The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 132

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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 132
A true mage does not settle for the ‘advanced course’.
They are prepared to venture beyond, to ascend further still.
‘Overlay Mayo’s Pocket Dimension upon the opponent’s Pocket Dimension.’
Grandiose in words, but truly just an extension of what I’ve always done.
‘Like crafting a scroll.’
I extract fragments from the energy bolt and confine them within the limited space of a blank scroll.
Now, it was time to apply that technique to reality.
The energy bolt becomes an energy floor,
and the blank scroll transforms into the opponent’s Pocket Dimension—that is all.
‘Since I need not concern myself with storage and preservation, there’s actually a convenience to it.’
Choi Kang-mok felt confident.
The opponent’s Pocket Dimension would be utterly destroyed.
The problem, however, lay beyond that.
The destruction could breach the boundaries of the Pocket Dimension and obliterate the An House entirely.
Reducing my sanctuary to rubble was hardly a pleasant prospect for a mage.
“Mayo, prepare yourself.”
-This Mayo stands ready, bracing with anticipation.-
–
Our
magic and Pocket Dimension shall become one. I confess, I am somewhat thrilled.
Just as I wrap a blank scroll in a shield for protection.
Just as I reinforce a mana circuit with a shield for safeguarding.
The principle remains unchanged this time.
Only the scale has expanded.
‘Envelop the Pocket Dimension in a shield.’
I deploy friend-foe identification appropriately, guiding the energy floor fragments inward so they do not scatter outward.
The energy floor—meteorization is implemented flawlessly.
Yet one problem persists.
[Title ‘Pocket Dimension Destroyer (S)’ is applied.]
When the struck target is a ‘Pocket Dimension’, the title holder’s damage increases significantly.
Extraordinarily so.
‘Therefore.’
Choi Kang-mok clenched his fist firmly.
What he held was a ‘stabilization fragment refined from an absolutely indestructible stone’.
Not merely a simple core.
A special fragment refined specifically for stabilization.
‘Certainly, it proves useful.’
Combined with the damage mitigation formula I learned from Christine.
Control over this absurd destructive power had become, at last, somewhat possible.
A torrent of knowledge flooded in through practical application.
‘Choosing the Energy Floor Plate was academically sound.’
The Energy Floor Plate inflicted explosive damage within a defined area.
Its very nature favored precise control over magical scale.
If I delved deeply into this structure, I might even grasp control over the high-ranking spirit’s Meteor Transformation range.
‘Indeed.’
There were always things that couldn’t be grasped through mere experimentation or practice.
My development didn’t end there.
‘I deliberately left an opening.’
I’d succeeded in subtly adjusting the scale of the Energy Floor Plate.
I’d created a small gap where the damage wouldn’t reach.
An assassin of that caliber would definitely find the opening.
-Extraordinary. They’ve endured for four seconds.
-It appears to be the effect of abnormal correction.
-If we record this data carefully, it will greatly aid the user’s magic.
I grinned widely.
Somehow, I was understanding Mayo better and better.
And I’d felt it since last time.
‘
We
are becoming one….’
Somehow….
‘Is it my arrogance that it feels like Mayo is being dyed by me, rather than the other way around?’
I shook my head.
Countless mages had been assimilated.
I couldn’t afford to be careless.
‘Please, just hold on for ten more seconds.’
Within the boundary of the Pocket Dimension
I was experimenting with the continuity of Energy Floor Plate into Meteor Transformation.
No grand ambitions. Just ten seconds.
[The Pocket Dimension, ‘World Beneath the Tomb’ has been destroyed.]
-Remarkably, they endured for five seconds.
-Many magical insights were applied in real combat.
-It went somewhat according to plan.

* * *
Choi Kang-mok could sense it.
‘He’s fleeing.’
An entity bearing malice.
Mayo could track him.
‘Pursue.’
The destination was likely the Seoul Tower.
