The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 215

From the observer’s seat,

Charles watched the unfolding situation with a look of amusement.

“I am Shin Ha-yul, and I’m here as Madoshinga’s spokesperson for this negotiation.”

The sudden appearance of Shin Ha-yul, a young man of about eighteen, at this crucial negotiation took everyone by surprise.

“Shin In-hyuk… he’s really showing his age.”

“Putting a kid in such an important position as a proxy? Is he out of his mind?”

Expressions of bewilderment spread across the room.

It was common knowledge that Shin Ha-yul was exceptionally talented.

However, when it came to negotiations, he was practically an amateur.

Well, perhaps not entirely an amateur.

He would have received some formal training, at least.

But that was all. Negotiation was not something that could be mastered through education alone.

It required experience, a keen sense of the situation, and, above all, a strong will.

These were qualities that an eighteen-year-old could hardly possess.

“Since this negotiation is likely to fail, is he trying to give Shin Ha-yul some experience?”

“Hmm, that could be it.”

“If that’s the intention…”

Everyone seemed to agree with this speculation, thinking, ‘That makes sense.’

It was actually a plausible explanation.

Shin In-hyuk’s educational philosophy was well-known.

He had always emphasized that practical experience was the most effective form of education.

Using a negotiation that was likely to fail as a learning opportunity for Shin Ha-yul seemed like something he would do.

“I don’t think so.”

Charles, who had been listening quietly, interjected.

The people nearby, who had been whispering, turned to Charles with expressions that seemed to say, ‘Who is this woman?’

It seemed that no one recognized her.

“You don’t think so?”

“Yeah, I don’t.”

Part of the reason was that she had pulled her hat down to obscure her face.

But from the start, only a select few knew what Charles looked like.

There was no way the people in the observer’s seats would recognize her.

“The reason Shin In-hyuk put Shin Ha-yul forward isn’t for education. It’s to win.”

“…To win?”

“Ha.”

At Charles’s words, everyone scoffed as if they were ridiculous.

One person even looked at Charles as if she were mentally unstable.

“Even if Shin In-hyuk gave it his all, it’s questionable whether he could win. What can that kid do…”

“You’ll see.”

Although the gazes and words could have been offensive, Charles didn’t seem to mind at all.

Having lived a rough life as a mercenary, such taunts were not even worth considering.

“First, I will reiterate. Shinbiwi’s claim that they obtained a separate method of refining magic stones is false.”

At that moment, Shin Ha-yul’s voice filled the conference room with a commanding tone.

Was it due to his inherent charisma? Everyone’s attention was immediately drawn to him.

“All the magic stones prepared by Shinbiwi are inferior copies made by improving upon Madoshinga’s refining method.”

The gazes of fifty people were focused on him in an instant.

He could have been nervous under that pressure, but there was no change in Shin Ha-yul’s expression.

He remained calm and composed.

“We heard that claim from Head Shin In-hyuk earlier. What’s the basis for it?”

Wi Sang-hyun replied with a somewhat displeased expression.

He wanted to ignore him and speak informally, but he held back because of the situation.

He had to maintain as much decorum as possible, even for appearances’ sake.

“First, there are three magic stones that were refined using the exact same method as our family’s magic stones. That’s the first piece of evidence.”

“If you’re going to claim that being the same is evidence…”

“Of course, that’s not all.”

Shin Ha-yul slowly moved towards the place where the eleven types of magic stones prepared by Shinbiwi were displayed.

“There are two main ways to obtain a method of refining magic stones. One is to develop it through direct research. The other is to obtain it from ancient texts or historical sites.”

He moved the three magic stones that were refined using the exact same method to the center.

“Our family’s magic stone refining method is a technology obtained through the second method.”

This time, he moved the three magic stones prepared by Madoshinga, which were placed on the opposite side, to the center.

“Shinbiwi also claimed that they obtained their refining method through the second method, right? A refining method written in an ancient book found in a historical site by chance. They said it had nothing to do with our method.”

“That’s correct.”

“Yes. Thank you for your answer.”

Shin Ha-yul smiled brightly.

Wi Sang-hyun’s expression twisted.

He wondered if he had said something wrong just now.

“Then, I’ll ask you.”

Shin Ha-yul picked up one pair of magic stones from the three pairs he had moved earlier.

“Why were these Rohal Line magic stones refined using the same method?”

“Well, we simply refined the magic stones according to the refining method written in the ancient book we obtained. Is there any other reason?”

“So, you’re saying that these magic stones were refined according to the refining method written in the ancient book, is that right?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s quite strange.”

Shin Ha-yul smiled again.

“These Rohal Line magic stones were additionally improved by Madoshinga. How can they be so identical?”

“…”

Wi Sang-hyun’s expression hardened slightly.

