I Got a Fake Job at the Academy
Author: Sayren
Chapter "607"
Andras narrowed his eyes at the sight of Rudger, who was more intact than expected.
"Hmmmm."
Andras' head tilted sideways with a creaking sound.
When such a tall, skinny man made that gesture, it created an indescribable eeriness.
"This shouldn't be happening."
Despite the surprise attack, Rudger was not only fine but also completely unharmed.
The fact that he was unaffected despite clearly being hit directly suggested that there was something else at play that Andras didn't know about.
'I knew he was a 6th-tier magician, but it seems he's not as easy to deal with as I'd hoped.'
Andras abandoned the idea of ending this quickly.
"An interesting fighting style."
Rudger also didn't take Andras lightly.
The initial surprise attack, then the magic circle prepared by channeling magic into the floor.
And then the second surprise attack with a magic circle in the air while pretending to greet him.
The triple-layered attack perfectly exploited the psychological weaknesses of the opponent.
Rudger thought Andras' method was thoroughly cold-blooded.
Thoroughly cowardly and cold-blooded, the fighting method itself was structured to deceive others but the fact that he implemented it meant he had accumulated enough experience in it.
Indeed, thinking that one should never let their guard down against a 6th-tier magician in any field, Rudger prepared for battle.
'I didn't expect him to call a 6th-tier magician from the magic tower.'
Conversely, this meant that Nikolai was also serious enough to call a 6th-tier magician.
'Verom mentioned it. Nikolai is trying to create something on this island. The chimeras and test subjects created by joining hands with Victor are just the foundation for that.'
The fact that both magic and science were applied to the test subjects meant that both fields were incorporated into what he was trying to create.
Though Rudger wasn't sure what Nikolai was trying to make, it was clear that if time was wasted here, it would be disadvantageous for him.
"I need to end this as quickly as possible."
"End it quickly? Sorry, but that's not going to happen."
Andras immediately noticed what Rudger was trying to do and ordered his subordinates.
The War Mages of the Bourgeois faction, who had been surrounding Rudger for a while, moved in unison and began to plant steel needles around the area.
Magical stones were embedded in the needles, and when the War Mages finished their installation, the stones began to emit light and scatter waves.
-Woowoowoowoong!!
The magical waves spread through the air, interlocking with other waves and growing stronger.
The waves resonating from all directions strengthened each other and pressed heavily on Rudger's body.
"This is..."
Rudger was genuinely surprised for the first time at the pressure exerted by the magical force.
Each individual item was insignificant and hardly worth noticing, but together they created a powerful synergy that strongly pressed down on his body.
'It's hard to breathe.'
It felt like a huge rock was placed on his body, pressing down, and as if his entire body was being crushed by the pressure of the deep sea.
"Interesting, isn't it? The stronger the magical power, the harder it will be for you to breathe."
Despite being in the midst of this, Andras stood there casually, seemingly unaffected.
Though the surrounding waves were all directed at Rudger, seeing Andras so unaffected was somewhat strange.
Rudger observed the subtle flow of magical power running over Andras' skin.
"You've matched the same frequency as the magical waves, haven't you?"
"You figured that out the moment you saw it? Truly frightening insight."
The reason Andras remained unaffected in this magical resonance was because he had matched the same frequency as the resonating magical waves.
Though it sounded simple, it was actually a highly difficult technique to execute.
It was no different from riding on top of a huge tidal wave, letting your body go with it.
Make just one small mistake, and you'd be swept away by the wave.
'Yet he's this composed.'
That must be because he had confidence in his skills.
"But even if you figure it out, it's useless. Even if I can't kill you here, deliberately stalling for time is enough for me."
Andras knew what Rudger wanted.
He probably wanted to meet Nikolai, who had joined hands with him.
Just interfering with that would be enough.
"Hmm."
Rudger reached out toward the steel needles planted in the ground.
He intended to pull out the needles with his own magic to disrupt this resonance, but it wasn't easy.
-Woowoong!!!
Due to the magical waves resonating from all directions, his own magical power crumbled too easily.
It felt like building an intricate sand castle on a rainy day.
Build it, and it gets wet and collapses; build it again, and it easily crumbles — that kind of sand castle.
Moreover, the War Mages weren't just standing still either.
They diligently guarded the steel needles as if they absolutely had to fulfill their assigned task.
'They're thoroughly trained. They might have been tempted to attack in this advantageous situation, but they're all focusing on protecting the steel needles.'
Even if Rudger could properly activate magic in this magical wave environment, it would be practically difficult to break through the War Mages' defense.
