The Winner of the Whale Fight is the Shrimp

Duke Ludmila swept through Rezhen with innate genius.

Dedicating his life to the magical path without even building a family, he believed in strength.

Especially numerous disciples he accepted while saying he’d make the nation strong mostly showed excellent achievements in the military.

When such Ludmila publicly supported Salavan, many nobles wondered.

Why choose the 2nd Prince who lives with books instead of the promising mage 1st Prince?

The figure like a symbol of military force answered thus.

[Prince Salavan emphasizes ability.]

Freedom unconstrained by bloodline and status.

Ludmila’s values and Salavan’s interests in preferring talent aligned.

Thanks to this, the 1st Prince faction that had been solidifying the next throne shook.

As military forces attached to Salavan, an equal relationship was established.

The leisure for Salavan to run wild also exists because he holds the card called Ludmila.

To obtain more things, he must grasp and mold him.

“Lord Pernok, I’ve been waiting. Please come inside.”

The ducal house’s butler guided Pernok inside walls huge like castle gates.

Throughout the well-tended garden, men and women in military uniforms sat.

‘Level 2 and 3 mages. Mana is also well managed.’

Three types of people can stay in this grand mansion.

Servants, disciples, or collaborators.

But Pernok couldn’t even enter the mansion and had to circle around the building.

“Where are we going?”

“The duke is waiting at the training hall.”

“And His Highness?”

“He said he’ll come matched to lunch time.”

“You know even such trivial things?”

“Because hospitality mustn’t be neglectful.”

The butler was also a level 4 mage, but didn’t seem like he’d fall much even matched with guild executives.

Ludmila’s policy of preferring the strong is felt.

“Stop!”

When a resounding voice was heard, Pernok arrived at the training hall.

Perhaps in the midst of sparring, when two mages panted heavily, sharp rebuke echoed.

“Your mana conversion is slow! And why do you collapse exhausted while utilizing mana not even worth dust!”

“We’re sorry!”

“Raise not only mana but stamina together. Relying on magic won’t reach higher places.”

“Yes!”

“Today’s sparring ends here. Gather again tomorrow!”

“Thank you!”

Bowing with discipline, the two mages withdrew.

Pernok saw the man standing alone in the training hall.

Blue hair settling calmly like a lake, and a powerful physique.

A giant with very stable lower body center.

The man grasped with Soul Discernment emitted more brilliant light than Salavan.

‘Mana density is overwhelmingly thick. Stronger than the mountain’s master or Zeef.’

The butler bowed to him and left the training hall.

“Are you Pernok?”

Rezhen’s other Magus.

Duke Ludmila sent calm eyes toward Pernok.

But he didn’t even hide the sharpness of mana passing through his eyes.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“It’s an honor, Duke.”

“I heard very interestingly the anecdotes of the extraordinary genius who made the kingdom noisy. I’m very reassured you’re with us.”

“Many eyes are watching.”

“It’s fine. They’re loyal subordinates who won’t carelessly open mouths anywhere.”

Ludmila smiled and continued.

“Only truth is tolerated here. So, I’m personally curious about something.”

“…?”

“How did you kill the mountain range monster that Zeef couldn’t kill?”

“I was lucky.”

“Idiots without eyes will say that.”

Ludmila rolled up his lips and shouted to disciples in the spectator seats.

“How does this person look to you level-wise now!”

“A level 7 mage!”

Ludmila who nodded turned his gaze to Pernok.

“Sorry for having foolish disciple bastards.”

Pernok’s lips twitched.

Apparently Ludmila planned to imprint himself on this place’s key figures before Salavan came.

‘Was there Salavan’s instruction?’

From everywhere, nobles not wearing military uniforms began revealing themselves.

Everyone concentrates attention here.

As if confirming what kind of person boarded their ship.

“Why did you with flawless skills enough to fool disciples volunteer as cleaner?”

Ludmila drew up mana while applying trivial pressure.

“I want to confirm before His Highness comes—is that acceptable?”

Ludmila is a very belligerent figure.

The anecdote of refusing a superior’s order as wrong in youth, cutting that neck to win the war, still circulates now.

Building rapport with such an intuitive person has its uses.

Moreover, he was curious how much level a Magus existence has before the battle with Illumina.

