Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 6

With a soft flutter, the pages that had been flipping rapidly came to a stop at the last chapter.

‘Magic patterns. So that’s a thing.’

It was a concept Lenok knew about but hadn’t needed to focus on when playing the Magic Gunner character. Now, he concentrated and read the book.

From the moment a mage awakens their magic, a magic pattern is created, a unique trace left behind each time magic is used.

According to the book, these patterns are like a mage’s fingerprints, and once solidified, they can’t be changed.

‘However, it says it’s meaningless for archmages above level 8 because they can adjust magic at the particle level… What exactly is level 8?’

In WORLD 2.0, where Lenok played the Magic Gunner, mage levels weren’t defined by numbers but by the grade of ‘Sinister’ [a unique magic system] they could use.

Therefore, it was hard to understand what level 8 meant in this world.

In any case, this was new knowledge Lenok hadn’t encountered in the game, so he needed to examine his own magic pattern directly.

‘Spread your palm, place the index finger of the other hand in the center, and let the magic flow.’

Following the book’s instructions, he moved his magic. It flowed along his finger, spread across his palm, and began to form a pattern.

Lenok watched with curiosity as three spirals intersected and danced across his palm, but then his expression shifted to one of surprise.

The moment he slightly adjusted the magic, the spirals flipped completely, turning into dozens of diamond shapes.

“……”

When he moved the magic again, countless concentric circles appeared, covering his palm.

Before long, Lenok realized he could freely change the magic pattern as he imagined.

He didn’t know the exact extent, but this alone proved he had magic control at the level of an archmage.

Considering it had been less than three days since he awakened his magic, it was absurd.

‘My talent is definitely something else.’

Right. Given that he received such a weak body, his talent had to be extraordinary to compensate.

With a strange sense of satisfaction, Lenok tossed all the introductory books he had gathered into the library’s return bin.

He had only looked at one book, but he could guess the content of the others.

Lenok’s excellent memory had already perfectly memorized most of the content, like a photograph.

From now on, he planned to select and examine only books on common magic and unique magic.

#

Only two or three people, including Lenok, remained in the library as closing time approached.

He gazed out the window at the setting sun, lost in thought.

How long had it been since he had time alone like this?

Compared to the time when he was suffering from backbreaking labor in the factory, it was a world of difference, but Lenok’s expression was still troubled.

‘This is a bit different from what I expected.’

The conclusion he reached after spending the whole day in the library reading magic-related books was this:.

Surprisingly, apart from the concept of magic patterns he had learned from the introductory books, there was almost no knowledge that was helpful to Lenok.

‘The concept of common magic has completely disappeared.’

The classification of magic focused solely on the unique magic system ‘Sinister’ that each mage could learn individually.

There was no mention anywhere of the common magic system ‘Dexter’ that all mages used universally.

Could it be that common magic was removed when the world shifted to version 3.0?

However, it was hard to believe, because all the common magic he had used so far wasn’t properly explained.

No matter how outstanding Lenok’s talent was, it was impossible for him to use a concept that didn’t exist.

‘Considering the convenience of common magic, it’s impossible for it to be forgotten or become obsolete and disappear.’

Compared to unique magic, it lacked specialization and power, but the advantage of common magic lay in its overwhelming versatility, applicable regardless of attributes or targets.

A mage who had learned a unique lightning-type magic could summon a lightning storm thousands of times stronger than a bolt spell, but they couldn’t create a cool breeze between their fingers.

Common magic acted like a lubricant, preventing excessive specialization and smoothly bridging the gaps between different types of magic.

At least, that was the case in the game WORLD 2.0.

‘There must be a reason why there’s no mention of it at all… I should look into it separately later.’

Lenok was lost in thought as he roughly flipped through the books scattered on the desk.

The books classifying unique magic systems contained various information, including unique magic of different attributes, as well as black magic, necromancy, curses, and barrier magic, but Lenok no longer paid attention to them.

To acquire a unique magic system, he had to find a real ‘grimoire’ [a book of magic] or a teacher who would pass on the Sinister, not look for catalog-like books in the library.

For Lenok, who didn’t know anyone, let alone a grimoire or a teacher, it was meaningless information.

Eventually, Lenok, having given up, was about to organize his books and get up when someone suddenly spoke to him from behind.

“If you want to become a mage, you should give up.”

“……?”

At the clear yet cold tone, Lenok turned his head.

A woman wearing a white blouse and a blue skirt was organizing the books people had left behind.

She had a sophisticated look, with her abundant blonde hair swept to one side. Her graceful appearance matched her cold expression and calm eyes.

She continued to speak without even looking at Lenok.

“You’ve been sitting and reading books all day, but you can’t become a mage just by doing that. It’s way too late for your age, so you’d be better off studying theoretical magic engineering.”

“What do you want to say?”

“I don’t want to see you holding onto useless hope.”

Thud.

Only then did she put down the book she was holding and look at Lenok’s face.

Her sea-blue eyes calmly gazed at him.

“If you haven’t joined a school or found a teacher, you’ll eventually have to learn magic at university. But you can’t get into university without a foundation, and even if you’re lucky enough to get in, you won’t get anything from the lectures.”

“……”

“You can’t do anything alone. Talent and luck determine a lot in this field of study. Curiosity, passion, and a spirit of inquiry are just secondary issues.”

Lenok didn’t answer, staring at her face.

Thinking.

The woman’s face, shaded by the setting sun, was quite beautiful, even to Lenok.

She looked regretful for what she had said at Lenok’s gaze.

“Haa… I’m sorry. What am I saying to someone I don’t even know?”

She gestured as she swept back her fallen blonde hair.

