The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 32

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

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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 32
Perhaps it was because the proposal was so unexpected?
Zeke McLafflin momentarily wondered if he’d misheard and asked for clarification.
“Pardon me, what did you just say? You’re asking me to join the Royal Court Mage Order?”
“Indeed. You strike me as exactly the sort of talent the Royal Court Mage Order desperately needs.”
“…Me?”
As the name suggests, the Royal Court Mage Order is composed exclusively of mages.
Moreover, it’s an organization that gathers only the most elite of the kingdom’s most renowned mages—the cream of the crop.
The idea that someone like me, who hasn’t even formed a Circle, would be inserted into such a group was absurd.
It was hardly surprising that Zeke McLafflin wore a bewildered expression.
If anything, it was Dalpred Bigsland who seemed stranger for trying to recruit me solely because I’m a Dragonian.
Zeke McLafflin spoke with a face that conveyed his confusion.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I don’t have a Circle.”
“I am aware.”
“And I can’t even sense mana.”
“I know that as well.”
‘Then why are you doing this?’
Out of respect for my elder, I couldn’t bring myself to voice that final thought aloud.
I feared being labeled as disrespectful.
Yet Dalpred Bigsland seemed to understand my feelings perfectly, offering a gentle smile.
“I understand your sentiment well. The idea of placing a non-mage in the Mage Order does seem incomprehensible, no matter how one thinks about it.”
“Precisely.”
“But my thinking differs. You are a magnificent mage. A prodigy of such extraordinary caliber that one might only appear once in a century.”
‘What nonsense is he spouting? I don’t have a Circle!’
I held my tongue and stared at him, whereupon Dalpred Bigsland let out a hearty laugh.
“Still unconvinced, I see. Then allow me to explain. First, take a deep breath.”
As Dalpred Bigsland opened his chest and inhaled deeply, I found myself following suit almost reflexively.
“What did you just breathe in?”
“Air.”
“Correct. The most obvious answer. Yet ordinarily, you don’t consciously think about breathing air, do you? You don’t, correct?”
“There’s no need to think about something so natural.”
“Precisely. And that’s why you cannot sense mana.”
As I wore a puzzled expression, Dalpred Bigsland continued with his explanation.
“Your body, blessed with Dragonian talent, treats mana as if it were air. You breathe it in and accept it as naturally as breathing itself—far more naturally than your conscious mind realizes.”
“But then why can’t I form a Circle?”
“Can you create something from air? Can you control air as you wish?”
“No.”
“Your body is in the same state. It’s become so natural that you’ve actually forgotten how to use it. In reality, you’ve achieved complete mastery over mana.”
I don’t lack the ability to sense mana—I’ve simply forgotten how to sense it?
Because it’s become as natural as breathing air?
“…So what you’re saying is, I can’t do anything right now, but I have the potential to become an Archmage or something like that?”
“Archmage? No. A Draconian is the kind of being who makes a name for themselves worthy of becoming one of the 12 Pioneers. That’s a legendary talent bestowed by the heavens themselves.”
‘Here I am, suddenly becoming a legend without even a Circle….’
Seeing that I still didn’t look convinced, Dalpred Bigsland continued his explanation.
“You’re not failing to sense mana. You simply aren’t aware of it because it’s as natural as breathing. Otherwise, how could you have instinctively seen through your opponent’s incantations and dismantled their magic?”
“Hmm….”
I was troubled.
Whether I should let myself be persuaded or not.
‘Damn it. I can’t exactly reveal it’s because of the system….’
If I’m not careful, I’ll end up enlisted in the Royal Court Mage Order.
Staying as I am is far more convenient—why would I want to live bumping shoulders with clueless mages?
Since I wanted no part of such troublesome affairs, I kept my expression one of continued bewilderment.
“You don’t seem to understand. That’s understandable enough. You’ve only ever nullified magic instinctively, after all. But don’t worry. Under a good teacher, you’ll be able to master magic in no time. Or rather, ‘awaken to it’ would be the more fitting expression.”
Dalpred Bigsland was treating me as though I were an Archmage who’d lost my memories.
“Hmm, I understand. You’re saying I was born with tremendous talent. But there’s something else I don’t understand.”
“Tell me.”
“Why are you so insistent on putting me in the Mage Order?”
“Because you’re a talented individual destined to make a name for yourself in the world.”
“If you put me in without even learning a Circle, wouldn’t the other mages strongly object? They’d naturally call it nepotism.”
“Don’t worry about that. Retired though I may be, I still possess the influence to control the Royal Court Mage Order.”
‘Of course I know that. You’re practically friends with the King himself.’
Concealing my true thoughts, I couldn’t help but feel troubled.
Not only was he treating me like a lottery ticket he hadn’t even scratched, but now he was saying he’d teach me magic and wanted me to join the Royal Court Mage Order.
‘I’d much rather quietly build up my proficiency somewhere out of sight….’
Beyond the annoyance of it all, I had neither reason nor motivation to enlist, so I was about to politely decline.
If Carbollearos hadn’t stepped in.
-Zeke. Accept the proposal.
‘What? Why would I accept such a bothersome proposal?’
-Please accept it. I’m asking you.
There was no real need to heed Carbollearos’s opinion, but I had to ask.
This was the first time he’d been so insistent.
‘Why? What’s the reason?’
-That is….
I listened carefully to Carbollearos’s voice.
I’d asked out of mere curiosity, but ultimately I had no choice but to be convinced.
Carbollearos’s reason was reasonably sound.
“Understood.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“I’ll join the Royal Court Mage Order. But I have a condition.”
“A condition?”
“If a situation arises where I need your help later, I’d appreciate it if you could grant me one favor.”
At Zeke’s response, Dalpred Bigsland’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, soon curved into crescents.
“Understood. I shall do so.”

