The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 183

Three days passed in an instant. It was Saturday.

‘Mimir, I don’t quite understand this part here.’

‘Ah, that part? That’s…’

I was, as usual, devouring books in Mimir’s library.

‘…It’s like this. Do you get it?’

‘…I kind of get the feeling. Thanks.’

‘It’s nothing. More importantly, are you going to stay here all day today? What about lunch?’

Mimir asked me. It was a question asking if I wasn’t going out for lunch since it was lunchtime.

‘I plan to stay here all day today. Here. I even packed lunch beforehand.’

I subtly lifted the shopping bag I had placed next to me. It was a shopping bag containing sandwiches and coffee that I had packed before coming. I planned to have lunch here today without going out. For reference, I also prepared dinner. I have no intention of leaving Mimir’s library at all today.

‘Didn’t you say you were having a gold medal celebration party with your seniors this weekend?’

‘That’s tomorrow.’

In the US, we couldn’t have a party because of Se-ah noona’s funeral. And everyone couldn’t openly rejoice because of me. Tomorrow’s party is to make up for that.

‘What about training?’

‘Today is a rest day.’

‘What? You’re taking a break. How long has it been since you started training that you’re already resting?’

‘It’s not a break, it’s a regular day off.’

Every Saturday is a day of rest with no training.

‘If he doesn’t rest even for a day, Soonchan will die within two weeks.’

‘If the successor says that… how much are you pushing him?’

‘Until he’s on the verge of death?’

‘…I should offer my condolences.’

Mimir put her hands together in prayer. She seemed to feel sorry for Soonchan.

‘And… regardless of whether Soonchan can endure it or not, if you consider training efficiency, he needs to rest once a week.’

Training isn’t about doing it every day. What’s more important than intense training is proper rest. Taking a day off today is more beneficial for growth than training all day. Well, that doesn’t apply to me, who possesses the master’s robe, ‘Aeth’. For me, rest time for recovery is a luxury.

‘Well, the mages of this era are weaklings. They do need to rest for a day.’

‘Right. Everyone doesn’t have a mana core. Rest time is essential.’

Unlike the past, mages of this era don’t have a mana core [a source of internal magical energy]. Without a core that activates the body, recovery is slower. If Soonchan had a mana core, he could have trained every day of the year, 365 days a year. No, he could have easily kept up even if he trained twice a day.

‘So, are you really just going to read books here all day today?’

‘Yeah.’

I turned my gaze to the pile of books next to the table.

‘Today, I’m going to study this damn ring of awakening all day long.’

The sixth infinity circle, the ring of awakening, has a very complex structure. It’s different from any of the previous rings, and it’s also different from the mana circle.

‘How is it? Did you realize anything?’

‘No. Not at all. Far from realizing anything, my head is just getting more complicated the more I read.’

No, it’s just an impossible structure from a common sense perspective. It feels like all the common sense I’ve known so far has been shattered. It’s like 1+1=2 is not the answer, but 2,475, and how can I understand that? There’s some kind of huge calculation in between, but I can’t even understand this calculation. You can tell how difficult the structure and laws of the ring of awakening are by looking at my current state. I’ve already read 137 books about the ring of awakening, but I still haven’t understood a single proper law.

‘If you keep reading, you’ll get a feel for it at some point. Like misaligned gears clicking into place.’

Mimir repeated what she had said last time. Just read it, whether you understand it or not. Then, at some point, you’ll have an epiphany.

‘No matter how I think about it, I don’t think that’ll happen…’

At first, I thought so. As Mimir said, I thought I would realize it someday if I just kept reading. I simply thought that way. However, as I continued to study, that thought was quickly changing. That I’ll be able to understand these complex things 100% at some point? I can’t imagine it at all. It’s like giving a math problem book on differential and integral calculus to an elementary school student learning 1+1=2, and saying, ‘Keep reading. Then, at some point, you’ll have an epiphany.’ Would that work?

‘Trust me. Really, at some point, an epiphany will come.’

‘If you say so, I guess it’s true…’

I turned my gaze back to the book I was reading. Complex formulas and laws that now look like alien language. Just looking at it makes my head throb. Will there really be a day when I naturally understand this?

