Chapter 216 – Class (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“!”

Seeing a definite exclamation mark appear in her pupils, this time it was undeniably Jesse Heinness. Anyway, I’m the one who should be surprised. But somehow, Jesse seemed far more surprised.

“It has been a long time seeing you in a place like this, Chief Lee Ho-yeol!”

For now, she seemed unable to remember the events that took place in the Sociality of Space-Time.

Bow-

The posture of bowing at a right angle was so polite that I responded without realizing it.

“It seems the aftereffects of magic power exhaustion have gotten better.”

Asking how she is doing was fine, you know.

But there is a limit to being straightforward too!

Didn’t I just say it?

‘That she seemed unable to remember the events in the Sociality.’

Although she had no memory of meeting me.

How did you know the fact that I was suffering from magic power exhaustion?

What if she suddenly asked that.

I wondered what I should do if she stared at me strangely.

“Magic power exhaustion…? As expected, it is you, Chief Lee! You recognized that my magic power flow is unstable! Thank you for worrying. I am fine now!”

…In times like this, the accumulated karma can be helpful too.

Anyway, I looked at Jesse.

No matter what, isn’t this place a bit too dangerous?

‘Because she is around the early to mid level 500s.’

I could dare guarantee it.

This battlefield is too much for Jesse.

The evidence was already visible before my eyes.

Her faintly heaving shoulders.

It was Jesse, who had appeared from a portal.

The farther the destination, the more drastically the amount of magic power consumed in manifesting a portal increases.

To the point where trying to catch her breath was visible. Jesse must have consumed a lot of magic power in manifesting the portal.

Jesse shouldn’t have been able to trace the Tower Master’s magic trace.

If so, as expected.

Did she move following the Class Quest?

I inconspicuously observe the surroundings.

The Tower Master is in a state of not having revealed his figure yet.

There was a need to exchange opinions with Jesse.

Because the more information on the enemy, the better.

In that sense, Jesse is a reassuring ally.

‘In a way, she is the person concerned.’

Through the conversation with the Tower Master, I knew the circumstances intertwined with this incident to some extent, but.

I did not know the specific objective.

Even though there was a quest, it was excessively concise.

-Stop the Archmages’ Conspiracy. (Ongoing)

-Face the Tower Master’s body. (Failed)

-Defeat the rampaging Tower Master’s body. (Ongoing)

Defeat.

It was only written like that.

However, it must not be the case for the Archmage, Jesse.

My guess was accurate.

“As expected, you’ve guessed it! It is true that it’s because of the Class Quest. Although I might fall short of you, Chief Lee… I have been trying hard in my own way too!”

I sincerely nodded my head.

It was not because Jesse was commendable.

It was because I, Lee Ho-yeol, was commendable.

Because I was genuinely kicking and struggling to death every single day!

Well, looking at today alone is proof.

Let’s suppose things smoothly work out somehow to resolve the emergency update and return.

The things I would do after returning, whether to Yusra or the Mage Tower, were obvious.

In order to improve [Tenacity], the body.

I would overwork it to the point of reaching my limits.

Is that all?

Since I found out that there were competitors, including Greater Demon Kings, in the realm of Anomaly.

I could not neglect my research regarding Anomaly either.

‘I get tired just thinking about it.’

However, the high and mighty pride.

Could never make a fuss in front of someone else.

I spoke resolutely to Jesse.

“I know.”

There were the words the Tower Master had said too.

Even if that wasn’t it, she had fallen into magic power exhaustion.

Anyway.

While we are on the topic, let me add one more word.

I continued my words shamelessly.

“However, what is more important than anything else is not to sink.”

“…Ah, you are talking about magic power exhaustion!”

“That is right.”

I was not just saying words but meaning it sincerely.

I wished she would refrain from overdoing it until she fell into magic power exhaustion.

My heaven’s luck had long since ended. It meant I could not guarantee which Archmage’s personality would pop out from the pointed hat.

“Yes, I will keep that in mind!”

Jesse replying with an exclamation mark was brief.

I got straight to the point.

So what is it, the objective of the Archmage Class Quest.

Just what was the Tower Master’s plan…!

“This Class Quest is [Class]!”

…Class?

The moment I heard that word.

The doubts scattered like puzzles began fitting together.

From the time the Tower Master called Jesse into the Mage Tower, up to this moment.

And even the reason he led Jesse into this excessively overwhelming space.

Even after dwelling in the pointed hat.

In order to give teachings to the next Archmage, Jesse.

The Tower Master had left behind his own body.

Jesse is an adventurer.

An existence with virtually zero magical knowledge.

But an existence from another world absolutely necessary to stop the Archmages’ conspiracy.

He must have needed a special method to impart massive magical knowledge to such Jesse.

Jesse held her staff tightly with both hands and spoke.

“The quest objective is to encounter the former Archmage’s body! I am slightly nervous and excited as well! Because it is my first time seeing his body other than the pointed hat!”

