Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 425

A former Chief Justice and a great military mage of level 8.

The funeral of Madrich Onion, who had contributed to many areas for the sake of order since the early days of the megacity, was indeed grand.

A public official who had left the military city and devoted himself to the city for a long time while working in the Balkans.

Although in the end, he attempted policies that deviated from the city government’s keynote, aiming to establish a control mechanism to replace the Yulryeong [a type of governing body or system], and died in an unfortunate accident.

What problem could there be in mourning and honoring a spirit that is already dead and gone?

Madrich Onion had not left behind any family or relatives during his lifetime, so there were no obstacles in organizing his legacy and celebrating his contributions.

The fact that he had captured sacrifices at a ruined naval base outside the city and used them to create military orders.

Also, that he had fought a final battle with Lenok, lost, and vanished.

That he had lived and died without bending for anything but his ideals until the very last moment.

The citizens standing in the middle of the downtown area, mourning his death, do not know.

A large photo of Madrich in his official uniform is carried in a limousine, passing through the middle of the road.

Escort vehicles and police officers flank the limousine on both sides.

Lenok stood on the street with his face exposed, silently watching the scene.

“…….”

Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since he’s walked around the streets with his face exposed like this.

As he awkwardly stroked his rough chin, he naturally thought of one person who knew Lenok’s true appearance.

What would Aris have said if she were here?

Almost two months have passed since she said she had to return to the Magic Tower.

She took a sabbatical from Lavatenon University, and it was an indefinite time when she would return.

Was it really the right choice not to ask her why at that time?

Even with the perfect reason and judgment of a mage, he always looks back on the past and hesitates.

He vows every time not to leave any regrets, but it’s never as easy as it sounds.

At least when he occasionally had deep interactions with other people, Lenok always looked back to see if that moment was right.

Ivelin, Jintun, Lapis, and even the monsters of Pandemonium.

There are connections that must not be forgotten, and cannot be forgotten.

Lenok watched the funeral procession of Madrich Onion disappear into the distance for a long time before leaving.

Christmas carols echoing from every corner of the street. The sight of people celebrating each other as the end of the year approaches.

[May next year be filled with better things than this year.]

[Have a happy end of the year, and a happy new year!]

Even as he walks through the countless crowds, Lenok’s face naturally changes to that of Van.

His face, his presence, his attire, all the elements that stimulate the five senses, and even the magic pattern that makes up a mage’s personality.

Even the act of changing his identity, which used to be done with extreme caution, choosing the time and place, is now as free as breathing.

It’s not just because of a vague certainty that he won’t be caught by others during a series of disguises.

The more Lenok’s power transcends the hierarchy, the more he fills the content that matches his talent. The more his doubts about himself turn into certainty.

The fear of being exposed is fading that much.

He has moved past the time of discussing an uncertain future with only limitless possibilities, past the memory of fearing someone who would recognize his vessel and covet Lenok’s talent.

Lenok is also clearly aware that he is completing himself and looking beyond that realm.

Even if someone were to recognize and understand what kind of being he actually is through Lenok’s current appearance.

Lenok was gaining both the power and the qualifications to endure the revelation of that truth and secret.

“…….”

When he changes his appearance to Van’s face and steps into the outer district, he feels that the gaze directed at him has changed again.

Madrich Onion’s death was officially left uninvestigated, but rumors related to him are still circulating throughout the streets.

Kyonroe, who received a request from Oliviera Ron Maze, fought and defeated Madrich Onion.

Dyke and the Cartel joined forces to bring down Achilles.

In the process, rumors spread throughout the streets that Van’s power had reached the sky.

‘As expected… it doesn’t go as planned.’

There is no longer hatred or jealousy in the gazes directed at Lenok.

There were no fools who didn’t know that the rumors circulating in this world were not just nonsense.

Admiration and awe, or incomprehension and fear, as if looking at a monster or genius that they could not fully understand.

The awkward attitude of those who could not hide those emotions, nor openly reveal them, and instead avoided his gaze, conversely showed what kind of status Lenok had gained in this street.

With each step forward, others slowly retreated as his coat fluttered.

People feared and were wary of even his limping gait, which was still affected by the aftermath of his injuries.

Even that faltering movement was proof that Kyonroe had fought Madrich Onion and survived.

Clang!

As he opened the door to the bar and went down the stairs, Jenny turned her head and smiled awkwardly.

“Ah, Van……”

Of course, her awkwardness was not due to Lenok’s changed status.

“While you were away, we received calls from various places. Among them, there are some… places that are difficult to refuse separately. I think we need to get confirmation first.”

“What is it?”

Lenok, who was struggling to receive the glass of alcohol that Jorden handed him, asked with his head bowed.

