#151. Inferior Beings (4)
—
Challenge him *all at once*?
Was he serious?
‘He’s definitely Second Circle.’
‘There’s no way he’d lie to Master.’
To reach the Second Circle at such a young age—it was undeniably an incredible achievement and proof of genius.
Most ordinary mages couldn’t even break through the First Circle in their lifetime.
「I’m jealous. So jealous.」
「So jealous I could die.」
「If only I were Second Circle too…」
For all of Class A, it was a dreamlike level.
But now, the fact that the uninvited guest from the Tower was Second Circle had little to do with how the match would play out.
Number of circles meant nothing.
Just because one had more circles didn’t mean their ability to manipulate mana was superior.
‘If skill were determined solely by circle count, then that idiot Ayla from Class B would always be first in both theory and practice. Not me.’
The thin young man in the front snorted at Ray.
He was Tenon—the one who had tried to speak up to Binjin at the start of class but backed down.
‘What a useless bitch, blessed with talent she can’t even use.’
Tsk.
Tenon clicked his tongue involuntarily, just like his master.
The sibling pair, Ayla and Ain, had entered the estate only a year ago.
Within three months, Ayla had reached the same stage as their master—Second Circle.
Naturally, she monopolized their master’s rare interest and expectations…
‘But it didn’t last long. Second Circle was her limit.’
Ayla was hopeless at magic.
While her spells were polished, her ability to utilize them was abysmal.
Her skills stagnated.
She was perpetually ranked near the bottom in duels.
If not for the large amount of mana from her two circles, even that low ranking wouldn’t have been sustainable.
The fall of a genius.
Everyone had reveled in it.
Even now, recalling how Ayla was utterly crushed in her first duel sent a thrill of excitement down their spines.
Such a stupid girl.
All because of a weak foundation.
Her Second Circle had been hastily built—it would’ve been strange *not* to creak and crack.
And—
‘That bastard’s no different.’
Tenon didn’t know the precise curriculum of the Tower.
But judging by Ray’s age—no older than Ayla—his foundations couldn’t possibly be solid.
Besides, manipulating mana orbs belonged strictly to the realm of practical skill.
‘And in practice, I’m several steps ahead.’
Could that sheltered Tower noble even imagine what it was like to fight for his life against back-alley thugs?
In comparison, their opponent was a flower raised in a greenhouse, while they were hardy weeds grown under harsh storms.
In the tense silence, Tenon raised his hand on behalf of the others.
“May I speak?”
“Yes. Flower… oh, I mean, Lord Hailer. May I say something?”
Ray nodded.
“I don’t quite understand what you meant by having us all challenge you at once.”
“It’s exactly what I said. All of you try to take the mana orb from me—at the same time.”
Tenon’s brow twitched.
The naive arrogance of a noble who knew nothing of the real world irritated him.
“Of course, we’ve heard rumors about the ten students from Class B losing yesterday.”
“So word’s gotten around.”
“Yes. But rumors tend to be exaggerated and embellished.”
Ray stayed silent—he had no idea how the rumor had spread.
“Well, regardless of wins and losses, I can believe you held off ten students simultaneously. *But we’re Class A.*”
Of course you are, Ray thought, wondering why he was stating the obvious.
“We’re not like Class B—that group of inferior… no, those who need more effort.”
“How are you different?”
Ray’s question made Tenon’s brow twitch again.
“We’ve all trained under Master for many years. We have circles, which means we’re not apprentices but full-fledged mages. I guarantee—”
He took a breath.
“—the moment the match begins, the mana orb will fly into our hands and smash against the wall.”
He pressed on while Ray remained silent.
“Lord Hailer, I understand you may not be familiar with the outside world. As someone more experienced in life, let me offer a correction: the proper way is to take turns, one-on-one.”
Tenon cheered inside.
He had said everything he wanted—calmly, without rising to the provocation.
His fellow classmates were nodding in agreement, as if saying, *Yes, that’s exactly how we feel.*
Still, he couldn’t let his guard down.
