The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 76

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

The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 76
[Basic Skill: Sage’s Eye]
-Effect: With the insight of a sage, you can see through all phenomena that cannot be understood.
-Special Note: It is always active, and comprehension increases according to your Intelligence stat.
‘This skill is rather vague, isn’t it?’
The description alone didn’t give me a clear sense of what this skill actually did.
It seemed like something I’d only truly understand through direct experience.
‘Is it already being applied right now? I’m not sure.’
Just as I fell deep into thought.
A brilliant flash—!
Light flickered once, and someone appeared among the crowd.
“Is everyone here?”
“You’ve arrived!”
Through the guild members hastily bowing their heads, I could instinctively tell.
The middle-aged man who had just appeared was none other than Azrahil Johnston.
‘He certainly looks masculine.’
The moment I thought that.
I saw his true face through my eyes.
[Sage’s Eye pierces through the phenomenon.]
A delicate young man’s face.
‘That’s Azrahil’s real appearance?’
On the surface, he gave off a masculine impression, but in reality, he was a delicate young man.
Completely different from what others perceived.
But I could see through it.
Thanks to the Sage’s Eye skill I had just learned.
‘He’s younger than I thought?’
How could someone so young have reached the 9th Circle?
Even my father, called the greatest talent in Decan, hadn’t surpassed the 9th Circle by the time he turned fifty.
The question was soon answered.
‘That person’s mana pathways are far more expanded than anyone else’s.’
With mana pathways opened so wide, he accepts external mana far more fluidly?
That meant his mana affinity was hundreds of times superior to others.
In short, he seemed like a being born for magic itself—something that could only be explained by the word “talent.”
‘Are all the 12 Pioneers such monsters?’
Without being at least that level, one couldn’t achieve the 9th Circle at such a young age.
Nor could one reach the pinnacle of all mages.
‘The Sage’s Eye is incredible. It lets me understand things like this in an instant.’
It was undoubtedly the Sage’s Eye that allowed me to understand the phenomena I couldn’t comprehend.
Rather than merely thinking he must be strong, it pierces through and reveals the reason why.
It was a far more remarkable skill than I had anticipated.
‘On the other hand, it seems he hasn’t seen through my true nature.’
Currently, I was disguised with an alteration skill.
Yet Azrahil showed no sign of noticing anything amiss when looking at me.
The way he glanced over with indifferent eyes said it all.
“All seven have gathered. We’ll begin the meeting now.”
Eight men in total stood in a secluded forest, conversing.
“First, I’ll hear each of your reports. Chad, rank 2, you begin.”
“Yes, then….”
The man named Chad stepped forward.
He was the bear-like fellow who had suspected me before.
“The goods that arrived last time were successfully delivered to Daikin Village. I confirmed that 23 villagers consumed the drug without the slightest suspicion. However….”
“However?”
“At that time, there was an outsider present who grew suspicious of me, so I lured him to a deserted place and eliminated him.”
“You investigated his background thoroughly before eliminating him, correct?”
“Of course. He was merely a traveler, not a noble. There will be no complications.”
“Understood. Next.”
“Yes! Rank 3, Greg. Reporting. Delivery of goods to Lubo Village is complete, and the villagers showed no unusual reactions. That concludes my report.”
“Good, next.”
“Rank 4, Dennis. Reporting. Goods were delivered to Huidon Village and most residents consumed them without issue. However, one couple grew suspicious and refused. I eliminated both and staged it as a suicide.”
“There’s no risk of exposure?”
“No. The residents believe they took their own lives due to financial hardship.”
“Understood. Next.”
“Rank 5, Samuel. Reporting….”
Throughout the reports, I had to struggle to hide my bewilderment.
What in the world was all this?
Delivering goods to villages, administering drugs to residents.
It was nothing but incomprehensible words, even to the Sage’s Eyes.
‘Is it because this isn’t a phenomenon, so the skill won’t activate?’
From what I gathered, they were delivering something to villages and having the residents consume it.
It seemed each member had a village under their responsibility.
‘It appears they’re reporting in order of rank within the Kelbrige Combination….’
After rank 2, 3, 4, and 5 came rank 7.
Currently, rank 8 was continuing their report.
‘My turn comes after that fellow, doesn’t it? What rank am I supposed to be?’
I roughly understand what my assigned task is.
The problem is my rank.
It’s clear I’m rank 9 or lower, but I don’t know my exact position.
‘There’s no choice. Even if it raises suspicion, I’ll have to be vague about my rank.’
Shortly after, rank 8’s report ended and it was my turn.
“Rank last, Nathan. Reporting….”
“Hey, aren’t you doing this right?”
The one who interjected mid-sentence was Chad, ranked second in the hierarchy.
