◈ Chapter 244. The Old Fogey
『Thirty Ways to Bring Down an Ice Dragon』
A magic book written by Senios.
Contrary to its grandiose title.
Its preface began out of nowhere.
──────Ice magic is garbage.──────
It is too early to be shocked by the first sentence.
Because from the next sentence onward, it becomes even more spectacular.
──────If, by any chance, you, dear reader, are an ice mage, it would be in your best interest to quit something like ice magic even now. An ice mage has no advantage besides being cool in summer.──────
It was something I thought while reading, but…
Senios was an oddball even among mages.
With that temper.
No, with that character, it made me wonder how he had risen to the position of elder mage.
Of course, the question did not last long.
Because I learned it as I read the books he had left behind.
Senios.
He had been an unparalleled genius.
──────I was proficient in every attribute of magic. And I can say with certainty that ice magic is the worst of all attribute magic. The public evaluation that it is the most beautiful attribute magic? That means it is pretty garbage.──────
The theory that ice magic is garbage!
His preaching continued until I had turned more than twenty pages.
My impression after reading that far?
I simply wanted to ask Senios in return.
If that was the case, then why on earth had he chosen ice magic?
Fortunately, from the next page onward, there was an answer to that.
──────The reason I chose ice magic is simple.──────
He really had gone crooked as far as one could go, our Elder Senios.
──────I wish to prove the strongest with the weakest.──────
Attribute magic has affinities that devour and are devoured by one another.
However, if one were to choose the greatest among them, it would, without a doubt, be fire magic.
Just as Karimzeva had been called the Fire Dragon.
Because overwhelming hellfire possessed the power to overturn even attribute compatibility.
To put it in scientific terms for ease of understanding…
‘A raging fire can even evaporate water.’
In that sense.
Even in the book he had written, Senios subtly revealed his ambition.
To prove the strongest with the weakest.
Someone who did not know the circumstances might simply think it sounded impressive and move on.
But to me, who knew the story behind it…
‘He was basically saying he’d beat Karimzeva.’
I could only think that he had been a consistent fellow since the past.
However, I had witnessed the battle between Senios and Karimzeva.
That was why I knew.
That Senios had truly nearly proven the strongest with the weakest.
—“To think you staked your life. Unexpected.”
—“……!”
—“However, I have staked my life as well.”
He overcame the limits of attribute compatibility and, in effect, fought to a draw.
Karimzeva had burned his own heart to overcome the crisis, but…
Karimzeva, too, had suffered injuries so severe that even living could not be called living.
That Senios of the Perpetual Snow.
As if in self-mockery.
Had written an攻略 book for the Ice Dragon.
──────What I originally intended to write was a hypothesis on overcoming attribute compatibility. However, no matter how much I racked my brain, I arrived at thirty conclusions that ice magic is garbage. Thus, I changed my way of thinking and decided to describe ways to bring down an Ice Dragon.──────
That was right.
Senios had gone so far as to call his own ice magic garbage.
He must have gazed relentlessly into the weaknesses of ice magic.
To him, an Ice Dragon?
It must have been nothing more than a trash dragon that only glittered on the outside.
Thanks to that, within my head…
The method he had left behind to攻略 the Ice Dragon existed with perfect clarity.
Drip, drip—
The Ice Dragon, Froznax, looked down at his own body.
“You bastard, are you a mage of the Magic Tower?”
He wore an expression that seemed to ask, What is happening all of a sudden?
He must never have imagined that ice would melt when it had not so much as come into contact with flame. But you should not be so surprised. This is only the beginning.
And a mage? Don’t make me laugh.
“I am the Chief. I am not the Chief Mage.”
He looked as if he were asking what the difference was.
But strictly speaking, it was different.
With a class like Demon Hunter.
Do not underestimate the desperation with which I struggled all the way here.
By treating me as a mere mage.
‘…Of course, this isn’t something I should say while holding a Magic Tower magic tool.’
Float—
What I had levitating in the air was none other than the [Small Mana Sun].
The senior of fire magic studies.
The very magic tool Bensh had been watching greedily for any chance to get his hands on it.
[Small Mana Sun]
[Grade: Epic]
[Restriction: Lv.1,000]
[Effect: When fire magic is used, it absorbs that magic.]
[Description: A mechanical sphere that was the sun of a world where the sun did not rise. It devours flame and, according to the user’s will, radiantly emits the flames it has accumulated.]
The level restriction was a staggering one thousand.
‘Truthfully, something like a senior mage leaving the tower…’
Was not a great problem.
