Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Ian left the dazed water wizard behind and approached the enemy wizard.

The wizard spotted Ian and immediately prepared for battle.

Indeed, the opponent was a wizard with far more experience than our water wizard.

Ian remained cautious.

After all, the opponent was a water wizard.

[Be careful. I sense all kinds of power from that one.]

"..."

The Mystery of Water warned the enemy wizard.

The opponent's water manipulation skill was clearly exceptional; he didn't even bother to acknowledge Ian, who had some proficiency with water magic.

Ian abandoned any thought of engaging in a battle of wills with the opposing wizard.

The Mystery of Water would side with the enemy wizard anyway.

Ian sought help from a different mystery.

"[Breath of winter.]"

[Do you call upon me, human?]

The mystery Ian chose was the Mystery of Cold.

It was already chilly outside.

The Mystery of Cold is effective against the Mystery of Water.

When water freezes, it becomes difficult to use it for magic as desired.

"..."

The opponent frowned as he watched Ian using cold magic.

"A face I've never seen before."

Ian had used water and cold magic.

Since wizard numbers were so few, a wizard who handled both water and cold magic would be identifiable.

How could someone not know a wizard of that caliber...?

The wizard looked at Ian with a puzzled expression.

"Who is your master?"

Having received proper wizard-etiquette education, Ian replied with respect for his master:

"Wizard Eredith. I am Ian, disciple of Eredith."

"...?"

The opposing wizard looked bewildered.

"Eredith? Isn't Eredith a fire wizard?"

"You know her well."

The wizard didn't conclude that Ian was lying.

If someone wanted to deceive using a master's name, they would have chosen a more plausible lie.

He could have mentioned a famous water wizard's name, but Eredith of all people?

"For Eredith's disciple to handle water magic at this level..."

"..."

After saying it, Ian felt strange, as if he was telling a lie.

Come to think of it, that was true, wasn't it?

If the opponent shouted "Stop lying! You fraud!" Ian would have nothing to say in response.

"If you think I'm lying..."

"Eredith certainly found an excellent disciple!"

"?"

Ian briefly admired the opposing wizard's flexible thinking.

It's impossible for Eredith, a fire wizard, to have taught a water wizard (X)

Eredith found an excellent disciple! (O)

Ian liked this wizard's mindset.

"Hmm... who is your teacher, sir?"

Respectful language flowed naturally from Ian's mouth.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became academic.

Although they were enemies just moments ago, that didn't particularly bother Ian.

Anyone who respects your master is worthy of respect!

"I am Orode, disciple of Kigline, young man."

"Orode Kigline."

Ian exchanged a light handshake with Orode.

After introducing themselves, neither felt like fighting anymore.

But just to be sure, Ian asked:

"Well... are we going to continue, Orode?"

Orode answered decisively:

"No? I surrender."

He smiled broadly and said:

"I don't think I'd win even if we went all the way. And I don't want to fight bloodily with a talented junior water wizard."

Orode seemed confident that Ian was a water wizard.

That made sense.

He had never heard of or seen Skill Magic.

So he thought Ian's ability to summon waves with such incredible speed was remarkable!

"Um... my specialty is actually shadow magic."

"?"

"I've studied water magic, but not enough to deserve your praise."

"???"

Orode tilted his head, confused by Ian's words.

So the waves from earlier were cast by someone who hadn't even properly studied water magic?!

"You're not a junior water wizard???"

"No."

Ian tensed slightly, wondering if Orode might shout "How dare you deceive me! Impudent!" and attack with magic.

Just then:

"Ohhhhh! It's not over yet! Wizard!"

A "corpse" suddenly rose from the water.

Looking closely, it was our water wizard...

"Ian! You've worked hard alone until now!"

"..."

"But now there aren't one but two! Two wizards will face you simultaneously!"

Orode sighed deeply and asked Ian:

"Is that guy really a water wizard?"

"Yes. He said so himself."

Orode looked back and forth between the water wizard and Ian with disapproval.

The fire wizard's disciple had excellent magical skills and good manners...

Yet the actual water wizard was behaving so poorly.

Wizards from other schools would mock him endlessly!

"Hey. Young friend."

"...Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, I'm talking to you. What's your name?"

The water wizard hesitated, then glanced at Ian.

Ian, isn't this person our enemy...?

Ian answered with a subtle smile.

Not anymore?

Finally, the water wizard spoke with a tense voice:

"I am Carter, disciple of Davine..."

"Ah~ Davine?"

"...Do you know my master?"

"Of course. We studied under the same master. Davine is my junior~"

"..."

No wizard of the Empire could escape this ruthless wizard-cartel...

Ultimately, water wizard Carter had to make a choice.

Continue fighting, considering the opponent an enemy? Or respectfully serve someone he now viewed as his master's senior?

Carter's decision came quickly.

"It's an honor to meet you, Senior!"

He immediately bowed his head deeply!

As Carter's bow made a "splash~!" sound on the water surface, Orode smiled contentedly.

This kid. He may not be good at magic, but his character is quite acceptable!

"Well well. It's getting late, shall we go have a drink?"

"Um... where are you going...?"

"Roxlan Castle! I'm a prisoner now! Hahaha!"

"..."

Ian returned to Roxlan Castle with his "captured" Orode.

Count Francis, who had been meeting with vassals, questioned Ian when he suddenly appeared:

"What's going on?"

"I've captured an enemy wizard."

"...?"

The nobles and Count Francis simultaneously raised question marks over their heads.

What did he do to capture an enemy wizard so quickly...?

"We competed in magical skill, and I surrendered first."