‘A real deal different from an idiot like Zeef.’

A nation’s Magus to break someday.

Ludmila was an appropriate opponent to confirm how close he’s approached now.

‘But I can’t just play along.’

Pernok’s contractor is Prince Salavan.

Ludmila’s current suspicion is unexpected action ignoring Salavan’s verification procedures.

Though threats worked on others, they’re nowhere near working on himself who can leave anytime.

He’ll thoroughly collect payment for playing along with this clumsy external pressure.

“Duke, I already came here recognized by His Highness. Suspicion toward me leads to discourtesy directed at His Highness.”

“Young person is very sensitive. I just asked curiously why a skilled person like you specifically volunteered for back work.”

“I can show the reason directly.”

When Pernok turned his gaze to the training hall, Ludmila’s eyes flashed.

Ludmila’s mana heated as if warrior momentum blazed.

“But I must soon see His Highness—can’t go soaked in sweat, can I?”

“I’ll speak well for you. I’ll also tailor some good clothes.”

“This is more valuable clothing than any clothes the duke will give.”

“Doesn’t even look that expensive—how much is it?”

“It’s a token of trust obtained after safely finishing my first mission.”

“So?”

“Though I may look like a trivial mercenary to the duke, I also have built-up honor. The price for doubting my loyalty that even volunteered as cleaner is never light.”

Ludmila sent interested eyes.

“So?”

“To convince the duke, I must consume my time and many things. I want appropriate payment.”

“Such impudent bastard! You dare bargain with me?”

“Just tilting a drink cup reveals that person’s character. But the process of proving this with force looks harsh to me. Moreover, the opponent is this nation’s strongest Magus, isn’t he?”

“Then what do you want?”

“Since mutual belief will accumulate to become solid trust, just issue one pass stamped with the duke’s seal as that token.”

“What?”

“There’s the fact I contracted with His Highness, but isn’t there nothing recognized with the duke? Mercenaries don’t make verbal contracts. You must give certain compensation.”

With a pass stamped with Ludmila’s seal, Rezhen Kingdom’s checkpoints can be easily passed.

Going forward, when siphoning talents, weapons, food, etc., passes will be used as very useful tools.

“Obtaining a pass from me means becoming family.”

“Isn’t that why you called me here now to confirm that? In this chance, confirm to all those hiding over there.”

“Seems like it’s because you’re still young. Excessive greed leads to big falls.”

“My legs are still sturdy.”

“Kuhahahahaha!”

Ludmila stomped the ground hard.

BOOM!

As if an earthquake occurred, the training hall shook, and his disciples spread widely throughout the mansion rushed in instantly.

“I was going to taste lightly, but you have quite the talent for enlarging boards.”

Pernok grinned.

“Fine. I never go back on decisions once made. Since I started this, I must settle the end clearly too.”

“If so…”

“I’ll give what you want. However, if you can’t prove the reason for that confidence, even if His Highness requests, I’ll never tolerate you.”

“Do as you’re comfortable. But is it fine to do it here?”

“Only tight-lipped people are here. Don’t worry at all about your name leaking outside even under any torture.”

“Then I ask your favor.”

Ludmila smiled coldly and shouted loudly.

“Sparring starts now!”

Instantly, disciples murmured.

For years, no one said they’d request sparring from Ludmila.

Because Ludmila goes all out even in sparring like actual combat, always driving opponents to near-death states.

But this time Ludmila conversely requested sparring from Pernok.

Such cases didn’t exist even once after he rose to duke.

“Be seated!”

When Ludmila commanded, disciples closed mouths and sat in place.

In the training hall where silence settled, Ludmila’s mana boiled.

“Never turn your eyes from this battle!”

“Yes, Master!”

Ludmila turned his head to Pernok. And wore leather gloves on his hands.

“You’re an enhancement-type mage.”

“I heard the duke is elemental-type.”

“Think I’ll flail a staff like Zeef?”

“No. Your body’s balance is good. Seems you rely on your body rather than tools.”

“Good eye.”

Ludmila raised his fist before his eyes.

From a stable boxing stance, he just wiggled his palm.

“Let’s play a round.”

Pernok activated Observation Eye.

