Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1072

“Did you hear that the atmosphere outside Ogup has been strange lately?” Olber quietly listened to the words mumbled by a customer who had visited his workshop. Most of the customers who frequented his workshop were long-lived beings with considerable status. Therefore, the rumors and information they let slip were often useful. “I heard that the number of elders playing Ohbaekro [a traditional board game] in the manor has suddenly increased.” “It’s more than that. They say there are elders who do nothing but play Ohbaekro all day long.” Customers browsing the artifacts on display clicked their tongues slowly. “They say they’re lining up to give money to some young kid they’ve never seen before.” “They’re addicted to gambling. They’ve caught a foolish wind at their old age…” “……” A young kid they’ve never seen before. Olber, recalling the short-lived being who had come to buy armor a while ago, glanced sideways. “Excuse me, perhaps…” Just as Olber was about to ask the customers about the news from outside, the door burst open. A young boy in a red robe entered the workshop. The boy, with a sullen expression and his hands behind his back, looked around the workshop. However, as soon as they saw the boy, the customers in the workshop immediately bowed their heads. “We greet Angron of the Fire Salamander race.” “What brings you here, someone who rarely steps outside…” Angron, the leader of the Fire Salamander race, which boasts great power in the outer city of Kundara. They are salamanders with flames all over their bodies, and they possess abilities that are indispensable in Kundara. The flames they exhale as they breathe maintain Kundara’s atmospheric temperature at an appropriate level and reduce the cold flowing in from the misty universe. Moreover, Angron himself was said to have almost broken through the Trial of the Eight Calamities [a significant challenge or rite of passage], recently, so the Fire Salamander race’s status was soaring throughout the city. Olber, having heard the rumors, also bowed his head quietly and showed respect. However, Angron ignored the hesitant reactions of the customers and unhesitatingly pointed to the equipment behind the display case. “Bring that here.” “…That is.” Olber paused as he looked at what Angron was pointing at. The black dragon scale armor that the short-lived young man who had visited the workshop a while ago had wanted to buy. Angron was pointing directly at it. Olber carefully took out the armor, hesitated, and then asked. “Aren’t the Fire Salamanders beings who don’t need to possess a wish-fulfilling orb [a magical item that grants wishes] in the first place?” “Why are you so talkative? I need it, so bring it.” Angron’s expression hardened. “Did I say I’d take it for free? I said I’d pay the proper price.” “……” Olber hesitated before speaking. “Actually, there’s a customer who wants to buy this equipment…” “What, was it already reserved? No wonder.” Angron chuckled. “I’ll pay double, so hand it over right now. I won’t say it twice.” “……” “It’s an item my teacher wants. I won’t tolerate you selling it to anyone else, so don’t be stubborn.” “…Teacher, you say?” It was a very awkward title to come from Angron, who was hot-tempered, easily angered, and simple-minded. However, Angron seemed pleased with Olber’s question and answered with a brightened expression. “Well, you see, I’ve been learning Ohbaekro at the manor near here lately.” “I, I see.” Angron, who possessed such outstanding skills that he could challenge the Trial of the Eight Calamities, was seeking instruction from someone else? As if he had been itching to talk but had nowhere to do so, Angron was rambling to Olber and the customers. “I recently took on a very skilled teacher, and thanks to his help, I was able to get right up to the point of passing the Trial of the Eight Calamities.” “……” “He doesn’t just teach skills, but he points out the direction, and that’s so incredibly useful.” Could there be a teacher so outstanding that Angron, the leader of the Fire Salamander race and a high-ranking long-lived being, would be so humble? Moreover, his teachings were so helpful that they were significantly aiding him in the Trial of the Eight Calamities. Feeling that something was unusual, the surrounding customers were naturally drawn to Angron’s words. “The grace I’ve received from my teacher is so great that no matter how much sincerity I show, it’s not enough.” Angron, also sensing this, spoke proudly as if boasting. “I’ve been having trouble finding an item he wants to repay him, but it seems he wants this armor. So, of course, I should bring it to him.” “Is that so…” “So, prepare it quickly. If I’ve explained this much, you should understand by now, right?” The boy’s eyes, looking at the black dragon scale armor, blazed with overflowing eagerness. “Forget the wrapping. I want to see how happy he is the moment he sees it.” “Understood.” Olber, with a calm expression, took the dragon scale armor out of the display case and wiped it with a dry towel. “However, the size needs to be adjusted to fit the person who will wear the armor, and that’s impossible unless they come in person.” “What? Do you dare to make my teacher come to this busy street in person?” Angron’s eyes immediately turned fierce. “If that happens, of course, you should come yourself. I’ll pay you three times the