Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1277

Inhuman Demon Realm (1)

KWA-AA-AAANG!!!!

Another thunderous roar rips through the morning in Balkan.

A swirling vortex of dark blue lightning shoots up, tearing through the clouds and revealing the clear sky.

The weather in Balkan, which had been forecast to be cloudy for several days, changed instantly, but no citizens were surprised by this fact anymore.

They simply looked up at the sky in the distant outskirts with fearful expressions, or sighed and folded the umbrellas they had brought out.

“Kuhahahahahat!!!!”

In a closed research building located near Sector 55.

Torben, the Archmage of the Magic Tower, who was battered and collapsed, burst into hearty laughter.

Smoke, as if meat were cooking, billowed from the old man’s body as he spread his arms wide.

“Good. Something nice and hot is just what I needed!!!”

“To be on the verge of burning to death and still end up with that kind of reaction, your nonchalance is truly something.”

From Lenok’s fingertips, who was expressionlessly touching his wrist, dark blue lightning flickered faintly.

Lenok, who had now extinguished the black-blue lightning that had become the symbol of extreme lightning magic, moved towards Torben and spoke.

“If you enjoy getting beat up that much, I think you chose the wrong profession. Shouldn’t you have been a warrior or a martial artist instead of a mage?”

“Disciple, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Akendrias, who had raised his upper body, tore off his cumbersome robe and grinned.

“It is meaningful to engage in combat by wielding the great lightning. With such magnificent magic, what weapon would I ever need to wield instead!”

“…You didn’t get into lightning magic just for that reason, did you?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“……”

Lenok was speechless at the Archmage’s question, who looked genuinely curious as he widened his eyes.

[Hmm, hmm. It is an important issue.]

The cerebral spirit, with its arms crossed as if agreeing, nodded its head in Lenok’s arms.

[I wouldn’t have wanted to grow either if I didn’t think having a tail that grows longer was cool.]

“Why are you saying that like you’re bragging?”

While he sympathized with the visual impact of lightning magic, he found it difficult to agree with the idea of using it as a reason to start learning magic.

Perhaps it was because Lenok’s circumstances were not so lenient that he could choose magic based on such considerations.

As he brushed off the pampered words of a noble-born mage and gathered his thoughts, a strange cry came from beside him.

[Awoong.]

Thump.

With a strange babble, a plump baby dragon bit Lenok’s hand.

The guardian spirit, floating in the air, mumbled as if in a dream while biting and chewing on Lenok’s hand.

[Munya munya.]

“……”

[Hey, get out of the way?]

Davi grumbled and tried to push the guardian spirit away with its tail, but when it saw Torben approaching, it hid inside Lenok’s arms.

The Archmage, who had smoothed his scorched hair and straightened his clothes, looked at the dozing guardian spirit and smiled kindly.

“That fellow. Bonno has come here many times, but he still doesn’t seem to want to wake up.”

“That’s right. After obtaining extreme lightning, it’s practically… Ah, don’t come closer. There’s a smell of roasting meat.”

“……”

Chiiiik-

Torben, who was approaching while emitting smoke from his whole body, scratched the soot on his face and stepped back.

The guardian spirit, which had been drooling at the smell, flew through the air and clung to Torben’s head.

[Mumble mumble mumble mumble.]

The baby dragon, having swallowed Torben’s head, chewed on it like gum.

It licked it like a candy, as if trying to smell the meat, and Torben’s head was instantly covered in saliva.

The Archmage’s appearance instantly became so ridiculous that even Lenok had to manage his expression.

“……”

[Puh-huh, kekekek…]

Davi’s laughter echoed from inside Lenok’s arms.

However, Torben smiled wryly, but instead of shaking off the spirit, he carried it on his back.

“It seems to have gotten much heavier as I’ve gotten older. Or is it just that the fellow’s size is growing?”

“Its growth has accelerated since the guardian spirit started absorbing my extreme lightning.”

Lenok replied.

“I’m guessing it’s a kind of hibernation. It might not wake up until it finishes growing with the power of extreme lightning.”