* * *
“It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered like this.”
“I hate it. I can’t stand these dreary places.”
“True, you’ve complained every time you’ve come here.”
Darkness hung thick over the Secret Chamber.
Powerhouses capable of shaking the continent assembled one by one.
The 12 Pioneers—legendary grand mages of the 9th Circle who had mastered magic and left their mark on history.
That was the name the world knew them by, yet fewer than half of them were actually present.
“Why are so many absent?”
“I don’t know. Everyone seems busy.”
“Shouldn’t they set aside their busy schedules to come? A matter this grave has emerged.”
“Kekeke, how could they attend when the most important person is missing?”
A white-haired elder in a black robe entered the secret chamber late.
“Baluduk, your habit of being late hasn’t changed at all, has it?”
“And your manner of addressing your elders remains unchanged as well.”
“What’s wrong with my manner? I’d say I’m treating you quite well.”
“Disrespectful brat. Take your feet off the table before you speak.”
At Baluduk’s remark, the young man did not lower his feet.
He merely snorted dismissively.
“I don’t take orders from second-in-command.”
“As if I expected otherwise.”
“Regardless, you seem awfully relaxed, Baluduk. Are you unaware that we’ve gathered for a grave matter?”
“Right, I’m busy right now. If there’s something to resolve, let’s finish it quickly.”
Despite the others’ protests, Baluduk’s expression remained serene.
“Isn’t it nice to have a meeting after so long and see each other’s faces like this? Kekeke.”
“I’m in no mood for jokes. Don’t you see the people here have carved time out of their busy schedules to gather because of you?”
“Making a serious face over one little joke? You’re no fun at all.”
“Enough with the nonsense. Do you have any countermeasures? How do you plan to rectify this situation?”
Baluduk smiled with ease, as though he’d already considered as much.
“Don’t think about it so seriously. I have a plan, after all.”
“How can you tell us not to think seriously? If things go wrong, we could be exposed as well, couldn’t we?”
“Exactly. The Magic Tower Master you planted was captured, and that idiot Third Prince of Decan got caught too. Because of that, it’s even become known that we sent spies into the country.”
“Right! That king won’t just leave his son who committed treason alone, will he? It’s only a matter of time before the Third Prince spills everything!”
“Kekeke, my, my, is your faith in me really this lacking?”
Baluduk smiled reassuringly after letting out a chuckle.
“Would I have handled things so carelessly? Don’t worry about information leaking. The Third Prince knows nothing. The king hasn’t even grasped how many spies entered, nor does he know our true objective. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Then what about the Tower Master of Decan? Isn’t he locked up in the Underground Dungeon being interrogated right now?”
“Since he was the actual field commander, he must know a lot of information?”
Despite his colleagues’ objections, Baluduk’s leisurely smile never faded.
“A Mana Oath binds him, so that’s not a problem either.”
“What if he abandons the Circle and reveals the secrets anyway?”
“Khehehehe, of course I’ve prepared for that—I placed a curse on him without his knowledge. The Tower Master won’t leak any information. The moment he tries to speak of it.”
The smile vanished from Baluduk’s face, leaving only a chilling gleam in his eyes.
“He will die on the spot.”

