The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 217

The Rebirth of the Mythical Archmage-218

In the past, staves were the preferred type of artifact for all mages, but with the advancement of technology, they have now become a symbol of outdatedness that no one uses.

It was only natural.

Modern mages fight on the front lines as a matter of course.

Fighting while holding a large, heavy burden like a staff is too much of a penalty.

Although the magic amplification effect is significant, it is not very meaningful when fighting on the front lines.

Originally, artifacts are very delicate objects, and they lose their function with even a small scratch.

In short, if the surface of a staff is scratched, it will break down immediately.

And when fighting on the front lines, it is impossible for a large staff not to get scratched.

Then it would break down and lose its function.

It would be reduced to a useless staff.

That’s why most mages prefer small artifacts such as rings or necklaces, rather than staves.

They are light, so they don’t interfere with fighting, and they are small, so they are very unlikely to be damaged during battle.

Although the magic amplification rate is lower than that of a staff due to its small size, it is only about 4% lower.

It was only natural that staff-type artifacts became obsolete.

That’s why I said that staves were not good when I previously commissioned the Blue Magic Tower Lord to make an artifact.

If it weren’t for my teacher’s artifact, I would never have used a staff-type artifact in my life.

‘Honestly, this is also a concern.’

Kailum.

The staff that my teacher used is quite large.

It’s about my height, so about 180cm.

It is classified as an extra-large staff among staves.

It is not easy to constantly protect a staff of this size during battle.

‘Fortunately, it’s light though.’

The only good thing is that it is very light compared to its size.

It was so light that I was surprised when I first picked it up.

I moved the staff around again, feeling its weight.

It’s really light.

“This, is the strength a bit lower since it’s so light?”

Usually, things made of light materials have lower strength.

I wondered if this staff would be the same.

“Huh? What are you talking about? Kailum having low strength?”

Mimir, who had been looking for something on one of the bookshelves, glanced at me with a look that said, ‘What kind of nonsense is that?’

“That’s a staff made by processing the leaves of mistletoe. There’s no way its strength would be low.”

“Mistletoe, is that the mistletoe I know?”

“Yeah. The mistletoe branch that killed a god.”

“…Was that myth real?”

“Yeah. It’s probably a bit different from what you know, but the legend that it killed a god is true. If you’re curious, read it later. You’re at the 6th circle now. All the books related to myths should be unlocked.”

“Oh. Really? I should read it right away.”

I was already feeling the need to study mythology for myth magic.

This is good.

“…I found it.”

In the meantime, Mimir muttered quietly.

It seems he finally found the book he was looking for.

“Is that book the one that tells you how to awaken Kailum?”

“Yeah. It’s a book of artifacts that Father left behind.”

“If it’s a book of artifacts… does that mean it has information about other artifacts as well?”

“Yeah. That’s right. It would have been good to find it in advance, but this book is also unlocked only after the successor reaches the 6th circle…”

“Ah. The books that have been newly unlocked this time are quite something.”

From books about mythology to artifact books.

They all seem like books that I must read.

“Yeah. The number of books unlocked is far less than in the 4th and 5th circles, but the quality and density of information are overwhelming. I recommend reading all the books that have been unlocked this time.”

“If you say so, I should read them as a top priority.”

If Mimir recommends it, I must read it.

Of course, I would have read it even if Mimir hadn’t recommended it.

Not reading such rare books is a sin.

“Then let’s start right away. Successor. Close your eyes.”

Mimir’s voice became serious in an instant.

I slowly closed my eyes.

“Concentrate. Rotate all the circles, including the ring of awakening, at maximum output.”

I closed my eyes and rotated the Infinity Circle as Mimir said.

The rotation speed of the circle is no joke.

The ring of awakening is intertwined with the other rings, and the processing efficiency of the circles seems to have increased.

It is rotating mana with a tremendous roar.

“Is that all? You can still do it faster.”

“…More than this?”

I thought this was enough.

Mimir seems to think a little differently.

“Think about the characteristics of the ring of awakening. A space where mana exists in its original form. Within the successor’s body, mana loses all will and becomes unconscious.”

I listened to Mimir’s words and focused even more.

“And the fact that individual mana loses its will means that the amount of information and processing decreases.”

Until now, mana had been thinking infinitely even while rotating the circle.

It had will and thought, and rotated the circle.

As such, there was bound to be some hindrance to the circulation.

It was only natural.

When running, there is no way that running with random thoughts and running unconsciously would be the same.

“But it’s different now. Mana is just mana. It’s not arbitrary, and it doesn’t assert its opinion. It’s just a source of energy that moves according to the successor’s command.”

