The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 111

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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 Return of an EX-Rank Mage Episode 111
A rather significant magical achievement and success.
Choi Kang-mok felt a surge of confidence.
‘Could I perhaps meteorize high-tier spirits as well?’
There were days like this occasionally.
Without reason, baseless confidence would envelop my entire body on such days.
“I’ll succeed and come back.”
“Oppa, you’re too fired up. Just slow down the pace and enter… wait, you already went in?”
Unfortunately, the world wasn’t that forgiving.
Choi Kang-mok exited the Tower, cold sweat dripping down his face.
“…You’re out?”
“I nearly died.”
“Why?”
“I tried to meteorize a high-tier spirit…”
My mana circuits nearly melted.
It wasn’t merely overheating—I went right up to the brink of actual circuit burnout.
As a result, the meteorization of the high-tier spirit failed miserably.
But that’s fine. Failure is merely part of the process.
This much is according to plan.
‘Next is finally the 40s Floors.’
The section that absolutely requires the ‘mana barrier’—a concept fraught with discussion and complications.
A system message arrived from Owen, the intermediate-rank mage whose standing had diminished with Raymond’s appearance.
[The supreme-grade mana barrier has been completed.]
True to my nature as an EX-rank awakener, I headed straight for the Ayla Magic Research Institute.
Along the way, Choi Kang-mok marveled anew.
‘How did people survive in the era when inter-floor travel wasn’t possible?’
From Seoul to Pyongyang took ten seconds.
From Pyongyang to the Research Institute took just over five minutes via the mage-exclusive passage.
-The transfer efficiency is optimal.
The moment I arrived at the Research Institute, a gleaming bald head came bounding toward me cheerfully.
“Director! Welcome! I’ve been waiting for you.”
Since Raymond’s appearance, Owen’s manner of speech had become subtly more formal.
[(Voluntary) Research Commission has been completed.]
[Research Project: Supreme-Grade Mana Barrier]
[Will you receive the research outcome?]
I obtained the supreme-grade mana barrier.
“Thank you.”
“At this level, even an intermediate-rank mage can put it to decent use, wouldn’t you say? Haha!”
After cracking a joke, Owen asked carefully.
“By any chance, what do you intend to use the mana barrier for?”
“I’m planning to use it for the 40s Floors.”
Owen faltered.
Owen’s eyes widened.
‘He’s going to use that strategy?’
By his dimensional standards, it was an antiquated method over a hundred years old.
How could he tactfully convey this to the Research Institute director?
He exercised the social skills of an intermediate-rank mage.
He was certain of one thing: the professor possessed no such social finesse.
“Ah, a strategy employing mana barriers—how remarkably traditional and… venerable in approach. It’s a method frequently cited in ancient texts. One might call it the very oldest of classical techniques?”
The words were carefully wrapped in courtesy, but his thoughts churned with complexity.
By his true nature, he would have said, ‘Why use such an outdated method? Why not use Blue Signal?’ but given his conversation partner, he had taken the long way around.
“Following classical doctrine is indeed a wise choice. Should you happen to be interested in something somewhat newer, more innovative, and exceedingly efficient… I could humbly suggest a few modest alternatives….”
In that moment, Owen’s mouth stopped mid-sentence without his realizing it.
‘No, Owen. Close your mouth. If you finish this thought… my mana barrier becomes obsolete.’
If he completed this sentence, the supreme-grade mana barrier would become worthless.
‘That’s right. Shut up, Owen!’
But a mage’s conscience, at times, moves the mouth first.
He shouldn’t say it.
He couldn’t say it!
“For strategies targeting the 40s Floors, Blue Signal is far more effective.”
His eyes went hollow.
A mana barrier. I might as well use it as a room decoration.

