The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 242

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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 242
Igniasha, a spirit exceptionally sensitive to the flow of mana, perceived it immediately.
“This feline has come to understand it.”
The true attribute of the divine beast Light.
Light had always been forced to flee from countless poachers.
Yet from Igniasha’s perspective, this was a calamity of its own making.
“The true attribute of [Light] is!”
Igniasha’s flames blazed brilliantly.
Having grasped the truth, Igniasha wove wings from flame and settled upon Choi Kang-mok’s shoulder.
“Enchantment, it was.”
Choi Kang-mok’s Hundred Wings had been greatly influenced by the divine beast Light.
Thus, naturally, they had become enchantingly beautiful wings.
“Lin Zhiwei lost her senses because of the enchantment.”
The spirit who had grasped the truth was quite smug about it.
How about that? I’m this capable. How am I as a companion cat?
Yet the former mentor Red Cat shook her head.
‘That’s not how you’re supposed to do it….’
If it had been Red Cat herself?
She would have praised the Hundred Wings magic as magnificent.
Otherwise, she would have been amazed, wondering ‘When did you even master enchantment magic?’
Igniasha still had far to go.
As expected.
Choi Kang-mok spoke with a slightly stiffened expression.
“Wasn’t my Hundred Wings magic just a bit impressive?”
“It was not.”
“Think about it carefully. When I marveled at Professor Raymond’s flight magic….”
There were many reasons, but summarized in one word, it was ‘coolness’.
Magic must be cool.
That was what Choi Kang-mok believed.
“It was because it was cool. Doesn’t it seem like Lin Zhiwei is experiencing the same thing? Isn’t that right?”
“I’ve never seen wings so mesmerizing and magnificent in my entire life. So this is magic. Is it called Hundred Wings?”
“Yes. Hundred Wings. It’s a flight magic that incorporates damage control.”
“Flight magic!”
At this very moment, Lin Zhiwei resembled a teenage girl.
Flight magic. Her heart raced with excitement.
“Would it be possible for me to ride along someday?”
“!”
Choi Kang-mok flinched in surprise.
Lin Zhiwei was far better than Igniasha, who merely pretended to be sharp.
‘Right. With flight magic, she should be able to ride along.’
Raymond?
He could carry a few people on his back and fly swiftly.
“Not yet.”
My flying ability is insufficient.
There’s a high probability I’d accidentally drop them.
“…Yes. I spoke out of turn….”
“But I’ll practice. In the not-too-distant future, let’s fly together.”
“Really?”
Lin Zhiwei practically bounced with joy.
Imagining herself soaring through the sky cradled in the Emperor’s arms made her feel as though she were already flying.
She wondered if she should go on a diet until then.
Watching her, Mayo remained silent.
‘She’s definitely under some kind of enchantment.’
It wasn’t intentional on Choi Kang-mok’s part.
It seemed to be purely due to the attribute of the divine beast Light.
‘Igniasha must feel wronged.’
But whether she felt wronged or not was none of Mayo’s concern.
Everyone for themselves. An age of infinite competition.
“In any case, thank you. You’ve clarified magical aspects I hadn’t even considered.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m glad I could be of help.”

