Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 245

Despite Zionis’s unconventional remarks, the meeting concluded surprisingly quickly. It was as if the person in charge had already been decided, as the other elders did not strongly object. Mauzer, who had been granted access to all the Magic Tower’s facilities and had left the meeting room in a flash, muttered with a disgruntled expression. ‘He’s a rare one among the youngsters these days, a proper fellow. The conversation was much more reasonable than I expected.’ ‘Zionis Verbane is one of the Tower Lord’s direct disciples residing in the Blaver Magic Tower’s central branch, a supernova who reached the Saint level before even turning seventy,’ Ivelin said. It seemed she had done considerable research on the Magic Tower before coming here, as she didn’t hesitate to share information with Mauzer. ‘Good heavens, does that mean he’s one of the few 7th-level mages among the elders?’ ‘With the Blaver Magic Tower’s central branch’s forces called to the front due to conflicts in the vicinity, he’s said to be the most skilled person in the tower right now. It’s understandable why others didn’t object.’ ‘Hmm, he’s certainly a bit different from the stuffy mages we’ve seen so far. At this level, wouldn’t it be fair to say that the Blaver Magic Tower has done its part?’ ‘…It’s not quite that simple.’ Ivelin said in a subdued voice. ‘Three days is far too short to explore this entire massive tower.’ This enormous tower, located in the middle of a lava lake, is easily the size of six or more multi-story buildings combined. Even excluding those who reside here to study magic and learn as a discipline, there are countless ancient books, materials, various equipment, artifacts, and research papers that have been accumulated for over hundreds of years, occupying a vast space. ‘Moreover, that man Zionis didn’t even mention giving us a proper guide.’ ‘It’s a measure that’s clearly mindful of external perception,’ Lenox said. ‘In any case, just the fact that the Magic Tower has opened all its internal facilities to the delegations of the two cities will be enough to restore the tower’s prestige, showing that it’s operating normally.’ However, such proactive behavior significantly reduces the possibility that the Magic Tower succumbed to the Demonic Faction during their fight. Contrary to Ivelin’s concerns, could it be that the Blaver Magic Tower only suffered significant losses in the conflict with Pandemonium? Instead of immediately concluding the question, Lenox quietly closed his eyes and began to sense the flow of mana around him. Even if he couldn’t find traces of the Demonic Faction right away, there were countless things Lenox could do. It was a rare opportunity that the mage Zionis had personally granted permission to use the tower’s facilities. If he didn’t make the most of this opportunity, he wouldn’t be a mage. * * * As Ivelin suggested, the group decided to split up and focus on gathering information in the places they each deemed important. It would be highly inefficient for everyone to stick together while exploring this vast tower. Considering that, it was wise to divide the group, set areas, and conduct intensive investigations there. Mauzer seemed to be planning to move separately, if only to inquire about the whereabouts of his companions. Among them, Lenox chose the ancient book storage and the training grounds located in the basement of the tower. It was a spacious area designed to allow the tower’s mages to continue their training without having to leave the tower. ‘Many mages have visited our tower, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a sorcerer who has mastered ice magic,’ the guide managing the training area said. ‘Is that so?’ ‘Yes. It’s a rather incompatible attribute in many ways, so there are many inconveniences from the moment they arrive until they stay in the tower. For example…’ The guide naturally stretched his arm towards the garden outside the corridor window. A giant lizard, easily over a meter in size, was flicking its tongue from beyond the glass window. Green flames flickered and danced on the lizard’s back. It was clear that it was not an ordinary creature. ‘That’s a Salamander. It’s one of the magical beasts that live in volcanic areas, and it has a characteristic of liking fire and disliking cold. Usually, they become violent when they see sorcerers who have mastered ice spells…’ The guide’s words suddenly stopped. The lizard, which had been staring at Lenox, suddenly pressed its head against the glass window and began to rub its cheeks madly. Rub rub rub rub. ‘…’ A sense of joy, as if meeting a long-lost friend. Both mages were speechless at the lizard’s passionate gestures, as if it was showering them with affection. ‘Ha, haha… It seems the mage has taken a great liking to you. It’s not usually this friendly to just anyone.’ ‘Are you raising these creatures in the training area?’ Lenox naturally changed the subject while asking the question. In fact, Lenox’s proficiency in fire magic was much higher than his ice magic, so it was only natural. There was no reason to show any suspicion even in this situation. ‘Ah, yes. The 3rd building, where the training area is located, is built sturdily, so we have various tools and creatures to gauge the level of mages. Would you like to take a look around?’ According to the guide, the 3rd building was often shown to outsiders when they wanted to see the scenery of the Magic Tower, as there were many interesting things inside. Knots that change in strength depending on the concentration of mana, puzzles used to test mana manipulation abilities, and paper that changes color depending on the level of mana sensitivity. Various artifacts were prepared purely to stimulate the challenging spirit of trainees and increase their desire for self-improvement. ‘The most representative item is this one.’ The guide took out a transparent crystal from an antique display case and handed it to Lenox. ‘If you hold it and infuse it with mana, it’s an artifact that shows the instantaneous output of mana in numerical form.’ ‘I see.’ ‘Would you like to try it?’ Lenox reached out his hand without thinking, but then he suddenly came to his senses and shook his head. ‘N-no, thank you.’ A strange, intense sense of déjà vu stopped Lenox. It felt as if the crystal would shatter if he touched it. With his extraordinary intuition, Lenox avoided a development that seemed familiar, and instead, he picked up an item placed on the shelf while letting the guide lead the way. A discrimination paper that changes color depending on mana sensitivity. The higher the sensitivity, the more diverse the colors that appear. Fortunately, it was a consumable item, so it seemed like no one would notice if one went missing. As he lightly held the paper and infused it with mana, various colors instantly appeared on the paper, and then they began to cover the entire paper madly. Lenox stared at the paper, which had become completely black after the colors overlapped and overlapped, and then he slipped it into his coat pocket. Belatedly, the guide realized that Lenox was not following him and turned his head. ‘Is something the matter?’ ‘…It’s nothing.’ After that, Lenox followed the guide around the 3rd tower. ‘This is a beacon that makes the mana flow of fire mages smoother…’ Whoosh! ‘This is pressure glass that can withstand a certain amount of mana pressure…’ Crash! ‘This is pollen that is sensitively felt depending on the sensitivity…’ ‘Cough!’ ‘…’ ‘…’ The mage’s eyebrows narrowed in the middle. Lenox also coughed and subtly avoided his gaze. Perhaps because it was a facility where knowledge and talent for magic were gathered, Lenox’s unique talent was affecting everything around him just by passing by. It would be troublesome if he aroused suspicion here. However, the guide soon relaxed his expression and smiled brightly. ‘Indeed, the world is vast, and there are many talented people. With this level of skill, it’s no wonder you were able to come to our tower for inspection.’ ‘…’ Well, he had expected it to some extent, but he was too naive. One might say he didn’t know the ways of the world. It seemed that there was a sense of superiority over those who didn’t know magic, but even considering that, he had neither the guts nor the cunning to join a criminal organization. At least, among the mages he had confirmed in this area, there were none who seemed to be colluding with the Demonic Faction. …Should he probe a little more? Lenox cleared his throat and subtly brought up the topic. ‘It seems you’re also interested in the world outside the tower.’ ‘Well… yes. Who wouldn’t be? When you work in the tower, you feel how long the days are. It’s been over 10 years since I entered the tower, so the outside scenery is now a blur.’ They were people who had come to this remote volcanic area with their innate magical talent and their own will, but it was only natural that they would sometimes have other thoughts. Lenox roughly accepted his words and began to tell him briefly about life in Balkan. The mages were initially indifferent, but it was difficult not to be interested in the gruesome stories of blood flowing in the back alleys. ‘Oh, that’s…’ ‘Huh, to think that such unruly fellows are running rampant. This is not good.’ ‘It’s ridiculous that ignorant people who have learned magic over their shoulders are pretending to be mages in the shadows of a large city.’ If you subtly praised the mages of the tower while belittling freelance mages like Lenox, the atmosphere would quickly become amicable. Even if the mages of the tower maintained a humble attitude on the surface, they basically had a subtle sense of superiority over those who were not properly educated in the use of mana. The flattery that they could easily take a position in Balkan right now felt more realistic because of Lenox’s calm demeanor. It was an obvious flattery, but that was why it worked even better. The atmosphere quickly became lively. The mages who had gathered were now starting to share various facts they had heard about life in the city. Lenox, who had succeeded in gathering the nearby mages in an instant, naturally changed the subject when the atmosphere was ripe. ‘Well, these stories would be better known by Zionis than me. I’m just a mage from the back alleys of the city, but he’s the Tower Lord’s direct disciple and must have traveled to many places.’ ‘Ah, that person…’ The mages’ expressions became slightly awkward at the mention of his name, but it was not enough to disrupt the already cheerful atmosphere. Naturally, words about Zionis began to flow from the mages’ mouths. ‘His evaluation is so good that he might be promoted to the Five Flame Pillars soon. He’s the Tower Lord’s direct disciple, and he’s not only diligent in his training but also very kind to other mages.’ ‘Moreover, it was he who actively moved to resolve the recent ominous atmosphere of many missing people, instead of the old men of the elders…’ ‘Hey! Watch your mouth, friend!!’ It didn’t take long for a few young mages, eager to join the conversation, to make a slip of the tongue. However, instead of dwelling on the slip of the tongue, Lenox nonchalantly turned his head and raised his mana again. ‘The story has become too long. May I see a little more of the Blaver Magic Tower’s proud facilities?’ Lenox smiled faintly as he looked at the slightly awkward mages. ‘If there are no particular interruptions, I would like to see the power of the unique fire magic today.’ Just as Lenox was about to try to steal the fire magic of the mages in the training area by naturally bringing up the topic. ‘If that’s what you wish, I’ll be your opponent myself.’ A cold voice suddenly came from behind. ‘…’ An icy, chilling voice. However, the fact that there was no hostility in the tone made the timbre even more memorable. A man with disheveled hair and a monocle on his left eye. The tall man was staring at them. Even in this hot place, he was wearing a thick reddish-brown coat and walked towards them without any hesitation, looking down at the two of them. A transparent expression that seemed like no blood would come out even if you stabbed him. His expression, which did not reveal any emotion, was not much different from the voice he had heard on his first day at the tower. It was not difficult to recognize who the other party was. The mages of the tower quickly bowed their heads with greatly agitated expressions. ‘Lord Zionis…!!’ ‘What brings you to the 3rd tower…’ ‘I heard that one of the guests is actively touring our tower.’ A nonchalant gaze shone from behind the monocle. ‘If you are a mage who has directly broken through the Ignition Invitation Array [a magical barrier] outside the tower, it is only natural to be interested.’ ‘…’ ‘Moreover, if you are an ice mage, which is not normal for someone to visit a volcanic area… wouldn’t it be natural to be interested?’ ‘Very well.’ Lenox also nodded without hesitation. ‘If I can directly test my skills against a mage who has completed his rank, that alone would be worth it.’ Zionis Verbane. The Tower Lord’s direct disciple, who had just reached the Saint level and was dispatched to the Western Continent branch as a candidate for the Blaver Magic Tower’s Flame Pillar. The mages of the tower seemed to be accepting his existence in their own way, but from Lenox’s point of view, there were one or two suspicious points. Unlike the elders who didn’t even show their faces, what did it mean that he was the first to show his face like this? He might be able to guess the traces from his magic.