Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1083

After concluding matters with Nibecks Orosia, Lenok returned to Ogup’s manor with Oliviera.

Having informed the Blood Poison Master of their plan and with a brief respite before participating in Maleon’s scheme, Lenok was taking the time to inquire about some things he was curious about from a long-lived species learning the Five White Roads.

‘Are you referring to the process of passing the Trials of Calamity?’

Kundara, the Outer City of Calamity. A large manor located within the gates of the Five Calamities.

Near the pavilion where high-ranking long-lived species gathered to learn the Five White Roads from Lenok.

The manor, which had been transformed into a school, was crowded with individuals who had come after hearing the rumors.

Under the peach trees, several Go boards were laid out, and all sorts of long-lived species were engrossed in matches.

‘I thought I needed to know more about the trials in detail to better assist those who wish to learn.’

‘I see. It’s not the kind of feeling that can be clearly expressed in a single word, but…’

Angron, a Hwaye species boy wearing a red robe, rested his chin on his hand, looking troubled.

‘You could say it’s a feeling of testing the level of understanding needed to reach a higher level.’

‘Understanding?’

‘Immediately after challenging the trial, tests begin on both the physical and mental sides. To give a simple example…’

Angron nodded at Lenok’s question.

‘Physically, you have to fight the monsters that appear as opponents, and mentally, you have to solve the puzzles that block the gate.’

‘……’

‘Of course, that’s a simple example, and there are many more diverse forms of tests than that. Sometimes, two trials appear combined into one.’

If it’s the Trial of Eight Calamities, does it test the understanding befitting level 8 on both the mind and body?

It wouldn’t be easy for a challenger to pass unless they had outstanding achievements in both areas.

Lenok nodded.

‘If you have to pass two trials at the same time, both physically and mentally, it wouldn’t be easy.’

‘Huh? What are you talking about?’

However, Angron looked rather puzzled at Lenok’s words.

‘To pass the trial, you only need to pass one of the tests imposed on the body and mind. You don’t need to pass both.’

‘……Is that so?’

‘No matter how long we live, how can we raise our mind and body to that level simultaneously? You’re quite the joker, teacher.’

‘……’

‘What’s important in the Trials of Calamity isn’t passing both tests, but not failing either. At the point where you’ve built up enough achievements to pass one test, it’s about checking whether there are any critical flaws in the relatively lacking areas.’

‘Hmm, that’s…’

‘The requirements are quite high, but the standards are consistent and reasonable, so it’s not bad. Rather, I think it’s appropriately balanced in terms of stimulating the desire for improvement, but…’

Angron, who had been muttering with a thoughtful expression, widened his eyes as he looked at Lenok, who was staring at him as if he were strange.

‘Teacher. Is something the matter?’

‘……No, it’s just that you seem very rational about this kind of thing.’

Angron, the leader of the Hwaye species, is a giant salamander with flames all over his body.

He is hot-tempered, quick to anger, and so impatient that he seems to dislike thinking itself.

So, when Lenok asked Angron for an explanation, he didn’t expect much, but surprisingly, a rather coherent answer came back.

‘That’s because I’ve failed the Trial of Eight Calamities for so long. Even if I don’t want to, I have no choice but to think about it for a long time.’

Perhaps understanding Lenok’s meaning, the red-haired boy gave an awkward smile.

‘Even I, the leader of the Hwaye species, have limited opportunities to challenge the trials. Since it’s not a frequent opportunity, I have no choice but to think about why I failed.’

‘I see.’

‘Yes. That’s why I’m even more grateful to you, teacher.’

Angron’s eyes sparkled with intense respect as he looked at Lenok.

‘That saying about putting a destructive force that can burn oneself into the spell. Thanks to the advice you gave me, I feel like my mind, which had been blocked for decades, has opened up. I have a feeling that I’m not far from surpassing the Eight Calamities now.’

‘……’

‘Not only has my skill in the Five White Roads improved, but my spellcasting ability has also greatly increased. You are more than just a teacher of Go; you are a mentor in life, so how can I not express my gratitude?’

