The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 15

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

The Return of an EX-Rank Mage Episode 015
A system message arrived for Choi Kang-mok.
Four EX Coins.
And it included an offer to gift magical essence stones as well.
Moreover, the message stated that the Vice-Lord had also been briefed on the situation for the sake of proceeding with the matter.
[You need not worry about security. I have invoked the Oath of the Lord.]
‘The Oath of the Lord? Isn’t that something Vice-Lords absolutely despise?’
Lee Byung-gyu was clearly sincere.
‘The EX Coins are one thing, but what I really appreciate is Lee Byung-gyu’s sincerity.’
The way he demonstrated his commitment was direct and unmistakable.
It seemed worth working together.
Meanwhile, on the body of the magical fortress that had entered power-saving mode, a 🙁 symbol appeared.
-I apologize. My appetite… being somewhat aristocratic is a minor flaw.
“It’s fine.”
Choi Kang-mok genuinely thought it was acceptable.
A mythic-rank artifact containing a small world within itself.
This level of fuel consumption wasn’t bad at all.
[First, I send a small gift as a token of sincerity. It is a pure gift unrelated to whether we sign a contract, so please accept it.]
Just then, Choi Kang-chul came home.
“He said to give this to you.”
He handed over fist-sized magical essence stones.
Six kilograms of magical essence stones.
Worth approximately six hundred million won at market price.
“It’s the full amount of increased tribute thanks to you.”
And the real star of the show.
The four EX Coins I desired gleamed with golden radiance.
Then, the body of the magical fortress began to turn red.
Like a person’s face flushing with embarrassment.
A [!!!] symbol appeared in the center of its body, and a gurgling sound echoed.
-This magical fortress appears to be hungry.
The fortress’s body trembled slightly.
-Thank you. May I begin eating?
I am spiritually connected to the magical fortress.
That emotion transcended mere longing—it approached a poignant, aching hunger.
“Y-yes, go ahead.”
-Thank you.
The magical fortress dove into the pile of magical essence stones.
Like a vacuum cleaner, it sucked them in rapidly. Buried within the pile, as the fortress’s surface consumed the stones, a small ‘♡’ icon appeared.
Like a cherished daily moment.
The fortress, which had endured in power-saving mode, swiftly transitioned to 100% full charge.
-Initiating magical fortress reboot protocol.
[1% 2% … 99% 100%]
–
Reboot complete. My heart, my emotions—all filled with you.
The magical fortress’s frame crackled once.
-This magical fortress possesses neither heart nor emotion. This fortress addresses its user as user or
we
.
The magical fortress, seemingly restored to normalcy, continued speaking.
-This magical fortress desires your favor.
-Will you bestow upon me a name?”
Now it was truly coming online.
I pondered for a moment, then simply abbreviated it.
“Let’s go with Mayo.”
Simple, yet intuitive.
‘Was that too careless?’
-I am most pleased. This magical fortress’s name is Mayo.
A small ‘♡’ glimmered.
-Mayo shall now manifest a small world exclusively for you.
A Mythic-rank artifact.
The small world’s conceptual entity began to exercise its full potential.

* * *
[Majo radiates its small world.]
[Welcome to the small world, ‘Majo’.]
───────
[Small World – Majo (LV12)]
[Space]/[Defense]/[Security]/[Convenience]
───────
-This Majo continuously transforms according to the user’s preferences.
The interface wasn’t particularly difficult to understand.
However, there was one condition.
-The initial unlock must always be ‘Space’.
-It is the foundation of the small world and the minimum operational basis.
Choi Kang-mok nodded and attempted to unlock Space.
Unlocking required one EX Coin.
[Unlocking ‘Space’.]
[Remaining Coins: 3]
[Subcategories of ‘Space’ are being created.]
───────
[Space]
1. Area: 0 (+)
2. -(Locked)
───────
‘Area’ had opened up.
Raising the Area stat also required EX Coins.
