I Became The Academy’s Joker Character

Chapter 36

—–CROW—– 

“Phew…”

I let out a sigh after completely crushing the Lich’s remaining bones.  

Mana consumption was relatively low, but the mental exhaustion was intense.  

It was an opponent I couldn’t have defeated with a straightforward approach, and as someone who knew Oz’s capabilities in the game, I found it frustrating.  

Why did I have to go through such elaborate planning against a mere subordinate of the [Hades King]? Wasn’t it too much work?  

I wanted to spam high-level magic like Oz in the game.

“Seriously…”

I had the knowledge, but high-level magic was still beyond my reach. If intermediate magic was painting, high-level magic was sculpting, and the highest-level magic was architecture.  I, who struggled even with drawing the spell formulas for intermediate magic, couldn’t perform such three-dimensional feats.

“Well, it doesn’t have to be high-level magic, does it?”

Come to think of it, there was a better method for me now.  Hadn’t my processing ability increased after the [Erosion Blade] broke through its limit?

“Let’s see…”

Checking with [Observation], the [Hades King] wasn’t far.  It seemed Eleanor and her party had already encountered and were fighting him.  I was momentarily startled by Baekyang’s absence, but seeing no corpse, it seemed she had escaped using Tia’s magic tool. Considering the rapid mana consumption, it would be better to join them quickly, but…

“They’re fighting better than I expected.”

Eleanor’s struggle exceeded my expectations. I thought she could hold her own against the [Hades King], but she was performing even better than I anticipated.  Moreover, although I had asked Lucia to do it, it seemed Eleanor could already use the power of her key to some extent.  The power of Eleanor’s key was special, even among keys.  Her key could dye other powers with her own color.  It could even absorb the opponent’s defensive magic.  As with most games, the enemies’ defense increased exponentially towards the later stages.  So, what should be done? The answer was armor penetration.  It wasn’t just about the ratio of stats, but how much one could penetrate the opponent’s defense.  And Eleanor’s key granted 100% armor penetration. In that respect, the developers had perfectly justified Eleanor’s role as the protagonist.

“At this rate, I can watch a little longer.”

Since I had depleted my [Mana Dominator] stacks, I needed to wait for Arieta to join me.  I had intended to help Eleanor buy time, but I changed my mind.  Judging by her performance, she still had some leeway.

“Phew…”

Deep breaths. Time to focus. I stood where I could see the [Hades King] and began casting a spell.  He either hadn’t noticed me or was ignoring me, as he didn’t look my way.

“You’ll regret that.”

[Observation – Activated]

I focused my mind, fully activating [Observation]. I felt the mana flowing through my body and the mana permeating my surroundings.  The magic I was about to cast was high-level, but not *a* high-level spell.  I lacked the ability to carve such complex spell formulas.  So, what should I do? I had already gotten a hint.

“I should go say hello to Professor Ira.”

Hadn’t I seen it just recently?  The essence of magic she had poured her life into.  The spells that appeared on the exam lacked power and were incomplete, making them difficult to activate properly. They were simply meant to illustrate the concept of interwoven spell formulas.

Basic Magic

[Magic Bullet]

But that was enough of a hint. I drew a circle with mana and added a few lines. The spell formula for [Magic Bullet] was complete, but I didn’t fire it yet.

Basic Magic

[Little Bomb]

I drew another circle next to it and added numerous lines within. The spell formula for the basic magic [Little Bomb], consisting of a circle and various lines, was complete.  I didn’t fire it either.

Intermediate Magic

[Gust Piercing]

This time, I drew a circle and filled it with numerous straight and curved lines, creating a picture. The somewhat complex, almost artistic spell formula for the intermediate magic was complete.

This was the range of basic to intermediate magic.  The difficulty was relatively consistent. While complex, they were at least two-dimensional.

Basic Magic

[Static Ball]

I drew another spell next to it.  I stacked the spells like bricks, constructing them.  Yes, if I couldn’t create a complete structure from the start, I could build a high-level spell by stacking small bricks.

Intermediate Magic

[Blaze Burst]

I added more circles.  I added circles again and again, listing and connecting all the spells I knew.  Any other mage would have exploded trying to cast these spells simultaneously, but I was the [Successor of the Mage King].  Such inefficient magic compared to high-level spells. I was a being worthy of the arrogance to use countless spells. I held the completed spell formulas without releasing them, connecting them into a single flow.

“With this…”

Using that flow, I carved gears onto the outer edges of the intricately intertwined spells, interlocking them.

High-Level Magic

[Mage’s Gearwheel]

“It’s complete.”

An excessively inefficient and mana-intensive high-level spell.  But in terms of power and theory, it was incomparable to most high-level spells.

*Click!*

The innermost gear of [Magic Bullet] rotated once. Mana flowed out, and the spell was fired.  The internal formula of [Magic Bullet] was erased, but due to the flow holding the formula, it didn’t disappear completely. The [Magic Bullet], colliding with the [Hades King]’s magical energy, lost its power and vanished like a deflated balloon.

“Of course, this level of power won’t work.”

It was only natural. This was just the prelude.

*Click!*

The gear of [Magic Bullet], having lost its spell formula, continued to rotate and resonate with the flow. Every time the gear rotated, the erased formula was restored, and when it completed a full rotation, the spell was fired again. And the rotation speed increased. This spell also vanished before reaching the [Hades King].  The [Hades King] didn’t even glance my way.

*Click!*

The [Magic Bullet] gear rotated once more.  Simultaneously, the slightly larger gear of [Little Bomb] rotated, firing the spell.  And as the gear rotated, the spell formula was restored again. The [Hades King] still didn’t look my way.

*Click!*

[Magic Bullet], [Little Bomb], [Static Ball], and [Light Impact] were cast simultaneously, leaving trails in the air. The [Hades King] finally looked this way, seemingly annoyed.

