The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 40

Wednesday afternoon.

All classes were over.

“Is there anything more to read now?”

“No. Nothing left. I just finished reading all the books related to dispelling.”

In the meantime, I had read all the books about dispelling that existed in Mimir’s Well.

“So, Heir, do you understand what dispelling is now?”

“……No.”

But it was literally just ‘reading’. I still didn’t understand even half of what dispelling was.

“Honestly, I don’t get it. I have a vague idea of the structure, but…”

“It’s beyond your comprehension, isn’t it?”

“……Yeah.”

Mimir’s words were exactly right. The realm of dispelling was beyond my understanding.

It was like a different dimension.

It felt like I was looking at differential and integral calculus before even learning basic arithmetic.

“It’s natural that you don’t understand. It’s like trying to teach a human without wings how to fly by moving their wings. You can’t understand it now because the conditions haven’t been met.”

“That’s a good analogy.”

“Right?”

It was an accurate analogy.

Something was being explained in great detail, and I understood the structure, but as someone without wings, I couldn’t understand even half of it…

That’s what the realm of dispelling felt like.

“Then, the only way to meet those conditions is to enter the page of the third trial?”

“That’s right. All the answers are on the page of the third trial.”

“Is it possible that the person you asked me to give regards to will teach me dispelling?”

Mimir had said that when I entered the page of the third trial, I should give her regards.

That meant that Mimir’s acquaintance was sleeping inside the page of the third trial.

That also meant that this mysterious acquaintance might be the one to teach me about dispelling.

‘Unlike the previous two pages, entering just before becoming a 3rd Circle Master, it makes sense if it’s not just a test but also an educational process.’

Above all, becoming a 3rd Circle Master and reaching the realm of dispelling is just too difficult.

It’s almost impossible to learn without a proper teacher.

“If you’re curious, go in. You’ve finished reading the books now, so you’re going straight in, right?”

“……Is there some kind of restriction that prevents you from talking about the page of the third trial?”

I asked, just in case, because Mimir seemed too reluctant to answer.

“No. It’s not a restriction.”

“Then what is it?”

It’s not ‘a’ restriction.

That meant there was something other than a restriction.

“A promise.”

“……A promise?”

“Yeah.”

Did she make some kind of promise with someone waiting on the page of the third trial?

“What kind of promise?”

“I can’t tell you that. It’s a promise just between the two of us.”

Mimir smiled brightly.

But she looked somewhat sad.

“Mimir……?”

She was clearly smiling brightly, but it was strangely heartbreaking.

She was like this when she asked me to give her regards last time.

‘Who is the person waiting on the page of the third trial that makes her like this?’

At this point, I’m genuinely curious.

Who on earth is waiting on the page of the third trial?

I feel like I need to head to the page of the third trial quickly, even if it’s just out of curiosity.

“You’re going right away, aren’t you?”

Mimir seemed to have read the impatience in my expression and asked if I was going right away.

“Yeah. That’s the plan.”

I put the book I was reading back in its original place.

“The books you read. You may not understand them, but you remember everything, right?”

“Of course. I remember every single word.”

I tapped my head with my index finger and smiled confidently.

“Well, if you have the same constitution as Ray, you wouldn’t forget.”

Mimir smiled.

“Then, have a good trip. You remember what I asked you, right?”

“I remember. I’ll be sure to give them your regards.”

“Okay. I’m counting on you.”

Mimir, for once, got up from her seat and came to the front of the exit.

“Have a good trip.”

Then, she tapped her fist against my chest and smiled brightly.

* * *

The top floor of the headquarters of a subsidiary of the Mado Shin-ga [Mado Shin-ga is a powerful family or organization], where Shin Ji-han was the representative.

Shin Ji-han was enjoying a banquet with the company executives.

“Haha! As expected of Representative Shin Ji-han. To secure a contract so easily!”

“You’re truly amazing, Representative.”

The executives smiled broadly and flattered Shin Ji-han.

“You flatter me. I was just lucky.”

“Haha. If you could get a contract just by being lucky, how easy would life be? It’s not luck, it’s your ability, Representative.”

“That’s right! It’s your great skill, Representative!”

This time, Shin Ji-han succeeded in forming an alliance with a fairly large company in the United States.

It was an alliance that broke through a competition ratio of 30 to 1.

The benefits the company gained from this were immeasurable.

“At this point, it’s no exaggeration to say that you are practically the next head of the Mado Shin-ga!”

“Of course. Considering what you’ve done so far, you should definitely be the one!”

The profits of the subsidiary were also the profits of the Mado Shin-ga.

Shin Ji-han’s position within the Mado Shin-ga was becoming increasingly solid.

“It’s all thanks to you all. Thank you.”

Shin Ji-han bowed his head with a kind smile.

“Oh! Representative, please don’t do that. We’ll be in trouble if you bow your head.”

“What have we done to deserve this?”

The executives made a fuss.

“I’m just expressing my gratitude with the meaning that I’m counting on you in the future, so please don’t feel too burdened.”

Shin Ji-han said with a wry smile.

“Then, I’m counting on you all in the future as well.”

“Ah, of course. Absolutely.”

“We will follow you forever, Representative.”

The executives laughed heartily.

They were firmly determined to follow Shin Ji-han forever.

“The future of the Mado Shin-ga is very bright!”

“Indeed. And the youngest master is also making a name for himself again.”

“Haha. It’s a double celebration.”

At that moment, a slight crack appeared in Shin Ji-han’s kind smile.

“Ah, I heard. He single-handedly defeated the Emerald Turtle.”

“Is that all? I heard he fought on par with Adela Stewart, who has entered the 4th Circle [A level of magic mastery].”