I compared my quest objective and Jesse’s.

‘…Mine is to defeat. Jesse’s is to encounter.’

It’s a somewhat significantly different nuance.

Naturally.

Unless I said it, Jesse would not know about my quest.

So her endlessly excited feelings could be understood.

However, I knew.

“Jesse Heinness.”

“Yes, I am listening. Chief Lee!”

“This class will absolutely not be a pushover.”

Why else, even before the earnest class began.

Wasn’t it the Tower Master’s body that manifested 10 Meteor Strikes towards Earth? I have gone through so many damned situations. So I have developed a bit of a sense.

As if to respond to my guess.

Beyond the changing scenery of the Illusion Magic.

From within the fluctuating waves of magic power.

The Tower Master’s body revealed its appearance.

“It seems the class has begun.”

At those words, Jesse’s pupils left me for the first time.

The Tower Master’s body escaping from the opaque magic power sphere.

Was it a man, or a woman.

An androgynous appearance where it was difficult to notice the gender.

What stood out more than that were the empty, unfocused pupils.

Soon, Jesse’s urgent voice was heard.

“…Chief Lee!”

I know even if you don’t say it.

“The quest objective has been updated! But…”

“It is fine to speak.”

“Um, he’s telling me to ‘survive this class’…!”

Survival, isn’t that an impossible quest objective for Jesse?

I think I know why he gave Jesse such a quest objective already.

Undeniably, inside that pointed hat. Among the consciousnesses of the Archmages. Something unusual is going on, right, Tower Master?

Time was tight.

He could no longer exist within the pointed hat.

And leave his margin to take care of Jesse by.

He must have thought of me in such a situation.

If it was me who had formed a Circle.

Moreover, if it was me, the creator of Anomaly, alongside Jesse.

He must have judged that the arrangement meant for Jesse in the distant future.

Could be initiated at the current point in time.

To summarize the situation in one phrase.

‘…Does this feel slightly like an open-house observation class?’

At the point when the body and consciousness were separated, it was impossible for the Tower Master to control his own body. In the one-in-a-ten-thousand chance that his body goes rampage and tries to harm Jesse.

It was clearly an intetion for me, who was watching, to defeat it.

‘No, he really is like a company department head.’

What’s with working his subordinate while even shoving a quest objective in front of them?

However, it wasn’t something to merely grumble about either.

Because predictably so.

Every magic the Tower Master was currently manifesting was literally meant for the next Archmage, Jesse.

Very, extremely high-level magic that could not be found anywhere in magic books, like the Meteor Strike, would pour out.

In that sense, keeping my eyes wide open.

Let’s change our mindset, Ho-yeol.

Let’s think of it as taking the class together instead of observing.

『His innate magical talent was enough to mimic most standard magic spells merely by observing them.』

Because me, Granfel, possessed the talent to absorb everything I witnessed.

Good.

Let’s begin the class properly, Tower Master.

I prattled on shamelessly.

“I hope there will be something to learn from you.”

*

Mage Tower.

Yugweed looked at the gathered Senior Mages.

Then she generously raised the corners of her mouth.

“With this, the Mage Tower’s flaw has been exposed to the world.”

Chief Lee, I have no face to show, especially to you.

From the rebellion of the Elders including Karimzeva.

To protect the Mage Tower.

And to set it straight again.

It was Ho-yeol who had diverted all attention to himself.

However, making that sacrifice pointless.

“To immediately manifest high-level magic. He’s certainly full of energy.”

The Tower Master, who could be called the Mage Tower itself.

Our Tower Master had grandly stabbed us in the back.

It was obvious, but the Seniors gathered here, including Yugweed, could not know the exact situation.

However, they definitively realized one thing.

“I think I know why Chief Lee kept silent.”

“The Chief Mage merely couldn’t bring himself to talk about it.”

“Matis.”

Black Magic Studies Senior, Matis, opened his mouth.

“Chief Lee has always prioritized the Mage Tower.”

His silence in the Crystal Hall was undeniably done out of consideration as well.

If the Tower Master revealed his hostility and erupted, the Mage Tower would have to step forward to stop him. Because no one in this room would welcome such a situation.

However.

“It is time to make a decision.”

To whom the Tower Master harbored hostility, the truth didn’t matter.

What mattered was that the Tower Master’s actions here.

Would be a massive threat to the adventurers’ world.

“We can’t just pass everything off to Chief Lee.”

“I share the exact same thought, Elder Yugweed.”

“My, if it isn’t Senior Belie.”

“Me as well.”

“Oho, Nasrow?”

Led by them, all twenty Senior Mages reached a consensus.

Yugweed broke out into a smile once again.

She felt she must have worried for nothing.

“That’s a relief. One less worry of stepping forward alone.”

Such Yugweed’s eyes soon turned sudden.

Gentle Giant, Yugweed.

