The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 116

“Okay, to cut to the chase, you’re right. There’s no information about after the 6th Circle in the Book of Idred.”

“Why not?”

“There are several reasons, but the first is due to capacity.”

Capacity. It was a reason I’d heard several times before.

“Are you saying the book didn’t have enough processing power to record information about magic beyond the 6th Circle?”

“Yeah. Like I said, I mentioned it briefly before, but adding Elena and the Greenwood Forest to the Book of Idred pushed its information capacity to the limit. There simply wasn’t enough processing power to include information about the 6th Circle and beyond, or the pages for the sixth trial.”

In fact, information about the Divine Eye was also omitted due to capacity issues.

If it’s a capacity issue, then it makes sense that information after the 6th Circle is missing.

It’s not like there wouldn’t be a lot of information after the 6th Circle.

“Then how am I supposed to learn about what comes after the 6th Circle?”

I understood that information about the 6th Circle was missing due to capacity issues.

So, where am I supposed to get information about the 6th Circle?

“How do you learn? Successor. Have you forgotten who I am?”

Mimir looked at me as if I were a foolish younger sibling.

“Where else would information about the 6th Circle be? Here. In Mimir’s Well.”

“…It’s not in the Book of Idred, but it’s here?”

I naturally assumed it wouldn’t be here.

The Book of Idred and Mimir’s Well felt like a set.

“Successor. The newly updated pages in the Book of Idred. You didn’t read them all, did you?”

“Yeah. I just skimmed through the updated pages and came straight here.”

I needed to resolve this question first.

“What does it say on the newly updated pages?”

“On the last of the newly updated pages, there’s a phrase written like this.”

Mimir cleared his throat and spoke in a solemn voice.

“The information contained in this book ends here. If you wish to obtain information about the 6th Circle, seek out another book I left behind. ‘Mimir’s Grimoire’. The clue to finding Mimir’s Grimoire is on the page of the fifth trial.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, that was the case.

It was just luck that I found Mimir’s Grimoire in the 2nd Circle.

Mimir’s Grimoire wasn’t something you could find so quickly.

“The information about the Bitenary system [a system of magic based on binary principles] is designed to be revealed sequentially like this. So, you don’t have to worry about information gaps in the future.”

“I see.”

I guess I was worried for nothing.

There’s no way my teacher would leave behind incomplete information.

“So, are you really done with your questions?”

Mimir looked at me with eyes that seemed to say, ‘There’s nothing else, right?’

“Yeah. I’m done.”

“Okay. Then I’ll go get the book… Ah.”

Mimir exclaimed as he was speaking.

“No, I need to go out and read the Book of Idred first.”

“Yeah. I think you should.”

I got up from my seat and headed outside.

“I’ll read it quickly and come back.”

* * *

After leaving Mimir’s Well, I immediately began reading the newly updated pages of the Book of Idred.

[The Ring of Truth is different from the Bitenary system you have used so far.]

[The Bitenary system symbolizes free magic. The Ring of Truth completely denies this freedom.]

The first sentence was shocking.

A ring that completely denies freedom.

[The Ring of Truth symbolizes ‘time’ and ‘patience’.]

[Or, it could be said to be the true form of magic.]

It was a somewhat ambiguous phrase.

Time, patience, the true form of magic.

[In short, the Ring of Truth is a magic that requires a completely new system that requires ‘incantation’.]

My question was immediately resolved in the next sentence.

Incantation.

The exclusive domain of old-era mages.

A magical technique that allows for the use of stronger magic by taking time and being patient.

A technique that has completely disappeared in the modern era with the development of artificial intelligence.

It seemed that the main ability of the Ring of Truth was to enhance magic through ‘incantation’.

‘…Is this a good thing?’

Incantation.

My image of casting isn’t very positive either.

It was natural.

In the present day, where modern mages can fire off high-level magic in just 2 seconds at most.

What’s the point of an incantation that requires about 1 minute of casting?

Frankly, it would be one thing if the power of magic increased dramatically after about 1 minute of casting.

But all you get from a 1-minute incantation is an increase in power of about half a circle.

It’s better to fire off dozens of spells in 1 minute.

There’s also the weakness of being defenseless during incantation.

That’s why ‘incantation’ has become obsolete.

Now, no mage chants incantations.

They just use scientific and smart magic using the chip implanted in the back of their necks.

A ring that mainly uses such an obsolete technique.

It was inevitable that I would have an ambiguous expression.

I didn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed.

Well, it’s part of the Bitenary system, so I guess I should be happy.

With a feeling of 70% anticipation and 30% anxiety, I read the next sentence.

[For the Successor who has mainly used the ‘Ring of Mind’ based on instant casting, ‘incantation’ may be disappointing.]

I flinched for a moment.

My inner thoughts were completely read.

[But the incantation of magic used through the Ring of Truth is more powerful than you think.]

[I can say with certainty. The Ring of Truth will be your ultimate move, your trump card.]

My teacher’s pride seemed to be clearly conveyed through the text.

The anxiety that had been slowly rising within me vanished in an instant.

[Seeing is believing. Rather than explaining in detail, it would be better to try it out once.]

[From now on, I will teach you the incantation that the Ring of Truth boasts. Among them, the most basic and frequently used incantation. The ‘Incantation of the Gap’.]

I was as if possessed, devouring the Book of Idred.

* * *

In a suite room located on the upper floor of the hotel room where Shin Hayul was staying.

Shin Inhyuk was receiving a report from Kim Seokhyun.

“Young Master Jihan still hasn’t shown any movement.”

“…”

Shin Inhyuk sat leaning back in his chair, his arm propped on his chin, frowning.

It was a situation where it wouldn’t be strange for him to show some reaction.

Yet, he was still quiet.

