Chapter 65 – Mage Tower (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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A mere level 300.

Originally, let alone an Apprentice Mage.

My shabby level that wouldn’t have even been able to loiter near the Mage Tower.

However, making that worry pointless.

I skillfully evaluated the mages’ research results.

Actually, it probably isn’t an odd thing either.

If considering Granfel’s talent, that is.

There was no need to deliberately bring up examples.

‘If I think about what happened at the Regular Academic Conference…….’

One can only stand at the Regular Academic Conference after going through verification.

Put differently, it means all research presented at the Regular Academic Conference is high-level research that passed verification.

At such a Regular Academic Conference, I nonchalantly followed and manifested the advanced magic presented by the Chief Mage, Marcelo.

Right, to me possessing such talent.

The research of Adept Mages?

For the most part, it couldn’t look good to me.

Moreover.

“You are overflowing with confidence.”

“……Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“You were intending to present research of this caliber at the Academic Conference?”

“……Ehh?!”

With this abrasive personality.

Beating around the bush is even more impossible.

Of course, formality and pride had to follow all actions.

If it were merely falling short of the standard, I would have generously reasoned with them.

However.

“First page. From the twentieth page to the thirtieth. You cleverly only changed the words of paragraphs taken from a book. Do you truly think this thesis contains your own research? Adept Mage, Cyril Yube?”

The problem was that this is clearly visible to these eyes……!

‘Even a dog at a village school snorts a poem after three years, they say.’

Sleeping late, waking up early, and devouring magic books at random.

Not stopping at that, wasn’t I the one who reflected on the manifestation processes by scribbling them like punishment writing with a quill pen?

‘You should have taken care of it well on your own.’

Even to me, isn’t this a bit too much?

It was to the extent that thought occurred.

There’s no way Granfel’s noble pride could tolerate it.

Therefore it was natural that nice words couldn’t pop out.

“You fail.”

“It’s right to dispose of it.”

“You couldn’t even manage to copy things down properly.”

However, merely spitting out venomous remarks and kicking them out is also.

Not the posture a Chief must possess.

Sssrk

I scribbled with a quill pen on the research thesis.

“……?”

“It’s right to correct the errors in the exploration process first. The method of interference is also needlessly twisted and inefficient. If it’s a mistake you can rectify it, and if it’s a habit you just have to abandon that habit.”

“……!”

Of course, who knows how helpful that advice-that-is-not-advice will be.

Abandon a habit, easier said than done.

However, accepting it will be entirely their responsibility.

“Th-Thank you!”

Right, the research returned like that.

The mage sent out like that was already the twentieth.

I couldn’t help but flinch inwardly.

‘……Aren’t I rejecting everyone at this rate?’

But fortunately, this time it was a proper research.

“Cle Odia.”

“Ah. Y-Yes!”

“You chose a research that isn’t easy.”

Healing School Adept Mage, Cle Odia.

I read off the thesis she submitted.

──────

Healing Studies – The Cultivation Method of Elixir Herbs

──────

The twenty schools existing in the Mage Tower.

The countless branches existing under those schools.

Even among them, this was a minor field.

Cle asked back with a slightly surprised expression.

“……Thank you for viewing it that way!”

In Arcana, ‘Elixir Herbs’ referred to plants that become the ingredients for elixirs.

Like potions that recover vitality or regenerate magic power.

Naturally, It couldn’t help but look far from her major, Healing Studies.

Because Healing Studies could recover the target’s vitality and magic power with just the manifester’s magic power.

However.

“It’s quite an interesting approach.”

The research is, untill the end, the ‘cultivation method’ of Elixir Herbs.

In other words, it placed emphasis on ‘cultivating’ Elixir Herbs.

A somewhat unfamiliar field.

It seemed Cle had prepared additional explanations.

But was it because of the fact that I said it’s interesting.

“J-Just now, did you say it’s interesting……?”

Signs of bewilderment were evident.

She seemingly hadn’t expected even a little that I would understand the research.

I completely agreed with that as well.

‘It’s a good thing I had a conversation.’

Shadow Mercenaries.

7th Seat, Alkali.

Because I had had a conversation with that old man who gulped down potions like water.

About magic, and potions, up to the stories about Elixir Herbs that become the ingredients.

