Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 26 (Part 1)

A sudden duel between the 3rd and 4th year trainees.

It was quite an interesting event, but the 1st and 2nd year trainees remained calm. They all just looked at number 155 with a look of disbelief.

In contrast, the atmosphere among the 4th year trainees was heated. They shouted loudly, cheering for their comrade’s victory.

“Do you think he can win?”

“Can he?”

“What confidence does he have to fight number 108?”

“He must have something to rely on, right?”

One year and five months ago, number 108 participated in a magical duel for the first time. It was the first day, but number 108 achieved victory.

Since then, for about a month, number 108 had overwhelmed his opponents without getting hit even once.

Eventually, the 1st and 2nd year trainees started avoiding duels with number 108, admitting they couldn’t win.

However, number 108 also had the right to challenge others to duels.

Each time the senior trainees chosen by number 108 faced him, they fought with a look of doom and were inevitably crushed. Even when he dueled four opponents in succession alone, number 108 overwhelmingly won.

A few days later, Instructor Serion personally issued a ‘duel ban’ on number 108. The words he said to the 1st and 2nd year trainees at that time still lingered vividly in their minds.

“I’ve thought about it a lot, but I think you guys can’t beat number 108 even if you train for your whole lives.”

To Instructor Serion, who had experienced quite a few battles, there was an insurmountable wall between number 108 and the senior trainees.

The casting speed was overwhelming. Number 108 completed spells in one minute that took the seniors two minutes. No matter how solid their defense, it couldn’t withstand the sheer volume of attacks.

Moreover, his magical efficiency was exceptional. Even after dueling four opponents in a row, he had some mana left. This was when everyone was still at the 1st circle.

“Is what he’s relying on really something reliable?”

“But I am curious. It’s been over a year since we last fought number 108.”

“Yeah. How has he changed in that time?”

“Maybe he’s lost his edge from lack of real combat experience?”

“Is that something to say after losing against him?”

The 1st and 2nd year trainees were already convinced of number 108’s victory.

While they didn’t completely wish for number 108, who was once their fear, to lose, they couldn’t picture a scenario where number 108 would be defeated.

“Wear your armor.”

“Yes.”

For duels, they wore special gray armor. It blocked some magical effects but transmitted physical impacts directly to the body.

Number 155, wearing the armor, stood on one side of the training ground, receiving fervent support from the 4th year trainees. Rodin glanced at number 155 and slowly moved to the opposite side.

“Both sides ready!”

Instructor Serion took out a red flag from his chest. The duel would start the moment this flag touched the ground.

“We’re ready, Instructor.”

“We’re ready.”

Instructor Serion threw the flag upward. The flag, which seemed to pause in midair, quickly fell to the ground.

Thud!

As soon as the flag touched the ground, number 155 stared forward. Number 108 was already running around the training ground.

Running around the training ground indicated he intended to use moving casting. It also forced the opponent to calculate precise coordinates.

“Hmph. Hazrina Losha Hamer…”

As soon as the flag fell, number 155 began chanting in rune language. He continuously calculated the spell in his head and simultaneously visualized the result of the magic.

Fire Spear.

A 2nd circle fire attribute spell, which covered a wider range and flew forward compared to the 1st circle Fire Arrow. Its wide range had the advantage of hitting the target even if the accuracy was a bit off.

Thud!

A dull sound came from his abdomen. At the same time, a pain that felt like his abdomen was being hit overwhelmed his mind.

“Argh!”

He hadn’t even completed half of his spell, but he had already been attacked.

‘This makes no sense.’

He had heard that number 108 cast spells quickly. He expected him to be just a little faster.

But the gap was bigger than expected. The spell came at him not long after he started chanting the rune language.

Thud!

Had he held his abdomen too long? Another spell struck. This time, it hit the same spot as before.

“There it is.”

“Hitting the same spot again.”

“Number 108, that brutal guy.”

“Ah! Trauma. I think I’ll see number 108 in my dreams again. Damn it.”

The 1st and 2nd year trainees had already experienced what number 155 was going through.

Getting hit in the same spot again and again. And then it ended with them throwing up. That was how they were a year and a few months ago.

Thud!

Another spell hit his abdomen. When he covered his abdomen with his hands, the spell squeezed through the small gaps between his fingers.

Thud!

Another hit. Everyone watching the writhing number 155 flinched.

Rodin was a 3rd circle mage but was publicly known as a 2nd circle mage. So he fought like a 2nd circle mage.

He faithfully chanted rune language and calculated the formulas. He didn’t use 3rd circle magic, of course.

Thud!

Another hit. Number 155 hastily raised his hand.

“T-This is a foul… Cough! It’s unfair!”

Hearing the word ‘foul’, Rodin stopped running. His face was expressionless.

“What do you mean, foul?”

“I-I learned moving casting for the first time today. We should fight under equal conditions.”

“Hah, really.”

“I’m fine with that.”

Instructor Serion found number 155’s childish behavior absurd. He wanted to ask him if he came here to fool around.

But since number 108 on the opposite side said it was fine, he stepped back. It seemed number 108 intended to properly educate number 155 today.

‘It might be good for him to experience this once.’

“Fine. Go back to your place. Number 108, cast your spells from your position.”

“I will.”

Soon, the magic duel resumed. And number 155 got beaten up even more severely.

Hyung_Otaku2

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