The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 198

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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 198
—Please implant the user’s magic into Mayo for me.
Ten spells are, in a sense, bullets. Mayo is the gun.
Pre-loaded and ready to fire whenever desired.
‘It’s certainly impressive, if nothing else.’
But it wasn’t entirely favorable.
In other words, it meant I could fire offensive spells without delay, without incantations.
‘Isn’t this overly focused on combat magic?’
I needed to diversify my growth now.
Unlocking, dispelling, and defense, for instance.
‘Ah. Is defense also combat-oriented? Well, technically it is.’
In any case, to become an excellent mage like Raymond, I had to cultivate a diverse range of abilities evenly.
Perhaps it was the machinations of the system or the Authors.
Like this, for example.
───────
To shake the identity and self-esteem of the magical anomaly, we guide him to grow as a “combat-specialized mage.” Fractures and collapse beginning from within. That will become the boss monster’s weakness.
───────
‘Just thinking about it pisses me off.’
Those damn Authors.
What do they take people for?
But then Mayo spoke.
—What if it were invincibility?
Ten invincibilities stored in advance?
Invincibility isn’t combat magic—it’s far closer to survival magic, isn’t it?
Of course, depending on how you use it, it could be classified as combat magic, but that’s just a matter of perspective.
Mayo, having learned from observing Red Cat, continued.
—What is the auxiliary buff ability applied after exiting the Tower?
“Invincibility.”
—Precisely.
A blade is a weapon when used in combat, but a kitchen knife when used for cooking.
Invincibility is actually used far more for survival or support than for combat.
Therefore, it’s difficult to call this purely combat-specialized growth.
Mayo’s words were utterly mage-like.
Wise, in other words.
“You really are a true mage!”
—Of course. 🙂
“Then let me try implanting invincibility once….”
—Wait.
—A mage must remain composed when composure is needed.
“Huh?”
-Why not attempt it after successfully strengthening Invincibility?
-I believe I could contain greater magic within myself.
-Wouldn’t that bring a mage greater joy?
Choi Kang-mok nodded in agreement.
This mage surpassed me.
-Then let us awaken that fraudulent faker at once. Detestable wench.

