The water sprinkled on the floor freezes in the blink of an eye, and a thick ice horn protrudes from the floor and aims for Alice.
[Crater]
Alice also dropped three fireballs with a calm expression, instantly melting the ice chunks created by Leo.
On the surface, it appears that there is an attack and defence taking advantage of the weak points of the attributes, but both Leo and Aris know this.
It is not ice that can be easily created by ordinary heat, nor is it a firepower that can melt only ice and disappear.
As if they had made a promise, the two people's gazes turned back to the melting water on the floor, and almost simultaneously, two streams of magic descended once more.
Kagagagagak!!
Two forked ice paths rise from a single puddle and intertwine, fiercely aiming for your head.
'Did you say it was a resolution? It was definitely like this….'
The movement of magical power that he had briefly encountered was naturally drawn in Leo's mind, and at the same time, magical power began to move accordingly.
At first, Leo's coldness was pushed back helplessly, but little by little, he caught up with Alice's momentum, and in return, he grew large enough to eat his opponent.
"....!!"
Alice's magical power, which raised her eyebrows at the fierce momentum, suddenly became colder.
The cold air that has become entangled in a double spiral freezes all the moisture in the air and sucks it from the tips of the roots, greedily coveting each other.
Tsk tsk tsk…!!!
Kuung!
The cold air from both sides, which had been spinning and biting wildly in all directions, finally reached the ceiling and created a giant pillar of ice, and only then did the two withdraw their magical power as if they had made a promise.
"....."
Leo, who saw the cold frost-covered tree blooming in front of the auditorium, put down the water bottle he was holding.
Other people who had been blankly staring at the surreal sight belatedly came to their senses and began clapping like crazy.
Waaa ...
invite
'That's the feeling… I think I know the gist.'
Leo thought as he slowly clenched and unclenched his fist.
It's as if he doesn't want to let go of the feeling he once had in his hands.
He had fought other wizards a few times up until this point, but honestly, the magic they used was not up to Leo's standards.
Or maybe Leo was at a level where he could mimic it similarly with public magic.
However, the magic that Alice uses is different.
A high-difficulty unique magic that encompasses not just one attribute, but the entire series of elements.
There are things you can realize just by observing the flow of magic.
It was close to the realm of naked practice, something that could never be realized by simply studying and learning theories.
'The flow of magical power is divided into four branches and used by weaving multiple branches together whenever necessary. Is this a method of controlling multiple attributes at once by inducing a change in nature?'
Although it is not an efficient way for Leo to follow by using various series from the beginning, the concept of using magic differently from the beginning and only weaving it when using magic was worth studying.
'If it's at the level of Gyeolgong (結功), I think I could try it right now….'
If you do that here, Alice won't leave Leo alone.
While Leo was lost in thought, Alice, who had been adjusting her dishevelled shirt, walked toward him.
"Ahem."
Do you think you've gotten excited without even realizing it?
Alice coughed awkwardly and held out her hand.
"Thank you for cooperating with the demonstration for our students."
"...It's nothing special."
"You really have the skills to bring them directly from Dyke. Especially, I was a little surprised by your ability to control your magical power at the end. That kind of control is a precision that you can never achieve without someone teaching you…"
Someone's private library, I've been getting something similar from the library lately.
"If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me which school you belong to?"
"I don't think you'll understand even if I tell you."
Leo answered deftly, without even licking his lips.
"I'm not famous and I don't interact much with the outside world, so I'm not that well known."
"Okay."
Perhaps sensing Leo's intention to not answer, Alice said so and said nothing more.
Leo looked down at the graceful figure of Alice and was lost in thought.
It was only for a moment, but it was close to an unconscious analysis of the opponent with whom I had competed for magical power.
The ability to precisely control magical powers and the composure to not be intimidated even when facing wild magic right in front of you.
Flexibility to observe and respond to terrain features at a level similar to Leo.
And even unique elemental magic that is stable and versatile.
'There's nothing to find fault with.'
After a moment of thought, that was the conclusion Leo came to.
Of all the wizards that Leo had ever seen, Iris Richellen was clearly the strongest, aside from the Ascended.
She too must have controlled the aftermath by considering her surroundings.
If her skills were to be expressed in levels, how would they be? Only after directly testing her magical powers would Leo be able to guess her skills to some extent.
'Even if I estimate it low, it's probably at least level 5. Being a university professor isn't an easy job.'
While Leo was lost in thought, Aris also seemed to have something left to say.
She asked with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"Could you tell me what kind of cigarettes you smoke?"
It was a strange question.
"Why is that…?"
"No, that…"
She spoke with a trailing edge, as if she was having a hard time answering.
"It seems similar to someone I know. I must be mistaken."
"....."
Leo was speechless.
Aside from the fact that the answer was so absurd, I thought I knew who she was talking about.
Meanwhile, Manya, who had climbed up onto the auditorium, quickly approached Leo and whispered.
"Mr. Ban. I think it would be okay if you came down after finishing here. We will take care of the rest of the schedule. The president is waiting for you."
Leo nodded as if he had been waiting.
"Okay. Go down."
He gives Alice a nod of agreement, while evasively trying to answer her question.
She also nodded and turned away, giving up as if she had no choice.
It was a short but intense meeting. But what she asked at the end was a question completely different from what Leo had expected.
Perhaps the appointment at the library holds more weight in her mind than she thought.
It was something that was unknown now.
Leo collected his thoughts and turned his head towards the two people waiting for him down below.
I had a vague idea. I knew that Dustin wouldn't have asked Leo to do something like this just because he didn't have enough good wizards.
