Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 114

114. Ias’s Strangers

“Phew, finally back in Ias.”

Drew sighed heavily as he passed through the Ias Portal Management Bureau.

“Haa… I never imagined my vacation would turn out so complicated.”

We had returned to Ias after taking Caris near the Ego. To avoid drawing attention, we arrived just before dawn.

“Still, wasn’t it fun?”

“Fun… Haha. It was fun, I guess.”

He had been caught up in big events by my side throughout the vacation.

‘Well, it’s not the kind of thing a typical magic tower newbie experiences during vacation.’

[Not just a magic tower newbie, right? It’s something ordinary people wouldn’t experience in their entire lives.]

From the Ego to the Xylo Mountains, it was a series of unimaginable events.

‘Still, he’s commendable.’

Just enduring silently by my side was remarkable. These experiences would surely be a good stepping stone for his growth.

“Go to the magic tower first and rest.”

“Okay. Are you coming later?”

“I have some things to sort out.”

I pointed to the people coming out of the portal one after another.

Admun and Angel, of course.

Carles, who was wearing a robe, and Aries, who was looking around as soon as she came out.

Except for the executives of the Wonshin Council who had returned to their respective regions, everyone had come to Ias. We had to figure out how they would live here from now on.

“Okay. Then I’ll go ahead. You don’t need my help, do you?”

“Yeah. It’s okay. Go on in.”

Since the priority was to get them settled in my residence, there was no need for him to stay.

“Oh, right. We didn’t do morning training today, so make sure to do it when you get in.”

Of course, I didn’t leave out the reminder.

“Ahaha…”

Drew smiled bitterly and bowed his head.

“Carles, Aries, Angel, and even Admun, thank you all for your hard work. I’ll go first!”

Everyone waved to him.

“Yeah, see you again. Next time, let’s go eat something delicious together.”

“Ooh! That sounds great! There’s a really delicious place in the market. Let’s go there!”

“Ooh, good!”

Especially Carles and Drew got along well.

[United by food.]

With that, Drew headed towards the magic tower first.

“Let’s go this way.”

Admun, who knew the area well, led the way through the streets of Ias. The destination was the ruins excavation site managed by the magicians of the magic tower. First, everyone was heading to my residence.

“There won’t be any magicians at this time of day.”

Admun looked around as we moved forward. Soon, the barbed wire fence set up by the magic tower greeted us.

“Do we just go over that?”

Carles pointed to the barbed wire. When I nodded, Carles jumped without hesitation.

Taat!

He easily jumped over the fence set up by the magicians.

“Ooh. As expected of the Suwang tribe leader. Impressive.”

Angel, who had already crossed the barbed wire, greeted him.

[That magic is really useful.]

He had easily crossed the fence using Blink [a short-range teleportation spell].

Aries glared at Angel.

“Hmph! Showing off just for jumping over something like that!”

It wasn’t difficult for her either.

Her hands moved busily for a moment.

Woooong!

The familiar black cloud appeared. Aries, riding on the black cloud, quickly crossed the barbed wire.

“For a witch, you’re good at using weird magic.”

“How ridiculous, you pseudo-cult leader!”

“What?”

The two glared at each other from beyond the barbed wire. It was Carles’s job to stop them.

‘Sigh.’

The next gaze was directed at Admun.

“Admun, I’ll carry you over.”

I bent down to gesture for him to get on my back.

“Young master, I’m okay.”

Admun waved his hands.

“Why? Are you going to go underground?”

“No. I’ve actually been practicing a bit.”

He pointed to his shoes. Kata’s shoes, which he had obtained at the Anti auction house, were dyed blue.

“Oh, you can use them now?”

“It’s still not perfect, but I think I can get over this much.”

Admun had a determined expression on his face. Those who had crossed over were also watching him with great interest.

“Then I’ll try!”

Soon, the determined guy took his first step.

“Oh!”

Admun began to step into the air as if he were using Air Walker [a technique to walk on air]. Sweat was already dripping from his forehead as he took each step carefully.

‘He must have practiced a lot.’

[Indeed. It’s not something you can do overnight.]

I could feel how hard he had worked over the past few days without him having to say it. It would be an incomparable level of difficulty compared to a newborn taking their first steps.

‘He still needs more practice, but he’s doing great.’

Although he couldn’t let his guard down for even a moment to cross a single barbed wire fence, Admun would one day roam the skies and use martial arts.

Eventually, Admun set foot on the ground on the other side. His top was completely soaked with sweat.

“Ooh! What amazing shoes! What’s the principle behind them?”

It was natural that Carles and the others were interested.

“They’re Kata’s shoes. Shoes used by the martial artists a thousand years ago.”

It was my turn to explain. I had crossed the barbed wire using Air Walker, following Admun.

“Kata? Hmm. Amazing shoes. They must be quite valuable.”

Admun grinned at those words.

“I’m so happy that the Suwang tribe leader recognizes them!”

