The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 206

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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 206
It began with a strange notification.
[Aimonshuter’s concept has been severely damaged.]
From Choi Kang-mok’s perspective, it was utterly absurd.
I had merely been practicing an extension of defensive magic based on physical magic, yet somehow it appeared as though I had launched an attack.
And I hadn’t even begun my true assault yet!
The ‘mechanical being’ that had been the incarnation of a conceptual entity seemed to crumble before transforming into metallic liquid and dissolving away.
The machine gun and laser optical device that had been attacking Choi Kang-mok were partially destroyed, while some components reverted to being speakers.
The entire space trembled with crackling distortions.
-Hmph, for a conceptual entity to possess such fragile mental fortitude.
-This mage is also a branch of a conceptual entity, but because I am a mage, I do not possess such a flimsy mentality, so there is no need for concern.
Choi Kang-mok decided not to pay much attention to the absurd notification.
It still wasn’t perfect.
‘I should practice with a few more.’
Constructing a defensive formation by suspending small energy field plates in midair had required considerable practice.
This defensive magic of suspending physical force in empty space would likewise demand extensive training.
If I could skillfully employ defensive magic in this space, which was obstructed by every conceivable scientific method, I would be able to adapt and execute it effectively in diverse environments.
The moment I lifted the brilliantly gleaming staff, a voice emanated from the speakers.
“This scientist cannot comprehend this phenomenon.”
“Of course not. You’re not a mage.”
Magic and science are entirely different disciplines.
Just as it is difficult for a mage to understand science from their perspective, it is equally difficult for a scientist to comprehend magic from theirs.
Before deploying the physical defensive magic again, I asked once more.
“How is the conceptual entity’s resilience?”
While magic implementation required time, I deliberately prolonged it further.
What if it breaks during practice?
I had no intention of destroying it with defensive magic.
I planned to defeat this thing with true offensive magic.
However, Aimonshuter was not in a condition to converse with Choi Kang-mok.
-It is already destroyed.
The concept has been damaged. Existence has been negated.
The boss monster of Floor 60, Part 3, had revealed its weakness far too easily through unconventional means.
-That turncoat scientist was indeed at a disadvantage in matchup.
That mad scientist’s weakness was unmistakable.
A mage with unwavering conviction against which mental corruption held no sway whatsoever.
A perfect counter, truly.
-Concepts dissolve before stronger concepts, after all.
-This is the moment when magical concepts are proven to be superior to scientific ones.
-How beautiful, how wondrous, how blissful.
Choi Kang-mok had the impression that this space was on the verge of collapse.
‘I can’t give up.’
Once I’ve grasped the momentum, I have to keep pushing.
I calculated it all in my head.
My personal computation circuit—Emily Custom—gleamed with light.
After rapid calculations, I derived the magical result values.
‘Just two more times.’
I could endure two more strikes.
After that, I’d subjugate this creature with proper physical magic.
‘Will physical magic even work?’
I had some doubts, but it probably would.
Now I, Choi Kang-mok, understood something.
Sometimes, certain physical forces transcend conceptual boundaries.
Physical power that exceeds set parameters can shatter concepts themselves.
‘Even if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter.’
Then I’ll simply layer defensive magic like I’m doing now and crush the scientist’s logic and concepts.
There are many ways.
The flexibility to employ diverse means and concepts is also a mage’s greatest advantage.
Yes, becoming a mage was the right choice.
Boom!
Physical force struck the empty space once more.
A perfect defensive spell.
No scientific attack had even begun.
I’d crushed it before it could even start.
‘At this rate, it seems like Phase 2 is about to begin?’
Surely it wouldn’t end this easily.
A boss monster on Floor 60.
And a Part 3 monster at that—it wouldn’t end like this.
Boom!
I cast the third physical defensive spell exactly as calculated.
Across various points in space.
Spider-web-like cracks were spreading through the area, but they’d probably repair themselves.
Since this was defensive magic, not offensive magic, its destructive power had limits.
‘Phase 2 should be starting soon.’
And indeed.
The lights all flared to life at once, raising the brightness of the Laboratory.
The entire space became brilliantly illuminated.
A clear voice rang out, as if light itself had found its voice.
“You truly…”
The vibrations that had been rippling through space came to a halt.
Everything stabilized.
‘Phase 2!’
Good.
I’ve practiced enough—now it’s time to defeat it with physical ‘attack magic’.
“You were truly a great mage.”
[Aimonshuter has been defeated.]
‘Huh?’
What now?
Fortunately(?), the notification corrected itself.
[Aimonshuter has been defeated.]
That’s more like it.
A gimmick, then.
It’s likely the scientist’s petty tactic—distorting the system notification to lower my guard before attacking.
‘I wasn’t careless….’
[Aimonshuter has been permanently annihilated.]
[Tower (South Korea, Part 3) Floor 60 has been cleared.]
[Clear Grade: ‘Incalculable’]
A grade that had never appeared before emerged.
[!Global Realm Announcement!]
[Tower (South Korea, Part 3) Floor 60 has been cleared with an ‘Incalculable’ grade!]
The notification spread across the entire world.
But it didn’t end there.
[!Universal Realm Announcement!]
[Tower (South Korea, Earth, Part 3) Floor 60 has been cleared with an ‘Incalculable’ grade!]
For the first time, a universal realm announcement had appeared.
The notification was sent simultaneously across all dimensions.
[Calculating rewards.]
I remained vigilant.
Through Red Cat’s example, I had learned that certain entities could interfere with the system and distort messages.
Still, as the boss monster of Floor 60, Part 3, this couldn’t possibly end so anticlimactically.
That was simply impossible.
“This has to be fake. Right, Red?”
Meow.
Red Cat sat on my shoulder, her expression forlorn.
Her amber eyes looked as though they might shed tears at any moment.
-This phenomenon is genuine, I assure you. Master has achieved a perfect clear.

