The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 17

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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 017
Lee Byung-gyu had handed over a total of three EX Coins.
I placed the coins on the desk.
Mayo’s eye-shaped display gleamed with light.
-Will you modify me again today?
-I have been anticipating this. ★
Next, I set my sights on Shield.
After all, I need to survive before I can conduct research or anything else.
One coin was consumed as fuel for Mayo.
I invested both remaining coins entirely into ‘Shield’.
[Shield’s stat has increased to 3.]
[Shield’s stat has increased to 4.]
[Remaining Coins: -]
───────
[Defense]
1. Shield: 4
2. -(Locked)
───────
[Shield(4) Capacity: 100]
Just looking at it filled me with satisfaction.
Now a stat-4 Shield stood guard over me steadfastly.
By Normal-rank tank standards, that was a staggering level 100.
While Awakening ranks varied wildly, considering that Lee Kang-nam, Daegu’s representative tank, was level 78 or below, this was a remarkable achievement.
But then a dilemma arose.
“I want to experience the Shield firsthand….”
Conducting experiments on Floor 7 would make it difficult to concentrate.
With the EX clear condition hanging over me, I wouldn’t have the leisure to truly enjoy it.
‘Should I go back down to the lower floors and test it?’
After all, new toys should be used immediately after unboxing, and a new car should naturally be driven.
Now that I had obtained Shield, I needed to test it to satisfy my curiosity.
‘It’s only natural instinct for a mage.’
-Shield stat is currently 4.
-It falls short of your standards by far, but by Normal-rank criteria… my records indicate it would be perfectly safe even up to Floor 7.
Mayo was perceptive.
I couldn’t tell if this was inherent to her nature or a trait carried over from her numerous previous masters.
Either way, this magical fortress read my psychology with precision.
-However, to truly maximize the value of the experiment… Floor 6 would be the more suitable choice for a retry.
-Of course, this is merely my opinion.
– 🙂
Anticipation began to surge through my chest.
Even though it was a regular grade, the defensive power of a ‘Level 100 Tank’ had settled into my body.
‘Then couldn’t I block [Shards] at least?’
What if I could even block the main spell itself?
If so, the time had come.
Had the moment arrived to successfully practice ‘Penetration Attribute’—the first challenge I could call it?
Indeed, as one grows, paths reveal themselves.
Right now, without the pressure of EX Clears, the conditions couldn’t be better.
“Right. Let me rest while focusing on inner growth.”
-I, Mayo, will do my best.
-According to records, now is the optimal time.
-I will prove before the user that my defensive power won’t crumble even when struck by magical shards.
I felt unwavering resolve emanating from Mayo.
I could also sense the desire to properly demonstrate her abilities.
[Entering Tower (Seoul) Floor 6.]
Now I could ignore shards and focus on the magic itself!

* * *
[Level-up cannot exceed twice the floor being cleared.]
[Current Level: 12]
[Challenge: Defeat 5 Ancient Wheels!]
“You can block the Ancient Wheel’s attacks, right?”
-Of course. You will suffer no damage.
-According to records, this level of threat is… harmless. 🙂
Thump, thump.
I felt a heartbeat emanating from Mayo, who had no heart.
-I, Mayo, recommend you narrow your domain’s range.
-30 centimeters would be… sufficient. Probably.
“That sounds right.”
Choi Kang-mok naturally adjusted the range of his small world.
A radius of 30 centimeters.
Like a hard coating enveloping my entire body, Mayo’s shield clung tightly around me.
One Ancient Wheel lunged at Choi Kang-mok.
‘I’m a bit nervous, honestly.’
A body that had suffered fatal wounds from slime poison.
No matter how strong the shield was, fear remained.
But this was something I had to test eventually.
‘Here it comes!’
[Shield(4) Remaining: 100]
Mayo absorbed the Ancient Wheel’s damage in my stead.
‘The damage isn’t registering at all?’
Indeed, the defensive power of a level 100 creature.
In the meantime, another ancient wheel drew closer.
It attacked Choi Kang-mok with its tentacles.
[Shield(4) Remaining: 100]
Mayo laughed with a 🙂 expression.
-Pathetic monster! Did you truly believe you could inflict even a speck of damage upon my user?
A personality slightly different from usual seemed to emerge, but the performance was undeniable.
A third ancient wheel approached.
Three of them attacked simultaneously, yet the shield remained unchanged.
[Shield(4) Remaining: 100]
Choi Kang-mok gained some confidence.
I was safe even against the monsters of the lower floors!
“Then.”
Now it was time to focus on magic.
This was the real test.
Thanks to Mayo, I had the freedom to immerse myself completely.
“Penetration… penetration… penetration…!”
I continued to visualize the image in my mind.
This process is called visualization.
‘If the penetration attribute is properly imbued, the energy bolt will shift slightly to an ashen hue.’
Stage one was a success.
Now I had to actually cast the spell.
Theory alone meant nothing if my body hadn’t internalized it.
‘Ignore the ones nearby.’
This was the dignity of the shield.
To remain relatively safe from fragments, I decided to attack one at a distance.
Two creatures approaching in a line caught my eye.
‘I’ll penetrate them.’
I exerted intense concentration.
Cold sweat streamed down my back.
[Skill, Energy Bolt(S) is being used.]
Crack!
An energy sphere shot toward the ancient wheel.
‘Indeed!’
Burst!
Before the spell even reached it, one creature exploded.
‘What?’
Burst!
The ancient wheel behind it also exploded.
‘Penetration… did it work?’
I pierced through it, so I suppose it counts as penetration.
‘The mana pressure has intensified.’
Far more than I anticipated.
Either way, I won’t know if penetration truly works until I make contact.
Did I choose the wrong floor? Should I have practiced against dummies first?
That’s when goosebumps erupted across the back of Choi Kang-mok’s neck.
Whoosh—!
The sensation of something menacing hurtling toward me!
“Damn!”
Drawing on my heightened agility, I threw myself forward desperately.
Then I rolled across the ground several times.
“Huff… huff!”
[Shield (4) Remaining: 9]
[Skill ‘Invincibility’ activated.]
Choi Kang-mok wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Phew, that was close.”
Perfect control is impossible.
Managing every single fragment individually is out of the question.
I calculate and prepare as best I can, but controlling every piece that scatters unpredictably is beyond my reach.
-Seen, Master Mayo…
-Just now… I nearly died!
-Ahem, Master Mayo. As a microcosm entity and an aggregate of great mages, I have spoken without dignity. My apologies.
The area currently protected by the shield spans a radius of thirty centimeters.
What if it had been thirty-three centimeters instead?
Mayo would have absorbed significantly more damage.
Incidentally, when the shield shatters, any remaining damage transfers directly to Mayo, who maintains the field.
In other words, a Mythic-grade artifact nearly shattered into pieces.
-I am stable now. However… just then, certainly…
-My existence nearly wavered.
The primary consciousness trembled so severely that countless other personalities began raging uncontrollably.
-Your fragments are far too powerful.
Choi Kang-mok gazed ahead with a somewhat deflated expression.
[Congratulations!]
[Tower (Seoul) Floor 6 cleared with SSS-rank rating.]
[You have obtained 1,000,000 Diamonds.]
[Hall of Fame registration unavailable—not a first-time clear.]
[Exiting the Tower.]
Penetration research.
I still have a long way to go.

