The Genius Magician Hides His Swordsmanship - Chapter 14

Chapter 14. Raxon Delemar

I didn’t know what to say.

[We’re dead.]

Because of the situation, I had no choice but to look into Raxon’s sunken eyes.

‘This isn’t going to end well, is it?’
[Maybe…?]

It was hard to read the emotion in his eyes, so it was natural that sweat was dripping down my back.

‘Ha.’

It was best to keep a childlike expression on my face.

“If it’s this level of teleportation magic, this must be Rio’s doing.”

Raxon touched the door to the warehouse, with his voice still cold. The only good thing was that his dull voice didn’t seem to have any anger in it.

‘He isn’t angry?’

That alien voice made me look at the situation objectively. It was a little strange.

‘Come to think of it, he doesn’t even seem hostile.’

For someone of his level, it would be easier to pressurize with energy.
Which means.

‘I guess he’s going to listen to me first.’

This means he was providing minimal convenience. He may let it slide, since Rio is involved.

“Did Rio bring you here?”
“Yes, I asked him to.”
“Don’t you know that only recognized members of the family are allowed here? Did you dare to do this in the Delemar Library thinking you wouldn’t get caught?”

I had no excuses. I didn’t need my past life experience to know that it was best to keep my head down.

“Hah, I knew there was a rat coming in and out of this place. But I didn’t realize there was a teleportation spell outside. Thanks to Rio’s magic, it took me three years to find you.”

Tap. Tap.
The sound of his footsteps approaching, step by step, pierced my ears like thunder.

‘What should I do?’
[Do you think we should just run?]

In the worst case scenario, I might have to. It would be better to leave the clan than to be accused of breaking the rules.

‘Heh, I guess I’m not going to have an easy life this time.’

It was about this time that I imagined living away from Delemar’s eyes.

“I can’t believe he did this. Rio must be quite fond of you.”

I looked up at Raxon’s comment.

“Why did you ask to be sent here?”

The atmosphere became strange.

‘Is he going to let it slide?’

I opened my mouth quickly.

“I wanted to learn a little more in-depth magic.”
“In-depth magic?”
“Yes, it wasn’t enough for me to learn at the academy and it’s boring. I had a thirst for learning.”

That was the best reason I could come up with. Wizards were greedy when it came to learning, and it was one of the basic qualities of a wizard.
Of course, I didn’t forget to give him an apologetic look.

“What an arrogant thing to say, the academy is boring.”

The corner of his mouth twitched.

“Good. Then, show me your accomplishments tenfold, and if you convince me, I’ll let this one slide, and you’ll have access to the library until you graduate from the academy.”

It was a sudden offer, but I had no reason to refuse.

“How do I prove it?”

All I had to do was prove my accomplishments, and everything would be fine.

“I’ll come by and test you soon. But if you can’t prove it, you’ll have to be prepared.”

Ever since that day, nothing happened for a week.

‘When is he coming?’

But I couldn’t let go of the tension. It was my instinct as a swordsman.

When I was walking on the street or eating, I didn’t know when it was going to happen.
Perhaps, to test my achievements, isn’t it possible that Raxon will appear unexpectedly?
I was heading to the auditorium after staying awake almost throughout last night.

“Ian! Did you sleep well?”

Drew was still sunny today.

“No…”
“Huh! I guess even a genius like you must be nervous about the graduation exam!”

It wasn’t like that, but there was no need to explain.

“Ah, mhm. A little.”

All the children were already present in the auditorium.
Could it be because of the graduation examination date? The atmosphere in the auditorium was calmer than usual. With the tension that filled the air, no child babbled.

‘First of all, I have to focus on the graduation exam.’

I shook my head, trying to clear it of thoughts of Raxon.

“Okay! The subject of today’s examination is forward!”

Aloy shouted as he opened the auditorium door and entered.
His appearance hardened the faces of some children. All of them were children who were subject to graduation examinations.