‘If I want to do anything at all, I need to invest at least 1 in Area.’
[Consuming 1 EX Coin.]
[The ‘Area’ stat increases to 1.]
At that very moment, something remarkable occurred.
‘Oh.’
An indescribable force extended outward.
It felt like my sensory range was expanding.
It enveloped the entire one-room apartment building where Choi Kang-mok lived.
This was the domain of the small world where ‘Majo’ applied.
“This is the domain of the small world?”
-Yes. Your exclusive small world, Choi Kang-mok. Your initial deployment.
With just 1 point invested, the entire one-room apartment building fell within range.
Truly mythic-grade. It lives up to its name.
-You can freely adjust it within the maximum area.
-There are no precautions necessary at this stage.
Just as a newborn can breathe without learning how.
Controlling the domain’s scope proved equally straightforward.
‘For now, just my one-room apartment.’
Adjustment complete.
The small world’s domain was now confined within my one-room apartment.
The boundary felt distinctly more tangible.
“Excellent.”
-Glad to be of service 🙂
‘Next should be defense, naturally.’
If only to protect this fragile body of mine.
Mayo’s defensive capabilities were essential—both for safeguarding myself and for more efficient Tower conquests.
Having witnessed Mayo’s defensive prowess firsthand in the trailer footage, there was no reason to hesitate.
[‘Defense’ has been unlocked.]
[Remaining Coins: 2]
[‘Defense’ subcategories have been generated.]
───────
[Defense]
1. Shield: 0
2. -(Locked)
───────
I immediately invested in Shield.
[Shield’s stat has increased to 1.]
[Remaining Coins: 1]
I felt the small world’s domain spread across my apartment solidify and harden.
[Shield(1) Durability: 100]
A sudden sense of security washed over me.
“So the entire small world is protected by the shield?”
-Yes. All damage is processed through Mayo’s shield first.
-It has been designed to prevent harm from reaching the user.
I’d seen it in the trailer footage.
Even when several spells failed to intercept and struck the mage directly, she suffered no damage whatsoever.
It was thanks to the shield.
The small world’s shield had absorbed the damage in her stead.
“How durable is this?”
-If I may draw a comparison to an ordinary-rank tank, it would be equivalent to level 25 defensive power.
-Of course, it may fall short of what you were hoping for….
In essence, I’d wrapped the defensive capabilities of a level 25 tank around this entire space.
‘Combined with invincibility, this could be quite formidable.’
Even my fragile constitution began to show promise.
Ambition started to stir within me.
‘What comes after Shield?’
I attempted to unlock it, but it was impossible.
[To unlock item 2, you must achieve the minimum required level (5) for item 1.]
There was no way to shortcut this.
I had to raise it properly for the next tier to open.
‘I need to upgrade Shield one more level.’
Right now, defense was the priority.
I had to secure my safety first, after all.
[Shield stat has increased to 2.]
[Remaining Coins: -]
“With this, I can block up to a certain level, right?”
-Comparing it to a standard-grade tank, it would be equivalent to level 50 defensive power.
And one more thing.
The more I invest in Mayo, the more I feel something.
‘Somehow, it feels like things are stabilizing.’
-That is correct. As this Mayo strengthens, the small world also stabilizes.
If you raise intelligence too excessively, you get consumed.
Conversely, strengthening Mayo brings stability.
That was useful information.
–
We
may grow distant, but enhancing user convenience is also this Mayo’s mission.
-I have no complaints about this 🙂
But then.
The Shield’s remaining capacity began to decrease.
[Shield(2) Remaining: 99]
[Shield(2) Remaining: 98]
-Abnormal damage detected.
-Precise classification is difficult, but according to this Mayo’s internal records, it appears to be a damage type similar to colorless, odorless poison.
-If necessary, I can guide your breathing to stop.
Colorless and odorless.
Poison damage.
‘An assassin?’
Choi Kang-mok pretended not to notice and sat on the sofa.
‘They used a covert poison?’