Orode proudly(...) admitted defeat.

Seeing this, Count Francis couldn't contain his delight.

He'd heard Ian was a decent wizard, but to score a victory so early!

"Well done indeed, Ian."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

The nobles were equally pleased.

To significantly weaken the enemy's magical forces right from the start!

"Ian! You've captured an enemy wizard... wait? Master Orode?!"

"Who's the captured wizard... Master Orode???"

Roxlan's wizards came out to see and were shocked to recognize Orode.

Wizard Orode was famous among water wizards.

"Water wizards. Attention."

"...!"

"Haha. Just joking. I'm just a prisoner now. A prisoner."

The water wizards doubled over with laughter.

Oh my~ Our senior's hu-umor has completely destroyed our stomachs...

...Suddenly turning gloomy, the water wizards wanted to go home.

They glared at Ian resentfully.

If only Ian had lost, this wouldn't have happened!

"Senior, what magic defeated you?"

"Water magic."

"?"

"Ian, that fellow uses water magic incredibly well?"

The wizards looked at Ian with incredulous expressions.

What magic did he use to defeat Orode with water magic???

Orode smiled broadly and said:

"Keep an eye on that fellow. He's no ordinary wizard."

He predicted that Ian's magic would demonstrate tremendous power on the battlefield.

If his water magic, which wasn't even his specialty, was that good, his other magic would be even more impressive.

***

And a few days later.

Orode's prediction became reality.

Fargar's army viewed the situation optimistically.

They had already beaten the Rashin Kingdom like a punching bag, and their morale was sky-high.

They believed they wouldn't lose once a large-scale battle began.

Though their opponent was one of the imperial dukes, Fargar's army didn't flinch.

First of all, Fargar's troops were qualitatively superior.

Most of their soldiers were properly armed men-at-arms.

These men, somewhere between knights and regular soldiers, were veteran fighters with years of battlefield experience.

In contrast, the troops Roxlan would bring were predictable.

Vassals reluctant to fight would send units with just enough numbers, mixing farmers with thugs.

Hastily conscripted soldiers would mostly lack proper equipment.

"But it will be dangerous once reinforcements arrive, Your Grace."

"I know."

Of course, if Roxlan pressed with superior numbers, the battle would be manageable.

Fargar knew this too.

"Provoke them into a full-scale battle."

That's why Duke Fargar planned a strong provocation strategy to lure Roxlan into abandoning their defensive position.

"Turn the farmlands to ashes with cavalry."

"Yes! Your Grace!"

The strategy Duke Fargar chose was a type of chevauchée.

In other words, plundering raids.

Plundering effectively disturbs public sentiment and weakens enemy morale.

Naturally, local farmers are friends and family of the soldiers.

What good is it if only soldiers stay safe inside the castle?

While innocent farmers are plundered!

Roxlan's soldiers had two choices:

Bravely rush out to confront Fargar's invaders—

Or cowardly hide behind castle walls until the plunderers passed...

Duke Fargar targeted exactly this psychology of soldiers.

From the command's perspective, holding position was the correct choice.

Just wait a little, and other vassals would send reinforcements. Then they could fight together!

But... could the soldiers endure that?

Could they just watch as enemy cavalry ravaged their land?

"Advance the troops while conducting raids."

Duke Fargar pointed to the path leading east past Roxlan.

"Defeat enemy reinforcements one by one here."

"Yes! Your Grace!"

Fargar's army was a veteran force that had already devoured several castles.

If Roxlan hesitated, they would quickly be surrounded and defeated piecemeal.

Even better, favorable news arrived for Fargar's side.

"Your Grace! They say the Emperor has been kidnapped by a dragon!"

"...What?"

Duke Fargar could hardly believe it, but he had to as the same report kept arriving.

He had been considering driving the Emperor out if necessary.

But a dragon kidnapping the Emperor!

What incredible luck!

"Is heaven helping us?"

This was the perfect opportunity.

Duke Fargar decided to secure as much territory as possible before the Emperor returned.

"Send a wizard."

"A wizard, sir?"

"Roxlan Castle is protected by a river. A water wizard might accomplish something."

Duke Fargar made a stronger move.

Let's create a variable by deploying wizards from the start!

If a wizard weakened Roxlan Castle, they could skip the tedious plundering and begin a siege immediately.

So he dispatched an excellent water wizard, but...

"Captured, you say?"

"I-I have no excuse! Your Grace!"

"Behead all those who escorted the wizard."

"Your Grace! Spare us! Your Grace!"

They had lost one of Fargar's wizards so uselessly!

It could only be seen as bad luck.

But variables were common on the battlefield.

Duke Fargar, undiscouraged, implemented his next plan.

"Send the cavalry."

"Yes!"

The cavalry, excited at the prospect of plundering, departed.

Duke Fargar had no doubt that the cavalry would brutally massacre farmers.

But then...

"They returned empty-handed?"

An unexpected report arrived.

The cavalry had returned without any plunder!

Why on earth?!

Had they suddenly developed a thin sense of compassion?

"Um... Your Grace. About that..."

After hearing the explanation, Duke Fargar was so dumbfounded he lost his words.

"On the way to the village... we got lost..."

"And you call that an excuse?"

"I-it's true! There's an evil wizard in enemy territory!"

The Duke asked with a mindset of at least hearing the excuse:

"An evil wizard?"

"Yes! A truly evil wizard who summons darkness!"

To summarize what happened:

Duke Fargar's cavalry... got lost because it was too dark.

It was clearly a wizard's mischief.

Enjoy the chappy!

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