Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 323

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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323. Second Author

Though it’s unclear exactly when it started, Countess Nex and Grey had been continuously researching something.

Explaining Grey would make my mouth hurt, and while Countess Nex might seem lacking compared to the Empire’s Grand Mage, she was still the royal mage of the Millennium Kingdom Heuji and possessed knowledge in her specialized fields of enchantment and auxiliary magic that didn’t fall short of Grey’s.

These two distinguished mages were jointly focusing intensively on their research.

Serena was secretly curious about the research content, but she absolutely didn’t show any interest.

Because she knew the future that would unfold the moment she showed interest in the research.

That would be crossing the threshold of a graduate research lab, a place with a threshold higher than the university entrance she had only stepped on when visiting friends in her previous life.

Their research consumed considerable resources. As if trying to prove that magic was an expensive field, they constantly demanded magic stones, gems, and gold and silver.

On top of that, they frequently took monster byproducts, and demanded various things from the alchemist for research purposes, draining a lot of cash.

Why did she tolerate research that was rapidly depleting the already scarce resources of the lobby?

‘Grey boasted loudly that it would help with conquering the labyrinth.’

To dismiss it as nonsense from a high-ranking person who didn’t know reality, Grey knew reality quite well for someone of his status.

So Grey and Countess Nex could be exempted from the menial tasks that young and sick Neet did, and could focus on research while consuming many resources.

“What do you think we’re researching, Your Highness?”

Grey had said he would tell her about the research project, but instead threw the question back at her.

Serena, though abnormally so, was still a wannabe mage who had learned up to 5th-tier magic, so she deduced based on the consumed resources.

‘Gold, silver, gems, and magic stones. They used a lot, but still, what they consumed most was paper from the Labyrinth Book.’

And Countess Nex’s specialty was auxiliary magic, enchantment magic, and magic circle design. Combining the two roughly gave her the result.

“Scrolls, right? While the facilities are insufficient to create real scrolls, if Countess Nex and you join forces, you should be able to create simple scrolls.”

Olive brightened up upon hearing the Princess’s deduction.

“We’re getting scrolls? Really? Even if it’s just something that makes light, it would be really convenient and nice~”

Though Serena had given the correct answer, Grey raised his eyebrows as if that wasn’t enough.

“Oh my. Anyone with eyes would… Oh, I’m sorry.”

Grey used a common idiom to point out the Princess’s answer, then realized he had unintentionally insulted Serena and quickly apologized.

The old man looked around with frightened eyes, worried that his sister-in-law might have heard what he said.

The cheeky brat made an annoying expression again, knowing Philia wasn’t around.

“Everyone knows it’s scroll research. Haven’t you ever thought about what kind of scrolls we’re researching?”

Serena shook her head. The moment she showed interest, her future of going straight to the research lab was obvious, so she deliberately didn’t think about it.

“Tsk. A mage shouldn’t be uninterested in another mage’s research. Tsk tsk, with such lack of scholarly enthusiasm.”

A leopard can’t change its spots. Grey acted annoyingly again and clicked his tongue.

Serena wished Grey would go to the 6th Floor as soon as possible and accidentally fall down. Preferably into the dirtiest mud pit.

‘This isn’t a curse. I just wish it would happen.’

Since curse resistance was precious, she firmly stated it wasn’t a curse.

Whatever she was thinking inside, her facial muscles, trained through a lifetime of effort, moved as intended.

Serena sparkled her one and only eye as if she was really curious and wanted to know so badly she couldn’t stand it.

“What kind of scrolls are you researching?”

Grey raised the corners of his mouth and answered confidently.

“Blank scrolls.”

“Blank scrolls?”

She had heard of blank checks, but blank scrolls were a first.

Countess Nex brought out research materials from the capsule and explained.

“Scrolls can only use the magic enchanted during creation. So it becomes troublesome when you use up all the scrolls with that particular magic.”

Countess Nex stated something too obvious. Serena was about to react asking if that wasn’t how scrolls originally worked, when she recalled what Grey had said.

“Blank scrolls means… surely not…”

Thinking it might be too much of a logical leap, Serena swallowed her words. Grey confidently answered that it was exactly what she was thinking.

“That’s right. We’re researching scrolls that only have the mana to cast magic enchanted on them, so you can decide what magic to use as needed.”

Like writing the desired amount on a blank check, using the desired magic with a blank scroll.

At this tremendous idea, Serena forgot to manage her expression and gaped. If this research succeeded, the magical world of the continent would be turned upside down.

‘If it succeeds, that is!’

No wonder two distinguished mages were immersed in research, excluding only Neet’s classes and meditation time.

Serena was conducting research that would be mind-bogglingly difficult just to imagine.

“Wow. It would be really convenient when conquering the labyrinth~ Scrolls are too expensive to buy, but if they’re blank scrolls, we might stock up on a few even if they’re expensive?”

“Not just for labyrinth conquest. They’ll be useful in many ways.”

People who were laymen in magic were happy thinking about using blank scrolls conveniently once they were invented.

People who had encountered magic, even theoretically, reacted differently.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. I can’t even imagine how complex the manufacturing process will be.”

Count Randy, who was smarter than Serena, was horrified with various expressions of dismay. Serena also trembled at the terrible theory and manufacturing process.

Though reincarnated as a princess, Serena had lived as a commoner in a Confucian country in her previous life. Unable to speak carelessly to her benefactor and elders, she spoke gently and indirectly.

