The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 290

Leaving behind Terun, who was in complete shock and utterly dazed,

I headed straight for the Mystic Council.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the hero, coming to visit us.”

It wasn’t Adela who greeted me at the Mystic Council, but Sunchan.

It seemed Sunchan had just arrived as well.

Behind Sunchan, who was wearing a playful smile, Senior Heeyun was also visible.

“Wow. How do you get bigger every time I see you? By next year, you’ll probably be too good to even talk to a commoner like me, right?”

“Oh, come on. That’s not true.”

“Really? Doesn’t seem like it… It’s only been three months since I last saw you today.”

It felt like it had been almost three months since I last saw them.

The atmosphere had changed quite a bit.

Should I say they’ve become more mature?

Or more grown-up?

Is it because of the revealing party dress she’s wearing?

“I’ve been busy with a lot of things. I didn’t even have time to contact Sunchan or Adela.”

“If you couldn’t even contact Jisu, let alone Sunchan… I guess you’re not trying to cut ties with her.”

“Noona, what do you mean by ‘let alone me’?”

Senior Heeyun chuckled.

“What do I mean? It means I could have cut you off, but there’s no way you’d cut off Jisu.”

“…Wow. That’s harsh.”

Sunchan closed his mouth, looking shocked.

Of course, he wasn’t really shocked; he was just pretending to be.

He probably knew that Senior Heeyun wasn’t being serious.

“But even if that were to happen, I think it would be okay. At least Noona would be by my side.”

Sunchan delivered a cheesy line with a greasy voice and gaze that made my toes curl.

‘……Ugh.’

I almost threw a punch.

I wanted to commend my patience for managing to hold back in that moment.

How did I endure that?

That’s truly shocking.

“Hey. Why are you saying things like that here…”

What’s even more shocking is that Senior Heeyun didn’t seem to dislike it.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, showing a hint of embarrassment.

But it didn’t seem like she disliked hearing it.

It just seemed like she was embarrassed to hear such things in front of other people.

“Are other people’s eyes important? My feelings are what matter.”

……Wow.

My hands and feet are curling up like crazy.

I want to punch that greasy brow and philtrum.

“Sunchan…”

Senior Heeyun looked up at Sunchan with moist eyes.

Wait, that line worked?

What on earth happened to those two in the last three months?

“Stop with the nonsense, you two. Before I kill you.”

That’s when Senior Majinseok arrived.

He was also wearing a party suit.

Perhaps because of his large build, he looked a bit like a gangster.

“What, you punk?”

Senior Heeyun’s expression changed 180 degrees. Her moist eyes turned into a fierce glare that could rival a wildcat.

Her flushed cheeks returned to their normal skin tone as if they had never been red.

“What, you wanna fight?”

Senior Jinseok glared back as if he wouldn’t lose.

A sigh of relief escaped me at that sight.

I was greatly relieved that I didn’t have to witness any more of Sunchan and Senior Heeyun’s cringe-worthy lovey-dovey antics.

“Alright. Let’s fight. I was thinking we should have a go anyway. You. Why have you been picking fights lately? You’ve been like that ever since you started dating Sunchan. Don’t tell me you…”

“Stop with the nonsense. It’s just that I can’t stand looking at your disgusting face.”

“What? Disgusting? Is that all you have to say?”

“No, I’m not done yet. You’ve been acting all lovey-dovey at school lately. It’s so embarrassing to watch, so please, can’t you stop?”

“Funny. When have I ever been lovey-dovey?”

“Has your already bad brain gotten worse? Can’t you remember? Did you get hit by a wind missile in the head, person?”

And so, the two of them started arguing.

Even though it had been three months since we last met, their relationship was as consistent as ever.

Based on past experience, with that level of tension, they’d probably fight for at least an hour.

It’s best not to approach the two of them in that state.

I subtly backed away.

“Um, Noona. Hyung. Please don’t fight so much… We’re here for a good cause…”

Normally, Sunchan would have subtly backed away with me, but.

Sunchan was now dating Senior Heeyun.

There was no way he could quietly retreat.

Sunchan had no choice but to start mediating between the two of them.

“Sunchan, you stay out of it. Noona will handle it.”

“Sunchan, this hyung doesn’t want to raise a fist to his younger brother, so can you please be quiet?”

