Chapter 1240. Blue Guild’s Youth Center (9)

Ha-Yan noticed the accumulated energy within my spell, and she cast a spell as well. She had already talked about some cursed mana or whatever, so the shifts in the surrounding mana felt anything but ordinary.

‘It’s really amazing.’

It wasn’t exactly surprising, as it was from Jung Ha-Yan, but I still felt amazed by the situation that defied all common sense.

Unlike most mages, who would spend months, years, or even decades creating a single spell, she was capable of creating spells as if she were composing music on a whim. She could craft intricate spells in the proverbial blink of an eye.

When compared to Jung Ha-Yan’s original spells, this one was obviously less efficient. Put simply, it was just a flashy spell, and yet, countless mages couldn’t even manage to do something like this even after pouring years of their lives into trying to do so.

It was no wonder the old men of the Magic Tower worshipped her like a goddess. She was capable of creating something tangible from nothing; she could assign essence and imbue properties on spells.

While spellcasting itself was certainly influenced by natural talent, the act of creating—manifesting something from nothing—belonged to an entirely different dimension of skill.

And then, finally...

“Flames of the Black Ember Dragon.”

The moment those words left my mouth, massive flames erupted without mercy. Its base color was black, and streaks of violet shimmered within it.

It looked like it came straight out of hell. Strangely, the dragon’s flame didn’t feel hot, but it corroded everything in its path.

As its name suggested, it was a flame that would never be extinguished. I was worried the name was a bit too dramatic, but when I saw it devour everything, I knew it was perfectly apropos.

“What.. the hell... is that?”

“That ominous fire...”

“I’ve never heard of magic... like that... Is it his original spell? Or... is it simply... the power of his cursed magic?”

“He’s still a student... and he already has an original spell? Is he... a monster?”

‘Who taught you to speak like that?’

Even the trio seemed amazed. From the looks on their faces, they seemed proud that they had contributed to the creation of that spell.

“This is... the Flames of the Black Ember Dragon...”

"Such overwhelming power. And as expected, your mana is...”

“Ominous.”

“That’s right, it’s ominous... but strangely... it feels warm.”

‘What about it is warm? It looks like fire, but it’s not hot at all.’

I wasn’t wrong. The flame, as though it possessed a will of its own, engulfed the allied mages, almost as if it didn’t want to harm them.

It could easily be considered a summoning-type spell, one capable of both attack and defense. And sure enough, a small gesture of my hand caused the flames to shift and move along with me.

‘Considering it was improvised, it’s actually more effective than I thought.’

“...”

“...”

‘I wonder how long it'll last.’

I could probably keep it manifested as long as I still had the mana to do so. Obviously, it wasn’t a spell for average mages. It clearly consumed an immense amount of mana, but for some reason, it didn't seem to be particularly destructive.

‘It's pretty cool, though. But, that’s all there is to it...’

Felis' face turned pale upon seeing my Flames of the Black Ember Dragon.

“Will you surrender?” I asked.

He was probably feeling the difference, and honestly, everyone here knew that as well.

“Let me ask you again. Will you surrender?” I repeated.

“D-Don’t be ridiculous!” Felis shouted.

Felis Hanest couldn’t surrender. There were so many eyes on him, and the pride of the Democratic Country and the Hanest Family were on the line. I could see the immense pressure being reflected in his eyes.

He knew he wasn’t going to die, so he decided to act boldly out of recklessness, but unfortunately, he was struggling to even cast his spell.

“I’ll wait,” I said.

“Wh-What?!” Felis yelled.

“I’m saying I’ll give you idiots time to cast your spells,” I clarified.

“Don’t give in! Hanest!”

“Teach that idiot from the Republic a lesson!”

Cheers erupted everywhere, which was natural because right now, I was playing the role of a villain. Feeling energized by the support from the Democratic Country’s students, Felis Hanest nodded and said, “I’m going to use

that

.”

“What? But that spell is incomplete—”

“If he could cast an original spell, I could do it as well,” he said.

“Okay, Hanest.”

Finally, Felis Hanest’s original spell, born from their joint effort, started taking shape. Whether it was incomplete or not was unclear, but an original spell from someone

that

young was nothing more than just a childish stunt.

While his attempt to create a spell was admirable, it was far too weak to call it an original spell.

Felis, who was about to manifest his spell, shouted, “

AAAAH!!!

Griffon... of Sunset!”

“...”

“...”

‘So you’re a fan of Hyun-Sung...’

What emerged from the manifested mana was a griffon shining with the colors of the sunset. The students nodded, clearly thinking that the result wasn’t too bad.

“I can’t believe that he actually did it...”

“As expected from Felis Hanest.”

“No... the spell is incomplete. Felis Hanest’s original spell, Griffon of Sunset, is supposed to have two griffons. It looks like he was unable to manifest Father Lee Ki-Young’s griffon. I think one is still his limit, but that alone... is threatening enough. He can definitely handle that ominous flame.”

If that griffon were truly made from Kim Hyun-Sung’s sunset light, it'd truly be threatening, but sadly, it was just an imitation. Its color was the only thing he managed to mimic, but it made sense. Mimicking Kim Hyun-Sung’s Sword of Sunset wasn’t something anyone could pull off, after all.

“

Haa... haa...

Are you... satisfied now?” Felis asked.

“

Hmph.

Pathetic,” I commented.