Especially considering the showdown with a skilled wizard like Alice Richellen, it would be more accurate to say that there is another purpose rather than simply Dustin's own satisfaction.
For example, the men who are watching this place from somewhere right now… The skills that Leo just showed will have a huge impact on those people.
The prediction was not wrong.
Dustin brought him to his spacious office that took up the entire floor, and as soon as he sat down, he bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry about earlier. It was hard to ask for your understanding because of the position I was in."
"Are these the pictures?"
Dustin shrugged in surprise at Leo's answer.
"...Panoah's words about him being an outstanding person were not wrong. Yes, the board members gathered together for the first time in a long while due to the practical training at Labatenon University. I needed to show them what I have in person."
"I apologize for not telling you in advance because the schedule was hastily prepared," Dustin added, to which Leo shook his head.
"If you keep your promise to reduce this request by one, it will be enough."
"I can definitely guarantee that part. I will also deposit the same amount of success fee as you have done so far into your account."
Dustin looked at Panoa and winked, and she nodded immediately.
"So, was it helpful? I had a hard time dealing with the professor who guided the students from your university, so I hope it was worth it."
Dustin nodded as if he had been waiting for Leo to show some humour.
"Of course. Don't you know who Alice Richellen is?"
"…Aside from the fact that he is a skilled wizard."
"He is a talented person representing the Sinclair Tower and is one of the geniuses who rose to the position of a level 6 military wizard at a young age. He is very stubborn in his own will, so he focuses on educating his juniors, but if he were originally a person, it wouldn't have been strange if he had been called to the Tower a long time ago and taken a position."
I thought he was a great wizard, but I doubt he was even a level 6 wizard.
"He may not be very famous to those who don't know magic, but he is a famous person known to everyone, including his appearance. In any case, it is very meaningful that he showed a demonstration that seemed to be on par with such a wizard."
Dustin smiled proudly.
"Not only will it have a significant impact on shareholders, but if done well, it could even lead to internal strife within the board of directors. Since you did a good job, the rest is up to me."
"I would rather you focus on your future projects. All this work would be meaningless if it doesn't end in the 40s."
Panoa's face stiffened for a moment at the words that hit the nail on the head, but Dustin just laughed them off.
"That's a sharp observation. But it's not wrong. I have to admit that I started out somewhat underestimating the outer zone."
"...…"
"But that was my fault for not preparing the manpower that was right for the plan, not Panoa's. I hope you understand that. I don't want the trust between you and her to diminish because of my personnel mistakes."
When Dustin said that and winked at Panoa, she quietly lowered her head.
"She's really taking care of everything that needs to be done for this project. If we were to take over some of the weapon's business that's already established in the 40th District, that would mean appeasing some of the political figures who were funding it. And while she's been busy with the other companies she's been maintaining, she's lost sight of what's really important."
'That's a long story.'
Where in the world is there a person without circumstances?
To be blunt, Leo had no interest in how hard Dustin and Panoa were working.
Or maybe Dustin was thinking that a naive wizard would sympathize with their plight?
The first to notice that Leo's gaze was gradually growing colder was not Dustin, who was talking loudly, but Panoa, who was watching his expression.
She pretended to look at the wristwatch she had been unconsciously touching, then whispered to Dustin.
"Sir, it seems like it's almost time for the meeting I promised with the board of directors. It would be best if you just get up now…"
"….Oh, is it that time already? I must have talked too much."
Dustin interrupted him as he spoke and abruptly stood up from his seat.
He picked up the clothes hanging on the arm of the chair and gave Leo a very casual nod.
"Anyway, I'll make sure to compensate you for what happened today. Thank you for your time. But I mean everything I said. Just know that."
Leo quietly watched Dustin's back as he left the office, leaving Panoa behind.
"...…"
Panoa, seeing Leo like that, spoke as if making excuses.
"The president did not say that to make excuses about the initial operation. However, if you realize that this is something that happens because the perspectives of those who focus on internal work and those of the workers are different…."
"It brings tears to my eyes."
".... yes?"
"Let's go back now."
It's interesting.
Rather than the ridiculous excuses Dustin and Panoa make, it's the strangely strong bond of trust between the two.
Clearly Dustin didn't notice where Leo was getting annoyed until the moment he stood up.
However, as soon as he heard Panoa's words, he realized that the conversation was misguided and immediately left the place.
The fact that Dustin, as the CEO leading a group, can completely accept the planning team leader's opinion in an instant is not because of a lack of ability, but because he trusts Panoa more than anything else.
And that might have something to do with that wristwatch she touches whenever she feels mentally stressed.
Leo stood up from his seat, but he did not forget that fact and kept it in mind.
When the time comes to part ways with Dyke Sawa, the personal trust between these two will likely come in handy.
Panoa looked at Leo, who was backing down strangely obediently, with a suspicious expression, but perhaps thinking that it was a good thing, she quietly lowered her head.
"…...We will finish our schedule within three days and begin the third operation. We must cut off Cigar Bang's hands and feet while he is still unconscious."
"Now that Plato has turned around, there is only one thing left."
"Yes."
Panoa nodded.
#
The smell of a studio apartment that I've become accustomed to now.
After a quick wash, Leo went into the kitchen and started taking out the nutritional supplements that were lined up in the cupboard one by one.
Leo's obsession with health remained constant.
No, the more money I saved, the more intense it became.
The huge amount of money he earned from working with Dyke on a series of operations at least made him feel comfortable shopping online.
The number of nutritional supplements that I used to buy one by one whenever I had time has now exceeded ten.