Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 274

Silence fell.

Oren narrowed his brows, staring at Lenok.

It was likely because Lenok’s proposal was so unexpected, even from his perspective.

However, Lenok didn’t think it was necessary to complicate matters in this situation.

There were eight families within the citadel, but the power structure could be neatly divided into two groups.

Lenok intended to act as a kingmaker in this proxy war, using it as a condition to secure the cooperation of the Three Young and investigate the internal affairs of the eight families.

At that moment, the shadow barrier that had been blocking out the surrounding noise collapsed.

The warriors, freed from their restraints, were about to rush towards Lenok, but.

“Hahahaha!”

Everyone stopped in their tracks at Oren’s burst of laughter.

The cold, arrogant expression he had been wearing was gone, replaced by his shoulders shaking uncontrollably as he leaned back in his chair.

After laughing for a while, Oren slowly caught his breath and muttered.

“Hehehe… Listening to you, I realize how much the prestige of the Eight Directions Citadel has fallen.”

“…”

“How did things end up like this… It’s very amusing, extremely amusing…”

The focus returned to Oren’s eyes as he muttered to himself, and he coldly retorted.

“But it’s not enjoyable.”

Thud!!

At that moment, the dark shadow pulled up from under Oren’s feet once again enveloped the entire audience chamber and changed its form.

The ceiling of the wooden palace soared into the sky, casting a huge shadow over the transformed audience chamber.

Shuung!!

Lenok, with his arms crossed, silently looked up at the changing scenery of the wooden palace.

To be able to remodel his dwelling to this extent using magic, the base-building abilities of mages are indeed not to be underestimated.

“Lord!”

“How can you be alone with such an outsider…!!”

The warriors of the Three Young, pushed out of the palace, were desperately calling out their lord’s name.

Oren completely ignored the shouts coming from all directions and rose from his throne.

Flap!!

The lavish feathered coat draped over his shoulders had a sharp appearance, as if it were made by sewing together the wings of a crow.

As he stepped forward, long wings sprouted from his back, supporting his body and fluttering.

“For someone who rolled in from outside the citadel, the conditions you’ve presented are quite presumptuous.”

Saaaaaaah…

As he reached out his hand, the shadows gathered under his feet transformed into a gnarled wooden staff.

The moment he grasped the staff, Oren’s magic spread in all directions, instantly pressing down on the vast palace area.

Woo woo woo…

“I must see for myself today if you have the skills to back it up.”

Oren still had a clear smile on his face as he said that.

Only then did Lenok realize what emotion was contained in his face and chuckled.

“Three Young Lord, you were never interested in my proposal from the start.”

“…”

“Are you not going to have any conversation without testing my skills?”

It wasn’t incomprehensible. He couldn’t possibly change the family’s cautious observation policy with just a few words.

But was it a mistake to think that the smile on Oren’s lips was closer to competitiveness than curiosity?

“I’ve been curious for a long time about the level the cartel’s executives have reached.”

Oren said, laying the hand holding the staff horizontally.

“That lightning that killed the rogue monk… Show it to me with your own eyes!!”

Woo woo woo!!

At that moment, the shadows in the audience chamber surged up all at once, swirling around Oren.

They pulsed like sticky tar, slowly but surely saturating the space and adding color.

Even Lenok, who had some knowledge and sense of shadow magic, was impressed by the level of manipulation.

It was the first time Lenok had seen a mage who could handle shadows, which were merely traces of light, so freely.

“I thought something like this might happen.”

Lenok also smiled, raising his magic power.

“It was the right decision to come alone.”

The mage, with blue lightning flashing from both hands, and the lord of the Three Young clashed almost simultaneously.

Kwaaaang!!

The explosion of lightning and shadows that erupted from their fingertips overlapped, sending heavy shockwaves in all directions.

Instead of ending with a single clash, the magic power that should have escaped the mage’s control after its manifestation came alive, splitting into dozens of lightning bolts and hundreds of shadow projectiles.

A torrent of magic power relentlessly surged.

Ignoring the sharp edges that mercilessly grazed his limbs, the two mages twisted the magic in their hands.

Dududududududu!!!

[Lightning Barrage]

[Shadow Beast Release: Twilight]

The thick current that erupted from between Lenok’s fingers transformed into lightning that raced through the air and traversed the ground in the blink of an eye.

The shadows that rose from under Oren’s feet swirled in all directions, transforming into the forms of huge beasts and rushing forward.

The shadows that filled the ground and the lightning that flashed endlessly in the air flickered and subsided without giving an inch, seizing each other’s territory.

Kagagak!!!

Below his left knee, after deflecting the approaching shadow blades by bending three shields at right angles, he flipped his fingers and slammed a huge ice pillar behind him.

Immediately after, dozens of shadow needles shot out, embedding themselves between the ice pillars and turning into hundreds of ice crystals.

