Episode 79: The Guardian Gate and the British Magic Association (3)
The next day, Kang Min-hyuk arrived in England on the British Magic Association’s private plane. When he first stepped onto British soil, many reporters were awaiting his arrival. News of his visit must have already spread, and the first thing that he witnessed was a flood of them moving toward him, shoving microphones in his face.
“Kang Min-hyuk, how do you feel about coming to England?”
“After the magic conference, so many magical organizations tried to recruit you. Although you didn’t respond to the offer, you’re in the Uk today…does this mean you’re considering joining the British Magical Association?”
“In light of Kang Min-hyuk’s magical revolution, the game of magical academia is changing. Where does your infinite source of knowledge spring from? Double casting, mana fairy tale, medical magic, etc., you’re making history!”
English words and phrases tangled up around him. The UK was considered the birthplace of magic.
The journalists who met Kang Min-hyuk did not treat him as the successor to Suhomun. It was a different landscape in Korea. Korea tended to emphasize his origins, but the British did not even mention the Guardian Gate. They were much more concerned with the version of Kang Min-hyuk, who had spawned a magical revolution. As the symbolism shrouding his name grew, his past was buried further and further beneath…his plan had worked. He was establishing his own identity.
It wasn’t only the development of his new magic system and medical magic that succeeded in placing the present ahead of his past, but the fact that his work had shifted the positions of Gap and Eul in the Subjugation of Dark City. The Ganghwa warriors who had always reigned supreme stepped up to protect Kang Min-hyuk, who lived up to all expectations, proving that a wizard wasn’t tethered to a subordinate role. Kang Min-hyuk commanded the battlefield, and his powerful attack magic destroyed the A-class death knight – a circumstance that defied all logic.
The moment the wizard proved he could play a lead role, people engaged in magic fell in love with Kang Min-hyuk. He lit a beacon of hope and rapidly became the face of international Magic. His background faded, and the world was invited to view him beyond prejudice. The reporters didn’t want his recent achievements overshadowed by his experience; in England, he was recognized as an exceptionally gifted wizard in his own right.
“The reason I came to England was not to belong to a specific faction. I visited to exchange information, and I am sincerely grateful that the British Magic Association invited me. As a sorcerer, this is a place I’ve always wanted to visit.”
Kang Min-hyuk kept his response brief and formal and moved on in a car prepared by the British Magic Association. He noted the appearance of a vast building called Barbican. It struck him that in Klinssman’s world, that was where the Royal Magic Academy had been built. The moment really highlighted the difference between the two dimensions.
* * *
In the conference room of the British Magic Association, Kang Min-hyuk was initially approached by unfamiliar faces,
“It’s so nice to meet you!”
“I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you in person.”
“You will also visit the German Magic Association later. I intend to prepare a grand party in your honor.”
Celebrities in the world of magic didn’t hesitate to approach Kang Min-hyuk excitedly. He was the center of attention – a phrase had recently begun circulating: “Magic academia has been divided into two eras: before and after Kang Min-hyuk.” However, that wasn’t to say that everybody held Kang Min-hyuk in reverence…some were suspicious and expressed disbelief in his work, reluctant to accept the oncoming changes.
“Everybody sit down, please,” the President of the British Magic Association requested.
At Wayne Burns’s words, the people who were lingering around Kang Min-hyuk returned to their seats.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Kang Min-hyuk for making the long journey to be with us today.”
“Not at all; it’s an honor to be here.”
Wayne Burns smiled, “Now, let me go to the point…after watching the video that has shaken the world, our people were stunned. As you know, the current system of magic does not work against Class A monsters. It is said that Korea’s Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong defeated a class A monster for the first time in the world, but that is different…your magic isn’t sixth circle magic. It’s totally new, and we’re very curious about it. Everybody in this room today has dedicated their entire lives to the study and practice of magic, and yet, none of us have ever encountered anything like you used in the S-class Dungeon.”
Wayne Burns chose his words carefully – the topic was sensitive in its importance.
Kang Min-hyuk said, “I’ve already told Archmage John Wesley that I have no intention of revealing the system here…but let me explain what kind of magic it is. The name of my system is ungraded magic. It holds a power that transcends rank by using the characteristics of the circle. In this magic, the circle is unlimited, but the power varies depending on the wizard’s level. I am a 4th circle wizard, but I could inflict A-class monsters’ damage through the ungraded magic.
“Huh.”
“It’s magic beyond the grade.”