* * *
Emily’s eyes remained closed, yet her ears were open.
‘I should have crafted an artifact to eavesdrop on Mayo’s voice.’
Even without seeing, I could sense it.
Choi Kang-mok was engaged in an exceedingly satisfying conversation with Mayo.
‘That one remains the primary obstacle.’
I wish to narrow the distance between myself and Choi Kang-mok, to build an intimate bond, yet that Mayo perpetually stands in my way.
Perhaps it is because I have accepted one of Mayo’s selves.
Mayo is deeply guarded and repugnant to me. It is likely a form of species dysphoria.
‘Red Cat, you too remain wary of me.’
Yet neither of you could ever be my match.
She kept her eyes closed, steadied her breathing, and prepared for the next enhancement.
‘Phase One was the hanbok and the ritual.’
How could I appear more attractive without diminishing the enhancement probability?
Emily reached her judgment swiftly.
‘This mage does not simply give his heart to appearance.’
The investment in appearance was sufficient at this level.
‘Expertise. Passion. Yearning for one’s own field—these matter more to him.’
Analyzing further,
‘A person who respects mages.’
Emily the crafter obsessed with creation. Phase Two commences.
She grasped the ‘Brilliantly Gleaming Staff.’
A staff crafted by an artisan who once belonged to the Seoul Guild and now serves the Korean Guild.
Engraved upon the handle in intaglio were the words: ‘Crafted with reverence for magic.’
‘Equipment quality matters too.’
This was a kindred item to the ‘Brilliantly Gleaming Gilded Spear’ that Choi Kang-mok once wielded.
Its rank was legendary (in appearance).
Its special effect was ‘Respect for mages naturally amplifies.’
An artifact enhanced by craftsman Byun Ha-gu, inspired by Choi Kang-mok.
Originally, he had wished to imbue it with an effect to amplify magical damage, but the ability manifested in an unexpected direction instead.
Emily grasped the staff in one hand and her skirt hem in the other, bowing at the waist.
Reverence for the mage blossomed within her.
“With respect for the mage who walks the path of orthodox magic, I shall now proceed to the next enhancement.”
“Yes. I shall wait humbly, Craftmaster Emily.”
“Of course. Please entrust this to me.”
“It seems like it will be quite a remarkable enhancement.”
Choi Kang-mok’s gaze and tone toward Emily grew warmer with genuine favor.
In any case, Emily began her ritual once more.
“Now then, swallow the coin descended from the divine spirits, and imbue yourself with the essence of the cosmos!”
Bells chimed and jingled, followed by the sounds of drums and cymbals.
[Reinforcing Invincibility.]
A golden reinforcement magic circle.
Above it, the EX coin danced and undulated as though caught in an invisible current.
“Mage. True mage. Come forth to this place!”
Choi Kang-mok stepped forward.
His stride was remarkably confident.
“Now then, who shall stand upon this golden path, who is the mage whose name is inscribed within the heavenly script! Mage, speak your name!”
“Choi Kang-mok.”
“Yes, chosen one of magic, walker of the magical path, firstborn heir of sorcery! Your name is Choi Kang-mok.”
Clang clang!
Jingle jingle!
Boom boom!
Golden flames erupted like fireworks, inscribing magic circles across the air, and fragments of light scattered like shooting stars, cascading down upon Choi Kang-mok’s shoulders and fingertips.
An artificial wind swirled like a silver ribbon, enveloping Choi Kang-mok’s entire form.
Dazzling effects that seemed to proclaim “this is what a true mage is” enveloped every inch of his being.
Red Cat let out a displeased meow.
Fakes, the lot of them.
Mayo gave voice to that sentiment.
-Red Cat. No matter how I look at it, this seems to have nothing to do with actual reinforcement.
-Isn’t this just deception from a magical standpoint?
Meow.
Red Cat nodded in agreement.
I glanced around cautiously.
I had hoped that oblivious Mayo would step in, but Mayo had grown somewhat in observing Red Cat.
-Hmph. This is too critical a moment to interfere.
-But I shall certainly settle accounts with that charlatan one day. With the magic within me.
Choi Kang-mok squeezed his eyes shut.
Invincibility is my lifeline.
If the reinforcement fails, it will be difficult to manage the aftermath.
‘Still, I must try.’
Without bearing the risk, there is no progress.
Such is the path of a mage.
Without danger, there is no growth.
[Skill ‘Invincibility’ enhancement successful.]
[Grade is rising.]
[Grade assessment in progress….]
A roulette materialized in the empty air.
Grades ranging from S to SS, SSS, and SSS+ spun and danced in dizzying circles.
Just as the rotation speed seemed to be gradually slowing.
The notepad I had hastily pulled out as a precaution against the Writers’ schemes suddenly began filling with text at lightning speed.
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‘Invincibility’ is the final secret technique used by that boss monster. If we could destroy it, or at least induce a grade reduction, it would be excellent news for us. We will succeed. We shall succeed. We will make it happen.
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Choi Kang-mok’s brow furrowed deeply.
‘These bastards, again.’
Those Writers. They don’t understand that the pen is mightier than the sword.
And if they do, they’re even worse.
If I catch them.
I’ll have to deal with them all through combat magic.
I need to teach them that magic is mightier than the pen, and the pen is mightier than the sword.
Emily broke out in cold sweat.
“My lord! An unknown external force is at work!”
Her urgency caused her true manner of speech to slip out.
“I’m not entirely certain, but it appears they are forcibly inducing a grade reduction!”
“Yes. It does seem that way.”
Choi Kang-mok checked the ink supply.
Against the ‘numerous Writers’ hidden in anonymity, the amount of ink was absolutely insufficient.
Then.
A voice rang out sharply.
“You traitor!”
The person who arrived at Emily’s Workshop was Kang Pal-do.
The moment he heard the global notification, he rushed here.
“Thank goodness I was nearby!”
How could this be happening.
Conducting an enhancement broadcast without the dedicated streamer for EX-rank awakeners?
This crossed the line.
“My declaration that I would never associate with mages again was just bravado!”
Though it had been sincere at the time.
In any case, he could not abandon the broadcast.
And the fortune within it trembles.
This opportunity could not be missed.
This opportunity meant ‘survival’.
His subconscious screamed.
Owing a favor to an EX-Rank Awakener meant gaining a few extra lives!
“You foolish bastard! Attempting enhancement without me!”
He had forgotten to turn on the broadcast as he ‘mined’ luck itself.
Time was precious.
Every second was invaluable.
“Did I forget I’m the Lucky Mine!”
His eyes turned golden, and he thrust his fist into his mouth.
His arm disappeared nearly to the elbow.
It resembled watching a strength-testing performance.
Then he pulled out a handful of ‘Lucky Ore’ and hurled it toward Choi Kang-mok.
“There! Luck itself!”
Don’t underestimate a survival-specialized mine!
Regardless, the essence is luck, after all!
His evolved ‘Lucky Ore’ naturally blended with the light emanating from the golden magic circle, shining even more brilliantly.
[Unknown luck takes effect]
[Overcomes unknown external force]
Words were inscribed in the notepad.
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A deranged anomalous entity claiming to be a mine has appeared. The anomaly’s paradoxical luck is shifting the balance. This is serious. The ink reserves we’ve accumulated so far are nearly….
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Kang Pal-do’s luck—an unknown external force.
In other words, it neutralized the ‘Writers’ schemes’.
In that brief moment, Choi Kang-mok marveled.
‘He made invincibility survive!’
Truly a performance befitting a survival mine.
[The rank of Invincibility is confirmed.]
[Rank: EX-]
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[Invincibility (Growth-type)]
Rank: EX-
Upon use, enter an invincible state for 12 seconds.
Perfect resistance to all physical and non-physical damage.
Cooldown: 1 hour
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The duration of Invincibility had increased dramatically.
‘Twelve seconds?’
Enough to cast various spells several more times.
Even the cooldown had been reduced to just one hour.
But the surprising changes didn’t end there.

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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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