Chapter 64

Episode 64: People Gather in Search of Hope (3)

Shocking news hit the magic academia.

“Yoo Jae-myeong, of the Department of Magic at Hunter Academy, has reached the sixth circle. Defeating the A-class Werewolf is evidence of that, and a new door has been opened into unknown territory.”

The news was inevitable. Wizards were also a branch of the hunter and oversaw this world’s guardianship, but they had been treated unfairly because they couldn’t defeat class A monsters. However, Yoo Jae-myeong’s actions reversed that idea. Of course, the World Magic Association wizards, excitedly, headed straight to Korea by plane.

The purpose was twofold: to visually check whether the 6th Circle magic exists. If Yoo Jae-myeong pioneered an unknown territory, they would pursue recruitment regardless of means and methods.

They arrived at the Hunter Academy’s outdoor training ground. Ahead of the demonstration, multitudes of men and women filled the space.

“Did he really develop Circle 6 magic?”

“I don’t believe it, but if anyone can do it, Yoo Jae-myeong can. Yoo Jae-myeong is a genius who reached the 5th circle in his early 30s. It’s been ten years since then, so who knows?”

“Please, please let it be true.”

Hope twinkled in the eyes of the wizards.

Even if it were true, the number of organizations that could recruit Yoo Jae-myeong would be limited. During the 100-year history of magic, sixth-circle magic has been called the unknown. At first, the wizards were worried that the sixth circle magic might not exist. Such doubts weakened the power of the wizards. However, the announcement would be a place to prove to wizards around the world that the unknown realm existed, even if the sixth Circle magic was not revealed to all.

Everyone was excited. Yoo Jae-myeong finally appeared.

“The Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong is entering.”

Applause burst out. Yoo Jae-myeong seemed to be walking on a cloud. A few days ago, he was penned in by the wall of reality, far from finding sixth Circle magic. But now, he had the opportunity to prove its existence.

There was a decisive reason for Yoo Jae-myeong’s decision. Yoo Jae-myeong was familiar with Lee Hak-beom and asked him what kind of person Kang Min-hyuk was.

“To be honest, I still don’t know exactly. He was born into a unique background, and his progress is not normal. However, from my experience, he strives for magical development over personal development. If Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong holds the hand that Min-hyuk Kang extends, not only you, but the whole magical academia will develop.”

It was an honest evaluation. Rather than attaching splendid rhetoric, Lee Hak-beom said his honest thoughts. Yoo Jae-myeong decided was made in response to that.

With the irresistible proposal of six-circle magic, Yoo Jae-myeong needed a little convincing to take the risk. Hak-beom’s words were the nudge that he needed to immediately contact Min-hyuk that evening in case he changed his mind.

Yoo Jae-myeong stood before his audience, “We will start the 6th Circle magic demonstration.”

An A-class Werewolf was waiting behind bars. Everyone’s eyes turned to the beast. If the magic worked, it would prove the existence of the sixth circle. Yoo Jae-myeong slowly cast a spell, as the eyes of his audience were fixed, unblinking upon him.

“Explosion.”

Pop!

Kwakwakwang!

The Werewolf shrieked at the tremendous firepower. He did not die by a single shot, but his flaming skin and drooping head showed injury. The power had exceeded the known limits of circle five. People’s eyes widened, and soon everyone stood up and clapped.

Clap clap clap.

“It’s true!”

“This is the power of sixth Circle magic!”

“Yoo Jae-myeong, Archmage, you have succeeded.”

Intense praise flowed all around him. People cheered and raised their voices in joy. Looking down at them, Yoo Jae-myeong calmed his trembling body.

The magic taught by Kang Min-hyuk was not an ordinary sixth-circle spell. It was advanced magic, and the resulting destructive power gave Yoo Jae-myeong goosebumps. Kang Min-hyuk had casually handed over tremendous knowledge, allowing another to take the glory. A true wizard would not leave Kang Min-hyuk’s side following such a gift.

Although the mana pledge posed some restrictions, the archmage was enchanted by Kang Min-hyuk’s knowledge. If he continued to provide such high-quality knowledge in the future, Jaemyung Yoo was willing to give his loyalty. Yoo Jae-myeong began to descend from the stage. As he did so, numerous celebrities ran out in front of him.

* * *

As a result of Jae-myeong Yoo’s announcement, each magical association was turned on its head. The birth of the Sixth Circle proved that a new era had begun, but at the same time, it changed the game of magical academia. The president of the British Magic Association, Wayne Burns, laughed absurdly, “You really developed the sixth Circle magic! The Korean magic department is thinking properly.”

“That looked like an advanced sixth circle to me, too,” replied John Wesley.

If people expected the power of the sixth circle to correspond to a power of ten, the magic used by Yoo Jae-myeong reached a whopping 15. Advanced magic power! For those who did not know the true nature of magic, it was a situation that could only be admired.

