A Veteran Teaches Very Well

part 23

* * *

The duel had begun.

The loud cheers of the crowd pierced Seo Da-yoon’s ears.

“Beat that b*stard!”

“Sort out the hierarchy properly!”

“If you lose to those fools from the Research Department, I won’t forgive you!”

Seo Da-yoon recalled the conversation she had with the professor.

Among the two, it was Han Dae-dong who was in a hurry.

If he could calmly deflect all the attacks, that person would inevitably become anxious.

So, she had been told to counter the incoming attacks.

‘If it’s not too much, it could be a combination of Wind Cutter and Haste, and there might be a shield… if not…’

Han Dae-dong raised his arm and shouted the incantation.

The mana of the wind concentrated above his hand.

“Wind Cutter!”

─Student Han Dae-dong! He is deploying wind magic with his left hand! That is Wind Cutter!

The start was as expected.

He knows that the only attack magic he has is Wind Cutter.

So then, here… huh?

Han Dae-dong did not launch an immediate attack.

What is he doing?

A possibility flickered through Seo Da-yoon’s mind.

The professor’s words.

Although the chances are slim, one must prepare for the worst-case scenario.

“Da-yoon, there’s a secret technique you should know, even if the chances of it being needed are low.”

“A secret technique? If you have something like that, can’t you teach me?”

“Well, it depends on how you use it. Have you ever heard of composite magic?”

“No!”

“…I figured as much.”

That was precisely the unlikely scenario.

Han Dae-dong raised his other hand, and this time, the mana of fire began to gather.

At the same moment, the commentator shouted.

─Ah! Is that a Fireball? Han Dae-dong! He’s using two spells simultaneously! What does that mean?

Han Dae-dong grinned.

Yes, cheer louder.

There was no need for many movements against a mere freshman.

Just one strike.

That would be enough.

“Composite!”

As Han Dae-dong activated the composite magic, he merged the orbs of mana that floated in both hands into one.

Then, the two spells intertwined, creating a massive storm of flames.

The fire attribute, the most destructive of the four major elements.

The wind attribute, the fastest of the four major elements.

This was undoubtedly the strongest magic that could be produced with beginner-level spells.

Cheers erupted from the audience.

“Wow, what is that?”

“Insane…! It’s composite magic, right?”

“Indeed, upperclassmen are on a different level….”

On the other hand, the magic department had a different opinion.

“Han Dae-dong, are you using synthesis magic right now?”

“That’s damn difficult, but I see there are idiots who learned something useless in practice.”

“He’s from the Department of Magical Studies. Understandable.”

“Still, it’s the best he can do with basic magic. That freshman is finished.”

Seo Da-yoon felt a sticky sensation in both hands.

Sweat was dripping from her palms.

‘Stay calm. Just like the professor taught me.’

It was a strike that couldn’t be avoided or blocked with conventional methods.

Then, let’s use something special!

“Shield!”

As Seo Da-yoon ran forward, she deployed the shield.

A transparent barrier appeared in front of her.

The commentator spoke as if puzzled.

─Seo Da-yoon! That’s not a good response! The shield will break in no time!

The audience murmured in agreement.

“Shield? Is she crazy?”

“She can’t block it with that. It’s over.”

As the shield made contact with Han Dae-dong’s magic, it cracked with a loud sound.

It was a precarious situation, as if it could end at any moment.

No, not yet.

If I can’t block it with the shield, I’ll layer it.

“Shield!”

Seo Da-yoon deployed the shield once more.

Another shield formed behind the one that was about to break.

Han Dae-dong looked surprised.

“Are you playing it safe? That won’t work.”

“I can do it!”

Seo Da-yoon prepared a new spell.

Already the third time.

But there’s no way she has the capacity to turn this situation around. Is she just trying to make a last-ditch effort?

The commentary shared the same sentiment.

─Seoda-yun! She draws the third card! What magic has she prepared this time?

The audience buzzed.

“It’s over, no matter what she does.”

“They can’t block that.”

In one corner of the stands, where the professors of the Magic Tower gathered, the consensus was the same.

“Han Dae-dong isn’t someone to be taken lightly.”