* * *
A few minutes earlier.
Red Cat continued to watch for the perfect moment to make my move.
Far more suited to my master than that treacherous Magic Fortress—a dimensional beast, truly.
No, a beloved companion.
‘One must seize the timing with precision.’
Red Cat knew it well.
That Aimonshuter was collapsing.
Destroyed far too easily upon meeting a matchup of supreme disadvantage.
Standing apart from the battlefield and observing, I could perceive it with greater accuracy.
‘The conceptual entity is growing confused.’
And it was preparing one final desperate gambit.
‘The scientific attack’ was merely bait.
This conceptual entity’s true assault, as evidenced by the Speaker’s case, was ‘mental attack’ and ‘corruption’.
‘The mental attack proved entirely ineffective.’
Yet I could sense it preparing one last corruption.
The fortunate thing was that the conceptual entity paid no attention to me whatsoever.
It seemed to lack the capacity to spare attention for me, so consumed was it by pressure from my master.
‘Whatever you prepare, this body stands ready to receive it.’
And in that final moment.
The conceptual entity ground all its essence into a single cry.
“This is what you call defensive magic?”
It was self-destruction.
That cry contained all the entity’s yearning and killing intent.
Concept attacks concept.
It shatters the mage’s concept, stripping away their value as a mage.
It shakes the very identity of the mage itself.
Red Cat, who had been watching for the opening, let out a tremendous roar—*Kyaang!*
The conceptual entity’s final killing technique was transformed.
“You were truly a magnificent mage.”
Red Cat licked my front paw.
What a fool.
To forget the existence of a dimensional beast, overshadowed though I may be by my master.
Had we fought one-on-one in a conceptual war, it would have been difficult, but now it was quite manageable.
Glancing over, my master’s mood didn’t seem particularly soured.
Being recognized as a mage is always a pleasant thing, after all.
Meow.
I’ve done my duty well today.
‘My master is truly brilliant.’
One cannot engage in such fervent rationalization without being clever.
That logic and concept, which attached all manner of justifications and interpreted them magically, had already transcended the dimensional monster.
‘One day, they will surely notice my accomplishments today.’
The dimensional monster Red Cat prided itself on being different from the Magic Fortress.
If the Magic Fortress had accomplished the same feat?
It would have been busy praising its own Achievement, going on about how the mage did this and that, wouldn’t it?
But Red Cat had decided to wait for the right moment to ripen.
I would become a master of timing.
‘This is the virtue of a dimensional gentleman.’
Meow.

* * *
[Reward calculation is in progress.]
[Exit is temporarily suspended.]
Choi Kang-mok accepted the reality.
“Everything went according to plan.”
It was unfortunate that I couldn’t defeat it with attack magic, but it was within acceptable margins.
Even though I had cleared this floor once before, the Hall of Fame record was updated.
Everything is good. Everything is calculated.
“When reward calculations take this long, they usually give something nice.”
-That’s correct. We certainly hope you’ll meet our mages’ expectations.
Choi Kang-mok examined the ‘physical defense magic’ still suspended in mid-air.
Its sustaining power was far superior to defense magic utilizing energy field plates.
“It must be because the structure is simple.”
Depending on necessity and circumstance, I could flexibly select and use whichever was appropriate.
“But can I stack this?”
When I stacked energy field plates, they became a black hole.
What would happen if I stacked this?
“I should try it.”
The Tower might get a bit damaged, but that’s the Tower’s problem.
It would repair itself.
Since the Tower itself allowed missiles to be fired inside it without restraint, it should bear this much in return.
“Ah. It doesn’t work.”
Stacking failed.
Whether it was a matter of skill or concept.
The physical forces collided with each other and exploded.
Mana fragments swept through like a storm, but I was now free from threats of this magnitude.
Using Mayo’s ability and Blink, I evaded appropriately.
However, Red Cat’s fur stood on end.
-I nearly died!
I wanted to cry out again in shock, but I held back.
It seemed that threats of this magnitude were merely routine for those two—Choi Kang-mok and the Magic Fortress.
They had grown so accustomed to danger that they no longer grasped how perilous the moment truly was.
The pair were so absorbed in their magical applications that they hadn’t even heard Red Cat’s desperate cry.
That made it all the more terrifying.
Amber eyes hardened with resolve.
“Layering is difficult. I’ll need to grant it a piercing attribute instead.”
With that, I could generate physical force capable of penetrating an enemy’s body.
Not mere penetration, but something closer to destructive piercing.
-It would become a more proactive form of defensive magic, then.
“Precisely.”
Red Cat began to harbor doubts.
Could I truly take Mayo’s place?
Could I really… become a companion cat?
Red Cat’s conviction wavered.
In that instant, Red Cat sensed something.
A powerful external force was at work.
Red Cat bounded toward Choi Kang-mok and tapped his shin with a soft, fluffy paw.
-Great Mage Master, I have urgent news to report.

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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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