The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 61

Leaving the research institute, I returned to my lodgings and immediately fell into thought.

‘What the heck is going on?’

My head is a mess.

I went to the research institute to resolve my questions, but it only made things more confusing.

‘Why is there a Black Tower executive at the research institute?’

The man who identified himself as the head of the research institute was definitely at the 7th Circle [a high level of magical power].

And in the Black Tower, all 7th Circle users are executives.

That means the man is one of the ten known executives of the Black Tower.

Why would such a big shot be on this remote island?

‘Did he come to deal with me after receiving a request from Shin Jihan?’

My image within the family has been rapidly improving lately.

Could Shin Jihan have become impatient and, without thinking, sent an assassin after me?

‘From the Black Tower’s perspective, they also need to cover up the failure of the Leng Smith case. If a Black Tower executive came directly to restore their reputation and ensure a clean finish, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched.’

Based on the circumstances, that was the most plausible hypothesis.

But there’s something that bothers me.

‘But even if Shin Jihan has become impatient, would he really send an assassin after me in this situation?’

Shin Jihan is well aware of the current situation.

He probably knows that a shadow is stuck to me and that an investigation into spies is underway within the family.

In this situation, would Shin Jihan really take the risk of sending an assassin after me?

‘Maybe Se-ah noona [older sister], but I don’t think Shin Jihan would rush things to that extent, taking such a risk.’

No matter how I think about it, there’s no way Shin Jihan would make the foolish choice of sending an assassin after me at this time.

‘If the goal was to deal with me in the first place, they would have infiltrated the training grounds, not the research institute.’

No matter how I think about it, it’s hard to believe that they came to deal with me.

‘Then is this incident not related to me, but to the abnormal climate on Baengnyeong Island?’

The unexplained anomalies currently occurring on Baengnyeong Island.

The continuous mana amplification phenomenon.

The disappearance of the ley line [a path of magical energy] and the mana overflow.

Could all of this be the aftermath of the Black Tower’s machinations?

The research institute is also a perfect place to carry out such schemes.

The connection is clear.

‘That means…’

My brain spun rapidly.

I objectively analyzed the current situation, added a suitable hypothesis, and derived the most reasonable conclusion.

It didn’t take long to reach a conclusion.

‘The Black Tower is researching or scheming something on this island. And the abnormal climate on Baengnyeong Island is the result or aftermath of that research. Is that about right?’

It’s quite a leap of reasoning, but it’s probably accurate.

After all, a Black Tower executive was disguised as the head of the research institute.

Unless there’s a significant reason, there’s no reason for an executive to step forward.

There’s definitely something in that research institute.

I was convinced of that.

‘So now the problem is what exactly they’re doing at that research institute.’

I couldn’t think of anything in particular.

Research that results in the mana concentration becoming denser every moment.

I can’t even imagine it.

‘Whatever it is, it’s better to leave this island as soon as possible.’

I’d like to uncover their plot and completely destroy it, but this time the opponent is a 7th Circle black mage.

I shouldn’t confuse courage with recklessness. It’s right to retreat now.

‘I can slowly investigate the abnormal phenomena on Baengnyeong Island and the Black Tower’s intentions after returning to Seoul.’

First, I need to secure my safety and then proceed with the investigation step by step.

When something becomes clear, I can dispatch high-level personnel who can deal with the Black Tower executive to this place and take care of it.

‘Kim Kang-in will believe me. I don’t have to worry about who to dispatch.’

I have built trust during the Leng Smith incident, and if it’s information about the Black Tower, he’ll listen to me even without presenting evidence.

‘Now the remaining problem is what reason to give for returning to the mainland tomorrow.’

Early return is not possible without a good reason.

I can’t talk about the Black Tower, so I need to create another excuse.

‘What kind of excuse should I make?’

I slowly began to plan my escape from Baengnyeong Island.

‘Hmm. This should be enough, right?’

After a total of two hours of contemplation, I finished planning my escape from Baengnyeong Island.

* * *

But a plan is just a plan.

Despite two hours of preparation, my escape plan from Baengnyeong Island failed.

‘…How did it turn out like this?’

It’s not that the plan was flawed.

The plan itself was perfect.

I spent two hours preparing all sorts of excuses and even figured out how to convince everyone.

I even got the consent of the instructors and seniors.

All that was left was to take a ship back to Seoul. There was no reason for the plan to fail.

The reason my escape plan from Baengnyeong Island failed was different.

“…The ship can’t leave?”

“Yes.”

The ship can’t leave.

What’s the point of perfectly planning everything if there’s no way to return because the ship can’t leave?

“What’s the reason it can’t leave?”

“You’ll understand if you look at the weather. The weather is too bad.”

Today, the wind and rain are terrible.

It’s not weather that a normal ship can sail in.

“Normal ships are affected by the weather. Mana ships should be able to sail just fine.”

Mana ships.

Since they operate on mana, they are not affected by this level of bad weather. They are also sturdy, as they were built to withstand attacks from sea monsters.

“I’m sorry, but the mana ship is currently unable to move.”

“Why is that?”

“Well…”

The ship official scratched the back of his neck with a troubled expression.

He hesitated, looking like he was having trouble speaking, and then slowly opened his mouth.

“Hasn’t the mana concentration on Baengnyeong Island become denser recently?”

“Yes.”

“As the concentration has increased, the mana engine of the mana ship has become overloaded.”

The mana engine is designed to absorb surrounding mana to operate. Naturally, it is affected by the surrounding mana concentration.

“Is it mana over-absorption?”

“That’s right.”

Mana over-absorption.

A mechanical trouble that occurs when the mana engine absorbs too much mana.

The engine has become inoperable due to the injection of more fuel than necessary.

“In short, it’s due to the negligence of the person in charge.”

