The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 71

The Rebirth of the Mythical Archmage-72

6 AM the next morning.

Before heading to Incheon International Airport, we first gathered at the Blue Mana Tower.

“Okay, we’ll distribute the customized competition artifacts tailored to each of your unique mana, and then we’ll depart for Incheon Airport.”

After a brief announcement, all that remained was to distribute the artifacts that the Blue Mana Tower artisans had personally modified.

“First, Senior Kang Shinwoo. Next, Senior Ma Jinseok….”

I called out the seniors’ names in order and handed out the designated artifacts.

“They all look the same. We need to make sure they don’t get mixed up later.”

Even though they were customized artifacts, they all looked the same.

Originally, the appearance was set by the Olympiad international standards, so it couldn’t be changed.

Even giving them different colors was not allowed. Each country had its own personal color, and there was a rule that no other colors except that color and black could be used on the artifacts.

“Still, maybe it’s because the Blue Mana Tower artisans made them? They look really bling-bling.”

“Don’t you know that red and black is the truth?”

Korea’s personal color is red.

Our artifacts became black-based rings with red accents.

“You don’t have to worry about them getting mixed up. They’re customized to each of your unique mana wavelengths, so you’ll definitely feel it if you wear the wrong one.”

“Is it that noticeable?”

Ma Jinseok asked casually, examining the ring on his finger.

“I can tell that this exceeds the performance of a competition artifact without even trying it on… Can I try on a different ring for a test?”

“Hmm.”

I looked at Jung Sua, who was waiting behind me, with my eyes.

Jung Sua nodded.

It was a sign that it was okay.

“She says it’s okay.”

“Oh, good, good. Heeyoon, did you hear that? Call?”

“Call.”

Ma Jinseok and Jin Heeyoon exchanged rings and put them on their fingers at the same time.

And at that moment.

“Ugh!”

“Whoa!”

Jin Heeyoon covered her mouth and gagged as if she was about to throw up.

Ma Jinseok lost his balance and collapsed to the floor.

I approached the two of them and took off their rings in turn.

“…Wow, damn. What is this?”

“I thought I was going to die….”

Jin Heeyoon clutched her head as if she still had a headache.

Ma Jinseok sat on the floor and let out a hollow laugh.

“As you can see, they can’t be mixed up just because they look the same. So, you don’t have to worry about them getting mixed up.”

As such, this artifact is structured so that only the owner can wear it.

It is precisely matched to each individual’s unique mana wavelength, so if someone else uses it, this is what happens.

“Sister, here’s some water. Senior Ma Jinseok, too.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The two of them gulped down the water Adela handed them.

Their expressions improved.

“Phew. It seems like we don’t have to worry about wearing someone else’s artifact and going into a match.”

“We should be worried about the aftereffects if they get mixed up….”

If you wear someone else’s by mistake, you’ll end up like Jin Heeyoon or Ma Jinseok.

“You don’t have to worry too much. You won’t have to take them off except when you’re washing, so just be careful then, and they won’t get mixed up.”

“Okay. Whatever it is, we need to be careful.”

“Yes. It would be better if you did. Especially Senior Jin Heeyoon. You really need to pay a lot of attention this time. You can’t lose it.”

“…I’ll try.”

Jin Heeyoon replied with an unconfident expression and voice.

Considering Jin Heeyoon’s usual clumsy and forgetful personality, it was a natural reaction.

It would be better if the artifacts were only given out during matches.

However, these customized artifacts have an ‘adaptation period’.

The effect is maximized only when they are worn regularly.

Since they have to be worn 24 hours a day, the wearer has to take good care of them.

“Adela, please keep an eye on her often.”

“Yes. I’ll keep checking.”

Adela nodded with a determined expression.

“How about we just glue them on with super glue so they can’t be lost?”

Ma Jinseok approached with a playful smile.

“I can take your head off and glue it back on with super glue, Jinseok.”

Jin Heeyoon replied with a grin. She could tolerate being teased by anyone else, but she couldn’t stand being teased by Ma Jinseok!

That was her reaction.

I left the two bickering and approached Adela.