“What’s the atmosphere like within the family?”

“The opinion that Young Master Hayul should be appointed as the next head of the family is overwhelming. It’s no exaggeration to say that all the neutral forces have turned to Young Master Hayul’s side. Even half of the elders have unofficially declared their support for Young Master Hayul.”

The current atmosphere within the Mado Shin family is nothing short of a Shin Hayul syndrome.

That’s how overwhelming Shin Hayul’s current performance and specs were.

“How about Jihan’s faction?”

“…It’s definitely not a good atmosphere. I’ve heard that defectors are slowly emerging, switching to the new ship.”

Within the family, it’s already openly said that Shin Jihan is a sinking ship, and Shin Hayul is a rising ship.

In fact, defectors are emerging from Shin Jihan’s faction every day.

In this situation, what if Shin Hayul actually wins a gold medal at the Olympiad?

And even breaks a new record?

Then Shin Hayul would really become the next head of the family.

Even though it was a fake official document, Shin Inhyuk had issued a document stating that he would appoint Shin Hayul as the next head of the family.

“And yet, he’s not reacting at all.”

“Yes. He’s showing signs of displeasure, but that’s it. He’s not showing any action.”

“…”

Shin Inhyuk’s expression became even sharper.

“Rather, Miss Se-ah and Young Master Minhyuk are more active. Among them, Miss Se-ah was plotting a rather excessive scheme.”

Shin Minhyuk only stayed at the level of internal checks, but Shin Se-ah tried to harm Shin Hayul using her subordinates.

Of course, Kim Seokhyun, who had noticed it in advance, stopped it.

“Then Se-ah is currently under self-restraint at the main house.”

“Yes. The punishment will be decided later, after the head of the family returns to Korea.”

Shin Se-ah disobeyed Shin Inhyuk’s order not to interfere with Shin Hayul. Punishment is unavoidable.

“There will be no punishment. Just tell her to self-restraint at the mansion for about 2 weeks.”

“…You’re not going to punish her?”

“Yes. According to the report, she didn’t seem to have any intention of directly harming Hayul. I also unnecessarily provoked her by sending a fake official document, so I can just let this slide.”

It was Shin Inhyuk himself who instigated Shin Se-ah.

Since he was the one who caused the problem, there would be no punishment.

“Yes. I understand. I will convey that.”

“More importantly, the problem is with Jihan.”

Shin Jihan, who showed no movement, was a bigger problem than Shin Se-ah, who showed movement.

“He’s being overly cautious.”

“…Yes.”

In this situation, it’s even stranger that he’s not showing any action.

He’s about to completely lose his position as the next head of the family, so would Shin Inhyuk’s orders matter?

He should be showing some action right now.

Nevertheless, Shin Jihan is not showing any action.

He’s being overly cautious.

“The saying ‘a guilty conscience needs no accuser’ comes to mind.”

The only reason Shin Jihan would be cautious in this situation is one.

He’s in contact with the Black Magic Tower.

He’s being overly cautious to avoid being caught for being in contact with the Black Magic Tower.

“…Keep a closer eye on Jihan.”

“Yes. Then I will assign all the personnel attached to Miss Se-ah and Young Master Minhyuk to Young Master Jihan.”

Kim Seokhyun quickly took out his phone and sent a text message.

He sent an order to change the mission to his subordinates who were currently on an investigation mission in Korea.

“…Foolish guy.”

Shin Inhyuk frowned and muttered as he looked at Kim Seokhyun.

“Master, did I make any mistake…?”

Kim Seokhyun was momentarily flustered and asked back.

“I was talking about Jihan.”

Shin Inhyuk said with a sigh.

“To be pushed back by his younger brother, and the choice he made was to reach out to the Black Magic Tower. It’s truly pathetic.”

It was pathetic, bitter, and heartbreaking that his son had made such a foolish choice.

* * *

The next morning.

I headed to the stadium with my teammates for the first time in a while.

The inside of the limousine bus, which was speeding down the road, was filled with Soonchan’s exclamation of shock.

“Crazy!”

Soonchan’s loud voice made not only the seniors but also Adela and me react.

“What’s wrong?”

“Look at the bracket announcement that just went up! No. I can just turn on the hologram mode!”

Soonchan made a fuss and manipulated his phone, turning on the hologram mode.

Soonchan’s phone screen floated large in the air.

[Individual Battle Main Tournament Bracket]

“The bracket has been released.”

In the case of individual battles, the brackets for the preliminary and main tournaments are not linked.

The bracket for the main tournament is completely random.

[Round of 8, Match 1]

[USA VS Canada]

I quickly scanned the bracket.

And the last match.

The moment I checked the 4th match of the round of 8.

I could understand why Soonchan had exclaimed.

[Round of 8, Match 4]

[Korea VS England]

Korea VS England.

Adela VS Kyle.

“Ah, why Kyle of all people. I’d rather face Dahlia.”

Senior Jin Heeyoon muttered in an annoyed voice.

Adela’s fighting style is not compatible with Kyle.

Dahlia is not easy either, but she’s better than Kyle.

Therefore, our team’s best plan was for Dahlia to defeat Kyle and then face Dahlia, who had defeated Kyle…

“We’re meeting Kyle right away…”

Contrary to our wishes, we met Kyle in the first match.

It was inevitable to be annoyed.

Moreover, after defeating Kyle, we would have to fight Dahlia again in the finals…

“What are we going to do?”

The bracket was the worst.

But.

“What do you mean, what are we going to do? We have to win.”

Regardless of whether the bracket is bad or not, we have enough chances of winning.

“Are you confident?”

I asked Adela, looking at her.

“Yes.”

Adela replied with a confident expression.

“I can win.”

With Adela, who has absorbed the grace of God, she can definitely beat Kyle.