Crackle, crackle…!!!

Even at this moment, in the center of the research building, the brilliance of extreme lightning flickered, surrounded by a blue magic circle.

Hundreds of magic circles were intertwined to form an octahedron, and within it, dark blue lightning rotated and emitted light.

A faint black-blue ripple spread out in a circle, and in the mysterious scene where the octahedron was wrapped like a planetary ring and resonated.

The days when Lenok researched and experimented with the mechanism of extreme lightning magic with Archmage Torben.

In the process, Lenok was able to find a stable method for storing fragments of extreme lightning.

“Although I’m still in the process of practicing, I was able to increase the activation speed of extreme lightning much faster than before while training with you.”

Lenok said, clenching and unclenching his hand, wrapping electricity between his fingers.

“To reach maximum output, I would have to mobilize my avatar like in the subjugation battle, but that’s not an area that can be improved right away. All that’s left is to stabilize the extreme lightning within the domain and fix it in reality.”

“I see……”

“If I maintain the extreme lightning with the help of the guardian spirit, like now, and stabilize the output, I can apply the ‘premonition’ of extreme lightning in situations other than combat. Of course, there are a few more abilities or formulas needed for that, but almost all the processes that can be done right now are finished.”

In particular, the effect of the [Automaton Calculation Formula of Otomeus], borrowed from the Dark Archive, was significant, and there was progress in the research.

It was said to be a demonic calculation formula that overloads and raises the caster’s calculation ability to near semi-automatic.

It was borrowed to supplement the analysis and calculation ability for using extreme lightning, but there was an achievement that also increased Lenok’s formula ability.

Even though it was a coincidence, the achievement was more significant than expected, and it was the most helpful in immediately strengthening his power.

“Yes. It doesn’t seem like there’s much more Bonno can help with.”

Torben, who was looking at the light of the extreme lightning shining beyond the octahedron as if it were dazzling, said.

“I wanted to spoil him more while he was awake, but it’s a shame.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“As this sleepyhead began to absorb the power of extreme lightning, it began to return my domain that it had been holding.”

The Archmage, who was carrying the baby dragon that was fast asleep with a watermelon-sized snout, replied calmly.

“At the same time, the shikigami [a type of familiar spirit] contract that this fellow and Bonno had been forcibly bound to was released.”

“…What?”

The reason why Akendrias El Torben was staying in Balkan was because his magnetic domain had been devoured by Lenok’s guardian spirit.

The cause was that the root mind, which was the basis of the magnetic domain, was absorbed by the guardian spirit, and a shikigami contract was forcibly formed.

A contract that should have been maintained indefinitely unless the guardian spirit, which was based on the Uroboros magic system, took away Torben’s domain and returned it.

If that was coming to an end as the guardian spirit began to absorb extreme lightning and grow.

The moment Lenok turned his gaze, having unconsciously predicted the next words.

The Archmage calmly declared.

“It seems like it’s time for me to leave soon.”

“……”

Akendrias, who was always excited and, conversely, seemed immature, had a calm and subdued expression.

This moment when his master, who lived like a drifting duckweed and seemed like he would stay in Balkan forever, was announcing his time to leave.

Seeing Lenok hesitate, the Archmage chuckled.

“Don’t look at me like that. Did you think Bonno would live in your magic tower for the rest of his life?”

“……”

“We are lightning. We don’t stay in one place for long, and even when we are nearby, we quickly look elsewhere and yearn to reach it.”

The Archmage said in a soft tone.

“There was a reason why I stopped in this city for a while, so if that reason disappears, I have to leave again, don’t I? That’s all.”

A mage who has obtained the causality of lightning engraves that lightning at the very forefront of their life.

A way of life that is only allowed to seekers who have sworn to prioritize the power of lightning above all else.

Akendrias El Torben was a seeker who maintained his words and actions more uprightly than any other transcender Lenok knew.

“I was hesitant because I was worried about the affairs of your magic tower… but now that the war has ended safely, there is no reason to delay any longer.”

The Archmage, who had slowly returned the guardian spirit he was carrying to Lenok, raised his gaze.