“What is the possibility of Yoo Jae-myeong’s contributing?

“I don’t think it’s highly likely. After the announcement, numerous organizations approached Yoo Jae-myeong, but he showed no political movement. He’s always been a person with a wandering wall. He doesn’t like to settle anywhere so that he may maintain a neutral position.”

“The sixth circle magic was born, and there is no way to figure it out. It’s painful.”

There was fortune amongst the misfortune. It was not good news that Yoo Jae-myeong could not be convinced, but it was still better than joining other forces.

“Continue to make every effort to recruit Yoo Jae-myeong.”

“Okay.”

Other forces took the same approach. The magic of the sixth circle was enough to risk your life for. “There are situations of concern.”

“What?”

“Yoo Jae-myeong is extremely reluctant to meet with sorcerers belonging to the group, but the sorcerers who ask for instruction personally are not refused. A few days after the announcement, there is a movement of individuals formed around Jae-myeong. Although he is not actively pursuing power, the wizards who are fascinated by the sixth circle voluntarily follow him.”

“…Hmm.”

A formation of forces could be dangerous. What was the meaning of the Sixth Circle Wizard? He smashed through the limitations of their kind. The actions of Yoo Jae-myeong did not simply prove the strength of the individual but proved the power of magic itself.

“A new force might be born from this that will change the game of magical academia around Jae-myeong Yoo.”

Wayne Burns’ expression was hard. The progression could not be prevented by the power of the British Magic Alliance. The symbolism of being the first sixth-circle wizard has already become a sanctuary of magic academia.

* * *

Somebody came to visit Min-hyuk Kang.

“…Is that true? Was it really you who taught the sixth Circle magic to Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong?”

It was Sang-hoon. After the magic demonstration, rumors spread to the students of the Department of Magic.

“The Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong is an active person in the formation of future students, so he does not hesitate to ask for personal instruction. Wizards who have already heard rumors are visiting Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong every day.”

Min-hyuk’s mind flashed. The 6th Circle Archmage gave personal instruction, but Sang-hoon, who wanted to become stronger, couldn’t sit still. He wasn’t necessarily seeking another teacher; he just went to Yoo Jae-myeong to get some clues about circle six, but Yoo Jae-myeong’s answer was very shocking.

“You are Jeong Sang-hoon. There’s nothing that I can teach you. I learned the sixth Circle magic from Kang Min-hyuk.”

Kang Min-hyuk allowed Yoo Jae-myeong to tell the truth to only one person. That person was Jeong Sang-hoon, and after hearing Yoo Jae-myeong’s answer, Sang-hoon was stunned.

“You said that my Master developed six-circle magic?”

While being by Min-hyuk’s side, Sang-hoon was fascinated by his genius. And Kang Min-hyuk had the ‘qualities of a teacher’ regardless of his age. His charisma made Sang-hoon’s head bow down, and Sang-hoon’s growth was enhanced as he walked alongside him. But sixth circle magic…no matter how much he appreciated Kang Min-hyuk’s ability, he couldn’t believe that his master had hit the sixth circle.

“What is my Master’s limit?”

He was like an onion. As if it was not enough to develop double casting, magical change, and mana fairy tales, and to leap over the third circle. Besides that, there were a lot of shocking things he found by Kang Min-hyuk’s side. The development of sixth circle magic, though, was beyond farfetched. It was not Archmage Jae-myeong Yoo, but Min-hyuk Kang opened a new era praised by famous magicians.

So, he went to Kang Min-hyuk, who smiled as he asked with wide, shaking eyes, “You must have heard it from Archmage Jae-myeong Yoo.”

“…It’s true.”

“I told you before. If you want to risk your life and become stronger for your family’s revival, the answer to that will be with me. In the future, you will be the only one I will accept as my disciple. Therefore, you will be a great wizard.”

They were each other’s purpose; both wizards looked in the same direction. Kang Min-hyuk accepted Sang-Hoon’s talent, and Sang-hoon’s trust was once again firmly established.

The word teacher was gradually imprinted on Sang-hoon’s heart. What began as a deal was morphing into something much more meaningful? Sang-hoon was accepting Min-hyuk as his true teacher.

“…Thank you.”

There was nothing else to say.

Kang Min-hyuk could have chosen anybody as his disciple…nevertheless, he chose only Sang-hoon. He had provided power to the strongest wizard of their age! From then on, anything that Kang Min-hyuk asked, Sang-hoon would lay down his life for.

Trust had developed between the two wizards; it was unerring now. It was time to cut the stone…when it became a brightly shining diamond, Jeong Sang-hoon’s name, like Yoo Jae-myeong, would brighten Kang Min-hyuk’s reputation.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

They walked together and arrived in a space Sang-hoon had never encountered before.

“This is the mana room. It’s where you’re going to train from now on.”

It was the moment when Sang-hoon’s world transformed.