“Haha! They suit you perfectly. If you handle them well, they’ll be more useful than most weapons later on.”

“Ah! Thank you!”

Admun bowed to Carles’s praise. He repeatedly bowed to me as well.

“Thank you for giving me such a great item!”

Then, Admun started walking again, leading the way. His steps, weaving through the tents set up by the magic tower, seemed lighter than ever.

* * *

Following Admun’s guidance, we arrived at the entrance of the barrier. After reciting the secret incantation at the entrance, which we had finally reached.

Woooong!

Orange light swirled before my eyes for a moment, and then the entrance to the residence appeared. Stairs leading down greeted us.

“Ooh. It really works. The Gwigg tribe created a barrier for your ancestor. Amazing.”

I had told Carles that this place was the residence used by Adonis. I explained that the name Delema was being used as a fake.

‘It’s still the same here.’

The traces of the magicians still remained near the barrier, but it seemed that the magic tower had not been able to break the barrier.

The reason was, of course…

“Keuhat! Your ancestor was quite the eccentric! He made a twenty-question quiz out of praising himself!”

It was probably for a similar reason to what Carles said. No one would have thought that the password for the barrier would be something like that.

[Keuk. I guess this barrier will be safe forever?]

Leaving behind the snickering Oberon, I followed Admun, who had gone down the stairs first.

The residence I had visited again after several months. As expected, the wide-open space unfolded as it was in the beginning.

“Oh, it’s perfect for living in.”

“Hoo. There was a place like this?”

Carles and Aries were impressed by the sight.

I was glad that the two people who would have to stay here the longest liked it.

“As you can see, we can sufficiently self-supply with water and food inside here.”

Even when I took out all my equipment a few months ago, I didn’t touch the facilities here. There shouldn’t be any major problems with living here.

“Good. I like it very much. It’s perfect for training.”

“Me too! With this much space, there’s no problem researching black magic!”

Carles and Aries looked around, satisfied. However, Angel and Admun didn’t look so bright.

“Preceptor. If you’re going to train and research, you’ll have to come here every day. Won’t it be too difficult?”

“That’s right. It’s good to live here, but it’s too dangerous to go around. The magicians might catch our tail someday.”

I knew what the two were worried about. That was the most concerning thing for me too.

“But there’s no other way besides here. We can’t train swordsmanship or research black magic outside.”

No matter how I thought about it, there was no place to replace this place.

‘I just need to be careful when I come and go.’

If only I took the risk, everything would be solved.

It wouldn’t be very good news for Angel and Admun, who were most concerned about me, but they didn’t have any other alternatives either.

“Well, there are 3 days left until the magic tower’s opening ceremony. Let’s try to make the best of living here until then.”

“…I understand.”

Eventually, the two nodded.

* * *

Whooooong!

A rough wind noise. The mountain-like momentum of the trident wielded by Carles rushed towards me.

‘Heup!’

The spear, aiming for my left thigh, slashed horizontally. I hurriedly stretched out Fragarach [MC’s sword] to respond.

Whoong!

The trident, which had changed its trajectory in an instant, stopped next to my neck.

‘Haa, I thought I could catch it this time!’

I was starting to get frustrated.

“Hehe. You still can’t block it. Can’t you still see my attack?”

It had already been two days since I started sparring with Carles. I couldn’t keep up with his Jujutsu [unspecified martial art], which moved freely like a snake.

[Don’t just follow and block what you see. Even if you blocked the neck, Carles would have changed the trajectory again and stabbed the waist.]

‘What nonsense are you talking about? How can I not block it if I see it?’

[Sigh, that’s why you’re still a kid.]

Oberon was frustrated. It was hard to understand what he was saying.

[It’s not that. You have to see where Carles is attacking with your mind’s eye. This isn’t just a sword versus spear, it’s a fight between you and Carles.]

‘A fight between me and Carles?’

[Yes. It’s a battle of wits, going beyond simply clashing weapons and fighting with each other’s will. But you’ve expressed your will too easily with your sword.]

Oberon seemed to have explained it quite clearly, but it was still difficult to understand.

‘A battle of wits… So, was the initial attempt to cut my thigh a feint? I shouldn’t have blocked it?’

[Huh? That was a real attack too. If you hadn’t blocked it, your thigh would have been severed.]

‘……Haa.’

Learning for a new realm was so sweet, but it was just as exhausting. It felt like I was stuck against a wall.

However, the frustration I felt after a long time wasn’t so bad.

‘Seeing with the mind’s eye… Still, if I master this, I’ll be able to grow another step further.’

It rather stimulated my competitive spirit.

“Carles. Please give me another lesson.”

I gripped Fragarach with my already tattered hands.

“Good.”

Just as we were about to wield our weapons at each other again.

Kuuuuooo……!

A roar that echoed through the cavity.

“What is that sound!”

Carles, who was holding the trident, turned his head.

‘This is bad!’

It was towards the stairs where the Gwigg tribe’s barrier was located.