[That salamander knows a thing or two. He’s good enough to be the Master’s pet salamander.]

Davi, who was listening, was more proud than Lenok, and the praise was so flattering that it made his ears tingle.

But Angron’s words didn’t end there.

‘Teacher, you are a greater sage than anyone I know. The grace I have received from you in the past few days is so great that I could not repay it even if I added up all the time I have lived.’

Angron, kneeling on one knee and clasping his hands, spoke in a serious voice.

‘I, Angron of Hwaye, will come running anytime, even if you call me from outside Kundara, if that is what you wish.’

‘……Huh?’

Lenok, who had been thinking about the next long-lived species to call, lowered his gaze at Angron’s unexpected words.

‘Why do you think I would call you outside of Kundara, Angron?’

‘Well, teacher. Didn’t you recently purchase a summoning contract from Olber’s workshop?’

‘……’

‘If you were looking for a contract that could be used outside of Kundara, you must be looking for someone trustworthy to carry out a big task.’

Angron thumped his chest.

‘Who else could fulfill that role other than I, Angron, who became your disciple first? Leave it to me!!’

[Hee.]

Davi tilted his head in Lenok’s arms.

[It seems like this salamander really wants to be the Master’s pet?]

‘……’

Lenok, who had been silently holding his forehead, said,

‘I appreciate your feelings, Angron, but that’s not why I bought the summoning contract.’

‘Huh?’

‘A summon is nothing more than a tool that is mercilessly used according to the will of the caster.’

Lenok put on a solemn expression.

‘How could I use such a contract on a noble long-lived species like you, Angron? Please take back your words.’

‘T-Teacher…!!’

Angron was moved to tears.

‘I understand. If that is your will, then I…!! Still, I’m fine, so please call me anytime!!’

[Huh.]

Davi tilted his head above Angron, who was kneeling in admiration at Lenok’s words.

[Wasn’t the Master just not planning to make that salamander a summon from the start?]

‘……’

Lenok didn’t deny it and silently raised his gaze.

The summoning contract purchased from Olber’s workshop was a contract that allowed a long-lived species to be summoned as a familiar with mutual consent.

It was said to be a rare item that was not easily obtainable even in Kundara, as it was made by grinding the claws of the swallow, Changyeon, which symbolizes promise and trust.

One contract was given to Oliviera, and Lenok now had one contract left in his possession.

Of course, Angron’s martial prowess was not bad, but Lenok was planning to choose a place to use the contract more carefully.

‘I’ve got an opportunity to summon a powerful long-lived species, so I should use it in a valuable place.’

Lenok’s eyes shone sharply.

‘At the very least, it should be a long-lived species like the Water Dragon King, Alogon. If it’s not that level, it might be better not to use the contract.’

[Will a long-lived species that powerful agree to a summoning contract?]

A summoning contract is, strictly speaking, a contract that is biased in favor of the caster.

This is because they must respond to the caster’s call when they want, and they often have to go through difficult situations immediately after being summoned.

Even if the spirits living in the spirit realm accept summoning contracts to maintain their connection with the material world, why would a long-lived species living in the real world accept a contract?

Of course, Lenok also had a method in mind.

‘Wouldn’t it work if I beat them up until they’re about to die and then have them sign the contract?’

[……]

‘Nibecks’ case was a special one, so it’s not a good reference. I need to find a suitable opponent to experiment on soon…’

[The Master can’t say he’s being unfairly slandered anywhere now, can he?]

‘Ah, teacher. Are you perhaps thinking of passing the Trials of Calamity yourself?’

While ignoring Davi’s comment, Angron got up from his seat and asked.

Although he is hot-tempered and quick to anger, Angron himself is not a stupid or dull long-lived species.

He seemed to have sensed that Lenok was asking about the Trials of Calamity and gathering information not just for the sake of teaching the Five White Roads.

Angron, who had quickly guessed Lenok’s purpose, thumped his chest.

