Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Sports CompetitionChapter 46 “Alright. I’ll take responsibility.”

“Dean? What do you mean…?”

Only Brody spoke up, but the expressions on the other professors’ faces weren’t much different. They looked as if they couldn’t understand what she was saying.

However, Conette’s demeanor remained calm.

“Professor Brody, what is the overall public opinion like right now?”

“Yes, Dean. I’ve prepared it.”

Brody began to display something in the air.

[ Yvonne’s Perfect Narrative… ‘A Guaranteed Victory’ ]

[ As Expected of Yvonne… No Deduction in Current Scores ]

. . .

“Most are certain of Yvonne’s victory, and the *Merhen Daily* is flooding the market with articles like these.”

Conette nodded leisurely.

“Then this time, let me ask about the internal opinions within the Magic Department. Professor Audrey?”

“It’s surprisingly divided. The impact of the previous posters was so significant that many students are raising their voices, saying we should give it our all.”

After Audrey answered, Violet gathered the courage to speak.

“A considerable number of students have been inspired by the phrase ‘Don’t Fear Change.’ Besides, as you saw, Student Flan’s abilities are quite outstanding….”

“But Dean, you should remember this is just student opinion. What do these young, emotionally driven individuals really know?”

Brody interrupted and cut off Violet’s words.

As the two locked eyes sharply in the air, Conette spoke up once again.

“How much time is left until the Sports Competition? You all know.”

“Two days. We have just two days left.”

Conette slowly nodded at Brody’s words.

“Yes, that’s enough time to expand the scale.”

“No… Dean?”

“I’ll talk with *Merhen Daily* to also publish articles from the Magic Department’s perspective. That Student Flan has become the representative, that we’re confident of victory… we’ll release all of that.”

The professors’ faces, which had begun to relax, turned pale again. One professor, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, chimed in.

“Are you saying you’ll release content asserting the Magic Department’s victory? That’s too provocative.”

“The more provocative, the more attention it will draw, don’t you think?”

The corners of Conette’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Whether it’s dissatisfaction or support, all that controversy is ultimately interest, and if the representative student showcases their skills in such a situation… how exciting would that be?”

“Dean, absolutely not!”

Brody shouted.

“Provocation comes with consequences. From the perspective of the Knight Department, a combat event? It’s just one of the many matches they lightly pass through. But after such a provocative article is published, they’ll be determined to win at all costs!”

The other professors sitting beside him nodded in agreement.

“Is that all? If the students who wanted change lose the match, they’ll become even more disheartened, thinking ‘Of course, we can’t do it.’ Shouldn’t we avoid such a scenario?”

Professor Kellen, who was in charge of ‘Alchemy,’ also joined in.

“If the scale grows, the burden on the student will be immense. Even if they exert twice as much of their outstanding abilities, it might still be uncertain whether they’ll win. How much of their skill can they display under such pressure?”

“Was I the only one who saw it?”

Conette turned her gaze to the visual material. With just that, various parts of the visual material replayed.

The scene where Flan disassembled a magic bullet with his fingertips, and the scene where he confidently questioned Elyse.

After those scenes replayed once more, the weight in the conference room grew even heavier.

“I confirmed that this student has the true talent of a magician.”

A moment of silence passed. It was Brody who broke it first.

“…It’s ridiculous to think that just because he disassembled a single magic bullet, he can defeat Yvonne.”

“Hey, Professor Brody. The Dean only said she confirmed his talent. And his talent is indeed remarkable. What first-year student could do something like that?”

This time, Violet bit back at Brody’s words.

Brody glared at her with displeasure.

“Let’s say we raise the stakes because of that talent. If we lose, Professor Violet, will you take responsibility?”

Responsibility.

At that word, the other professors’ gazes slowly turned towards Violet.

When all eyes finally fixed on her, Violet summoned the courage.

“…Alright. Since I started this, I’ll take responsibility.”

Violet pulled out a paper envelope from her pocket.

Even without explanation, the other professors knew exactly what it was.

“A resignation letter?”

Brody narrowed his eyes and muttered. Violet quietly nodded.

“Yes. If the Magic Department suffers due to this matter, I’ll take full responsibility.”

It might already be too late.

The ambition she couldn’t realize because she conformed to the times, the atonement she owed to the student she had doubted, the first step towards becoming a true magician…

She wanted to try, even if it was in this way.

“Wow, that’s touching. Really touching.”

Brody let out a dry laugh.

“Touching, sure, but Professor Violet, aren’t you a bit too unaware of your limits?”

“…What did you say?”

“How can you think that taking responsibility alone will cover all the harm done to the Magic Department? That’s just overestimating yourself.”

But then,

“Then I’ll handle it this way.”

