Chapter 64 – Mage Tower (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Mage Tower.

If judged by martial prowess, it’s a group no one in Arcana can approach.

Even the Emperor commanding the continent.

Wishes to form a friendly relationship while being concerned about their influence.

But is it because they hold that much of a massive position.

The Mage Tower had no particular movement in any of Arcana’s events.

Of course, back when Arcana was merely a game.

It would have been a matter one could just brush off thinking it’s a limitation of the system.

Why, what if the Mage Tower intervened in events where Players were supposed to play an active part?

The Mage Tower would clear up the situation in an instant.

It was obvious that Players would end up just sucking their thumbs.

However, Arcana was no longer a game but reality.

‘Even so, the Mage Tower didn’t have any particular movement.’

Right.

Even when summoned to reality, that is.

Because it was like that, it was natural not to hold big expectations.

The sight of the mages of the Mage Tower stepping forward and taking action?

Because as a Player, it was something unimaginable.

However.

──────

I heard the news.

You paid attention to defeating the Demon King, Decarabia, who descended upon Frost. As the Chief Mage of the Mage Tower, I have lost face. I only have words of gratitude to say…….

──────

……What is this nuance?

No matter how many times I re-read it.

It wasn’t anyone else.

The real power of the Mage Tower.

It was definitely a letter sent by the Chief Mage, Marcelo…….

Considering his personality, he has a personality that would absolutely not say empty words.

No matter how many times I read this……?

‘It’s full of the feeling that he wants to step forward but can’t.’

Clink

I put down the teacup and parted my lips.

“Everyone has circumstances they cannot speak of.”

Right, even I have circumstances I cannot speak of called a dark history…….

‘No, that’s not what’s important!’

It definitely looks like there are circumstances, this?

I also have something called tact.

Moreover, is it because I formally set foot in the Mage Tower.

Am I not someone who somewhat knows the structure of the Mage Tower, that is, the way the Mage Tower rolls. Moreover, I had a quest I was currently carrying out in the Mage Tower.

[Quest : Marcelo’s Research]

The Tower of Mages, Chief Mage Marcelo.

For him to reach magic that has advanced to the next dimension.

He wishes to be with you.

‘……Hold on, maybe this is.’

I arbitrarily pieced together the scattered fragments.

Right, the Mage Tower has circumstances they cannot speak of.

Due to those circumstances, mages cannot take proactive actions.

Marcelo is concerned about that.

And I am a co-researcher and an ally of such Marcelo…….

Then what was completed was a plausible happy circuit.

‘……If I solve the Mage Tower’s circumstances that might be at the end of this quest.’

Wouldn’t the Mage Tower start to move more proactively?

Naturally, in the process of clearing the quest.

It’s a given that I would pile up massive relationship points and influence in the Mage Tower.

If so, that means…….

‘Will the Mage Tower become a reassuring ally too……?’

No, let’s not get ahead of myself.

Because it’s natural that the bigger the expectation, the bigger the disappointment.

Moreover, if one likes eating things raw.

They have nothing to say even if they get an upset stomach.

So it’s right to organize my thoughts around here.

‘I’ll probably come to know more as I carry out the quest.’

Even if I was curious right now, there was nothing in particular I could do.

Can’t I ask Marcelo, the person involved?

As if that could be possible.

Prying into circumstances one cannot speak of was exactly.

Something that goes against formality.

The reply from such me to Marcelo was obvious.

──────

I fully understand your anguish.

──────

“A face-to-face meeting is welcomed at any time.”

To bring up the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.

I have received and eaten too much…….

Because my calculation of give-and-take is thorough.

*

The Battle for Frost.

The aftermath of that day didn’t fade away the next day, nor the day after that.

It couldn’t be helped.

Unlike before, there were far too many eyes watching the Battle for Frost.

Shining and Unification of the World.

Guild Rank 1st and 2nd.

Their robust health was proven this time as well.

Their strategies and tactics surpassing the Demon King’s Army.

Indeed, their appearance seemed to say that their experience in siege warfare wasn’t in vain.

An unexpected ambush also appeared.

Demon Legion Commander, Horican.

Nam Tae-min facing that named monster alone.

Not stopping at breaking Horican’s legs, he was the one who even tore its wings apart.

Watching his thrilling battle, Players could roughly guess.

-For real, did Nam Tae-min finally start his class quest??

