The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

The time it takes for an ordinary mage to master all intermediate magic is a little over ten years.

That’s how many and how challenging intermediate magic is.

Even in the Ivory Tower, mastering intermediate magic means you can be sent out with full power right away, as the scope of intermediate magic is wide and deep.

It didn’t take that long for Lena to master all of it.

“Um, how do you feel?”

“…It’s amazing.”

Lee Hyun let out a pure gasp of admiration.

As expected, Lena possessed greater talent than any mage he had met so far.

‘Beyond my expectations.’

Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before Lena would master advanced magic.

With a slightly awkward expression, Lee Hyun patted the proudly beaming Lena and looked around.

“Let’s thank them too.”

“Y-Yes!”

The “them” Lee Hyun mentioned were, of course, the Asura sect members.

Thanks to them appearing to fight whenever needed, Lena was able to easily increase her practical experience.

“It seems you’ve become quite skilled with killing intent…”

Almost every day, Lee Hyun sprinkled killing intent on Lena while sparring with her.

At first, she cried and threw a fit, but now she was quite used to it and remained steady in battle.

She was slowly becoming a more skilled mage.

‘Graduation isn’t far off.’

Lee Hyun smiled, while Lena, who had no idea of his thoughts, was simply happy.

“Is, is advanced magic all that’s left?!”

Snorting with confidence, Lena displayed her determination.

Seeing her eager spirit, Lee Hyun thought for a moment.

“What magic do you want to learn first?”

“Um. W-well…”

Had she not anticipated Lee Hyun’s question?

Lena fumbled and glanced at him.

She seemed to have something to say, but couldn’t bring it out.

However, he didn’t rush her.

It had been quite a while since Lee Hyun started living with Lena.

He knew very well that her hesitation stemmed from overthinking.

He understood that urging her would be pointless, so he simply stood there with his arms crossed, waiting.

“I, I want to learn… Ro, Road of Fire…”

Road of Fire.

An advanced fire-type magic that Lee Hyun often used.

It’s a magic that pairs well with the wind spirit Sylphid, so it wouldn’t be a bad choice.

“Alright. I’ll teach you Road of Fire first. However… this is quite a challenging magic even among advanced ones.”

After all, it’s almost the final boss-level magic among fire-type advanced magic.

With a serious expression, Lee Hyun taught her the incantation and how to manipulate mana.

As Lena usually did, she quietly received it and then raised her hand.

“Ro, Road of Fire!”

But what appeared was just a Fire Ball.

Seeing the flustered Lena not know what to do, Lee Hyun chuckled and nodded.

“You’re wondering why a Fire Ball came out after reciting the incantation? The reason you failed is simple. You’re not yet prepared to master advanced magic.”

“W-what does that mean?”

“Awakening.”

“A-awakening?”

“Yes.”

“H-how do I… um, obtain it?”

“This can’t be expressed in words. It’s something you must awaken within yourself.”

In games, advanced magic could only be learned through special quests or events.

Lee Hyun may have used a bug to obtain it, but Lena couldn’t utilize that bug, so she had to awaken on her own.

“Even if I teach you what I know, you won’t be able to grasp it. The reason is simple: our mental states are different.”

“Mental state…”

“The basis of advanced magic is similar to actualizing your inner world in reality. Just like how you overlay the intense flame in your heart onto the Fire Ball to create Road of Fire.”

“Th-that sounds hard.”

Seeing Lena look worried, Lee Hyun smiled gently.

Mastering advanced magic could take several years.

But he wasn’t the type to just sit idly by. He had his own preparations.

“It is difficult. There aren’t many advanced magicians even in the Ivory Tower. And the heads of each department, the great magicians, are so few that they can be counted even across the continent.”

“Master…?”

“Those who have mastered all advanced magic. And those who have acquired ultimate magic. The heads of each department have mastered the ultimate magic corresponding to their color. For instance, Bella, the head of the red department, has mastered Inferno, a supreme fire magic.”

“Ultimate… magic…”

“I believe that one day you will reach the position of master.”

“Well, um…”

“青出于蓝. I believe you will surpass me.”

Lee Hyun, squatting in front of Lena and meeting her gaze, spoke seriously.

Lena was flustered by his words.

Her master, Lee Hyun, was her wall, the highest mountain, and an ever-present hero to follow.

For someone like him to say that she would surpass him was incredibly humbling.