It wasn’t an alias originated from 『Magic』 like Karimzeva or Senios.

It was an alias that attached to her much later.

After entering the Mage Tower, proceeding from Senior to Chief, and then to Elder.

The reason Yugweed was given such an alias was simple.

“Well then, shall we step forward earnestly?”

A cool-headed judgment hidden beneath a benevolent smile.

Yugweed possessed decisiveness.

No one can stop a giant who has begun to step forward.

In that sense, Yugweed was a giant.

Because she had never once backed down from a decision she made herself.

A chilling joke followed.

“Strictly speaking, wouldn’t this be treason directed at the Tower Master? Well, not bad. Since I stepped my foot in the Mage Tower anyway, using my age as a basis to try sitting in the Tower Master’s seat would be fine too. Huhu.”

Yugweed directly traced the magic trace.

Rather than the Tower Master’s magic trace…

Tracing Chief Lee’s magic trace would be much more straightforward.

Just as she thought that.

Yugweed let out a hearty laugh.

“…You really are not ordinary, Chief Lee?”

To be completely unable to trace your magic trace.

Is this what [『Anomaly』] is?

Your words were right.

For you, the Circle was merely a passing realm.

“That must be why you returned the Tower Master’s Meteor Strike into the sky.”

An Anomaly to an extent that even an Elder, Yugweed, could not estimate it.

While marveling at the fresh shock briefly.

Yugweed opened her mouth.

“Unless this old lady has gone senile, it seems Chief Lee’s magic power has reached a realm that ordinary people like us dare not be able to trace. Isn’t that right, Matis?”

“Elder’s words are right.”

“Bangrit, how does it look to you?”

“Y-Yes! P-Please wait a moment!”

Pure Mana Studies Senior, Bangrit.

He had a magic-sensitivity considered the best among Seniors.

A sensitivity almost as if chosen by magic power. Because it was safe to say a talent close to a blessing was what brought Bangrit, a commoner who didn’t receive proper magical education, to the Senior position.

“It seems Elder Yugweed’s words are correct.”

Of course, even for such Bangrit, impossible was impossible.

“It can’t be helped.”

Yugweed shrugged her shoulders.

“It seems I will have to receive Chief Marcelo’s help.”

“If it is Marcelo…”

“Now that I think about it, he’s nowhere to be seen?”

If it was Marcelo, who walked the path of Anomaly alongside Ho-yeol.

He would be able to trace the magic trace perfectly well.

Yugweed relayed a telepathy to Marcelo.

No, she meant to do so.

“Oh my.”

Belie flinched and asked.

“What is the matter, Elder Yugweed?”

“It seems we delayed too much.”

“Pardon?”

“The telepathy cannot reach Marcelo.”

“If you are saying that…?”

“Probably Chief Marcelo is in the same space as Chief Lee. Meaning he must have entered the magic power vortex manifested by the Tower Master. Is this saying catching up to two Chiefs is too much for an old lady?”

Of course, it was an exaggeration.

As stated before, the giant had already taken a step.

Yugweed directly traced Marcelo’s magic trace.

Soon, she manifested a portal.

Yugweed said.

“We are late, but let us diligently pursue the two Chiefs.”

.

.

.

I stared at Marcelo, standing opposite me.

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol. I cannot trust you.”

Marcelo drew out his magic power while speaking like that.

He used a rather serious voice on his own terms.

To me, there was nothing funnier than those words.

It couldn’t be helped.

Because in private occasions like now, Marcelo’s title directed at me was firmly fixed to ‘Sir’. Didn’t I tell you, Tower Master? The Mage Tower you knew and the Mage Tower right now have somewhat different situations.

Therefore, clear away these childish illusions.

“It is far too light to be called a class.”

I continued my words, placing my sincerity in them.

Topaz Hall, where the preliminary verification for the regular academic conference took place.

Just like the venomous remarks I spat out there.

“I hope you will not drag down the Mage Tower’s face. Tower Master.”

At that time, a voice reached me.

“I too agree with your opinion.”

It was real this time.

“Though there is no way you could know. Sir just calls me Marcelo. He does not attach an unnecessary title like Chief. Of course, it goes the same for the Elders as well.”

…Somehow, it feels like I’m being made out to be a punk who doesn’t even know honorifics.

Anyway.

It’s nice to see you, the real Marcelo.

However, somehow Marcelo’s reaction was extraordinary.

Shouldn’t his eyes be sorrowful in front of the Tower Master…

But somehow they seem to be fiercely burning…?

I could soon realize the reason for that.

The fact that Marcelo was also a mage.

That was right.

Those fiercely burning eyes were that gaze of Eternal Snow, Senios.

“Well, it has to be like that to be like you.”

Me.

“No, I am instead glad that you look consistent.”

It seems.

“At least there would be a sense of reward in breaking you that way, right?”

I heavily misunderstood the relationship between the Tower Master and Marcelo…!