The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 2

After Sun-chan left, I remained alone in my room, staring blankly at the unidentified book.

‘What is this?’

Ray Bell Byteiner.

The crystallization of malice, forged by an entity with ill intent towards me.

…Or so I thought.

‘Sun-chan couldn’t open this book.’

At first, I thought it might be magically sealed so that only I could open it.

Locking magic does exist, after all. There were a few things that could be at play, like my authentication or something, but I figured that was the most likely reason, so I investigated the magic formula engraved on the book.

However.

‘There wasn’t any magic on it…’

No magic whatsoever was detected on this book.

It wasn’t just me who checked.

Sun-chan checked it several times as well.

Yet, not a trace of mana could be detected from this book.

‘Even if a telepathic spell is cast as a one-time thing, it’s easy to make sure no trace is left behind…’

But completely concealing a locking spell is impossible. Even hiding a spell that’s currently active?

Absolutely impossible.

It goes against the common sense of modern magic.

There’s a slight chance that someone might have invented such a spell.

‘But that’s not it.’

For a jerk who harbors ill will towards me to develop such a groundbreaking and sensational spell?

That’s absolutely impossible.

From the moment I realized that there was undetectable magic engraved on this book, the possibility of it being someone’s prank was as good as gone.

‘So, is this really a handwritten manuscript by Ray Bell Byteiner?’

Thinking about it rationally, the possibility isn’t high.

The 0.001% chance only went up to about 1%.

“…Let’s check it out.”

But that 1% was important.

From a magical academic point of view, 1% is a number that indicates a possibility and should never be ignored.

The problem is how to check it.

‘It’s too dangerous to experiment directly.’

Destroy the mana circuits, and circulate mana through the brain.

If I do as it says in this text, not only will my life as a mage be over, but I could also end up brain-dead and my life would be over.

I can’t risk my life on a low 1% chance.

“Then, let’s increase the probability first.”

Seizing an opportunity that comes your way isn’t luck.

It’s thorough calculation and thorough analysis.

Calculating the return based on the risk.

Only after thinking about all of that and acting organically can you finally grasp an ‘opportunity’.

‘First, let’s start with the basic checks.’

I immediately left the room.

* * *

The place I headed to was the faculty office.

I know that the teacher on duty today is Mr. Go Chang-soo, the homeroom instructor for the second-year class 1.

He should be here.

“Shin Ha-yul, is that you? What’s the matter?”

He’s here.

I was worried he might have gone out since he wasn’t at his desk, but it seems he just went to get some coffee.

“If it’s about today’s practical training…”

“Instructor.”

“What is it?”

Instructor Go Chang-soo.

A celebrity among the top three at this school.

A battle-hardened mage who has been active in the field for 50 years, and an outstanding teacher who receives lecture requests from the United States.

“Could you please take a look at this book?”

I handed him [Ray Bell Byteiner].

If there’s magic on this book, Instructor Go Chang-soo would be able to tell, even if Sun-chan and I couldn’t.

“Hmm. It’s an expensive book at first glance.”

Go Chang-soo took the book.

“Is this ancient language? It’s not like I haven’t learned this language system, but even so, this is too hard to read.”

The ancient language on the cover seems difficult for the instructor to read as well.

It’s only natural.

The instructor is, after all, a mage who has trained in modern magic.

He’s not an archaeologist, and if he doesn’t have to train in old magic, there’s no reason to learn ancient languages.

Even if he did learn it, he wouldn’t be able to decipher such bad handwriting.

“Alright. What’s the matter with this book?”

“Um, if it’s okay, could you try opening it?”

“Open it?”

The instructor narrowed his eyes slightly, then opened the book with an expression that said, ‘Well, I guess it’s okay.’

“…Huh?”

No, he tried to open it.

“Is it glued shut or something?”

“……”

It’s the same.

It’s exactly the same as when Sun-chan couldn’t open the book earlier.

Thump!

My heart started beating faster.

What is this feeling?

Is it joy, or excitement?

In any case, it was definitely a feeling born from anticipation.

I grabbed my wildly trembling heart and spoke, trying my best to appear calm.

“Could it be that the reason the book won’t open is because of a magical seal… perhaps?”