Jenny lowered her head slightly and said,

“Because of the rumors about Madrich Onion, we’ve received calls from several Magic Towers.”

“……Magic Towers?”

Since Lenok began to make a name for himself in the outer district of the megacity, he had not had many connections with the Magic Towers.

Unless he met someone from the Magic Tower separately, or moved as an agent receiving a specific request, there was no reason to encounter the academic world of the Yangji [a term referring to the upper or elite class].

That’s why, even after he started building his reputation as a freelancer and got involved with the big shots of the underworld, he had never paid much attention to it.

Perhaps Jenny also didn’t have much experience receiving calls from the Magic Towers like this. Her slightly awkward attitude proved it.

It was as if she was only now realizing that Lenok was a real mage.

“Actually, we didn’t have a proper conversation, but I have a general idea. They all really want to confirm that, um… that.”

“That?”

Jenny rolled her eyes and bit her lip slightly before speaking.

“That… the Archmage. It’s a bit strange to say it like this… but I think they want to know if you’ve reached level 8.”

“……”

“Ah, of course, I’m not asking you to tell me now. It’s a very personal area and it’s your privacy.”

Jenny waved her hands in front of Lenok’s calm face.

“What should I say… just keep it in mind. I think we’ll keep getting calls with similar requests. As your broker, I need to have a proper answer for that… that’s it.”

Lenok chuckled.

“You don’t have to be so cautious. I have a rough idea of what’s going on.”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s just a difference of one number, but it means that there are many people who attach meaning to it……”

He leaned back in his chair, tilting his glass as he pondered.

It was not difficult to understand that the recent fight, in which he won against a level 8 Archmage in the name of Van, had caused a great stir.

A Saint-level ability user who has completed the seven stages of self-modification is a monster and superhuman who can lead an organization anywhere on the continent.

However, the big shots of level 8 who have transcended that hierarchy are not beings that can be judged as the same as humans.

How many people would take the risk of throwing away the seven hierarchies they have built up over a lifetime while in their right mind?

But that is why level 8 Archmages are treated as strongmen and big shots who will go down in the history of the continent.

Even in this megacity where tens of millions of people live, and even in the various Magic Towers that are indifferent to mages who are not of their own faction.

The birth of a new Archmage is proof that it is a rare and unusual event.

No, even if it’s not, it doesn’t matter.

It was obvious how many people would want a mage who had proven that he had obtained power comparable to level 8, even though he had not yet reached that level.

Lenok finished his thoughts and stood up.

“I have no intention of changing my standards. Tell them that.”

“You will only accept requests for assignments, but the rewards and themes will be related to space-time magic and artifacts?”

For a brief moment, it was true that he thought he might be able to hear news about Aris by taking this opportunity.

But Lenok already knew that there was no great meaning in hearing news about each other in this way.

In the end, even if they acknowledge that Lenok has gained power comparable to level 8 in this way, there is no great gain.

It would only increase the number of people who demand responsibility commensurate with that power.

At this point, when Lenok himself could not yet say that he had fully reached the extreme, there was no need to answer and acknowledge such a thing first.

The important thing was to reorganize all the power and order swirling within him in the direction he had originally intended.

“I’ve already told them to maintain the existing attitude, but should I contact them again separately?”

“No.”

Lenok, who had emptied the remaining glass of alcohol, turned his head sharply.

“I’ll talk to them myself.”

Whoosh…!!

At that moment, Lenok’s body disappeared from the spot as if it had been turned off, and he appeared behind the wide bar.

Under the dim lighting, Lenok sat down casually among those who were negotiating over items on a plush sofa that was bent at a right angle, and said as he leaned back.

“You must have heard what’s going on, so let’s make this short.”

“……Hey, what the hell are you doing, interfering with our deal?”

“We’re in the middle of an important conversation, so get lost.”

Two men who were not at all intimidated by Lenok, but rather bared their teeth.

Lenok smiled at them.

“I cast an awareness-blocking spell on the others before I came in. It’s commendable that you noticed it and pretended not to know me.”

“What nonsense are you spouting……”

“But you two were the only ones who didn’t stop talking the moment I entered the bar. The customers who come here are quite sensitive, so they tend to pay attention even for a moment when a new face comes in.”

“……”

Only after he said that did the two men immediately shut their mouths.

The dirty hostility in their eyes vanished as if it had been washed away, and only a calm, even intellectual, light shone.

“Torbun Magic Tower, right? It’s my first time seeing you in person. You can deliver a message to the other Magic Towers on my behalf.”

Lenok ignored their reaction and picked up a bottle of alcohol on the table, pouring it into their glasses.

“Tell them that I have no intention of getting involved in the Magic Tower’s dirty war business. Stepping onto the front lines will be entirely my decision. Do you understand?”

