Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 113

113. Optatio’s Fragment

It felt like a Magic Tower freshman submitting a research paper to a seasoned professor.

“Is this what you were looking for?”

Jurant carefully handed over the item.

I couldn’t help but stare at the object in his hand.

“That’s quite an item.”

Even Carles couldn’t tear his gaze away from the radiant light.

[This looks authentic, doesn’t it?]

‘……It does.’

It was undeniably a fragment of Optatio. The indescribable energy radiating from the stone fragment filled the small room.

“Th-that’s!”

Dipone was practically lunging for it, mouth agape. His flustered expression confirmed the stone fragment Jurant brought was genuine.

“You can’t have that! It’s mine!”

His despairing shout earned him only Carles’ cold glare.

“You be quiet.”

Leaving Dipone, who was squirming before Carles’ tightly clenched fist, behind, I turned to Jurant.

“You’ve worked hard.”

I accepted the stone fragment Jurant offered.

“This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much, Jurant. You’ve been a tremendous help.”

“……Thank you!”

Jurant’s face flushed as he bowed.

[He’s completely overwhelmed by the Oracle’s favor.]

The praise felt insufficient. I wanted to reward him with a pile of gold coins.

‘A fragment of Optatio…….’

The stone fragment in my hand. I never imagined acquiring a fragment of Optatio so easily.

“Hey, Dipone.”

“……Yes.”

The guy was gnawing on his lip, eyes fixed on the fragment in my hand.

“You had the real one, didn’t you?”

“What? What are you talking about…….”

“The one you sold to Irahan Killave earlier today was a fake, wasn’t it? This is the real one. You had the real thing, which is how you were able to make a replica.”

At my words, his eyes began to waver.

“……So you already knew about that item.”

“That’s why I gave up bidding. Who did you think you were fooling?”

“Haa. So, you came after me to find this stone fragment?”

“Yes. The replica you had was too convincing. I figured you must know something.”

“……Ah!”

Dipone squeezed his eyes shut.

“So, that giant doll was moving with the power of this stone?”

He nodded slowly.

“……That’s right. I was going to create my legion with it.”

Only then did I understand the source of the energy emanating from the giant doll.

Even as a fragment, the power contained within this stone was more than enough for that. It was a stone with limitless potential, depending on how it was used.

‘I wonder how he linked it.’

Optatio’s fragment must have been the energy source powering the giant doll.

“Haa…….”

In the end, Dipone’s head drooped. His slightly trembling shoulders betrayed his despair.

[That’s what you get for trying to scam people.]

He must have felt cheated, having his grand scheme ruined by a fake.

‘He probably didn’t expect someone like me to exist.’

The stone fragment shone brightly in my hand. Unlike Dipone, I couldn’t help but smile.

I had stumbled upon something I never imagined while visiting Raftel.

“Dipone, do you know the whereabouts of any other fragments?”

A stone with such tremendous power, even in fragment form. I couldn’t help but covet the potential to achieve anything if I collected them all.

“I don’t know about any other fragments. I was just trying to find out about them myself.”

Dipone shook his head in resignation.

“Then where did this one come from?”

Naturally, I was curious about the origin of this fragment.

“I stole it when I left the organization I was in. I’m still being hunted by them because of it. That’s why I’m hiding in this remote area.”

The organization called Revoluca. If it was them, the gathering place for children of prestigious families, I could understand how they might have obtained a fragment of Optatio.

‘Come to think of it, I was asking about Revoluca.’

The moment I inquired about Delema’s member active in Revoluca, the fragment of Optatio completely stole my attention. That’s why the topic was briefly dropped.

Naturally, questions about them resurfaced.

“Ah, so who is Delema’s member in Revoluca?”

“Ah. That person.”

Dipone nodded and began to speak.

“The name is…….”

He paused, about to reveal the name.

“Delema…… Keuh, keuheok!”

Dipone clutched his neck and collapsed to the ground, writhing.

“Hey!”

Carles rushed over and straightened his body.

“Keueo! Keu!”

He could only gasp for air, as if unable to breathe.

“Kkyaaaaak!”

Finally, he screamed in agony.

‘What’s suddenly wrong!’

My brow furrowed at the sudden turn of events. His scream was short-lived.

[……Looks like he’s dead.]

Dipone’s head lolled, foam bubbling from his mouth. His eyes, bloodshot and wide, stared blankly.

“Hmm.”

Carles shook his head after checking Dipone’s pulse. He was gone before they could even react.

There was nothing to say. I hadn’t anticipated this outcome.

“He just suddenly died like that? What was it! Was he cursed or something?”

Aries seemed genuinely flustered.

[Looks like he really was cursed.]

‘Haa. Nothing is ever easy.’

There was nothing more to do in the basement.

“……Let’s go upstairs for now.”

I approached Dipone, whose body was growing cold, and closed his eyelids.