The audience was stunned to hear of an entirely new brand of magic. Wayne Burns took the lead,
“It’s non-class magic. Does that really exist?”
“Yes.”
“Of course, you own this magic. You developed it yourself, so it’s naturally yours. Are you willing to reveal the secret if you receive a fair price? As a result of our discussions, we are willing to pay a price of £1 billion (about KRW 1.49 trillion) if you accept. Even if you desire something more than money, we are ready to accommodate any condition.”
Wayne Burns’ attitude was positive – it had to be. The eyes of those watching were filled with greed, and Kang Min-hyuk responded firmly.
“Sorry, but I have no intention of revealing non-rated magic. I attended this event not to do business with you, but to reveal my thoughts.”
The faces of those watching grew stormy.
A man who had thus far been concealed in a corner stepped into visibility.
“Can I tell you something?”
He was in his mid-50s, with the profile of a hawk. He looked familiar to Kang Min-hyuk.
‘Magnus Larsson of the American Magic Association.’
He was a renowned wizard and one of those wearing a dissatisfied expression.
Kang Min-hyuk laughed inside. He had been waiting for such a person to emerge following his formal talk with Wayne Burns.
* * *
Magnus Larson was a doubtful, jealous man. He began to seek holes in Kang Min-hyuk’s explanation.
‘There’s something weird about all of this.’
Kang Min-hyuk showed undeniable achievements, but the problem was the time in which he entered magic. The boy had a past. Considering his presence at Suhomun, he must have been initiated into magic at the age of seventeen…but that was impossible. Nobody could excel so much in such a brief time. People cited him as a magical genius, as though such a term could calm all doubts.
If Kang Min-hyuk was a genius, others might burst out in succession. However, no wizard could reach the fourth circle so quickly…perhaps Kang Min-hyuk had been learning magic for longer than he claimed and deliberately concealed it…Magnus Larson’s suspicions began and refused to quiet. He felt as though he was piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.
‘Kang Min-hyuk could be a fictional genius created by Suhomun to devour the magic academia. No, to reach the fourth circle at the age of seventeen, he had to be a true genius…the knowledge said to have been developed by Kang Min-hyuk may have been researched by a separate team at the guardian gate, and the video of defeating A-class monsters is not really reliable data. Since the subjugation was conducted at the guardian gate, there’s a chance they manipulated the footage.’
It was a conspiracy theory. There were gaping holes in it, but it seemed plausible enough when he first attempted to deny Kang Min-hyuk. Standing before him, he aired his suspicions.
“I can’t believe what Kang Min-hyuk said. Isn’t it a little strange to reveal great knowledge such as double casting, mana fairy tales, medical magic, etc., and keep only non-class magic secret? If you think about it, the only evidence that he defeated an A-class monster is the testimony of the disciples of his family, Suhomun, and the film footage. I know the influence Kang Min-hyuk’s achievements have had on magical academia, but I think we need to check the facts separately for this issue.”
Most of the wizards in attendance were followers of Kang Min-hyuk. Magnus Larson was content to sow the seeds of suspicion, expecting Kang Min-hyuk to be too meek to respond aggressively to his far-fetched theories. No positive feedback came from the audience…most people responded angrily on behalf of Kang Min-hyuk, but he stayed very calm. A smile played across his face.
Magnus Larson’s ideas presented an alternative possibility that caused quite a stir. He raised suspicions, and most were angry with him. However, those who kept silent seemed to be in support of his claims.
Kang Min-hyuk responded simply,
“It’s not true.”
It didn’t matter either way. There would be ways to check the truth without causing any damage.
“‘I understand. The word genius will not summarize all I’ve achieved in just a few months.”
The situation was expected. Kang Min-hyuk’s tower was not yet concrete. He had climbed so high in such a short time; the supportive base of trust was weak. There was no rush to build the tower; he could erect it brick by brick. It’s said that greed will ruin work in unexpected ways. He could make a firm foundation from the position he found himself in—a base for his invincible fortress of the future.
“I have no obligation to prove myself to you. Let’s avoid useless mistakes, though…if Magnus Larson wills it, I’ll prove it to you right now.”
“How?!”
Kang Min-hyuk laughed. The solution was simple, known to everybody in attendance.
“I’ll show you how to defeat A-class monsters…isn’t that what you all want?”
To attract the skeptical, envious angler, Magnus Larson would have to be cast the bait into the deep sea that reality did not touch.