Of course, there was no way that mediation would work.

The two of them continued to argue.

And Sunchan was just standing there, looking flustered, not knowing what to do.

‘Serves him right. That’s what he gets for being so lovey-dovey.’

I left the three of them behind and entered the building.

It seemed the party would start without those three.

* * *

Leaving the party hall, which was not yet set up, I headed to the rooftop of the building.

It’s been a while since I’ve been here.

Before entering Obelisk Academy, I think I used to come here at least once a month.

“The view is still great.”

Memories flooded back.

Before implanting the AI.

After doing various magic training with Adela.

We used to have feedback sessions here after eating.

It was only two years ago, but it feels like a long time ago.

Is it because I’ve experienced too much in between?

Well, it has been a full two years.

Especially the last six months.

It’s understandable that it feels distant.

“Ah.”

Just then, the rooftop door opened, and a familiar voice was heard.

It was Adela’s voice.

“Did you come to catch your breath?”

I turned to look at Adela.

Like everyone else, she was wearing a fancy party dress.

A black dress that suited her fair skin and blonde hair.

Her hair, curled up and tied to one side, suited her quite well.

It didn’t look like Adela’s handiwork, so the head maid must have prepared it.

“Yes. I thought I’d get some fresh air before the party started…”

Adela walked towards me step by step.

The moonlight, which had been hidden by the building, began to illuminate Adela.

She looked as if she had become one with the moonlight, like her innate magic.

“Why are you here…”

Adela stood next to me.

I subtly turned my head and pointed my chin towards the first floor.

Senior Heeyun and Senior Jinseok, who were still fighting, were clearly visible.

“Ah, I see. You ran away.”

Adela nodded as if she understood immediately.

It was common knowledge that it was best to leave when those two were fighting.

“Geez… They’re still the same.”

Adela leaned her arms on the railing and looked down at the first floor.

“They’re not the same, though? I was really shocked to see Sunchan and Senior Heeyun being so lovey-dovey.”

“Ah… Well, yes. They are a bit much.”

Adela smiled wryly.

It seemed she understood me 100%.

The shock that was already big became even bigger.

…Adela considers it lovey-dovey.

What kind of lives are those two living?

It’s terrifying.

I should avoid being in the same place as Sunchan and Senior Heeyun as much as possible in the future.

I might get sick from it.

I made that decision.

“Well, it’s a relief that they seem happy.”

“Yes.”

Adela smiled brightly.

It’s painful for us to watch, but that means they’re enjoying their relationship, so I should think of it positively.

“It’s kind of emotional. Graduation.”

Adela took her eyes off the first floor and looked up at the sky.

Perhaps because of the bright lights around us.

The stars are not as visible as usual.

“I think we talked about this before.”

“Did we?”

“Yeah. When you passed the early graduation exam.”

“Ah, I remember.”

Adela’s eyes lit up.

“When the three of us went out for dinner?”

“That’s right.”

Back then, Sunchan was the first to bring it up. He said it was emotional to think about graduation.

“Time really flies. It’s already been two months since then…”

“I know. Tomorrow is already graduation.”

Tomorrow, we will officially graduate.

After receiving our diplomas, returning our uniforms, and receiving our medals, we will be freed from our status as students and begin our lives as official mages.

Today’s party is to celebrate tomorrow’s graduation.

Originally, it would have been right to have the party tomorrow, but many people spend tomorrow with their families.

So, it was decided that it would be better to have the celebration party a day earlier.

Everyone agreed to that idea, and that’s how the party venue was set up.

“Adela, are you going to become the head of the family right away?”

“No. Not yet.”

Adela’s expression hardened.

“I wish I could do it right away, but… I’m still young. There will be a lot of opposition.”

From the elders of the Mystic Council to the major shareholders and chairmen involved in other companies. They would all surely oppose it.

“So, for now, my mother has decided to take over as the head of the family.”

“Ah, Lilian-nim?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Yes.”

Adela smiled brightly as if she was truly relieved.

If someone else had become the head of the family, there was a high probability that the management rights would have been transferred.

Then Adela’s position would have become unstable, and the Mystic Council might no longer be the Mystic Council.

Both Adela and I were worried about that, but now that Lilian-nim has decided to take over as the head of the family, those worries have disappeared.

“Then you’ll be focusing on learning the family’s affairs for a while.”

