The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 288

It was exactly one day and thirteen hours later that Terun Sitrea contacted me again.

Whether she got my number from Commander Charles or not, she called my phone out of the blue and said without any preamble:

—Let’s meet. Right now! Where should I go?

Her voice was full of excitement.

Her tension was high, as if she couldn’t contain her excitement.

Even her determination to meet me right away was evident in her firm tone.

It felt like if I told her to come to hell, she would actually come to hell.

“Please calm down first….”

—I am calm! I am calm, okay? So tell me quickly. Where should I go? Korea? Was it called the Magic City? Should I go there?

I thought her voice was different when I heard it briefly before.

It could be because her tension was higher than before, but it felt like her voice itself had become much younger.

…Or is it just that her voice tone went up with her tension, making it sound that way?

—Tell me quickly. Unless you want to see me go crazy. Or are you deliberately not answering? Are you perhaps the type who enjoys making the other person anxious?

“Huh? Ah. I’m sorry. I was just thinking about something else for a moment.”

—Answer instead of apologizing. Where should I go?

“Please come to Korea. Incheon International Airport is currently closed, so please come to Gimhae Airport, and then to Gimpo Airport. From there, we will escort you.”

—Gimhae Airport to Gimpo Airport. Got it. I’ll go right away.

I could hear a flurry of sounds from the speaker. It seemed like she was getting ready to leave right away.

—Then, see you later.

“Are you nearby?”

—Yeah. I’m in Japan right now.

“Ah, I see.”

She could be here in as little as four hours.

No, she has to come from Gimhae Airport to Gimpo, so it would take about five hours.

And it would take longer if she didn’t have a plane ticket.

“Okay. Then please contact us again when you book your ticket. We will send someone to meet you accordingly.”

—Ah. Ticket…….

At that moment, the flurry of sounds stopped.

She had been moving busily, but suddenly stopped.

—Hmm…….

Then, she let out a groan in a very serious voice.

“What’s wrong?”

—Well, I’m really sorry to say this.

“Yes, please go ahead.”

—…I don’t have the money to buy a plane ticket, you see?

“……Excuse me?”

—No, well. You must have heard from Charles. I’m an independent researcher who doesn’t receive any investment… It’s hard enough to cover my research expenses… So….

I had certainly heard that she was an independent researcher.

But I didn’t expect that she wouldn’t even have the money to come from Japan to Korea.

Just how poor is her research environment?

“Okay. Then we will arrange the ticket. Which airport in Japan should we look into?”

—Osaka.

“How long does it take to get to Osaka Airport?”

—About an hour?

“Okay. Then we’ll book a ticket for departure in two to three hours, just to be safe.”

—Hmm…….

Then, another strange groan was heard. It was a sigh that seemed like she wanted to ask for something more, but was hesitant to say it out of conscience.

“Ah.”

I think I know what she’s about to say.

“Should I also arrange a bus to Osaka Airport for you?”

—……!

I heard a gasp from the other end.

It was a sigh that seemed to say, ‘How did you know?’

As expected.

It seems she doesn’t have money for the bus to the airport, let alone a plane ticket.

—Y-you don’t have to go that far.

Her voice was trembling.

I’m grateful that she said it first, but still.

Not having money for the bus is too much of a blow to her pride.

That’s the kind of meaning her words seemed to carry.

…I can roughly see it.

What kind of person Terun Sitrea is.

“Since I was the one who wanted to meet you first, I think it’s right for us to arrange all your transportation.”

—Even so…….

“In the first place, we should have arranged your plane ticket in advance. I was out of it. I apologize.”

—No… It’s not something you need to apologize for… It’s also because I was rushing you….

I can somehow picture her fidgeting with her fingers and grumbling.

“Anyway, we will prepare all the transportation for you to come here. Please don’t refuse this small gesture of our sincerity.”

—……You.

I heard her gasp again.

—You’re a really nice person, aren’t you?

Her voice sounded deeply moved.

Is it possible to be so moved just by arranging transportation?

—Okay. Since you’re saying it like that, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse any further. I’ll ask you to do it.

“Yes. We will prepare everything so that you can come as comfortably as possible. Then, goodbye for now.”

I ended the call with those words.

Before I hung up, I heard a naive laugh from the speaker.

She seemed to be in a very good mood.

* * *

After that.

About five hours passed.

Terun Sitrea arrived at the Magic City.

“We have arrived.”