Conette spoke up. Her voice, which had turned rather chilly, drew everyone’s attention.

“Conette Avery. As the Dean of the Magic Department, I’ll take full responsibility myself.”

“…!”

The entire meeting room stirred silently.

Everyone was in shock, but there was no trace of playfulness on Conette’s face.

“This concludes the meeting. Keep that in mind and return.”

◈

With only a day left until the Sports Competition, I spent the entire day at the training grounds.

Today, as always, I completed the pre-determined amount of training.

I swept back my wet hair. The reflection in the mirror was already drenched in sweat.

But cleaning up only required a snap of my fingers.

Snap.

With a snap, the moisture on the surface of my body clumped together and flew straight into the trash can. This was a simultaneous use of elemental reaction and telekinesis.

Perhaps because I pushed myself to the limit in every training session, the effects were becoming clearer.

Even the contours of my muscles were starting to show a difference that even I could notice. The total amount of mana I had also reached a level of practical use.

Now that Hera was getting accustomed to me, I feel that adding an artifact could lead to significant achievements soon.

As I wrapped up my training, I picked up a few newspapers from the *Merhen Daily*.

[ Sports Competition, Facing It Head-On ]

*Interview with Conette, Dean of the Magic Department*

*Conette stated after the meeting, “We won’t lose to the Knight Department”*

[ Flan, First-Year Representative in Combat Event ]

. . .

“They say even a worm can wriggle.”

I quietly muttered to myself as I folded the newspaper.

It’s only been a day since these articles were published, but the reaction within the Magic Department has been intense.

Just looking at the Trivia Board, which has turned into a forum for debates, proves it.

[ Declared a challenge, but the representative is a commoner student… What a disgrace. ]

[ The Knight Department is already mocking us all day long. ]

[ Still, it’s better to do something than nothing. ]

[ Was the representative student’s opinion even considered? It seems like they’re deliberately setting him up to fail. ]

They say the Magic Department used to be as quiet as a mouse whenever the Sports Competition approached.

But now, many are taking an interest in the competition, and there are even students who spend all day talking about it.

The concern that this might escalate into a department-wide loss, the courage to try anyway, the hope for an unexpected outcome…

All of that mixed confusion is a great omen for me.

“…Looks like things will get busy.”

The proposition that resolving doubt leads to certainty will be proven true by me this time.

When the match is over, everyone will be convinced.

With that thought, I left the training grounds.

“Ah, finally found you.”

A confident and cheerful voice called out from behind me.

Someone soon stood in front of me. It was Elyse, the Leader of the Mysterious Valley.

“You know who I am, right?”

I looked at her in silence instead of answering.

I know. I usually remember faces I’ve seen once.

“What do you want?”

“I have something to give you.”

She handed me a business card.

The card, coated in a jewel-like blue, was clearly far from ordinary at first glance.

[ Elyse, Leader of the ‘Mysterious Valley’ ]

Elyse spoke confidently with a self-assured expression.

“I’d like to meet you privately sometime. Is that alright?”

I stared into Elyse’s eyes. Her violet eyes were unusually calm and mysterious.

“I refuse.”

“Are you sure it’s completely private? I’d also like to discuss the Mysterious Valley a bit… okay?”

I’ve looked into the Mysterious Valley and understand that they are quite a significant organization in this world.

However.

The fact that Elyse had arbitrarily disabled the safety measures during the assessment still bothered me.

“Why not listen first and then decide? For most people, this is a dream situation.”

Elyse’s expression turned sour.

This woman would likely try to test me every time her curiosity was piqued.

But I have no intention of becoming a passive plaything. The act of proving oneself only holds meaning when it’s done to find something I want.

More importantly…

“I’ll create it myself.”

I have no interest in joining the top guild. If it’s about creating one and growing it, that’s a different story.

Elyse spoke again.

“Flan, you probably already know

this yourself, but… your talent is quite extraordinary.”

Her expression turned a bit more serious as she continued.

“Then here’s a question: how many times do you think I’ve seen so-called geniuses gradually fall into ruin?”

“How many have you seen?”

Probably not as many as I have.

What may be the proudest moment for someone else is just a presumptuous situation for me.

“I’ve seen it countless times. Just accept it now. A proper mentor is essential for someone like you.”

“I don’t need it.”

I handed the business card back to her. Elyse’s eyes narrowed.

“Sigh… is that so? I’ll be watching the match closely tomorrow.”

Elyse, with a slightly irritated expression, took back her business card.

“If you lose… you’ll regret it. This might be the moment when you’re worth the most.”

“What?”

I started walking past Elyse.

Whether she was surprised or upset, I didn’t care. A chuckle escaped my lips before I realized it.

“…This is when I’m at my cheapest.”