Chapter 44: The Pioneer of Magic (2)

At the end of the presentation, Marco Dawson, a German Magic Association member, left the auditorium and looked up at the sky blankly.

“The times have changed.” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kang Min-hyuk’s announcement was real.

Kang Min-hyuk proved the theory of mana fairy tales in front of numerous wizards, and when all the presentations were over, a baptism of applause broke out. At only 17 years old, Kang Min-hyuk unveiled the secret of mana that no one had revealed for 100 years. Some suspicious people tried to catch the pod, but the solid theory did not allow any loopholes.

It was perfect.

Marco Dawson was astonished by the lucidity in which Kang Min-hyuk expressed his thoughts. He looked like a god standing before them.

“… … Kang Min-hyuk…he’s a scary guy.”

“Kang Min-hyuk?”

In response to Marco Dawson’s murmur, his student, Kevin Wright, who followed his trip to Korea, suddenly interrupted.

“His talent is terrifying; he’s a true wizard. Double casting, changing the form of magic, and mana fairy tales are great discoveries that will transform magical academia. This could be the revival of the magical academic world. Isn’t that cool?”

There was a lot to say about the situation.

Kang Min-hyuk’s choice deserved respect, but Marco Dawson’s age inhibited his vision of potential. To him, it was a scary prospect. Kang Min-hyuk had rejected many organizations’ proposals following his presentation at the magic conference, declaring that he would remain in the magic department for one year. The German Magic Association wasn’t exempt from his rejection.

“Kang Min-hyuk is coveted, so I must treat him carefully, but I’m not sure that he will come to us.”

Marco Dawson was one of the people who most actively pursued the recruitment of Kang Min-hyuk.

“He presented the steps of the mana fairy tale for free. Everyone was enthusiastic about every word Kang Min-hyuk said because mana fairy tales are a great discovery. The problem is that the people attending this presentation are celebrities that everyone in the magic academia knows. Do you know what this means?”

“… I do not know.”

“It is Kang Min-hyuk’s power. If he tells us to come, we must go, and if he commands, we must listen. Why? His knowledge is extremely attractive. To move with the times, we have no choice but to cooperate with him.”

Marco Dawson cast a flame to light his cigarette.

Hwareuk.

He sucked the smoke deep into his lungs.

“Sigh.”

The cigarette was bitter. Kang Min-hyuk was becoming a tycoon quicker than he thought.

“Kang Min-hyuk said that he would offer his knowledge for free. As long as they recognize that he is a goose that lays golden eggs, people in the magical academia can never harm him. If you do, there’ll be consequences. A great scholar has appeared, and harming him will anger the great wizards who follow him. Kang Min-hyuk will become a sanctuary that no one can touch. That’s the problem. He is untouchable.”

It was very ambiguous.

Kang Min-hyuk’s individual strength was not great, but the forces surrounding him gave him extra power.

Marco Dawson’s gaze turned to Kevin Wright.

“Do you believe Kang Min-hyuk is only 17 years old?”

The student couldn’t answer.

Kang Min-hyuk still had a young face, but his presentation and actions suggested wisdom beyond his years.

“Today, Kang Min-hyuk became a leader and a pioneer of magic. Things will change. The importance of these changes relied on the relationship between the World Magic Alliance and one individual. Isn’t it funny? That 100 years of magical history will face such a big change in an instant?”

Marco Dawson giggled.

As if a little bit upset, he threw the cigarette to the floor.

“From now on, give up your pride. We won’t stand against Kang Min-hyuk; we have to stay with him.”

* * *

Kang Min-hyuk came out of the spotlight and left the stage.

Behind the scenes, Lee Hak-beom waited. Although he was pleased with the mana fairy tale’s success, there was a strange shadow on his face.

“That was an excellent presentation. We – no – you have caused a tremendous disturbance in the world of magic.”

The word ‘you’ felt bitter upon his tongue. Hak-beom received the information of mana fairy tales from Kang Min-hyuk, and he made a great effort to engage in the practice. As a scholar and a leader, Hak-beom expressed great passion and vigor.

He continued, “I’ve been reflecting recently and made some realizations. Although I coordinate the details of the study, its conception and completion are yours alone. It’s a bitter pill to swallow; my name relies on your discoveries. You are a true pioneer, and I am simply a tool.”

Lee Hak-beom fell into a state of despair. He wasn’t sure how valuable his role in the study had been, and to think he had been of little help pushed him into a self-destructive mind-frame.