“Just a simple energy source…”

The surroundings became quiet in an instant.

The sound of mana disappeared.

All that could be felt was the pulse of mana.

‘This is it.’

The Infinity Circle accelerated again. Mana is rotating the circle more smoothly.

Everyone is unconscious, just thinking about rotating the circle, turning, and turning again.

“Yeah. That’s it. You’re the successor after all. You have a good sense.”

Mimir smiled as if he was finally satisfied.

“In that state, concentrate the mana you’re rotating on Kailum, which you’re holding in your hand.”

Mana, which had been rotating aimlessly, began to pour out towards Kailum, the target point.

It felt like a lake overflowing.

The amount of mana released is unusual.

No, before the amount released, the speed of release is absurd.

If the release of mana until now felt like it was being released through a faucet,

Now it feels like it’s flowing out like a torrent from a lake.

‘The processing efficiency of magic itself is completely different.’

An exclamation came out involuntarily.

This is the ring of awakening, and this is what it means to use real mana.

I felt that.

“Good. Just keep doing that. Think of Kailum as part of your body as well. Keep moving the mana.”

The sound of turning pages of a book could be heard in front.

That must mean we’ve moved on to the next step.

“In that state, repeat what I say from now on. Ah, it goes without saying, but the successor should chant according to the mysteries of incantation.”

I nodded slightly.

It would have been good to answer, but the circulation of mana using Kailum was very difficult.

I didn’t have the leeway to open my mouth.

“I’ll start.”

Mimir took a deep breath.

“The mistletoe tree does not waver in any oath.”

Following Mimir’s lead.

“The mistletoe tree does not waver in any oath—”

The chant began from my mouth.

Flash-!

A bright light burst out from Kailum.

* * *

That night.

Wi Sang-hyun was raging in his room.

“You incompetent fools! I did as you told me. What is this?”

He shouted into the latest special communication terminal, which was pressed against his ear.

“Because of you, I’m about to go to jail! How are you going to take responsibility for this! Huh!?”

—Could you lower your volume a bit?

A woman’s voice was heard from the other side of the receiver.

—I hate loud noises. Calm down. Let’s solve this calmly through conversation, like the intelligent people we are.

“Shut up! Do you think I’m in the mood to have a friendly conversation with you right now!?”

The person on the other end of the line was none other than Hermes, an executive of the Black Magic Tower.

Due to her ability as a hacker, Hermes was busy enough just handling internal affairs, so she usually didn’t handle external affairs.

However, with the deaths of Tkisch and Parade, there was a shortage of manpower, so she had no choice but to take on external tasks as well.

Since hacking was essential for this mission, it was most efficient for Hermes to be in charge of this mission.

“What are you going to do! Huh? You damn bitch!”

—…Now, now. Please calm down so we can talk about the solution.

Hermes replied, suppressing her anger.

Those who have endured anger are better at enduring it.

As Hermes was not used to this kind of external response, it was not easy for her to hold back her anger.

“Solution? Solutiooooon!? Where is the solution in this situation? Damn it! It’s my fault for trusting such an incompetent bitch. Call another executive besides you. I can’t talk to you!”

—…Ha.

At that moment, Hermes’ voice turned cold in an instant.

—You’re really trying to climb all over me because I’m being humble.

Even Wi Sang-hyun, who was so heated that he couldn’t think straight, flinched at the cold voice.

—Would you like to say that again? Incompetent? Me?

Wi Sang-hyun’s heart sank. Just hearing her voice. Just that, he had the illusion that an indescribable fear had appeared before his eyes.

—It’s not me who’s incompetent, it’s you.

“…”

Wi Sang-hyun’s head cooled down rapidly.

He held onto his reason and his mind.

—If you hadn’t fallen for that kid’s trickery, it wouldn’t have come to this. You should blame your trashy judgment that produced such a result in this good situation. Why are you blaming me?

Hermes’ voice grew colder and colder.

—And what? You’re saying I’m incompetent? That’s a bit much. Do you want to become wolf food in the snowy mountains?

Her words felt sincere.

At this rate, Wi Sang-hyun would really die.

“C-calm down. I lost my reason. I apologize for all the harsh words I said to you.”

—…

Hermes was silent.

“I-I hope you understand my situation. I might have to rot in jail for at least five years. How can I not lose my reason?”

Still silence.

It was a silence filled with the thought of whether to kill this man, regardless of the mission.

“And it’s true that you prepared a good situation. But you didn’t expect Shin Ha-yul to come out like that either! Your mistakes aren’t small either!”

Wi Sang-hyun shouted desperately.

—…Tsk.