“Adela, how is it? The artisans were a bit worried because your unique mana wavelength is quite special.”

“It’s great. It’s the most comfortable artifact I’ve ever used.”

Adela moved her mana around using the ring on her ring finger, with a subtle smile.

She looked very satisfied.

“That’s a relief. Soonchan, how about you? They said they had a hard time with your unique mana wavelength too.”

Ji Soonchan, the only defense-specialized mana user in Korea.

They said that making his artifact was just as difficult as making Adela’s.

“It’s great. It’s practically like it’s part of my body?”

Soonchan smiled and activated his magic.

A much more solid and larger octagonal-shaped defense magic unfolded, now that he was a 4th circle mage.

“See?”

It was clear that it was much better than before using the artifact.

I quietly gave him a thumbs up.

“How about you?”

“Me?”

Soonchan asked, canceling his magic.

“Yeah. They said your mana isn’t just unusual, it’s bizarre? Is it well-tuned?”

“It was a bit of a struggle, but it worked out somehow.”

I looked at my right index finger and smiled bitterly.

I send my sincere condolences to the artisans who were worn out making this.

“Then, the Four Realms (四界) [Four Realms: A reference to a concept in some Eastern philosophies, often representing different levels of existence or states of mind] must have been completed safely?”

Adela leaned her face towards me, her eyes shining.

“Yeah. It’s done.”

I took out a small box from my pocket. A luxurious box with sophisticated patterns and letters engraved like a spell.

It was a lens case designed to store the world’s first contact lens-type artifact, ‘Four Realms’.

I opened the case and showed the round contact lens with a diameter of 13.4mm inside.

“Wow….”

Adela’s eyes shone even brighter. It was as if a galaxy was pouring out.

“That’s the Four Realms. The color is insane.”

Soonchan gaped in admiration. The four attributes of light that flowed out subtly, fused together like an aurora, were truly a work of art.

“Was this also just completed today?”

“Yeah.”

It was supposed to be completed a week ago, but the completion was delayed by a week due to a problem with my unique mana imprinting.

“Geez. What did the artisans do to deserve this? They couldn’t sleep because of you.”

“…I know.”

Of course, my mana is very unique.

Thanks to the Infinity Circle, a mana circulation path that is different from the norm, and the peculiarity of passing through the brain, it is a unique mana wavelength that does not match any existing mana wavelength.

Because of that peculiarity, they failed to do the final mana imprinting on the Four Realms.

Kim Kangin, as well as the artifact artisans of the Blue Mana Tower, were all taken aback.

The analysis of the mana properties was perfect, but it was the first time that the unique mana imprinting had failed.

Not only the Four Realms, but also the competition artifacts were the same.

After that, an emergency was declared, and they began to find a way to imprint my unique mana safely.

After a week of Kim Kangin and the artisans’ desperate efforts, they somehow succeeded in imprinting my unique mana on the Four Realms.

It was completed along with my competition artifact this morning and came into my hands.

“Have you tried wearing it?”

“No. Not yet. I’m going to get used to the competition artifact first, and then try wearing it.”

Having many artifacts is not always a good thing. Artifacts are support tools that interfere with the mana circle and increase efficiency, so problems can occur if you use incompatible artifacts together.

In severe cases, you can become a cripple. You should always be careful when using artifacts at the same time.

“That’s amazing. If it were me, I would have worn the Four Realms first.”

“The competition is more important than my curiosity or interest.”

“Ooh~ Leader Shin~”

Soonchan gave a thumbs up.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

Then Kim Kangin appeared. His face was a mess.

The faces of the artisans who followed Kim Kangin were no different from his.

They were all beyond pale.

‘It’s like they have sinkholes in their cheeks?’

It must be because they stayed up all night for a week because of me. I feel even more sorry.

“There’s a lot I want to say, but we have a flight to catch. Let’s talk in detail while we move.”

Kim Kangin said, pointing to the limousine bus waiting next to him.

“Let’s go.”

We immediately boarded the limousine bus and began to move to Incheon International Airport.