As synchronization rate rose, Observation Eye also repeatedly evolved, so now he can grasp soul movements faintly.

When Pernok tried lifting his right foot, the soul dwelt in the left shoulder then disappeared.

Immediately after, the flow of muscles and mana entering the left arm looked slow.

‘Indeed.’

Not a style fighting flashily like Zeef.

Though not enhancement-type, inner substance is packed tight.

A form of mage—no, Magus—seen for the first time.

‘A similar type to me?’

Too excellent teaching material to measure current level.

‘Better to hide the artifact.’

Pernok put the ring-form artifact in his pocket and clenched his fist.

“A fist fighter?”

“I handle other weapons too, but boxing fits my body more.”

“I like your taste.”

The moment Ludmila’s toes moved, Pernok who finished probing rushed first.

Thud!

Fist and fist collided.

Pernok’s eyes shone at the intensity of mana climbing up his fist.

‘It’s not coating mana on the body like Mana Reinforcement. He’s wrapping a very thin water curtain around his fist to push me away.’

Condenses magic thinner than paper to make it flow along flesh.

Not even wrapping the whole body. He only condenses water appropriately where Pernok’s strikes head.

Minimizes mana loss while pursuing efficient offense and defense.

In other words, all Pernok’s movements are being read.

‘If elemental-type is utilized this way, close combat like enhancement-type becomes possible. In some aspects this method looks cleaner.’

When Pernok concentrated mana on his fist and thrust out, Ludmila also didn’t dodge and met it directly.

But collision sounds didn’t echo. Because water wrapping Ludmila’s fist gently flowed past Pernok’s fist.

‘Like water flows attacks away, if wind or fire is overlaid, far more varied tactics than bodies merely strengthened with mana become possible.’

When Pernok’s fist deflected, his abdomen opened.

Seizing that brief opening, Ludmila stepped in with a precise advance, driving herself forward.

Because he wrapped water on his feet, a series of motions connected like sliding.

‘If wide-area Magus Arts burst here like Zeef, all elemental-type weaknesses are resolved.’

Pernok roughly grasped Ludmila’s full power.

Ludmila’s magic utilization and instant judgment have absolutely no gaps enough that talk of rising to S2 isn’t absurd.

‘This is a nation’s Magus.’

Not easy.

With just Mana Reinforcement, he can’t contend even ten exchanges with Ludmila.

‘If I use Spiritual Law, I could tear off both arms but…’

Ludmila was more belligerent than visible.

The illusion arose that he’s beast-like in trying to bite whenever gaps show.

Though he skillfully deploys refreshing magic, he also possesses cold judgment driving opponents to corners.

‘Better to think Illumina’s Magus is also this grade.’

Pernok suppressed competitive spirit wanting to draw out spiritual power.

Ludmila also didn’t activate even Magus Arts.

When surpassing ten exchanges, they were in states recognizing each other, and Salavan’s presence was felt.

‘That finish would be good.’

An opportunity to imprint being precious talent to Salavan alongside the treasure called ducal house pass.

Pernok ostentatiously withdrew backward.

He bought about 2 seconds until Ludmila’s fist reached his chest.

Pernok’s forearm dug into the momentary gap.

Water on Ludmila’s extended arm flowed along Pernok’s forearm, and both fists arrived simultaneously.

Bang!

Ludmila who wrapped water on his chest withdrew one step, and Pernok was pushed back five steps.

Watching disciples opened surprised eyes wide.

Though blocked, a person who tapped Ludmila’s chest appeared for the first time in years.

“If this were actual combat, you’d be dead.”

“That’s why I volunteered as cleaner.”

“What?”

“Even if it means giving my heart, I take the opponent’s heart. My method is close to an assassin.”

Ludmila leaked a groan.

Pernok wiped blood flowing from his lips and asked.

“I contracted with His Highness finding work I do best. Is this enough answer?”

Ludmila gazed steadily at Pernok.

And grinned while throwing something pulled from his pocket to Pernok.

Pernok caught it and looked at his palm.

The ducal house seal.

And a pass stamped with Ludmila’s direct seal at that.

“Be confident wherever you are. If anyone tries looking down on you, I’ll clearly imprint that it means facing the ducal house.”

Eyes looking at Pernok held deep favor.