“It’s certainly excellent research. But must you do it here, in such poor research conditions, and right now?”

Wouldn’t it be better to use that dedication and resources to create ordinary scrolls and provide them to the conquest team?

Grey didn’t speak but moved instead. A white piece of paper was thrust in front of Serena’s face.

“Why are you giving me paper?”

“Try holding it.”

Though she didn’t understand, Serena did as Grey instructed.

The Princess holding the paper was so shocked that her one and only eye nearly rolled out.

“Th-this is!”

The ordinary-looking paper had mana concentrated in it capable of casting 1st-tier magic.

This was basic for scrolls, so it wasn’t that surprising. What truly amazed Serena was that the mana in the paper seemed to wriggle as if it would move according to Serena’s will.

She didn’t know what kind of miracle had been worked on the paper, but this was indeed a blank scroll.

If someone who knew magical theory and could skillfully control mana held this paper, they could cast any desired 1st-tier magic.

Serena was terrified and carefully cradled the paper in her arms.

“What on earth have you two created?”

She had thought it would be impressive if they could just make scrolls in this barren labyrinth without proper resources and research facilities, but they improved them?

In Serena’s view, both of them weren’t human. In both good and bad ways.

“The Countess’s scroll-making skills were better than I thought. She crafted it well according to my concept.”

“Hehe, making it probably shortened my lifespan by 10 years. *Cough cough cough!* But I’m truly happy it was completed according to Grey’s hypothesis *cough cough!* Grey is a genius.”

Countess Nex intermittently coughed while patting Grey’s shoulder as if proud of him.

Grey shrugged his shoulders. His expression and attitude exploded with arrogance, but Serena couldn’t say anything.

Serena was careful not to crumple the paper with her trembling hands.

“To actually create blank scrolls!”

“The biggest advantage of scrolls is that even people who don’t know magic can use them easily. In that sense, this is still incomplete. Only mages can use it.”

“In other words! For mages, it’s a blank scroll!”

“Yes. But we only completed a 1st-tier scroll, and we’ve run out of Labyrinth Book paper, which is most necessary for research.”

Grey made an irrefusible proposal.

“You’ll go to the 8th Layer, right?”

Because of the excellent research results, Serena was about to nod like someone possessed, but barely regained her senses.

The 8th Layer wasn’t a place to enter and exit so simply. It was very dangerous.

“You know I can’t use magic on the 8th Layer.”

“That’s why we made this first.”

The old man held out a bundle of papers. It was fixed to a hard clipboard that could be hung around the neck, with a pen attached.

“Your Highness has already succeeded in casting magic through writing on the 8th Layer. Using this paper, pen, and ink will make casting even easier.”

Saying that seeing once was better than hearing a hundred times, Countess Nex recommended a test.

Serena, overwhelmed and stunned by the two mages’ achievements, took the pen.

Whether it was made of gold, it was heavier than it looked and shone with golden light.

She was about to cast a simple light orb spell, but as soon as she put the pen to paper, she got a feeling.

‘I don’t need to desperately write incantations like last time! I get that feeling!’

What mattered was the mental image and minimal words expressing what she wanted. Serena simply scrawled “light orb” on the paper.

Moving her mana and picturing a light orb in her mind, the paper with “light orb” written on it disappeared into thin air, and a sphere of light was created next to Serena.

Ooooooh!

Exclamations erupted from all around the lobby. Since she shouldn’t be satisfied with just 1st-tier magic, Serena cast another spell.

It was her specialty, the ice arrow.

This time too, she didn’t use a long incantation and simply wrote the words “ice arrow.” Then the paper disappeared and an ice arrow was generated next to the orb of light.

Even louder cheers rang out than when she had cast the orb of light.

“More convenient, right?”

Serena hadn’t said anything yet, but Grey was smugly showing off.

However, Serena couldn’t say anything to the arrogant and annoying Old Man.

‘Are we different species?’

What was this mage-exclusive blank scroll? Even if he had just given her that bundle of papers as research results, Serena would have willingly knelt before Grey.

‘Not that I’d actually kneel. I mean I’d want to kneel.’

Serena sincerely acknowledged it. The Imperial Grand Mage had sufficient qualifications to call himself a Grand Mage, to call himself magic’s top disciple or apostle.

“You’re going to the 8th Layer, right? Don’t dangerously go to other floors, just collect Labyrinth Book papers from the 26th Floor.”

‘What? Was the Old Man actually the protagonist? Rejuvenation and Labyrinth conquest. Was that it?’

“Why aren’t you answering?”

‘Rejuvenation and Labyrinth conquest has too weak a hook though. Isn’t there a more dopamine-exploding title? Grey and the Mysterious Labyrinth? That’s too crappy too.’

“Your Highness! This isn’t my research but joint research with Countess Nex! We’ll publish the research under both our names and add Your Highness’s name as a major participant!”

Serena had just been pondering titles for a moment, but Grey seemed to have misunderstood something and said he’d put Serena’s name on the paper too.

“Me? Why add me?”

“Well, naturally because we started the research inspired by Your Highness’s achievements. Your resourcefulness in substituting written incantations for vocal spell casting in an environment where you couldn’t vocally chant magic spells was remarkable.”

Since Count Randy was tied up with equipment crafting and couldn’t go to the 12th Layer anyway.

Serena re-entered the 8th Layer Labyrinth Library.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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