The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 21

Watching Shin Ha-yul, whose focus had faded, leaving him with a blurry expression, Leng Smith sneered with a bitter smile.

‘That cripple dares to crawl up here.’

He spat on the floor.

Even if it was an act, the fact that he had apologized to such a piece of trash, not even worthy of being called a mage, made his anger surge.

To vent this frustration, he considered hitting him once.

But he decided to hold back, as there was a chance the magic might be undone.

‘Tch. Anyway, I won’t be seeing him after Friday…’

He decided not to bother with it.

Leng Smith shook off his annoyance with a short sigh.

And immediately began to act to achieve his original goal.

‘Shin Ha-yul. Listen carefully.’

Leng Smith’s specialty was mind manipulation magic.

It had a fatal flaw of requiring him to touch the opponent’s head or nearby, but its effect was powerful.

As long as it wasn’t something the opponent would subconsciously resist, he could control their mind to some extent.

‘From now on, always carry this with you.’

Leng Smith took something out of his pocket and handed it to Shin Ha-yul.

It was a strangely shaped chip.

Shin Ha-yul, still with a dazed expression, slowly took the chip.

‘Also, you will not question the fact that you are carrying this.’

‘……Yes.’

His reply was also very slow.

Leng Smith smiled in satisfaction at the reaction.

‘With this, all preparations are complete.’

Now, all that was left was to execute the plan on Friday.

‘I’m already looking forward to seeing this trash being envied by everyone and falling back into the depths of hell.’

Leng Smith’s lips twisted hideously.

Just as he was about to undo the mind manipulation magic on Shin Ha-yul.

‘Wait a minute.’

Something flashed through Leng Smith’s mind.

He had a very good idea.

‘That piece of trash. He had a forbidden magic that didn’t suit him.’

A magic coveted by the entire world, including the Blue Magic Tower Lord, Kim Kang-in.

Transformation magic.

‘If I take it and sell it, I’ll make some money.’

Leng Smith licked his lips with a greedy expression.

‘Shin Ha-yul. Recite the information about your transformation magic.’

Just as he was about to uncover the secret of Shin Ha-yul’s forbidden magic.

‘Ugh…’

Shin Ha-yul frowned deeply and groaned.

‘Tch.’

Leng Smith clicked his tongue.

‘It seems his subconscious desire to protect the secret of his forbidden magic is strong.’

As he said, Leng Smith’s mind manipulation magic couldn’t force someone to do something they truly hated subconsciously.

If he were to cast additional magic here, he could somehow extract information about the transformation magic, but that would cause Shin Ha-yul’s mind to collapse.

That wouldn’t do.

He wouldn’t be able to carry out his mission.

‘Lucky bastard…’

It couldn’t be helped.

He had no choice but to give up on Shin Ha-yul’s forbidden magic for now.

‘For now, I’ll give up…’

Leng Smith’s smile deepened.

‘Friday. I’ll take it after the mission is over.’

By then, it wouldn’t matter if Shin Ha-yul’s mind collapsed or not.

It wouldn’t be too late to take Shin Ha-yul’s forbidden magic then.

‘Student Shin Ha-yul?’

Leng Smith, who had quickly returned to his usual expressionless face, released the mind manipulation magic and called out to Shin Ha-yul.

‘……Yes, yes? Huh?’

The focus returned to Shin Ha-yul’s blurry eyes.

‘Why are you spacing out? Are you not feeling well?’

‘Ah, yes? Yes…’

Shin Ha-yul tilted his head, looking puzzled by the current situation.

Then, he glanced at the chip in his hand.

He looked at the strangely shaped chip that Leng Smith had given him for a moment, then nonchalantly put it in his pocket.

As if it was natural for him to have the chip.

‘Then, have a good day. I, the instructor, will be leaving first.’

Leng Smith, having confirmed that the suggestion was working properly, smiled with satisfaction and turned away.

* * *

After Leng Smith disappeared.

I headed to school with an indifferent expression.

‘The situation is quite interesting.’

I chuckled, thinking about the illegal artificial intelligence chip, the Innovation Leveling Chip (IL chip), that I had put in my pocket.

It was surprising that Leng Smith was a criminal mage affiliated with the Black Magic Tower.

It was also surprising that the Black Magic Tower had approached me.

But what was even more surprising was the reason he approached me.

‘I just thought the Black Magic Tower was approaching me to get my forbidden magic.’

At first, I thought they were just after my forbidden magic.

Transformation magic was a forbidden magic that the Black Magic Tower would be interested in.

