Chapter 59

Duke's Magic Genius - Chapter 59 (59/324)

59

After the preliminary rounds ended.

As a day passed, the main event of the competition officially began.

The competition covered both theory and practical aspects, and various wizards started to showcase their skills in both fields.

The practical section kicked off first.

To gradually build up the excitement of the competition, the main event began with 1st Circle wizards engaging in magical duels.

Inside the arena set up within the duke's estate.

The participants who made it to the main event were casting dazzling spells at each other.

"Wow!"

From the residents of Helena to the tourists, everyone was cheering excitedly.

But to me, it was a scene that made me yawn.

'Boring.'

It wasn't even a 4th Circle wizard's duel; the spells cast by mere 1st Circle wizards didn't really impress me.

Perhaps because I was known as a 1st Circle wizard, Helt asked if I wanted to watch the other wizards' matches, which is why I was here.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have come at all.

One of the best seats with a clear view.

Sitting there and watching the competition, I looked at the tall clock inside the duke's estate.

'It's two o'clock. I should leave soon.'

With only an hour left in the competition, it was time to leave this place.

Leaving behind the cheers of the audience, Leonhardt and I started moving towards the venue where the main event was taking place.

* * * * *

The venue where the main event of the magic formula category began.

It was located deep within the duke's estate. Unlike the practical section, where dazzling spells were cast, the theoretical section primarily involved debates, which was quite natural.

The residents of Helena and tourists would naturally prefer the practical section, where dazzling spells were cast. Therefore, the venue for the theoretical competition was set deep within the duke's estate.

As we moved there, twenty wizards were visible.

Most of the wizards who made it to the main event had one thing in common.

They were mostly low-ranking nobles or had the status of lesser nobles.

Lesser nobles.

A class between commoners and nobles, typically given to those of lower status who became knights or wizards.

Why most of the people gathered here were of this status was obvious.

Creating a new spell requires tremendous effort and the process is extremely uninteresting.

It's a story of how difficult it is for the children of prestigious families to go through such a grueling process.

Moreover, the practical section, where dazzling spells are cast, is much more appealing to the public.

Regardless of the size of the grand prize, the children of prestigious families usually participate in the practical section where they can showcase their skills.

That's why, as soon as we arrived, the other wizards' gazes started to focus on me.

It was a rare sight for a member of the famous swordsmanship family, Celtaion, to participate in a magic competition, and even more so for someone who only passed the preliminaries with a single 1st Circle spell.

It was natural for the attention to be on me.

The faces of the other wizards were tense.

Most of them were of low status or from families that couldn't provide much support.

So, they were likely determined to change their lives through this competition.

Even if they didn't win, showing a good performance during the main event could lead to a position as a vassal in the duke's estate.

That alone would be a life-changing opportunity for ordinary wizards.

In reality, it would be like getting a job at a well-paying major company in the United States.

A wizard with the duke's emblem approached us.

After scanning the surroundings, he said:

"In a moment, we will begin the main event of the magic formula category. You have seen your numbers on the preliminary results document. Please enter according to your number. Please prepare yourselves. Oh, and..."

The wizard, looking meaningfully at the participants, added:

"The head of the house is also participating in today's judging."

The participants' eyes widened at this.

There was only one person who could be called the head of the house in this duke's estate.

Melios Eilton.

"Really?"

"Yes. I don't know what change of heart he had, but it's true. So, please do your best."

If a 7th Circle Archmage and duke were judging, the process would be more rigorous, but it was also an opportunity.

If he noticed you, becoming a vassal in the duke's estate wouldn't be difficult.

The participants' eyes began to sparkle with determination.

"Number 1, Caron Milton?"

"Here!"

"Please enter immediately."

The wizard then announced the start of the judging.

* * * * *

The first person to be judged was Caron Milton.

The Milton family.

One of the minor baronies stuck in the western corner of the empire.

So, he participated in the theoretical section.

The judging process was open to other participants, so the rest were watching Caron's presentation.

"I... have brought... the combination spell of Ice and Grease... as the topic of this... presentation."

Perhaps because of Duke Melios, who was sitting in the middle of the judges, Caron seemed quite nervous.

"Is that the only topic?"

The duke then casually asked.

Caron, rolling his eyes, nodded.

Melios chuckled.

"Are you being dragged to the gallows?"