The griffon let out a cry and charged at me.

With its wings spread wide, it looked pretty cool, but...

“What the...”

“Wh-What...”

Obviously, it wasn’t a match for the Flames of the Black Ember Dragon. Engulfed in the flames, the sunset-colored griffon cried out and struggled in agony.

“N-No,” Felis stammered.

The griffon, the symbol of the Blue Guild, flailed helplessly in midair. The students from the Democratic Country looked bewildered, and their confusion only made my smirk grow wider.

“No! D-Don’t lose!” Felis shouted.

“Stop being so ridiculous. Nothing about that says 'Griffon of Sunset.' Devour it, Flames of the Black Ember Dragon,” I ordered.

Kabooooooooom!!!

The flames devoured the griffon, and then it rushed toward Felis Hanest. Of course, a basic barrier spell manifested, but the flames ate through their defenses as if it were taking candy from a baby.

Their barrier shattered with a

crack

.

“Watch out!”

“What are you doing?!”

People screamed, but I obviously had no intention of stopping. Jung Ha-Yan and Han Sora were already on standby to block it... and at this turning point, the most important person was Kim Myung-Won.

‘You’re going to jump in, right?’

'Miss Kim Mi-Young taught you to protect the weak, right? Even if you’re not consciously thinking about it, you're instinctively reacting, aren't you? If the spirit of the Blue Guild is flowing in your veins, you shouldn’t just stand there.'

‘Please jump in.’

Just as I was about to cast a mental-type spell with Han Sora's help, Kim Myung-Won ran forward while chanting a spell.

“

Ah!

” Miss Kim Mi-Young exclaimed. Regardless of whether she was engrossed in the moment or was feeling touched by her son’s sense of justice, Kim Myung-Won stepping into the flame was undeniably a dangerous stunt.

Miss Kim Mi-Young was really worried about his son.

It was said that when humans were faced with danger, they could unleash superhuman strength. Kim Myung-Won was no exception. He was casting a barrier spell faster than ever, and he quickly arrived right before Felis Hanest and the others.

The flames collided with the shield. The shield looked fragile, but...

“

Huh?

”

Surprisingly, it was pushing back the flames. The small and fragile barrier was actually blocking the flames. The fragile-looking barrier was somehow standing in the way of the overwhelming black flames pervading the grounds.

“What in the world...”

“What... the hell...”

Jung Ha-Yan and Han Sora were supposed to appear and intervene, but they were still missing. However, there was this common cliche in schools where adults would never step in until the incident was resolved, so their absence wasn't really strange.

Kim Myung-Won, looking completely stunned, was staring at what he had done. Before he could snap back to reality, his barrier shattered with a shrill noise, and the Flames of the Black Ember Dragon vanished without a trace.

“Mr. Jin Young...”

“What just happened?”

This was how I decided to answer... the trio’s question.

“

Haa...

” I sighed.

“...”

“...”

“I thought the Blue Guild was filled only with worthless scum...” I said.

“...”

“Looks like they have at least one decent guy,” I added.

‘Did all of you hear that? He’s my rival from now on.’

“Kim Myung-Won...”

“He’s the forever-failing student... How... did he do that?”

'Yeah, that’s the reaction I was waiting for. I'm also... waiting for Kim Myung-Won’s reaction. That’s why I said the Blue Guild instead of the Blue Guild’s Youth Center.'

Whatever else could be true, but my words just now definitely sounded like the greatest insult to Kim Myung-Won's ears. He simply couldn't allow any insult to the guild that fed him, sheltered him, raised him, and accepted him as family.

For a boy without a father, the Blue Guild was basically his father figure.

As expected, instead of staying silent as usual, Kim Myung-Won was now staring at me with burning eyes. Clenching his fists tightly, he stood taller than ever, creating a surprisingly fitting sight.

“Apologize to my friends right now,” Kim Myung-Won demanded.

“...”

"And I suggest you take back...what you said just now,” he added.

“...”

“...”

“What will you do... if I don’t do that? What will a loser like you do to me?” I asked.

“You!!” Kim Myung-Won shouted.

It was time for the professors to intervene.

“Stop—”

“...”

“That’s enough! Said Miss Jung Ha-Yan. We can’t allow trouble inside the training grounds. Jin Young, I’m sure you know what you did wrong...” Han Sora chimed in.

“...”

“...”

“My mana simply went out of control. Please consider it an accident,” I said.

“Even if it was an accident, you’ll still be punished. Do you understand?” Han Sora replied.

“

Tch.

”

It was a prearranged punishment—a three-day suspension. Establishing my lore was more important than that. Without much thought, I turned around and looked at Kim Myung-Won again to close this out.

It was kind of cheesy, but it couldn't get any cooler than that.

***

“Commander... you’re simply amazing.”

“I don’t quite understand what you’ve been talking about...” Commander Jin said.

“

Hahahaha!

You don’t have to be so embarrassed! Word has it that the Republic’s small shadow has dealt a blow to the Blue Guild’s Youth Center.

Hahahahaha!

He dealt a blow to those cocky and arrogant fools!

Hahaha!

”

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

“Small shadow?” Commander Jin asked.

“I’m talking about your son!

Hahahahahahaha!

”

“...”

“Lee Ki-Young... Lee Ki-Young... you bastard...” he mumbled.

Boom!

“Y-You piece of trash!" Commander Jin roared.