The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 48

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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 48
Gerard McLafflin found himself lost in thought.
Lately, bewildering situations had been occurring with increasing frequency.
“…Who exactly is this person?”
“He is Nox Venomayer. You’ve heard of him, haven’t you? One of the 12 Pioneers, known as the Pioneer of Extreme Toxin….”
Zeke McLafflin continued his explanation, but the words barely registered.
I could only stare down at the unconscious man with disbelieving eyes.
“Let me verify something.”
Gerard McLafflin channeled mana into the wrist of this man called Nox.
‘Nine rings encircle his chest. He’s a powerhouse of the 9th Circle.’
Regardless of whether this was truly Nox Venomayer, he was a 9th Circle Grand Mage stronger than myself.
So why was such a person lying unconscious?
And held captive in Zeke McLafflin’s grasp, no less.
“Dalant.”
“….”
“Dalant!”
“…Y-yes!”
“Bind him with restraint cuffs and lock him in the Royal Underground Prison. And bring my master on your way.”
“Understood.”
Dalant, who had finally snapped back to attention at the absurdity of it all, led Nox away.
Click—
The moment the Study Room door closed, a long sigh escaped Gerard McLafflin’s lips.
“Phew, Zeke. What is the meaning of this sudden appearance? Is he truly the Pioneer of Extreme Toxin?”
“Yes, Father. From what I observed of his poison magic, there’s no doubt. The leader of Black Moon also provided confirmation. Oh, and you did receive the leader of Black Moon well, didn’t you?”
“I did. I heard the full circumstances from Count Bryant and Mary.”
“Then there’s no need to explain the details of what transpired.”
Zeke McLafflin smiled brightly, but Gerard McLafflin’s expression remained troubled.
“Zeke. Even if you are a Draconian who can manifest Shadowless Incantations, this was reckless. You’ve only recently awakened your magic, yet you captured the leader of Black Moon? And as if that weren’t enough, you attempted to personally apprehend the Pioneer of Extreme Toxin? What would have happened if things had gone wrong?”
“But in the end, everything worked out.”
“You speak as if it were simple… Phew….”
Gerard McLafflin, who had been about to scold him further, found his anger dissipating as he looked at his son’s innocent face.
If the person he’d brought back truly was the Pioneer of Extreme Toxin, then this represented an extraordinary achievement.
‘Had it been me… could I have captured the Pioneer of Extreme Toxin?’
I posed the question to myself, but the answer that came back was negative.
It was only possible because Zeke McLafflin was a Draconian.
‘To bring back the Pioneer of Extreme Toxin. What a truly wondrous talent. What a remarkable thing it is to be a Draconian.’
I clicked my tongue in admiration while maintaining my stern composure outwardly.
For now, I had to play the role of a father disciplining his son.
“Next time, at least give me some warning about what you’re planning to do. Don’t startle me like this.”
“I apologize. I acted far too recklessly, didn’t I?”
“You call that a warning? I nearly died!”
‘It wasn’t really that dangerous.’
I wanted to retort, but I held my tongue.
Gerard McLafflin didn’t know that I possessed the ability to nullify magic.
He had no idea I was an Aura Master-level expert.
To him, I was merely an unusual existence who had awakened an innate talent for magic.
So naturally, he couldn’t help but worry.
“I’ll be more careful next time.”
My act of contrition seemed to work—Gerard McLafflin refrained from further nagging.
He merely wore an expression of lingering concern.
“Are you injured anywhere?”
“No. I’m perfectly fine.”
“My own son captured both the leader of Black Moon and the Poison Pioneer single-handedly. Who in this world would believe such a tale? Hehehehe.”
Though he’d feigned anger, the upward curve of his lips betrayed his quiet pride in his son’s accomplishment.
“As Mary likely told you, the Poison Pioneer was manufacturing assassination toxins. Someone in the royal family was the intended target. Beyond that, I’m uncertain of the details, but….”
“I see. I’ll interrogate the wretch myself and uncover the rest. For now, you’re to withdraw from this matter. As commander, I’m granting you several days of rest.”
“Understood. Oh, and regarding Nox Venomayer—if possible, please have Father take credit for the capture. It’s still too early for me to reveal my true capabilities. The attention would be burdensome.”
“Of course. Who would believe the truth anyway? I’ll handle it as you suggest.”
“Thank you, Father.”
I bowed and withdrew.
Gerard McLafflin watched my retreating form with eyes that held both concern and pride.