price, so close your shop and follow me.” “……” “I won’t say it three times.” “…Understood.” Olber had expected that the hot-tempered fire salamander would act like this. The very reason he had given that answer was because Olber himself wanted to follow Angron to see the esteemed teacher. Olber, maintaining a troubled expression on the surface, skillfully gathered his equipment and left the workshop. “Snook.” “Snook, close the workshop door and don’t open it to anyone.” Olber said, looking at his terrified employee with a stern expression. “Even if that polite magician comes, tell him I told you not to open the door. Do you understand?” “Yes, yes…!!” The human magician who had visited his workshop a few days ago. He had shown a polite attitude on the surface, but Olber had some idea of how dangerous the man was. A skilled sorcerer who had managed to find Kundara, hidden behind the veil, with a short-lived body. Moreover, he had gained the favor of the violent and ill-tempered Allogon [likely a powerful being or entity] and even obtained a wish-fulfilling orb. In the first place, how could that be possible unless his nature was a good match for the Water Dragon King? Once he realizes that the item he wanted has been taken, it wouldn’t be strange if he changed his attitude at any moment. Clank!! Olber, having reduced the size of the black dragon scale armor and stored it in a steel case, and having gathered his adjustment equipment, nodded. “I’m ready. Let’s go.” “Good.” The boy, Angron, who had been watching with a sullen expression, finally smiled as if his mood had improved. “It’s late, so move quickly. Get on my back.” “…Excuse me?” “You can’t understand what I’m saying.” When Olber paused, not understanding the words, the boy frowned and began to draw in his magic power. Whirr…!! Red scales sprouted all over the boy’s cheeks, and a forked tongue popped out of his mouth. The flames that had been enveloping his body blazed up, becoming a magnificent pillar of fire. In that moment, slimy amphibian limbs emerged from the pillar of fire, and he transformed into a giant salamander. Kuuuung!!! A giant fire salamander with flames on its back like a crest glared down at Olber with a menacing face. [Get on.] “A, Angron-nim!!” Olber, flustered, turned his gaze to the people around the workshop who were in shock. “This is inside Ogup. If you reveal your true form recklessly, you won’t be able to avoid the wrath of the Elder Stars [powerful celestial beings or authorities]…!!” [Could the old men of the Eight Calamities see what’s happening here with their dim eyes?] “But-” [Why are you so talkative since a while ago?] Swish!! The salamander flicked its tongue out and grabbed Olber’s ankle, throwing him up into the air. The moment he felt his body floating, the old man’s sturdy body tumbled onto the salamander’s back. Ignoring Olber, who was staggering with a dumbfounded expression, Angron deeply bent his body in place. [My teacher is waiting, so shut up and follow me.] “N, no way…” [Since receiving his teachings, my body has been overflowing with energy. Let’s go!!] Olber’s face hardened as he sensed what would happen next from the explosive fire energy emanating from the salamander’s body. In the middle of Kundara’s bustling downtown area, the salamander’s massive body leaped explosively, soaring tens of meters into the air. Kwaaaang!!! With a powerful shockwave, the roof tiles of the surrounding buildings were swept away. The pavilions and tiled houses swayed violently as if they were about to collapse, and the salamander, having rotated in the air, spewed out flames. Leaving a trail of rotating fire above the misty outer city, Angron’s form accelerated. In an instant, he moved away from the center of the downtown area and began to move towards the manor located on the outskirts. Kugwagwagwa!!! “…!!” The salamander’s form, covered in flames, instantly broke the sound barrier and sped through the sky. A bizarre scene, like flying through the misty sky in a blazing fighter jet. Olber, barely clinging to Angron’s back amidst the raging wind and storm of magic power, gritted his teeth. He had almost passed the Trial of the Eight Calamities, and even his ability to manipulate spells had increased so much. This one flight was enough to make him realize just why Angron was so confident. “Kkeueuk…!!” Kuuuung!! The moment the salamander’s massive body crashed into the middle of an empty lot, Olber’s body fell and rolled on the ground. His hair and face were half-scorched, as if he had been burned by the flames on Angron’s back. “Haa, haa…” The salamander’s tongue wrapped around Olber’s waist as he struggled to catch his breath, and he was lifted up in a flash. [Puhahahah!!!] Thump! Thump! Thump!! The salamander, stomping through the beautiful garden where peach trees grew with its clumsy feet, ran as if it was having fun. It was as innocent as a child, as if it had brought a fun toy. [Teacher!] Angron, flicking his tongue, shouted after throwing Olber, whom he had been carrying, onto the ground. [This disciple, Angron, has brought the item you wanted!!] “Kuk…” The old man, Olber, who had been thrown to the ground without any consideration, groaned. If he had known this would happen, it would have been better for Olber to return to his true form to move. It seems that the shock and pain were greater because he stubbornly insisted on maintaining his human form.