"Um?"

"Don't be too nervous. My presence won't make the judging process different or more rigorous. Most of the questions will be asked by Helt and the other vassals."

Melios looked at Helt, as if speaking for the participants to hear.

"Then, Helt, take over the proceedings."

"Yes, Father."

Thanks to the duke's words, Caron seemed a bit less tense and began his presentation more smoothly.

Ice and Grease.

He explained how the synergy effect was achieved through the combination of the two, and how the spell was activated.

After a moment, Helt, nodding, spoke.

"The combination of Ice and Grease. The idea of making the ground slippery with ice magic and then covering it with grease to amplify the effect is quite fresh... but there are a few flaws in this spell."

"Flaws...?"

"First, the mana consumption is a problem. Typically, wizards who attempt to combine two spells focus on taking only the strengths of each. In this case, ice and friction coefficient."

Helt, looking at the presenter, began listing the drawbacks.

"Is this the new spell you created, a 1st Circle spell?"

"Yes."

"Then think about this. If you combined two 1st Circle spells to create another 1st Circle spell, how much mana consumption would be reasonable for wizards to use this spell?"

"I... don't know."

"At least, it shouldn't consume more mana than using the two spells separately, right? That's the issue of efficiency."

"..."

"Four times the typical 1st Circle spell. That's the amount of mana required for your spell. The consumption is terrifying. If the mana consumption is this high, it should naturally bring a significant benefit, right?"

"Yes."

"Is the casting speed fast? Well, it's faster than using the two spells separately, but it's hard to justify the four times higher mana consumption. Is the range wide? No, it can only affect a 1m radius at most."

Helt, reading through the document detailing the activation method, began pointing out the flaws one by one.

"Moreover, the range only increases with more mana, but even then, the increase in radius is minimal. It's inefficient. It has the same limitations as a typical 1st Circle spell."

"Yes."

"Then, in a group battle, this spell would be practically meaningless. Perhaps in a one-on-one duel to trip an opponent, but even in that scenario, it's problematic."

"Problematic...?"

"In such a duel, is there a need to have a wide radius? I think a 1m radius would be sufficient to use it effectively."

Helt's words seemed to resonate with Caron.

"Yes."

"Do you understand the main issues?"

"Yes."

"The reason you passed the preliminaries is simple. You combined two spells, which earned you extra points, and if the strengths of the two spells were well blended, it could be a promising spell. The idea was good."

"Is that so?"

Helt nodded in response.

"If you modify the formula and activation method to reduce the range and mana consumption, it could be a spell that 1st Circle wizards could use effectively."

"Thank you."

"Caron Milton. You're a 3rd Circle wizard, right?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been researching this spell?"

"About half a year."

Helt and the surrounding vassals nodded. Even for a 1st Circle spell, creating a new one takes a considerable amount of time.

"Not bad. To be honest, this level of spell won't win you a prize. We didn't pass you expecting that."

"Is that so..."

Helt smiled at the dejected Caron.

"But, I want to give you a chance."

"A chance?"

"Would you like to work for our duke's estate? You won't have to worry about money, and the support will be substantial. Our family is powerful, after all. How about completing your spell here?"

"Really?"

"I don't lie."

"I... if you give me the opportunity...!"

The nearby participants showed envy at the conversation.

Receiving a scouting offer from the duke's estate.

It was a clear sign of potential.

Moreover, as a renowned magic family, the treatment of wizards was among the best.

'Well, he caught a good opportunity.'

Even I thought Caron was a useful talent.

With a B-grade talent in magic research and a talent for concentration, he was a research-oriented talent.

So, he managed to create a spell that was decent enough to show others in just half a year.

By attracting such talents, the duke's estate continues to enjoy glory.

Most likely, more than half of the twenty participants here would receive scouting offers during this competition.

Magic is a field where research is crucial, so the talents here were like hidden pearls.

The competition continued.

Some participants, like Caron, received scouting offers, while others left the stage after harsh criticism.

It wasn't surprising, as they weren't all passed to be praised.

As the participants with lower numbers were called one by one,

"Number 11, Sint. Please come forward."

Sint, the most likely winner in this main event, was about to present.

Depending on what he presented, it would affect my presentation, as the next number.

I was determined to win.

That's why my attention naturally shifted to Sint.