The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 277

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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 277
In a way, the Continental Competition Finals had become an even hotter topic than the miraculous Tower ascent of an EX-Rank awakened one.
Having crossed into the United States, Choi Kang-mok was honestly a bit surprised.
‘Everywhere I go, it’s nothing but talk of the Continental Competition.’
I could feel the entire United States buzzing with excitement.
This was quite a fresh experience.
For someone like me, whose entire world revolved around Tower climbing and magic, the Continental Competition Finals was merely another event—yet for others, it was an occasion that set their lives ablaze with passion.
‘Having so many people’s attention is a good thing, isn’t it?’
Besides, now I’m openly a [Mage].
Countless people are watching.
At this rate, all those misunderstandings about being some emperor of a new era should diminish considerably.
Kang Pal-do, standing beside Choi Kang-mok, laughed.
“Heh heh. I really am fortunate.”
A global event with the attention of all Earthlings fixed upon it.
Even aliens from other dimensions are focused on this event.
Being able to exclusively broadcast the ‘protagonist’ of this competition was tremendous fortune.
Truly, the Lucky Mine lives up to its name.
“Actually, at this point, I’d call it skill rather than luck.”
Look over there.
Broadcasters and streamers crawling all over the place.
“Hey, Kang-mok. Isn’t it more comfortable having just me around?”
“I suppose.”
Choi Kang-mok gave it little thought.
When I focus on magic, whether there’s one person beside me or two, I barely notice them.
In truth, one person or a thousand feel much the same.
At that attitude, Kang Pal-do flinched in surprise.
‘Ah, this isn’t the time to feel reassured.’
I’d been misunderstanding Choi Kang-mok!
‘It wasn’t because he needed me—he simply didn’t think about it!’
If there were any reason, the exclusive contract could be terminated at any time.
People sometimes say, ‘Isn’t Kang Pal-do the real power behind the throne?’ but that’s complete nonsense.
‘Who in their right mind would dare claim to be the real power when dealing with that bastard?’
Kang Pal-do spoke with a serious expression.
“Hey, Mage.”
“What?”
Choi Kang-mok’s expression brightened ever so slightly.
“You’re well aware of how destructive your magic is, aren’t you?”
This came right after the recognition phase had ended.
I’d already acknowledged that my magic was violent.
Unable to deny it, I simply remained silent.
“Few intermediaries can survive that magic, you know?”
“….”
“So you absolutely cannot contract with anyone else, understand? Only me. In the entire universe, only I can handle you.”
Kang Pal-do’s words had quite a significant impact on Choi Kang-mok.
Round 1 of the Continental Competition against the United States.
[Breaking News: Round 1, United States Victory!]
[Shocking Result! The undefeated Asia falls to the Americas!]
In Round 1 of the Continental Competition where both sides wielded their ‘attacks,’ the United States had emerged victorious.

* * *
Both the American Continental representatives and the Korean representatives had been given the same objective.
Who would destroy the fortress wall made from the Unbreakable Rock first?
Yet Choi Kang-mok could not properly participate.
‘If I misuse my magic….’
Everyone participating in the Continental Competition would die.
I wasn’t sure if a resurrection setting was in place, but the probability of that setting itself being destroyed was high.
I wanted to become a chain mage, not a serial killer.
[Wait, this is possible?]
After a very brief alarm, an official notification followed.
[The victor of Round 1 is the American Continent.]
[Current Score ▶ America 1 : Mage 0]
The notification was corrected in an instant.
[Current Score ▶ America 1 : Asia 0]
Haha, did you just see the notification?
I was a wizard in the Americas lol
-Anyone got a screenshot?
-The System is recognizing it as continent vs individual too
-But does this even make sense?
-If Tyler’s happy about getting even 1 point, upvote
A surprising point secured.
Yet Tyler was not particularly pleased.
‘This isn’t it?’
The plan had been to give up 4 points and take 3, aiming for a respectable loss.
But if things went like this?
What if they actually won 4 to 3?
‘Damn, that can’t happen!’
The American Continental representative players grew greatly excited.
They were entertaining rosy fantasies that they might actually have a chance to win.
‘These crazy bastards!’
Who could possibly handle angering an EX-Rank Awakened One?
Did the System not just acknowledge it?
That man transcends continents—he is an individual unto himself.
Perhaps even an individual who reigns supreme over the entire Earth.
The word “emperor” falls short; he is truly a one-man empire incarnate.
I have no desire to incur the displeasure of such an ‘individual’.
He walks a precarious tightrope every single day.
‘Damn it, I’m screwed.’
What in the world just happened?
How did he manage to secure a victory?
‘Did he intentionally lose to me?’
This is the most rational conclusion.
‘Is he planning to use this as leverage against me later?’
Building justification for his one-man empire?
‘But does such justification even matter to him?’
Justification only holds meaning when the balance of power is somewhat equal; when the gap becomes this overwhelming, it becomes meaningless.
Unfortunately, the United States possesses little power to resist Choi Kang-mok.
‘I cannot fathom his true intentions!’
The lord of the United States.
Tyler’s mind grew turbulent with confusion.

