. This was the reaction I wanted.

“AAAAARGH! I’ll kill you!”

But the thoroughly beaten 5th Circle mage seemed more enraged than impressed.

“Bind! Suffocate! Neutralize!”

He unleashed three spells in a single breath.

“Ohhh, finally a counterattack!”

“Does that little mage have more spells to show in this situation? Is he really using replicated Gifts?”

Society mages crowded around us, coming over the pillars.

The atmosphere was more like they were watching an interesting spectacle rather than cheering for one of their own. Even the leader of the group, Mage Hedric, was like that.

Typical of Society mages, with their weak convictions and sense of belonging, replaced by strong individualism.

Anyway…

Is he really a 5th Circle mage?

His spells were quite powerful.

<Bind!>

My arms and legs were forcibly spread with a crunch! sound. It felt like a giant was pulling them.

<Suffocate!>

With a whoosh! sound, I couldn’t breathe. No matter how much I gasped like a fish, not a speck of oxygen entered.

<Neutralize!>

My mind froze with a fatigue like I hadn’t slept for days.

The mage wiped blood from his mouth and said triumphantly,

“Impudent brat… now it’s time for regret! Little wind! Remember the promise with Frantl! Whoever angers the little wind shall be torn to shreds by a thousand blades! Shall suffer terribly! Frantl’s Terrible Wind!”

What emerged from the mage’s hand was a tiny ripple like a butterfly’s wingbeat.

But the moment it left his hand, the small wind violently expanded, drawing in air from all directions.

Crack-crack-crack!

The paved road was torn up by the air being pulled in.

“Hahaha! I’ll tear out your intestines!”

Just as the mage was laughing gleefully,

Ari burst with indignation.

-Wind? You dare use wind magic in front of me?

-Let’s send it back, let’s return it to this arrogant mage!

I barely held back Ari as she tried to rush out in excitement.

Wait a moment. I’ll handle this. Just help me breathe.

Whoooosh-

My breathing returned. By then, <Frantl’s Terrible Wind> had reached right in front of me.

It was a bizarre wind.

Normally, wind rotates in a vortex, but this was… like boiling water.

Could wind, when extremely concentrated, boil up like this?

Like thousands of blades being rubbed together… could it be this ferocious?

Kiiiiiing!

The tremendous noise threatened to burst my eardrums.

If this force were used for an explosion, it could probably blow away a small hill.

Clearly 5th Circle magic.

But,

It was too predictable.

Bind them then grind them? That’s just overwhelming with raw power. It might be efficient, but it can’t be special.

This is what’s truly special.

Ahem.

I cleared my throat.

I was proud.

I didn’t know I could imitate this so quickly.

This Gift had an incredibly complex and intricate mana pattern.

Without Ari’s help, with half its body made of magical power, I wouldn’t have dared attempt it until becoming a mage.

It took Ari’s full half-day assistance to engrave this spell on the saw teeth of my third Circle.

Even then, with my current level, I could only memorize it once a month.

Ari warned that if overused, it could break my third Circle.

Nevertheless, it was a spell worth using.

[Wish]

“Keep me safe!”

That was the finishing blow.

The entire world became noisy.

“Wish?! That’s a real Gift! It can’t possibly be imitated!”

“Wasn’t that the Gift of that newcomer, Erina? She’s been the only one with it for nearly 200 years!”

The Society mages buzzed like a swarm of bees.

“Wha, wha, wha, WHAAAAAT?!?”

Lytol’s scream could be heard. Why? Did it hurt him to see me use her signature technique?

And…

The magical powers were delighted.

Gifts are, in a way, the closest thing to original miracles remaining in this era.

Seeing me use various Gifts, the magical powers seemed to feel nostalgia for the past.

According to [Wish], magic formed automatically. The spells binding me were released, and the 5th Circle mage was “summoned” before me. I looked him in the eye and smiled.

“What? What did you want to do with my intestines?”

“Wha, what? Gah! N-no! Enhanced Triple Shield!”

Suddenly summoned, the mage was initially disoriented before finally understanding the situation and deploying defensive magic with his back to me.

Boom-boom-boom!

<Frantl’s Terrible Wind> engulfed the mage. Unlike Ari, it was a simple spell without consciousness or the ability to cancel mid-cast, so the mage had no choice but to block the spell with his entire body.

Three shields glowing deep gold shattered like glass in a blender, and cuts appeared all over the mage’s body despite the protection of the <Iron Skin Ring>. Finally, even the <Iron Skin Ring> lost its light, and the mage barely survived, covered in blood.

Wow, this time I was truly impressed.

I had only requested “Keep me safe!” Yet it even summoned the opposing mage in front of me? Well, to keep me safe, it would need to neutralize the enemy too.

“Hah… a Gift that delivers the best result within limited power… this is truly cheating.”

Muttering in admiration, I placed a dagger against the throat of the mage who had barely blocked <Frantl’s Terrible Wind>.

“You’ve lost, right?”

“Kuhk! Kuuu…”

Trembling, he had no choice but to admit defeat.

“I-I’ve lost. The Mage of Whirlwind… Roden has lost…”

Magical powers disappointed in him drained away. The amount wasn’t much. After all, the magical powers hadn’t expected him to defeat me in the first place. Still, the shock was evident as Roden slumped down, unable to raise his head.

I was actually a bit disappointed.

I had only shown five Gifts so far, and the fight was already over.

But what could I do?

Sigh…

I sighed and accepted the influx of magical powers. Impressed by my use of various Gifts, they came in considerable quantity.

After gathering the surge of magical powers, I looked around.

The pillar I had moved to during the fight with Roden wasn’t very large.

I stood tall on the narrow, high pillar while Roden sat slumped.

In the empty space around the pillar, hundreds of mages floated, looking down at me. I made eye contact with each one.

Those who were displeased.

Ignore them.

Those who were interested.

Perhaps I could negotiate with them.

And,

Those whose mouths were slightly open, pupils trembling as if they’d experienced a life-changing event.

I smiled.

These were exactly the people I was looking for.

Precious talents who would become our strength in this approaching era of chaos.

“Gift replication possibility, proven!”

I bowed my head slightly, greeting everyone.

“If you wish to hear the next lecture, please visit Solas Magic School at Ganda’s Stairs anytime.”

Waaaaaah-!

Were they overwhelmed by the atmosphere?

Was it because, Society or not, they were still mages at heart?

Despite having defeated one of their mages, many of them showered me with applause.

I was happily basking in their praise when a voice broke the mood.

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!?”

It was Mage Hedric, his wrinkled face turning red as a date.