How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

38 – 38. It seems fun

38.

While they were on their way back to their cabin,

Meia, following behind Allen, speaks up.

“Sir, why are you insisting on helping the freshman class representatives…?”

“Why am I helping?”

“Yes.”

At Meia’s question, Allen scratches his cheek.

There’s not specifically a serious purpose for him helping. He just thought it would be fun, so he offered to do so.

“Because it looks fun?”

“That’s a simple reason.”

“And like I said, I thought I might find some inspiration in observing the battle, too.”

Allen shrugged.

There’s not particularly a huge reason for him helping. It is simply because it seemed amusing. It could also be that he found the sight of Stella struggling amusing.

“Just observing various things can be a big help. And since the sophomores usually win, I thought it might be interesting to flip that narrative.”

“Even when you are going against an older brother?”

“Even if I lose this once, my brother’s reputation won’t be tarnished. In fact, he might even be glad. Because it means there’s room for him to get stronger.”

“If it is an elder brother, perhaps that might be the case.”

Allen asks,

“By the way… Meia. How was it?”

“What do you mean by ‘how was it’?”

“Leila Prinston.”

Not long ago, a name I’d heard from Lenox as something to be wary of.

It was this name that Allan brought up, and to which Meia responded.

“The power of ice is not common.”

“Indeed.”

The innate attributes of human magic could fundamentally be counted as six: earth, wind, fire, water, light, and darkness.

The power of darkness is not well received, its current user base limited to the Graphite Order, and the power of light is practically monopolized by those belonging to the Sun God Ru’s Order.

Therefore, the abilities available to a typical human magician are essentially confined to four.

“So,” Allan said, “the ice power? Is it from the North?”

“The matriarchal line of the Prinston family is of Northern heritage, from the Kingdom of Frits, as far as I know.”

“From the Northern Continent, always covered in snow.”

“It’s a well-known fact that the wizards of the Frits Kingdom specialize in ice magic.”

The Kingdom of Frits to the North.

Surrounded by the Arctic Sea, the people of the Frits Kingdom are genetically superior ice magicians. In the continent, one could say those born with the power of ice were either from Frits or of Frits lineage.

“Allan hmmph-ed, stroking his chin and said, “I wonder why such a fellow is hovering around me. Lenox said he was overly concerned about me.”

“Considering he could unfold up to five overlapping layers of magical barriers invisibly, he could be highly skilled.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

If Meia said so, it could be trusted.

Allan mentioned,

“But any magician can use a magic barrier invisibly, right?”

“It’s said that overlapping magic barriers are more complex. This comes from Professor Bernhardt himself, so it’s credible information.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Allan had a vague recollection from introductory Magic Studies.

Typically, a magic barrier is a shield exclusive to magicians, a deployed invisible, intangible wall.

Unlike knights, who envelop themselves in magic for physical enhancement and protection, magicians have evolved to use magic barriers, an efficient defensive method that blocks one side rather than shrouding the whole body in magic.

“A common magic barrier is simple to construct, as I recall.”

“According to Professor Bernhardt, the more complex the composition, the more efficient the defense.”

“This is why I like magic theory but don’t like magic.”

Magic is not merely operated by the placement, rearrangement, and formation of spells.

It requires complicated formulae and calculations.

Those born as magicians naturally grasp these formations and calculations, as I’ve heard.

Meia said,

“Judging by your ability to swiftly deploy a quintuple magic barrier, I’m not surprised that you were chosen as the representative of the magic department.”

“Really?”

“I’ve heard that the advanced technique of overlapping magic or delaying its effects to be activated later is a powerful skill that a magician can wield.”

“Yes, you’re right. How often do you talk with Professor Bernhardt, Meia?”

“I am learning whenever I get a chance.”

“You seem to have a great desire for knowledge.”

“It’s to assist you.”

“Don’t put such a burden, such words on yourself.”

Allen shook his head firmly.

“But let’s go home. I need a break and then write the manuscript.”

***

“Alice Senior, we’ll be at the academy soon.”

“Yeah. It’s taking longer than I expected.”

The girl with the impressively dragon’s tail-like red ponytail, Alice Scarlet von Mueller, saw the familiar wall of the earth’s horizon.

“By the way, have you heard the news that Allen was admitted?”