The moment Olber, clutching his throbbing face and aching waist, managed to lift his gaze,

*Kooong!!*

Olber’s breath hitched as he was met with the gazes of all sorts of monsters looking down at him.

High-ranking long-lived species, far surpassing ordinary humans, had revealed their true forms and were standing on one side of the estate.

The long-lived species stood in an orderly line, as if they were lining up on either side of the simple pavilion built in the center of the estate, all looking down at Olber.

[That’s a Cheongak clan child.]

A crow with ink-like giant wings flapped and spoke.

[I know you work as a craftsman around here. What business do you have with the teacher?]

“That…”

[If that idiot Angron brought him, it’s obvious, isn’t it?]

Next to the crow, a giant toad, easily exceeding 5 meters, chuckled.

[He probably intends to boil the Cheongak clan’s horn and give it to the teacher. Wasn’t it said to be good for mana resonance or something?]

[The teacher is a sage far superior to all of us combined.]

Behind the toad, an elegant-looking deer spoke as if it was pathetic.

[Such tonics wouldn’t be of any help. It would be more likely that he brought the equipment this child made.]

[Indeed, Angron wouldn’t have thought of any other way than kidnapping a perfectly good craftsman.]

[They say if you’re dumb, your body suffers; that’s exactly what a Hwaye clan’s head would do.]

Salamander, toad, deer, and crane.

High-ranking long-lived species with enormous and mysterious appearances were gathered, casually chatting.

Every long-lived species gathered here were nobles whose faces were hard to even see once within the Five Calamities [a region or area of great danger or chaos].

The moment Olber stiffened with a rigid expression, Angron proudly spoke from behind him.

[Keep talking all you want. The fact that I brought a gift for the teacher won’t change!]

[Hmm, I don’t know if the teacher will be pleased with the gift you prepared…]

The toad puffed out its chin and turned its gaze towards Olber, at that moment.

A low voice echoed from behind Olber.

“You were here. I’ve been looking for you.”

“……Hmm?”

Lenok was looking down at Olber with a smiling face in the front yard of the huge pavilion built in the middle of the estate, where peach trees were draped.

Lenok, wearing a light shirt, was adjusting his sleeves as he stepped down the slope.

“I was going to buy the equipment since the issue regarding the identity verification was resolved, but you were away from the workshop for a while.”

“Ah, that is…”

He had thought it might be possible, but it turned out that this short-lived mage had also come to the workshop at this time.

Moreover, it seemed he had followed him, intending to buy the Dragon Scale Armor after completing the identity verification that Olber himself had requested.

The problem was that Olber was now standing in front of high-ranking long-lived species who held considerable status even in Kundara [a city or region].