“No.”

Adela shook her head.

“My mother seemed to want me to do that, but… I refused.”

“Why?”

Learn the family’s affairs as quickly as possible and take the position of head of the family as soon as possible.

Until recently, Adela had said that she would do that.

But she’s saying no?

“I don’t think there’s a need to be so impatient.”

Adela met my eyes.

Her eyes were like the moonlight.

They were as calm as the moon, which is always in its place at a set time.

“I’m still 18, right? Slowly. I’m going to focus on improving my skills first. It won’t be too late to learn the family’s affairs after that.”

“……”

I couldn’t find any trace of impatience in Adela’s expression and eyes.

Before going to France, she had ‘I’m impatient’ written all over her face.

It seems that the incidents in France had a big impact on Adela.

Well, there were so many big things that happened. It’s understandable that her thoughts would change.

“And, well, I don’t think I’ll have time to learn the family’s affairs for a while.”

“Why?”

Adela took her arms off the railing and extended her right hand towards me.

“Because I’ll be busy enough just mastering this.”

The mana began to change at that moment.

The surrounding mana began to move according to Adela’s will.

“You, that’s…”

“Surprised? After I started getting used to the Sol Lunari-specific mana circulation method you told me to learn, I was able to do this.”

The free manipulation of mana.

That’s the first stage of the Bytener method. The foundation of ‘Simui’ [a technique to control mana].

Only when you can change the mana as you wish can you finally complete ‘Simui’.

Although it’s only half-baked, she’s entered the basics of the Bytener method on her own.

‘I knew that she had become quite similar to me and my master due to the grace of God, but…’

I never thought she would be able to do something like that. I’m speechless.

“I want to focus all my energy on honing this power right now. The family’s affairs… It won’t be too late to learn them after that.”

Adela’s eyes shone sharply.

“And by honing this power well and increasing my strength…”

It was a cold gaze mixed with murderous intent and hostility.

“I’ll be able to deal with them with my own hands.”

It was a raw murderous intent towards the Black Magic Tower.

* * *

The party, which lasted about three hours, ended.

On the way home.

I was listening to Mr. Seokhyun about the status of the requests that Terun Sitrea had made.

“Everything has been carried out as instructed. If we sign the contract tomorrow, it seems we can use it as a research lab right away.”

As expected, Mr. Seokhyun’s work skills were top-notch.

I never thought he would finish everything in just one day.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“It wasn’t even hard work.”

Mr. Seokhyun replied with an expression that said it was nothing.

If someone else had said that, it would have sounded like a platitude, but when Mr. Seokhyun said it, it sounded like it really was nothing.

It’s amazing.

Is this the importance of one’s usual behavior?

“If you need anything else, please feel free to ask anytime…”

Just as Mr. Seokhyun was about to say his next words.

Bang!

A crow flew in and crashed into the front windshield of the car.

The front windshield of the car was covered in the crow’s blood.

“I’ll stop for a moment.”

“Yes.”

Mr. Seokhyun stopped the car and checked the crow that was sprawled on the hood.

It wasn’t moving.

It seemed to be dead.

Well, it crashed straight into a car that was traveling at 130 km/h, so there was no way it could be alive.

“It’s an ordinary crow.”

He didn’t seem to find any special magical traces in the crow’s body.

Mr. Seokhyun returned to me with a calm expression.

“I’ll take care of it.”

And he moved his mana as if he was about to burn the crow’s corpse in his hand and get rid of it.

At that moment, a familiar energy was detected in the crow’s body.

“Wait a minute!”

At my shout, Mr. Seokhyun immediately stopped his actions.

“Let me check it for a moment.”

I placed my hand on the crow’s corpse and sensed the mana.

It’s certain. This unique form of mana and special magic.

There’s only one person in this world who can use this kind of magic.

I placed my hand on the crow’s corpse.

No.

“As expected…”

I placed my hand on the crow’s shadow.

Then, a small note, about the size of three fingernails, appeared from within.

“That’s…”

“It’s a simple shadow storage magic designed to be noticed and taken out only by someone who can use the same shadow magic.”

“If it’s shadow magic…”

“Yes.”

I replied while checking the note.

“It’s a letter from Shadow.”

The note read:

[Levi. 23rd, 4:14 AM. Gimpo.]