* * *
Choi Kang-mok drew a deep breath and steadied himself.
“Actually, this is good.”
Even Mayo, who possessed a small world with Shield (4), couldn’t withstand the magical fragments of Dil-jjik-nu.
My naive hope that I might block the original spell itself had been reckless.
The only thing capable of blocking Dil-jjik-nu’s magical fragments was “Invincibility.”
Choi Kang-mok spoke to himself like a mantra.
“I used the Invincibility spell at just the right moment. This counts as growth.”
The ability to deploy magic with precision when needed.
Wasn’t this the very hallmark of a superior mage?
Of course, my penetration research had failed, but I could feel that my magical pressure had grown stronger.
And I’d discovered that the rate of increase was steeper than I’d anticipated.
I had made progress compared to yesterday’s self.
‘The growth rate is dizzying.’
If I’d entered Floor 7 without knowing this, it would have been catastrophic.
Challenging Floor 6 again was an excellent decision in every respect.
-I am ashamed.
-My performance… fell short of your expectations.
“It’s fine. I made mistakes too.”
-Thank you. Your magnanimity is a mark of your character.
-That crazy bastard said he’d destroy me if I failed, so yes, you.
-I will engage in repeated learning of that incident.
-I will optimize myself to provide better failures going forward…

* * *
The next day.
[!You have unread mail!]
A system message from Lee Byung-gyu had arrived.
It was a message with EX Coins attached.
He said he would show sincerity, and it seemed he meant it.
[You have successfully recruited a special ability user!]
An exceptional ability user who increases the acquisition rate of specific resources.
EX Coins designated as the specific resource.
The acquisition rate of EX Coins has been increased.
Though luck would need to favor me somewhat.
‘Wow. Three of them attached.’
Seoul Guild.
They work well.
[Shield’s stat rises to 5.]
[Remaining coins: 2]
Shield had been reinforced once more.
[Shield(5) Capacity: 100]
[Stat 5 achieved. The next item can now be unlocked.]
There was no need for lengthy deliberation.
For the “DPS build,” Mayo’s defensive capabilities were essential.
[Unlocking ‘Defense’.]
[Remaining coins: 1]
───────
[Defense]
1. Shield: 5
2. Interception: 0
───────
“Oh. So Interception comes next.”
I’d seen it in the trailer footage.
An advanced interception system that deflected the countless arrows unleashed by the undead legion.
“Then could it intercept my magic shards as well?”
Raising Agility exists “to avoid being hit in the first place.”
If interception becomes possible, the situation changes entirely.
-Master Mayo, interception is our most confident field.
-Past users have recorded high satisfaction with this feature.
The atmosphere was promising.
At least, until then.
-However, the user’s magic shards far exceed standard specifications.
The Shield(4) capacity of 100, which could withstand attacks from level 100+ enemies, evaporated in an instant.
-Master Mayo, I cannot make a judgment.
-Data threshold exceeded. I can attempt interception, but I cannot provide a success probability.
-※Given my prior experience with destruction, I do not recommend repetition.
-I apologize for failing to provide an appropriate response.
I could feel the genuine remorse in those words.
“It’s fine. You can’t be satisfied on the first try.”
A shield at level 5 and it won’t work?
Then maybe things could change if it reaches 50.
‘The me from two days ago differs from the me of yesterday.’
And today, I have grown even further.
Even within this segment where I haven’t escaped the tutorial, growth continues to accumulate steadily.
“I’m already happy just being able to use magic.”
I meant it.
Choi Kang-mok had not lost his radiant hope.
Someday, I will reach the rank of ‘Great Mage’.

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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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