The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 186

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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 186
Olden had become captivated by the Battle Mage.
It was a different caliber of strength from the “warriors” he knew in his everyday life.
The sheer power to sweep away every enemy without wielding an axe or sword—no man from Brain could resist such might.
Yet despite such overwhelming strength, the Battle Mage neither scorned nor looked down upon the miners.
For the first time, Olden had not been subjected to the subtle—or sometimes blatant—contempt he had grown accustomed to living in Brain.
It was a wholly unfamiliar experience for one who had spent his entire life as a miner.
‘I must do my part to help him well.’
Whatever assistance he could provide as a miner, he would give.
The talk of how many miners had extracted divine ore, and the various explanations—it all stemmed from a complete lack of practical instinct and experience.
Soon, the miners from Earth arrived.
Olden and the other Brain miners exhaled in unison.
“Their physiques are pathetic…”
“How on earth are they supposed to work as miners looking so frail?”
The Brain dimension fundamentally prioritizes physical prowess above all else.
After all, it is the Barbarian Warriors’ Dimension.
Even as miners, their basic physicality differed markedly from that of Earth.
Olden let out a soft sigh.
“We can tell just by watching how they grip their pickaxes.”
The Earth miners were complete novices.
In truth, that assessment was not far off.
The Brain miners averaged around level 100, which translated to roughly Floor 50 in Tower terms.
The Earth miners, by contrast, averaged around level 60, which translated to roughly Floor 30 in Tower terms.
“Good grief, they’re like hothouse flowers.”
“Not even calluses on their palms?”
The difference began with the thickness of their palms and soles.
The two groups of miners seemed like entirely different species.
Yet the reality was different.
“Wait, how is that even being extracted?”
“With such a pathetic pickaxe?”
“This doesn’t make sense.”
The Brain miners were left dumbfounded.
This transcended mere skill.
With such ability, they were extracting this?
Choi Kang-mok reached his own conclusion.
‘In terms of fundamental skill and mining ability, Brain’s victory is overwhelming.’
However,
‘In terms of qualification itself determined by system parameters, the Earth miners claim victory.’
Apparently, Earth’s environment operated outside standard specifications.
Choi Kang-mok smirked.
‘Not bad at all.’
As a mage myself, I understood this well.
How invaluable it was to have a skilled mentor at one’s side.
With someone like the intermediate mage Owen or Professor Raymond nearby, magical progress accelerated dramatically.
‘I’ll learn so much here.’
I couldn’t accomplish everything alone.
Now that dimensions were beginning to connect, Earth’s Awakeners needed to elevate their capabilities.
To avoid falling behind in the competition.
‘Wait, isn’t this thinking a bit too lordly?’
A slight discomfort flickered through me, but I quickly dismissed it with a shake of my head.
No matter how focused I became on magic, completely forgetting my homeland would be inhuman.
Maintaining one’s humanity was crucial to avoid being consumed by Mayo.
Caring for one’s homeland was nothing strange for a mage.
-….
Mayo didn’t argue back.
Though the urge to refute burned fiercely, that schemer Red Cat prevented me from acting rashly.
The slightest opening, and that monster would strike.

* * *
The most influential voice in the Korean Guild currently belonged to Choi Kang-chul.
Dedicated team leader for the EX-rank Awakener.
He had been dispatched to Brain as my representative.
“In exchange for training Earth’s miners, we pledge to provide protection for Brain’s miners.”
This was my intention.
I had outlined the general concept, and Choi Kang-chul had given it concrete form.
“Comprehensive protection. That is, we cannot promise preemptive defense or preventive measures.”
I hadn’t thought through such specifics.
“However, we will ensure retaliation is swift and certain.”
“Acceptable.”
“In Earth’s terms, it’s rather like a nuclear umbrella.”
By now, word of the miners had surely reached the Barbarian Warriors.
Would they simply leave the miners alone?
Absolutely not.
“Should you wish, relocation to Earth is also possible.”
A favorable contract between the two factions had been established.
Brain’s miners would share their technical expertise, while Earth provided military protection.
“But… where are the warriors who will protect us?”
Protection was the warrior’s duty.
From the miners’ perspective, Earth’s Awakeners seemed to have few warriors.
“They’ll arrive soon.”
Mechanical divisions from Earth arrived in succession.
Armored units led by tanks.
The miners gasped at the sight of these monsters clad in sturdy steel plating.
“Th-these are true warriors!”
“Oh, warriors of Earth!”
“Warriors that breathe fire—how magnificent!”
At the genuine reactions of the Brain miners, Choi Kang-chul, who had maintained a strictly businesslike demeanor throughout, couldn’t help but crack a subtle smile.
“Let me make one thing clear. We were able to bring those warriors here thanks to that EX-rank mage.”
Olden glanced from a distance toward the barracks where the mage-warrior was resting.
I recognized from the start that this was no ordinary mage-warrior.
Choi Kang-chul continued in his matter-of-fact tone.
“The EX-rank mage connected the dimensional rift….”
Connected it perfectly.
And as an Awakener belonging to South Korea, by establishing a Gate in this new dimension, Lee Byung-gyu gained certain authorities.
With the “Invader Correction” added on top, we were able to transfer Earth’s machinery to Brain.
Just as the Barbarian Warriors of Brain received a tower correction that neutralized scientific civilization, Earth’s Awakeners received a scientific correction that neutralized Brain’s physical prowess.
‘But explaining this won’t help them understand, will it?’
How could I explain this so they’d grasp it easily?
I definitely want them to know whose doing this is.
As Choi Kang-mok’s older brother, and as the dedicated team leader for the EX-rank Awakener.
“That person is no mere mage-warrior.”
“?”
Olden continued with a serious expression.
“That person is a Magic Deity.”
“?”
“I heard it from the Earth miners. How they were able to mine the Unbreakable Rock.”
I learned it during my visit to the higher dimension.
That it could only be mined with divine blessing.
The formula struck Olden’s mind like a thunderbolt.
【Mage-warrior blessed by divinity = Magic Deity】
In any case, having succeeded in the explanation, Choi Kang-chul slowly nodded.
A Magic Deity, no less.
‘Kang-mok will love this.’
Though he’ll be embarrassed about it.