The biggest problem was Andras himself.
"You don't think I'd just stand by and watch you try to remove the steel needles, do you?"
Andras smiled and pointed his hand at Rudger.
All five of his thin, long fingers were adorned with rings.
They were rings that could be used in place of a staff.
Light flashed from the rings, and a magical formula was drawn in the air.
Flames were created in the air.
A red flame transformed into a large lizard shape and rushed toward Rudger, flicking its tongue.
The lizard opened its mouth wide and swallowed Rudger in one bite.
-Crack!
But soon after, the lizard's body split like firewood, and Rudger emerged from inside, holding a sword stick, completely unharmed.
"Using rings instead of a staff. The efficiency must be terrible, yet you still carry them."
"I just find them more comfortable."
"It's to use magic secretly with your hands behind your back, without showing your staff to the opponent."
A staff is a tool that allows a magician to cast magic.
But it doesn't necessarily have to be a staff.
In Rudger's case, he had a sword stick that mimicked a staff, and Aidan used a sword that doubled as a staff.
Magic can be cast without a staff, though it becomes slower and less precise.
A staff simply makes casting magic more 'convenient'; it's not an indispensable element.
Rudger understood why Andras wore rings on his fingers instead of carrying a staff.
It was solely to make the opponent let their guard down.
Preferring to taunt, deceive, and surprise attack his opponents, he didn't reveal his staff.
As if showing that he had no hostility toward the opponent.
Then, when the tension eased, he would reveal his hidden venomous fang.
"Even if rings are not as efficient, wearing so many must give you performance comparable to a decent staff."
"You're truly remarkable. It's a shame to kill you here."
Andras was impressed by Rudger's insight.
Considering his magical skill, situational awareness, and analytical ability, he was indeed a talent truly needed by the New Magic Tower.
It was regrettable that he had to be killed in this situation.
"But this is business, so it can't be helped. Business shouldn't involve emotions."
Andras reached out toward Rudger again.
Even if he had blocked the magic with a special sword, how long could that last?
Andras wasn't the only one preparing to attack.
The War Mages positioned around also prepared their magic, revealing killing intent toward Rudger.
Rudger narrowed his eyes, feeling the magical flow fluctuating from all directions.
'This is not good.'
Andras and his subordinate magicians had created this entire situation solely to deal with a high-tier magician.
Seeing how familiar they were with these actions, it was clear they had thoroughly prepared for this.
'Even if it wasn't me, they must have created this strategy planning to eventually place another 6th-tier magician here.'
The most likely candidate was Rotheron.
The Bourgeois faction had been planning to expel the Proletariat faction for a long time.
"I was trying to conserve my strength until I got there, but it looks like I can't."
This wasn't just a trap set by mediocre practitioners; if the opposing side also had a 6th-tier magician, he had no choice but to change his approach.
"Hmm. This doesn't look good."
Andras had the same thought as Rudger.
"His eyes don't show any sign of defeat."
Normally, people either despair, get angry, or beg for their lives when they find themselves in an unfavorable situation.
Even if it doesn't show on the surface, that sentiment inevitably seeps through in their eyes, actions, and voice.
But Rudger didn't do that.
Instead, he became even calmer, and his gaze grew deeper.
Andras knew this type of person well.
'Someone who doesn't know how to give up.'
A survivor who seeks a way out even in the most critical moments.
The type of person Andras disliked the most and was reluctant to deal with.
"At this rate, I can't just take it easy either."
Andras always pursued efficiency.
Even if his opponent was weaker than him, he always tried to deal with them using the optimal amount of force.
This time was no different.
He didn't let his guard down just because his opponent was alone. Even after trapping him in a perfect trap like this, he didn't become arrogant.
The fact that the man before him still hadn't given up and was burning with determination meant that he had some sort of trump card.
So he needed to take him down decisively before he could pull it out, or even if he did, before he could gain the upper hand.
"I didn't want to use this, but..."
Andras muttered as he removed the black metal mask worn on his face.
His bare face was unexpected.
On either side of his pale lips, black tattoos were drawn horizontally.
Thinking that these were definitely not aesthetic markings, Andras opened his mouth.
"Stop"
His voice created a wave in the air and engulfed Rudger.
Rudger felt his body come to an abrupt halt.
Andras' words manifested literally.
"What?"
No sooner had an invisible, unprecedented force bound his body than another anomaly occurred.
"Be crushed"
The invisible force pressing down on Rudger's body increased tenfold.