But what do you know.

The Black Magic Tower’s goal wasn’t my forbidden magic.

‘Their goal is to frame me as an illegal modified artificial intelligence user.’

More precisely, to portray my rapid growth as being due to an illegal modified artificial intelligence chip.

To drag my image down to the depths of hell.

That was their goal.

Otherwise, there was no reason for Leng Smith to make me keep the illegal modified artificial intelligence chip.

So, why would the Black Magic Tower try to tarnish my image?

There was only one answer to this.

‘Someone commissioned the Black Magic Tower to tarnish my image.’

There was no benefit for the Black Magic Tower to tarnish my image.

Unless they received a commission from someone, there was no way the Black Magic Tower would do such a troublesome thing.

It was 100% a commission from someone.

‘Then, the key question is ‘who’ commissioned the Black Magic Tower.’

Well, there was no need to think too deeply about it.

‘It’s most likely one of my two older brothers or two older sisters.’

The only people who would try to mess with me in this situation were these four.

‘They’re trying to completely exclude me from the competition to become the next family head by tarnishing my image.’

Then, the key question was which of the four was the culprit.

‘First of all, it’s not Min-ji noona [older sister].’

My second older sister, Shin Min-ji, wasn’t that active in the competition to become the next family head to do something like this.

It wasn’t in her nature.

‘And it’s probably not Min-hyuk hyung [older brother] either.’

My second older brother, Shin Min-hyuk, was active in the competition to become the next family head, but he wasn’t bold enough to do something like this.

‘So, it’s either Ji-han hyung or Se-ah noona.’

My first older brother, Shin Ji-han.

Or my first older sister, Shin Se-ah.

They were the most active in the competition to become the next family head, and they were the type to do anything to become the next family head.

The culprit of this incident was highly likely to be one of the two.

‘Which one is it?’

Considering the scale of the incident, it was more likely to be Shin Ji-han.

But considering Shin Se-ah’s fickle and reckless personality, there was a possibility that Shin Se-ah was the culprit.

‘There’s also a possibility that they’re accomplices.’

My head became complicated in an instant.

It was impossible to narrow down the candidates any further with the information I had now.

‘Should I capture Leng Smith and interrogate him?’

I had solid evidence of the illegal artificial intelligence chip in my hand. It wouldn’t be too difficult to capture Leng Smith.

If I captured him and interrogated him, I might be able to find out who was behind this.

‘……No.’

The Black Magic Tower’s motto was to handle things discreetly and secretly.

Even if I captured Leng Smith, there was a high probability that I wouldn’t be able to find out information about the mastermind.

‘If I capture Leng Smith now, it’ll end with cutting off the tail.’

If that happened, I would never know who the mastermind of this incident was.

That wouldn’t do.

‘In the first place, I should refrain from stepping forward myself.’

If I stepped forward here, I might catch the attention of the Black Magic Tower.

I should avoid antagonizing the Black Magic Tower right now.

It was better not to step forward if possible.

‘Then what should I do?’

How could I find the culprit and handle this matter cleanly without stepping forward myself?

I was lost in thought for a long time.

I thought and thought, searching for the best way.

‘This method is good.’

I soon came to a conclusion that I thought was the best.

‘First, I need to contact the Blue Magic Tower.’

* * *

After all the classes were over.

I headed straight to the Blue Magic Tower.

After driving for about 30 minutes in a taxi, I saw a towering blue tower in the distance.

A gothic-style building that seemed old yet strangely sophisticated.

The sea magic stones surrounding the exterior. The hazy blue light emitted by the Sea Blue Lights captivated my eyes.

‘Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.’

As I got out of the taxi, a woman greeted me.

‘It’s been a while, Secretary Jung Soo-ah.’

‘Yes. It’s been exactly 1 year and 33 days.’

Kim Kang-in’s secretary and Kim Kang-in’s disciple. A 6-circle mage, Jung Soo-ah.

She smiled brightly.

‘Then, please come inside. The Tower Lord is waiting for you.’

‘Yes.’

I followed the secretary into the tower.

Passing through the lobby, I boarded the direct elevator to the top floor in the center.

It ascended vertically at an incredible speed.

Ding-

In 3 seconds, it broke through the 30th floor and arrived at the 50th floor, the top floor.

The elevator doors opened, and the view of the 50th floor slowly came into view.

All sorts of thick books were scattered everywhere, and around them were expensive reagents, magic stones, and artifacts.

‘It’s the same as a year ago.’

The top floor of the tower.

