I raised my fists, settling into a guard stance as I faced Dandol.
In a clash of equal skill, the warrior generally holds the advantage over the mage. Magic, by its very nature, isn't a discipline designed for the chaos of close-quarters combat. Most spells require casting time, and hitting a moving target is notoriously difficult.
A warrior, on the other hand, is a specialist—a fighter who relentlessly trains to subdue enemies and dominate the battlefield. When the two face each other at point-blank range, the outcome is usually a foregone conclusion.
This dynamic was well-represented in Myrillin Saga. A mage required extensive preparation to stand a chance against a melee specialist. In most cases, it was simply more efficient to fight hand-to-hand.
Seeing me take a boxing stance, Dandol scoffed in disbelief.
"Ha! Where do you get that confidence? Do you really think everyone avoids you because they're scared?"
I tightened my grip on the Strength and Agility Enhancement Stones in my palms, crushing them.
Crack—!
"You're the one who should be thinking, Dandol. Why did I pick a fight with you? Why did I lure you into a secluded alley like this? You should try using that thing on your shoulders—unless it's just for decoration."
"...Nonsense. What kind of preparations could a guy like you have made? You didn't even have the sense to bring an escort."
Crumble—.
As the enhancement stones disintegrated into fine powder, a notification window flared to life before my eyes.
• Strength will be increased by 5 for 300 seconds.
• The special effect of the Trait, [Alchemy], has been activated.
• Effect: Partially ignores enemy defense increased by traits, skills, or items.
The Strength Enhancement Stone was a single-use consumable, much like the Mana Replenishment Stone I'd crafted during the alchemy tutorial. It was an expensive item that temporarily boosted Strength by a full 5 points.
Because of my severed meridians, I could only utilize about half the effect, but it was still enough to feel a surge of raw power coursing through my veins. Furthermore, the bonus effect from my [Alchemy] trait granted me temporary Defense Penetration. The [Alchemy] trait had the unique ability to imbue various consumables, including potions and elixirs, with additional properties.
• Agility will be increased by 5 for 300 seconds.
• The special effect of the Trait, [Alchemy], has been activated.
• Effect: Grants a low chance to perfectly evade an opponent's attack.
Following the surge of strength, the power of the Agility Enhancement Stone settled into my limbs. Feeling an exhilarating rush, I clenched my fists and beckoned him forward.
"You talk too much. Come on."
"Die!"
Fwoosh—!
The battle began as he kicked off the ground, charging like a bull.
*
The headquarters of the fortress city of Ishtal was a unique, cross-shaped building stretching toward the four cardinal directions. At its center, a massive tower rose into the sky.
Knock, knock—.
A visitor arrived at Freya's office on the tower's top floor.
"President Freya. Are you in?"
A familiar voice accompanied the knock. Freya paused her paperwork and looked up.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Jeremy, the Head of the Disciplinary Committee, entered with a slight bow. He placed a report on her desk.
"President. Here is today's report and the duty roster. Please review and approve them."
Jeremy was a year senior to Freya, but he was always impeccably respectful to the Student Council President. Freya examined the Disciplinary Committee's activity log, the expense records, and the list of personnel maintaining security across the academy. As expected, his work was clean and concise.
With a satisfied smile, Freya signed the documents and handed them back.
"I see no issues. Thank you for your hard work."
"Yes, well then."
Jeremy turned to leave, his duty finished as always. But just as he reached the door, he paused and looked back at Freya.
"President, you seem to have a lot on your mind. Is something troubling you?"
"No, it's nothing. I just have a few things to consider."
As Freya let out a small sigh, Jeremy cautiously pressed further.
"Is it perhaps about Roen?"
"...How did you?"
Freya's mouth fell slightly open in surprise. Jeremy offered a gentle, knowing smile.
"There are few in this academy who could cause you such concern, President. And since he attended the basic swordsmanship lecture today, I wondered if it might be related. It was just a guess, but if I've offended you, I apologize."
"No, not at all. But this is a personal matter, so you needn't worry yourself over it."
"I understand. I hope it resolves itself well."
He paused. Just as he was about to exit, Jeremy added one more thing.
"However, based on information I've received, you may be hearing some good news soon."
"..."
"I'll take my leave now."
Jeremy left the office, leaving behind only that cryptic remark. Silence reclaimed the room.
Freya slowly mulled over his parting words. Given the flow of their conversation, his comment could only be interpreted as a sign that something was about to happen to Roen.
'Could something be wrong with Roen?'
Lost in thought, an incident from earlier that day surfaced in her mind.
'What happened in class...'
During the basic swordsmanship lecture, Dandol had clearly provoked Roen. She knew Dandol held a long-standing grudge. During a childhood game of soldiers, he had been badly injured by Roen and had lived with a hooked nose ever since. She also knew they'd had several other clashes as children and were on terrible terms.
But things had been quiet since they arrived at the academy, so she had assumed the rivalry had cooled. Today, however, the tension had finally boiled over. She blamed herself for not being prepared, despite knowing the history.