“There was a slight flaw in the refining method of the Rohal Line magic stones that we obtained from the ancient book.”

“There was a flaw?”

“Yes. It was impossible to use it as it was, so we adjusted it in our own way, and that’s how we created these Rohal Line magic stones.”

Shin Ha-yul held up three fingers.

“It’s a magic stone that has been improved three times. How can the magic stones we improved several times be identical to the ones you prepared? Isn’t that strange?”

“…Well, it must be a coincidence.”

Wi Sang-hyun replied, trying his best to appear calm.

“In the case of Rohal Line magic stones, their characteristics are so unique. I think the methods of improvement are bound to be somewhat standardized. It’s not strange that the author of the ancient book we obtained reached the same conclusion.”

“So, you’re claiming it’s all a coincidence?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The situation was unfolding quite interestingly.

Charles’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.

‘No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t seem like he’s eighteen years old.’

Look at that composure.

How could that aura possibly belong to an eighteen-year-old?

The confidence emanating from every gesture, and the charisma that focused the attention of everyone in this place.

Everything about him was not something an eighteen-year-old could possess.

‘And above all, that boldness and nerve…’

Charles glanced at Shin In-hyuk.

To an ordinary person, he might have looked like he had his usual expression.

But to Charles, who had met Shin In-hyuk quite often recently, he looked a little different.

Shin In-hyuk was currently very flustered.

That expression appeared right after Shin Ha-yul started talking about the Rohal Line magic stones.

That meant.

‘He’s bluffing in this important place.’

It meant that it was a lie that the Rohal Line magic stones were additionally improved by Madoshinga.

It was truly a daring act.

“Even if it’s a coincidence, the Rohal Line magic stones that we improved are recognized with a secondary patent right. As long as the Rohal Line magic stones have the exact same refining method as ours, it’s illegal for you to make Rohal Line magic stones.”

The murmuring in the hall grew louder.

Everyone was showing an intrigued expression at Shin Ha-yul’s unexpected counterattack.

Of course, that included the people who had been ignoring Shin Ha-yul earlier.

Charles chuckled as if looking at something cute.

“…If your claim is true, that would be the case.”

At that moment, a different light flashed in Wi Sang-hyun’s eyes.

“However, you must first prove that the Rohal Line magic stones were separately improved.”

Oh, no.

Charles’s expression hardened.

Judging from Shin In-hyuk’s reaction, there was a high probability that Shin Ha-yul’s words were false.

He probably wouldn’t be able to prove it.

Then, he would face a backlash.

There was a high possibility that the match would be decided at that moment.

‘I think he was hoping that the flustered Wi Sang-hyun wouldn’t bring up the need for separate proof… What is he planning now?’

Contrary to expectations, Wi Sang-hyun was very calm.

Considering Wi Sang-hyun’s capacity, there was no way he could handle this situation with such composure.

Perhaps someone from the Black Magic Tower had already told him that this could happen.

‘No, wait a minute… Since they stole Madoshinga’s database as it was, they already know that the Rohal Line magic stones weren’t improved, right?’

If so, then Shin Ha-yul’s lie was nothing more than a pointless act.

Charles’s expression hardened even more.

“Yes, proving it won’t be difficult. I can prove it tonight.”

However, Shin Ha-yul looked very relaxed.

He smiled faintly, as if proving it was not a big deal.

“No, I’ll prove it right here.”

“…What?”

Wi Sang-hyun glared.

Shin Ha-yul smiled calmly.

“Moderator, may I bring in an external item for a moment?”

“…Yes, I will allow it.”

Shin Ha-yul moved back to the entrance of the conference room.

Then, he slowly opened the door.

Kim Seok-hyun was waiting outside.

He bowed to Shin Ha-yul, holding a large box in both hands.

“Here are the things you asked me to prepare.”

“Thank you.”

Shin Ha-yul received the box from Kim Seok-hyun and returned to the center of the conference room.

“What is that?”

The moderator asked.

“These are the raw stones of the magic stones here.”

Shin Ha-yul took out a uniquely shaped stone from the box.

It was the raw stone of the Rohal Line magic stone.

“Why that…?”

“As I said earlier, it’s to prove here that the Rohal Line magic stone was an improved version of Madoshinga’s.”

“Here… you mean?”

“Yes. That would be the most straightforward way.”

Shin Ha-yul turned his gaze away from the moderator and looked at Wi Sang-hyun.

Wi Sang-hyun glared at Shin Ha-yul with sharp eyes.

He had no idea what kind of trick he was trying to pull.

“May I proceed?”

“…Alright. Go ahead.”

Wi Sang-hyun, who had been pondering for a moment, nodded.

He didn’t know what kind of trick it was, but it was definitely going to be a foolish act.

Wi Sang-hyun was certain of that.