The cold chill created by the magic power crystals. He inhaled it all, raising his spirit once more.

By now, Lenok’s left eye had turned a passionate purple.

‘Tricky.’

The order of attacks that Oren threw out was surprisingly not that intense or extreme.

However, the shadow magic itself, which thoroughly mixed preemptive strikes, checks, and counterattacks, changed more diversely and flexibly than anything else, making Lenok’s response difficult.

Sharp thorns extended from the shadow spheres that rose from the floor, and the jaws of beasts popped out from the ends of the thorns, trying to bite Lenok.

He understood and manipulated the characteristics of shadows, which had no fixed form, better than anyone else.

This was possible not only because of long training and combat experience, but also because Oren’s innate thinking ability was free.

The privilege of shadow magic, which maintained the basics of combat necessary for a mage while freely twisting the direction at the end of the offensive.

It was a very different combat logic from Parden McQueen, who had versatile abilities but preferred to overwhelm with force.

“You made such a big fuss, and this is all you’ve got!!”

Not only was he manipulating dozens of shadow piles tied to his fingertips, but Oren was also starting to close the distance towards Lenok.

Voices of astonishment echoed among the other warriors who were gaping at the scene, but Oren paid no attention.

Kagagagak!!

[Dark Scythe]

Rather, with movements so fluid that Lenok was slightly surprised, he added a huge scythe to the staff in his hand and began to apply pressure.

Instead of being flustered by the sudden close-quarters combat, Lenok flicked his fingers.

The ice crystals that had been scattered among the shattered ice pillars exploded in all directions, scattering a cold chill like a storm.

Teteoteoteong!!

“Huuuuh…!!!”

But instead of stopping there, Oren took a deep breath and threw himself into the cold storm that was raging from all directions.

Only then did Lenok realize Oren’s intentions and smiled.

Kaaaang!!

A huge ice spear that was slammed down from the air received Oren’s shadow scythe.

Immediately after, an ice spear of the same size surrounded Oren and slammed down, creating a huge ice prison.

Looking down at the shadow scythe that had come right up to his nose, Lenok muttered.

“Now that I see it, your way of thinking is closer to a warrior than a mage. Or, have you lived as a warrior while possessing such magical talent?”

He had roughly guessed when he saw Hyuun, who had picked a fight with him at the Three Young’s main house, but now he could be sure.

Combat style as a warrior and manipulation ability as a mage.

The lord of the Three Young, Oren, was a superhuman who had completed himself by reaching the pinnacle in both of these aspects.

“Interesting. Are all the Ascended [a term for those who have reached a high level of power] in the citadel like this?”

“The fun hasn’t worn off yet, what nonsense are you spouting!!”

Oren shouted, transforming the shadow blade into a huge hand.

The moment the shadow hand was about to grab and swallow Lenok.

[Binding Explosion]

Kwaaaaaaaang!!

The ice prison that had been confining Oren exploded entirely, emitting an enormous shockwave.

Lenok, deflecting the aftermath by tilting his shield, spoke indifferently.

“But closing the distance means it’s easier to predict your movements. Is there any reason to narrow your options when you have such magical abilities?”

For Lenok, who had succeeded in visualizing the observation of the branching point from a local perspective through his magic eye, it was a bad move.

However, Oren was not fazed by the intense heat of magic that had erupted around him.

Rather, the coat he was wearing on his shoulders rose like huge shadow wings, enveloping and protecting his body.

Flap!!

As Oren’s body was revealed from inside the coat, he spread his wings and flew into the sky.

Lenok stared up at him and asked.

“If the purpose is to gauge my level, isn’t this enough?”

A battle between superhumans who had reached the Ascended level.

It was impossible to end it without raising their power to a considerable degree.

However, if they were to wield their power by adding domains or microcosms, this huge wooden palace would not be able to withstand it.

He was curious whether Oren’s hierarchy, who possessed the capabilities of both a warrior and a mage, was completed with a microcosm or a domain, but Oren probably wasn’t hoping for that either.

Oren, who had been silently looking down at Lenok, faintly twisted his lips.

“…Alright. I see that your arrogance is justified.”

He slowly laid his staff horizontally and muttered.

“Let’s decide the outcome with the next three exchanges.”

Kiiiiiiik…!!

The shadow at the end of the staff that he held out towards Lenok twisted and spiraled, forming a spiral spear shaft.

Lenok, having confirmed that, immediately raised his magic power as well.

“There’s no need for three.”

Pajijijijik…!!

Inside his coat, Davi shone, assisting Lenok’s magic, and the essence of alchemy that had melted into his body responded and obeyed his will.

“I’ll prove it in one.”

Creation-type Unique Magic: Alchemy Application

Dual Forging.

Pajijijijijijik!!

Two streams of electricity that leaked from between Lenok’s fingers twisted into a double helix, transforming into a harpoon the size of his forearm.