While flapping her arms and trying to deny it, Lee Hyun’s hand gently ruffled Lena’s hair.

“I’ve said it countless times, you are my pride.”

“Ugh…”

The weight of his words increased.

But along with it, her joy was growing too.

“Un, until then… W-will you stay by my side…?”

“That might be difficult.”

“…Huh?”

What on earth did he mean?

Lena felt her heart drop.

Looking straight into her eyes, Lee Hyun continued calmly.

“When you master advanced magic, I plan to send you to Bella.”

“Y-yes? Wha, why?!”

“Because after advanced magic, I won’t be able to teach you anymore. As you know, I have mastered only up to advanced magic.”

It’s quite literal.

Once Lena masters advanced magic, she’ll become a magician equal to Lee Hyun.

It’s common knowledge that equals cannot teach each other.

This was obvious, but Lena couldn’t accept it.

“But! I-I want to learn more from you…!!”

“Are you saying you want to learn more from me?”

She nodded vigorously.

Lena shook her head off as if her head was about to fall, but Lee Hyun looked at her with a warm gaze.

Receiving that gaze, Lena’s rational mind was telling her.

That Lee Hyun’s words were completely right.

As he said, learning magic from him anymore wouldn’t hold great meaning.

But Lena wasn’t strong enough to listen to her rational thoughts.

Tears streamed down her face.

Her body trembled.

She felt like she needed to say something, but words eluded her.

“That might be difficult. If it’s something other than magic, then fine, but… you have no talent for anything else.”

“But, I can use a sword too!!”

Lee Hyun wasn’t just strong with magic.

His swordsmanship was no slouch either.

Having directly faced him, Lena pulled the sword hanging from his waist and awkwardly lunged into the air.

“Yah, yahp!”

It was a pitiful sight.

Yet, despite her awkward attempts to imitate Lee Hyun, Lena ultimately dropped the sword.

“I-I’ll do better! I’ll work hard…!”

“No. That’s not going to work. I will only teach you magic. Anything else will only hinder you. You have no aptitude as a magic swordsman.”

Lee Hyun firmly stated reality and gently ruffled Lena’s hair, who wore a sullen expression.

“If you really want to learn from me, then maybe later. Come to the Academy.”

He planned to go to the Academy after earning the title of Sage at the Tower of Sages.

By then, he would be more than willing to teach her other things.

But while Lena stared at Lee Hyun, shivering, she eventually burst into tears.

“M-Master… you fool…”

She spun around and dashed back to the cabin.

Lying face down on her bed in her room at the cabin, Lena sobbed quietly.

Until now, she had diligently studied magic, enjoying the sight of her master, Lee Hyun’s happiness.

But she never expected that it would come with the time to part ways with him.

If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have worked so hard.

– Really?

Then she heard Sylphid’s voice. Sitting next to a heartbroken Lena and holding her hand, Sylphid cautiously spoke.

– You… that, you enjoyed learning magic… right?

“…In a way… sniff. But…”

True to Sylphid’s words.

Learning magic was fun.

Moreover, gaining power according to Lee Hyun’s teachings was also about changing herself.

But what was the use of that?

“…Sniff… Master is leaving…”

– Hmm… That’s a bit… well, that’s tough…

Sylphid’s consolation didn’t ease her heart.

As she floundered and sobbed on the bed, it happened.

“Ren!!”

“H-Hey.”

“We need to move right now.”

“Y-Yes…?”

She still hadn’t gotten over her sulking.

But Lee Hyun’s voice was incredibly urgent.

What could be going on?

Surprised, Lena stood up, only to shiver at his next words.

“The main force of the Asura sect is coming.”

It was evident that the foes they had faced until now were merely the advance party as proper enemies were approaching.

Lena swallowed hard as she sensed the numerous magical energies in the forest.

“We must escape towards Greenhilde as quickly as possible.”

“M-Master…”

“Don’t worry too much. Nothing will happen.”

Lee Hyun reassured her and grasped his sword.

In reality, nothing was supposed to happen.

Of course, he planned to encounter some minor crises.

“There they are!”

“Catch them!!”

As Lena smiled knowingly while Lee Hyun heard the sharp shouts from the forest, he grinned subtly.

‘If there’s no awakening event, then I just have to create one. The main forces of the Asura sect are perfectly suited for Lena’s awakening event.’

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