‘…I really can’t imagine it.’

Trust in Mimir and the current hopeless situation. I feel like I’m going to have cognitive dissonance [the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes].

‘If your head hurts too much, take a break. Have some lunch too.’

‘…Okay. That would be better.’

I flipped the book over and leaned back on the sofa with my eyes closed. My eyes are sore. It seems I was too focused on the book. I pressed between my eyes with my index finger and thumb.

‘What happened to Ray’s staff?’

Mimir was already right next to me. The rustling sound a moment ago must have been Mimir closing the book.

‘They said they’d look into it. But there’s no news yet.’

‘Still? She’s supposed to be the best mage in the world, can’t she handle that one thing quickly?’

‘Sophia isn’t a queen. It’s not like things will happen just because she says so.’

The staff, one of the artifacts left by the master, is currently on display at a museum in the US. At the world’s largest and most historic international museum. Since it’s on display in such a place, even Sophia would have a hard time handling things quickly. Even if the talks with the museum go well, it will take at least a few weeks to receive it. There must be a proper procedure.

‘There’s nothing I can do to change anything right now, so I’m just going to wait patiently.’

‘…Cool.’

Mimir looked at me with a meaningful gaze.

‘Let’s see if you can be so calm even after knowing how amazing the artifact is.’

Mimir’s lips curled up playfully.

‘Listen carefully, successor. The name of the staff that Abamama used is… Ugh.’

‘Stop. I don’t want to hear it.’

I covered Mimir’s mouth.

‘I’m already so confused with the ring of awakening, Laplace, and Shadow. I don’t want to worry about the artifact too.’

I can hear how powerful the artifact is after I get it. There’s no need to get excited by hearing about it now. It’ll just make me feel restless.

‘What? You really don’t want to hear it?’

Mimir removed my hand and asked carefully.

‘Yeah. I’ll hear it when I get it.’

‘…You’re holding back.’

Mimir looked at me as if I was amazing.

‘Well, if the successor says so, I have to follow. Okay. I won’t say it.’

Mimir nodded a couple of times.

‘Then when are you going to Mount Baekdu?’

Mimir immediately changed the subject.

‘There’s a long weekend next week. I’m planning to go then.’

‘When is the long weekend?’

‘From Wednesday to Sunday.’

Honestly, it would be nice to take about ten days, but unfortunately, it’s impossible to take that much time off.

‘Well, considering Charles’s skills, five days should be enough.’

If it doesn’t work out, I can just skip school or whatever and force more time. Considering the qualifications for the grade-skipping exam, I can’t be absent for more than five days. But it shouldn’t take that much time.

‘You said it’s a land of monsters, right? Prepare thoroughly before you go.’

‘I’m already collecting data.’

In monster lands like Mount Baekdu, mutant monsters sometimes appear. To respond to such special individuals, it’s necessary to collect as much information as possible. It’s impossible to respond to mutants without basic data.

‘Honestly, the problem isn’t Mount Baekdu, it’s the Shadow.’

Mimir narrowed her eyes and closed her mouth.

‘That shadow sorcerer. You said he moved his location to China this morning, right?’

‘Yeah.’

I glanced at Miho, who was napping on my lap as usual. As if sensing my gaze, Miho lifted her head and tilted it cutely.

‘No, our Miho is amazing.’

I stroked Miho’s head. Miho made a pleasant sound and curled up again.

Miho identifies the location of the soul she remembers through ‘direction’ and ‘distance’. For example, it’s like ‘It exists about 1000km northeast of where you are now.’ I used this power and the map to successfully pinpoint the locations of Laplace, the artifact, and the Shadow. Among them, I’m checking the Shadow’s location whenever I have time. So, the Shadow’s location that I identified this morning was China. He had been circling around Florence, Italy, until yesterday, but suddenly moved to China today.

‘I’ll have to check the location again later. Considering that the guy who was in Italy yesterday suddenly moved to China this morning, his next destination is likely here, Korea.’

There are three main ways to illegally enter Korea. The most common way is to come by boat from China. The fact that he went to China is likely a preliminary preparation for illegally entering Korea.