Especially now that the Zero Mountains had appeared in reality.
If a senior mage were merely standing in the Zero Mountains, it could be of great help to humanity. Their very presence would become something for the players to rely on, and the monsters’ momentum would be greatly dampened.
However.
‘The problem is that his objective is as impure as it gets.’
Bensh William.
His purpose for leaving the tower had its priorities wrong by a long shot.
He could at least have added a sincere reason.
But to leave the tower for the sole purpose of using a magic tool, with no beginning or end to the explanation?
And if it were an ordinary magic tool, I would not even say anything.
‘What in the world are you planning to use such an outrageous magic tool for?’
As one could tell from its extraordinary level restriction.
The [Small Mana Sun] was not a magic tool one wore or swung.
Strictly speaking, perhaps it could be called a magic tool akin to a living ally.
‘As expected of an Epic item, its effect is alien.’
When fire magic manifested, it did not reduce the mana cost or increase the power. Rather, it absorbed the fire magic manifested by the user. However, its true value would reveal itself from this point on.
Using the absorbed fire magic as fuel.
“…How irritating, mage.”
It possessed an effect that could make even an Ice Dragon flinch.
Just as its name implied.
It emitted heat like the sun itself.
I looked at the iceberg melting under that heat.
──────Ice magic is tremendously influenced by the environment. In a place where water does not freeze, simply maintaining the ice requires an immense amount of mana. Therefore, in order to bring down an Ice Dragon, one must seize the advantage in the environment.──────
Together with Senios’s攻略.
I recalled the duel between Senios and Karimzeva.
The duel of those two demigods.
‘The battlefield was the North Pole.’
Come to think of it, even then…
—“The stronger the opponent, the more important it is to choose an advantageous battlefield.”
Senios had spoken of the importance of the battlefield.
Lately, I felt as though I had often been saying that one sees as much as one knows…
Truly, there was nothing else to say.
‘In the end, the Ice Dragon is no different.’
So he had not simply raised an iceberg to strike a pose?
Even if that had been an unconscious action.
It was proof that the Ice Dragon also possessed the limitations of the ice attribute.
Despite being in a situation where his weakness was laid bare.
Perhaps because he was the king of all things.
He did not seem to recognize it in the slightest.
“However, it is futile effort, mage.”
Craaaack—!
[Hidden Piece, Ice Dragon’s Snow Mountain] froze over once more.
In order to maintain the environment.
Without even realizing it himself.
He was pouring in an enormous amount of mana.
In truth, one could say that a dragon’s mana was infinite.
However, it was close to infinite, not infinite.
Above all, I knew that very well.
‘Because we share the same bloodline.’
Just as [Blessing of the First World Tree] had its limits.
I knew that your mana, too, would surely have a limit.
In that sense, I murmured.
“You still fail to grasp the situation.”
“Grasp the situation?”
“Does that appearance not resemble a frog more than a dragon?”
“……!”
A frog in a well.
At the same time, it was a double meaning that he was like a frog that did not know it was slowly being boiled in heated water… But there is a limit to how much one can omit, Grandfell.
No wonder.
“…A frog.”
Even the thoroughly enraged Yunaxus flinched.
But this is no time to be surprised, Yunaxus.
The battle against the Ice Dragon must be drawn into a long war for us to have a chance of victory. It meant we had to endure the Ice Dragon’s offensive until we gnawed away at his mana, which was close to infinite.
“Traitor Yunaxus. Are you now being toyed with by a mage!”
Whrrrrr!
The frost grew even fiercer.
So much so that neither the towering iceberg nor the enormous Ice Dragon could be seen.
As if we had returned to the dark crevice of dimensions.
The fierce frost cut off every sense.
‘It’s fortunate I at least have this.’
I looked at the [Small Mana Sun].
Using the mechanical sun as a lamp, I predicted the Ice Dragon’s next move.
Truthfully, no matter what it was, I was confident I could counter it.
Because twenty-nine of Senios’s teachings still remained.
And yet…
Kooong!
This was a pattern I had not expected.
Flutter—
White outer wings trembled.
And Yunaxus staggered.
Damn it, to start with hand-to-hand combat.
What a truly remarkable temper you have, Ice Dragon.
But at the same time, it was clever.
He must have instinctively identified the enemy’s weak point.
“Froznax!”
Yunaxus received Froznax’s attack with his aged body.
Vivace.
The influence of a Dragon Heart beating rapidly beyond its limits.
Thanks to that, he was not being pushed back in the immediate contest of strength, but…
I could tell at a glance.
