HBWnovel Chapter 290: Academy Clash (4)
Chapter 290: Academy Clash (4)
Chapter 290: Academy Clash (4)Hans barely managed to stay conscious, disorientated amidst the intense pain.
Surely, his opponent was the Ice Sovereign, a wizard known for his ice magic.
But what on earth had just happened? How had he been so utterly defeated?
“A punch...?”
Yes, it had been a simple punch.
Hans could hardly believe he had been taken down by a single punch from a wizard.
The tower of self-esteem he had built so high crumbled with alarming ease.
The stark difference in skill threatened to sear deep doubts into Hans’ heart.
“T-that had to be body buffing magic, right...?”
“No... I didn’t feel any mana at all.”
“So that was just his natural physical strength? What kind of monster is he?! He’s supposed to be a wizard, right? What will happen when he actually uses his ice magic...?”
Fear tends to spread like a contagious disease.
The spectators were just as stunned.
“I-is this what they were worried about...?”
“But it wasn’t supposed to be this intense.”
The Bethel Academy supervisor clicked his tongue.
“I thought witnessing the Ice Sovereign’s skills firsthand might intimidate the students, but...”
The male supervisor frowned deeply.
“Who could have guessed that he wouldn’t even need to use his ice magic?”
The greatest ice wizard hadn’t even used a speck of his ice magic, yet his power was undeniable.
The realization hit them anew.
Isaac wasn’t someone to be judged by human standards or logic.
Even the students from prestigious academies were deluding themselves into believing they could win against Isaac under these game rules.
“He didn’t even... find it worthwhile to use ice magic...”
Hans McGregor struggled to his feet, lifting debris as he rose.
He glared at Isaac with a bloodied face.
“You think I’ll just accept this...!”
With a burst of energy, Hans used body buffing magic and lunged at Isaac.
“Van!!”
From a distance, streams of water and flames surged toward Isaac like an eastern dragon.
It was Van McGregor’s long-range attack, a joint spell of fire and water to create a powerful explosion of steam upon impact.
His target was the Heartstone floating next to Isaac.
“You’ll regret underestimating us!!”
Hans drew out item #23, the Reflective Shield, strapping it to his arm as he unleashed water and fire elemental magic.
Whooooosh!!
Boooom!!
The two elements collided, producing a blinding explosion of steam. This technique required a high level of mana mastery.
Hans aimed to obscure his vision.
Hans’ desire to defeat Isaac fueled his determination. Holding the shield with one hand, he began casting a water spell.
Just as Hans was about to launch his attack...
“So predictable.”
“...!”
In an instant, Isaac pierced through the steam and appeared right in front of Hans.
The air turned frigid, prickling the skin.
Isaac’s clenched right fist, radiating cold, came into Hans’ view for a split second.
At the same time, a wall of ice surged up around the Heartstone.
Kwagagang!!
Van McGregor’s long-range attack was rendered useless against the beautiful ice wall and dissipated into nothingness.
Too late...!
Hans crouched in mid-air, raising his shield defensively.
Simultaneously, Isaac’s ice-covered fist shot toward the shield.
Claaang!!
Craaack!!
His fist was harder than steel.
It lightly shattered the metal shield and landed squarely on Hans’ abdomen.
“Kugh!”
Hans felt an intense pain as his insides twisted, forcing him to cough up blood.
Whoooo!!
Isaac defrosted the [Ice Wall].
A biting chill. The surge of cold wind dispersed the steam.
The [Ice Wall] crumbled, scattering the dazzling ice crystals.
Hans’ body was hurled through the air, rolling down the slope and crashing into the debris.
The sheer magnitude of ice magic, the seemingly limitless mana perception range, and the precise control to hit the intended target.
Isaac’s abilities were flawless in every aspect.
Isaac’s steps halted in front of a male student with ash-colored hair.
It was Noah Bartin, a low-ranking student from Bethel Academy.
“This is our first meeting, right?”
“I believe so...”
Noah and the student beside him broke into a cold sweat as they faced Isaac.
Isaac’s steady red eyes radiated an overwhelming presence.
“Do you have some business with me?”
Noah cautiously asked, trying to keep his composure. His hand hovered near the sword at his waist.
“I know you’re hiding your power.”
“...!”
Noah suddenly realized.
This silver-blue-haired boy was an Archwizard.
Archwizards were said to possess extraordinary mana perception abilities. So it made sense that Isaac had detected the power Noah had been hiding.
Specifically, his iron mana.
“That power, bring it out.”
“What?”
Noah was taken aback by Isaac’s calm command.
“I’m interested in that power. So show it to me.”
Isaac’s gentle expression belied the firmness and authority in his voice.
Noah swallowed dryly.
“Is this related... to why you’re planning to end the game here?”
“Think what you will.”
“Excuse me, but I’m going to draw my sword.”
Noah’s absurd declaration made his fellow student exclaim, “You idiot!” but Isaac just smiled kindly.
“There’s no need to ask permission for that.”
“Thank you.”
Noah steadied his breathing and drew his sword, assuming a proper combat stance.
“Who is that kid?”
“Does the Ice Sovereign see something interesting in him?”
“He’s just a low-ranking student, Noah Bartin... What kind of power could he have? Does he have some hidden potential or something?”
The students whispered among themselves, focusing on Noah Bartin.
The Academy Clash featured top students from prestigious academies in the Empire.
However, Noah was merely a low-ranking student who was lucky enough to participate in this event.
The students of Bethel Academy couldn’t understand why a formidable figure like Isaac was interested in Noah.
“The Ice Sovereign... that stance...?”
Because, in Isaac’s eyes, Noah’s combat ability was not something to be ignored.
[Noah Bartin]
Lv: 189
Race: Human
Elements: Lightning, Iron
Danger: Extreme
“Come at me.”
Isaac said with a smile.
Noah’s deep breath echoed in the air.
And then.
[This... Master!!]
Hilde’s urgent cry echoed in Isaac’s mind,
Isaac’s eyes widened. Heavy mana suddenly blanketed the battlefield.
“...!”
Isaac and Noah looked up in shock. The other students and spectators followed suit, gazing at the sky.
A rumbling noise shook the sky. Dark clouds quickly gathered overhead.
And then, breaking through the clouds, a massive Greatsword appeared, its overwhelming majesty dominating the scene.
It was an undeniably extraordinary phenomenon.
“Already...?”
Isaac’s eyes narrow in the face of this unexpected development.
In the stands, Instructor Ronzainus grinned broadly at the sight of the giant Greatsword.
The final boss of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱「Act 11, Fairy War」.
It was the prelude to the appearance of Rachnil the Iron Fairy.