Rudger's body trembled.
If he hadn't strengthened his body with magical power, he would have ended up like a frog crushed under a rock.
Rudger glared at Andras.
"You're withstanding this?"
Andras, for his part, was amazed at Rudger.
Who would have thought that even after bringing out his trump card, Rudger would still be perfectly fine?
"Word command magic?"
"Yes. This is my special branch of magic."
Word command is a special branch of magic that embodies the concept that words have power.
Commonly referred to as "power words," it had a very long history.
It was believed to have originated from ancient scriptures recording that gods could exert power simply by speaking.
However, its formal implementation as magic began with the imitation of "Draconic."
In the past, dragons, now extinct, were said to be able to cast magic simply by speaking, based on their immense magical power.
Now just a legend in the records, the power contained in language and speech was not entirely a fantasy.
"Even so, it can't be easy to master."
That's why it was classified as a special branch.
"That's right. I went through a lot to master this."
Andras trailed off as he curled the corner of his mouth.
Perhaps due to the tattoo at the corner of his mouth, his smile appeared more chilling and bizarre.
'Wearing a mask wasn't just a fashion choice.'
That mask was probably a kind of safety device to suppress the power of word command.
And judging by his clear pronunciation when activating the word command magic, his usually drawled speech pattern was likely deliberately adopted to suppress the power of the word command.
It meant he was suffering from a kind of side effect.
"Ah. I know that look. You think I can't fully control this magic?"
As if reading Rudger's inner thoughts, Andras chuckled.
"..."
"You're right. This magic is difficult to handle. Rather, I'm forcibly suppressing it from running wild in normal times."
Having any word carry power and manifest in some form comes with serious side effects.
Just speaking drains magical power, and magic can be activated completely against one's will.
To prevent this, Andras had to make his speech slurred and suppress the power with a mask-type magical tool.
The tattoo at the corner of his mouth was also likely a kind of magical seal to suppress the power.
Even that wasn't enough, and he had to constantly watch his speech in everyday life.
"So, even if you figured it out, what difference does it make?"
"What difference does it make?"
At that moment, Rudger disappeared from his spot and appeared in front of Andras.
Before Andras could open his mouth in surprise, Rudger's rough hand covered Andras' mouth.
"It makes no difference."
Rudger, bringing his face close to Andras', emitted a fierce glow from within his crow mask.
"None at all."
"Hmmmm."
Andras' head tilted sideways with a creaking sound.
When such a tall, skinny man made that gesture, it created an indescribable eeriness.
"This shouldn't be happening."
Despite the surprise attack, Rudger was not only fine but also completely unharmed.
The fact that he was unaffected despite clearly being hit directly suggested that there was something else at play that Andras didn't know about.
'I knew he was a 6th-tier magician, but it seems he's not as easy to deal with as I'd hoped.'
Andras abandoned the idea of ending this quickly.
"An interesting fighting style."
Rudger also didn't take Andras lightly.
The initial surprise attack, then the magic circle prepared by channeling magic into the floor.
And then the second surprise attack with a magic circle in the air while pretending to greet him.
The triple-layered attack perfectly exploited the psychological weaknesses of the opponent.
Rudger thought Andras' method was thoroughly cold-blooded.
Thoroughly cowardly and cold-blooded, the fighting method itself was structured to deceive others but the fact that he implemented it meant he had accumulated enough experience in it.
Indeed, thinking that one should never let their guard down against a 6th-tier magician in any field, Rudger prepared for battle.
'I didn't expect him to call a 6th-tier magician from the magic tower.'
Conversely, this meant that Nikolai was also serious enough to call a 6th-tier magician.
'Verom mentioned it. Nikolai is trying to create something on this island. The chimeras and test subjects created by joining hands with Victor are just the foundation for that.'
The fact that both magic and science were applied to the test subjects meant that both fields were incorporated into what he was trying to create.
Though Rudger wasn't sure what Nikolai was trying to make, it was clear that if time was wasted here, it would be disadvantageous for him.
"I need to end this as quickly as possible."
"End it quickly? Sorry, but that's not going to happen."
Andras immediately noticed what Rudger was trying to do and ordered his subordinates.
The War Mages of the Bourgeois faction, who had been surrounding Rudger for a while, moved in unison and began to plant steel needles around the area.
Magical stones were embedded in the needles, and when the War Mages finished their installation, the stones began to emit light and scatter waves.
-Woowoowoowoong!!
The magical waves spread through the air, interlocking with other waves and growing stronger.