‘The difference is extreme.’
If Froznax was a dragon in his prime.
Then Yunaxus was an old dragon who would not be strange to close his eyes at any moment.
That difference was visible even in the size of their bodies.
“How arrogant, Yunaxus. Do you intend to face me with a human on your back? The experience you have accumulated over ten thousand years is put to shame. Your state is pitiful.”
Shaaaaaaak!
The dull impact transmitted even to me.
As urgent as the situation was, as you can see.
I asked Yunaxus.
“Yunaxus.”
“I am listening, Lee Hoyeol Claudi.”
“Compared to you, how long has Froznax lived?”
“He has lived merely a thousand years or so.”
“Then that is fortunate.”
So there was a reason he was brimming with such hot blood.
If one were to compare it to a human age.
That Ice Dragon was in the storm and stress period, wasn’t he?
In that case, everything made sense.
That attitude of not knowing respect for his elders.
And the way he recklessly charged in, trusting in his physical abilities.
However.
Life is long, and it is practical combat.
You middle-school-second-year dragon.
“He has not yet passed the age for discipline.”
He must have instinctively known as well.
That closing the distance was effective when facing a mage.
Because it was only natural for a mage to be weak in close combat.
But I told you clearly, did I not?
That I am not a mage.
Srrrng—
I drew Gwicheol from my waist.
As if it had been waiting.
Gwicheol opened its mouth.
—Master. Shall I cut down that infant dragon?
Far from being intimidated, it called the Ice Dragon an infant.
Just who did you take after to be overflowing with such confidence, Gwicheol?
There is nothing bad about overflowing confidence, but one thing must be made clear.
“We are not cutting him, Gwicheol.”
—If not cutting, then…?
“It is corporal punishment.”
—So that was what you meant. I understand, Master.
A dragon that one might or might not be able to bring down even by putting one’s life on the line.
And I was saying I would discipline him through corporal punishment.
No matter who saw it, it was a declaration that could only be called recklessly bold.
However, even if I were defeated and closed my eyes.
I would not die.
The effect of [Final Adventurer] was active.
Even if I was defeated by the Ice Dragon, experience would remain.
Valuable practical experience that could not be exchanged for anything else.
‘That is why I said I had to die well, even if I died.’
It was Grandfell’s radiant talent, having reached the present with effectively nothing but self-study.
What result Grandfell’s talent would obtain from the experience called death…
Even I could not estimate it.
On top of that.
The knowledge Senios had left behind.
Gwicheol.
More than ten decisive-battle magic tools.
And even Yunaxus.
Therefore.
It was worth trying.
I spoke to the Ice Dragon, Froznax.
“I shall take into account that you are at such an age when deciding your punishment.”
“……?”
“It means I shall personally instruct you.”
“……!”
Shaaaaaaaaak!
At the sudden declaration, the snowstorm grew even fiercer.
Froznax’s voice, boiling with anger, followed.
“What is a trivial creature babbling about?”
Trivial.
Well, he could see it that way.
To dragons who lived for thousands, even ten thousand years, a human life would not even amount to that of a mayfly. But that changes depending on which side’s standard one uses.
And.
My, Grandfell’s standard.
Was the self that did not waver under any circumstance.
Therefore, I shamelessly recited.
“Two thousand years.”
“…Two thousand years?”
“If one equates a human life and a dragon’s life.”
“…What?”
“It means there is roughly a gap of two thousand years between you and me.”
Not only Froznax, but even Yunaxus appeared confused.
Because if one converted the age of the human Lee Hoyeol.
Into a dragon’s age, it would be roughly three thousand years.
It was a ridiculous sophistry.
However, it did not matter.
As I said, the standard was myself.
And the one to prove it was also myself.
My jacket fluttered in the frost wind.
I slowly raised Gwicheol.
No, the switch of discipline.
“I shall show you the gap of two thousand years, hatchling.”
...
The Dragon Temple.
Dozens of dragons realized all at once.
That the old dragon, Yunaxus, had not spoken falsely.
The Dragon Heart.
The “Oath” engraved upon their hearts tightened around the dragons’ bodies.
Within the mental world of dragons, which none could ever trespass upon.
An irresistible voice rang out.
—I proclaim to all dragons.
“……!!!”
Thud!
Then a dragon’s head fell.
Thud, thud!
One after another.
……
Thud!!
All dragons pressed their heads flat against the floor and bowed.
—That I, the heir of Claudi, have returned.
Before the return of the great house.