Thinking there might be a place to use it in case.

It was only a few days ago that I chattered for hours.

“It seems there is neither a leap in logic nor an error in the logic and process, so what’s needed is the result.”

Thanks to that, I was able to babble plausibly.

I scribbled with the quill pen.

“I will watch it at the Regular Academic Conference.”

Right, this was an interesting research to me too.

‘Low-quality level.’

The low-quality magic power resulting from that.

What can supplement the wretched magic power is equipment or potion-backing.

However, finding equipment that fits Granfel’s aesthetic eye and has outstanding effects was not an easy task.

No matter how much money I have, the volume of the items themselves is lacking.

‘But if Elixir Herbs that craft elixirs can be cultivated.’

It would mean precious potions can be mass-produced in large quantities.

This was a possibility I couldn’t help but be enticed by.

So I added one more phrase to Cle.

“Devote yourself to the research with confidence.”

“……!!”

Cle’s eyes widened and then returned to their original state.

“I will do my beesst!”

Good, it was the first pass.

After that, the parade of disqualifications continued again.

“Regrettably. I feel like my eyes will rot.”

In the end, the research I passed during the verification process was merely a single one……! Did I fail too many. Will this perhaps become a problem, is what I felt but.

As I said.

Didn’t I make a resolution?

If I’m going to be a crazy bastard.

Let’s be a crazy bastard to the point no one can mess with me.

So I thought shamelessly.

‘The one who made me do this is at fault.’

If they find my handling of work displeasing, don’t make me do it from now on…….

*

Topaz Hall.

“……What did you say?”

The Senior Mages who returned to their respective laboratories after finishing verification fell into shock.

The researches they were definitely confident would pass.

Disqualification.

What in the world is happening?

“Did you make a mistake?”

“……No. I couldn’t utter a single word.”

“What? Are you saying you couldn’t answer the question?”

“No. I didn’t even receive a question.”

“……Ehheng?”

What kind of nonsense is this?

Finding it absurd, when they asked for the whole story, what popped out was.

Naturally, Lee Ho-yeol.

It was the name of that Co-researcher to the Chief.

“How dare a rolled-in stone?”

When they first heard that name.

They felt like their blood was rushing backward.

An adventurer, having a qualification equal to a Chief Mage.

Because regardless of Ho-yeol’s qualifications, the Senior Mages’ pride was crumpled.

But this matter crossed the line of tolerance.

“It is research reviewed by none other than me……!”

Honor of the schools is at stake in the Regular Academic Conference.

Therefore, prior to going through verification at the Topaz Hall.

It was natural to go through an internal meeting at the school level.

Isn’t that something that goes against the rules?

A few Senior Mages merely snorted.

Saying why act like they don’t do it while everyone does it.

Therefore they couldn’t understand.

“I will have to officially raise a problem to the higher-ups.”

Amidst such a menacing atmosphere.

“Hmm…….”

Healing School Senior Mage, Veliere, was a bit detached.

Because Cle’s research had passed as if showing off.

And that too, with the judgment of the currently noisy Ho-yeol.

Cle had come to find her with tears welling up in her eyes.

“Veliere-nim……!!”

At first, she expected, ‘Ah, the result wasn’t good.’

Because Cle’s research was definitely an unfamiliar field.

The one judging might find it difficult to recognize its true value.

So the thought of comforting her came first.

‘You just need to use the failure as nourishment and aim for the next Academic Conference.’

But.

“I passed!”

She says Cle’s research passed.

“That person, no, Chief Co-researcher Lee Ho-yeol-nim did……!!”

And by Chief Co-researcher Lee Ho-yeol at that.

Veliere listened attentively to Cle’s story.

Although Cle wasn’t a child who spoke nonsense.

Veliere couldn’t help but doubt her ears this time too.

Because according to Cle’s words.

‘……It means he possesses knowledge regarding Healing Studies, Pharmacology, and Manufacturing Studies.’

And knowledge of a considerable level at that.

That was the reason Veliere couldn’t simply rejoice.

“I cast a vote of approval because I wanted to observe it closely over time but.”

To think he would reveal his presence in this manner already.

Veliere let out a smirk and laughed.

“However, it won’t be easy?”

Veliere knew well the hidden sides of the Senior Mages.