The waves resonating from all directions strengthened each other and pressed heavily on Rudger's body.
"This is..."
Rudger was genuinely surprised for the first time at the pressure exerted by the magical force.
Each individual item was insignificant and hardly worth noticing, but together they created a powerful synergy that strongly pressed down on his body.
'It's hard to breathe.'
It felt like a huge rock was placed on his body, pressing down, and as if his entire body was being crushed by the pressure of the deep sea.
"Interesting, isn't it? The stronger the magical power, the harder it will be for you to breathe."
Despite being in the midst of this, Andras stood there casually, seemingly unaffected.
Though the surrounding waves were all directed at Rudger, seeing Andras so unaffected was somewhat strange.
Rudger observed the subtle flow of magical power running over Andras' skin.
"You've matched the same frequency as the magical waves, haven't you?"
"You figured that out the moment you saw it? Truly frightening insight."
The reason Andras remained unaffected in this magical resonance was because he had matched the same frequency as the resonating magical waves.
Though it sounded simple, it was actually a highly difficult technique to execute.
It was no different from riding on top of a huge tidal wave, letting your body go with it.
Make just one small mistake, and you'd be swept away by the wave.
'Yet he's this composed.'
That must be because he had confidence in his skills.
"But even if you figure it out, it's useless. Even if I can't kill you here, deliberately stalling for time is enough for me."
Andras knew what Rudger wanted.
He probably wanted to meet Nikolai, who had joined hands with him.
Just interfering with that would be enough.
"Hmm."
Rudger reached out toward the steel needles planted in the ground.
He intended to pull out the needles with his own magic to disrupt this resonance, but it wasn't easy.
-Woowoong!!!
Due to the magical waves resonating from all directions, his own magical power crumbled too easily.
It felt like building an intricate sand castle on a rainy day.
Build it, and it gets wet and collapses; build it again, and it easily crumbles — that kind of sand castle.
Moreover, the War Mages weren't just standing still either.
They diligently guarded the steel needles as if they absolutely had to fulfill their assigned task.
'They're thoroughly trained. They might have been tempted to attack in this advantageous situation, but they're all focusing on protecting the steel needles.'
Even if Rudger could properly activate magic in this magical wave environment, it would be practically difficult to break through the War Mages' defense.
The biggest problem was Andras himself.
"You don't think I'd just stand by and watch you try to remove the steel needles, do you?"
Andras smiled and pointed his hand at Rudger.
All five of his thin, long fingers were adorned with rings.
They were rings that could be used in place of a staff.
Light flashed from the rings, and a magical formula was drawn in the air.
Flames were created in the air.
A red flame transformed into a large lizard shape and rushed toward Rudger, flicking its tongue.
The lizard opened its mouth wide and swallowed Rudger in one bite.
-Crack!
But soon after, the lizard's body split like firewood, and Rudger emerged from inside, holding a sword stick, completely unharmed.
"Using rings instead of a staff. The efficiency must be terrible, yet you still carry them."
"I just find them more comfortable."
"It's to use magic secretly with your hands behind your back, without showing your staff to the opponent."
A staff is a tool that allows a magician to cast magic.
But it doesn't necessarily have to be a staff.
In Rudger's case, he had a sword stick that mimicked a staff, and Aidan used a sword that doubled as a staff.
Magic can be cast without a staff, though it becomes slower and less precise.
A staff simply makes casting magic more 'convenient'; it's not an indispensable element.
Rudger understood why Andras wore rings on his fingers instead of carrying a staff.
It was solely to make the opponent let their guard down.
Preferring to taunt, deceive, and surprise attack his opponents, he didn't reveal his staff.
As if showing that he had no hostility toward the opponent.
Then, when the tension eased, he would reveal his hidden venomous fang.
"Even if rings are not as efficient, wearing so many must give you performance comparable to a decent staff."
"You're truly remarkable. It's a shame to kill you here."
Andras was impressed by Rudger's insight.
Considering his magical skill, situational awareness, and analytical ability, he was indeed a talent truly needed by the New Magic Tower.
It was regrettable that he had to be killed in this situation.
"But this is business, so it can't be helped. Business shouldn't involve emotions."
Andras reached out toward Rudger again.
Even if he had blocked the magic with a special sword, how long could that last?
Andras wasn't the only one preparing to attack.
The War Mages positioned around also prepared their magic, revealing killing intent toward Rudger.
Rudger narrowed his eyes, feeling the magical flow fluctuating from all directions.
'This is not good.'
Andras and his subordinate magicians had created this entire situation solely to deal with a high-tier magician.
