The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 162

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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 162
Raymond and I had arrived at a singular conclusion.
“I believe it’s because of this, Professor.”
───────
※ Dispel-type magic usage: Mana consumption 0
───────
It was one of the core properties of the Science Staff.
When using Dispel magic, mana was not consumed.
Raymond nodded in agreement.
“But it seems like it’s not simply zero mana consumption.”
It wasn’t just the absence of mana depletion.
There was no physical damage from the driving mana either.
“The synergy ratio with the driving mana buffer module appears to be exceptionally superior.”
How one item was combined with another item mattered greatly.
Performance varied dramatically depending on the combination.
Beyond a certain threshold, ‘combination’ became more important than ‘rank’.
“Your words are correct, Professor, but…”
“What else is there?”
“My compatibility with the Science Staff also appears to be quite good.”
How one item was combined with another mattered, but who wielded it also mattered.
The item-user compatibility that wasn’t simply listed in the system description window.
This too was a form of synergy, and could only be felt through direct physical use.
“It certainly seems… ugh.”
Raymond, barely clinging to consciousness, collapsed right there.
I retrieved a ‘Lucky Stone’ from my inventory and fed it to him.
-When did you even mine that…
-Well, a true mage must always be prepared for contingencies.
-Your remarkable
magical preparedness
deserves a standing ovation.
In any case, the Professor’s body already had self-healing magic cast upon it.
He would recover within a few days.
“Professor, thank you truly for the valuable instruction.”
Leaving Raymond behind, barely able to wave his hand from the bed, I returned to the An House.
Over dinner, I shared today’s lessons with Kang Hye.
Kang Hye’s hand, holding her spoon, came to a halt.
Wait, something felt off.
‘Hm?’
Raymond and I.
We were both overlooking something crucial.
“So the science staff has incredible synergy with your magic, right?”
“Yeah, fortunately it seems that way.”
Why would that be good?
Kang Hye deliberated whether to mention it.
The science staff was an item born from the very foundation of “deception.”
‘Brother’s dispel magic is deception itself, isn’t it?’
Structural analysis? Sure.
Attribute extraction? Sure.
But fundamentally, isn’t it dispel magic rooted in “destruction”?
Like the Haeju magic of some Choi living somewhere.
‘Usually people would say it was destroyed, not dispelled…’
Kang Hye could see it clearly.
This deceiver didn’t even realize he was deceiving.
He firmly believed his magic was orthodox dispel magic.
It was inevitable that the deceiver’s staff would unleash optimal performance through such perfect deception—one that even deceived himself.
It was somewhat absurd, but since the results were excellent, she said nothing.
“Professor Raymond acknowledged it as dispel magic too, right?”
“Yeah. I received a lot of praise.”
Choi Kang-mok’s expression looked delighted.
Right. As long as my brother is happy, that’s what matters.
‘By ordinary standards it’s destruction, but by mage standards it seems dispel magic is correct.’
With that understanding, it became easier to accept.
Choi Kang-mok continued with a slightly excited expression.
“Once I get past the higher floors of the Tower, I think I’ll be able to utilize dispel magic really well. There will be plenty of high-level magic too…”
The challenges only grow more difficult.
Enemy magic, quantity, intensity—everything can only scale upward.
“I hope a floor appears where I can dispel magic in massive quantities…”
Choi Kang-mok had not forgotten the mage’s original heart and fundamental duty.
For a mage, the most important thing is repeated mastery.
-That’s right.
-If you fight using simultaneous mass dispel,
it would
be incredibly efficient and spectacular.