“A seal?”

Go Chang-soo frowned as if I was talking nonsense.

“Well, it’s just that there’s a strange rumor going around about this book among my friends. I said it wasn’t true, but…”

“Hmm. Is it like a school ghost story?”

“Yes. I thought that Instructor Go Chang-soo’s confirmation would be the best way to put an end to these suspicions.”

Go Chang-soo looked at the book with a meaningful gaze.

“It’s not good for your studies to get caught up in ghost stories. I understand.”

Exactly.

I thought that if I said it like this, Instructor Go Chang-soo would fall for it.

“Be quiet for a moment. I need to concentrate.”

“Yes.”

The instructor closed his eyes and placed his right hand on the book.

A magic circle was drawn under the instructor’s palm. A special magic circle that seemed to be a modified pentagram.

It must be Instructor Go Chang-soo’s own secret magic formula.

The instructor focused on the magic circle for a long time.

And after about a minute passed.

I was able to hear the answer.

“It’s just a simple ghost story after all. There are no magical measures taken on this book. I swear on my name.”

“…Thank you.”

That was the answer I had been hoping and praying for in my heart.

* * *

After thanking the instructor and leaving the faculty office, I immediately headed to the library.

The purpose was to investigate Ray Bell Byteiner.

Any information about him was welcome.

I collected all the information, from the first to the last, that I thought was unique.

From his hobbies to his favorite foods and even his personality.

There was a lot of information about him in the library.

I absorbed the information as if I were possessed.

And finally, I succeeded in obtaining information that could be a hint.

[It is said that Ray Bell Byteiner’s magic shattered the sky, rained down lightning, and transcended time and space.]

A paper written 20 years ago, in 2029.

It was a paper that analyzed the myth of Ray Bell Byteiner from the perspective of modern magic.

[However, as with most myths, it can be assumed that this is fiction.]

[The limitations of old magic are clear. It is impossible to show the divine power of shattering the sky with that magic system.]

The old magic that was abandoned 100 years ago had clear limitations.

It was too much for humans to handle the magic formulas divided into 8 stages one by one.

The human brain could not do eight things at the same time, and perfectly.

Some geniuses could do it, but even they had clear limitations.

[Some records also state that Ray Bell Byteiner used a different magic system, but this is also likely to be fiction.]

[If such magic existed, it would not have been passed down until now.]

After confirming this, I quickly took out another book.

“Next is…”

I’m sure I saw it in this book.

A paper on brain science.

Found it.

[Mana is a very special substance. When it acts on the human brain, it overloads the human brain, causing brain death.]

[Occasionally, there were those who managed to avoid brain death, but these people also had their personalities destroyed and became madmen.]

[It’s a shame. If humans could use the central nervous system, the brain, to activate magic, modern magic could have advanced another step.]

My heart has been beating fast since earlier.

My breathing is heavy, and the corners of my mouth keep rising.

Every piece of evidence, from the first to the last, seemed to be shouting that this book was real.

They say that humans only think about what they want to think and accept it as right.

Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing right now?

If so, is connecting what the doctor said on the day of the artificial intelligence conferment ceremony with the current situation also a kind of self-justification?

‘Shin Ha-yul’s brain is completely rejecting external interference. So, it’s impossible for artificial intelligence to be imprinted on it.’

That day, when it felt like the sky had fallen.

The doctor said that my brain had a special property that completely rejected external interference.

If this characteristic is the characteristic of the ‘special brain’ written in this autobiography.

Could it be that my brain is completely free from the poison called mana?

As it says in this book, could it be that only I can inherit his magic?

My mouth is parched.

My heart is also pounding fiercely.

The trembling of joy and the trembling of fear.

It was as if two opposing emotions were fueling my heart.

To be honest, I was scared.

There’s no guarantee that what’s written in this book is true.

No matter how much I investigate, the probability is only about 10%.

The possibility of it being fiction is overwhelmingly high.

Moreover, the price is my circle [A mage’s mana core] and my life.

10% is too low a probability to risk my life on.

“Death…”

Thinking about death made my hands and feet tremble slightly.

Is it because I don’t have the courage that my body is shaking like this?