* * *
Though she had marveled at the white wings for quite some time, Lin Zhiwei’s true reason for seeking out Choi Kang-mok was to discuss the “invasion incident.”
“They’re NPCs who crossed over from Italy.”
“I suspected as much.”
They had crossed the border and made it this far.
Even though Mayo had been distracted by the magic, they had still breached friend-or-foe identification.
Impossible for an Awakener of Earth’s level.
“You must punish them.”
“Punishment, you say….”
The method was quite simple.
I could use a warning sniper spell, just as I had partially destroyed the Italy Tower.
Destroying the NPC stronghold through spatial liberation via Meteor Form would suffice.
For a more effective warning, it would be better to fix physical force in that location.
‘What if I layer the Light attribute over the physical force fixation?’
Converting to the Light attribute would make it fundamentally more impressive.
If I imbue the physical force fixation structure with the Light attribute, it would likely become a far more visually striking warning spell.
‘The damage would be reduced as a side effect, though.’
Lin Zhiwei made a subtle suggestion.
“While a spatial mage’s sniper spell would certainly serve as sufficient warning, wouldn’t it be more effective if the mage visited in person to administer discipline?”
“Directly?”
Why the hassle?
That sounds rather tedious.
Isn’t it more befitting of a mage to send magic rather than go myself?
“Yes. Most human affairs tend to go far better when conducted face-to-face. Besides, it would be a shame to witness such beautiful magic as White Wings alone.”
“You’re asking me to unfold White Wings and fly directly from here to Italy while carrying you?”
Yes. In your arms.
Lin Zhiwei continued carefully, gauging my reaction.
“…Was that too presumptuous of me?”
Had I overstepped? Every moment felt like a tightrope walk of tension.
Though he appeared gentle now, my companion was the emperor of a new age.
Difficult as it was, Lin Zhiwei found herself savoring this exhilarating tension.
“I apologize. I was too…”
“Not at all. Rather, I’m grateful.”
Sometimes I learn from those who aren’t mages.
Today was one of those days.
“White Wings is a flight spell, after all.”
Why had I only ever thought to combine it with damage control for combat applications?
Choi Kang-mok reflected slightly on this.
“It’s only natural to focus on mobility, as befits a flight spell.”
It could be used in combat, but it wasn’t a combat-specialized spell.
If it were combat-specialized, it would have been called something like a movement technique instead of a flight spell.
“I’ve been so absorbed in mock battles lately that I momentarily forgot its essence. It seems you’ve pointed out precisely that, Lin Zhiwei.”
No.
The truth was, I simply wanted to cross the vast ocean cradled in the emperor’s embrace.
“I’m honored you appreciate it.”
Red Cat’s fur bristled.
That woman is far more formidable than she appears.

* * *
If one were to name the person on Earth who treated Choi Kang-mok most comfortably, it would likely be Kang Pal-do.
He paid no mind to magical anomalies or emperors of a new age—such trivialities meant nothing to him.
To him, Choi Kang-mok was simply ‘the thief who stole my child.’
In modern terms, he was more akin to a ‘son-in-law.’
“So, to summarize—you want to show off your flight magic to the entire world?”
“Well, yeah.”
“This is absurd.”
Honestly, that flight magic would never have been completed without my child, you know?
It’s my child who’s remarkable, not your magic, is it?
And now what? You want to show this magic to the entire world?
While flying to Italy?
‘I suppose I should cooperate… wait?’
No.
On second thought…
‘I can just add subtitles, can’t I?’
This is flight magic perfected with the aid of Light, an EX-rank Awakener.
This is actually Light’s ability.
If I keep adding subtitles and explanations, it might actually work out better.
Everyone in the world will come to know how remarkable and beautiful my child is.
“My drone filming skills have improved, actually. I’ll follow along and broadcast it for you.”
Choi Kang-chul, who had been listening quietly, spoke with a slightly worried expression.
“But is it really okay to reveal newly acquired abilities like that?”
Show seven parts, conceal three.
That was the unspoken rule among Awakeners.
Adhering to this rule was advantageous for survival and growth.
“It’s actually unrelated to my actual combat strength, so it’s fine.”
This was flight magic, not combat magic.
What I intended to showcase was closer to ‘spectacle.’
It was separate from exposing my true power.
“And besides, I’m a mage.”
Combat specialists concealed not three parts, but four or five.
Avoiding power exposure was their strategy.
But Choi Kang-mok was a mage.
Mages were meant to demonstrate their magic and disseminate it to the masses.
Seven parts for pride, three parts for the popularization and advancement of magic.
“Hmm, now that I think about it, that makes sense.”
“Right?”
Even the EX-rank Awaker team leader’s concerns melted away.
It actually seemed fine.
Choi Kang-chul continued.
“The assassin NPCs will be preparing their defenses, then.”
And they would soon discover the truth.
No matter how thoroughly they prepared, they would only taste greater despair.
The entire world would witness it unfold in vivid detail.
‘So you’re Choi Kang-mok.’
On the surface, it appeared like a “display of magic,” but something felt off about that interpretation.
Then again, an EX-rank Awakener wouldn’t engage in such childish antics.
He was deliberately granting them time, tightening the noose with methodical pressure.
‘More effectively. A clear demonstration. Of an EX-rank Awakener’s true power.’
No.
He simply wanted to boast.