Since he’d been suspecting me all along, his provocation wasn’t particularly surprising.
“Why are you skipping the rank? Didn’t you see what the seniors before you did?”
“I said I was last in the ranking, sir.”
“You should state your exact position.”
“Does that matter? There’s no one here who doesn’t know my rank.”
“What?”
Sparks flew in Chad’s eyes.
He looked ready to kill on the spot.
But that was all.
The actual boss, Azrahil, was sitting quietly—what could a mere 6-Circle mage like me do?
Azrahil frowned, apparently annoyed.
“Stop it. Let’s hear the report.”
“Yes, understood.”
Chad backed down obediently.
But resentment lingered as he glared at me with sharp eyes.
‘Do as you please. I just need to avoid suspicion from Azrahil.’
I continued with my report.
“After infiltrating Hamilton Castle as a Guard and observing the situation, I confirmed that Count Agos was defeated in the territorial dispute. Accordingly, I personally eliminated Count Agos and Kierus Barton, the spy we had planted, and ignited the flames of war.”
“You completed your task well. But I’m curious about one thing.”
Azrahil approached me.
His expression showed utter bewilderment.
“How did Hamilton Territory defeat Agos Territory? We planted a spy specifically to ensure victory, yet they lost—I can’t understand it. Was the operation exposed?”
“No, sir.”
“Then?”
I fell into momentary contemplation.
Whether to tell the truth or conceal information.
The deliberation was brief, and my judgment swift.
“The operation was successful. Agos’s army breached Hamilton’s gates and invaded the interior. However, there was an unforeseen variable.”
“A variable?”
“One of the mercenaries from the Golden Eagle Mercenary Corps, hired by Hamilton, possessed extraordinary martial prowess.”
“Just one mercenary?”
Azrahil let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.
“You’re telling me you lost the war because of a single mercenary? Are you joking?”
The magical power of a 9-Circle Archmage constricted my body.
It was truly terrifying pressure, but my high resistance made it bearable.
Besides, I could absorb the magical power anyway.
‘But I can’t absorb it or show composure.’
I deliberately feigned panic and dropped to one knee.
As if yielding to an invisible pressure, my body trembled like an aspen leaf.
If Mary had seen it, she would have given me a thumbs up for such a convincing performance.
“I-I’m not lying. How could I possibly open my mouth about any safety matter and jest about it…?”
“Does that make sense? You’re telling me you lost because of a single person?”
“I-I’m serious. I witnessed with my own eyes a single man slaughtering hundreds of Aura users. In Hamilton Territory, he’s already being treated as a war hero. I’m telling the truth….”
Azrahil seemed to sense the truth in my words and released the magical pressure.
Only then did the suffocating sensation disappear.
I even had to perform the act of gasping for the breath I’d been holding.
“Slaughtering hundreds alone? Was there an Aura Master in the Mercenary Company?”
“F-From what I heard, they called him a Spellblade.”
“A Spellblade?! That’s even more absurd.”
Azrahil’s scoff was understandable.
In all of human history, a Spellblade had never existed.
They were only passed down as legends, like dragons.
It was impossible because mastering even one discipline was difficult, let alone two.
It was a realm that could only be achieved by a dragon living for thousands of years.
“I’m merely stating the facts. From what I heard, he was a 6-Circle mage who also trained in swordsmanship. He had a special weapon that allowed him to face Aura users….”
I recounted only the facts straightforwardly.
With so many witnesses, hiding the truth risked exposure, and there was no reason to conceal it anyway.
If Azrahil targeted me, it would actually be advantageous for my side.
‘Perhaps Azrahil will inform the other Forerunners.’
Yet even after I spoke the truth, Azrahil’s eyes still held disbelief.
“Do you know the man’s name?”
“Yes. He was called Zeke.”
“Zeke…?”
For some reason, Azrahil seemed quite surprised.
It was as if he’d heard a familiar name.
“Heh, so that bastard is this one? I should hope Esca succeeds.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. In any case, I understand. I don’t believe in the Spellblade, but I’ll choose to believe it.”
“Thank you, Azrahil.”
His muttering was puzzling, but I let the situation pass.
I exhaled in relief, but it wasn’t over yet.
“Azrahil, would it be possible to speak with you privately for a moment?”
“Is it something important?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Chad, who ranked second in the hierarchy, suddenly requested a private conversation with Azrahil.
The way he glanced at me suggested it was related to me.
‘Something feels uneasy.’
Zeke silently watched the two figures disappear into the forest, his gaze unwavering.

* * *
“We won’t be overheard here. So, what did you want to tell me?”
“There’s someone among the guild members I suspect of being a spy.”
“A spy? Who are you talking about?”
As Azrahil narrowed his eyes, Chad spoke bluntly.
“Nathan.”

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