“Who would have thought she was preparing a composite spell? Professor Cha, did you know?”

“I thought it was a possibility, but I never expected it to actually happen.”

Even Cha Eun-woo clicked his tongue in disbelief.

Seeing that, the professors instinctively foresaw the end.

“It’s over.”

“It’s finished.”

Professor Park clenched his fist tightly and asked,

“Professor Cha, what spells has she prepared?”

“She’s confident in Magic Missile, Shield, and Haste, but the rest is uncertain.”

“What about elemental magic?”

“She can use it, but her confidence is a bit shaky.”

What would Professor Park have done?

The only magic that could stand a chance was water-element magic.

Water could gain the upper hand against fire, and it had no elemental relationship with wind.

But even elemental advantages meant nothing if the power levels were not comparable.

In the face of overwhelming strength, elemental advantages held no significance.

To surpass composite magic, at the very least, her proficiency in water-element magic had to reach its limit.

“It’s going to be tough from here on out.”

As Professor Park viewed the situation pessimistically, all the professors sighed in unison.

Yet, Cha Eun-woo’s eyes were not filled with resignation.

“There’s one thing I taught her separately.”

“You taught her? What was it?”

Cha Eun-woo silently gazed at the arena.

Everyone realized at that moment that what Seo Da-yoon was preparing was that.

“Uh?”

“What is that…?”

A familiar magic.

That was definitely the same magic they had encountered earlier.

Han Dae-dong’s pupils widened.

“You, you? How did you use that magic…!”

Two shields were ready.

And it was the product of the efforts made by Seo Da-yoon and Cha Eun-woo, learned from their professor.

It wasn’t something a mere beginner could create after just a few days of effort.

But because it was Seo Da-yoon, who possessed the world’s greatest talent.

Because it was Cha Eun-woo, who had the talent to understand the world, with the teachings of Sethhet.

A miracle created because those two poured all their efforts into it.

“Composite.”

The same magic that Han Dae-dong had used unfolded from Seo Da-yoon’s hands.

In that moment, Seo Da-yoon was a magician equal to or even greater than Han Dae-dong.

─That is—! It’s composite magic! The same magic as Han Dae-dong’s!

As the commentary shouted loudly, a commotion erupted in the audience that matched it.

“What is that!”

“No way! How can a freshman do that!”

Even the professors had never seen anything like this before.

A freshman, just stepping into the world of magic, performing composite magic.

“What on earth is that…?”

“Professor Cha, what kind of magic is that?”

Cha Eun-woo did not answer.

There was no need to answer.

Everyone already knew the answer.

“Is that kid… a genius?”

“Haha… I’m starting to feel ridiculous. How can this be?”

“I bet you, that kid will retire us all soon.”

Even Professor Park, who has seen more talent than anyone else, was taken aback for the first time.

A gem of talent so dazzling.

It was blinding to the point of envy.

But it was such a radiant gem that I didn’t dare to touch it.

Only the chosen ones can shape a gem of that caliber.

That one person must be the one standing before Professor Park.

The man who recognized the gem before anyone else.

The colossal shield managed to withstand the storm of flames.

It was something that simply shouldn’t be possible.

How, how… could a freshman…….

“Haah!”

Yes. Not yet, not yet.

I clung to my sanity, which felt like it was about to fly away.

The audience was ecstatic as if it were the end, but the match had merely returned to square one.

Now, each of us had one magic left.

Han Dae-dong’s remaining magic was the shield.

I could see the genius in him.

It was astonishing that he had mastered synthesis magic in such a short time.

That kid, by next year, no, in a few months, perhaps even tomorrow, would possess the talent to surpass me.

But for now.

I am still above.

To break the shield, I had to use a fireball.

But Seo Da-yoon doesn’t have a fireball, does she?

Could she have had the time to learn synthesis magic and a fireball? Probably not.

─Seo Da-yoon is rushing towards Han Dae-dong! The fourth magic she has prepared is—Magic Missile!

That’s right.

If I had just one more day, that brief moment, I might have lost.

But for you right now, the best option is that Magic Missile.

You, who don’t know how to use a fireball—!

“It’s okay even without a fireball!”