If he sold the Dragon Scale Armor to Lenok as initially promised, he wouldn’t be able to avoid the elders’ wrath.

But if he broke his promise and handed the armor to Angron, he didn’t know what this mage, blessed by the Dragon God, might do.

“Well, I’m sorry about this…”

There was no time to ponder for long.

If time dragged on like this, the elders might get angry not only at Olber but also at this human.

The moment Olber, having quickly made up his mind, was about to explain the situation and ask for Lenok’s understanding.

*Kooong!!*

The high-ranking long-lived species standing on either side of Olber almost simultaneously turned their bodies and lowered their heads.

Some respectfully folded their hands, while others overlapped their large forepaws as if making a fist salute.

[Teacher. Did you cough!]

[Hwanrok’s Ayeba greets the teacher!]

[Seomje’s Botan greets the teacher!]

“……?”

A rare phenomenon where high-ranking long-lived species with high status throughout the Outer Calamity City were greeting one person.

Olber’s face turned pale as he realized that the direction was towards Lenok, who was standing behind him.

“Wait a minute, could it be that the teacher the elders were talking about is-”

“Didn’t I tell you that the issue regarding the identity verification was resolved?”

Lenok said with a smile.

“Then, can I receive the item now?”

* * *

The pavilion built in the peach tree-draped utopia.

Various long-lived species gathered around the pavilion were listening to the words of a single person.

As if they had made a promise, they each had a Go board spread out, quietly waiting for their turn.

[Teacher. I’ve reproduced the problem I saw in the Seven Calamities trial, but could I ask you to review it?]

“There’s a move near the 308th that doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t it have proceeded like this?”

[Teacher. I have a question about aligning the progressive formation vertically in the spell formation.]

“There are roughly three ways to align the spell formation vertically. I’ll tell you all of them first, and you can choose the method you like…”

[There’s a problem with the fifth direction control method for increasing mana yield in spell formation…]

“The problem with mana yield isn’t about direction control but about paying attention to the symbol arrangement. It’s more dependent on the senses than you think, so let’s focus on practicing and getting a feel for it first.”

A single knight playing a simultaneous game with several novices.

He moved between the Go boards, checking the flow of the games, placing stones, and discussing the direction.

“Botan-nim. I clearly told you that you shouldn’t take back a move without permission.”

[M-my apologies, teacher.]

High-ranking long-lived species with sky-high pride were flustered and repeatedly bowed their heads with an embarrassed look at Lenok’s words.

A bizarre sight that even Olber, who had lived in the Outer Calamity City his entire life, found hard to believe even after seeing it with his own eyes.

*Clank!!*

He placed a hammer on the scales of the Dragon Scale Armor, which were tightly intertwined like chains, and slowly hammered them as if driving in nails.

Each time Olber hammered the scales, the armor rapidly expanded and transformed into the shape of armor.

*Chwararak!!*

After spreading out all the scales that made up the Black Chain Dragon Scale Armor, he adjusted the size starting from the ends of the body.

The moment Olber, having placed a measuring tape on the shoulder and adjusted the spacing between the scales, lifted his head.

“Are you finished?”

“……”

Lenok, who had finished the simultaneous games with the long-lived species sitting below the pavilion, was standing in front of him.

Olber slightly nodded his head while avoiding Lenok’s gaze.

“The size adjustment for the human species is complete. With this, the Black Chain Dragon Scale Armor is yours.”

“Thank you.”

Lenok, having received the Black Chain Dragon Scale Armor, skillfully hammered the scales and quickly adjusted the size of the armor.

A bizarre sight where he seemed more skilled in handling it than Olber himself, who had been adjusting the armor just moments ago.

*Clank!!*

Lenok, having quickly compressed the Black Chain Dragon Scale Armor into a small size, handed it back to Olber and said.

“I’m sorry, but I need to help with the remaining games a bit more. Could you please take this armor over there?”

“……Take it over there?”

Olber, following Lenok’s words and turning his gaze, was speechless at the sight of all sorts of gifts piled up on one side of the pavilion.