* * *
‘This is utterly absurd.’
Nox Venomayer exhaled a series of despondent sighs, lamenting his predicament.
How could he not feel self-loathing when someone renowned as one of the 12 Pioneers found himself utterly immobilized by mere restraints and iron bars?
Yet what truly exasperated Nox Venomayer most was the boy who had reduced him to this state.
‘What in blazes is that wretched creature? How did my poison have absolutely no effect? And how did he even use the poison magic I developed?’
His mind churned with questions, but the immediate problem was his current imprisonment.
‘This appears to be the Royal Underground Prison of Decan….’
The expensive restraint bars covering every surface made it unmistakable.
‘Damn it. I cannot cast magic at all. How do I escape?’
At times like these, I envied Baluduk immensely.
He could wield demonic arts, which remained unaffected by restraints.
As Nox Venomayer gnawed anxiously at his lower lip, a voice called out.
“Nox Venomayer.”
I lifted my head at the summons, and a vaguely familiar face came into view.
“You are… the patriarch of the McLafflin Family.”
“So the renowned 12 Pioneers recognizes me. Should I call myself honored? Ha.”
Nox Venomayer glared at Gerard McLafflin with eyes that seemed ready to tear him apart.
His pride was wounded at being mocked by someone of a lower Circle.
“A mere 8-Circle upstart calling yourself a Prestigious Magic Family? Now I understand why the Decan Kingdom is such a weak nation.”
“Yet you were defeated by a fifteen-year-old boy, were you not? Your reputation is wasted. Truly wasted.”
“….”
Though I was being ridiculed, the truth of it left me speechless.
“Who is that boy? What is his identity?”
“I ask the questions. What business does a celebrity of the Albitz Kingdom have sneaking into our realm?”
“….”
“You refuse to answer? Well, I anticipated as much and came prepared.”
At Gerard McLafflin’s gesture, three guards appeared.
They carried long skewers in their hands.
“Are you planning to torture me?”
“I’m giving you a chance. Speak your purpose. What scheme are you plotting?”
“Do as you wish. I won’t utter a single word.”
Nox Venomayer held firm.
I had no intention of divulging information to an enemy nation.
Just as those men were loyal to their kingdom, I was equally devoted to the Albitz Kingdom.
Gerard McLafflin’s expression darkened, as if he understood this fact well.
“Everything is already over. Why exhaust us both with pointless resistance? Simply speak.”
“….”
“If you insist on keeping silent, I have no choice. Proceed.”
“Yes!”
The moment the command ended.
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
Three skewers pierced Nox’s body from different angles.
Yet Nox merely widened his eyes, not uttering a single scream.
A far different reaction from Gregor’s.
‘Has he ingested some toxin that numbs pain? Hmm…’
Gerard sensed it instinctively.
Breaking this man’s will would not be easy.

* * *
Mallock Pierce, leader of Black Moon.
It didn’t take long before he opened his mouth.
Shaaaa—
Light emanating from Zeke’s hand restored Mallock’s ruptured groin to its original state.
A situation that could only be called miraculous.
Hope bloomed across Mallock’s face like sunlight, dispelling his lingering suspicions.
Because something heavy had settled beneath his pants where he’d felt nothing before.
“There, I’ve fixed it back to normal, haven’t I? Now spill everything I ask. If you don’t, I’ll make you a eunuch again.”
“I’ll talk… Ask me whatever you’re curious about.”
Having reclaimed what was precious to him, Mallock became remarkably cooperative thereafter.
So much so that Zeke, recalling those days alone in his room, couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle.
‘Just because I fixed that one thing, he spilled all the high-grade information without hesitation. He must have hated the prospect of becoming a eunuch more than death itself.’
I extracted three pieces of information from Mallock.
1. The person who developed the poison was Nox Venomayer, one of the 12 Pioneers.
2. The location of Nox Venomayer.
3. That Baluduk could use subspace and employ demonic sorcery.
It wasn’t I who was pleased upon hearing this third piece of information—it was Carbollearos.
-If we find that fellow Baluduk, we might uncover the connection to the Lich Dragon! Subspace is demonic sorcery that only the Lich Dragon can use!
If we find the Lich Dragon, we might even learn the fate of the other dragons.
Though Carbollearos harbored such hopes, I found myself indifferent.
I was preoccupied with the Quest at hand.
【Main Quest: Hand over Nox Venomayer to Gerard!】
└You have obtained information that Nox Venomayer, a Pioneer of the Albitz Kingdom, has entered the Decan Kingdom.