Someone else might take the first shot at the challenge.
It had to be him.
And it would be the last challenge needed.
If he defeated the Tower’s top student in peak condition with overwhelming power, he was sure to leave a deep impression on their master.
His confidence overflowed.
‘I’ve been learning magic for eleven years since entering the estate at age ten. My foundation is solid.’
Though he’d only recently constructed his circle, his rigorous training had led to explosive growth.
The result?
He now ranked first in both theory and practice.
Everyone agreed—the next to receive a recommendation letter to the Tower would undoubtedly be him.
‘Yes.’
Every time he heard news about those who had left for the Tower through Master, he burned with anger and envy.
‘Why not me?’
But now, it was finally his turn.
‘*I*, Tenon, am going to the Tower.’
After years of hardship and humiliation, it was time for *him* to bask in envy and admiration.
An announcement about who would receive the recommendation was due soon.
…Though Tenon thought it was practically already decided.
Still, standing out in Master’s eyes wouldn’t hurt.
This was a way to raise that 99% certainty to 100%.
‘Of course, I’ll also hog that flower boy’s unearned money, seize the now-vacant top disciple spot… and maybe…’
As Tenon floated in his blissful daydreams—
“You’re the one who doesn’t understand.”
A calm voice cut in.
“…Excuse me?”
“All of you attack at once. That’s the only way you might *barely* have a chance.”
“No, I mean, we’re trying to *be considerate* and do one-on-one matches—”
Ray cut him off with a technique he learned from Philip.
“Slow on the uptake, aren’t you? Must be because you’re street-born and uneducated.”
A chilling silence fell.
“…What did you just say?”
“You keep asking back, so yeah—definitely slow. Must be the street upbringing.”
The faces of Class A students froze.
They were all people clawing their way up from the bottom, desperate to integrate into the upper class.
“Street-born.”
Even hearing the term was insulting—it pierced right into their deepest complexes like a red-hot needle.
Grrrnnk!
“If you get hurt… don’t expect us to take responsibility.”
The match would begin the moment the second hand hit the top.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
…
…
…
The only sound in the room was the ticking clock.
Everyone held their breath, waiting—but there was no sense of tension.
Only the crashing wave of fury emanating from Class A students.
‘That arrogant bastard.’
‘Some flower boy raised in luxury.’
The outcome was clear.
The real question was: how badly could they humiliate that arrogant prick?
Some even thought:
‘I’ll go all out and tear it toward me. Let’s leave him with internal injuries.’
Tenon and others harbored open hostility.
Normally, you’d avoid going too hard to prevent injuries during sparring.
But they didn’t care.
In a ten-on-one situation, no one would be able to trace who had overdone it.
‘Arrogant flower… I’ll show you how brutal the wild patch really is.’
And then—
*Tick.*
As the second hand struck the hour,
────!
Class A focused their willpower on the mana orb in Ray’s hand, all at once.
Smirks crept up.
They could already see the orb flying toward them like a bullet—
Some even imagined Ray collapsing, coughing up blood.
But—
“Uh… wha?”
“Th-this?”
What happened next was… not what they expected at all.
The orb didn’t move.
Not even a *millimeter*.
“Aaaagh!”
“It—it’s not budging!”
Faces flushed red, Class A students gave it their all—but the mana orb remained perfectly still, like an object in a still-life painting.
And the one holding it?
Just as calm, watching them with that signature dull gaze.
“Attack from the left!”
“Three on the right!”
They quickly adapted and began coordinating, sweat pouring down their faces as they spent every last ounce of energy.
Still, the orb didn’t move.
‘Is this even possible?’
‘Why won’t it move?’
At first, they suspected interference—some kind of trick.
But as time passed, they understood on a primal level.
This was pure, overwhelming difference in *skill*.
‘No way.’
‘This much of a gap?’
For the first time, they were facing a *true* genius.
Goosebumps.
Shivers.
Ray was a tall, thick wall—and that wall cast long shadows of helplessness and inferiority over them.