“A new war is brewing in the center. Transcenders from all over the continent will begin to gather towards Ars Nova. Just like you yearn for it, disciple.”

“……”

“I know that you have started to take an interest in the affairs of the center. You must think that you can only find the answer by learning about the end of the Imperial Palace.”

Torben’s words echoed quietly over the whistling wind.

“But Bonno doesn’t know if that’s the right thing to do… so I can’t give you proper guidance. I lost both the ability and the qualifications to judge that a long time ago.”

“…Akendrias.”

“So now I’m going to do my best in what Bonno can do. Knowing that the extreme lightning that the ancestors dreamed of exists, I don’t think I can hesitate any longer.”

Torben smiled.

“Bonno will lead Bonno’s magic tower in the center and try to complete his path until the end. So, disciple.”

“……”

“Will you allow this foolish old man to leave the magic tower as he pleases?”

Silence flowed.

Lenok also understood what kind of determination Torben had made when he asked this favor.

He knew that this day would come someday.

However, it was earlier than he had thought. And the moments he spent researching magic with him were more enjoyable than he had thought.

It was a very proper farewell that the Archmage had chosen, so it just took Lenok a little time to accept it.

But originally, this was the essence and way of the man named Akendrias El Torben.

A transcender who had lived as a central noble for hundreds of years and was a powerful general who had even been directly granted a strategic-class cruiser by the Imperial Palace.

He had only stayed by Lenok’s side under the guise of teaching, but he was never the kind of person who would irresponsibly abandon those who followed him.

If he respected Lenok like this until the end, Lenok also had to do his duty as someone who had received his teachings.

“…I’ll contact Jenny and have her prepare travel expenses and supplies.”

Lenok said, closing his eyes.

“You’re not planning to leave right away. You’ll have enough time to prepare that much.”

“That’s right. There might be enough time to say goodbye to the non-lightning mages who were bothering Bonno in your magic tower.”

Torben laughed.

“But disciple. For the two of us, if not for anyone else… wouldn’t this kind of way be more suitable?”

“……”

“If our relationship ends here, we’ll still need a proper farewell at the end.”

Leaving Lenok speechless, the old man slowly placed his hand on his chest.

Torben, who was more polite and dignified than any noble he had ever seen, bowed his head to Lenok.

“Archmage Torben, Akendrias El Torben. I thank you for the grace I have received from the master of the great lightning.”

* * *

Whioooo!!!

A dry wind blew over the rocky hill.

Lenok was sitting on a plateau on the outermost edge of the undeveloped area, looking down at the ground.

Each time he clenched and opened his hand, dark blue lightning pierced through the material realm and briefly bloomed before disappearing.

Crack, crack…!!!

Lenok was lost in thought, staring at the lightning that was forming and disappearing on his hand, when a cold male voice echoed beside him.

“Is that the premonition called extreme lightning?”

“……”

A middle-aged man with black hair, who had a presence as hard as steel, was quietly looking down at Lenok.

Even though he had a human appearance, there was a contradictory presence that did not feel any humanity at all.

But that was closer to the inhuman vitality accumulated over a long period of time than the ominousness of a monster or demon.

“You have succeeded in controlling the power you gained by defeating the thoughts of the Seonjong [a religious group].”

The Ironclad Dragon King said.

“Was the answer you obtained in the Nine Calamities ultimately in vain?”

“…It wasn’t in vain.”

Back then, when he drank the elixir of ascension in Kundara and obtained the fork of corruption.

Lenok first recognized the existence of the Half-Bow and mixed its power into his lightning.

From then until now, when he had completely resolved the rampage of lightning magic that had begun and obtained a new destination called extreme lightning.

The Ironclad Dragon King, who had sided with Lenok in Kundara at that time, would have a vague idea of what had happened.

That’s why Lenok was able to answer.

“Even so, I’m not sure if this is the end.”

“……”

“If you know one thing, you don’t know another. If you gain something, something will be lacking again.”

Lenok raised his gaze.