* * *
Through Kang Pal-do’s channel—now undeniably Earth’s premier streaming platform—news of Choi Kang-mok’s flight spread across the globe with tremendous fanfare.
-Wow lmaooo that audacity is insane
-Aren’t those NPCs Higher Dimension Awakeners?
-Yeah the assassins are no joke;;;
And he wasn’t even using that devastating ICBM spell.
-Going there to beat them down personally lmaooo
-EX-rank Awakener: I’ll beat them after seeing their faces
-Why is this actually real
-He’s flying there, apparently
He was deliberately flying across that vast distance.
The reason was singular.
-Means he’s gonna suffocate them
-Dude that’s terrifying
-Mom, someone is flying with a missile ㅠㅠ
The EX-rank Awakener clearly perceived the assassin NPCs’ actions as a “challenge to the emperor.”
-That’s literally divine punishment, right?
-Yeah;;;
-But can’t he not attack their base?
-No way, didn’t you see him destroy the Magic School?
As the entire world buzzed with excitement, Spaloti broke into a cold sweat.
‘Damn it.’
It was his own oversight.
The Assassination Guild was located in Italy, after all.
He swallowed hard.
‘We’ve entered a second golden age.’
They had gained access to Korea’s Tower resources and established themselves as one of Mega Polis’s key strongholds.
Whether he liked it or not, Spaloti had become quite a respected ruler.
Some viewed him as a tragic monarch who bent his pride for practical gain.
Spaloti was fairly satisfied with his current position.
But he knew all too well that everything was built on sand.
‘If that person changes their mind….’
Frankly, if Choi Kang-mok said “You’re fired!”, even his position as ruler would be in jeopardy.
‘At least it’s only my position that’s at risk.’
A single person’s decision could alter the fate of nations.
Because the NPCs were causing trouble, Italy itself seemed on the verge of being shaken.
‘For now, I’ll treat him as a state guest and plead my case while watching how things unfold.’
But Lin Zhiwei was flying alongside him.
Cold sweat streamed down Spaloti’s back.
This was unmistakably a warning and demonstration directed at rulers across the world.
‘Lin Zhiwei at that level is clearly setting a benchmark for what’s expected.’
No, that wasn’t it.
He was simply showing off how proficient he’d become at flight magic—capable of carrying a person while flying.
Through Kang Pal-do’s drone, Choi Kang-mok’s “Hundred Wings” was broadcast worldwide.
Choi Kang-mok was quite satisfied with his flight.
‘Since I’m using damage as fuel, it’s quite convenient.’
I could probably fly almost indefinitely.
It doesn’t even tire me out.
Could this be called infinite flight magic?
‘Soon….’
I’m in the middle of deploying flight magic.
This is a relatively vulnerable moment against assassination or ambush.
‘Isn’t it about time the assassins show up?’
If I were an assassin, I’d attack right now.
That’s why I’m flying so openly like this.
Lin Zhiwei picked up on that point.
“You’re trying to neutralize the assassins’ attacks and demonstrate an overwhelming difference in skill, aren’t you?”
“Huh? No.”
That wasn’t it.
‘I’m trying to advertise that my flight magic is capable of evasive maneuvers.’

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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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