If it were someone else, would they have grabbed this opportunity without hesitation?

I closed my eyes and sat in the most comfortable position possible.

Life is C(Choice) between B(Birth) and D(Death).

Was that what Jean-Paul Sartre said?

There are countless choices between life and death, so you shouldn’t miss that opportunity.

That’s what he said.

I am now at the crossroads of the biggest choice in my life.

If I think about it rationally, it’s best to forget about it.

Because I can’t risk my life on a low probability.

However.

[Then you will be able to become the greatest archmage in the world.]

It’s impossible to get that sentence out of my head, no matter how hard I try to give up.

If I choose to settle for the status quo, will I be able to return to my original life?

Having kicked away such a golden opportunity that I had been dreaming of, under the name of fear.

Will I be able to move forward silently as I have always done?

‘No.’

It’s impossible.

My will would be shattered along with my dream.

Settling for the status quo here is the same as denying my entire life.

“Hoo.”

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

In fact, the answer was already decided.

“10%.”

Isn’t it a perfect probability to risk my already ruined life on?

I got up from my seat.

“Those who do not challenge cannot gain anything.”

While repeating those words.

I headed to my room.

* * *

That night.

I was sitting alone in the middle of my room, concentrating.

Tonight, I will destroy the circuits of my heart.

‘One step back for two steps forward.’

While repeating that thought, I focused mana on the three circles coiled around my heart.

I know very well how to destroy the circles.

My family urged me to destroy my circles, and they sent me the detailed method along with an immediate remedy, so there was no way I wouldn’t know.

I smiled bitterly and looked at the pill in my hand.

The crystallization of disappointment that my father sent me.

I cried all day the day this arrived.

It’s a bitter memory.

‘I can’t believe I’m actually going to eat this.’

I held the pill in my hand and took a few deep breaths.

My mind was already prepared.

Let’s not hesitate now.

I immediately put the pill in my mouth.

Thump!

My heart beat loudly.

It’s pulsating two to three times per second.

“Kuh!”

It hurts.

The three circles surrounding my heart are shaking and pressing on my heart.

The circuits through which mana flows are also shaking violently.

The foreign molecules that have permeated my body are completely destroying the mana structure.

“…Ah.”

It hurt.

It wasn’t my heart, but my mind that felt like it was being torn apart.

A sense of emptiness as if my 18 years of life had come to an end.

I felt like tears were about to flow without me realizing it.

Crunch.

I bit my lip.

It’s not time to cry yet.

Crying is enough to shed tears of emotion later.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

The pain in my heart is slowly subsiding.

The three circles have completely lost their structure and are being reduced to mana.

Shin Ha-yul as a mage is as good as dead.

For now.

Yes, for now.

‘I’m going right away.’

I immediately circulated mana.

Even without circles, mana can be circulated.

The remnants of the destroyed circles followed my will and circulated throughout my body.

Passing through my toes and fingertips, and finally entering the central nervous system through my spine.

The brain.

The mana circulation in the central nervous system, which is considered an absolute taboo for mages.

I broke that taboo and circulated mana into my brain.

I gritted my teeth and braced myself for the shock.

The fear of brain death dominated my mind.

“…Huh?”

However.

What I felt was not pain, but refreshment.

‘Giggle.’

Is it a hallucination?

It sounded like I heard a laughing sound.

The innocent laughter of a child is heard in succession.

A refreshing feeling as if I were floating on a cool river in the middle of a summer forest.

It feels good.

It feels like even the slightest fear that remained in my head is being washed away.

At that moment, tears flowed without me realizing it.

A single tear.

Is it a tear of relief that I am alive?

‘No.’

It’s a little different.

My survival is nothing more than proof that Ray Bell Byteiner’s autobiography is real.

When I thought of that fact, tears of joy flowed without me realizing it.

In that state, I opened the book I had placed next to me, [Ray Bell Byteiner].

It was clearly blank from the middle of page 3 onwards.

Now, it’s filled with familiar bad handwriting.

[Congratulations, my successor. No, from now on, I should call you this.]

Is it a delusion?

‘Congratulations.’

The mana that filled my head also seemed to be blessing me.

[My disciple.]

It was the moment when my stopped time began to move again.