"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big round of applause to our newly recruited external advisor from the headquarters planning team, Mr. Van!"
As the words leave the announcer's lips, an enthusiastic roar erupts from the crowd.
"………"
Lennok stands before a small stage, positioned at the far end of a packed auditorium, gripping the microphone as he gathers his thoughts.
He had received confirmation from Panua regarding the compensation for this role, but his mind feels jumbled as he finds himself thrust onto the stage without proper preparation.
The announcer's voice resonates through the room.
"Mr. Van, our esteemed external advisor, has already forged a strong bond with our company through his exceptional magical talents and remarkable job skills. We believe he will serve as an inspiring role model for the students from Rabatenon University who are partaking in today's company tour. Before we conclude the tour, let us hear a few words of encouragement from Mr. Van. Please give him a warm welcome with your applause!"
Despite the familiar words of the announcement, the response from the audience is overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
Rabatenon University—a name familiar to Lennok, as it was where a professor he knew worked.
It was understandable that the reaction to seeing wizards working in companies was somewhat unexpected.
Only after the applause subsided did Lennok let out a sigh and activate the microphone.
His wizardry talents helped him maintain composure in this unforeseen situation.
Recalling his academic experiences on Earth, he delivered appropriate words of encouragement and swiftly concluded his speech.
"……I hope each and every one of you understands the significance of talented wizards like yourselves being needed in all sectors of society. Thank you."
As Lennok made his way down to the rear of the auditorium amidst an even louder round of applause, he still clutched the wireless microphone. This startled the other employees waiting by his side, who politely took it from him.
By now, the other employees must have discerned how highly Lennok was regarded in the company—a VIP treated with utmost care by the head of the planning team at headquarters, someone always involved in various matters.
Rumors also circulated about him being a key researcher engaged in important projects within the company.
As Lennok handed over the microphone to an employee, he turned his head to locate Panua.
Emerging from behind the thick curtain, she arrived with a well-built man by her side.
Lennok gazed at her for a moment before speaking up.
"While I did receive a heads-up, I should be fairly compensated for this assignment."
Instead of Panua, the man accompanying her stepped forward and extended his hand to Lennok.
"I apologize for the confusion. We were contemplating how to conclude the internal tour organized by the company, and we ended up seeking your assistance."
With a subtle smile, the man introduced himself.
"I'm Dustin Goodman, humbly overseeing the company."
"……I'm Van."
Could this vibrant individual really be claiming to be the CEO of a massive corporation like Dyke?
Reluctantly, Lennok shook his hand, but he was determined to voice his concerns.
"I didn't want to disrupt the atmosphere, so I went along with it, but now I expect to be appropriately compensated for the work I've done."
Creating friction and spoiling the mood at this juncture would be unwise, especially considering there was more work to be done with Dyke.
However, saying nothing at all in this situation was unacceptable to Lennok.
"I understand," Dustin responded with a beaming smile.
"Wasn't it five times that we were supposed to work together, Mr. Van the wizard?"
"………"
"Let's consider today's appearance as one of those requests. Today's practical tour of Rabatenon University holds great significance to me."
With this much being said, Lennok had no choice but to listen to his story.
If Dustin had intended for this, he would make an excellent negotiator.
Persuading the other party to listen while relinquishing some of their own benefits required more than just effort.
Nevertheless, to fulfill one of the five requests based on the agreement made here, there was no reason not to accept it.
Lennok shrugged his shoulders and replied, "If you put it that way, I have nothing to object. Should I return to the auditorium and answer the students' questions?"
"Indeed, a skilled wizard possesses keen insight. That is correct."
"………."
Lennok had a sense that he was being pulled into something.
Despite his thoughts, Lennok had no choice but to make his way back to the auditorium.
CEO Dustin had requested him to demonstrate in front of the students how proficient a wizard employed by a corporation could be.
"I heard your speech earlier," said one of the professors accompanying the students.
"Your ability to train magic in such a challenging environment is truly remarkable. As a teacher to these students, I feel guilty for not being able to devote attention to those who need to learn, as I am focused on my research."
Blonde hair and blue eyes—both familiar to him.
A calm yet caring tone of voice.
A composed expression that matched the coolness of her voice. A woman whom Lennok knew well was there, waiting for him.
"………"
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No, I was just lost in thought for a moment."
Aris bit her lip slightly in response to Lennok's careless excuse.
"Well, if a big company like Dyke wants you, I understand that you're confident in your abilities. But I won't display any shameful behavior in front of the students either."
Aris spoke as if she lacked skill, but Lennok didn't feel inclined to laugh at her words.
It wasn't because he didn't want to, but Lennok still wasn't sure if he could defeat her in a direct confrontation.
Even from the magic that Aris often employed when teaching Lennok at the library, it was evident.
Mana, control ability, responsiveness, and rotational speed—nothing was lacking, including a deep understanding of magic theory.
Irrespective of social status, Aris Richellen was already a accomplished wizard.
