The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 85

—————
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 85
“What is that?”
To an outsider, it might have seemed like I was playing dumb, but to my eyes, the truth was far different.
[The target you are currently observing is speaking the truth.]
‘So he truly knows nothing about the Lich Dragon?’
I pressed the matter once more.
“The Lich Dragon. It’s connected to your 12 Pioneers, isn’t it?”
“What nonsense are you—cough!”
Azrahil’s complexion turned ashen as blood spilled from his lips.
His condition was deteriorating rapidly.
Death was drawing near.
It was I who grew desperate then.
“Then what about the subspace? Who taught you that?”
“Heh… cough.”
Azrahil offered only a bitter smile, as if unwilling to answer.
Shortly after, his head fell limp.
The vacant stare in his eyes told me he was dead.
“Ha. That bastard certainly knew how to keep his mouth shut.”
There was no need to verify whether he’d stopped breathing.
The completion message appeared as if on cue.
[Azrahil Johnston Eliminated!]
[Main Quest Cleared!]
[First Reward: New Basic Skill Acquired.]
[Second Reward: Item Granted. Check your subspace inventory for details.]
[Basic Skill: Fortitude]
-Effect: For 3 minutes, gain extreme defensive capability against both physical and mental attacks.
-Special Property: Activates automatically when strong external stimuli are detected. 30-minute cooldown after activation.
Fortitude was a passive skill that bolstered defensive power.
It seemed to activate of its own accord when danger loomed.
‘Regardless of its potency, it will prove useful.’
I opened my subspace inventory to examine the item as well.
[Belt of Illusions]
-Classification: Waist Accessory
-Effect: Immunity to all illusions and illusion-attribute magic. Envision desired attire, then press the buckle to activate [Wardrobe] function.
-Durability: Infinite
-Binding Restriction: Bound to Zeke McLafflin
-Description: A belt once used by Brahm’s Illusionists. 13 items exist in total, and set effects can be unlocked.
-Forerunners’ Vestment Set Effect (2/13)
-4-Piece Set Effect: ?????
-7-Piece Set Effect: ?????
-10-Set Effect: ?????
-13-Set Effect: ?????
The items that entered the subspace were equally impressive.
It looked like an ordinary belt at first glance, but pressing the buckle activated a function called [Costume Change].
‘All I have to do is imagine the outfit I want?’
After visualizing myself in the desired attire, I fastened the belt and pressed the buckle.
Click—
Whoosh.
In an instant, my clothes transformed into the robe Azrahil Johnston had been wearing.
‘Wow, it’s just like transforming into a Super Ranger!’
When I touched the fabric, there was no sense of illusion whatsoever.
The texture felt entirely real, as if genuinely changed.
‘With this and my alteration skill, I can perfectly mimic anyone’s appearance.’
If I changed my face and voice with the alteration skill and swapped my clothes with the costume change function?
No one would notice anything amiss.
Even if I disguised myself as Azrahil Johnston.
‘I’ve confirmed all the rewards. Now let me tidy up the surroundings.’
I rifled through the dead Azrahil Johnston’s belongings.
Soon, a communication device fell into my hand.
‘I don’t know who it connects to, but it’s better to have it.’
While I couldn’t extract information from him, I certainly obtained his identity.
‘From now on, I am Azrahil Johnston.’
With a sinister grin, I stuffed Azrahil Johnston’s corpse into the subspace.
Since it wasn’t a living being and the internal space was vast, it fit perfectly.
Afterward, conscious of Duke Jose watching, I designed one final illusion.
An illusion of Azrahil Johnston escaping via teleportation.
Flash!
With a sudden burst of light, Azrahil Johnston vanished.
Seeing this, Duke Jose’s eyes widened.
“He… he’s gone?”
The Duke exhaled with visible relief.
To be honest, if Azrahil Johnston had decided to act, the destruction of the Duke’s Mansion would only be a matter of time.
The 12 Pioneers were monsters and far beyond that.
I turned back toward Duke Jose, pretending to stare blankly at the vanished illusion.
“Sir Zeke McLafflin. Are you unharmed?”
“Yes, I’m fine. However, we’ve lost our target…”
“Don’t worry about that! His departure is actually fortunate.”
Unaware that he was already dead, Duke Jose continued to breathe with relief.
“By the way, it seemed like you two were having a conversation…?”
‘As expected, he didn’t see.’
Thanks to the illusory veil I’d conjured, Duke Jose noticed nothing amiss.
He could never imagine that one of the great 12 Pioneers had fallen.
“What did Brahm’s Illusionist say?”
When Jose asked, I recited the lie I’d prepared, deciding to deflect appropriately.
“He asked how I managed to dispel the illusion. I told him the truth—that I happened upon a book about illusory magic in the Magic Library and taught myself through self-study. After asking a few more questions, he said he had urgent business and left.”
