The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 167

That dawn.

I was, without fail, engaged in training to complete my mana core.

Whirr, whirr, whirr.

The sound of the mana core and the Infinity Circle resonating rang out clearly.

A resonance sound much clearer than before.

It was a pleasant sound that showed the completion level of the mana core.

‘At this rate, I could complete it within the next two days?’

The mana core generation training is gradually accelerating with repetition.

This is partly because I’ve become accustomed to the dantian circulation breathing [a breathing technique focusing on the lower abdomen] through repeated practice, but it’s also largely because the mana core itself has begun to fully assimilate into my body.

Like a tree that has perfectly taken root in the earth, it’s rapidly growing, absorbing all nutrients.

Now, the completion of the mana core itself isn’t a big problem.

‘The real problem is…’

I slightly opened my eyes and looked at Aslan, who was quietly closing his eyes next to me.

‘How am I supposed to get Aslan’s approval?’

The completion of the mana core is a kind of side quest. Completing the mana core doesn’t mean passing the trial page.

‘Judging by how he said that the real training would start after the mana core is complete, there must be a main training.’

Logically, it’s impossible to pass that training in a single day.

‘And Aslan isn’t the kind of person who would easily declare me passed just because the situation is urgent.’

At least, if I knew how to pass the fifth trial page, I wouldn’t feel so frustrated.

‘He just said he’d tell me after the mana core is complete and that’s it…’

Aslan didn’t give me any hints.

Passing the trial or whatever.

He just repeats like a parrot to complete the mana core.

“Focus.”

As if sensing that my mind was wandering, Aslan opened his eyes and glared at me.

“…Yes.”

I closed my eyes again and focused all my attention on the dantian circulation breathing.

The mana core, which was the size of a bean, has now grown to the size of a decent watermelon.

‘I thought it would grow big enough to reach my heart.’

I wondered what would happen if it grew any bigger, but thankfully, it didn’t seem to be growing anymore.

It was proof that the mana core was entering a stable phase.

‘Hoo. External breathing from here.’

While doing dantian circulation breathing, I expelled the mana that was flowing inside to the outside in one go.

I rotate my body dozens of times, expelling the worn-out mana and taking in fresh mana.

It was a difficult process at first, but now I can do it as naturally as breathing.

“Hoo…”

While exhaling mana with a deep breath.

Flop.

I felt something soft on my thigh.

Since I was sitting cross-legged, something fluffy brushed against my exposed ankle, slightly pushed up.

Thump, thump.

The sensation of four soft pillars stepping on my thigh in turn.

It felt like a puppy had climbed onto my thigh.

‘…What is it?’

I released all the old mana and slowly opened my eyes.

“…A fox?”

A fox was standing upright on my legs, where I was sitting cross-legged.

Its pure white fur looked softer than any silk in this world.

Its two red eyes, shining like flames, seemed to be the embodiment of fire.

With a perfect blend of nobility and cuteness, it exuded a charm that seemed otherworldly.

No, it’s probably not actually from this world.

“Nine tails…”

This pure white fox had a whopping nine tails.

Which means.

“Amazing. I didn’t expect a nine-tailed fox to show such familiarity already.”

“…So it really is a nine-tailed fox.”

This fox is a nine-tailed fox.

Aslan said it was a being in the category of ‘divine beast’.

Such a being curled up on my leg. Then, it yawned widely and blinked its eyes.

It looked tired.

“Looking at its condition, it seems the scent of a master is starting to emanate from you in earnest. Not bad. It’s proof that the mana core has begun to fully assimilate with the Infinity Circle.”

Aslan chuckled, looking at the nine-tailed fox.

Then, he reached out his hand towards the fox’s head.

He was about to stroke the fox’s head.

However, Aslan’s attempt was immediately thwarted.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a floating fox fire blocked Aslan’s touch.

Sting.

The nine-tailed fox, still curled up, opened only one eye and glared at Aslan.

If he tried to reach out again, it would burn him. That was the strong will and attitude conveyed in its gaze.

“Hmm.”

Aslan made a sound of disappointment and withdrew his hand.

At the same time, the floating fox fire disappeared in an instant.

Haaaam.

The nine-tailed fox yawned widely and this time leaned against my body.

Then, it fell asleep.

“Th, this is…”

“Leave it be. If you needlessly irritate it, you’ll be turned into charcoal in an instant.”

Aslan smiled as if to scare me.

“It looks like that now, but it’s stronger than Horus or Darkness. Don’t provoke it.”

“…”

Stronger than Horus and Darkness.

At those words, cold sweat flowed from my forehead and back without me realizing it.

“It’s a good thing. Continue with your training. The nine-tailed fox is a divine beast. Just by existing, it has the power to purify mana. It will be a great help in increasing the purity of your mana core.”

“…Yes.”

Forcibly ignoring the tension of having an unranked disaster-level being on my thigh, I somehow began to focus on mana core generation training.

* * *

After a long seven hours of training.

The morning dawned.

I headed to Mimir’s study during my break.

“The nine-tailed fox is a divine beast that was my father… Ray’s partner.”

When I told Mimir about the nine-tailed fox, Mimir started talking about the nine-tailed fox with a surprised expression.

“The fact that the nine-tailed fox approached the successor is proof that the successor’s mana properties are becoming similar to Ray’s. In other words, it’s proof that you’re training well, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“What I’m worried about isn’t the training…”

It’s the strange tension and fear that comes from having a huge power like the nine-tailed fox on my lap.

“There’s no chance that the nine-tailed fox will harm the successor. Unless you suddenly attack it, try to aim for its vitals, or do something crazy like that.”

“…Even so, it raised fox fire just because Aslan tried to touch it, didn’t it?”

“That’s because it’s Aslan. The nine-tailed fox extremely dislikes anyone touching it except for those it recognizes.”