‘That guy. He can move anywhere through shadows, right? Is there a need to go through China?’

‘Well, I don’t know about that. Maybe there are conditions for movement. Or maybe there’s a distance limit or a cooldown, so he used China as a stopover. Or maybe he has a mission in China.’

In fact, it’s uncertain whether the Shadow will come to Korea.

‘Whatever it is, we need to be careful.’

‘Right. If the Shadow is targeting me, he won’t miss the time when I’m at Mount Baekdu.’

‘Actually, the best thing would be not to go to dangerous places like Mount Baekdu…’

Mimir smiled bitterly and trailed off.

‘What can I do? I’m the only one who can collect Laplace. I have to go.’

I don’t want to go if I can help it. But what can I do? I’m the only one with the mana control ability to mine Laplace. That’s why I have to go myself.

‘How about postponing the trip to Mount Baekdu?’

‘I thought about that too, but I think that would be more dangerous.’

At the time of the incident, the Shadow was quite injured and retreated. With the death of Tkish, the Black Magic Tower must also be somewhat confused. If we give him time, the Shadow’s wounds will heal, and the confusion of the Black Magic Tower will subside to some extent. Then the Shadow will move to target me without hesitation. Delaying is more dangerous. If I have to go, it’s much better to go now.

‘Above all, there’s no guarantee that Charles will be in Korea a month from now.’

The reason I can secretly go to Mount Baekdu is all because Charles is here. Besides Charles, there’s no one who can secretly take me to Mount Baekdu. If you only think about power, there’s my father or the Blue Magic Tower Master. But the Blue Magic Tower Master and my father are not people who would take me to Mount Baekdu. They would definitely try to stop me, saying it’s dangerous. And they’re not people who can take five days off in the first place. That’s why I have to go to Mount Baekdu now. Now is the best time while Charles is with me.

‘…It’s definitely the right time now.’

Mimir nodded as if she understood. Even though I didn’t explain it, she seemed to have come to a conclusion on her own.

‘You don’t have to worry too much. In the first place, the chances of the Shadow knowing that I’m going to Mount Baekdu are not that high.’

My trip to Mount Baekdu is a fact that only Charles, Sophia, and I know. As such, the possibility of the Shadow knowing about my trip to Mount Baekdu is extremely low.

‘I guess so.’

Mimir nodded with a look of relief.

‘Still, just in case, how about updating the Shadow’s location again now?’

‘Hmm. He was in China three hours ago, so is there really a need to do it now…’

‘Three hours is enough time to move to the port.’

‘…The port. If it’s confirmed that he moved to the port, it’ll be certain that he’s coming to Korea.’

That’s what Mimir said. It’s not difficult to check the Shadow’s location.

‘I’m sorry to Miho, but I’ll have to check whenever I have time.’

I gently stroked Miho. Miho opened her eyes as if she had read my mind. I picked up Miho and got up from my seat.

‘Then I’ll be right back.’

‘Okay. Go ahead.’

Then I immediately headed out of Mimir’s library. As soon as I arrived at my room, I went to the map spread out on my desk and placed Miho on it.

‘Miho. Can you check the location of the man who used shadows that we explored this morning?’

Miho nodded slightly. Miho’s red eyes glowed even redder. The five tails spread out in all directions. An intangible energy rippled around Miho. The spirit that Miho controls stretched out in all directions. It was a sight I had seen many times, but it was still beautiful.

‘This time, it’ll probably take about 30 seconds, right?’

Miho’s soul detection is the ability to identify the location of a target by sending out the spirit that Miho controls. Of course, the closer the target is, the shorter the detection time of Miho’s soul detection. When I sensed the Shadow in China this morning, it took about 30 seconds, so this time it would take about 30 seconds as well. I thought so. But my prediction was completely wrong.

‘…Miho?’

Miho’s detection ended quickly. It didn’t even take 5 seconds.

….

Miho turned her head. Sharp eyes. She was exuding a fierce aura as if she was about to fight right now, and she was looking in one direction.

‘…The door?’

Beyond the door of my room. Miho’s gaze was directed exactly outside the room. And at that moment.

Knock knock-

The sound of someone knocking on my room door was heard.