Chapter 135

A bit of chaos kicked off, but that doesn’t mean the day is gonna hit pause.

Whether Eli was chosen by Chaos or not, time keeps on ticking.

So that means I gotta drag myself out of bed for class in the morning.

By now, I’m used to wandering around solo, and the Academy has gotten used to my presence too.

Above all, the fact that I’m not causing any trouble and keeping things quiet is my biggest achievement.

Sometimes, when I’m feeling sluggish, just throwing a fit in the Chaos Forest does the trick. Rod even gave me the green light for that.

‘And hey, I’m steadily making money too.’

I decided to handle my money matters myself instead of leaving it all to Rize.

As soon as I found out that Jane was the one who made a killer investment in stocks, all the suspicion just vanished into thin air.

This whole thing has granted me quite a bit of freedom. But the moment I slip up, all eyes will be on me.

‘Gotta be careful. I need to show that I’ve adapted to civilization.’

Final exams are creeping up, and once that’s over, a special event is on the schedule.

At that event, major figures from around the world will gather, and there’s plenty of room for political entanglements.

Above all, rumors about me must have spread, so I need to work hard to avoid unnecessary trouble.

‘There’s bound to be someone who’ll stir things up.’

That’ll be dealt with when the time comes. For now, I need to focus on the final exams.

I said there wouldn’t be any pointless penalties, so I’m a bit curious. How exactly did they balance things out?

Right now, the gap between me and the other students is huge. Even the professors would find it tough to take me down.

Plus, with Berserk gone and ‘Rampage’ acquired, Hector can still keep his wits about him while he fights.

‘I’m actually looking forward to it.’

Every day lately has brought forth amusing happenings. I’m not even wrecking anything!

At this rate, I might be able to push through the story like a normal person. That’s what I thought.

“Alright. Today, we’ll be doing Basic Magic Practice. It might be a bit late to start, but it’s just the basics, so I appreciate your cooperation.”

This afternoon’s class is Basic Magic Practice. It’s time to learn the fundamentals of magic under Godin’s guidance.

According to past classes, it doesn’t matter whether I learn magic or not. You gotta dig at least one well to strike it rich, right?

In that sense, it’s not that efficient for warriors to learn magic, but it’s still good to pick up Basic Magic.

“Learning magic at a basic level isn’t a bad thing. Especially when it comes to utilizing the terrain around us. For example, setting oil on fire to create a huge flame, or zapping a puddle of water with lightning to shock everyone in a group. Even basic magic has plenty of uses.”

That’s just as Godin explained. Even a little magic can significantly increase your options.

In reality, it also requires a quick mind, but that’s alright. It’ll help with survival too.

“Now, I’ll divide everyone here into those who have already learned magic and those who haven’t. If you’ve learned magic, head over there with the assistant, and for everyone else, I’ll teach you directly.”

I stood in front of Godin after hearing that. Everyone in my group, except for Grace, is with Godin.

Then Godin smiled and checked us out, clapped his hands, and gathered our attention.

“Everyone here has never used magic before, correct?”

“I can use lightning.”

Kara chimed in nonchalantly. Being a follower of Gulrak means she can use lightning.

Godin nodded knowingly at her comment and responded.

“That’s not magic; that’s faith. Faith is the power that manifests through will. It’s quite different from magic, which manifests through words.”

“Then, which one is better?”

“I can’t say one is better. Simply put, magic is about variety, while faith is about enhancing physical abilities.”

In simple terms, she can shoot lightning arrows with magic, but faith is more about shooting lightning directly from her hands. Like some alien from a sci-fi space war game.

Moreover, if faith is taken to the extreme, the sky will fill with clouds when summoning lightning.

If magic creates clouds directly, then faith draws in natural clouds.

“Anyway, magic manifests through language, as I’ve explained. It works like this.”

Godin moved his fingers gracefully as if writing letters in the air.

He went slowly so we could easily follow along, and I could guess what he was writing.

“Fire.”

*Fwir!*

With that, fire popped out from Godin’s hand when he said the word fire. It was big enough to cover his palm.

I’ve encountered fire magic countless times in tests and practicals. So, it didn’t really impress me.