The corrupted obsession over magic.

Because the place that was revealed the best was exactly the Regular Academic Conference.

Ho-yeol essentially completely provoked their temper.

There’s no way the other Senior Mages would stay perfectly still.

“The Mage Tower will become noisy starting tomorrow.”

Veliere stroked her green hair.

……This way or that way.

To think he recognized Cle’s true value.

Veliere leaked a smile.

“Still, don’t feel too disappointed. Because at least I have no intention of joining them. This time of course, and from here on out as well.”

.

.

.

However, contrary to Veliere’s expectation, the Mage Tower was quiet.

The reason for that was simple.

“……What, plagiarism?”

“I have no face to show…….”

“Are you sure? He certainly noticed it?”

What’s important is, rather than the fact that she plagiarized.

Whether Ho-yeol accurately noticed it.

Because what’s important is the result, not the process.

But the answer that returned was truly shocking.

“I-I couldn’t make excuses at all! Which book, what page, what side, even which paragraph it was! Chief Co-researcher Lee Ho-yeol had memorized all the books!”

S-Something like that is possible?

Where in the world is there such a monster?

Isn’t that even worse than Marcelo?

“Aren’t you misunderstanding something?”

“Absolutely not. That gaze was really……!”

“No, think about it again. Like a leading question…….”

“Didn’t I tell you! He didn’t say a single word. It’s all my own doing. If you keep acting like that, I’ll just quit the Senior process or whatever and……!”

“Ahem. Look here. First, calm down.”

The Senior Mages who were preparing to raise a problem couldn’t help but have their minds go blank.

Upon hearing the story…….

Because calculations showed that even if they raised a problem, they wouldn’t even be able to save their face.

“……Let’s pretend this incident never happened.”

So they had no choice but to tuck their tails.

Like that, Topaz Hall.

The parade of disqualifications continued.

After Ho-yeol’s appearance.

A new air current was blowing in the Mage Tower.

“Uuuhuhuhuk.”

……Along with a wind of tears.

*

Indeed, my thoughts were correct.

I shall become a crazy bastard no one can mess with!

Was it thanks to faithfully executing that resolution.

I was able to finish my tasks as a Chief without a big problem.

I checked the 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)▲

●Proceed with verification in Topaz Hall. (Success)…….

……The problem is that this is a repeated quest, though.

Well, this amount of trouble.

Compared to the profits I gained in the Mage Tower during this time, it was nothing.

Moreover, I was thorough in give-and-take.

Do I have to do more trouble than what I received?

It’s fine if I just extract a corresponding price from the Mage Tower again.

What to rip off from the Mage Tower with the authority of a Chief…….

No, how many things were there that I could enjoy legitimately?

First, starting with magic tool lending.

To the item appraisal service that other Players have to use by spending an amount of money that makes one gasp ‘Ugh’.

‘It is a right I naturally must enjoy as a Chief.’

If it’s for that.

Shouting disqualification is something I can do as much as you want.

The resolution was brief.

I pulled the teacup over with telekinesis.

Clink

I opened my mouth while tilting that teacup.

“The passing time is something that cannot be stopped even with magic.”

To speak plainly without bluffing.

It just meant it was already Thursday.

It meant the new update details had popped up.

“……Mhm.”

Float

The formality completed by acquiring telekinesis.

Now I don’t have to bow my head to look into my smartphone.

I don’t have to put down my teacup.

Telekinesis is this convenient.

The useless thoughts were brief, I opened my mouth.

“There is nothing to keep an eye on.”

First, it wasn’t a large-scale update like the Yusra Kingdom or Frost.

It’s just news that a new rift has updated.

Of course, the Recommended Level of that rift did look considerable.

‘It easily surpasses level 400. Now.’

Of course, it would be details unrelated to me.

It’s not a demon tribe monster either.

It doesn’t go against my pride either.

Well, it’s not like I’m pinched with living expenses like in the old days either.

Of course, that thought didn’t last long.

The momentarily blinking quest window.

Simultaneously with that, Knock, knock, the ringing knocking sound.

……I knew it.

Of course I should expect as much with my destiny.

I answered while throwing away my lingering attachments.

“Will you have a cup of tea? Marcelo, Chief Mage.”