The electricity, which had been flashing with an intense amount of light that would have been enough to blind both eyes.

[Bias Lightning], designed solely for penetration and afterglow, was mixed with the common magic [Alpha Light], and began to emit a pure white aurora of extreme light.

Paaaaaaaah!!!

The shadows that had settled in the courtyard were completely swept away by the extraordinary amount of light, and the shadows also retreated.

The expressions of the warriors who were watching the scene from all directions changed in an instant.

“…”

For a moment, the corners of Oren’s mouth twitched, but neither mage stopped their magic.

Their thoughts raced through the air, preempting the space, and a beat later, their magic moved according to their will.

Two spears, aimed in different directions from the sky and the ground, were drawn to each other like magnets, connecting head to head.

Jeojeojeojeok!!!

“Ugh…!!”

“Everyone, stay in your positions!!”

A sight where light and shadow were divided into two lines, as if bisecting the space.

The air in the area was brutally shattered by the impact, sending heavy winds in all directions, and the other warriors struggled to secure their vision.

In that fleeting moment, Lenok’s composite magic, which had penetrated the inside of the shadow spear, changed once more.

[Piercing Strike]

Woodududududuk!!

A single flash of light that pierced through Oren’s shadow mark, which was trying to maintain its form, and continued to accelerate, rushing towards Oren’s close proximity.

“Umm!!!”

The flash of electricity, which grazed Oren’s shoulder by a hair’s breadth, tore through the air and soared into the sky.

The flash of light, which had been soaring into the sky, shattered the ceiling of the wooden palace that had risen into the sky, revealing the clear sky to the courtyard.

Paaaaaaah!!

Immediately after, the extreme light that Lenok had shot out shattered in the sky, creating a small aurora over the wooden palace.

“…!!!!”

Only then did Oren’s eyes widen as he realized that Lenok’s magic had not been aimed at him from the start, but it was already too late.

The sunlight projected by the extreme light had begun to devour Oren’s shadow relentlessly.

“I also have some knowledge of shadows.”

Lenok muttered, looking up at Oren’s frozen face.

“Among all magic, isn’t the special manipulation system that is most susceptible to the environment? You can hide the weaknesses, but it’s not a magic that can be eliminated, is it?”

Unlike black magic, which essentially draws out the darkness within, shadows are a magic that is manifested by using a medium that exists as a real concept as a catalyst.

It is easier to manipulate than general black magic, has a higher magic conductivity, and is relatively more compatible with special magic.

However, even considering that, it is a clear fact that it is relatively more difficult to cope with environmental restrictions and sudden changes in the battlefield.

It wasn’t a problem that he had weakened Oren’s shadow right now.

Lenok had shown Oren directly that he could continue to turn the tables with a single gesture.

Oren, who had lost all the mediums of his magic in an instant and was left defenseless.

The warriors also began to move.

“How dare this impudent bastard!!”

“Everyone, protect the lord!”

“Stop!!”

The relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense, and just as it was about to reach its limit.

Oren’s shout stopped everything.

“L, Lord…?”

“Why, that mage…”

“Everyone, don’t move.”

He ignored everything else that was moving around him and stared at the floor of the wooden palace where the shadows had disappeared.

Even if the sky was filled with bright extreme light, the existence of shadows could not be avoided as long as an object existed.

But what if the faint shadows that remained were drawing a specific pattern?

If you combined the remnants of the real aurora and the invisible flow of magic and drew it in your head, one picture would come to mind.

The shape of a dragon with a shark’s head.

The remnants of one of the gods worshiped by the Ear Cult [a fictional religious group].

Along with the shape of the annihilation that he had left behind when facing the black mage Craig, there was another pattern that existed.

Lenok had deliberately shown Oren a part of the knowledge he possessed.

To see what the identity of the force behind this citadel really was.

“…”

How much did Oren really know?

Looking at the message Lenok had just given him, how much was he guessing?

Was he, as Lenok thought, the right person to stir up this rigid citadel stage?

Lenok’s deeply sunken eyes met Oren’s gaze.

“Hehehe…”

Oren, who had let out a sinister laugh, dropped the staff he had been holding.

Looking down at the staff that had scattered and disappeared into the shadows, he sighed deeply and slowly descended to the ground.

“I’m getting old. If this had happened in the old days, I would have seen it through to the end.”

The shadow wings fluttering on his shoulders as he muttered that were not even slightly disturbed.

Even under this courtyard where the intense sunlight was shining, the shadows he controlled had a solid form as if they were not affected by the environment.

It was proof that, apart from being surprised by Lenok’s extreme light, Oren had also completed his magic to the point where it was not greatly affected by the environment.

But even with such power and status in his hands, his expression still looked complicated.

“Follow me.”

Oren, turning his back, headed towards the back of the audience chamber first, and Lenok slowly followed behind him.