-Seems like it??? There is a feeling that he’s a bit late compared to other rankers though

-Isn’t that rather amazing? He protected his top 10 spot even without a class quest

-Acknowledge lol Now there’s only days left for his stock to skyrocket, let’s go all-in on buying Gaon’s stock

Even excluding such monumental incidents.

Like Inazuma’s polite attitude.

Or Jesse Heinness’s departure from the Shining Guild.

Or the martial prowess of the Shadow Mercenaries.

Or the sight of Harkon defeating a Demon Legion Commander with a single blow.

Because the Battle for Frost had so many things that happened.

Well, since tastes differ from person to person.

The biggest subject of interest couldn’t help but be different.

However, one thing was certain.

Objectively, popularly.

The one receiving the most attention.

That is, who is the hottest potato among them all?

“It can be said to be Player Lee Ho-yeol as expected.”

The cast members nodding their heads at the expert’s words.

The expert let out a satisfied smile.

“First, let’s look at that ability. You probably know since you’ve numbingly watched it through data screens but. This, skill! The appearance of this skill is on a different dimension from the skills Players have been using until now!”

The Goddess of Flame that appeared in Frost.

Praises that would make the person involved flinch if they heard it continued.

Merely utilizing the [Aesthetics] stat.

And adding an aesthetic sense.

“So I dare to make a prediction. Player Lee Ho-yeol is definitely someone who changed class to a Fire Mage lineage class.”

Fire Mage?

And a class at that.

Because he was buying an enormous misunderstanding.

However, opinions couldn’t help but be divided about that as well.

“I am against it.”

“Oh, do you have a different opinion? Expert Hwang-nim?”

“Of course, while the Goddess of Flame was amazing. Look. Do you see the black aura spewing out from Player Lee Ho-yeol here?”

That was the Intermediate Black Magic, Black Coffin.

“This is a skill of a completely new lineage! Looking at its exterior, I am deducing whether it might be black magic. Why, that black magic which hasn’t been officially recognized in the Mage Tower for that long!”

“That is a very interesting argument?”

“Indeed. Who is Player Lee Ho-yeol? Isn’t he the first Player to acquire a qualification equal to the Mage Tower, a Chief Mage at that? Definitely, with a class related to black magic…….”

Because Ho-yeol’s position in the Mage Tower.

Had spread at a rapid speed by mage class Players.

That opinion wasn’t complete nonsense either.

But.

“But isn’t the problem that he used those two amazing skills at the same time? What are your thoughts on that? The two expert-nims?”

“……!”

“……It, it is that I do not wish to speak of that.”

The two people who became like mute people who ate honey at the host’s pointing out.

Ho-yeol making the experts’ faces completely ruined.

Right, Ho-yeol was literally the eye of the typhoon.

Even while being at the center of large and small incidents.

Even while receiving all kinds of spotlight.

Even if the mass media chatters about him all day long.

-Among all that, he not only rescued survivors but also recovered corpses, they say

-If this isn’t noblesse oblige, then what is lol

-Just Homen

Peaceful as always.

Not losing his aloof posture.

An attitude to the point where the side worrying rather looks weird.

“……Fuck. Watch whoever wants to watch.”

So it was natural to worry about her precious unni.

Beep

Leonie threw the remote control onto the sofa and went into her room.

The Berserker Guild members who were holding their breaths began to chatter.

“Our unni’s face has gotten gaunt.”

“Her insides must be a mess. Even my heart sank just watching.”

“I really thought I heard wrong, you know?”

That was a story continuing from the recapture of Frost.

During the recapture of Frost.

Ho-yeol’s voice heard from the alleyway across.

“What? Treating him to tea? I really couldn’t even imagine it?”

And the one saying she would treat him to tea was Jesse Heinness.

Among guild members, Jesse was a person of major interest.

How complex must her head be even if she doesn’t show it, our unni.

“To what extent did she tear out her hair for her to become disheveled like that…….”

“That’s just because she didn’t wash her hair today.”

“She hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday…….”

“What do you mean she didn’t eat. The smell of pizza was vibrating from her room.”

“……Then why is that unni overreacting?”

No, just pick one or the other.

The guild members couldn’t guess Leonie’s inner thoughts.

But it couldn’t be helped.

“Fuck. What is it. Really.”

Flop

Leonie laid face down on the bed and buried her face in the pillow.