* * *

Dipone’s cleanup was swiftly handled by the members of the Wonshin Council, and soon everyone was gathered in the lobby on the first floor.

“What are you going to do now?”

Carles sat across from me, posing the question.

“First, we need to return to our respective duties. Clan Leader and Miss Caris have business in Ego, and we need to return to the Magic Tower.”

With only a few days remaining before our return to the Magic Tower, we couldn’t remain in Raftel indefinitely.

Angel nodded quietly beside me.

He likely had a mountain of work awaiting him at the Wonshin Council after his extended absence. With so many executives gathered, there were bound to be numerous issues to address.

“Hmm. The Magic Tower. Do you have to stay there?”

“Yes. I need to graduate first. That way, I can pursue my goals more freely.”

I wanted to leave the Magic Tower immediately and start planning for the future.

There was much to learn in Ego, and I needed to work diligently to rebuild the Wonshin Council.

‘But it’s still too early.’

A fifteen-year-old from Delema couldn’t operate without attracting attention. Graduating from the Magic Tower would reduce the restrictions on my activities.

“Hmm. I see. So, you’re heading straight to the village near the Magic Tower?”

“Yes. I’ll visit the Clan Leader during every vacation to continue my training.”

The Jujutsu he was going to teach me. I had only glimpsed its potential, but it was a technique I couldn’t afford to miss.

‘If I learn it gradually, I can eventually integrate it into my own style.’

His training would undoubtedly lead to further advancements in my swordsmanship.

“Hehe. I understand. Then let’s get going.”

Carles and Caris rose from their seats.

“Let’s do that.”

Following their lead, all the members of the Wonshin Council stood up.

“I’ll take you back to Aital.”

To reach Ego from here, we had to cross the continent. Delema’s red eyes were necessary to use the portal without a background check.

“Yes, yes. Do that.”

Carles nodded, then placed Caris’s hand in mine.

“Please take care of our daughter.”

“Yes?”

Something seemed off about his words.

“Aren’t you coming with us, Carles?”

“Yeah. I’m going to explore a bit more since I’m already out in the world. Besides, the Beast King Clan is thriving on its own. No one’s going to invade them.”

“Ah, I see. Well, it’s not a bad idea to enjoy life’s pleasures after escaping with such difficulty.”

“Of course. How can I just go back after all this time?”

Carles nodded emphatically.

[He’s probably planning to rob another restaurant. But is it wise to let him wander alone?]

‘Let him do as he pleases. Is that stubborn old man really going to get hurt by anyone? Only someone foolish enough to pick a fight with him would suffer.’

[Well. Who am I to worry?]

However, he would need gold coins to travel comfortably.

“Please take this with you.”

He tilted his head at the few gold coins I offered.

“Is this money?”

“Yes. You can use it for food and other expenses while you’re traveling.”

“Hoo. Good! Thank you! You’re truly my benefactor.”

His gums were practically glowing at the mention of food.

“But which city are you planning to visit?”

“Huh? Me?”

Carles pointed a long index finger at himself.

“Yes. If you need to use the portal, Carles, I’ll take you there.”

“I’m going to Ias? With you.”

“……Yes? You’re going to Ias?”

Carles looked at me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Yeah. Didn’t I say I’d teach you Jujutsu?”

“Ah……?”

“Do you think you can master it with just one or two lessons?”

Carles was suddenly coming to the Magic Tower with me.

It was definitely something to celebrate, being trained by him, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but worry.

‘Where should I find a place for him to stay?’

It wasn’t a problem for him to come along, but his appearance was far too conspicuous. He was too unique to blend in anywhere with a lot of people.

‘There’s no suitable place to practice swordsmanship…….’

Moreover, Ias was where the Magic Tower was located. I couldn’t openly practice swordsmanship in a place where magicians were constantly watching.

[How about your old residence?]

At that moment, Oberon suddenly interjected, appearing between Carles and me.

‘My residence?’

[Yeah. It seems pretty ideal. You have to take that kid anyway.]

His fingertips pointed at Aries.

[You’re going to continue researching black magic with her, right?]

‘That’s right.’

[If you’re within the barrier of the Gwigwang Clan, you can conceal the black magic energy. And it seems like the perfect place to practice swordsmanship, too?]

A place near the Magic Tower where I could hide the energy of black magic, and a place where I could swing a sword without worrying about prying eyes.

From the beginning, there was only one answer.

‘……Okay. Let’s go.’

I reached out to Carles.

“I understand. Let’s go together, Carles.”

“Ooh! Good. Let’s go quickly. But are there many delicious things there, too?”

“Of course. It’s the area with the freshest seafood on the continent.”

“……What! Seafood? Ugh!”

Carles covered his mouth.

‘Ah, was being the same race too much?’

It seemed he wasn’t a fan of seafood.