* * *
Floors 31-40.
Vicario’s name vanished from the Hall of Fame.
[What? Vicario’s gone?]
└Did he die?
└Why would Vicario die?
And immediately after, news that shook the world erupted.
Naples Lord Spaloti issued an official statement.
Italy’s hero Vicario’s death has been confirmed.
Vicario’s cause of death from the ‘Final Curse’s side effects’ was announced as suicide.
From that moment on, Europe was thrown into chaos.
Rumors began spreading that Vicario, who had headed to Seoul, was mocked and humiliated by an EX-Rank Awakener.
Centered on Naples, anti-EX sentiment surged throughout Italy, and even anti-Korean sentiment boiled over.
But Spaloti quietly furrowed his brow.
‘When I didn’t know about EX-Rank Awakeners, I was ignorant. Now I know. I must never cross that person.’
Once you knew, you couldn’t act this way.
A monster who casually destroyed the curse that Vicario had poured his very life into.
Regardless of sentiment, I had to maintain a friendly relationship with the EX-Rank Awakener.
Currently, Western Europe as a whole was in an atmosphere of strengthening internal unity by stimulating ‘anti-EX’ sentiment, but this approach had clear limitations.
In the long term, it was a method that would become obsolete in the coming Tower Civilization era.
‘This won’t do….’
But that wasn’t something he could control on his own.
Anti-EX sentiment was already boiling throughout Italy, and he couldn’t step forward alone claiming ‘We must maintain friendly relations with the EX-Rank Awakener!’
He made contact with Real Madrid’s Lord Antonio in secret.
“The EX-Rank Awakener’s abilities transcend imagination.”
He couldn’t reveal everything, but he explained how Italy had deployed every conceivable stratagem yet failed.
For reference, Real Madrid was the Guild with the highest-quality Tower expertise in the 40s Floors.
“Furthermore, through the Ayla Magic Research Institute, you’ll be able to acquire high-level mana barriers. Perhaps even barriers at levels not disclosed to the public.”
“We’re already anticipating that much.”
Antonio spoke calmly, yet with substance behind his words.
“But our Real Madrid is different from Naples.”
Spaloti’s brow twitched slightly.
“…Are you saying we’re incompetent?”
“You were incompetent.”
“Yes, let’s say we were incompetent. Then does Spain have a method?”
“Of course.”
Spain’s strongest Guild.
Lord Antonio, who led Real Madrid.
He was already prepared.
“We have Bessius.”
The Grand Mage standing shoulder to shoulder with Christine.
His self-aggrandizement was tiresome, but his skill was genuine.
“He possesses a means to neutralize mana barriers.”
“How could you possibly….”
“By using this.”
He handed over an item.
“Naples Lord. Your task is singular.”
His demeanor resembled that of a superior addressing an inferior, yet Spaloti harbored no resentment.
The disparity between Real Madrid and Naples was too stark.
Unfortunately, this was the reality of the Tower civilization era.
“Tell him this is an exceptionally useful item for clearing the 40s Floors. By any means necessary.”
He handed over another item.

* * *
Conversations with exceptional mages always yielded something of value.
My exchange with Owen, an intermediate-rank mage, proved no exception.
My ears perked up immediately.
“Blue Signal?”
I had never heard the term before.
Something more efficient than mana barriers existed?
The conversation turned to magical artifacts.
The two mages became absorbed in an instant.
“The 40s Floors resemble an underwater dungeon, don’t they?”
If the 30s Floors were a region of flame, the 40s Floors were water itself.
Hence, the Circulation Layer.
Underwater respiration, pressure resistance, water-element magic nullification.
For such purposes, the mana barrier had been the ‘orthodox’ approach.
“So you need a barrier that allows breathing even underwater, correct?”
Owen nodded.
Then, smoothly, he shifted his explanation.
“The essence is not water itself.”
A century ago, focus had centered on ‘water.’
“It is [circulation] itself. That is why the terminology changed from Water Layer to Circulation Layer.”
The Circulation Layer possesses a definite current.
On Earth, we call it ocean currents.
The crucial matter is overcoming those currents and the sea monsters within them to reach your destination—the Dragon Palace.
“Circulation is the foundation. Water is merely its manifestation.”
“…Indeed.”
It was a fascinating revelation.
All the more so because it remained unknown on Earth.
The concept that I needed to govern circulation rather than water itself brought me joy throughout the entire explanation.
Imagining whether such a thing was possible with my magic thrilled me immensely.
“Naturally, Blue Signal, which disrupts the circulation itself in a direction favorable to me, is far more effective than a mana barrier that merely resists water and underwater magic.”
“I see. That is quite fascinating.”
Owen knew that Choi Kang-mok had acquired an EX-rank spell through Raymond.
Because of this, he had to work even harder.
A place boasting the finest NPC-exclusive facilities.
A newly launched server—a lower dimension, in other words—with fewer restrictions.
For a mage, it was the ideal environment.
Owen desperately wanted to remain here.
“Yes, if you commission me, I can craft… well, not yet.”
The research commission cooldown still had about twenty days remaining.
Owen’s insides burned with frustration.
‘Why did I even bring this up, you idiot Owen!’
It was always more aggravating to give something and then take it away than to never give it at all.
Suddenly saying I can’t provide it now? That was far worse than never mentioning it.
‘What if I just teach him how to make Blue Signal?’
But that was impossible.
Beyond this point, the system would surely intervene and block me.
‘Still, I should show sincerity. Do my best, and that should be enough.’
“The method to create Blue Signal requires ether crystals, petals of the azure flower….”
Sincerity was all that mattered.
Emotion came from effort, after all.
“Fragments of silent coral, secretions from black jellyfish….”
Then my words stopped.
After a brief silence, I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Wait? Why is this working?”
Did my sincerity… actually get through?

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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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