Most others seemed to feel the same way. Given that most of us are warriors, they were just watching with expressions that said they were game for some action.

“This is the simplest form of magic. Fire magic is one of the elements that humans can use best, along with water. It’s an element directly tied to survival, so it’s probably etched into our beings.”

In reality, learning fire or water-related magic is fairly straightforward. I could probably use it right now.

Fire is the beginning of civilization, and water is the source of life. That’s why it’s probably ingrained at the genetic level.

“Professor, I have a question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“You said magic is language, but some people have created a giant fire pillar by saying ‘Ignite!’ How does that work?”

I’ve often seen that magic in tests and practices. With that phrase, a massive fire shot straight up from the ground.

Godin praised it as a great question and demonstrated for us.

“Ignite!”

He spoke those words clearly, but his hands were drawing ‘Fire Pillar.’ Words and actions were different from each other.

*Fwir!*

But the result was the same. Since we were using a common language, despite being small, it was the fire pillar I’d seen often before.

That wasn’t enough, but Godin kept showing us through actions.

“Rise! Propel! Surge! Flames ignite!”

*Fwir! Fwir!*

He said different words each time, but the written word remained constant.

The outcomes weren’t too different either. Each had a different shape, but that’s just how fire works.

“As you can see, the words spoken may differ, but the term ‘Fire Pillar’ remains the same. As I mentioned in the first class, there are countless words that share meanings, like ‘see.’ If you grasp the characteristics of the fire pillar well enough, any words can work. However, ‘Ignite!’ is most suitable, which is why it’s commonly used.”

“Oh…”

“Any more questions?”

I doubt there would be. Most prefer to physically act rather than think too hard.

It seemed Godin was well aware of this, as he quickly transitioned to the practical part.

Before doing the practical work, he handed out recording devices to everyone.

“It’s good to check your own performance whenever you fail. See if your pronunciation is clear or if you’ve written out the words wrong, etc. You can’t just recklessly charge ahead.”

Hearing that, I pondered. Which language should I use?

I could use Hangul, or the common language of this world. I had just recently learned the common language, so it was still a bit tough.

But if I used Hangul, I’d probably raise unnecessary suspicions.

‘Should be fine even if I can’t do it.’

After all, the defensive magic I’ll learn from Godin is all I really need, and then I won’t need any magic.

I took the recording device I’d received earlier and looked around to see how everyone else was doing.

“Uh, uh? W-Why won’t this turn off? Turn off! I said turn off!”

“Careful. Careful.”

There was a student who successfully lit fire in his hand but failed to extinguish it.

The method to put it out is pretty simple. Just don’t inject any magic power, and it’s done.

What’s more, magic born from one’s own magic power doesn’t hurt the individual.

Of course, the magic itself isn’t harmed, but they’d have to bear the aftermath themselves.

‘First, fire…’

I concentrated my magic on the tip of my finger. Honestly, controlling Red Magic finely is tough.

I recalled how I’d chewed through sculpting and condensation. For me, magic is all about concentration.

Maybe magic will actually help enhance my focus. Not that I plan on becoming a mage.

‘Using the common language for fire…’

I slowly wrote the word in the air, being very meticulous to avoid any accidents.

Finally done writing the word, I focused the magic on my fingertip and quietly opened my mouth.

“Fire.”

*Fwir!*

Fortunately, a small flame ignited at the tip of my finger. No, not just my fingertip, but my entire hand.

I was about to think that having fire all over my hand was alright, when suddenly I noticed the flames had spread up my arm.

‘How far does this go?’

Just when I was trying to get a grip on my body.

“Ahh! W-What’s that!!”

“What?”

Someone screamed in horror. I turned my head, puzzled.

Turning my head, I saw a student looking at me as if they had seen a ghost.

“Is there no water?! W-Water!”

“Hey! Just roll! Hurry up and roll, you fool!”

Antonio yelled out, panic radiating from his voice. Hearing him, I finally checked my body.

I definitely only lit my fingertip… Weird. Why is my whole body engulfed in flames?

Even Ghost Rider only lights up his head. Yet here I was, my whole body on fire.

