How to Survive as a Mage Inside a Game - Chapter 131

[Translation]

Identity.

What Romaine Page had asked about was identity. And it was a natural question.

If there were a bunch of ants crawling at your feet, and one of them was as big as a human hand, what would you think?

The situation must have seemed similar to Romaine Page. An unexpected visit to the Rubellion Academy, and among these not-yet-adults, there was a 6th Circle Archmage of Holy Magic. How should he perceive this?

Karl swallowed hard as he looked at Romaine Page. Truly, he had an overwhelming presence. It was different from when he saw him in the auditorium. Now, facing him one-on-one, the pressure seemed to crush his entire body. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

‘It’s not just magic, but his mere presence alone…’

Karl felt a fundamental difference in their levels.

It wasn’t just the gap between the 4th and 5th Circle, or the 5th and 6th Circle.

The old man before him was truly a monster who had transcended humanity. Karl realized with his whole body how vast the realm of the 7th Circle was.

“To think you’re not yet of age, and yet you have already achieved six rings… It’s unbelievable.”

“……”

“What exactly are you? No matter how much I think, you don’t seem like a spy. What kind of foolish group would use a genius like you, unparalleled in our time, as a mere spy? The word ‘unparalleled’ doesn’t even seem enough. There probably hasn’t been another genius like you in the history of the continent.”

Romaine Page seemed to have seen through everything about Karl.

In the crowded auditorium, he had sensed something from that distance, so face-to-face, it was needless to say.

“Now, reveal your identity. I just want to talk, I have no intention of harming you.”

Karl sighed and answered.

“I am Karl of the Altius School.”

“Oh? The Altius School? Ha! So they’ve finally produced a monster like you? It’s a pity it’s not our school.”

His face genuinely expressed regret.

Romaine Page was the guardian of the Empire, but he was also the head of the Candaium School. The Empire maintained a close relationship with the Altius School, but Romaine Page’s position as the guardian of the Empire was known to be due to his personal indebtedness to the royal family.

[Translation from Korean to English]

“So, whose disciple are you? Are you a disciple of Hera?”

Hera Runeslet. The person he was speaking of was the leader of the Altius School. Karl shook his head.

“I am a disciple of one of the elders.”

“I see. Hmm…”

After a brief conversation, Romaine looked intently at Karl again and opened his mouth.

“Boy, have you ever thought about learning some magic from me?”

It was a statement that, if overheard, would shock someone to the point of disbelief.

A grand mage, the guardian of the Empire and the leader of the Candaium School, Romaine Page, offering to teach magic? And to a magician affiliated not with his own school but with the Altius School?

It meant that Romaine Page had a significant interest in Karl. It was only natural. A mere youngster, not even of age, had achieved the realm of the 6th circle. There had never been such a prodigy among the continent’s magicians. Even a grand mage couldn’t help but take great interest.

“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.”

An opportunity to learn magic directly from a grand mage.

It was an unimaginably valuable opportunity, yet Karl refused without a second thought. He had to refuse.

‘Am I crazy to learn magic from you?’

Karl used magic through the system’s power. Although he had recently discovered new rewards and was increasingly skilled in theory, it was still only at the level of the 3rd circle. If he tried to learn magic from Romaine, his lack of depth would be exposed in an instant.

Romaine’s brow narrowed, as if he didn’t like the firm refusal.

“Tch, I’m not asking you to take me as your master. I’m offering to teach you magic with no strings attached, and you still refuse?”

No. He really didn’t want it.

“Thank you for your kind words, but I apologize.”

Karl firmly refused again. Finally, Romaine clicked his tongue as if resigned and turned away.

“Well, if that’s how it is, there’s nothing I can do.”

“……”

“But you’re quite an interesting fellow in many ways. At my level, there are things I can see without even using magic.”

What is this out-of-nowhere talk?

Regardless of Karl’s puzzled look, Romaine continued speaking.

[Translation]

“For example, things like the essence of a person. But your essence is truly peculiar. It feels like you don’t belong in this world. I’ve never seen anything like it, hmm…”

Karl, feeling that his core had been struck, flinched slightly.

“Well, anyway, we’ll see each other again soon. I should visit the Altius Headquarters soon.”

With that, Romain turned away without any hesitation, indicating the end of his statement.

And at that moment.

“……!!”

Both Karl and Romain’s eyes widened as they simultaneously turned their heads towards one place.

Above the central square of Rubellion, in the air, there was a person floating.

The figure, wrapped in a black robe, was ominous from the start. Romain’s expression contorted as he muttered to himself.

“Why is the Master of the Black Tower here…?!”

Karl was also shocked at this murmur.

Just when a sinister magical energy started to emanate from the other side, he wondered what it was, and it turned out to be the Master of the Black Tower?

The situation was suddenly confusing and chaotic. At the same time, not only the Master of the Black Tower, but also ominous flows of magical energy were being detected here and there in Rubellion. Horrific screams were also erupting from various places.

Goooooo.

The sinister magical energy around the Master of the Black Tower was gradually intensifying. A translucent black sphere that had formed around the Master began to expand. Was it some kind of barrier magic? Romain muttered to himself as he observed the scene.