“I was lucky enough to see the battle video. Haha. It was amazing. If his face had been covered, I would have thought it was a formal magic battle between adults! Haha!”

“……”

Every time the executives praised Shin Ha-yul, Shin Ji-han’s expression grew colder.

“It’s hard to believe he was a misfit.”

“I guess once a genius, always a genius. To overcome that desperate situation. It’s truly admirable.”

As if they hadn’t noticed Shin Ji-han’s subtle change in expression.

The executives continued to talk about Shin Ha-yul.

It must be because the banquet had gone on for a long time and everyone was drunk.

“With Representative Shin Ji-han leading the way, and both siblings being so outstanding, the future of the Mado Shin-ga is secure for the next 100 years! Haha!”

“Indeed. Absolutely!”

Of course, drunkenness wasn’t the only reason.

They were already 100% sure that Shin Ji-han would be the next head of the Mado Shin-ga.

They were simply genuinely happy that Shin Ha-yul, the only blemish on the Mado Shin-ga, had been revived, which benefited Shin Ji-han.

“……”

Shin Ji-han was well aware of this fact.

He fully understood that they were saying such things because they didn’t even consider Shin Ha-yul as a rival.

But.

‘I don’t like it.’

Even though he knew all of that, he didn’t like their conversation right now.

‘The fact that Ha-yul’s reputation is improving within the family. It’s very… very displeasing.’

They might not be wary of Shin Ha-yul.

They might think that no matter how much Shin Ha-yul grows, he will never be able to beat Shin Ji-han.

But Shin Ji-han was not like that.

To Shin Ji-han, who had the memory of being utterly overwhelmed by his younger brother who was more than 10 years younger, Shin Ha-yul was the worst rival threatening his position.

The current situation where Shin Ha-yul was being recognized by everyone was very displeasing.

“Representative? Are you not feeling well?”

Finally, as if noticing Shin Ji-han’s mood, an executive cautiously spoke.

“Haha. No, it’s just that I drank too much, so I’m a little dizzy. I’ll go get some fresh air for a bit.”

Shin Ji-han desperately swallowed his displeasure and put on his kind mask.

If he stayed in this place any longer, his mask might break.

That would be a problem.

“Ah! If that’s the case, I’ll accompany you.”

“No, I have some things I want to think about. Please continue to enjoy the banquet. I’ll go alone.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Shin Ji-han left the banquet hall after saying those words.

Shin Ji-han arrived at the terrace shortly after.

He took a long breath and then muttered.

“……Ha-yul. It seems like it won’t work out.”

He said that while thinking of Shin Ha-yul.

“I don’t think I can have you around.”

Shin Ji-han’s expression twisted grotesquely.

* * *

[The Book of Idhred, page 214]

I placed my hand on a geometric magic circle that was similar to the magic circles of the previous two trial pages, but seemed to have evolved further, and rotated my mana.

According to the subtleties of interference, I detected and analyzed the mana of the magic circle.

I matched my mana 100% with the mana of the magic formula.

‘Interference.’

My mana began to interfere with the magic circle.

And.

Flash!

Immediately after the Book of Idhred shone.

My vision was instantly dyed in darkness.

“……A forest?”

I was standing in a forest I had never seen before.

‘What kind of trees are this big?’

First of all. The trees were big.

Too big.

They were covered by lush leaves, so I couldn’t estimate their exact height.

But they seemed to be about the height of a 50-story building.

“Wow……”

The scenery of the forest, with trees the height of 50-story buildings standing densely packed, was truly breathtaking.

Chirp chirp!

The chirping of birds could be heard amidst the beautiful scenery.

It was somehow calming.

I took a deep breath in that state.

The unique scent of the forest tickled the tip of my nose.

It felt somewhat healing.

‘By the way, where is this?’

The scenery was great, the nature was great, and the healing was great, but.

What on earth was going on?

‘I thought I would go to a pure white space like the previous two trial pages.’

Why did I suddenly fly into a forest?

‘There’s no guide either. And unlike before, I didn’t hear my teacher’s voice.’

Did I make some kind of mistake?

No. That couldn’t be.

If I had made a mistake, I should have stayed in the room, not suddenly teleported to a forest.

‘Then, is it possible that this entire forest is the page of the third trial?’

No, even so, that couldn’t be. How could you create such a vast space inside a bookshelf?

Even if the Bytenner style was magic that transcended common sense, that was too absurd.

‘I really don’t know what’s going on.’

The person Mimir asked me to give regards to was nowhere to be seen.

What am I supposed to do here?

‘At least they should tell me how to get out of here.’

I was stroking my chin with a serious expression when it happened.

Thump!

The ground shook with a sudden explosion.

‘An earthquake? No, it doesn’t feel like that.’

A singular tremor.

Thump!

Such explosions and tremors were repeated regularly.

It was as if a giant was stomping heavily on the ground, causing such sounds and tremors.

Thump, thump, thump!

The sound was getting louder.

The vibrations were also getting stronger in sync with the sound.

‘Is something approaching?’

Just as I finished thinking that and slowly turned my head towards the source of the roar.

.

.

.

Suddenly, all sound disappeared.

An unsettling silence.

In the midst of that.

Crack! Crash!

Giant trees the size of skyscrapers were broken like straws as they collided with something.

Kwoooooooo-!!!

A huge maw appeared through the gaps.

Scales like an alligator, eyes that were vertically slit like a reptile.

Sharp, saw-like teeth.

That appearance.

I’ve seen it in a book.

“A… Drake?”

A disaster-class monster beyond ranking.

A Drake.

‘Why is a monster like that here…?’

The monster that swallowed a mythical kingdom was staring directly at me.