That meant they didn’t want to make a scene.
I had time.
[Shield(2) Remaining: 88]
The Shield’s remaining capacity continued to decrease.
This meant an attack power exceeding level 50 standard-grade tank defensive capability.
‘An assassin of a caliber that surpasses a level 50 tank.’
‘And completely odorless and colorless at that?’
Attacks of this type were covert, but their damage output was typically low.
If it could penetrate my shield and deal damage, the assassin was likely a much higher level.
‘Who could it be?’
There was no need to deliberate further.
I’d already resolved to establish a relationship with the Seoul Guild.
‘I should press the support call button.’
I discreetly pressed the button while avoiding the assassin’s gaze.
I even threw some bait toward the assassin.
“That’s strange. I feel a bit dizzy for some reason. What’s happening?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
[Shield(2) Remaining: 55]
I stretched as though my body felt sluggish.
I leaned against the wall and took deep breaths.
I feigned difficulty breathing.
[Shield(2) Remaining: 47]
Time passed.
‘They said support would arrive within five minutes, didn’t they?’
I deliberately stumbled.
To make the assassin lower their guard.
[Shield(2) Remaining: 28]
Then. A loud bang echoed.
It came from beyond the entrance.
A gruff voice called out.
“I knew these bastards would pull something like this. Are you alright?”
My shield stopped depleting.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
I opened the door and stepped outside.
“Guild Master?”
Lee Byung-gyu, the Seoul Guild Master, had come in person.
I’d pressed the support call, but I never expected the Guild Master himself to arrive.
Beside him stood an enormous bear.
‘Han Sang-hyun?’
Lee Byung-gyu’s right hand and vice-master.
Han Sang-hyun had transformed into the form of a massive bear.
‘Incredible.’
An awakened one with animal transformation abilities.
His physique was utterly overwhelming.
He was called the strongest combatant in the Seoul Guild.
He stood holding the limp assassin aloft with a single arm.
Han Sang-hyun struck the assassin on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.
Lee Byung-gyu quickly asked.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m surprised you came in person.”
“You orchestrated such an intricate scheme—a lord must respond in kind.”
An intricate scheme carefully laid out?
“I resolved to show you my sincerity.”
“….”
“If I cannot seize even the opportunity you’ve given me, wouldn’t that disqualify me as a lord?”
These words were difficult for me, Choi Kang-mok, to comprehend, but they didn’t seem entirely unreasonable.
“Choi Kang-mok, there could be eyes watching. Could we step inside for a moment?”
“Yes, please come in.”
“I’ll intrude then.”
Some time later.
Lee Byung-gyu spoke with a furrowed brow.
“I think I know who this person is.”
“You do?”
“He’s presumed to be Park Sung-hyun, the Vice-Lord of the Busan Guild.”
Three of the Busan Guild’s Vice-Lords had their identities publicly revealed, while four remained hidden.
“I see.”
I wasn’t particularly shocked.
Apart from the Seoul Guild, the Busan Guild was the most likely candidate to come seeking me out.
Though I never expected them to use poison.
‘Come to think of it, that’s infuriating.’
The Vice-Lord came in person?
He probably didn’t intend to kill me.
He likely came to scout me, probably.
…But that doesn’t justify using poison.
A stone thrown in jest can still kill a frog.
Poison meant merely to incapacitate could have killed me just the same.
I was already a fragile body who nearly died from slime toxin.
If not for Mayo, it could have been truly dangerous.
-I’m relieved my assistance was timely. I’ll record this in my logs.
-By the way, if you invest stats into shield-type abilities, the remaining amount will always be normalized to 100.
-By your standards… that’s still quite insufficient, isn’t it?
I added a subtle remark.
-I recommend you raise your intelligence stat soon.
In any case, I had captured the Vice-Lord of the Busan Guild.
Han Sang-hyun continued with a serious expression.
“We need to find out exactly why he came here.”
At that moment, Choi Kang-mok opened his mouth.

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