Sunday, April 26.
The Academy was buzzing from a string of suddenly posted news articles.
[Korea's rising star Shin Ha-yul! He'll show why he's called a rising star at the midterm comprehensive evaluation on April 30.]
[Watch the brilliant resurrection of a genius.]
The articles were completely out of the blue.
"Is this for real?"
"The resurrection of a genius?"
New articles were updating by the minute, starting from that first piece.
Even though the story was so random, no one was entertaining the idea that it might be fake.
"No way. So that's why Shin Ha-yul talked back to Baek Sa-hyuk so boldly."
"No wonder. He must've been confident to act so brazen."
"Now that you mention it, Shin Ha-yul has been looking really good lately."
They based that on Shin Ha-yul's recent behavior.
He'd been unusually aggressive toward Baek Sa-hyuk, and his face had been noticeably brighter these days — things that lined up with what those articles suggested.
"He's unbelievably confident. Saying he'll prove it with skill on April 30 and telling people to come watch."
"They say the 'unsuitable' penalty made him grow stronger. Wow…"
"Isn't that just delusions of grandeur?"
"Could be."
"More importantly, is that article for real or just a tabloid?"
There was one more reason they believed the articles.
"Of course it's real. What family is Shin Ha-yul from?"
"Oh — the Mado Family."
They were referring to Shin Ha-yul's family: none other than the Mado Family.
If the article had been false, the family would've issued a rebuttal long ago.
"Right. It's been four hours. If there's still no rebuttal, it must be true."
"At this spread, it feels like the Mado Family themselves put the article out."
And so the interview story about Shin Ha-yul was being accepted as fact.
Of course, that wasn't true.
Shin Ha-yul never gave such an interview, and the Mado Family never released that article.
So why hadn't the Mado Family issued a rebuttal?
―You don't need to publish a rebuttal.
It could be answered like that: Shin Ha-yul himself had directly called the head of the Mado Family, Shin In-hyuk, and stopped the family from publishing a rebuttal.
"A rebuttal's not necessary…?"
Shin Ha-yul's call to dissuade him.
The outlet that seemed to have posted the article was Baekga.
And there was Shin Ha-yul's proposal for April 30 that he'd presented to Shin In-hyuk.
Taking all that into account—
"I see. So this article — you got Baek Sa-hyuk riled up and made him put it out?"
―Yes.
Shin Ha-yul had goaded Baek Sa-hyuk until he posted those articles.
That was the logical conclusion.
"Purpose is to raise attention?"
―Yes. If I'm going to use my resurrection to the fullest, I thought it necessary to increase attention as much as possible.
The spotlight on the flashy event of Shin Ha-yul's 'resurrection' needed to be as brilliant as possible.
"You plan to reclaim your tarnished honor in front of many people?"
―Yes. Not only my honor, but I will also restore the Mado Family's damaged prestige.
"If things go exactly as you say, that would be ideal…."
Shin In-hyuk replied coldly.
"I find that hard to believe."
From Shin In-hyuk's point of view, the chance that Shin Ha-yul had truly achieved the 'resurrection' the article claimed was very slim.
"Let me be clear. I didn't accept your proposal to wait until April 30 because I believed you."
He hadn't agreed to wait until April 30 because he trusted Shin Ha-yul.
"I only agreed because there's no loss involved. I don't think you actually overcame the 'unsuitable' penalty."
To Shin In-hyuk, Shin Ha-yul's words sounded like baseless confidence.
An 'unsuitable' candidate can't become a mage.
Shin In-hyuk, an 8th-circle mage, knew that better than anyone.
"You'll surely make a scene. Why should I honor your request not to publish a rebuttal?"
If Shin Ha-yul made a spectacle again on April 30, it would impact the Mado Family considerably.
They'd become a laughingstock of the world once more.
Considering the loss, publishing a rebuttal would be the right move.
"If you have nothing more to say, I'll end the call."
Shin In-hyuk was about to hang up when—
―Even if I make a scene, the damage to the Mado Family won't be that great.
Shin Ha-yul said, his voice steady.
―The public already sees me as excommunicated. Even if I act strangely, I don't think it would harm the Mado Family.
That was a fair point.
"The damage might not be large. But it won't be zero."
Whatever Shin Ha-yul did, the Mado Family's name would be mentioned.
Given that Shin Ha-yul was born into the Mado Family, his actions — for better or worse — would affect them.
"I'm not the type to sit back and watch something that will cause me loss."
Shin In-hyuk was calculating. He weighed pros and cons and acted only when benefits outweighed costs.
Right now, Shin Ha-yul's proposal was pure risk to him.
―I admit there's a possibility of loss.
Shin Ha-yul understood his father's nature better than anyone.
So of course he'd prepared a way to persuade him.
―But the gains you'll get in return will far outweigh any loss.
"Gains, huh. If you mean restoring your honor and improving the Mado Family's brand reputation…."
―No. I'm not talking about those secondary benefits.
"Secondary?"
A flicker of interest passed through Shin In-hyuk's eyes.
"Secondary benefits… Then what gains are you talking about?"
Shin Ha-yul hesitated a moment before speaking.
―Me.
"...What?"
Shin In-hyuk was momentarily dumbfounded.
―I'm saying the Mado Family can get me back. Father.
Shin Ha-yul said confidently.
―I will be the greatest head of the family who elevates the Mado Family to the world's top and secures that position for the next hundred years.