* * *
The moment I returned to the bedroom prepared in the Royal Palace, I pressed Carbollearos for answers.
‘Were you serious about what you said earlier? That the magic Gregor used is ancient magic?’
-Of course I was serious. Why would I lie? It’s not like I’m losing gold coins over this.
Before accepting Dalpred Bigsland’s proposal.
Carbollearos had asked me to join the Royal Court Mage Order.
It was because Gregor seemed to be using ancient magic.
-The magic he used on you is ancient magic activated through the Demon Tongue. It draws on the Circle’s vitality and life force as payment, so it’s unaffected by binding constraints.
‘It doesn’t use external mana?’
-Correct. The spell operates solely through internal power.
‘That’s why my absorption couldn’t block it.’
At that time, I had been using my mana absorption skill while Gregor cast his spell.
I was somewhat surprised to see him cast magic despite that, but fortunately my magic absorption skill activated and prevented the damage.
-Three thousand years ago, there was magic using the Demon Tongue as well. It was primarily used by Lich Dragons, and I remember being flustered when my dispel had absolutely no effect on it.
‘Based on what you’re saying, it really does seem like ancient magic that’s been lost and abandoned by now. Even I, who’ve read every book in the Magic Library, have never heard of magic using the Demon Tongue.’
-Then where do you think that man learned ancient magic?
‘It must have been taught to him by Baluduk, who was his master.’
-Exactly. That’s why I asked you to join the Royal Court Mage Order. I wanted to meet this man called Baluduk.
Ordinary people have difficulty meeting even a 9th Circle Grand Mage, let alone one of the 12 Pioneers.
There’s no way to even determine their location.
But if you’re part of the Royal Court Mage Order representing the kingdom, an opportunity might arise someday.
And if you make a name for yourself in the Royal Court Mage Order, that probability becomes even higher.
That was also why Carbollearos wanted to join.
-Once I learned that someone was using ancient magic, I couldn’t simply ignore it. I wanted to find out where and how he learned it, and discover the truth. It’s possible I might even learn the fate of other dragons.
Since it involved his own species, Carbollearos had asked me without hesitation.
And I agreed to his request without much deliberation.
-I’m saying this now, but thank you, Zeke. For agreeing to join the Royal Court Mage Order as I suggested.
‘Don’t mention it. We’re in the same boat anyway. And didn’t I promise you before? That I’d show you the world.’
-Thank… you. Really. I’m glad I chose to follow you.
Carbollearos’s voice trembled slightly, as if moved by my words.
But unlike Carbollearos, I felt the weight of my conscience.
There was no need to thank me for it.
【Sudden Quest: Join the Royal Court Mage Order】
└Dalpred Bigsland has proposed that you join the Royal Court Mage Order.
└Accept the proposal and complete your initiation ceremony with the Royal Court Mage Order.
【Conditions】
└Joining the Royal Court Mage Order
【Rewards】
└Random stat increase of 450
[Do you accept the Quest? Y/N]

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

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