Chapter 10 – Rule 6. The Leader Excludes Attention Seekers (3)

 

Ahn Woo-jin.

 

From a young age, he mastered an efficient mana cultivation technique based on his gaming knowledge.

 

What is mana cultivation?

 

It’s a training method that refines mana and meticulously crafts mana circuits.

 

The younger one starts, the more depth it adds to their talent, much like aging wine to bring out a deeper, richer flavor.

 

Once the body matures, it only serves to increase the density and operational capability of mana, so timing is crucial.

 

Among these, the method Woo-jin had repeatedly practiced was the training regimen of the strongest in Academy City: the very one instinctively mastered by the worst outlaw among the Six Sinners, ‘Goliath.’

 

Woo-jin, equipped with gaming knowledge, poured in effort incomparable to Goliath’s, constantly refining himself like a gem to be cut into a beautiful shape.

 

Yet, he couldn’t become a monster like Goliath.

 

He didn’t reach the fifth rank like other geniuses.

 

Thus, Woo-jin considered himself mediocre.

 

However, the training time Woo-jin accumulated gradually built up.

 

This was an undeniable fact.

 

In the end, Woo-jin’s talent, potential, and skill—all of it—had reached a level far beyond what the Sindorim Swordmaster, who only possessed decent talent, could ever hope to achieve.

 

Woo-jin’s teal eyes were cold as ice.

 

Occasionally, currents of electricity flowed through his glaring eyes, a sign of activated mana.

 

“Grrr…!”

 

Sindo-rim couldn’t stay still any longer.

 

He picked up his sword and barely managed to stand, assuming a combat stance once more. Whoosh! Red flames again erupted along the blade, driven by his will.

 

“Argh!”

 

With his mana-enhanced, robust body, Sindo-rim charged at Woo-jin, letting out a battle cry.

 

His movements were swift. He accelerated his pace by propelling himself with fiery mana.

 

Whoosh! A sharp downward slash aimed at Woo-jin.

 

At that moment, Woo-jin released the lightning mana imbued in his three-section staff, leaving only the effects of simple mana enhancement.

 

To prevent an explosive reaction when fire and lightning collided.

 

Clang!

 

Woo-jin blocked the slash with his three-section staff. Swish. He immediately released the staff, which naturally landed in his other hand as it dropped.

 

Crackle! Teal currents surged once more through the staff.

 

Whack! Thud!

 

“Gah!”

 

The electrified staff struck Sindo-rim’s body. It was a swift and precise attack.

 

The mana-enhanced three-section staff was far superior to the mana-enhanced body of Sindo-rim.

 

As a result, Woo-jin’s moderate strike far surpassed Sindo-rim’s defense.

 

One more time.

 

Woo-jin struck Sindo-rim again.

 

Bang!

 

A powerful blow created a shockwave, sending Sindo-rim flying. His robust body was rendered useless in that moment.

 

Crackle! The residual impact spread teal lightning through the air like chains, leaving an afterglow.

 

“Ah, agh…!”

 

The deafening explosion that filled the arena gave the spectators a sense of the immense pain Sindo-rim was experiencing.

 

“Huff, huff…!”

 

Sindo-rim groaned in pain, supporting himself on the ground.

 

At the start of the duel, Sindo-rim was burning with a spirit of challenge.

 

Even if it meant troubling Woo-jin, it was a chance he had seized.

 

He had vowed that dueling Woo-jin would provide meaningful combat experience and growth.

 

But.

 

After exchanging blows twice, the enormous wall obscured by fog finally came into view.

 

The difference in skill was overwhelmingly clear.

 

Mana control, combat sense—everything was excessively superior.

 

Sindo-rim had never fought against someone this powerful.

 

Was he really just a second-year student?

 

Before the duel, Sindo-rim had his doubts. Perhaps Woo-jin had used connections or cunning to outmaneuver Oh Baek-seo and become the Disciplinary Committee Leader.

 

Seeing is believing, as they say.

 

After confronting him, he could feel it unmistakably.

 

Woo-jin was already a genius monster, a different league altogether.

 

Thus, he realized.

 

Ahn Woo-jin was an invincible opponent, not even suitable for gaining experience points.

 

The mere fact that he challenged him might have been arrogance.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Crack! The goblin mask shattered from the impact and fell to the ground.

 

Finally, Sindo-rim’s true face was revealed.

 

“Huh!? Sindo-rim’s mask…?”

 

“Hey, isn’t that Park Sung-tae?”

 

“Park Sung-tae? That third-year from the Chrysanthemum Hall?”

 

“I knew it! It was Park Sung-tae! I was right!”

 

The audience murmured.

 

The true identity of the Sindo-rim Swordmaster was exposed.