“…Yes.”

Usually, it’s a problem that can be solved through maintenance.

The fact that they didn’t notice it in advance can only be explained as the manager’s mistake.

It turned out like this again.

I let out a small sigh.

“What about repairs? Mana over-absorption should be resolved quickly.”

“Well, the mana ship mechanic suddenly disappeared today.”

“The mechanic?”

The mechanic suddenly disappeared?

“Yes. I heard he drank too much last night, so he’s probably sleeping somewhere, oblivious to the world. Sigh.”

The man sighed deeply.

Too much drinking…

“Anyway, the remaining mechanics are all working on repairing the mana ship, but since it’s not their specialty, it will probably be tonight at the earliest.”

“By tonight, you mean around 8 PM?”

“Yes.”

The current time is 10 AM.

There are about 10 hours left until the repair. It’s taking too long.

“Is it not possible to send a ship from Incheon Port?”

What about asking for a ship from Incheon Port? It would take about 3 hours to arrive at Baengnyeong Island Port after preparation.

“Well, with the weather conditions like this, the mana ships in Incheon Port are also…”

“Ah, I see.”

Since normal ships can’t move, mana ships must be replacing everything. There’s no way there would be any idle mana ships.

“I understand. Then I have no choice but to wait. Please do the repairs as quickly as possible.”

There’s no other way but to wait.

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

I greeted the port official, turned around, and headed to where everyone was waiting.

“What did they say? Can the ship leave?”

Soonchan approached me as soon as he saw me and asked.

“No. It can’t leave.”

At my words, a sigh escaped from the group.

They had packed all their luggage and come to the port, but the fact that the ship couldn’t leave was making their heads ache.

“When can it leave?”

“8 PM at the earliest.”

“That’s at least 10 hours left. What do we do in the meantime?”

Soonchan sank into thought with a serious expression.

“Would it be impossible to do the training we were supposed to do today?”

“Yeah. With this weather, it’s a bit difficult.”

“…Right?”

Unless today’s training was indoors, the training we had planned for today was entirely outdoors.

If there were weather variables in the Olympiad training itself, it would be a good idea to experience bad weather in advance, but all the fields in the Olympiad are thoroughly managed by magic, so there are no variables like bad weather.

Training in this weather would only be asking for trouble.

Considering our condition, it’s better not to overdo it.

“Then what should we do…? Does anyone have any ideas?”

“…”

“…”

The seniors were silent.

It seems like no one has any particular ideas.

“Isn’t it okay to just give us free time?”

Jin Hee-yoon, with a tired face, spoke up.

“Everyone hasn’t had a proper rest since the members were gathered. It might be good to take this opportunity to relax and enjoy it like a trip.”

Jin Hee-yoon yawned.

Is it the aftereffect of yesterday’s excessive training? She looks really tired.

“I agree. If there’s nothing to do, free time is better.”

“I’m going back to the lodgings to take a nap. I’m sleep-deprived these days.”

“I’m going to check out the indoor training facility I used the other day.”

“Want to go together?”

The seniors each said a word. The place quickly became noisy.

“Then let’s do that. Those who want to rest can go back and rest. Those who want to look around can look around. Those who want to use the training facility can use it.”

“Okay.”

“They said we can leave our luggage at the management office here, so you can leave it there.”

“What time do we have to be back?”

“Please come back before 6 PM.”

“Okay. I’ll be back by 6 PM.”

“See you later.”

The seniors left one by one.

“I’m going to go get some sleep. Shin Leader, you should rest too.”

Finally, Jin Hee-yoon yawned and left.

Only the luggage left by the seniors, Adela, Soonchan, and I remained in the place.

“What about you guys? I’m just going to rest.”

“Hmm. I’m going to do some training.”

Adela gave the expected answer to Soonchan’s question.

“Adela, you’re really something.”

Soonchan shook his head with a disgusted expression.

He’s used to Adela’s training addiction now.

“Hayul, you’re… No, never mind. You’d be the same, I guess.”

Soonchan, who had turned his gaze to me, shook his head again with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Why bother asking?’

He seemed convinced that I would go train too.

“I’m not going to train.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“…Really?”

The two of them widened their eyes like startled rabbits. Is it that surprising that I’m not going to train?

“I need to rest sometimes too.”

“…Wow, what’s gotten into you? Is the sun going to rise in the west tomorrow?”

But I don’t really feel like training today.

What’s the point of training on an island where the Black Tower is scheming?

“Then what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know…”

I can’t think of anything to do right now.

At that moment, my phone vibrated. It was a text message.

“Sorry. Just a moment.”

It was a text message from one of the shadow agents.

I immediately checked the message.

[The head of the research institute has moved.]

Yesterday, right after I finished planning my escape from Baengnyeong Island, I asked the shadow agents who were attached to me to keep an eye on the head of the research institute.

I didn’t ask them to infiltrate or investigate.

If they did a half-hearted investigation, information about us could fall into the hands of the enemy.

That would be a problem.

What I asked for was observation.

To watch the target from a distance, as safely as possible, without the head of the research institute noticing. That was the extent of my request.

‘Well, the text probably just means that the head of the research institute moved somewhere. That’s probably the extent of the report.’

Since it was a light observation, the information obtained would be very shallow.

I didn’t have high expectations and sent a reply.

[Where did he move to?]

The reply came back immediately.

And the moment I checked the text, my pupils widened.

[We have confirmed that the research institute head, the target of observation, left the island late last night.]

[Shall we track his movements?]

‘What?’

It wasn’t a trivial report at all.

It was a very significant report.

‘…A Black Tower executive left the island last night? Why?’

Why at this timing?

My head started to ache again.

‘What kind of situation is this?’

The mana concentration, which was getting denser every moment, made my head even more complicated.