“Pour down!”

*WHOOSH!*

Out of nowhere, something poured down from above my head.

Given the cold sensation, it seemed to be water. Someone had magically dumped water over my head.

Thanks to that, all the flames that had clung to my body disappeared. My body was damp, so it’d be hard to ignite any more flames.

“Phew… Good thing I was prepared. Are you alright?”

The person who poured water over my head was, as expected, Godin. He let out a sigh of relief and checked on me.

I shook off the water from my drenched hair and answered honestly.

“It’s cold.”

“…”

Godin had a lost-for-words expression on his face.

*****

After the Ghost Rider incident with Sivar, Godin began to keep a close eye on him.

Who would have thought he’d not only light a fire but engulf his whole body in flames? This was beyond unexpected.

‘I’ve never heard of something like that…’

In theory, such a phenomenon would only be possible if one’s body was made up of magic power. Or maybe he failed to control it.

Godin leaned towards the latter. Magic requires highly precise control over magical power unlike anything else.

Even if one learns how to control their power, making fine adjustments is still a foreign concept to them. Thus, this situation must have arisen.

‘I wish he was just a little less smart.’

As seen in the midterms, Sivar’s application abilities were off the charts.

He’d come up with ideas for self-destructive attacks and throwing firebombs before even properly adapting to civilization.

What would happen if he learned magic too? It was completely unpredictable what outrageous things he might pull off.

Swipe- Slide-

‘…Why is he taking off his shoes?’

At that moment, Sivar took off his shoes and went barefoot. Godin couldn’t help but feel perplexed.

What on earth was he planning to do now? Just then, Sivar began to wiggle his toes.

No, it didn’t seem like wiggling; it looked like he was writing something. With his big toe, no less.

“…Ara.”

He said it softly, but I could still hear it. I had opened my ears wide enough.

*BOOM!!*

But the results were beyond imagination. A gigantic explosion erupted from Sivar’s feet.

After the explosion, a faint fire flickered. It seemed like he had generated fire pillars from the soles of his feet.

“What the heck? What’s happening now?”

“Ah! Hot, hot, hot!!”

“…”

Godin was once again at a loss for words. This time, his mouth dropped open in shock.

Magic typically causes a big explosion in close quarters. It’s a phenomenon that occurs when space is limited.

That was common knowledge, but he hadn’t quite explained that. He almost forgot that Sivar was a wild man.

“…W-Where did he go?”

“Did he blow up?”

“No way he’d die from just this, right?”

As Godin was stressing, an anxious murmur reached his ears. He quickly looked to where Sivar had been.

According to the other students, Sivar had completely vanished.

All that remained was the evidence of the explosion, and only soot marked the floor.

“Hey, look! Isn’t that him?”

“What? Where?”

“Look up! He’s hanging up there!”

It wasn’t long before I felt I’d have to write an incident report, and I chuckled ironically.

One of the students pointed at the ceiling of the practice room, which was quite high due to magic.

“…I think that’s him? Why the heck is he stuck up there?”

“Isn’t he wedged in there rather than stuck?”

“Can’t believe he’s still wriggling around.”

And indeed, Sivar was literally wedged up there. Given his wriggling, he seemed to be okay.

The sheer absurdity left everyone more intrigued than horrified. Just when things were quiet, he caused yet another riot.

Tap-

“Oh. He’s falling.”

“Everyone, move!”

Before long, Sivar, who had his head lodged in the ceiling, began to tumble down.

The students hurriedly retreated, worried they might get hurt. They had no plans to catch him either.

*THUD!*

Fortunately, Sivar landed safely. His balance was impressive.

He then casually brushed off the debris clinging to his head. That’s when our eyes met.

“…”

“…”

“…Sorry.”

“…Thank you.”

An apology was all it took.

“I’ll personally teach Sivar’s magic. For now, we’ll call it a day.”

“Okay.”

“Huff…”

Godin let out a deep sigh as he looked up at the ceiling.

Much like the hole made by Sivar’s head, he felt an unease lingering around multiple fronts.

‘Is he really human?’

Suddenly, that doubt crept into his mind.

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