Hermes clicked her tongue.

—There’s no room to refute that. It’s true that there were mistakes on our side as well. Yes. I’ll admit it.

Hermes’ voice became a little calmer.

—You’re lucky. If it weren’t for the mistakes, I would have killed you right there.

Wi Sang-hyun’s shoulders trembled.

Those words were not a bluff.

He had really almost died just now.

—Please be careful with your words from now on. Don’t forget what kind of existence we are, how scary our organization is.

“…Y-yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

—Good.

Hermes smiled brightly.

—Then, let’s consider the grudges resolved. Shall we move on to the next topic?

“The next topic is…”

—Jail. You said you didn’t want to go, right?

“…Is there really a way?”

—Yes. Of course. Not only will you not go to jail, but there is also a secret plan that will allow you to seize the Shinbiwi family’s power in an instant.

When he thought about it alone, there seemed to be no way out.

Is the Black Magic Tower really different?

“W-what is it?”

—You can put all the blame on your brother, Wi Sang-cheol.

“…What?”

Wi Sang-hyun’s eyes widened.

—Of course, it will be difficult to just pass the blame. To avoid any unnecessary trouble, you need to kill Wi Sang-cheol. The dead have no voice.

“M-me, kill my own brother with my own hands?”

—Yes. Don’t worry, it won’t be that difficult. We’ll set up everything for you. You just need to stab Wi Sang-cheol’s neck with the knife prepared there.

“…”

Wi Sang-hyun’s eyes trembled like there was an earthquake.

—Ah, by the way, I can’t give you much time to think. To put all the blame on Wi Sang-cheol, we need to move as quickly as possible.

“That means…”

—Yes. The operation will be carried out in two hours.

“…”

Wi Sang-hyun’s lips trembled.

His reason, which said that he couldn’t kill his own brother no matter what, and his filthy desires were in conflict.

—I’ll give you one minute to think.

“…I don’t need a minute.”

The conclusion came faster than expected.

“I’ll kill him. If that’s how I can live…”

Those who harbor filthy desires become filthy themselves.

“If I can seize the Shinbiwi family’s power… I have to do it. I have to do it.”

Wi Sang-hyun’s eyes gleamed with a filthy expression.

* * *

That dawn.

After completing Kailum’s awakening, I slipped out of the dormitory and headed to the nearby 24-hour training ground.

The purpose was, of course, to test Kailum and check the performance of the ring of awakening.

How much I had grown.

Also, how powerful Kailum was.

And finally, what kind of performance Kailum’s true power would exhibit.

With a trembling heart, I moved my feet.

As I walked briskly through the night streets.

Bzzzz-!

The phone in my pocket vibrated.

[Adela]

It was a call from Adela.

A call at this hour.

‘Did she hear from Lord Wi Sang-cheol that I woke up and call me right away?’

The events of the negotiation were probably starting to spread outside.

That’s probably right.

‘Still, it’s unexpected. Adela calling me at dawn.’

No matter how worried she was about me and how happy she was that I woke up, she’s not the type to call this early in the morning.

‘Still, was 11 days a bit too long?’

I thought that and answered the phone right away.

“Hello…”

—Don’t… absolutely don’t come!

Adela cut me off and shouted.

“…Adela?”

—Absolutely don’t come… Ack!

“What’s wrong! Adela!?”

After Adela’s short scream.

A moment of silence flowed.

—Do you remember my voice?

A familiar voice was heard.

The voice I had heard all day today.

“Wi Sang-hyun…”

—Come to the place I tell you from now on. I’ll give you 15 minutes.

“…”

—You’ll have to come alone. If you bring anyone or report it…

Wi Sang-hyun laughed maliciously.

—Then my niece’s life will be in danger.

—D-don’t ever come… Ugh!

—Shut up.

“…”

My mind cooled down.

Even though it was a situation that could have been flustered, my mind was not excited at all.

I was just calmly and rationally trying to understand the current situation.

—The location is the Rose Garden, one of our family’s private properties. Remember. 15 minutes. If you’re late, there’s no mercy.

“…Okay.”

—Good. I knew you’d say that. Kind kids like you would never abandon their friends.

Wi Sang-hyun chuckled.

—Then I’ll see you later. It’ll definitely be a good time.

“Yes. I think so too.”

I immediately put on Aeth and took out Kailum, which I had put inside.

‘It’ll be a very good time…’

The shabby appearance was nowhere to be seen.

Kailum, which had revealed its true form.

It was emitting a faint black color, imbued with my mana.

After the call ended.

“…Commander Charles. There’s a problem.”

I immediately called Commander Charles.