* * *
Like Tyler and countless others, Bessius too was astounded by this unexpected outcome.
Contrary to his expectation that Choi Kang-mok would shatter the walls immediately upon starting, his magic had failed to destroy them.
Bessius had rushed directly to the hotel room where Choi Kang-mok was staying.
“Did you do that on purpose?”
Though reluctant to admit it, Bessius drew considerable inspiration from Choi Kang-mok.
He was learning what a ‘true mage’ truly was by observing Choi Kang-mok.
For such a Choi Kang-mok to suffer defeat in a magical exchange?
From Bessius’s perspective, it was incomprehensible and unwelcome.
Choi Kang-mok’s defeat was his own defeat as well.
Nevertheless, Bessius endeavored to judge rationally.
There was no way that mad monster had simply accepted defeat.
Surely there was some greater intention, some grander design behind it….
“Ah, could it be—was he trying to demonstrate that a mage does not cling to victory or defeat?”
As he spoke, realization dawned upon him.
What truly matters to a mage is not victory or defeat, but the ‘exchange’ itself, is it not?
The EX-rank mage was demonstrating this very principle before the entire world.
Just as he had proclaimed—as a true mage should.
Bessius was moved.
“You magnificent bastard….”
To think someone could be so genuinely devoted to magic.
You’re truly my role model!
But something seems off about your expression.
“…Don’t tell me that’s what this is about?”
“….”
After a brief silence, Choi Kang-mok answered.
“I’ve gained an insight far too profound this time.”
I’ve made too great a leap forward.
A side effect of the enlightenment gained by acknowledging my foundation, so to speak.
Temporarily, I’ve lost the ability to control my damage output.
“My damage control has become unstable.”
A mage who has acknowledged her very roots.
Her destructive power runs rampant.
Choi Kang-mok understood this well.
This was one step back for a hundred steps forward.
Or more precisely, one step back for a hundred steps forward.
A temporary degradation of ability.
Given a little time, I would recover fully and advance even further.
But the timing now is unfortunate.
“I held back because I was afraid of killing everyone.”
“….”
Though they hadn’t exchanged many words, Bessius understood everything Choi Kang-mok said.
It was the comprehension of one who walked the same path of magic.
“A temporary decline in magical ability. Even a genius like you experiences such things.”
Bessius exhaled a sigh of relief.
A tiny spark of hope flickered into view.
So she’s human after all.
If I work hard enough, surely I can catch up to her someday, right?
“This is actually something to celebrate.”
Suddenly, irritation welled up within him.
Growing even further from here?
Isn’t the growth curve supposed to flatten out once you reach a certain level?
Why does hers keep getting steeper?
“It’s frustrating, but it’s a good thing. Well, in magical exchange, victory or defeat doesn’t matter at all….”
“….”
Bessius was shocked.
“…You don’t mean to say.”
The EX-rank mage Choi Kang-mok he knew….
“Are you frustrated?”
“No?”
Bessius closed his mouth.
‘I should just keep quiet.’
No praise or comfort would work right now.
Under normal circumstances, he would have wielded his staff and unleashed a mocking spell, but not today.
He was a mage, not someone with a death wish.
“…Yes, yes. I congratulate you most heartily on your magical achievement.”
He hurried out of the Hotel room.
Stepping outside, the Streets were alive with festive energy.
“Stupid Americans….”
Banners hung everywhere.
Citizens marched through the streets, setting off fireworks.
Celebrating that [we actually defeated an EX-Rank awakened one].
Bessius shook his head slowly.
You really shouldn’t be doing this right now.
“You’ve just poked the nose of a sleeping mage.”
I thought he had no interest in victory or defeat. I was wrong.
A complete misunderstanding.
‘Now that I think about it, his mock battle record….’
Zero losses. Utterly undefeated.
And he has more victories than battles.
‘So this is his first official defeat?’
Wow.
Bessius felt a chill run through him.
‘You’re all screwed.’

* * *
Edward, the United States’ representative mage, was too elated to sleep.
He had defeated a walking embodiment of the Arcian Empire’s magical prowess.
It was only a small victory, but even this alone was an extraordinary achievement.
‘Perhaps the rumors were exaggerated.’
Having experienced it firsthand, the rumors seemed somewhat inflated.
If the rumors were true, the fortress walls should have been obliterated in a single strike.
A peculiar confidence welled up within me.
Yet the world was reluctant to acknowledge the United States’ victory.
-Honestly, the theory that he went easy on them is the most plausible
Haha, right? He’s the kind of guy who destroys even the Tower, so what’s just a castle wall?
-???: The Unbreakable Rock? But it definitely broke…
It was absurd.
A mage deliberately lost in a magical exchange match?
“That’s impossible.”
He had witnessed it firsthand.
The resentful expression on that ‘mage’s’ face.
What mage would want to lose in a magical exchange match?
People understood nothing.
“Yes. There could be various reasons.”
Perhaps he was in poor condition.
Perhaps there were circumstances he couldn’t speak of.
Perhaps he had sustained injuries from the grueling Tower conquest.
But all of that is part of one’s strength.
“We do not lose.”
I had to prove it.
At minimum, I would win one more time.
Somehow, I felt I could win.
And the next day.
The second round, the ‘Defense Match,’ began.
[In 10 seconds, Round 2 will commence.]
[Representatives of each continent, implement defensive magic by mobilizing all magical means at your disposal!]
The System generated ‘attackers.’
The attackers would assault the defensive magic, and victory would be determined by calculating the total accumulated damage before the defensive magic shattered.
Though somewhat underhanded, the System favored the United States as well.
‘No. It’s not underhanded. Given who the opponent is.’
The System would slightly distort the total accumulated damage.
To ensure our victory.
‘Today as well, we will triumph.’
[3]
[2]
[1]
[First Attacker: King Sparock]
Edward tilted his head in confusion.
King Sparock?
The monster’s name stirred a strange sense of familiarity within him.
“It’s above us.”
High in the sky.
A grotesque creature the size of an eagle soared into view.

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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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