If they were to seriously draw mana with the intent to take each other's lives, Lennok would have to give it his all.
‘Since it's a demonstration…'
Displaying some flashy magic should suffice.
Lennok wasn't even certain about the skill level of the university students gathered here, nor did he have an idea of what level the demonstration should be.
As long as they didn't harm each other, he could adjust accordingly.
Glancing at the students observing the two of them, Lennok swiftly gathered his mana.
[Lightning Cracker]
Fwoooosh!
As Lennok tightly clenched his fist and then spread his hand open, small light particles formed within his palm dispersed into the air.
After a brief pause, the sparkling particles erupted into blue electric fireworks, illuminating the surroundings.
The mana behind the display wasn't particularly potent compared to its dazzling visual effects, and Lennok skillfully controlled the amount to limit its range.
He hadn't utilized this spell in a while due to its impracticality, but it seemed perfectly suited for a situation like this.
That is, until Aris responded with a much higher-level magic after witnessing Lennok's initial move.
[Hydrate]
Suddenly, a turquoise magic circle expanded in the air, and dozens of water droplets emerged, swiftly engulfing the scattered particles conjured by Lennok.
The yet-to-explode particles were completely absorbed by the water droplets, vanishing without a trace. The electrical currents that had already detonated and were descending toward Aris were redirected into the atmosphere.
"…….."
Lennok's eyebrows twitched as he realized that the first magic he used had been perfectly suppressed.
Thinking about it, this is the first time he has faced a wizard as skilled as her and shown his magic face to face.
Although he had received her teachings at the library, he had never been in a position to utilize magic himself.
But if she was showcasing her abilities, it was a different story.
Lennok yearned to witness more of her unique magic.
Just by observing her refined manipulation of mana, something within Lennok's mind seemed to click.
‘Shall we explore further?'
There was no harm in indulging the burgeoning curiosity he felt in this moment.
Likewise, the Dyke officials observing from below wouldn't want the demonstration to end prematurely either.
Having made his decision, Lennok immediately summoned his mana once again.
Displaying eye-catching magic without causing significant harm to the surroundings was a challenging task.
After all, the spells and tactics he employed were designed to upend the entire playing field and wield control over the battlefield.
However, it wasn't impossible if he employed a little ingenuity.
With his left hand, filled with mana, he swiped through the air.
Boom!
[Aerosol Jet]
Like ripples on a serene pond, a massive wave materialized in the air, propelling a dense cluster of air toward Aris.
The gust of wind that Lennok unleashed blew strongly, causing the people seated in the auditorium to sway their heads.
Aris swiftly retaliated.
[Binding Force]
Churrrrrk…!!!
The magic circle Aris conjured made contact with the rapidly expanding air, swiftly contracting and reverting to its original state.
By disrupting the airflow and stabilizing it in the exact opposite manner, she neutralized the air spray that Lennok had unleashed.
Ice magic, huh… The elemental choice Aris made in that situation was one aspect that intrigued Lennok, but he was more captivated by the magic she wielded.
The unique spells he encountered for the first time stirred something within him as he faced them directly.
If he could witness a bit more, if he could harmonize with it to some extent…
‘Maybe I can mimic it?'
Lennok grabbed a water bottle from the podium, hurled it to the ground, and infused his mana into it.
[Frost Control]
Whooosh!!
In an instant, the spilled water froze, and a sizable ice spike emerged from the floor, aimed at Aris.
[Fireball]
With a composed expression, Aris conjured three fireballs, swiftly melting the ice mass created by Lennok.
To outsiders, it may have seemed like a simple exchange exploiting the weaknesses of each element, but both Lennok and Aris knew otherwise.
The ice was not easily melted by ordinary heat, and the fire did more than simply dissolve the ice.
Almost as if in agreement, their gazes shifted back to the melting water on the floor, and almost simultaneously, two streams of mana surged forth.
Kagagagak!!
Two icy paths sprouted from a single puddle of water, intertwining fiercely as they aimed for each other.
‘Binding Force, was it? Perhaps, like this…'
The mana movement he had briefly witnessed naturally flowed within Lennok's mind, and his mana began to synchronize with it.
Initially, Lennok's cold spell, which had been relentlessly pushed back, gradually caught up with Aris's momentum, growing larger until it enveloped its opponent.
"…….!!"
With its intense force, Lennok's mana grew even colder.
The intertwining coldness formed a dual spiral, freezing the moisture in the air, drawing it in from its source, and voraciously consuming each other.
Churrrrrk…!!!
Kwoong!
Only after the two swirling masses of coldness collided with the ceiling, creating a colossal column of ice, did both individuals, as if in unison, withdraw their mana.
"…….."
Lennok, witnessing the frozen pillar of frost that soared before the auditorium, gently set down the water bottle he had been holding.
The spectators, who had been staring in awe at the surreal spectacle, belatedly regained their senses and erupted into thunderous applause.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