“It seems like some madmen have attacked Rubellion. And they even dragged in the Master of the Black Tower.”

It was an unbelievable story, but nothing else explained the current situation. Karl nodded in a daze.

“Protect the other students!”

Leaving only these words behind, Romain immediately flew into the air at a terrifying speed towards the Master of the Black Tower. Karl, who had been staring blankly, soon followed, flying into the air towards the locations where other flows of magical energy were detected.

* * *

Rubble of the collapsed building. The students, who had just finished the entrance ceremony and were heading back to the main building, suddenly faced a hellish scene.

“Everyone, run away! This way!”

[Translation]
A teaching assistant stepped forward, trying to lead and command the students amidst the sudden attack. The building crumbled powerlessly under the onslaught of a black magic wave, resulting in dozens of casualties in an instant. The students, having never experienced such a situation, were all panicking and running about frantically.

“Don’t scatter, gather over here…ugh!”

“Aah, eek!”

A magic spear, flying in from somewhere, pierced the throat of the teaching assistant who was trying to command the students. The expressions of the students were further steeped in panic.

“Did you all gather here on your own? That makes it easier to deal with you.”

Amidst the rubble strewn all around, a figure in a black robe was leisurely walking towards them. Some students prepared for battle, but their bodies were trembling.

Even the elites from the continent’s top academy were, after all, just students. Most had neither seen nor experienced such brutal real combat. Like frightened baby birds huddled together, the students were shivering while the man in the robe sneered at them.

“Come on, don’t just tremble. Unleash your magic. Aren’t you rebels who invaded the Imperial Capital? As future leaders of the Empire, you should fight back!”

But not a single student responded to his provocation.

Even the teaching assistant was taken down in an instant. The students instinctively felt it too. The man in the robe was a magician of a different class.

One of the trembling students shouted desperately.

“Do you think you’ll get away with this! Other professors will be here soon…!!”

“Oh, the professors? They’re too busy; it’ll take them a while to get here. Sadly, they’ll only encounter the corpses of students. Heh heh.”

Boom!

At the same time, a magic spear extended from the man’s hand, exploding the body of the shouting student. The surrounding students screamed in horror and collapsed to the ground. The man, as if enjoying their reaction, let out a mad laugh and created another magic spear.

“Ah, this is boring. Well, what can I expect from Rubellion, just a bunch of kids. I should have gone to face the professors instead.”

Bang! Boom!

[Translation]

One by one, the magical spears that flew in succession snatched the lives of the students. Among them, there were students who tried to erect shields, but the man’s spears shattered them as easily as glass. In contrast, the desperate counter-magic launched by the students was effortlessly neutralized by the man’s shield, dissipating feebly. Students who tried to seize a gap to escape were also blown apart without being able to take even a few steps.

Now, fewer than ten students remained alive.

It was the moment the man, looking unamused, was about to wave his hand to dispose of the remaining students all at once.

…Swoosh!

Seizing the moment, a sharp blade of wind flew in from somewhere. Instantly, the man in the robe flinched in surprise and erected a shield. A considerable force of magic reverberated through the shield.

“Hmm…”

The man, now intrigued, looked at the girl who had appeared on the opposite side. It was Elon. Whether she had been in a battle somewhere earlier, she was gasping for breath, her breathing ragged.

“So, not all are worthless trash, huh?”

“…Run!!”

Ignoring the man’s words, Elon shouted to the students, who were in complete despair. Finally regaining their senses, the students turned to run away from the man. The man, sneering, was about to cast a spell, but had to hastily erect a shield again against the magic that flew in from Elon.

It was a force of magic far greater than the previous blade of wind.

“What is this…?!”

Boom!!

The half-destroyed shield. The man, unable to fully block the impact, was thrown backward and hastily got up. He prepared for the imminent flurry of attacks, but soon realized that there was no need.

“What’s that?”

Elon had fallen to her knees on the ground, as if that one attack had been her last. She was spitting blood, unable to regain her senses. The man grimaced as he looked at Elon.

“Did you overdrive your magic? Impressive for even one spell.”

The power of the magic had seemed implausibly great for a mere student.

The man, now losing interest, reached out towards Elon. He planned to kill her first and then chase down and kill the students who had fled.

“Hey.”

That’s when a voice came from above.

[Translation]

Startled, the man tried to lift his gaze upwards, but it was futile. His vision blurred suddenly and then was stained red. A beat too late, he realized his torso had been pierced.

“What…”

The last thing he saw was the figure of a high school boy wearing a uniform.

Is he the one who killed me? How did he manage that? These were the man’s last thoughts.

“This is chaos.”

Karl walked past the fallen man, surveying the surroundings. The rubble of collapsed buildings, pools of blood, and the cold bodies of students.

The scene was so devastating it was hard to believe this was the heart of the Empire. Karl, with a stern face, approached Elon.

“Hey, snap out of it.”

Elon was lying in the distance, clutching her heart. Her breathing was faint but present. Her eyes were open but unfocused. Karl lifted her up and immediately cast a healing spell. It was clear that without it, she would die.