Rare spiritual herbs and medicinal ingredients that were hard to find anywhere in Kundara. Tonics good for the body and high-grade artifacts.

Equipment made from the body parts of long-lived species were piled up in several places throughout the pavilion.

Leaving the speechless Olber behind, Lenok said nonchalantly.

“The elders of Kundara are all very generous.”

“……”

“Since I started this work, I’ve received so many gifts that I’m planning to set aside a day to organize them separately.”

“I wondered how a short-lived species entered the Outer Calamity City alone, but there was a reason for it.”

Olber muttered, looking at the long-lived species engrossed in their games throughout the estate.

“For the fastidious elders to put this much effort into you…”

“It’s not just about playing five hundred moves for a moment of amusement.”

Lenok replied.

“They say it helps in passing the Calamity Trials, so I’m just guiding them on the direction.”

“……”

Several days had passed since he had unintentionally solved the Eight Calamities Trial after joining Angron’s game.

After Angron, having received Lenok’s advice, had grasped the direction and almost passed the Eight Calamities Trial on his own.

As several high-ranking long-lived species who had heard the news came to visit, the entire estate of the Five Calamities had turned into Lenok’s academy.

In just a few days, the number of long-lived species who were modifying their style based on Lenok’s advice had increased to nearly ten, so it was no wonder that Olber felt awkward.

“It doesn’t seem like that alone can explain why the elders are so attached to you.”

Olber shook his head with a wry smile.

“Isn’t it because there’s something more than just you being good at playing five hundred moves that makes them so engrossed?”

“That’s not wrong, but…”

Lenok also didn’t know what it meant to pass the Calamity Trials through five hundred moves.

In fact, after consulting with the long-lived species he was teaching, it turned out that five hundred moves were not directly used to pass the Calamity Trials.

However, the only way to materialize the Calamity Trials he had experienced in a form related to spells was through five hundred moves.

It was possible because the board game created by Jintun was the most accurate way to project spell aptitude and suitability.

As a result, Lenok was able to take on the role of a teacher, teaching five hundred moves to the long-lived species.

‘Was this what Jutiya meant when she said it was better not to know?’

While Lenok was lost in thought, Olber, having finished adjusting the armor, stood up from his seat.

“Anyway, it’s good that things worked out well for you too. It seems like the situation has been resolved, so I’ll be on my way.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Lenok nodded with a smile.

“I’m planning to visit the workshop again soon to purchase equipment, so please take care of yourself until then.”

“For a mage like you to still need the equipment I make, that’s an honor.”

Olber nodded with a wry smile.

“While you’re favored by the elders, is there anything impossible? I’ll be waiting at the workshop.”

Leaving Olber, who was leaving the estate, he turned his gaze towards the long-lived species calling Lenok from afar.

The moment he turned towards the long-lived species sitting quietly like children waiting for their turn in front of the Go board.

“……”

Lenok stopped walking as he realized that a pure white snake had coiled itself in the spot where Olber had left.

Even though the scenery reflected in his eyes had changed, Lenok almost didn’t feel any sense of incongruity from the sight.

A technique of displacement that seemed to deceive and melt the perception itself, blurring the sense of incongruity, something only a creature completely different from humans could do.

“Hmm.”

The pure white snake flicked its tongue while looking at Lenok.

“I heard you were causing interesting things wherever you went, and it seems that wasn’t wrong.”

“……”

“To think you’d be teaching five hundred moves to the long-lived species in this city. Your talent is one thing, but your idea is truly amazing.”

The snake, who had a strange smile, spoke to Lenok in a soft voice.

“You have a talent and judgment that are not bound by time and species, so I understand why Oliviera follows you.”

“……You didn’t come here to learn five hundred moves from me.”

The moment he heard the familiar name, Lenok’s smiling expression turned cold.

“Are you an acquaintance of Oliviera?”

One of the few acquaintances she had mentioned knowing in Kundara.

Was one of the long-lived species who could cooperate in information gathering by helping her, the one who had come to find Lenok?