“First of all, as you all know, Rohal Line magic stones are special magic stones that absorb only fine dust in the air. This is due to the property of attracting minute dust particles with a weak electric current.”

Shin Ha-yul slowly infused mana into the magic stone.

“However, the original Rohal Line magic stones were not only able to attract fine dust, but also visible dust, that is, all kinds of foreign substances, including sand.”

In that state, he used a prepared refining knife to cut the surface of the magic stone.

Slicing, slicing, the Rohal Line magic stone was cut like tofu.

As the surface of the magic stone became smoother, Shin Ha-yul’s mana was newly imbued into it.

“This is the original Rohal Line magic stone.”

After about three minutes of refinement, the refining of the Rohal Line magic stone was complete.

“Let’s test it.”

Shin Ha-yul used telekinesis to send the magic stone to Wi Sang-hyun.

Wi Sang-hyun frowned as he received the magic stone and glared at it.

“I believe you know how to use it.”

“…Of course.”

Wi Sang-hyun infused mana into the Rohal Line magic stone.

At that moment.

All sorts of foreign substances that filled the conference room began to gather around the Rohal Line magic stone.

Not only the dust in the corners of the conference room ceiling that had not been cleaned, but also the sand and dust that had been generated by people entering and exiting.

“My, my medicine!”

Even what appeared to be powdered medicine that one of the observers had brought was pulled in.

“This is…”

Wi Sang-hyun was flustered as he looked at the Rohal Line magic stone covered in all sorts of foreign substances.

“As you can see, this is the original Rohal Line magic stone. This is exactly what we found in the ancient book.”

Shin Ha-yul continued to speak confidently.

Looking at Shin Ha-yul, Shin In-hyuk swallowed hard.

‘…How?’

That was a bluff.

Shin Ha-yul’s words were all lies.

There was no such thing as an original Rohal Line magic stone.

The Rohal Line magic stone submitted by Madoshinga was the original.

‘Did he improve the Rohal Line magic stone in this place?’

Therefore, that refinement was Shin Ha-yul’s original.

In other words, it meant that Shin Ha-yul had downgraded the refining method with his own power.

‘Unbelievable.’

His mind went blank.

It was a sight that would make researchers, who would devote ten or twenty years to creating a single magic stone refining method, clutch their necks.

“Is this enough proof?”

“…”

Wi Sang-hyun was speechless.

He had heard countermeasures for various situations from the Black Magic Tower, but he had not heard anything about this situation.

Wi Sang-hyun’s eyes were spinning.

He had no idea how to respond.

“Representative Wi Sang-hyun?”

Shin Ha-yul was not one to miss Wi Sang-hyun’s confusion.

Now that he was a little confused, he had to push him even harder.

“Please answer. Is this proof sufficient?”

“…Yes. It’s sufficient. I admit it.”

The words of admission came out of Wi Sang-hyun’s mouth.

“Yes. Thank you. I will take your admission as an admission of the similarity of the Rohal Line magic stones. I will exclude the patent rights of the Rohal Line magic stones from this negotiation.”

At those words, Wi Sang-hyun finally came to his senses.

‘…I made a mistake!’

Originally, he should have insisted on a different direction.

He should have stubbornly insisted that this was not the origin of the Rohal Line magic stones and moved on to the next situation.

‘I should have insisted and kept the situation neutral…!’

However, Wi Sang-hyun’s capacity was not that of a representative.

That was why he admitted it on his own, and as a result, Shin Ha-yul achieved his goal a little more easily.

“Then, let’s move on to the discussion of the eight types of improved magic stones that have similarities with our Madoshinga magic stones.”

Shin Ha-yul smiled even brighter and put his hand into the box that Kim Seok-hyun had prepared.

“First, this one. The Lecalin magic stone. I will prove that this magic stone is an inferior copy derived from our Madoshinga’s refining method.”

Wi Sang-hyun’s eyes trembled.

Shin Ha-yul made eye contact with Wi Sang-hyun and smiled faintly.

“In the case of the Lecalin magic stones prepared by Shinbiwi, there is a problem with their strength.”

Shin Ha-yul held the raw stone of the Lecalin magic stone and began to refine it.

It was a perfect refining skill that even master craftsmen would admire.

“This seems to be a problem that occurred while intentionally making changes… If you look here…”

Like a clear stream.

Shin Ha-yul’s words were like the flow of water.

His words flowed very naturally, like water flowing from top to bottom, from the upper reaches to the lower reaches.

‘One by one. I will crush all claims without giving them any room to refute.’

The best scholar of the Bytener Empire.

Shin Ha-yul, who had grasped all the information about the eleven types of magic stones through Mimir’s knowledge [Mimir is a reference to Norse mythology, a source of great wisdom].

For the current Shin Ha-yul, blocking Wi Sang-hyun’s tricks was not a difficult task.