Torbun Magic Tower, which researches electric-type unique magic.

Wasn’t Eden, the boss of the Seeger Bang Gang, who first made Lenok realize the existence of unique magic, also from this place?

One of the groups of mages who are most actively engaged in the war business using their power and knowledge.

Although they outwardly claim to be exploring scholarship and intellect, Lenok was well aware that they were no different from the Order of Mages, who were directly involved in the central front and focused on the fight for vested interests.

Even the Blaber Magic Tower he had visited before had its tower lord directly involved in the front lines, engaged in endless battles.

Even if he had thought that it was a power that was not worth paying attention to until now, if that power was comparable to the extreme, it was necessary to check it out.

That was why the people of the Magic Tower had already come to the city to check Lenok’s face in person.

“……I heard you weren’t an arrogant genius who only relied on his talent, but you’re more than I expected.”

The man who had been threatening Lenok just a moment ago quickly changed his expression.

“Well, a mage who has climbed up from this rough city can’t be an ordinary pushover.”

“……”

“The tower lord told me to try to coax you into making a promise, but I think differently. I agree with what you said.”

The man, who had emptied the glass of alcohol that Lenok had poured, laughed.

“You’re right, Kyonroe. In times like these, it would be difficult for a talented new star to gain any meaning by participating in the central front… The front lines are a mess right now.”

“I see.”

“The front lines have become very chaotic since a few apostles of the Order intervened. They don’t just end up as powerful superhumans, but turn into monsters and run wild… As a result, attempts to break through the barrier have become less frequent.”

“……”

The apostles of the Order of the Ear.

Lenok had once seen what kind of form the monsters who worship the end of the outer sea as a god and use its power would take in the end.

Just like Walter Martinez, the terrain would be turned upside down and people would die just from the monsters, which were dozens of meters tall, running wild.

However, he did not expect to hear directly from a person involved that the situation on the central front was difficult.

“Normally, I would hide this kind of story and try to coax you with pleasant words… but there’s no need to use useless tricks on a man like you.”

“So you’ve already finished calculating in the meantime?”

“If it’s difficult to coax you, then we should at least try to look good, right? I’ve just made a wise decision.”

The man, who shrugged his shoulders, nudged his companion sitting next to him.

“Now that we know that there’s little chance that you’ll be swayed by the other Magic Towers, it’s our turn to try to look good to you. Let’s think of it that way.”

Lenok chuckled at the frank impression.

“I heard you’re good at the war business, and your mind works pretty fast. I like that you’re honest.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

The man, who looked at the remaining bottle of alcohol with regret, replied.

“But other organizations besides the Magic Towers probably don’t think much differently. You know that, right?”

“……”

“It’s your own doing. Because you proved it. A mage who has already built up power comparable to the extreme. The fact that we don’t know your level is even more attractive.”

The man continued to speak, looking at Lenok, who had his arms crossed and his head bowed.

“There will be many people who can’t accept that such power is freely roaming around without being tied down anywhere. There will be many people who want to have you. I don’t know how you’ve managed your reputation so far……”

“I know.”

“You know?”

Lenok nodded.

“If I hadn’t thought about that, I wouldn’t have started this. But… it’s just that I need to raise this name as high as possible, even if I have to go through that trouble.”

He knew why this was happening now.

Many of the countless things Lenok had done so far were not done solely in the name of Van, and Lenok had thoroughly controlled his own reputation and status.

It was possible because he had carefully controlled the street’s reputation and the evaluation of Van with Jenny’s help in all those series of processes.

Even the series of events that took place in the Hanghasa Labyrinth were disguised and disguised under the name of Evan, not Van.

Since then, he had vaguely recognized that he possessed power comparable to level 8, but that fact was only now revealed in the name of Van.

In the end, he understood that in order to access the most secret secrets that the project and the city council were hiding, proof commensurate with that was necessary.

Facing Madrich Onion and digging up his foundation without leaving anything behind was just the beginning.

He had to uncover the secrets of Alcaide, even if it meant directly opposing the city council that ruled this city.

In the end, if he did not understand what that name meant, he would not be able to move forward from the empty echo that there was no next step.

At Lenok’s unwavering answer, the man was silent for a moment before nodding.

“I said something unnecessary… It’s a problem that you know much better than I do.”

“I appreciate the advice.”

“Okay. Then I’ll be on my way. I enjoyed the drink.”

The man said that and was about to turn around when he suddenly remembered something and took something out of his pocket.

“Ah, just in case. This is a list of the Magic Towers that have contacted us. It would be good for you to know who is interested in you, Kyonroe.”

“……”

Lenok took the list without thinking and scanned it before stopping.

[3rd Seat of the Sinclair Magic Tower Council of Elders]