“I did, certainly.”

“They’ve been making a big noise recently, the Schuren Chronicles.”

Alice nodded too.

It was only a novel, with just three volumes published so far, but Allen’s name had spread beyond the horizon to other regions.

She was curious about what had happened while she was away from the academy.

“But I didn’t know Allen had such a talent for writing. Did you, Senior?”

“No. But I knew he loves books.”

From his childhood, Allen lived engrossed in books.

Before Alice entered the academy, she had read most of the books in the Mueller family, even complaining if they were all old-fashioned books.

“It’s also because the newly published third volume is so shocking, there’s quite the talk. Featuring an orc who can wield magic as a character. Either that’s bold, or he’s crazy.”

“Be Careful with your words.”

The junior flinched under Alice’s icy gaze.

“Allen is my brother.”

“I’m sorry, senior. But it’s undeniably shocking.”

“I understand.”

It’s not that Alice fails to comprehend.

An orc who wields aura.

While it’s the first time it’s featured in a novel, orcs that can wield aura indeed exist in the barren east.

Her father, Duke Mueller, said so himself.

There is no one in the Empire who would doubt the words of the Sword King. Such is the gravity of being the Empire’s Guardian.

“It’s not like they don’t really exist. During missions originating from the barren east, you encounter them occasionally.”

“I’m still terrified at the thought of those orc brutes having the ability to use aura. They’re already physically superior. Adding aura to the mix? Is there anything scarier?”

“That’s why you should avoid direct confrontations with orcs. In a test of strength, a human can never beat an orc.”

“That makes you all the more admirable, senior.”

Alice brushed off her junior’s admiration nonchalantly.

She learned swordsmanship from her mother, Sharna.

Before Maia learned swordsmanship, she was taught by her mother. If one uses Kunlun’s words, they would probably have a sisterly bond in terms of martial arts.

Strangely, Alice learned the word ‘sister-in-arms’ through Allen’s novel.

‘But he managed to find his way through, Allen did.’

Her brother, despite being born into the Mueller family, abnormally hated swords. It was impossible not to worry about him.

So much so that her mother had to personally train Maia, who Allen brought along, as a bodyguard.

Alice gazed at the approaching main gate of Huang Dao.

‘I wonder how much Maia has improved?’

***

“It’s bustling. As expected of a major event.”

“We might run out of seats.”

At Maia’s words, Allen shrugged.

The overwhelming cheers from all directions were incredible.

Technically, it’s the inter-grade competition, but considering it’s a place where 2nd-year students teach 1st-year freshmen as academy seniors, the passion was almost bizarre.

“Who did you bet on?”

“Me? Definitely the 2nd-year representative. Are you kidding? Albert senior can’t win, even with Ellion senior around.”

“Perhaps it would be better if Albert-senpai went against the freshman. Ellion-senpai is strong, but Albert-senpai…”

“The odds heavily favor the freshmen.”

“Reverse odds always work that way.”

It appeared they were discussing betting.

Alan clicked his tongue silently and started searching for a seat.

“It seems the match will start soon.”

As soon as he sat down, along with Maya’s words, the first and second-year representatives, nine in total, ascended the stage of the stadium.

The last to appear were third-years Albert and Ellion.

As soon as Albert appeared, a massive cheer erupted, mainly from the knight cadre students.

Cheers for Ellion were sizeable but faint compared to Albert’s.

Alan, propping his chin, immediately focused his gaze on the stadium.

“So, the Knights Department and Magic Department representatives confront each other in the first and second rounds. And then the third round mixes them. The last, fourth round, features all ten competitors?”

“That would be correct, my lord.”

“Is the price for an artifact bestowed with a protective spell relatively cheap?”

“Single-use artifacts are relatively cheap. They can be mass-produced easily. But an artifact containing a high level permanent defensive spell, like the one you’re using, easily exceeds 10 gold pieces.”

Considering 1 gold piece is 4 million won, 10 gold pieces equate to at least 40 million won.

Alan shook his head disapprovingly.

On the stage, three first-year knight cadre students, including Stella, ascended, and second-year students appeared from the opposite side.

“Round 1, Begin!!”

With the kickoff shout, Stella and the two knight cadre students charged.

Metal clashed against metal, the resonant clang echoing sharply.