* * *
Raymond composed himself far more quickly than anticipated.
“Cough, cough.”
The fortune ore mined from the Fortune Mine proved surprisingly effective.
I had accidentally mixed two potions together, and by sheer luck, that combination seemed to accelerate my recovery.
Then, suddenly, I sensed a presence.
“Hmm?”
The 4th Floor of the Ayla Magic Research Institute.
An outsider had entered a place where only the authorized could set foot.
“Who are you?”
A stranger in a deeply hooded robe—a mage.
Raymond perceived it immediately. A formidable talent.
“So someone of considerable standing breaks into another’s research chamber without permission? What’s the meaning of this?”
“My apologies, Senior.”
The robe fell away, revealing a familiar face.
His magical refinement fell short of Raymond’s, yet as a combat mage, he surpassed him.
An exchange student from another dimension—his name was Tofurian.
“It’s been a long time, Senior.”
“Seems the mutual respect among mages has gone out the window.”
Then Raymond was struck by a sudden realization.
Meeting him again after so long, an old jealousy I thought I’d buried kindled anew.
‘I see.’
I had forgotten about it.
I had envied Tofurian’s talent as a combat mage.
“Ah! So that’s why I disliked you back then.”
“Sir?”
“It felt like something I could grasp with just a little more effort.”
It was true that Tofurian surpassed Raymond as a combat mage.
Yet that gap was not overwhelming.
It seemed both surmountable and insurmountable—frustratingly ambiguous.
Honestly, it was infuriating.
“So I resented you all the more.”
But now, it doesn’t matter.
Having just witnessed my student’s overwhelming talent, my heart feels at ease.
I couldn’t surpass you? It’s fine.
My student will triumph.
“So, Tofurian. What brings you here? You’re not an NPC, are you?”
NPCs recognize each other as NPCs.
You didn’t come to Earth as an NPC.
“Did you come as someone from another world?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Raymond nodded in acknowledgment.
This Research Institute was a rare magical stronghold even among higher dimensions.
Such places naturally developed superior connectivity with other dimensions.
Especially if those dimensions had advanced magical civilizations.
“Let me get straight to the point. We are deeply concerned about the capabilities of EX-rank Awakeners.”
Tofurian closed his eyes for a moment.
He recalled the “purification” of Iraq.
Even now, thinking back on it sent shivers down his spine.
“The intensity of the bombardment, its range, the results—everything far exceeded our projections.”
He had demonstrated destructive power that no individual should possess.
Power enough to shake the very parameters of the system applied to Earth.
“Thanks to that, it became easy for us to summon the Barbarian Warriors.”
The appearance of Barbarian Warriors in Iraq had been artificial manipulation by the mages.
Strangely, the system itself had been quite cooperative.
“It didn’t interfere with our artificial intervention at all.”
“It didn’t fail to interfere—it couldn’t interfere.”
The system was too busy with repairs, after all.
Just look at the Tower’s reconstruction crisis.
“No. From what we understand, the system is not favorable toward EX-rank Awakeners. Isn’t that individual excessively disrupting the balance?”
“I’m telling you, that’s not it. My disciple is just too strong, that’s all.”
Raymond’s mood suddenly soured.
Why did they keep speaking ill of my disciple?
Should I hit him?
“Very well. Let’s leave it at that.”
“What is it you’re trying to say?”
“We have allied with China. We plan to seize Shenyang first.”
We sent Barbarian Warriors as vanguards to gather more detailed intelligence on the EX-rank Awakener.
Mindless warriors wouldn’t suffice.
Ultimately, the mages themselves had to move.
After expending vast resources and time, we completed the “magical artillery” that had existed only in design.
“We can now attack targets that are normally beyond reach. For instance, national borders.”
“You say ‘borders,’ but it sounds like you’re saying you could attack the Magic Research Institute as well?”
“I won’t answer. I trust you understand well enough.”
This was why Tofurian had come here.
To prevent Raymond’s participation.
Dealing with a single EX-rank Awakener was already troublesome enough.
If a professor-level mage joined the fray, things would become far too complicated.
“All you need to do is maintain neutrality, Senior. Act like an NPC.”
Raymond fell silent.
These fools are deeply mistaken about something.
They seem to think they can defeat my disciple if they have magical artillery.
“We have reached a conclusion. By any means necessary, we must consume Korea.”
Korea.
A mere speck of territory when viewed against the entire Earth.
Yet now it is the center of the Giga Police.
If we can swallow Korea alone, we can dominate Earth.
“Because that place is the center of this dimension.”
Then his homeland could also leap to a higher dimension.
Awakening Orbs. Tears of Cheongyeon. The Tower’s finest craftsmanship from the lower dimensions. The Golden Labyrinth. Special Stages. And so forth.
The treasures obtainable from this dimension are boundless.
“And?”
“We will turn the EX-rank Awakener to our side.”
To be more honest, we intend to kill him.
Simply leaving him alive is far too dangerous.
He possesses a power that is far too alien and immense for any individual to hold.
‘Such a dangerous power would be better in my hands—for the sake of the entire Mage Society.’
A more beneficial person.
It is only right that a more virtuous mage claims the EX-rank Awakening.
“So all you’re asking of me is neutrality?”
“Yes. We are aware that you maintain a close relationship with the EX-rank Awakener.”
Raymond fell silent for a moment.
I understand their objective well enough.
Now a spark of academic curiosity ignited within me.
“So this magical artillery you speak of—something that can attack targets that are normally impossible to strike—it’s essentially like a tank battalion that loads spells and fires them in rapid volleys, correct?”
“An apt comparison.”
He continued with evident pride.
“Each unit fires dozens of spells per second with different attributes, auto-loaded in rapid succession, unleashing magical bombardment that exceeds computational limits. We possess the firepower to turn all of Korea into a sea of flames.”
“I doubt such equipment would be effective against my disciple, though….”
“You remain reluctant to acknowledge others’ capabilities.”
“No, rather—it would be perfect practice for my disciple’s Dispel magic training.”
Puhaha!
Tofurian burst into laughter.
He dismissed Raymond’s words as the unfunny jest of a dull mage.
“The EX-rank Awakener is one driven by righteous conviction. His devotion to nation and people is remarkable. The longer the war continues, the more advantageous it becomes for us. He will… pity the suffering citizens of Korea. Righteousness is an emotion remarkably easy to exploit.”
“My disciple isn’t particularly righteous, though….”
“Ultimately, we will win this war.”
“Tell me one thing.”
“Yes. I am listening.”
Raymond spoke with genuine sincerity.
“My disciple… is damn strong.”

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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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