‘If you wish, we will come down to where you are at any time. You don’t need to worry about the trials.’

‘I’ve had some things related to that recently, so there’s some information I need to know in advance.’

‘There’s no need for you to move so inconveniently. Which Trial of Calamity are you trying to pass?’

Angron snorted roughly.

‘I’ll harass the administrator of the trials and have you pass the Sixth or Seventh Calamity. It’s absurd to make you take a test, teacher.’

‘I appreciate the thought, but-‘

Kuuung!!!

At that moment, when Lenok was about to answer appropriately and change the subject, the outside suddenly became noisy.

It wasn’t just a simple murmur, but a vibration that shook the entire manor greatly.

Angron, too, felt it with his unique sensitive senses, and his expression changed sharply in an instant.

The boy, who had jumped up from his seat and headed outside the pavilion, shouted roughly.

‘Who is the impudent fool making a ruckus when the teacher is here!!!’

‘I’m sorry, Angron.’

A deep voice that echoed from outside the pavilion washed away Angron’s anger as if it had been washed away.

A silver dragon walking with his hands behind his back from beyond the peach tree-filled utopia.

Around him, hundreds of long-lived species who had been densely packed in the manor were kneeling in unison.

An overwhelming sight of humans and beasts gathered from all over Kundara bowing their heads to a single dragon.

Angron, who belatedly confirmed the scene, stammered with a pale face.

‘L-Lord Maleon…’

‘I apologize if I have disturbed your precious Go match time.’

Maleon, who had passed by those who were bowing their heads to him, smiled as he approached the pavilion.

‘I can wait until the match is over. Do you need more time?’

‘Ah, no… I was just having a conversation with the teacher.’

Angron slowly knelt down, sweating profusely.

Even Angron, who was almost arrogant towards other long-lived species, obeyed Maleon without complaint.

Lenok could tell at a glance how great the status of that silver dragon was in this Outer City of Calamity.

A huge deer, who had hastily paid his respects next to Angron, said cautiously.

‘What brings the Silver Star to the Five Calamities…’

‘I’ve come to escort the teacher.’

Maleon quietly looked down at the scene and asked.

‘Would you mind if I borrowed your teacher for a while?’

‘The teacher… are you talking about?’

‘The teacher is so important that the monarch of the Eight Calamities is looking for him…?’

Perhaps the fact that even Maleon, a member of the Council of Elders, was seeking advice from Lenok was quite surprising.

After hearing Maleon’s answer, the long-lived species could not help but whisper quietly from all over the place.

Whispers going back and forth in the quiet silence. Maleon, pretending not to hear such conversations, waited leisurely for an answer.

Angron, who had been sitting in front of the pavilion door, hesitated without speaking, and then nodded with difficulty.

‘……It doesn’t seem like something I can decide. I’ll step aside.’

‘Thank you.’

Maleon smiled.

‘I was waiting for those words.’

‘……’

As Angron, who had bowed his head, stepped aside, Maleon and Lenok’s eyes met as they entered the pavilion.

Thud, the door closed, and in an instant, only the two of them remained inside the pavilion.

‘I heard that it’s only been less than half a month since you started teaching.’

Maleon, looking around at the various gifts and artifacts piled up like mountains on all sides of the pavilion, laughed.

‘In that short time, you’re trying to become one of the richest people in Kundara. You didn’t come here to plunder the assets of this city, did you?’

‘Did you come here to say something pointless?’

‘I want to say that it’s very difficult to buy the favor of a long-lived species that has lived for hundreds of years. The old ones are displeased with flaws not only in their abilities but also in their manners and character.’

Maleon said leisurely.

‘In a way, it could be said that you are a seeker who is so complete in character.’

‘……’

‘As expected, only you can help me ascend from an equal position.’

Maleon said with a serious expression to Lenok, who was sitting in the pavilion and tilting his head.

‘So, from this moment on, I will begin the ascension plan.’

The ascension ceremony where a new ascendant is born in Kundara.

Maleon had begun to prepare in earnest to become an ascendant.