Seeing how familiar they were with these actions, it was clear they had thoroughly prepared for this.
'Even if it wasn't me, they must have created this strategy planning to eventually place another 6th-tier magician here.'
The most likely candidate was Rotheron.
The Bourgeois faction had been planning to expel the Proletariat faction for a long time.
"I was trying to conserve my strength until I got there, but it looks like I can't."
This wasn't just a trap set by mediocre practitioners; if the opposing side also had a 6th-tier magician, he had no choice but to change his approach.
"Hmm. This doesn't look good."
Andras had the same thought as Rudger.
"His eyes don't show any sign of defeat."
Normally, people either despair, get angry, or beg for their lives when they find themselves in an unfavorable situation.
Even if it doesn't show on the surface, that sentiment inevitably seeps through in their eyes, actions, and voice.
But Rudger didn't do that.
Instead, he became even calmer, and his gaze grew deeper.
Andras knew this type of person well.
'Someone who doesn't know how to give up.'
A survivor who seeks a way out even in the most critical moments.
The type of person Andras disliked the most and was reluctant to deal with.
"At this rate, I can't just take it easy either."
Andras always pursued efficiency.
Even if his opponent was weaker than him, he always tried to deal with them using the optimal amount of force.
This time was no different.
He didn't let his guard down just because his opponent was alone. Even after trapping him in a perfect trap like this, he didn't become arrogant.
The fact that the man before him still hadn't given up and was burning with determination meant that he had some sort of trump card.
So he needed to take him down decisively before he could pull it out, or even if he did, before he could gain the upper hand.
"I didn't want to use this, but..."
Andras muttered as he removed the black metal mask worn on his face.
His bare face was unexpected.
On either side of his pale lips, black tattoos were drawn horizontally.
Thinking that these were definitely not aesthetic markings, Andras opened his mouth.
"Stop"
His voice created a wave in the air and engulfed Rudger.
Rudger felt his body come to an abrupt halt.
Andras' words manifested literally.
"What?"
No sooner had an invisible, unprecedented force bound his body than another anomaly occurred.
"Be crushed"
The invisible force pressing down on Rudger's body increased tenfold.
Rudger's body trembled.
If he hadn't strengthened his body with magical power, he would have ended up like a frog crushed under a rock.
Rudger glared at Andras.
"You're withstanding this?"
Andras, for his part, was amazed at Rudger.
Who would have thought that even after bringing out his trump card, Rudger would still be perfectly fine?
"Word command magic?"
"Yes. This is my special branch of magic."
Word command is a special branch of magic that embodies the concept that words have power.
Commonly referred to as "power words," it had a very long history.
It was believed to have originated from ancient scriptures recording that gods could exert power simply by speaking.
However, its formal implementation as magic began with the imitation of "Draconic."
In the past, dragons, now extinct, were said to be able to cast magic simply by speaking, based on their immense magical power.
Now just a legend in the records, the power contained in language and speech was not entirely a fantasy.
"Even so, it can't be easy to master."
That's why it was classified as a special branch.
"That's right. I went through a lot to master this."
Andras trailed off as he curled the corner of his mouth.
Perhaps due to the tattoo at the corner of his mouth, his smile appeared more chilling and bizarre.
'Wearing a mask wasn't just a fashion choice.'
That mask was probably a kind of safety device to suppress the power of word command.
And judging by his clear pronunciation when activating the word command magic, his usually drawled speech pattern was likely deliberately adopted to suppress the power of the word command.
It meant he was suffering from a kind of side effect.
"Ah. I know that look. You think I can't fully control this magic?"
As if reading Rudger's inner thoughts, Andras chuckled.
"..."
"You're right. This magic is difficult to handle. Rather, I'm forcibly suppressing it from running wild in normal times."
Having any word carry power and manifest in some form comes with serious side effects.
Just speaking drains magical power, and magic can be activated completely against one's will.
To prevent this, Andras had to make his speech slurred and suppress the power with a mask-type magical tool.
The tattoo at the corner of his mouth was also likely a kind of magical seal to suppress the power.
Even that wasn't enough, and he had to constantly watch his speech in everyday life.
"So, even if you figured it out, what difference does it make?"
"What difference does it make?"
At that moment, Rudger disappeared from his spot and appeared in front of Andras.
Before Andras could open his mouth in surprise, Rudger's rough hand covered Andras' mouth.
"It makes no difference."
Rudger, bringing his face close to Andras', emitted a fierce glow from within his crow mask.
"None at all."