Kang Min-hyuk responded calmly.

“I can’t deny that the data I provided was an essential aspect of our study, but I need you Professor if I’m going to continue my research.”

“Why do you need me? Many people will be willing to help with your research; it doesn’t have to be me.”

“Professor Lee Hak-beom…don’t underestimate yourself.”

Out of all of the professors available, Kang Min-hyuk chose Lee Hak-beom.

Why? Because he was a great scholar? No. Scholars of a similar or higher level were widespread, but Kang Min-hyuk wanted him for his integrity.

“I think that you sincerely hope for the revival of academic magic. You’ve sacrificed a lot for your research – gave up wealth, fame, and time to enter the department of magic.”

Kang Min-hyuk fell in love with Professor Lee Hak-beom’s ethics. It doesn’t matter who led the research to completion, the results were generated through a mutual effort, and Hak-beom’s passion would activate the purity of Matop in the future.

Matop would be a nest for wizards, not simply a force for ‘power.’ Kang Min-hyuk always offers the correct answer and does not want to feed others’ knowledge like a mother bird to her baby. In the end, true knowledge must be realized for yourself. Lee Hak-beom would be the driving force behind the education, and those who belong to Kang Min-hyuk’s tower would develop themselves through the knowledge of Min-hyuk and the enthusiasm of Hak-beom. That was the ideal vision of the future. Although Hak-beom’s reputation is no longer necessary, he was needed if the plans were to come to fruition.

To drive the monsters out of this world, Kang Min-hyuk tried to create a solid foundation.

Min-hyuk’s words moved Lee Hak-beom. He was forced to consider what he really wanted: remarkable achievements in research. Or the revival of magical academia? It would always be the latter.

In a world where magic was ignored, Hak-beom wasn’t a huge force, but he hoped that his strength would help.

Laughter cut through his sorrows. He would be glad to assist Kang Min-hyuk in his mission to revive academic magic.

“Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Thank you very much.”

Little did he know that he would later be known as the godfather of magical academia; he was ripening alongside Kang Min-hyuk.

* * *

After Suseongjeon, Kang Min-hyuk’s status in the Department of Magic changed. The joint class was infamous for reducing magical students’ self-esteem, but Kang Min-hyuk became the main character.

“Did you watch the video of Suseongjeon?”

“Whoah, it was amazing!”

“Kang Min-hyuk is a magical genius! He’s already formed the third circle and developed a mana fairy tale. At first, I thought that Kang Min-hyuk entered the city of refuge, but now I’m humiliated that I thought negatively about him.”

By sharing his technique of the mana fairy tale, the Department of Magic students developed a fresh perspective of Kang Min-hyuk. In the beginning, Kang Min-hyuk was an ugly duckling who didn’t belong anywhere. Now though, he had become an idol in the Department of Magic.

In contrast to the respect he gained from his magical peers, the department of swordsmanship took a different view.

“In the history of swordsmanship, there’s never been a time where the magic department has stolen the spotlight. It’s humiliating, and we must make up for it. In the last ‘Life and Death Duel,’ let’s show the wizards what we can do.”

That was an attitude that is spreading around the department. Their pride was hurt. Not once, but twice they’d been beaten by Kang Min-hyuk. Of course, Jang-hoo and his party were included first, but everyone knows they weren’t the main characters. The swordsmanship students became increasingly eager for the final life and death duel.

The life and death duel is a stage where students from both sides compete against each other. Nobody knew which student would be chosen as Kang Min-hyuk’s opponent, but third circle or not, none of the warriors had any intention of being defeated by a mage. In the battle between warrior and wizard, it was all too clear who would be victorious. It would be the final joint class. If Suseongjeon could act as a stage for wizards, life-and-death dueling was definitely a stage for swordsmen to express their proficiency. Kang Min-hyuk knew that as well as anybody. In response to the rumors circulating him, he even began to doubt himself. Could he beat a reinforced warrior? He wasn’t sure. He would rather have a chance to lift a sword – Kang Min-hyuk as a wizard still had many deficiencies.

“I just have to work harder. If I lose to a freshman in the department of swordsmanship, my future will be paved for me, and I will be inferior to warriors for the rest of my wizarding career.”

Motivation surged through him.

Kang Min-hyuk hoped that this would serve as an opportunity to prove his potential.

A few days later, the day of the life and death duel that everyone was waiting for arrived.