“Because many things in this world exist intertwined like a complex tangle of threads, they continue infinitely, and it is impossible to know if there is an end… Surely that is what they call causality.”

“……”

“But that’s enough. If causality means that it shouldn’t be closed, if the world means that it shouldn’t perish…”

Lenok said, grabbing his knee and standing up.

“I will reach the next with my choice. That’s all.”

“…Silver Star.”

The Dragon King closed his eyes, then corrected himself.

“Why Maleon became ‘that’ kind of being… there was an answer in it.”

“……”

“You must have believed in the answer you chose so much that you couldn’t stop the fall of abandoning your own answer.”

“Are you disappointed that it wasn’t the answer you expected?”

“…No. I see.”

The Ironclad Dragon King, who had denied it and then agreed, turned his gaze.

“I believed there was a reason, and that’s why I wanted to understand. Maleon was the most perfect dragon among us. I was looking for the justification for why he had to betray us.”

“……”

“It is enough to know that he is following you of his own will. At least if he chose a path that he would not bend once he made a decision…”

The Dragon King, who had approached Lenok, took something out of his arms and held it out.

“He will always be Maleon Gnosis himself, whom I know.”

“…What is this?”

A single old parchment in the Ironclad Dragon King’s hand.

On the paper, which was rolled up as if it had changed color from being very old, unidentifiable characters were densely written in a circle.

Just by looking at it, Lenok’s spirituality was stimulated, and he felt a strange sensation as if it was resonating with his inner power.

“It is a textbook that records the core mechanism of primordial magic, [Ancient Mystery]. It was found while organizing Maleon’s residence.”

“……”

“It is a textbook for learning primordial magic, and it is also a scripture containing the essence of the Eight Extremes of the Holy Lotus. Originally, it was an item that should have been strictly managed as a national treasure of Kundara…”

The Dragon King, who had handed it to Lenok, slowly raised his gaze.

“After thinking about it, it seems that you should be the one to take this. You are already a member of the Council of Elders and Maleon’s answer.”

“…I see.”

“So, I hope you will continue to move forward to the end for what you believe in.”

The Dragon King closed his eyes and spoke quietly with a fading presence.

“If you are Maleon’s god, his ending will not be in vain until the end.”

Kugugugugu…!!!

The entire vast rocky plateau shook violently as if an earthquake had struck.

The ground split, and the moment the rock tomb collapsed and exploded.

A giant armored dragon, hundreds of meters in size, soared into the sky and emitted a powerful roar.

KWA-AA-AA-AA-AAANG!!!!!

A dragon species that was by far the largest and most massive of any long-lived species Lenok had seen in Kundara.

The giant dragon, covered in armored scales, turned its bright yellow pupils and silently looked down at Lenok, who was standing on the ground.

Their gazes met for a moment. Before they had time to exchange any significant meaning.

The Ironclad Dragon King turned his main body and swam into the sky of the undeveloped area and disappeared.

KWA-AA-AA-AA!!!!

The sound of the air being torn apart as it cut through the sky like a fierce stream of water echoed to the end of the horizon.

Lenok was watching the moment when the giant dragon’s figure disappeared until the very end.

[It stayed a long time for something that was supposed to be a gift for Master.]

“It wasn’t staying to give me a gift.”

Lenok replied to Davi’s words and turned around.

“As the doctor said, there must be many reasons why an ancient dragon that has lived that long moves away from its affiliation. He won’t return to Kundara.”

[Then what?]

“Well… either way, it’s clear that some change has occurred in the outer city.”

Lenok muttered, raising his gaze.

“Just like I did, from now on, it’s a problem that they themselves have to solve.”

Whioooo!!!!

The wind blows.

A wind that washes away all the lingering attachments that Lenok had built up in this city.

Now that the war against the legion was over, and all the results and aftermath had been settled.

At this moment, when he had finished preparing to move on and had obtained a new means.

Lenok knew that the time to leave again was approaching.

“Let’s depart for the Four Heavenly Demon Realm.”

Lenok muttered, closing and opening his eyes.

“I will have to start my journey to the Imperial Palace of the Ars Nova Empire from there.”