The driver who went to pick up Terun Sitrea opened the back door and bowed with a refined gesture.

“Hmm. Thank you for the excellent escort.”

A small foot appeared first from beyond the open door.

A very small foot.

Just how small is her physique? Her feet are too small.

Then, Terun Sitrea fully revealed herself.

As expected, her height and frame are quite small.

Maybe about 150cm [approximately 4’11”].

Even if I’m being generous, she looks like a middle school student at best.

“Ooh.”

After getting out of the car, she looked around at the scenery.

Then, her gaze slowly shifted to me.

Her eyes widened as soon as she found my face.

“Shin Hayul!”

Terun ran towards me and stood in front of me.

“You’ve had a long journey. Thank you for coming.”

“What journey? The bus and the plane were too comfortable.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Terun’s eyes, looking up at me, were sparkling.

It was a hot gaze that still felt the excitement I had felt when I first received the call.

She seems to have a lot to say.

It would be better to guide her to the guest room right away.

“Let’s go this way for now….”

I was about to take her inside when it happened.

“How did you come up with that approach?”

Terun grabbed my hand and leaned her face close to mine.

“The special structure of the Anti-Magia [a type of magic that negates other magic] that you discovered and the sealing method that goes with it. That theory is in an area that cannot be approached with current science. It took me over a day to properly understand it, so this is really amazing.”

Her words were filled with considerable self-love.

“I don’t know if you knew this, but the theory you discovered this time is not just a theory that ends with Anti-Magia. This is….”

“I know. It’s a new formula for magic engineering.”

Terun’s expression brightened even more.

She was very happy that I knew about it.

“So, knowing that means you’re really the creator of this theory.”

Instead of answering, I smiled faintly.

As someone who didn’t create this theory, I couldn’t just say ‘Yes, that’s right’ there, so I just vaguely glossed over it.

“As expected!”

Of course, my smile seemed to have a positive meaning to Terun.

Anyway, I didn’t lie.

I didn’t lie…….

…It does prick my conscience a little.

“Ah, really…….”

Terun grabbed my right hand tightly with both of her hands and lowered her head.

“Where have you been all this time? You should have said you were here!”

She stomped her feet in that state.

She was expressing her excitement to the world with her gestures.

“You know what? This is the first time I’ve ever been thrilled by seeing a theory created by someone else.”

Terun raised her head again.

Her cheeks were flushed.

Her whole face was flushed with excitement and elation.

“You’re a genius. Maybe a genius who will surpass me. Be proud. Because I, Terun Sitrea, the mother of AI magic engineering, have acknowledged you.”

“Hmm…….”

Terun Sitrea, huh?

“What’s with that subtle reaction?”

Terun frowned slightly.

“You don’t believe it either? That I’m the real Terun.”

“Well, to be honest, it’s hard to believe. Terun Sitrea is known to have died a long time ago. And….”

I observed Terun’s whole body.

“The Terun Sitrea I saw in the pictures wasn’t as small as you are now.”

“Even a genius like you has such a fixed mindset?”

Terun sighed deeply.

“It’s really unfortunate. I’m the real Terun Sitrea. But no one believes me.”

Of course. Who would believe you?

Those words came up to my throat.

I wanted to say it, but I desperately held it back, as it could lead to a fight.

“But well, I understand. Because my existence is that special. Even a genius like you can’t easily imagine it.”

Wow.

She’s definitely quite a weirdo.

No, she’s a real one, beyond a considerable level.

Should I call this middle school syndrome? [a phase where teenagers often exhibit self-centered and dramatic behavior]

Or should I call it the terminal stage of delusion?

…Is it both?

‘Whatever it is, seeing that she immediately understood the theory about Anti-Magia and connected it to a new formula for magic engineering, she seems to be a truly outstanding person.’

There seems to be a reason why other research institutes don’t scout her.

Even if she’s skilled, it would be difficult to work with someone who’s this eccentric.

“Okay. I’ve learned something good too. I’ll tell you something special, just for you. The secret of secrets of me, Terun Sitrea.”

Terun narrowed her eyes with a very serious expression.

“Listen carefully. I am….”

“Just a moment.”

I interrupted Terun’s words.

Terun looked up at me with a dissatisfied expression, as if asking why I was interrupting her at the best moment.

“……Why?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to have such an important conversation in a more secure place, rather than in such an open area?”

We need to move to the guest room first, even to start a serious conversation.

