The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 32

Saturday, 3:30 PM.

I cheered.

‘I did it.’

After a grueling 12-hour challenge, I passed the second test.

[Congratulations on passing the second test.]

At the beginning of page 32 of Idred’s Book, which had been blank, my master’s congratulatory message was written.

That message made the thrill run down my spine again.

[I imagine passing the second test was quite difficult.]

[If my calculations are correct, it should have taken at least two months.]

‘So, it was a test designed to take about two months to pass.’

If I hadn’t obtained Mimir’s Book, I figured it would have taken me about two months.

My prediction was spot on.

[You’ve worked hard. Now, all that’s left is to savor the fruits of your labor.]

Hard work is bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

I think that’s a great saying.

[Now, I will explain how to weave the third ring.]

The third ring.

Feeling that sweet resonance throughout my body, I read the next sentences.

[The third stage of the Vaitner method, and the third Infinity Circle.]

[In the Vaitner method, the third ring is called the Ring of Interference.]

The Ring of Interference.

What kind of power does this ring possess?

My heart pounded with anticipation.

* * *

For two days after passing the second test.

I spent most of my time weaving the third ring.

[The Ring of Interference, as its name suggests, has the power to interfere with the mana of others.]

[To interfere with the mana of others, you need to synchronize 100% with that mana.]

[It’s a very difficult task, but it shouldn’t be a problem for you, who has passed the second test.]

I just thought it was a difficult test for no reason, but my master had it all planned out.

To think that the second test was preparation for weaving the third ring.

I honestly didn’t expect that.

[If this problem is solved, weaving the Ring of Interference is not that difficult.]

[Resonate the Ring of Sympathy and the Ring of Resonance, and synchronize with the surrounding mana.]

[Since you’re not fighting, don’t overdo it. Make sure not to strain your body or circle. Just make the two rings identical.]

[If you continue to resonate like that, the third circle will naturally settle in your body.]

By synchronizing all the mana overflowing in the air into one, the mana settles not only in the already saturated circle but also in the body.

And then they create a home where they can live.

That’s how the third Infinity Circle is formed.

The Ring of Interference.

It was a theory I could understand because I had read books about the Ring of Interference in Mimir’s Well.

‘I’ll succeed this time.’

The key is how long you can maintain the resonance.

The effect should be minimal, but the duration should be long.

Adjust the resonance mana amplification rate to converge below 1%, and maintain the resonance for as long as possible.

‘Hoo.’

I took a deep breath and circulated the circle.

‘Naturally. So that mana can settle in my body as if it were floating in the air.’

I rotate the two circles very carefully and precisely, but not awkwardly.

How much time had passed?

Finally, the first signal came.

‘Giggle!’

‘I like it here.’

‘Let’s play together.’

The whispers of mana are heard.

It feels like they’re playing in my body, and my body is rapidly activating.

This is the first sign of forming the Ring of Interference.

Is it because I’m wearing my master’s robe?

Much more mana than usual is being absorbed into my body.

‘It’s cramped.’

‘I don’t want to go out even though it’s cramped.’

‘I like it here.’

The mana that couldn’t permeate into the circle began to wander aimlessly in my body and complain.

‘Then let’s make a new playground.’

‘Okay. I like that.’

‘Let’s do it.’

This is the second signal.

The mana that has completely settled in my body decides to create a new space on their own.

If you’ve come this far, you’re halfway there.

‘Hoo. This is the real deal from now on. Let’s focus.’

Conversely, it means I’m only halfway there.

I couldn’t check the passage of time because I was concentrating, but considering my previous failures, at least three hours must have passed.

‘I have to keep the resonance going while the mana creates a new home in my body.’

In other words, I have to maintain the resonance for another three hours in this state.

I failed in my previous attempt because I couldn’t last six hours.

4 hours and 11 minutes.

That’s how long I maintained the resonance in my last attempt.

Even with a very small mana amplification rate of 1%, 4 hours was the limit.

However, if I lower the amplification rate below 1%, the mana won’t settle in my body.

It was a total mess.

‘If I didn’t have Mimir’s Book, I would have had a hard time.’

Mimir’s Book contained a clue to solve this total mess.

‘Make the mana settle in my body with a 1% amplification rate, and after the mana has completely settled, gradually reduce the mana amplification rate to below 0.01%.’

Reduce the mana amplification rate slowly but not too slowly, so that the mana forming the circle doesn’t notice.

This will greatly increase the duration of the resonance.

‘Hoo. Don’t make a mistake.’

Buzz, buzz!

Feeling the trembling of mana, I lower the amplification rate of the resonance.

Little by little. Very little by little.

Slowly over an hour.

I divide it into 100 steps and reduce the amplification rate very little by little.

Ultra-fine control that defies common sense.

I poured all my nerves into that control.

Trance.

Just when I forgot that I was even thinking.

‘It’s a success.’

‘I like it here.’

I came to my senses at the feeling of something foreign swirling in my body.

A ring of a unique nature, different from the previous two rings.

To make an analogy, it’s a ring with a lively feeling like a playful child.

‘……This is the Ring of Interference.’

The third ring of the Infinity Circle settled in my body.

* * *

About a week had passed.

Even after weaving the Ring of Interference, my daily life didn’t change much.

I wake up in the morning and do physical training in the training room, take classes until evening, and after dinner, I go into Mimir’s Well and focus on magic training while wearing my master’s robe.