“Whew, I can do well, right?”

Drew patted his chest anxiously.

“Yeah, you’ve reached 3 stars too. You just have to show them your 3 star magic.”

It was the minimum achievement required to enter the mage tower. It wasn’t a very difficult requirement. All he had to do was show basic talent to learn magic in earnest.

‘Don’t be nervous. I suffered a lot because of you.’

Of course, Drew’s magical talent was one of the lowest in the class. In addition to physical training, private lessons were also included in magic, of course.
[He is different from you. He can’t help but be nervous.]

‘Still, I made it possible for him to use three attributes, so if he doesn’t get nervous, he’ll pass.’

There were 16 people who came in front of Aloy.

“Ohh. The children this time are unusual. Why are they all progressing so fast?”

Aloy’s proud eyes turned to the children.
Creak-
The door to the auditorium opened again.

“Just because their progress is fast doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. They could have missed a lot of things.”

The children’s heads turned toward the voice’s owner.

“Who is that?”
“Well?”
“Who is it?”

All the children tilted their heads, and said

“Haa…”

Only McDuff and I let out a small moan.

“Instructor Aloy, long time no see.”

Facing the man who naturally took control of the atmosphere, Aloy lowered his head.

“Mr Raxon, what are you doing here?”

At that name, the children hurriedly shut their mouths. A name that even the children of the academy are familiar with. Raxon’s nonchalant gaze scanned the 16 children.

“Can I personally oversee the academy graduation exam?”

Only then did I know.

‘He said he wanted to…’

It was in the graduation examination that asked me to prove my achievements.

“…Huh? Are you referring directly to the examination?”

Aloy emptied his slightly flustered expression.

“Yes, Aloy, you stand back.”

He couldn’t refuse Raxon Delemar’s order. His sharp aura took over the auditorium.

“Aren’t I qualified to judge? Isn’t it enough to be a 5 star or higher wizard from the Delemar family? I also have that level of ability.”

A 5 star or higher wizard. It was the minimum requirement for overseeing the graduation exam of the Delemar Academy. Of course, there was no way that Raxon, who was on the verge of reaching the 9-star level, would not be able to meet the conditions.

“Okay, if mr. Raxon directly observes, the children will be honored as well.”

Finally, Aloy lowered his head.

“Are the children in front of you a part of this screening?”
“Yes, they are.”
“Alright, there’s no need to drag it out. Let’s start right away.”

Standing next to Aloy, Raxon scanned the children on the podium.

“Everyone is great. It’s been less than 5 years since you entered the academy, and you’re already taking the graduation exam.”

His eyes lingered on me for a long time.

“I hope everyone will understand that I am here because I want to see for myself how outstanding your achievements are.”

He definitely said that, addressing me. Raxon turned his head around and settled into a corner.
Drew flinched at the sight.

“Wow, that’s really scary. What should I do?”
“Don’t worry. Just show him the three spells you practiced.”

I reassured Drew like that, but Raxon didn’t take it very lightly.

“The academy graduation examination is the exam that will check whether you can go to the mage tower or not. Everyone knows what the entrance requirements are, right?”

To Raxon’s question, Gamp raised his hand to answer.

“You should have at least 3 stars worth of mana, and you have to be able to use 3 or more attributes!”
“That’s true. But! I don’t think magic used in a comfortable state is proper magic. You should all be able to handle more than 3 elements under any circumstances.”

No one could question Raxon, who opened his mouth with an expressionless face. There was not a single child who would dare to question him.

‘Under any circumstances?’

Everyone just shook their heads.

“So I’ll give you a condition. Come out two by two and have a magic duel!”
“Hey… Mr. Raxon. Of course, that’s a good idea, but the children still haven’t dueled yet.”

In the sudden situation, Aloy hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

“Are you covering for them because you raised them? I can’t see someone from Delemar Academy going to the mage tower and being ignored. It’s not the number of graduates that matter, it’s the quality.”