Because even Leonie herself couldn’t understand her own feelings.

She says she treats him to tea.

And to Jesse Heinness at that.

“……Isn’t that cutting in line.”

That was definitely an unpleasant matter.

This person here.

Because I’m curious about the taste of that tea.

I’m diligently making an effort while calculating what’s given and taken but.

Definitely, I was but.

-That wasn’t a bad movement. Leonie.

……What’s with the sudden compliment?

Saying everything he needs to say and what he shouldn’t say.

Considering Ho-yeol’s straightforward personality…….

That would just be something he said because the movement really wasn’t bad.

But simultaneously.

She also knew that Ho-yeol’s personality was one that could absolutely not say empty words.

“What is it. Fucking.”

So she couldn’t help but be terribly bothered by it.

Thwack, thwack

“If you have time to compliment, brew me a cup of tea instead. Fuck.”

Leonie stomped her feet.

She turned on the TV to empty this head but.

No matter how much she changed channels, the face of the culprit, Ho-yeol, popped out.

That was the reason she yielded the remote control and stuck herself in the corner of her room.

“……Let’s just play a game. Just.”

Such Leonie connected to the internet and then freaked out again.

The photo of Ho-yeol’s article decorating the internet main screen.

Really, a massive presence that cannot be avoided wherever she goes.

Leonie threw her pillow this time.

“Uwaaah! It’s dirty so I won’t drink it, me!”

.

.

.

“How to put it. I feel like I’m being robbed.”

The Guild Master of Shining, Rox, spoke like that.

“Don’t harbor an illusion, Rox. When you never even had her in the first place~”

“I’m just saying it like that. Seriously, when I say something…….”

“Well, Camilla, your words aren’t wrong either.”

Rox shrugged his shoulders.

Because Jesse Heinness treated Shining strictly as a business relationship.

The reason she was affiliated with Shining was merely because of the best conditions.

Furthermore, it was thanks to them guaranteeing her free activities.

“I knew it, but the feeling isn’t pleasant.”

Feeling like being robbed of something.

It was definitely an unfamiliar sensation for Rox.

Because Rox was always standing on the side of achieving rather than being robbed.

“Isn’t it too early to feel disappointed already?”

“Hey, Camilla. You’re trying to rub salt in the wound again.”

“No~ Jesse never said she would leave Shining but you’re already catching feelings and all so~ It’s because I’m worried. What are you going to do when she really says she’s leaving.”

The dense Dmitri might not know even if he observes for a lifetime but.

Camilla could feel it.

That Rox’s emotions were fluctuating.

‘His breathing has gotten rough.’

Wind that affects shooting.

Being around Camilla’s level who doesn’t miss a single speck of that wind, she could feel it.

A very minute change.

Rox was suppressing his emotions that much.

‘You must not be used to it.’

No, you probably can’t tolerate it.

‘With your personality, that is.’

Founding member.

Camilla had watched Rox since the early days of Shining.

Because he has a lot, the true nature of Rox that he is suppressing.

She knows it better than anyone else.

“I was having a misconception.”

“Are you going to fight again? Can’t we just pass it amicably?”

“What were you having a misconception about, Rox?”

Making Dmitri’s begging pointless, Camilla asked calmly.

Rox swept up his hair.

“No matter what, I was thinking he’s below me. I’m talking about Lee Ho-yeol. Until now, I just considered he was lucky. I thought he benefited greatly from Jesse during Ascura, and from the Lionheart Knights in Yusra.”

“……Rox, that’s a fact, isn’t it.”

“But it was a misconception.”

Rox’s eyes flashed.

“He is definitely stronger than me.”

No, he is even stronger than the rank 1, Skal.

That was an intuition she could feel because they were fellow Players.

Rox continued speaking with a serious face.

“At least level 600.”

“……What?”

“Hold on. What level 600 are you……. Hey, Rox. Don’t tell me?!”

“At most level 700.”

Rox’s face was serious without a single trace of jokes.

“That’s the level of Lee Ho-yeol I am predicting.”

*

……Even if he died, he wouldn’t know.

[Name : Granfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo]

[Class : Demon Hunter]

[Level: 295]

[Stats]

Strength : 45 / Agility : 46 / Magic Power : 243 / Luck : 5 / Aesthetic : Low()

[Possessed Points : 0]

He wouldn’t know even in his dreams that I wouldn’t even be level 300, really……!