* * *

After that, we arrived at Incheon International Airport in the limousine bus prepared by the Blue Mana Tower.

“Let’s finish the check-in first and then move.”

Immediately after arriving at the airport, we completed the departure procedures with Jung Sua’s guidance.

Then, we headed straight to the gate where the private jet was waiting.

As expected of a private jet special gate, there were hardly any people in sight.

“Ooooooh!”

“Amazing!”

We stepped out of the gate, and the plane we were about to board came into view.

At that moment, everyone exclaimed.

A sleek-looking aircraft with a proper mix of magic and science.

Everyone was thrilled by the majesty of the state-of-the-art magic airship that they had only seen on TV or the internet.

“Let’s board right away.”

And the moment we stepped inside the airship. Everyone’s exclamations grew even louder.

How magnificent the interior was.

Even a 5-star hotel presidential room wouldn’t be this nice.

“Amazing.”

“My greatest achievement in life has been newly established….”

Not only the seniors, but also Soonchan and Adela were all exclaiming in admiration.

“I never thought I’d get to ride something like this in my life.”

“Hehe. Well, well. It’s a treat thanks to the students.”

“Can I take pictures, can I?”

The instructors were also excited like children on a picnic.

Kim Kangin looked at them with a satisfied expression.

As it was the private jet that the Blue Mana Tower was proud of, he must have been very pleased that everyone was praising it.

“There are about 40 minutes left until departure. In the meantime, you are free to use the facilities inside the cabin.”

“Waaah!”

At these words, not only the school staff but also the artisans of the Blue Mana Tower cheered.

“Tower Lord. Can we use the bar?”

“You can’t drink too much… but I’ll allow you to enjoy it lightly. You’ve worked hard for a week.”

“Thank you!”

“Let’s all go!”

The artisans also wouldn’t have many chances to ride a private jet. They all headed to the bar with great enthusiasm, as if they were going to make the most of this opportunity.

“Ah. Even if you want to use the facilities freely, it would be impossible if you don’t know what’s inside. Sua, can you give them a tour?”

“Yes. I understand. Everyone, please come this way.”

With that, Jung Sua took the seniors and instructors and disappeared into the distance.

“Hayul, aren’t you going?”

“Yeah. I’m going to rest a bit. I have some things to sort out. Don’t worry about me and go. Adela, you too.”

“I’m not particularly interested….”

“I heard there’s a magic training facility in this cabin.”

Adela’s body trembled.

“Magic… training facility….”

Adela’s eyes lit up again.

What would the magic training facility inside the airship look like?

She looked like she was dying of curiosity.

“I’ll go take a look for a bit.”

Unable to overcome her curiosity, Adela immediately got up from her seat and moved in the direction where Jung Sua had disappeared.

“Soonchan, you go too. This is a rare opportunity.”

“Hmm… It would be nice if you came with me.”

Soonchan was still disappointed.

I made eye contact with Soonchan and subtly pointed with my chin at Kim Kangin, who was sitting next to me.

It was a sign that I had something to talk to Kim Kangin about, so he should leave us alone.

“…Ah!”

As if he had finally realized my intention, Soonchan coughed, ‘Ahem.’

“Then, well, I’ll go.”

“Go ahead.”

Then he quickly followed Adela.

With Soonchan gone as well.

Only Kim Kangin and I were left in the seats.

“Everyone is so lively.”

“It’s not like they’ve let their guard down, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Haha. I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant that it’s good to see.”

Kim Kangin smiled contentedly.

I could roughly guess what he was thinking.

“The atmosphere is good. The training results are good. The performance is good. I think we can really look forward to this year.”

“Yes. You can look forward to it.”

Kim Kangin’s smile deepened. He looked very excited.

“More than that, I heard you had something to say to me….”

The reason I was left alone here was because Kim Kangin had signaled me to stay because he had something to say to me. It was definitely something important, but what was he going to say?

“….”

With my words, Kim Kangin’s smile disappeared in an instant.

A cold expression replaced the smile.

The murderous intent, honed by disgust, was directly conveyed.

“I have something to tell you about the Black Mana Tower.”