“That’s all? He didn’t mention anything about coming back for revenge?”
“No, sir. He said nothing of the sort.”
“Self-taught in illusory magic…? So that’s how you were able to dispel my daughter’s illusion?”
No trace of suspicion crossed Jose’s face as he murmured to himself.
He’d witnessed his daughter’s condition improve firsthand, and he’d clearly seen Azrahil Johnston vanish mid-conversation.
‘Once you’ve seen it with your own eyes, you can’t help but believe. My excuse should sound convincing enough too.’
Just as I’d anticipated, Duke Jose nodded in understanding.
“In any case, what a relief. I’m truly grateful, Sir Zeke. Thanks to you, we’ve averted a crisis.”
“Not at all.”
“But there is one thing I’m curious about…”
Jose began to harbor another suspicion.
“How were you able to teleport to our Duke’s Mansion? The coordinates couldn’t possibly be known to anyone outside my inner circle…”
Teleportation coordinates weren’t something one could guess at randomly.
They were values calculated by considering longitude, latitude, direction, and countless other factors.
In other words, it was impossible to record them without having visited the location directly.
Simply put, teleportation to the Deporte Duchy would have been impossible without having been there before.
I needed an excuse.
But I’d already prepared one.
“Actually, I once saw recorded coordinates in my father’s study room.”
“Your father? Who is your father…?”
“The patriarch of the McLafflin Family, Gerard McLafflin.”
“Gerard?”
Jose’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t realized his counterpart was a member of the McLafflin Family, renowned as a Prestigious Magic Family.
“Then you are…?”
“Yes. The third son of the McLafflin Family, Zeke McLafflin.”
“Third son…?”
Wasn’t he the genius mage of the 7th Circle who’d been known as talentless in magic, then revealed his true prowess upon joining the Royal Court Mage Order?
Though I’d learned of him belatedly, his face and name still felt unfamiliar to me.
The reputation of “third son” still outweighed the name Zeke.
“So you’re that genius mage they call the third son of the McLafflin Family. But as far as I know, you were 6th Circle—how did you manage teleportation…?”
“I recently advanced to 7th Circle.”
“Your age is…?”
“I’m sixteen this year.”
Astonishment flooded Jose’s eyes.
At merely sixteen years old, he had already reached the seventh circle.
One could say he was a genius rivaling the 12 Pioneers themselves.
Whether Duke Jose was surprised or not, I continued with my prepared excuse.
“Upon reaching the seventh circle, there was a spell I’d always wanted to try—teleportation. Fortunately, I only knew one set of coordinates, which I’d glimpsed in my father’s study room. So I decided to attempt traveling there. Of course, I didn’t know where it led before using it. I had no idea such a situation was unfolding. I sincerely apologize for the unauthorized intrusion into the Deporte Duchy.”
“No, no. If you hadn’t come, wouldn’t we have faced disaster? I’m actually grateful. Thanks to the illusion magic you taught yourself, my daughter was able to regain her peace of mind. I truly appreciate that.”
“Not at all. It was simply the right thing to do.”
I bowed respectfully to Duke Jose, who expressed his gratitude once more.
It seemed my fabricated excuse had worked.
Judging by the way he was nodding to himself.
“So that’s how teleportation was possible. Indeed, the Grand Duke McLafflin did visit the duchy once.”
Duke Jose, who had been nodding, suddenly grasped my hand and offered his thanks again.
“Thank you, Sir Zeke McLafflin. Without you, Sillis would have… sigh.”
Duke Jose’s eyes grew red with genuine gratitude.
“You’re the benefactor who saved my daughter. I cannot repay such a debt. If there’s anything you desire, just say the word. I’ll grant whatever you ask.”
“Well then, if I may ask for one thing….”
“Speak.”
“Could you keep this matter secret from my father? If he learns that I recklessly stole teleportation coordinates from his study and used them, my position would become quite awkward….”
The duke’s eyes widened at the request.
He’d expected me to ask for something material, but this was unexpected.
“Don’t worry about that. I was already planning to keep it secret.”
“I appreciate your consideration, Duke Jose.”
“Are there any other requests?”
“None.”
There truly wasn’t anything else I needed.
The rewards from the Quest were already more than sufficient.
There wasn’t really anything else worth asking for.
‘Actually, wait—there is one thing.’
I needed to gather more information.
About what had happened in this place.
Fortunately, Duke Jose seemed to be the type who couldn’t rest while owing a debt, and he was eager to repay me.
“Are you truly sure there’s nothing you want?”
“Actually, I just thought of something.”
“What is it?”
“Could you tell me in detail what happened here? If you have any information about the person I just faced, I’d like to hear everything….”
“Of course. Come with me. I’ll prepare a comfortable place for you to rest while we talk.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“Kindness? I’m the one who’s grateful.”
I had thoroughly exploited Duke Jose’s goodwill.

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