Randgar Bayel.
Vice Chancellor of Crescent Academy and an authority on barrier magic.
Not only does he master barrier magic but wields other types of spells at an expert level, making him one of the top wizards often mentioned when discussing the strongest mages.
“What… is this…!”
Despite his many titles, Randgar has been getting mercilessly beaten since the start of the fight.
The excuse that he’d already worn himself out battling Chancellor Binuar earlier was just that – an excuse. After all, the Black Shadow Guild Leader must have also fought an Undead Wyvern before arriving.
“Huff… huff…”
Instinctively rubbing his throat, Randgar gasped for air while gathering mana around himself. It was a purely instinctive action – he knew it wouldn’t work, but it made him feel better to do something.
Wooom…
“Ugh… ugh!”
At the familiar “woo” sound, Randgar jumped up in panic. The same scene unfolded yet again – the dark mana barrier surrounding him dissipated without the opponent even casting a special spell. Just by stepping forward and extending a hand, the Black Shadow Leader dispelled Randgar’s protective black magic like it was nothing.
“d*mn!”
Frustrated screams escaped Randgar’s lips. The masked Guild Leader hadn’t shown even a hint of emotion throughout the fight. What Randgar had thought would be an easy victory with some prepared medicine turned out to be a miscalculation. The opponent had been hiding a secret technique just as he had been.
Who would have thought the man could completely nullify all attacks around him?
Wooom…
Just hearing that sound now sent shivers down Randgar’s spine. There was nothing he could do. All he could manage was to run.
As the Wooom sound echoed again, the Guild Leader predictably appeared before him, hand extended toward his throat. Randgar felt his breath catch as he stared at the approaching hand. The residual pain in his neck from their first encounter intensified tenfold.
It wasn’t just the increasing pain. Goosebumps spread across his skin and his heart sank. Helplessness. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“AAAAAAA!!!”
Roaring loudly, Randgar summoned his mana. He wouldn’t admit defeat so easily. Who was he? The man who had risen to Vice Chancellor purely through merit and caught the eye of the Founder? The one who joined the Nameless organization and quickly ascended to Elder status while mastering black magic?
“Kk, kkkk!”
His thoughts were cut off as he poured the last of his strength into releasing mana, but to no avail. The powerful mana stream dissolved like ash upon reaching the Guild Leader, who then firmly grabbed Randgar’s neck with clear intent not to let go this time.
“So it’s over.”
Shivers ran down Randgar’s spine at the familiar chilling voice. The tone one uses when dismissing an insignificant bug. The image of someone flashed through his mind – the Founder, with that deep cavernous voice.
“Kkhh… uuuhh…”
Even while choking, Randgar resisted desperately, wrapping his hands and feet with mana for one last attempt. But the Guild Leader’s grip was unshakable. All his accumulated mana vanished effortlessly, and his strength began to drain.
Despite having taken the medicine, he was getting crushed one-sidedly. Though on the verge of losing consciousness, Randgar kept fighting – to break free from both physical grasp and feelings of helplessness.
“Kkkk… kkk…”
But his struggles changed nothing. His strength waned, his mind grew blurry, his resistance dwindled, and the surrounding dark mana slowly faded.
‘Is this… the end?’
His will to resist was crumbling. Just as all hope seemed lost…
Thump…
Through his fading vision, he saw someone hovering in the air looking straight at him.
Thump…
Instinctively, Randgar recognized the Founder. The spark of hope reignited.
‘The Founder has come to save me!’
“Kk…”
He shouted internally, but the distant Founder didn’t move. All he could clearly see was the Founder’s lips slowly forming words.
‘A…?’
Even as he lost consciousness, Randgar could read the clear message:
“Neck… lace.”
‘Tsk… tsk.’
Upon seeing these three words, everything became clear. He wasn’t being saved. The Founder had come only for his necklace.
Realizing this, Randgar’s resistance melted away. The strength left his struggling limbs and his throat.
“…Finally caught you.”
Thud.
Even as his body hit the floor, Randgar remained motionless. Though conscious, he had no strength or will to resist left.
Wooom…
He could sense the Guild Leader withdrawing his power above him.
“For the… revolution!”
Summoning his last bit of strength, Randgar moved. Not to attack, but to reach into his pocket and grab the cold metal inside. With all his remaining power, he threw the necklace out.
It didn’t go far in his weakened state, but he didn’t care. It was as far as he could throw it toward the Founder.
“What is this?”
That was his last thought – the Guild Leader’s puzzled voice.
[Rest of the story continues in similar comedic yet descriptive style…]