'But what if this wasn't just a coincidence or an impulsive act?'
And what if what happened in class wasn't the end of it?
'...Roen could be in danger.'
Freya quietly clenched her fist. This wasn't about helping him personally. It was simply about preventing an unseemly incident from occurring within Ishtal's territory. Therefore, this wasn't an attempt to save him, but merely the proper duty of the Student Council President.
Having made her decision, Freya picked up the receiver.
Beep—beep—beep—.
'Roen's commute is limited.'
The only direct route from Ishtal to the Union's main building was the tram at the transit center. If something were to happen, it would be somewhere along that route.
Ring—.
After a few rings, a member of the Disciplinary Committee at the guardhouse answered.
[Secure line. This is Fallen Arad, on duty at Guardhouse 31.]
"This is Freya Gunhild, Student Council President of Ishtal."
[Ah, President! Is something the matter?]
Freya calmly gave her orders to the startled officer.
"This is an emergency. I need you to conduct a patrol of the surrounding area. From Ishtal's 3rd District, B-Block to F-Block. Focus on secluded and deserted areas. If you see any disputes between students, disturbances, or anything unusual, report directly to my office immediately."
*
Dandol Hendrick.
As a descendant of the northern Hendrick family, he was born with a powerful physique. His strength and agility were among the top of his year, and he never neglected his training. He had achieved a respectable score in the recent ranking competition, earning a place among the Union's top 300 fighters.
Roen, on the other hand, was a degenerate known throughout the Union—no, throughout all of high society on the continent. He was trash who, despite his pitifully meager magical talent, made no effort to improve. If his magical talent was that poor, his physical abilities—given his frail constitution—were not even worth mentioning.
He was such a defective specimen that it was hard to believe he was a direct descendant of the Devalis family. That was Roen.
A hand-to-hand fight between a warrior like himself and such a person? The outcome should have been as clear as day.
'...What is this?'
Whoosh—!
'What in the world is happening?!'
The situation unfolding before Dandol's eyes was a far cry from common sense.
Whoosh—!
His fists cut through empty air, missing by a hair's breadth. None of Dandol's attacks reached Roen; they only struck the innocent atmosphere. Once or twice could have been a coincidence, but of the dozens of attacks he'd thrown, not a single one had connected.
His attacks seemed to be on the verge of landing, yet they never did. Roen was evading every strike by the slimmest of margins. Fists, kicks, charges—nothing worked. It felt as if his opponent had seen through his every move before he even made it.
'Impossible. This is truly impossible!'
Dandol denied reality and continued to unleash a storm of attacks.
"Die!"
In a fight between two warriors, having all your movements read meant there was an immense gap in skill. But for his opponent to be not a warrior, but a mage—and that good-for-nothing Roen, of all people?
This should not, could not, be happening.
'This is ridiculous!'
The moment Dandol, unable to contain his rage, wound up for a massive haymaker—
CRACK—!
Something shot through the momentary opening. A brutal impact was followed by an excruciating pain that erupted from his abdomen.
"Guhh...!"
Drool dribbled from Dandol's mouth as he clutched his stomach and fell to his knees.
Thud—.
He couldn't breathe. Pain, like an electric shock, coursed through his entire body.
'H-how could this...'
His well-developed abdominal muscles, honed through years of training, were useless. So was his skin, hardened like steel through alchemy. How could such monstrous strength come from that scrawny body?
His every move had been read. He had used all his strength, yet he hadn't even managed to graze the hem of Roen's clothes. The situation was incomprehensible.
Was this really Roen?
Step—.
Roen stood proudly before him as he knelt. Then, looking down, he murmured quietly.
"You have a 'how is this possible' look on your face."
Roen shrugged as if it were nothing.
"It's nothing special. The only thing that decided this fight was information. I know all the martial arts passed down in your Hendrick family, so predicting your movements wasn't that difficult."
'...What kind of bullshit is that?'
Even as he groaned in pain, Dandol let out a hollow laugh. It was strange enough that Roen knew his family's martial arts, but how could he predict his movements just by knowing them? He had countless other questions, but he was in no position to ask.
Roen had won, and he had lost. And by an overwhelming margin. Now, all that was left was to pay the price.
Roen shoved both hands into his pockets and looked down at him with an arrogant posture, as if observing something beneath him.
Clang—!
Then, chains of blue mana shot up from the ground, wrapping around Dandol's wrists and ankles, binding him tightly.
Crrrack—.
Dandol's limbs were completely restrained by the mana chains. After tying him up, Roen spoke in a calm, chilling voice.
"You're going to tell me who's behind this, Dandol. Answering willingly will be better for you, and for them. I expect you to make the right choice."
Shk—.
Roen pulled a hand from his pocket and slipped something over his fist.
Click—.
"Of course, if you don't answer willingly, that's fine too..."
A pair of steel knuckles, now fitted to Roen's hand, glinted menacingly in the dim light. He didn't know for sure, but getting hit with those would undoubtedly be extremely painful.
"The choice is yours."
Of course, Dandol had no choice at all.
----
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