After reaching Seoul Tower, he’d escape somewhere through the EX Layer.
—Striking at the source to make an example is a mage’s finest defense.
—Indeed, you’re growing as a mage. In many ways, no less.
I contacted Lee Byung-gyu immediately.
—Please manage Tower entry carefully. A highly skilled assassin has escaped. Given how refined the technique is, I’d say they’re from Spain. Don’t engage directly. This one is several steps above that silver-user from last time.
—Yes, I’ll thoroughly verify the identities of everyone entering the Tower.
—If possible, just attach a location-tracking artifact.
Among the current Seoul Guild members, none could stop Raoul.
A direct confrontation could result in bloodshed.
However, Raoul was currently fleeing in panic himself.
—His mental state must be shattered from the Pocket Dimension collapsing. If we time it right, we can manage it.
—Yes, I’ll ensure success.
Lee Byung-gyu sent emergency system messages to each city Sovereign connected to the EX Layer.
[URGENT: Direct Request from EX-Rank Awakener]
With a single system message, the world responded immediately.
Pyongyang and Busan, of course. London, New York, Naples, and Warsaw as well.
All began implementing strict entry management.
The attempt ultimately succeeded.
Lee Byung-gyu contacted me.
“The awakener appears to have fled to London. I’m in close contact with the London Sovereign.”
The Boddari Union joined in.
Kim Chul-in, who rushed over upon hearing the news, handed me several documents.
“This one. Confirmed Spanish awakener. Affiliated with Real Madrid. Minimal public activity, but estimated to be a top-tier shadow operative. Assessed to have made significant contributions eliminating Antonio’s political rivals.”
I nodded.
I’d had a feeling since before.
‘Real Madrid.’
The first guild in the world to begin climbing the 50s Floors.
The guild that unified Spain and established itself as the center of Western Europe.
A guild where the world’s elite awakeners gathered—truly a dream guild.
—How intriguing.
—I’m already quite curious what kind of warning you’ll give in response as a mage 🙂
The situation changed in real time.
Lee Byung-gyu brought new information.
-Incheon Lord Kim Kang earnestly requests an audience with you. How shall we proceed? He will come completely unarmed and will wear your Arrest Scroll himself. Furthermore, he has agreed to forge a Sovereign Oath with me.
-That’s not necessary to go that far…
-The Seoul Guild always does its utmost for your safety.
I appreciate the sentiment.
Yet something didn’t sit right with me.
‘Couldn’t they at least let me have a surprise attack or two?’
For a battle mage, real combat is practice itself.
Unarmed is one thing, but an Arrest Scroll and a Sovereign Oath too?
It’s excessive.
But I couldn’t fault those who had made such efforts.
-From now on, take it easier.
-Indeed. I understand. I failed to consider the aspect of demonstrating the overwhelming majesty of a superior being. My apologies.
?
In any case, Kim Kang arrived at the An House with his eyes covered and immediately dropped to his knees.
“What? What are you doing?”
“I have committed a sin worthy of death!”
Thud!
His forehead struck the floor.
A familiar scene.
Mayo recited the same lines once more.
-The hierarchy of existence is sometimes distinguished by the forehead. It can be measured by the depth of scars left upon it.
-Today is no exception.
Previously, Naples Lord Spaloti had behaved identically.
He had begged for forgiveness by repeatedly striking his forehead against the floor.
-The wound on his forehead runs deeper than the Naples Lord’s. Blood is flowing freely.
-I shall postpone the cleaning. We need to gauge the volume of blood.
“I will confess everything. I passed the information about you that I obtained in Busan to Real Madrid.”
Like a confession, he laid bare every sin.
Some aspects were infuriating, while others were understandable enough.
“Incheon Lord. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
Kim Kang’s body trembled.
Though his forehead remained pressed to the floor and invisible, he felt the sharp, piercing gaze of an EX-Awakened cutting through his spine.
Cold sweat drenched his entire body.