Wooong.

A greenish healing energy flowed into Elon’s body. He could feel her condition slightly improving.

But unlike divine power, healing magic had a backlash if it exceeded a certain limit. Karl stopped the healing at an appropriate point and stood up.

“What should I do now?”

She still wasn’t regaining consciousness, and he couldn’t just leave her there. Should he move her to a safe place before going elsewhere?

Crackle!

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flew in from the side. Karl deployed a shield. At the same time, a wave of flame engulfed him from the opposite direction.

Boom!!

The two massive forces of magic struck Karl’s shield simultaneously. However, Karl’s shield held firm. He took note of all the presences approaching him from all sides. Fourteen in total, and among them, two were of the saintly rank.

“Huh, what’s with that kid? Wearing a uniform, isn’t he just a student?”

Soon a group of figures in black robes surrounded Karl. He sighed and began to gather his magic power. The ominous aura emanating from the direction of the Black Tower seemed to be intensifying. It appeared he had no time to waste.

Crackle!!

[Translation]

Blue lightning spread out like a spider’s web around Karl, instantly turning several of the black-robed figures nearby into ash. He had to keep an eye on two sixth-circle mages of the Holy Order. The rest were merely annoying insects.

Boom!!

A counterattack came at the same time. Giant thorns burst from the ground, targeting Karl and splitting as they soared towards him.

Karl switched his circle to a flaming spear of Chan Yeom Hwan. Brilliant crimson flames swiftly consumed the splitting thorns and even targeted the mage who had cast the spell. The terrified mage quickly used a Magic Booster to leap into the air. It was a wise decision not to try blocking with a shield.

Flash!!

A massive white beam of light was fired at the other mage. Instead of dodging, the mage expanded a shield. Surprisingly, the blood-red shield, a kind of arcane magic, managed to block the Ray Buster. Karl was a bit surprised. It wasn’t easy to block it head-on.

“Pour all the magic at once!”

Seizing a momentary lull in the battle, the rest of the lower-ranked mages simultaneously launched their magic at Karl. He rose into the air with his shield expanded, rendering all their magic ineffective or off-target. He then changed his circle from Chan Yeom Hwan to the Heart’s Arzakryu.

Flash!!

Once again, a huge web of lightning spread out from Karl, even more extensive than before. He had potions in his inventory and was not concerned about conserving magic power. Eventually, the fourth and fifth circle mage piranhas couldn’t avoid the lightning and were utterly obliterated.

It was unthinkable that the other two Holy mages wouldn’t seize this opportunity to attack. Once more, thorns burst through the ground, splitting and stabbing towards him. Karl thought the magic was quite disgusting as he changed his circle back to Chan Yeom Hwan, causing all the thorns to burn away.

He then looked at the Holy mage who was about to launch a series of attacks, maintaining that previous red shield and seemingly preparing a large spell. Being so overt about it meant they were very confident in their shield’s defensive capabilities.

Karl smirked and stretched his hand towards the mage. If they were confident in their defense, he was even more confident in his destructive power.

Roar!!

[Translation]

A single red bolt of lightning struck down from the sky.

After the storm passed, a large crater was left in its wake. The magician who had been preparing something while shielded had vanished without a trace. Karl turned his gaze to the other side. Another high-ranking magician stood there, his face completely aghast.

“Let’s end this now.”

Karl gathered his magic, intending to finish off this foe as well. The magician, seemingly not willing to die so easily, gathered his magic with all his might. Karl’s flames and the magician’s ice wall collided head-on.

Boom!!

Naturally, Karl’s magic was superior. To those unaware that Karl was a magician of a completely different caliber than ordinary ones, the fight was hopeless from the start against the robed assailants. The magician struggled to push back the overpowering magic, but it was futile.

Karl was about to push his magic further to completely incinerate the foe when he felt a chilling sensation.

Instinctively, Karl cast a defensive spell. Not a shield, but Dark Armor. Simultaneously, a beam of light as thin as a thread struck the dark armor surrounding his body. It was as if the power of the Ray Buster had been compressed, such was its tremendous force.

Crash!!

Karl redirected the absorbed magic towards the direction the attack had come from. A shockwave spread, splitting the earth and toppling buildings. The magician, who had been hiding and launched a desperate surprise attack, was revealed. It seemed he had also been using a spell specialized in stealth, as he hadn’t been detected by Karl’s initial sensing magic.

Flash!

Karl fired the Ray Buster at the figure hovering in the air. As if that was the extent of his skills, the magician simply vanished.

“Argh…!!”

Karl finished off the magician on the ground, who was already crawling due to the previous magical clash, with a burst of flames. With that, the situation was resolved.

Karl lifted Elon’s body, which had been sprawled at his feet. Suddenly, a message appeared before his eyes, and at the same time, a blue light flickered in Elon’s heart.

[The last piece of the Dimensional Fragment is embedded in Elon Page’s heart.]

[Collecting the last piece of the Dimensional Fragment will make a return to Earth possible.]

“……”

Karl’s expression turned cold as he looked at the message.

End