* * *
Some of Brain’s miners immigrated to Earth.
And the lower classes oppressed in Brain.
In other words, laborers who weren’t warriors applied en masse to immigrate to Earth.
The Korean Guild screened and selected them.
“Overall, they’re straightforward and physically strong. They don’t scheme much either.”
In simpler terms, they don’t deceive, they’re diligent, and they don’t cause problems.
“If you just feed them on time, they’re quite cooperative.”
A green light turned on for Iraq’s chronic labor shortage.
When given wages, they apparently wave their hands saying that’s too much—all they need is food.
[Wow hahaha this was the big picture of EX’s left]
└Got both justification and practical benefits
└This is genius
└They’re even conducting special training for the miners
└The most convincing interpretation is that they went to Brain to secure labor
The lower-level Brain entities apparently come to Earth and are super happy about it lol
└So these are alien laborers…?
The alien laborers were typically the type with excellent physiques but unremarkable intellect.
They resolved most problems through sheer strength.
The Arcsia Mages participating in Iraq’s reconstruction voiced complaints.
“Wait, who said we needed labor….”
“Isn’t the Korean Guild doing the work?”
“We need gem-grade mana stones. Arcsia has already prepared everything.”
Earth simply doesn’t have “gem-grade mana stones.”
From dimensions with advanced magical civilizations like Arcsia, low-quality gem-grade mana stones that are difficult to dispose of will be transferred to Earth.
They could sell them at premium prices.
[Breaking News] EX-rank Awaker Discovers Ruby-Grade Mana Mine in Brain Dimension]
└???What’s a ruby-grade mana stone?
└Gem names attached to grades?
Originally, Earth’s mana stones are only divided into low-grade to high-grade. There’s no precedent for gem names attached to grades.
[Gem-grade is supposedly much better?]
└They discovered a mine?
└Yeah
└It’s ruby-grade. Supply is nearly unlimited.
└EX hyung using cheat codes again?
Karson, the Arsia Empire Mage leading Iraq’s reconstruction, doubted his ears.
“…What?”
Still, fortunately it was ruby-grade.
From ruby-grade onward, mining becomes difficult.
He hurriedly scheduled an emergency meeting with Lee Byung-gyu.
“Simply having a mine doesn’t solve everything. From Ruby-grade onward, extraction becomes extraordinarily difficult and requires meticulous processes. It’s not enough to have miners alone—skilled-tier mages must be present on-site to oversee and manage operations.”
Ruby-grade, no less?
That’s far too premium for city reconstruction.
The economics don’t work out.
“When exactly will you be importing the Sapphire-grade mana stones we proposed? We’ve set aside a special quantity, so we need to secure it promptly.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Mining Ruby-grade mana stones wasn’t really that difficult, was it?
“Starting tomorrow, Ruby-grade mana stones will be supplied. Please accelerate the reconstruction project accordingly.”
“….”
Karson couldn’t believe it.
It made no sense.
He expressed this disbelief with careful diplomacy.
“Ruby-grade and above require precise processes. If I may be so bold, would it be possible for me to briefly inspect the mining site?”
“Yes. If an EX-rank Awakener permits it.”
Permission was granted.
Karson arrived at Red Cat’s Premium Provisions Warehouse with several junior mages in tow.
And there, they beheld an sight beyond belief.
“All of this is Ruby-grade mana stone?”
“A scale like this….”
I’ve never seen anything like it.
Even Arcsia doesn’t have a mine of such colossal proportions.
This is an extraordinary privilege among privileges.
“But Karson. Please look at the Gate’s name once more.”
───────
[Red Cat’s Premium Provisions Warehouse]
───────
They prided themselves on understanding the system well.
“Perhaps if we extract a certain amount of rubies from this place….”
A single hypothesis flashed through their minds.
Right. There’s no way something would be given away so freely.
“The Dimensional Monster Red Cat will likely appear. No—it definitely will.”
High returns always come with high risk.
Dimensional Monsters are dangerous. They even influence the system parameters.
Karson immediately sought out Choi Kang-chul.
“Please relay a message to the EX-rank Awakener. Mining must stop at once. It’s danger….”
Meow.
A fluffy cotton ball—red like spun sugar, with white sneakers adorning its paws.
Red Cat sat perched upon Choi Kang-chul’s shoulder, amber eyes gleaming.
“That’s right. Good kitty.”
Nom nom.
I consumed the ruby that Choi Kang-chul handed me.
“?”
“?”
“?”
The Arcsia Mages froze in place.

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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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