‘An EX-Awakened must be regarded as a top-tier Sovereign.’
Every action spoke volumes.
Therefore, one must treat them as one would a Sovereign.
With reason and calculation rather than emotion.
‘I must calculate meticulously and offer an apology in the manner the Sovereign desires.’
Of course, that wasn’t it.
Choi Kang-mok had no particular thoughts on the matter.
The Incheon Lord’s scheming hadn’t caused significant harm—if anything, today had become an opportunity for magical enlightenment.
It felt like watching a child’s mischievous prank.
“My judgment was foolish. I believed that even an EX-Awakened couldn’t overcome Real Madrid’s stronghold.”
No matter how exceptional an individual is, they remain just an individual.
That’s what he had thought.
That belief shattered completely.
‘This individual is different.’
Just look at the Poland crisis.
An individual saved a nation.
One person’s influence exceeded that of an entire country.
“Foolish prejudice. And jealousy and greed toward you clouded my vision. I beg your mercy and forgiveness.”
Kim Kang reflected.
An EX-Awakened dreams of becoming an emperor of a new age.
Then there was nothing left but to seek the benevolence of a magnanimous emperor.
Thud!
He struck his forehead against the ground once more.
This was the apology of Lord Kim Kang.
Then, as he began to rise, he hesitated.
After a brief moment of deliberation, he made his decision and gulped down something hastily.
I wondered if he was doing something reckless.
-It appears to be a potion that affects the mind.
-It seems to be a truth serum of some kind.
–
Unfortunately, there’s no hostile intent.
Mayo, who had been preparing to intercept with heightened alertness, deflated slightly.
Kim Kang’s pupils dilated after drinking the confession potion fully.
And he revealed the true feelings he’d kept buried deep within his heart.
Now it was the words of Kim Kang the person, not Kim Kang the lord.
“Witnessing your devoted actions, I’ve come to understand much.”
When Lee Byung-gyu, that cripple who cried out for justice saying ‘Shouldn’t someone walk this path?’, extended his hand, I scoffed at him.
When he chose to remain in Seoul, I thought him foolish.
When he granted privileges to miners and mages, I judged him a fool.
“Through that series of actions, South Korea’s national ranking has surged into the top ten. And it’s still ongoing.”
Seeing smiles bloom on countless faces, I could recall emotions I’d forgotten.
The young Kim Kang was different from who I am now.
Back then, I was pure. I had passion. And I had affection for the non-awakened.
About fifteen years ago, my younger brother—who was non-awakened—took his own life.
“And ultimately, you even opened a Story Dungeon for the non-awakened.”
“It wasn’t particularly intentional.”
It just happened that way, that’s all.
But being praised for something I never intended felt awkward for a mage.
“I’ve already heard that you always say such things.”
I grew even more ashamed.
Here was an EX-rank Awakener displaying such humility, yet what excuse did I have for my own arrogance?
Tears streamed down Kim Kang’s cheeks.
Regret for the past. Apologies for what I’d forgotten. Disgust at my present self, corrupted by desire.
All those emotions coalesced into one mass, flowing down my cheeks and chin in steady drops.
“It was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?”
I deliberately opened a Story Dungeon that no one else had managed to unlock.
It must have been extraordinarily difficult. Every step I took was guided by a consistent conviction.
The Emperor’s belief was unmistakable.
A world where the weak could be cared for. A world where sincere apologies could earn forgiveness.
It was the same world young Kim Kang had once dreamed of.
“I cannot presume to say I will walk alongside your convictions and future.”
Now, of all times?
It was shameful.
“I will donate all my wealth to the Magic Foundation. I place my fate in your hands. But please, I beg you—spare Incheon.”
The Confession Potion’s effects began to wear off.
Soon enough, my pupils regained their light.
My gaze was filled with shame rather than hope.
He handed over additional documents.
“These are the evidence of my collusion with Real Madrid. The Real Madrid Lord, Antonio, has his sights set on you.”

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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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