『What…?』

And he was shocked. It was only natural.  He probably had never seen anyone cast magic in such a brute-force manner.  Countless magic spell formulas unfolded around me.  They were only basic to intermediate level, but their sheer number was overwhelming.  Truly overwhelming.  Normally, mages capable of this would simply use high-level magic.

“But I like the brute-force method. I do enough thinking when planning.”

*Click!*

[Magic Bullet], [Little Bomb], [Static Ball], [Light Impact], [Gust Piercing], [Firewall], [Storm Blade], [Chain Lightning], [Waterfall], [Hail Strike]…  It was crude, but effective.  The gears rotated faster and faster, and countless spells began to crisscross the sky.  The spells melted away, consumed by the [Hades King]’s magical energy.  And new spells rained down on top of them. The speed gradually increased, and the number of spells fired grew with each passing moment.  Mana drained like water.  The mana consumption was more intense than when using [Mana Dominator]. But it was fine.

× 82

I had potions (ingredients) saved up just for this day.  While controlling the spells, I popped the into my mouth and crunched them like candy. A cool, refreshing sensation spread, and the mana within them was absorbed into my body, slightly restoring my mana. And I repeated this.  The faster the spells were fired, the faster my mana depleted. I grabbed handfuls of and shoved them into my mouth.  It would have been a rather unpleasant sight up close, but I was at a distance from Eleanor and her party, so it was fine.  So, my image was still that of a noble and arrogant aristocrat.

『Ugh…』

Even the magical energy flowing from the gate, protecting the [Hades King]’s avatar, couldn’t keep up with the barrage. The rain of spells was gradually hitting the [Hades King].  Moreover, I wasn’t alone here.

“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!”

Eleanor swung her greatsword, imbued with the power of her key, steadily accumulating damage on the [Hades King].  Lucia, not to be outdone, pulled the trigger, disrupting the [Hades King]’s movements.

『Move, daughter.』

“I…”

『Do you intend to abandon your reason for existence?』

“…I don’t want to attack Noah and my friends.”

『Is that so?』

Marie hadn’t moved since earlier. Because she was hesitant to fight us, the [Hades King] was forced to stay in place.  It would have been problematic if she had truly intended to kill us, but she was still hesitant.

『Then what about your siblings, who will be next?』

“Ugh…!”

That so-called father started threatening her with her family.  But it was an effective method.

“The name [Hades King] is nothing but a sham.  To think you would resort to such a despicable method!”

『You…』

I deliberately raised my voice, provoking the [Hades King].  The content of the provocation was trivial, but my arrogant demeanor was the result of my constant practice.  I must have been quite annoying.  Even from afar, the [Hades King] could tell I was looking down on him.

『I must kill that brat.』

Yes, a king would naturally get angry when provoked like this.

『Daughter, wouldn’t it be wise to remember that your siblings are still in the ?』

And then he would compromise.

“…”

Marie trembled, clutching her staff.  She was agonizing over it. I was also her acquaintance, but our relationship wasn’t that deep.  Aside from our first meeting, we had only exchanged greetings when we crossed paths.

*Step.*

Marie, who had been rooted to the spot, finally took a step forward.  That alone told me her intentions.  She had accepted the [Hades King]’s offer.  It couldn’t be helped.  She had been brainwashed to obey the [Hades King]’s every command and had probably never received an offer like this before. From her perspective, this offer must have seemed like something she couldn’t refuse.  Marie raised the staff she was holding.

“I’m sorry…”

“…”

“After you die and fall into the , you can curse and torment me all you want…”

*Crack!*

Marie’s pupils turned black as magical energy flowed into the staff she was holding. The lock connecting her to the was likely that staff.  My target was set.

“…Please die now.”

Legs formed on the skeletal avatar of the [Hades King], and Marie’s figure disappeared, hidden between the ribs.  He looked like nothing more than a slightly larger skeleton, but the magical energy he possessed was absurd.  Just his presence was enough to wither the surrounding vegetation.

“How menacing.”

The [Hades King] started running towards me. The magical energy he possessed grew denser, making it difficult to penetrate even with [Mage’s Gearwheel].

“But you see…”

The [Hades King] was charging with terrifying momentum, but I didn’t move. It was fine.

“You’re later than I expected.  Hurry up, Alexios.”

*Bang!*

Bombardments infused with the heat of the sun flew past me, striking the [Hades King]’s avatar.  With a sound like thunder, the giant skull’s head snapped back, its movement momentarily stopped.

“Ha! Do you have a problem with me being late?”

The SSR-rank character with whom I had a deep connection.  The [Fist King], Alexios, freed from his penalty, stopped the [Hades King]’s advance with his [Flame Cloud Thunderclap Fist].

“If that’s all the [Fist King] can do, I’m disappointed.”

“This bastard…?”

I left Alexios, a bonus item, aside and looked for Arieta, who had come with him.  She was already healing Eleanor.  The light hadn’t faded from Eleanor’s eyes yet.  Like a true protagonist, she hadn’t given up yet.

“Let’s see…”

The [Hades King] didn’t value his children. 

It was because there had never been anyone who could threaten him. 

The , like , operated on the principle of strength, but the tragedy stemmed from the key holder being too powerful.  

That’s why, to him, who lived an immortal life, family was nothing more than disposable pawns. 

But Arieta’s divine spells, the antithesis of magical and demonic energy, could affect even the [Hades King]’s main body, beyond his avatar.  

Yes, the crux of this plan was to inflict a wound on the [Hades King], Thanatos, that wouldn’t easily heal.

“I wonder if he can still talk about abandoning his family while being pressured by the other nobles of the .”

That was, if he wasn’t stabbed by his own children first.

—–CROW—– 

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