“It’s past closing time. I need to organize the books, so I’d like you to leave.”

Just as the woman was about to turn her back again, Lenok finally spoke.

“Is that based on your experience?”

“…….”

“If you’re a student, isn’t it too early to give up? Instead of pushing yourself so hard from the start, wouldn’t it be better to start with what you can do?”

“Haa…..”

She was dumbfounded, as if she had never imagined receiving advice from Lenok.

But this was all Lenok could say to her.

There was no way his talent for magic was lacking, so she was the one who should be making an effort.

He didn’t know if she wanted to give advice based on her own situation, but the target was completely wrong.

He didn’t know what kind of frustration she felt at the university, but as he was about to go down the stairs, hoping her future would be bright, she called out to Lenok.

“Hey!”

When Lenok turned around, she took something out of her blouse and threw it at him.

It was a luxurious business card with her name written in gold.

She stared at Lenok for a long time with an absurd expression, then sighed deeply and said.

“You seem to have mistaken me for a student, but you’re completely wrong.”

“…..Yes?”

“From your actions to your words, you’re a really ridiculous person. I never thought you’d take my advice like that…”

She rubbed her head as if she had a headache, but eventually shook her head.

“Okay. If you come back later, I’ll help you with magic a little, so do as you please. You can go now.”

“…..”

‘Is she out of her mind?’

Lenok, looking at the blonde beauty who was talking and answering herself, eventually left the library and took out the business card, realizing the meaning of her words.

Her title was clearly written at the bottom of the business card.

[Lavatenon University. Chair Professor of Elemental Magic Department.]

[Aris Richelene.]

“….She was a professor?”

From her demeanor and the way she spoke, she seemed like a new university student, but she was a professor, not a student.

In the first place, why would such a person be organizing books in the library?

Lenok was briefly confused but quickly gathered his thoughts and moved on.

According to his plan, she was someone he would never meet again anyway.

There was no need to keep worrying about someone he had met by chance.

He was about to leave the downtown area and approach the street where the hotel was located when someone suddenly called out to Lenok.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry.”

The one who called out to him was a young man wearing a police uniform.

He showed Lenok a device in his hand with a friendly smile.

“Could you please cooperate with a brief inspection?”

“…..Inspection, you say?”

From the moment he heard the policeman’s words, Lenok’s mind began to race.

Could it be that they realized he was a factory worker without any special status? He thought he hadn’t shown any signs, but he had already been discovered.

No, it’s different. If they knew Lenok had no status, the police wouldn’t have approached him alone.

The policeman’s approach with a device in one hand was too casual.

In a split second, Lenok thought fiercely but eventually turned towards the police.

‘If I run away now, I’ll only arouse unnecessary suspicion.’

“I don’t know what kind of inspection is needed.”

“Ah, it’s nothing special… A robbery case was reported nearby.”

He said that with a faint smile.

“We are investigating mages using the magic patterns left at the scene as clues.”

“…..I see.”

Lenok realized the case the police were pursuing had nothing to do with him, but he perfectly managed his expression.

This was definitely a change from when he was on Earth.

No matter what he was thinking inside, his expression rarely changed.

He calmly extended his hand towards the device and slowly let the magic flow towards the bottom of the device the police had brought.

In the meantime, he subtly changed the magic pattern he was sending out.

The teardrop-shaped pattern scattered and was sucked into the device, then printed on the display.

The police compared the magic pattern on the display with the photo he had in his pocket and nodded with a smile.

“The patterns are definitely different. Thank you for your cooperation.”

It seemed they couldn’t see the movement of magic with the naked eye, so they were using such a device.

Lenok pointed to the device and asked.

“Is this measuring device also determining the presence of magic?”

Although the absolute amount of magic he possessed wasn’t that much, all the magic in Lenok’s body was perfectly controlled by his overwhelming talent.

Of course, not a single bit of magic would have leaked out, but if the police noticed it, it was likely they had used the power of the equipment.

The policeman, who received Lenok’s question, nodded awkwardly.

“Yes, yes. Well, they say they used a material that is sensitive to magic, but wouldn’t the mage know better than me?”

“Actually, I haven’t been in this city for long. So, this is how criminal investigations are conducted these days.”

“It’s been a long time since we stopped preferring physical evidence that isn’t prepared with magical countermeasures in the investigation process. You seem to be quite old, unlike what you look like.”

Since criminals hide their identities with all sorts of spells and run away, common CCTVs, surveillance cameras, and witness testimonies have long been excluded from the investigation process of serious crimes.

Thanks to Lenok’s cooperative attitude, the police seemed friendly and readily opened up.

Shamans or necromancers summon the souls of victims, blood mages track bloodstains, and druids wander the streets in search of faint scents.

It’s not impossible to incorporate magical countermeasures when making surveillance equipment, but it costs too much, so other areas except for the city’s core facilities have no choice but to use investigation equipment.

Lenok nodded repeatedly as he listened to the police’s grumbling.

The police talked for a while and then left after hearing a sound from his pager.

Lenok let out a sigh of relief as he watched the police walk away.

‘It wasn’t a guest from the factory.’

Could it be that his efforts to avoid being tracked had worked well? He thought they would at least pretend to look for him, but there were no signs of it yet.

Well, from their point of view, Lenok was just a dying factory worker, so it wasn’t strange that there was no pursuit.

He had stolen a supervisor’s car, but he had already crossed the river of death after being shot by Lenok, so no one would care.

It was still too early to be relieved, but there was no need to raise his vigilance too much.

Lenok thought so, but he also thought it was a good thing that the Balkan police relied on magic or spells for their investigations.