If I say this, she’ll follow me, thinking it’s the right thing to do.

“Ah, come to think of it, this is the garden… I must have been too excited. To try to have an important conversation in a place like this….”

Terun made an ‘oops’ face and then cleared her throat as if she had come to her senses.

“Okay. As you said, let’s go to the guest room for the details.”

“Yes. I’ll guide you.”

I took Terun Sitrea to the guest room where I had prepared refreshments in advance.

“Oh. The interior of a Hanok [traditional Korean house] is structured like this. It’s fascinating.”

While heading to the guest room.

She was shining her eyes as if she was fascinated by the Hanok.

‘Who would think she’s 32 years old looking at that?’

From her face to her physique, build, and actions.

She’s a middle school student through and through.

If Commander Charles hadn’t told me in advance that she was 32 years old, I would have thought she was a middle school student without a doubt.

“This way.”

“Ooh.”

As soon as she entered the guest room, Terun exclaimed again.

Since it’s a place to receive guests, the room is neatly decorated. It must be pleasing to the eye.

“The things we say in this room will not leak out.”

“Hmm. It seems so.”

She put her hand on one wall, stroked it here and there, and nodded.

“Type F-2, a constantly changing algorithm. You’re using good stuff? This is very expensive.”

“……How did you know?”

“Ah, that it’s a Type F-2? Well, there’s a pattern to constantly changing algorithms. It’s easy to distinguish if you get the hang of it.”

Terun smiled with a confident face.

“Anyway… I don’t have to worry about the conversation leaking out here.”

She took her hand off the wall and sat on a chair at one side of the table.

“Sit down. I’ll tell you something interesting. You’ll definitely….”

“I’m sorry, but may I speak first?”

I’m sorry to say this, but honestly, I’m not particularly interested in Terun Sitrea’s delusions.

My story is more important than that right now.

“This is a really huge story.”

“Yes. I think it will be a very interesting story. But it won’t be as good as the story I’m about to tell.”

“…….”

Terun frowned.

She looked like her pride was hurt.

“……Interesting. What is it? Is it as interesting as the new theory you discovered this time?”

“You’ll see when you look at it.”

“Okay. If you say so, I’ll have to listen. What is it?”

“Before that.”

I handed her a piece of paper.

“This is a pledge that you will not disclose what you hear and see here to anyone else. Please sign here first.”

“……A first-class pledge? This would easily cost over a hundred million per sheet.”

Terun’s expression became serious.

As a pledge, it seems she realized that my story wasn’t just a simple boast.

“There are no other toxic clauses. Okay. I’ll sign it.”

Terun quickly scanned the contents and signed it.

The mana flowing from the pledge flowed into Terun and settled on her wrist.

“You’re cool. It’s a pledge that could cost you your life.”

With this, if Terun breaks the pledge, she will lose her life.

“Well, I just won’t break it. There’s no problem, right?”

That’s true, but still, to sign such a dangerous pledge so easily.

She has great courage.

Whatever it is, I’m glad that things are moving quickly.

“Okay. Then here….”

I handed her a notebook that I had prepared in advance.

“Please read it.”

“A research paper on AI?”

“Yes.”

What I handed over was a summary of the research records left by Mimir.

Of course, I didn’t write down all the data.

It’s only about 30% of the data.

Since the pledge isn’t perfect either, I can’t reveal everything right now.

There’s also the meaning of a test.

‘If she realizes the value of this research at once, I’ll entrust it to her, otherwise, I’ll pass.’

To reproduce Mimir’s research as it is, I need someone with that kind of talent.

At least, she needs to realize how great this research is to be able to trust her with it.

“Wait a minute… this….”

At that moment, Terun’s eyes widened.

The hand holding the notebook was trembling, and her lips were trembling as well.

“This… this is research on fully autonomous AI….”

“……!”

My eyes widened as well.

With just that much information, she realized what the ultimate goal of this research is?

“Where did you get this? Did you make it? Surely you didn’t research this alone? No. Even if it’s a collaboration… this is… impossible. In the first place, there’s no way there’s anyone who can produce results of this level….”

Terun’s hand trembled with a shocked expression.

“So, you did it alone? How….”

Terun stared at me with trembling eyes.

“I… I only reached this area thanks to my memories of my past life… How did you do it so easily….”

“Memories of your past life?”

Terun and I looked at each other with bewildered expressions.