The only difference is that I no longer need to sleep, so I can focus on magic training all night long.

Thanks to that, out of 24 hours, I spent 13 hours mastering the Ring of Interference, excluding 9 hours of classes at school, 1 hour of physical training, and 1 hour for meals and rest.

No, that’s not right.

In fact, I was also focused on studying to master the Ring of Interference during theoretical classes, so I would say that I spent an average of 17 hours a day mastering the Ring of Interference.

‘Mimir. Do you have another book?’

‘What? You’ve already read them all?’

‘Yeah.’

One hour before the start of class.

I was starting my day in Mimir’s Well again today.

‘That’s fast. At this point, aren’t theoretical books meaningless?’

Mimir admired and handed me a book.

I took the book casually and opened it right away.

‘You’ve grasped the principle of interference, right?’

‘Then why bother reading more?’

I turned the page.

‘There’s no harm in having more knowledge, is there?’

Knowledge is always better the more you have.

‘Well, that’s true, but…’

‘It’s also fun.’

The Vaitner method is like the finest tea leaves that bring out a deep flavor the more you read it, and every time I taste it, I feel a new savory taste.

I don’t know how it’s filled with such useful and interesting knowledge, and thanks to that, I lose track of time.

I don’t even need sleep anymore, so even though I live 24 hours a day, I even get the illusion that the day is passing faster.

‘Oh my. Like master, like disciple.’

Mimir looks at me with eyes that see a pervert.

‘What?’

‘Your thirst for knowledge is just like Ray’s.’

‘Ah, I see. Thanks for the compliment.’

‘……It’s not a compliment.’

Mimir shook his head as if he had no answer.

‘Hey, it’s okay. As you said, more knowledge is always better.’

Mimir laughed heartily.

‘More importantly, how is it outside of theory? Are you getting used to using interference?’

‘I’m not at the stage where I can say I’m used to it yet. Just a lot better than before?’

‘How much is that?’

‘Enough to slightly bend the trajectory of a 2nd circle spell?’

‘Oh? What, Successor. You can already interfere with 2nd circle spells?’

Suddenly, Mimir stroked my head.

‘Amazing. I’ll give you a compliment.’

‘I appreciate the compliment, but why do you have to stroke my head?’

‘Because I like stroking the Successor’s head?’

Mimir smiled brightly while still stroking my head.

‘……It’s distracting me from reading.’

Mimir snorted.

‘What distraction? Once you start concentrating, you wouldn’t even notice if I carried you away.’

‘……’

I couldn’t deny it.

In fact, since I started wearing my master’s robe, my concentration has increased even more, and I’ve reached a point where I don’t care about external stimuli.

I don’t know how surprised I was when Mimir was stuck to me last time.

Mimir said that he kept sticking to me to see when I would notice, but I didn’t notice for a full 5 hours.

‘Why? Do you not like it?’

Mimir suddenly made a sulky face.

‘You don’t like it. Okay. Then I should stop. I was happy to meet the Successor after ten thousand years. And I missed the warmth of people after being alone for ten thousand years, so that’s why I did it. But if the Successor doesn’t like it, there’s nothing I can do. I understand. I won’t do it again.’

‘Wow. You’re just making me the bad guy here.’

How can I refuse when he says it like that?

‘Just do whatever you want.’

‘Okay! I’ll do whatever I want!’

Mimir, who had been hanging his head, smiled brightly as if he had never been sulky, and stroked my head again.

He looks genuinely happy.

‘It might be true that he missed the warmth of people.’

He said I’m the first Successor. It must be true that I’m the first person he’s met in ten thousand years.

I felt a sense of pity for no reason.

I should treat him better.

He’s helping me so much, so what’s the big deal about stroking my head?

‘By the way, Successor. Isn’t it almost time for you to go?’

‘Yeah. I was about to get up anyway.’

I just couldn’t get up because Mimir was stroking my head so happily.

I knew it was time to leave.

I put the book I was reading aside for now and got up from my seat.

‘Then I’ll be back.’

‘Have a good trip. You have to master interfering with 2nd circle spells before you come back.’

‘……I’ll try my best.’

‘Trying won’t do. It’s a 1-night, 2-day test, right? How many times can you use interference? You have to master it no matter what.’

Mimir said firmly.

‘And while you’re at it, get first place. I can’t stand seeing the official Successor of the Vaitner method lose to anyone.’

‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll never lose.’

The probability of me missing first place is 0%.

‘Then I’ll be back.’

‘Hmm? What’s this? Are you taking Ray’s robe too?’

‘Yeah. I’m going to use it for the test.’

Today’s training is a 1-night, 2-day survival training.

Since it’s a test that requires staying up all day, my master’s robe, which is great for recovering from fatigue, will be a great help.

And since it looks terrible, it won’t stand out.

‘Wow. You’re cunning. You’re trying to avoid the all-nighter, which is the highlight of survival training, all by yourself.’

‘Then should I not take it?’

Mimir became serious.

‘No. You have to take it.’

‘……You said I was cunning?’

‘Successor. Don’t you know that being cunning is a great compliment?’

Mimir smiled wickedly.

‘Take them all down in a sneaky and despicable way and get first place overwhelmingly. Got it?’

‘Ah, I see.’

I’m confident in that kind of thing.