└Find and subdue Nox Venomayer, then transfer him to Gerard McLafflin.
【Conditions】
└Subdue Nox Venomayer and transfer to Gerard McLafflin
【Rewards】
└Acquire Skill ‘Hunter’s Senses’
└Acquire Item ‘Vest of Extreme Toxin’
The moment I heard the information from Mallock, this Quest surfaced in my mind.
Zeke accepted as if he’d been waiting for this moment, then knocked Mallock Pierce unconscious.
After instructing Mary to find his father and explain everything that had transpired, he set out to locate Nox.
That was everything that had happened up until now.
‘Fortunately, things worked out well. Though I suppose I was just acting on faith in my own abilities.’
Even the 12 Pioneers were ultimately nothing more than mages who wielded mana.
Though they might inspire fear in others, before me—a natural enemy of mages—they were merely criminals.
‘Now I should check my rewards, shouldn’t I?’
I smiled with anticipation, waiting for the Quest rewards to arrive.
Since I’d subdued Nox and handed him over to my father thirty minutes ago, they should be coming through soon.
And indeed, right on cue.
The message I’d been waiting for appeared.
[Nox Venomayer subdued and transferred to Gerard McLafflin. Transfer complete!]
[Main Quest cleared!]
[As the first reward, you have acquired a new basic skill.]
[As the second reward, an item has been granted. You can check the item in your subspace.]
Given the caliber of my opponent, this time I received two rewards.
The first was a skill, as had been the case with previous Main Quests.
[Basic Skill: Hunter’s Senses]
-Effect: You can perceive the movements of all living creatures in your vicinity.
-Special Properties: The skill can be toggled on and off, and you can choose to sense only specific targets. The range expands based on your total stats.
Though I’d never seen this skill before, it seemed remarkably useful.
‘Why not test it out now that I’ve learned it?’
The moment I decided to activate the skill, my senses sharpened dramatically.
I could feel the movements of every living creature around me, one by one.
‘This is insane—the range seems to be about 280 meters!’
Though I’d experienced something extraordinary, maintaining the skill continuously proved overwhelming.
Sensing every movement within 280 meters quickly flooded my mind with chaos.
It felt like being thrown into a crowded marketplace.
I would need considerable training to avoid information overload.
‘Alright, I’ll adapt to this skill whenever I have time… Now let me check the second reward.’
The second reward was surprising—it was an item.
‘In my past life, items like this didn’t exist… but it said I could check it in my subspace, right?’
It was like receiving an item in my inventory in a game.
I immediately opened my subspace and found a vest I’d never seen before.
[Vest of Extreme Toxin]
-Classification: Upper Garment
-Effect: Immunity to all poisons and poison-attribute magic. Ability to use [Banish with Poison].
-Durability: Infinite
-Usage Restriction: Bound to Zeke McLafflin
-Description: A vest worn by the Extreme Toxin Pioneer. A total of 13 items exist in this set, and you can receive set effects.
-Outfit Set Effect of the 12 Pioneers (1/13)
-4-Set Effect: ?????
-7-Set Effect: ?????
-10-Set Effect: ?????
-13-Set Effect: ?????
‘What is this? Is it a real item?’
The vest appeared ordinary at first glance, but the moment I touched it, a system window materialized before my eyes.
It was likely visible only to me.
‘Wow. Just by wearing this, I become immune to poison and can use magic?’
[Banish with Poison] was the poison magic Nox Venomayer had wielded—a spell that scattered poisonous mist while enabling instant teleportation up to 10 meters away.
‘I can use it as a mobility skill, and with the invisibility technique included, this will be incredibly useful.’
The moment I put on the vest, the skill [Banish with Poison] appeared in my basic skill list.
‘Items like this are pretty good, aren’t they?’
I hadn’t expected much, but this exceeded my hopes.
Moreover, judging by the description, there were set effects as well.
‘To maximize the set effect, I need to collect all 13 pieces?’
That meant at least 12 more item rewards were waiting for me.
A smile crept across my lips.
But it was short-lived.
‘Wait… the set effect name is…?’
My expression grew serious as realization struck.
‘Outfit Set Effect of the 12 Pioneers?’
Did this mean I had to subdue all the 12 Pioneers?
But why 13 pieces instead of 12?
The question nagged at me, but the real problem was whether I truly had to capture the Pioneers.
‘No way… the system wouldn’t ask me to do something like that, right?’
I desperately tried to deny reality.

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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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