Even Binjin, who’d added his own pressure on a whim, was stunned.
He hadn’t even slightly affected the match.
It was just a small mana orb…
Yet it felt like facing a *boulder*.
“Aaaagh!”
“Move…! Move already!”
Just as the Class A students were about to collapse—
*Clap clap clap clap!*
Binjin stepped forward, applauding.
“As expected. Truly extraordinary. I believe the match is settled. Enough! Enough, you fools!”
With that, the students collapsed onto their desks.
Their faces and necks were drenched in sweat, panting heavily.
Clicking his tongue at his students, Binjin turned to Ray and bowed.
“Thank you for the lesson. It was a great opportunity for the students to realize their own incompetence and learn humility.”
Ray nodded slightly.
Humility? Not sure about that—but the overall amount of inferiority in the room had certainly increased.
Though their expression varied.
Some saw their inferiority reach a limit, giving rise to pride and competitiveness.
Others felt it grow unchecked—twisting into deep malice.
As for Binjin—
The emotion forming beside *his* inferiority was…
‘Expectation and desire.’
Interesting.
Same situation, different reactions.
Ray had a hunch about what Binjin was hoping for.
While he analyzed the emotional states around him—
“Tsk, pathetic. Finally realizing how weak and insignificant you are?”
Binjin paced between the students, throwing sharp jabs at their pride.
*Tap.*
He stopped in front of Tenon—
*Tsk!*
—then passed by.
Tenon, the only one still holding on, finally slumped down.
His face was pale.
*
*
*
The rest of the class time was replaced with rest and self-study.
It was partly because the entirety of Class A was on the verge of collapse, but also because Binjin had something urgent to attend to.
“My apologies. Disputes between organizations can erupt so suddenly. It seems the scale is significant enough that I have to personally intervene. I’ll resolve it as quickly as possible and return.”
Binjin bowed his head politely.
Ray, gazing at the slightly thinning spot on the top of his head, spoke.
“It’s fine. But on your way, pass a message to Amon.”
“Yes, what should I tell him?”
“Ask him to procure a vehicle.”
After hearing the detailed specifications, Binjin responded in a dazed voice.
“Uh… that’s not a car, that’s a tank… Are you planning on starting a war somewhere…? Hm, no, anyway, understood. I’ll deliver the message.”
Binjin bowed once more and left the room.
His footsteps gradually faded away.
Ray peeked into the classroom through a small hole in the door.
“……”
Inside, the Class A students could be seen quietly resting or studying.
Maybe it was fine to leave them be.
Ray used a concealment spell, thinking he’d take a look around the mansion.
But just as he was about to take a step—
*Creak…*
The door behind him opened with a very timid energy.
One student looked around, then spoke toward the inside.
“Uh… Looks like Master’s really gone? That black-haired guy’s gone too.”
At those words, the other students poured out.
“For real. Did he leave with Master?”
“Wow, my hands are still shaking.”
“Hey, back when that bastard was dueling, you think maybe Master secretly helped him?”
“I doubt it. Even Master couldn’t take all ten of us.”
They were the ones who had held both inferiority and malice after the duel with Ray.
Once they confirmed it was safe, they wandered through the mansion and began harassing the Class B and C students who were doing chores.
“Hey, you. Get over here.”
“Tch, pathetic. Is that really the best you can do cleaning?”
“What are you looking at, you piece of shit? Never seen someone walk on two legs before?”
Ray watched them for a moment, then turned away.
He had no interest in what they were doing.
More importantly, there was someone else he was looking for.
‘Blue… and sky-blue mana.’
The boy wandered diligently through the mansion, and soon, he spotted one of them near the window at the end of the second-floor hallway.
A vessel and circle containing blue mana.
A blue-haired girl was conjuring ice above her hand to build a model house.
He could tell even from a distance.
The steadily dropping precision of the model house.
Ray quickly approached, deactivating his concealment spell as he spoke.
“That’s not how you do it.”
*Clatter!*
Startled, Ayla rolled to the side and landed in a breakfall.