Mage Tower, Topaz Hall.

The Mage Tower’s large-scale event, Regular Academic Conference.

Before standing in the Crystal Hall where the Regular Academic Conference is held.

The process of verification that must absolutely be gone through.

The place where that preliminary verification takes place is right here.

It was Topaz Hall.

I am currently sitting here with a qualification equal to a Chief Mage.

What am I doing here?

If someone asked.

First, I would show them the blinking quest window.

[Quest : Marcelo’s Research]

The Tower of Mages, Chief Mage Marcelo.

For him to reach magic that has advanced to the next dimension.

He wishes to be with you.

─Accept Marcelo’s proposal. (Success)

─Prove your ability. (Success)

─The Weight of a Chief (Repeat)

Right.

This is the co-researcher who holds a qualification equal to a Chief.

It means it’s the weight I have to shoulder.

Simply out, it was tasks.

‘……It is severely burdensome.’

I know very well what kind of amazing folks the mages of the Mage Tower are.

Even setting aside Chief and Senior Mages,

Because the strength of the Mage Tower mages was at a level incomparable to Players.

‘Because even the great Jesse is treated as a bottom-feeder in the Mage Tower.’

The tea time we had in my laboratory.

Jesse had politely said while holding her teacup with both hands.

-A personal meeting with a Chief Mage for an Apprentice Mage like me! This is an utmost honor! So I have prepared a carefully considered question!

The mage of mages.

That Jesse Heinness.

She says she is an Apprentice Mage, a rank lower than an Adept Mage in the Mage Tower.

Right.

That was exactly the reason I brought up levels.

‘To verify Adept Mages, not even Apprentices……?’

……Me?

Me who is not even level 300?

It’s natural to be crazily burdensome.

However, that’s only the inner circumstances of me, Lee Ho-yeol.

Topaz Hall.

To me sitting in the seat of honor.

There was no feeling of burden or nervousness at all.

The formality one must possess as a Chief.

A posture that doesn’t deviate from that formality in the slightest.

I was nonchalantly examining the parchment…….

‘……This, too, must be me struggling.’

Right, if you can’t avoid it, it’s better to enjoy it.

Since I realized that fact early on.

I quit lamenting over my lot in life.

Exactly on the hour.

Since it was time, I shamelessly opened my mouth.

“Let the verification begin.”

.

.

.

Thump, thump.

Healing School Adept Mage, Cle, calmed her racing heart.

‘Because I prepared hard……!’

The Mage Tower’s Regular Academic Conference.

Standing in the Crystal Hall as a presenter was an incomparable honor for a mage.

Cle recalled the words of a Senior Mage of the same Healing School, Veliere.

-There’s nothing to be nervous about, Cle. Your ability is sufficient. If you still tremble, recall your efforts up until now.

-But if the result isn’t good despite that……. Just brush it off thinking it’s the jealousy of the Senior Mages who envied me. What Cle needs is confidence.

Recalling Veliere’s calm voice, her heart that felt like it would burst began to quiet down.

Right, even for Veliere-nim’s sake……!

I will endure the verification without trembling.

‘Of course, there is the honor of the Healing School too!’

How many researches are presented at the Regular Academic Conference?

Depending on that, the schools and their Senior Mages would raise their faces or ruin them.

It could be seen just by looking at the treatment the Senior Mage of Pure Magic Power Studies, Bangrit Tom, who hasn’t been able to produce any presentations recently, receives.

‘I can’t let Veliere-nim experience such humiliation!’

I can do it. I can do it…….

While Cle was murmuring.

Suddenly, the door of Topaz Hall opened.

“……?”

But what in the world is happening?

The Adept Mage who was triumphant when she went in.

She ran out outside while on the verge of crying.

“……!”

Not stopping at that, even swollen eyelids.

It looked certain that she had poured out a bout of tears.

Thump-thump-thump

Cle’s heart that she barely suppressed began to beat roughly.

Cle couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

‘……Wh-What in the world happened inside there?’

Just what kind of person is waiting for her to……?

The concern was brief.

A voice was heard.

But.

“Next. Cle Odia.”

……H-Hold on a second.

‘This voice is definitely?!’

Cle screamed while grabbing her head.

Why does it have to be that adventurer…….

No, ‘That person’……?