The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 271

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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 271
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[Mage’s Medal]
To proclaim to all the world the worth of a distinguished mage.
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Like most medals, it possessed no special function.
In essence, it was little more than profile decoration.
However, this medal contained one unique ability.
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※ Creates [Mage] above the Awakener’s head
※ The text automatically translates into all dimensional languages.
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In other words, it would stamp the word “Mage” directly above one’s head for all the universe to see.
Kang Hye’s eyes widened.
“So even if you’re doing a cartwheel, you’re still a mage?”
The language translates automatically too.
An African sees “Mage,” a Barbarian Warrior from Brain sees “Mage,” an Arsian citizen sees “Mage,” and a pirate from Rotin sees “Mage.”
Kang Hye was genuinely impressed.
“Wow….”
The System had certainly put considerable thought into this.
For my brother, who had been so frustrated by constant misunderstandings, this was the perfect reward.
They’d even officially designated his profession as “Mage”!
“I have to say, it looks pretty good to me….”
Choi Kang-mok nodded.
“It looks good to me too.”
To some, it might be a meager reward, but to me, it’s excellent.
“So you’ll accept it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
I thought my brother would naturally accept it.
“I’m already a mage in everyone’s eyes anyway.”
….
“Everyone already recognizes me as one, don’t they?”
“Well….”
Most of it was jest or meme, but a minority were sincere.
Yet that didn’t matter.
What mattered was the simple fact that many people already acknowledged me as a mage.
“Why would I need further proof?”
A person at peace with themselves doesn’t constantly seek validation from others.
“I want to be a mage in essence, not merely in appearance.”
Perceptive as always, Kang Hye caught the subtle shift in Choi Kang-mok’s expression and spoke up.
“Brother.”
“What?”
“Is it just that you don’t like the design?”
“That’s part of it.”
Compared to the collection of Earth medals and continental medals, the aesthetic sense falls a bit short.
More precisely, it fails to meet my standards.
Kang Hye marveled inwardly.
‘Honestly, I thought the Mage Medal was the most beautiful thing….’
That medal, gleaming brilliantly with a crimson light, appeared more beautiful than any jewel that existed on Earth.
At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface.
But for Choi Kang-mok, it was different.
‘So mages have their own standards!’
Earth medals or continental medals—even if they’re somewhat beautiful, one considers them beautiful.
But a ‘Mage’ medal, no less?
Then there’s no choice but to apply a mage’s standards.
‘Brother’s standards are….’
Strange? Excessively high?
How should I even describe it?
‘Eccentric, really.’
At this point, the System seemed rather unfortunate.
‘It’s clearly been made with such care and effort….’
It was undoubtedly done with the utmost dedication for the sake of ‘elegance.’
Unfortunately, it simply didn’t meet a mage’s standards.
“I’ll have to decline the offer.”
“Brother. Let me ask you one thing.”
As an EX-rank advisor, Kang Hye needed to confirm one more detail.
No matter how much he disliked the Earth medal, it was hard to find a compelling reason to reject the System’s offer outright.
She even wondered if the difficulty level held much significance for him.
“What is it?”
“The real reason you’re rejecting the System’s offer.”
To serve as an advisor to an EX-rank Awakener, she needed to grasp his true intentions.
So she asked.
“You just want to spite the System the most, don’t you?”
“….”
Choi Kang-mok flinched in surprise.
He’d never thought of it that way, but now that she mentioned it, it did seem to fit.
“I suppose that’s true.”
“As expected.”
Choi Kang-mok rejected the System’s offer.
At that same moment, the System’s proposal was discarded.
[Floor 88…]
[Floor 89…]
The moment I entered, Floor 88 and Floor 89 were cleared.
Clear rank: EX-grade.
Now it was Floor 90’s turn.

