The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

46 – Magic Tournament – 1

“Ahaha! By the way, sir! Long time no see! How have you been?”

“Yeah, it’s been a while. How about you guys?”

“We’re always the same~. It’s not an ordinary thing to withstand Master’s training~.”

Uria, shaking hands with a carefree laugh, and Canon, wearing a somewhat sullen expression but still glad to see them.

As the two approached Eihan, Lena was taken aback.

‘Does Master know those two well?’

When a friend brings unknown friends, what happens to someone like Lena? The answer to the question is simple.

She just shrinks.

Even when talking about things she knows, it’s hard to join in, but when unfamiliar stories come up, it becomes even more difficult. Lena sat quietly in the corner near Eihan, listening to their conversation.

“We saw Bella in Greenhill, and it reminded us of you two. Why are you here? Are you participating in the magic tournament, by any chance?”

“Yeah! We heard there’s a magic tournament at the Blue Pavilion, but we can’t just stay still at the Red Pavilion~.”

“Well, we can’t let the Blue Pavilion have all the fun.”

Since ancient times, the rivalry between the Red and Blue Pavilions of the Ivory Tower was well-known for its intensity.

It was so intense that it caused a commotion every year during the magic duel between the Red and Blue Pavilions.

In the Red Pavilion, it was called the Red-Blue Duel, while in the Blue Pavilion, it was known as the Blue-Red Duel.

If someone mentioned the Blue-Red Duel in front of a Red Pavilion mage, it was said they would leave the spot without hesitation.

“But what Lena said earlier… is it true?”

“Yeah. Lena is my apprentice.”

Uria, with a cute face, glanced at Lena, who was hesitating. The expression on Uria’s face, which was already looking curiously at Lena behind Eihan, brightened even more.

“Wow! What a coincidence! This is great~. If he’s your apprentice, his skills must be proven, right? You can really aim for victory, can’t you?”

“Exactly. I already said I’m aiming for victory. I made a bet with Rice.”

Hyun talked about the bet he had with Rice before.

Listening intently, Yuria clenched her fists tightly.

“You can’t let them take Sir to the Azure Hall! Lena! Canon! Let’s go practice!!”

Truly a tempestuous girl.

As Canon entered the cafe and saw her leaving without even placing an order, he sighed softly and waved his hand towards her.

Once Canon left, only Lena remained in the cafe.

Hyun lightly patted her back, feeling unsure of what to do.

“I sent them to find party members, and they really found good ones. Yuria and Canon, they’re trustworthy.”

Not quite like Lena, but these girls also possessed exceptional talents.

Moreover, their basic skills would be solid, having learned under Bella.

“Aren’t you going?”

“Ah, um, I, M-Master.”

“Hmm?”

“How, how do you know Yuria… and Canon?”

“How? I know them.”

Hyun nonchalantly nodded.

“Just because they’re Bella’s disciples?”

“That’s one part of it.”

“Oh, and because they call you Sir… you seem quite close…”

“Well, we’ve done quite a lot together.”

“What do you mean by ‘quite a lot’?”

“I’ve taken them to several ruins.”

Hyun recalled the old days, back when he used to wander around a lot.

When he wanted something from the Ivory Tower and made a deal with Bella, she asked him to take those two with him for exploration.

It wasn’t particularly difficult, so Hyun took Yuria and Canon to several ruins a few times, and they became close friends since then.

Upon hearing this, Lena chuckled.

“Oh, those ruins… considering that, why are they still… like, novice wizards?”

“They’re the kids Bella has deliberately raised. They can use multi-magic and shadow spears too.”

“Hehehe…”

Interest sparked in Lena’s eyes, thinking multi-magic and shadow spears were her own specialties.

Eunhyun, who tapped Lena’s forehead, took her hand and guided her outside.

“But I’m not as good as you. They’ve barely scratched the surface with about ten tricks or so.”

Moreover, Lena awakened shadow spears and multi-magic on her own, but they were different.

They were trained through Bella’s immense education and calculated rigorous training.

Due to this training, growth was inevitably slower compared to natural talent.

Thus, despite being Bella’s apprentice for years, Lena remained nothing more than a novice sorceress.

“I keep saying it every time. You’re my pride.”

“Heh, hehehe…”

“So, can I count on you?”

“Uh, yes… I’ll, I’ll try my best.”

“Good.”

Eunhyun gently tapped Lena’s back and went outside with her.

***

“Then, let’s start with a simple beginner’s magic showdown!”