The two of them simultaneously cast the final spell.

A barrier of blue mana enveloping Han Dae-dong.

And a mass of mana erupting from Seo Da-yoon’s hand.

Han Dae-dong felt a surge of confidence in his victory.

But at the same time, an unsettling feeling crept in.

Why was that? Something, something…

It was too close.

‘Now that I think about it, I had used a shield and rushed in right away.’

Why?

Seo Da-yoon recalled.

The last story the professor had told her.

‘Professor, in the end, I won’t be able to win, will I?’

‘Why do you think that?’

‘Isn’t it obvious? With the magic I’ve prepared, I can exhaust each other’s spells, but I won’t be able to land a decisive blow. Then wouldn’t the one with the faster casting speed win…?’

‘Do you think it’s impossible to break the shield with a magic missile?’

‘Of course… Wait, Professor, if you’re saying that…’

Yes. There is a way.

A way to break the shield with a magic missile.

But the professor didn’t want to share this method.

Even as he spoke, his voice trembled in a way that wasn’t like him.

“Haah!”

Seo Da-yoon fired a magic missile right in front of Han Dae-dong.

‘Magic manifests through mana. In other words, its nature diverges from the material realm.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means it can’t be explained by the laws of classical physics. For instance, the properties of magic can’t be described by the laws of energy.’

‘Just get to the point.’

‘Magic has no friction or acceleration. Mana simply exists as independent mana. And when exposed to the material realm, it has a tendency to dissipate little by little.’

‘I said to get to the point!’

‘…The shorter the duration of the spell, the stronger it becomes. The magic is at its strongest the moment it is created.’

With this, I can do it.

The purest mana struck the shield.

“Ugh!”

Han Dae-dong was astonished.

A magic missile, and a freshman’s at that, was this powerful?

It couldn’t be.

The shield began to crack little by little, and the gathered mana started to disperse.

“Ugh!”

At the same moment, Seo Da-yoon let out a groan.

‘So if a wizard fights like a warrior, wouldn’t they be the strongest?’

‘But the backlash is significant. Being directly exposed to high-purity mana is akin to being attacked by one’s own magic.’

It hurt.

It hurt so much.

Seo Da-yoon wanted to scream.

She wanted to run away right then and there.

She wanted to dispel the magic and find relief.

But, but…

“If it’s a battle of stamina… I can win!”

Clang-!

A clear sound rang out, like shattering glass.

Han Dae-dong’s shield broke.

“That’s impossible…”

Boom-!

A massive explosion engulfed Han Dae-dong.

The overwhelming mana that shattered the shield struck him directly. Han Dae-dong lost consciousness on the spot.

The announcer, witnessing the scene, declared:

─Student Han Dae-dong has lost consciousness! Therefore, this duel is a victory for student Seo Da-yoon!

A tremendous cheer erupted from the coliseum.

Joyful underclassmen, and upperclassmen and professors who watched the freshman’s talent and determination with delight.

It was a duel that anyone had to acknowledge Seo Da-yoon.

Though it was Han Dae-dong who fell, Seo Da-yoon was equally battered.

My body sways.

The strength in my legs has easily given way.

Just as I was about to collapse, someone caught me.

Seo Da-yoon called out for the person she wished was by her side.

“Professor….”

“You did well. My proud student, take a moment to rest.”

“Yes….”

The duel was over.

Everyone united in blessing the newly emerged genius’s path.

A hero who would save Korea, who would save humanity.

* * *

After the duel, various things happened.

First, Han Dae-dong and his friends apologized to Seo Da-yoon.

In Florian, the most important thing is skill.

Seo Da-yoon proved her worth through this duel.

The news spread among all the students at the academy.

Most notably, the perception of Seo Da-yoon changed rapidly among the combat magic students and the freshmen.

─Did you hear that Seo Da-yoon won against a third-year senior in a duel?

─She’s stronger in practice than she looks.

─I see her in a new light. Impressive.

Seo Da-yoon is strong.

That recognition was etched in everyone’s minds.

However, not everyone viewed Seo Da-yoon favorably.

Prominently, the top freshman in combat magic, Song Seok-hwan, felt otherwise.