Mimir narrowed her eyes and grinned.

“Thanks to that, I haven’t been able to touch it either. It’s so aloof. But that’s what makes it more attractive…”

Mimir laughed like a pervert.

“I’ll definitely touch it someday…”

Mimir’s laughter created an ominous atmosphere.

“Ahem.”

As if sensing my gaze, Mimir coughed awkwardly.

“Anyway, the nine-tailed fox won’t harm the successor, so you don’t have to be nervous. Okay?”

“…Okay.”

Drake. Horus. Darkness.

I guess I was unconsciously nervous because the unranked disaster-level beings I’ve met so far were all crazy monsters.

“I’ll try to pet it once when we go back to the fifth trial page.”

“Yeah. It’ll probably like it a lot.”

Mimir smiled as if she missed something, as if she was thinking of the nine-tailed fox.

Since the nine-tailed fox was the master’s partner, she must be thinking of the master through my words.

“More importantly, Mimir. About passing the fifth trial page. Is it possible within the remaining time?”

Now, there are about two days left until Tkish’s permafrost is lifted.

No matter how I think about it, it’s impossible to pass the fifth trial page in that time.

“If you could at least tell me how to pass, I’d at least try…”

“Huh? What are you talking about? The passing condition for the fifth trial page is…”

Mimir tilted her head and was about to say that when.

Woo-oong-!

The entire library shook.

Someone pressed the doorbell, and the alarm magic cast on Mimir’s study was activated.

‘Time has already passed this much.’

I was just planning to have a quick chat and leave, but the conversation got longer than I thought.

“Sorry. I have to go quickly.”

“Ah, okay. Go ahead.”

I left Mimir behind and exited Mimir’s study.

I quickly put on the Aeth [a magical artifact] and put Mimir’s study inside, then put the Aeth into the subspace.

And immediately headed out of the room.

“Aren’t you coming out already?”

Adela and Soonchan were waiting in front of the door.

They were holding two suitcases in each hand and had backpacks on their backs.

“If you said you’d see us off, you should have come out and prepared beforehand. Huh?”

Today is the day of their return.

Adela, Soonchan, as well as the seniors, instructors, and engineers are all returning to Korea.

“Sorry. I was a bit focused.”

For the record, I decided to stay.

The nominal reasons are to finalize the funeral of Sister Se-ah and prepare for Shin Ji-han’s funeral.

Of course, the real reason is to deal with Tkish.

“Training?”

“Yeah.”

“You rascal. You’ve gotten a bit better and immediately went back to your old self. Well, that’s like you.”

Soonchan chuckled.

“It’s a shame. I wanted to go back together.”

“…Yeah, me too.”

Adela expressed her agreement with Soonchan’s words.

They both looked very disappointed.

“Sorry. It feels like you can’t openly be happy because of me… It’s a nuisance.”

Because of Sister Se-ah’s funeral, everyone seems to be watching my mood, not even showing their happiness openly.

I felt sorry for that.

“Hey. Don’t think strange things. No one thinks like that.”

“That’s right.”

“I know. They’re not those kinds of people.”

That’s why I feel even more sorry.

It’s a situation where they could have partied for a whole week, but it’s true that the mood has been dampened because of me.

“If you’re really that sorry, treat us big when you come back to Korea later. Invite all the seniors.”

“Okay. I’ll have to treat you all to a big MVP party.”

“Okay. I heard you clearly. Don’t change your mind later?”

“I won’t.”

A meal isn’t enough.

I’ll have to prepare a big party venue.

“Alright. I have to tell the seniors this good news. Let’s go.”

Soonchan turned around and walked towards the lobby.

“Give it to me.”

I took one of the suitcases from Adela, who was about to follow Soonchan.

“It’s okay…”

“I’m okay too. Let’s go.”

“…Okay.”

We headed to the lobby.

* * *

After about 30 minutes of farewells.

After the limousine bus that everyone rode in completely disappeared from my sight.

I headed to a quiet garden near the hotel.

A quiet gazebo with no one around.

Standing in front of it, I slowly opened my mouth.

“You can come out now.”

At that moment, I heard a clicking sound from behind.

“You really can see it.”

Charl.

She approached me with a disgruntled expression, clicking her tongue.

“As I said, Commander Charl’s aura is so unique. There’s no way I wouldn’t notice it.”

“Tsk. If an assassination request for you comes in later, I’ll have to refuse it no matter what. What a shame.”

Charl said jokingly. She smiled with her eyes, with a face that clearly showed she had no intention of accepting such a request.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“…Your reaction is so boring.”

Charl pouted her lips with a somewhat disappointed expression.

I don’t know what she’s sulking about.

“Aren’t you being too dry? You joke around well with your friends.”

It seems she thinks there’s a difference in terms of intimacy.

That I’m uncomfortable with Charl. Is that what she’s thinking?

‘…I am actually uncomfortable.’

How long have I known Charl to feel comfortable with her?

Of course, I’m uncomfortable.

It’s not comparable to Soonchan and Adela.

“It’s not that I’m particularly uncomfortable. It’s just that you’re my senior, and I’m just being serious out of respect.”

“Respect…”

Charl’s expression brightened noticeably.

“Does respecting me mean… that I’m above you?”

“Huh? Yes. Isn’t that right?”

Anyone can see that Charl is above me.

“Yeah. Right? That’s right, isn’t it?”

Charl’s expression brightened every moment. What’s so good about it?

“Ahem. Okay. If that’s the case, then it’s acceptable.”

Charl laughed, making a ‘hehe’ sound.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“Hmm? Ah.”

The fact that Charl came in person means that there’s something important to discuss.

“Here.”

Charl handed me a small box.

“Madam told me to give this to you.”