Chapter 20.1

Chapter 20: Duel (3)

"...Does this make any sense?"

Kyle couldn't hide the emotion in his voice, which was five parts filled with fear and five parts jealousy towards Jung Ji-hoo's monstrous talent.

Even he felt awed by the scene to the point where he doubted whether the scene before him was even real.

Strong winds of magical power swirled around Jihoo- with him being at the eye of the storm.

About a third of the gymnasium was eroded by the tornado's ferocity so far.

'I didn't learn anything about this when I was gathering information on that bastard!'

This was the effect of the light blue [Heaven] Attribute magic.

Unbeknownst to Kyle, the attribute itself has the characteristic of looking down on all things.

Everyone except Jeong Ji-hoo, the owner of the attribute, felt goosebumps on their skin and an unnatural intimidation at the sight.

It was truly a huge and irresistible storm.

Having to deal with it, Kyle felt as if he was facing a natural disaster for an enemy.

'...Let's stay calm.'

And Jihoo, at the eye of the storm, did not move from the centre of the raging mana and just waited for Kyle's reaction.

His aloof attitude made Kyle want to give up the duel immediately, but he could not do so.

'His Highness has already lost enough face because of this duel. If I were to lose to a freshman by forfeiting... I will be completely cut off from His Highness's faction.'

He could not give up his hold on the 1st prince's line sleeve.

What would the reaction of his family be should they learn of how badly he fucked up?

He could feel his back and armpits become damp with a cold sweat at the thought.

And so, Kyle started to think rationally.

'Most of the kids in the same grade as me can't keep up with this level of magic attribute output. In other words, this must be that bastard's final trump card! That bastard must be thinking of somehow ending this duel quickly!'

At the age of an academy freshman, if one were to succeed in incorporating their attribute into just a fist-sized amount of their magic, they would be called an honour student.

Kyle had to admit it—

His opponent was a monster.

Kyle changed the first impression image stuck in his head of Jihoo from a kid who didn't even know anything about the world to someone who shouldn't be messed with.

It had been careless of him to have argued with and belittled a guy like that.

At the same time though, Kyle had a thought.

'I still have a chance.'

His [Stone] Attribute was an attribute specialized for drawn-out warfare.

He gave up his offence and focused all of his elemental magic on his physical enhancements and defences.

He would endure until the end.

Until Jung Ji-hoo consumed all of his mana and was exhausted and left defenceless.

As long as he maintained such a ludicrous output of mana, that time would not be so far off.

***

My 'eyes' watch Kyle trying to come up with a plan without missing a beat.

'He is funny.'

I can tell what that senior of mine is planning.

It is so easy to read his every move.

Obviously, he thinks I'm overdoing it, so he'll try to hold on until I'm finally exhausted and out of mana.

Well, half of his thoughts are correct.

Magical Tornado is a skill that I have just learned.

So, with this being the first time I am using this skill, the mana output efficiency is not perfect, but the storm has been able to incorporate some of my attributes.

It is true that I feel drained from using this.

However, I am confident that I can stay in this exact state for at least an hour more.

From the moment I brought out this technique, Kyle had no chance of winning.

In the first place, the basis of his guess is wrong.

I'll shatter that illusion of his—

The illusion that he can withstand my attacks.

Attribute-reinforced mana moves in response to my will.

The sense of controlling this mana and embodying my will into the very world itself is very profound.

Humans on Earth without this mana are truly weak.

Can a boxer who has trained to punch hard all his life break a stone wall?

I can knock down a brick house like this.

I think I will become addicted to this feeling.

It is as if the world would change based on what I desire and my existence has evolved a step beyond my former human self.

With my gesture, the light blue wind rushes towards Kyle as a raging torrent.

Kyle bends his legs and crouches into a stable stance.

And then—

"Aaaaa!!!"

Letting out a painful scream, his posture collapses within just 5 seconds.

***

'Hey, what is this?! Why are my attributes...!'

Originally, Kyle, who had raised his mana resistance on the surface of his skin to the limit, planned to compete against the magical output of Jeong Ji-Hoo's.

However, his attribute lost its power as soon as it came into contact with the sky-blue mana, and his opponent's magical waves ravaged his helpless body.

It felt like his skin was being boiled.

'Is this how it feels when you enter a solution of strong acid?'

"Ouch! Fuck!"

When it appeared as though Kyle was about to melt away as he struggled within the torrent of sky-blue magic, Jung Ji-hoo suddenly recalled his mana.

Part of the mana returned to him and part of it was just… extinguished.

It was clearly an act of self-sabotage, but Kyle recognized his intentions from the unchanging facial expression of his opponent.

'That bastard is playing with me...'

Just like that, he would have been able to finish Kyle off and win, but he let him go.

Kyle recognised his defeat instantly.

He did not know what the principle behind the raging waves that attacked him earlier was, but he understood that his defence was completely useless in front of them.

The difference between superior and inferior attributes and skill became very clear in his mind.

Now that this had happened, he would need to decide how to go about losing.

As much as he possibly could, he needed to take the direction of the battle in such a way that His Highness, the 1st Prince, would lose the least face.

It would be far better for him to fight to the bitter end and then pass out rather than to declare a miserable forfeit.

He rushed towards the centre of the tornado, with a fierce and praiseworthy determination.

***

"Are you just stupid or actually smart?"

I murmur, appreciating the way Kyle ran into it my magical power.

He came ever closer to me desperately, destroying his body by himself.

Well, this should be enough of a lesson.

I am also quite satisfied with this result.

Many academy students watching the duel should realise it by now—

The lesson is that they should not touch me carelessly.

Kyle, thankfully, set a great example for them.

I roughly kick Kyle, who is now in front of me with only a broken nose, in the stomach with a roundhouse kick.

His body flies far away and crashes into the wall of the gymnasium.

"This duel is Jung Ji-Hoo's victory!!"

"Kyaaaaa! Jeong Jihoo, you're so cool!!"

With the referee's declaration, the cheers of Jihye, and the applause of the crowd around me, I leave the gymnasium.

***

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