The magic contest is a 3 vs. 3 survival match.

If the first one to come out wins, the rest can continue to fight.

“The sorcerer from the Blue Order, Rowin, a disciple of Rice, is not to be underestimated. He participated in the subjugation of the great demon Diabolos and was chosen by the artifact called the ‘Sera of Magic.'”

Sometimes artifacts imbued with consciousness appear.

These artifacts choose their own masters, and the Sera of Magic was no different, also being linked to the power of magic.

It was an equipment once used by Balthron, a loyal servant of the great demon Diabolos. When Diabolos was defeated, the Sera of Magic chose Rowin, a disciple of Rice, as its bearer.

“Th-The great demon Diabolos…”

Lena’s gaze flickered towards me.

From Noble mtl dot com

As if understanding that look, Uriah nodded.

“Yeah. During the subjugation event with that guy. Rowin was there too.”

“It’s more accurate to say he was caught up in it.”

Diabolos suddenly emerged, leaving him no room to escape.

Anyway, this isn’t the crucial point, so I redirected the conversation back to the main topic.

“The grimoire of magic provides an astonishing amount of power to its user, almost to the point of ignorance.

In exchange, it chips away at one’s stamina, but even considering that, it’s a captivating ability.”

“S-So, how should I approach it then?”

“It’s not without its weaknesses. Despite possessing the grimoire of magic and holding immense power, Rowin can only wield basic spells. Therefore…”

“You just have to outmatch them skill-wise.”

As Canon finished, Lena sighed in relief.

It seemed manageable now. In response to her reaction, Canon raised a finger.

“But each of their spells packs a formidable punch. Rowin’s Magic Arrows are said to be as massive as pillars.”

“Hieeeek…”

Others aligned with Rowin seemed disinterested.

Uriah casually raised her hand.

“Well then! Shall we test our skills? Since we have the gentleman here, let’s have him judge!”

I shrugged at her gaze.

There wasn’t much else to do, and it would be a good gauge of Lena’s level.

I was also curious how much these kids had grown.

Taking a spot in the open space next to the café, Canon and Lena stepped forward first.

“I won’t go easy, so brace yourself.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best!”

“Then let’s begin.”

Before the words fully left his lips, Canon raised his staff.

In that moment, a dozen or so Magic Arrows were unleashed, each aimed at Lena.

Now, what’s her move?

I held anticipation, and Lena didn’t disappoint.

– Woo-oo-oo-oom!!

In an instant, dozens of Magic Arrows created by Lena countered Canon’s Magic Arrows.

No, it wasn’t just a counter.

Producing more Magic Arrows than Canon, Lena immediately aimed them back at him.

Oh, manipulating multiple spells individually.

Truly a skilled technique, isn’t it?

“Hehehe! Mister! Mister!”

I was sitting on a box in the courtyard, watching the confrontation between Lena and Canon.

Amidst their magic swirling around, Uria approached with her characteristic laughter and playfully tapped me.

Curious as to why, I looked at her, and she subtly jumped up to sit on my knees.

“Ah~. It’s really nice here, isn’t it~?”

“This kid. Are you a child?”

“Yeah! So what?!”

Uria, with her playful personality, and perhaps because of that, slightly raised her head and smiled like a cat before leaning her back against my chest.

“Master doesn’t accept these kinds of things.”

“Bella is a bit strict.”

When she teaches the kids, there’s no mercy or tears. I’ve seen her teach, and it was enough to startle me.

“M-M-M-M-Master!?”

That was when it happened.

Lena, who had been fighting with Canon for a while, looked over here in bewilderment and shock.

“What’s going on?!” Uria seemed curious too, tilting her head, and in the meantime, Lena was hit by a magic arrow and fell.

“Ah?! Are you okay?!”

“Ugh… I-I’m fine…”

“Then it’s my turn!! Canon, bring it on!”

“Heh. I’ll take on anyone.”

Uria, who had jumped off my knees and headed towards the courtyard, prepared herself. Meanwhile, Lena, who approached me, looked quite resentful.

“Why?”

“W-Well, how should I…”

“What is it?”

“…She’s my master…”

Judging by her murmuring, it seems Lena was unhappy with Uria sitting on my knees earlier.

Dealing with such matters. Even with exceptional talent, it seems she’s still just a kid.

I hugged the sulking Lena and seated her on my knees.

“There. Is it okay now?”

Finally, Lena’s voice subsided.

Raising a child is indeed no easy task.

To be jealous over such trivial matters, really.