* * *
Hawk, the captain (emperor) of the maritime dimension Rotin, was secretly delighted.
‘I made the right choice!’
The emperor of Earth had shared the Floor 87 tower technique with him.
That legendary “golden tower technique” he’d heard rumors about.
Hawk redefined Choi Kang-mok once more.
‘A ruler who executes both reward and punishment with certainty.’
He destroys enemies without mercy, yet promises great gains to his allies.
And all the while, he makes his status as a ‘ruler’ abundantly clear.
Every Awakener entering Floor 87 sees the same notification.
[The ruler of Floor 87 is the ‘Mage’ from the Earth dimension, South Korea.]
The crucial keyword was ‘ruler’.
He bestows benefits upon his allies, yet the fact of his dominion is unmistakably emphasized.
‘Indeed, an EX-grade Awakener is truly a political strategist.’
Lately, watching the EX-grade Awakener’s movements through Kang Pal-do’s broadcasts sometimes gave him an odd feeling.
He’d occasionally wonder if the EX-grade Awakener was truly a mage.
‘Keep your wits about you.’
Rotin doesn’t have many clever ones.
In truth, they’re not much different from the Barbarian Warriors.
Hawk knew well that he was an exception.
Most of the crew already believed the EX-grade Awakener to be a mage.
‘I mustn’t be deceived either.’
He’s merely packaged as a mage—in reality, he’s the emperor of a new age.
Floor 87 speaks to this.
He is a ‘ruler’.
‘The EX-grade Awakener is constantly imprinting upon everyone that he is a [ruler]!’
No, wait.
Choi Kang-mok had given it no special thought.
He simply had to grant title effects to one location anyway, and since he was at it, he gave benefits to Rotin, which had helped Earth considerably.
‘And I participated in the Continental Tournament!’
Using correction magic at that!
Breaking the System’s constraints by sheer force.
Why would he, effectively Earth’s number one, have participated in the Continental Tournament?
‘That must have been to flaunt the ruler’s military might and power!’
No, that wasn’t it.
I simply thought the continental medal looked beautiful.
Then came a piece of news.
The System had abandoned its management of the Earth dimension.
Countless dimensions turned their attention to this news from Earth.
Hawk tilted his head in confusion.
“…Has there ever been a precedent for this?”
He quietly made his way to the library.
Under normal circumstances, he would never set foot in such a place.
It was a rather pedantic act unbecoming of a formidable pirate’s dignity.
Though no one knew it, Hawk actually enjoyed reading.
‘There… is?’
In a relatively recent continental history book, he found a similar case.
‘Twenty-five years ago?’
A place where a sentient System had abandoned its management.
More precisely, it had been left neglected for decades.
Since AI systems didn’t exist back then, management hadn’t been delegated to one.
‘Then what about now?’
A place the System had abandoned?
What had become of it now?
‘There’s no content.’
Like the final page of an unfinished horror story.
The text abruptly cut off.
And in an oddly placed section, written in a completely different hand, was a strange entry.
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The creature’s name was Pease.
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* * *
The European lords sighed.
“This is unfortunate.”
“Ah….”
“Of all the timing.”
They had crushed North America and climbed to the top, only to face this!
“Asia is our next opponent….”
“Asia….”
A few still insisted they should clash at least once.
But Foster and Spaloti, who had directly experienced Choi Kang-mok, shook their heads.
“There is no possibility of victory.”
“It is far too dangerous for us.”
The EX-rank Awakener had grown brilliantly in recent times, gaining the power to control his own destructive force to a considerable degree.
In truth, he demonstrated remarkable control ability.
‘But what if he made even the slightest mistake?’
‘What if his concentration wavered even a little?’
The problem was that a single, trivial error could obliterate the continental representatives entirely.
Of course, they hoped such a thing would never occur….
They had no desire to throw their representatives into danger over an impossibility.
“Still, we should at least confirm the event format before forfeiting….”
“Precisely. We are Europe. Is it not shameful to surrender without even attempting to compete?”
Foster’s expression grew serious at this ‘common sense objection’.
“Everyone seems to have forgotten something in their excitement over the continental tournament.”
They all appeared to be treating the EX-rank Awakener as an ordinary mage.
“Would he have come out to truly enjoy the continental tournament? Going so far as to circumvent the ban system?”
“….”
This was not some casual festival or event.
“The EX-rank Awakener desires to demonstrate his power.”
He wishes to establish the emperor’s prestige across the entire globe.
Look what happened when Africa carelessly challenged him.
Except for Egypt, Salia’s homeland, they faced near-total catastrophe.
Recovery would take years.
“We are defeated regardless. Unfortunately, that is reality.”
A lord must be able to see reality clearly.
Even if one must abandon pride, one must secure tangible benefits.
That was Foster’s philosophy.
“Then we must obtain what we can.”
“What we can obtain….”
“The emperor’s trust.”
To understand the emperor’s will better than anyone else, and to become a supporting force that can align with his intentions.
Some voiced their objections.
“That sounds like you’re just trying to look good.”
“…I hear you.”
The meeting stretched on.
And ultimately, the European Guilds withdrew from the competition.
Foster, the English monarch, held an interview.
-“We of Europe have not yet reached a level of magic comparable to an EX-rank mage. There is no meaning in competing now.”
European Guilds versus Asia.
Asia emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, Choi Kang-mok felt a twinge of disappointment.
“Why did they forfeit?”
Something interesting could have come of it.
Being a mage doesn’t mean studying magic twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year.
People need appropriate leisure and enjoyment.
I had been thinking it would be quite entertaining to test myself against Europe, the dominant force of the previous era.
‘Giving up without even trying feels rather cowardly….’
Just then, breaking news flashed across the screen in real time.
-“We of Europe have not yet reached a level of magic comparable to an EX-rank mage. There is no meaning in competing now.”
Choi Kang-mok nodded.
“That was a truly regal decision.”
I have to admit, it’s admirable at times.
In any case, I’ve obtained the European medal as well.
“So now….”
It’s time to challenge Floor 90.
There should be a boss, right?

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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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