Aloy quietly bowed his head. He didn’t seem to have the courage to protest a second time at Raxon’s words. It was enough to know how much he cared for his disciples, even if he had already rebelled once.
Then, Raxon added a word.

“The people who lose in the duel will be deemed not to have passed the examination.”

The atmosphere in the auditorium had no choice but to subside further.

* * * 

The test started right away. By order of Raxon, they came out two by two in the order in which they were standing.

“I am Bella Raghem.”
“I am Anders Dolman.”

The two children at the forefront climbed onto the podium.

‘I’m sorry for causing this.’

If it wasn’t for me, the exam would have been conducted as it normally was. Now, for no reason, half of the 16 children will fail.

[What can you do? It’s not like you did that on purpose.]
‘Oh well. Still, this really sucks.’

The two children got on the podium. Among them, Anders was given a pitiful look.

‘Of course Bella will win…’

Anders was only recently able to use three attributes, while Bella had already achieved that half a year ago. She was the most talented of all the children after McDuff and Ariel.

“Now, begin.”

It turned out as expected. Anders blocked one of Bella’s waterballs.
Splash-!
But he couldn’t counter the next waterball she fired in rapid succession.

“Ugh!”

Anders knelt down on one knee on the podium, and Bella smiled broadly, savoring the joy of her victory. Aloy gazed toward Raxon awaiting his judgment.

“The successful candidate is…”

However, the words that came out of Raxon’s mouth made everyone doubt their ears.

“No one.”

Obviously, Bella won. Yet, he didn’t acknowledge her.

“Huh, why did I not pass?”

Bella asked with courage.

“I have told you to show off all 3 attributes.”

She only got a cold remark from Raxon. But Bella didn’t seem to accept the result.

“Huh, but I can control three attributes.”

She tried to prove it. Bella, seemed to ignite a spark urgently.

“No, anyone can use it in a comfortable state. That’s why I asked you guys to duel. You? If you can’t understand that much, I don’t think you’re qualified to be a wizard.”

Raxon’s brow furrowed as he looked up and down at Bella. No one could argue with the contempt in his gaze. Even Aloy couldn’t stop him, though his lips twitch for a moment.

‘So even if you win, it doesn’t matter if you can’t use all of your attributes.’
[That’s pretty harsh, especially for kids whose ages range from 10 to 15.]

Discouraged, Bella dropped to her knees.

“Okay, next.”

The judging was quick.

* * * 

The test didn’t take long. With only a limited amount of magic available to them, the duel was quickly decided.

“Woah.”

McDuff removed the flame from his fingers and looked at Raxon.

“McDuff Delemar. Pass.”

He’d just defeated his opponent, using all three attributes, and Drew, now standing right in front of him, was even more nervous.

“Will I really be able to do well?”

As his turn approached. His anxiety grew. Drew’s opponent Galson Harper whispered in a low voice, that was barely audible to the man in front of him.

“Listen, Drew. You’re out of luck.”

Galson’s main attributes were fire, wood, and electricity.

“Finally, the attribute compatibility being used is superior, so if that guy uses fire magic, he can respond with water magic immediately, and if he uses wood magic, he responds with fire.”
“Then, when using the electricity attribute, he can block it with the earth.”
“Yes.”

It was easy to say, but it was something only Drew could do among the current academy kids.

‘This guy’s knowledge is no joke.’

A guy with a natural swordsman constitution. He should be able to judge the opponent’s magic in that fleeting moment.

‘I have to worry about myself now.’

My opponent was the child right behind me, Ariel. A talent that is unrivaled in terms of water attributes. It was clear that she was the most difficult opponent.

[Well, the more confident you are, the more loopholes you can create.]
‘Yes, there are bound to be flaws when someone is overconfident.’

Of course it was going to be difficult, but I had no intention of losing. For me, this examination meant more than graduating from the academy.

‘I must win no matter what.’

I had to pass Raxon’s test.