Kim Kang-in’s room was still being used as Kim Kang-in’s personal laboratory.

The secretary got off the elevator first and walked towards Kim Kang-in, who was focused on something in one corner of the room.

‘Tower Lord. Shin Ha-yul has arrived.’

‘What, has it already been that long?’

Kim Kang-in took his hand off the magic stone on the table with a regretful expression.

‘It was just getting good. Tch.’

The regret soon turned into annoyance.

Kim Kang-in clicked his tongue softly, took a deep breath, and then got up from his seat and approached me.

‘Haha. I’m sorry. I was so focused that I didn’t realize how much time had passed.’

He was trying to be gentle, but his tone and expression were more hostile than usual.

‘It’s nothing. I’m the one who should be sorry for visiting so suddenly.’

‘……’

Kim Kang-in’s eyebrows twitched.

He looked like he was thinking, ‘He knows it’s rude.’

‘Is it because he was interrupted during his research? He’s really hysterical.’

The gentlemanly appearance from a while ago was a lie.

He was in a bad mood.

I would believe it if you told me he was a different person.

‘By the way, that magic stone that Kim Kang-in is analyzing…’

A special type of magic stone with four mixed lights.

That magic stone was dozens of times more surprising than Kim Kang-in’s condition.

Why is that here?

‘Then, I’ll go back to the lobby. Have a good time.’

‘Okay. Soo-ah, thank you for guiding him. Take a rest.’

Jung Soo-ah bowed her head and disappeared into the elevator.

‘Then, come this way.’

‘Yes.’

I followed Kim Kang-in to a table that was relatively tidy.

Kim Kang-in sat down first, and I sat across from him.

‘Then, since we’re both busy, let’s get straight to the point.’

Kim Kang-in rested his chin on his clasped hands and glared coldly.

‘What is this important thing that you had to say as soon as possible, and in person? Let’s hear it.’

It was a heavy smile, completely different from his usual caring self.

‘I agreed because I had a good impression of Ha-yul, but…’

He had an expression that seemed to say he wouldn’t forgive me if it was something useless.

‘I’ve heard that Kim Kang-in is sensitive when he’s focused on research, but I didn’t think it would be this bad.’

Is it because I interrupted him when he was already sensitive?

He was more hysterical than I imagined.

‘……This is troublesome.’

It goes without saying,

The reason I visited the Blue Magic Tower today was to prepare for Leng Smith’s trickery on Friday.

To resolve this matter smoothly, the power of the Blue Magic Tower was essential.

‘The current Kim Kang-in won’t listen to me.’

Since I couldn’t present proper evidence, the outcome of the negotiation would depend on Kim Kang-in’s mood.

‘First, I need to resolve Kim Kang-in’s displeasure.’

To negotiate, I had to first improve Kim Kang-in’s mood.

‘I happen to have a perfect topic.’

It wouldn’t be difficult for me to erase Kim Kang-in’s displeasure right now.

‘Before we get to the point, there’s something I want to say first.’

‘I told you. Since we don’t have much time, let’s get straight to the point.’

‘I’m fine with that, but are you sure? You’ll regret it.’

‘Regret? Me?’

‘Yes.’

I smiled and pointed to one side of the tower.

The place where Kim Kang-in was sitting earlier.

‘What I have to say is about that magic stone that Kim Kang-in is currently researching…’

The crafting table prepared for the research of the magic stone.

I smiled and pointed to the magic stone set in the center of the table.

‘It’s about the Element Mana Light.’

‘……How do you know about that magic stone, Ha-yul? It’s a magic stone whose existence has never been revealed, let alone its name.’

Kim Kang-in’s eyes flashed sharply. He was looking at me with suspicion, as if I were a spy.

‘It’s not like there’s a spy in the Blue Magic Tower, or that I stole information. Please don’t misunderstand.’

How could I, with the power of the Mado family or anything else, steal information from the Blue Magic Tower?

‘Then how do you know about the Element Mana Light?’

‘It’s a simple reason.’

I took a box out of my bag.

A magic stone that I had brought along to commission the Blue Magic Tower, which was renowned as the best in Korea for magic stone crafting and artifact creation.

The best artifact material I had luckily obtained from the first trial page.

‘I have one too. An Element Mana Light.’

‘……!’

Kim Kang-in’s eyes widened as soon as I opened the box.

It was beyond shock.

He had an expression that said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

‘Perfectly… crafted…? How… no, who…’

I enjoyed Kim Kang-in’s reaction and said.

‘How is it? Are you still not interested in what I have to say?’