Shin Ha-yul's confident voice rang in Shin In-hyuk's ear.
"...At least you have the ambition befitting a future family head."
Shin In-hyuk's expression subtly changed.
'Alright. Stop with the rebuttal article then.'
In the end, my father accepted my proposal.
'But if, after all this talk, you still show a pathetic display — then be prepared.'
I'll make him pay thoroughly for mocking me and the Mado Family.
Finally, with that parting threat, the call ended.
"…I'm drained."
If he'd refused stubbornly to the end, I'd even planned to show my power to Father in advance.
Fortunately, it worked out.
I sank back into the chair and let myself go limp.
'Anyway, with this, all preparations are done.'
Baek Sa-hyuk is still spreading my articles and raising the attention level.
On the day itself the TV crews will probably swarm in.
Baek Sa-hyuk will happily make that happen.
He wants to humiliate me in front of everyone.
'Isn't this him digging his own grave?'
Either way, at this rate I should be able to achieve my goal safely.
Three days flew by, and the long-awaited April 30 arrived.
The current time was 11:20 a.m.
Ten minutes before my duel starts.
"It's packed."
The seats of the Third Colosseum, where Group H's matches were held, were filled with a massive crowd.
Familiar faces peeked out here and there in the stands.
Scouts from various guilds could be seen, and some guildmasters had even come in person.
People connected to the Magic Tower showed up now and then, and a couple of executives from magic corporations were visible too.
If Baek Sa-hyuk played the media so well he could pull this lineup in just for a single preliminary match…
'Partly because my "resurrection" is a hot topic…'
It also meant Baek Sa-hyuk had promoted it on a huge scale.
Hatred really can be a driving force.
How much must he resent me to go this far?
I had to admit I was a little impressed.
"Wow. As expected of a rising star. The popularity's insane."
From afar I saw our Santa Claus, Mr. Baek Sa-hyuk, approaching.
"Our genius-to-be-resurrected did all those interviews, and now even I'm getting attention. Should I thank you?"
My benefactor — who'd gifted me this free publicity — stood before me with the most petty expression.
"Heh heh. How do you feel?"
He broke into his typical Baek-like smile and spoke in a laugh-filled voice.
"People gathered because of an interview you didn't even give."
He snickered and sneered at me.
"Oh, our defective product. What now? Everyone came here hoping for your resurrection."
His eyes were among the sleaziest I'd seen.
"If you can't even use magic properly in this situation and get made a fool of, that'd be entertaining. Right?"
It was a ridiculous posture.
"So you should've shut up and crawled away like you're supposed to. Huh? Defective bastard. Why crawl back up when even the Mado Family abandoned you?"
He was basking in the ignorance that everything he did was actually my intention.
"Sa-hyuk."
I gave a small smile.
"Have you ever heard the phrase 'you're still playing on Buddha's palm'?"
"…What?"
It was about time the adventuring Sun Wukong on Buddha's palm woke up to his situation.
"You've only been playing on my palm."
"…What nonsense is that."
Baek Sa-hyuk frowned.
"Can't you understand? You just made the words I wanted to say into articles for me for free. Thanks."
"You… the words you wanted to say?"
"The articles you gave me."
I spotted the reporters in the distance.
Judging by their hurried movements, they were looking for Baek Sa-hyuk and me.
They'd soon find us and come over.
"You moved exactly how I wanted from one to ten — you have no idea how convenient that was."
Thanks to him, the stage was perfect.
"You bloody mouthpiece…!"
Baek Sa-hyuk, scowling, shouted at me. I gave him a grin and pointed behind him.
"Student Shin Ha-yul! Student Baek Sa-hyuk! Could we have a short pre-match interview?"
Baek Sa-hyuk's face twisted. This wasn't the time for an interview — what the hell — his expression said.
"Now's a good time to shut up and get lost, you press scum…"
"Very well."
I cut off Baek Sa-hyuk's attempt to refuse and accepted.
"Ah, then…"
"Don't talk nonsense. Get lost!"
Baek Sa-hyuk glared at the press with murderous eyes.
"If you don't want to lose your job, get lost! You press scum!"
My "Buddha's palm" remark earlier seemed to have hit hard.
Heat rose to his head and his tone turned harsh.
"Uh, yes?"
"Well…"
The reporters were flustered.
Considering the broadcaster's relations with the Baek group, backing off would be the sensible move — yet they looked like they didn't want to miss this exclusive in front of them.
"Haha. Sa-hyuk gets low blood pressure right before matches. Please understand."
I stepped forward while Baek Sa-hyuk backed away.
"Well, I understand his feelings. Even if he gives an interview, there's no time for a long one — at most he can say one line."
"Ah, yes. Just that is enough!"
The reporters nodded eagerly.
"You bastard! Don't ignore me — answer me!"
Baek Sa-hyuk grabbed my shoulder.
"Move aside. I'm doing an interview right now."
I gently shoved him to the side and smiled at the reporters.
"One circle."
"One circle?"
"What does that mean?"
I glanced at the confused reporters, then at Sa-hyuk scowling behind me, and smiled.
"I'll beat Baek Sa-hyuk using only first-circle magic."
"You— you defective bastard!"
At my final provocation Baek Sa-hyuk finally exploded.
He grabbed my collar and bulged his eyes.
Heat clouded his head — the surrounding cameras probably weren't registering for him.
Watching him, I laughed inwardly.
'Perfect. Exactly how I wanted.'
He was in just the right state to be toyed with.