The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 78

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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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Chapter 78
Ren fell into serious contemplation for a moment.
‘Tch, I’m allowed to kidnap this bear doll, right?’
He wasn’t particularly a moral Mage—ordinarily he wouldn’t bat an eye at illegal activities—but the innocent-looking bear in front of him possessed a visual quality that even stirred guilt in someone like him.
But his deliberation was short-lived.
Vivian strode forward with determined steps.
Fortunately, there were no people in the vicinity where the two stood. Ren found himself grateful for this and hurriedly walked toward Vivian.
“Hey there, young Mage. How’s it going?”
Despite her adorably diminutive appearance, words that sounded like they’d come from a rough-and-tumble thug flew from her mouth.
Eren blinked his dark eyes before barely regaining his composure.
“You really came. I knew you would, though.”
With that, he kept his hand on his waist while staring down at the bear doll’s small head.
“I did say I’d kidnap you, but I have no idea what confidence brought you all the way here. Well, it works out for me. Saved me the trouble.”
“Right. Same here. Saved me the trouble.”
Vivian’s round eyes curved adorably into crescents.
Ren asked quietly.
“You understand what kidnapping means, right?”
“Do I look like an idiot to you?”
“Fine, as long as you know.”
It was just a confirmation. Whether she truly understood or not.
She seemed to grasp that this wasn’t some casual outing or leisurely stroll, so that would suffice.
Ren decided to let go of his unnecessary discomfort. What kind of kidnapper would quibble over such details?
He bent down and swiftly grabbed Vivian by the nape of her neck.
At his somewhat rough grip, Vivian’s expression darkened.
Ren dismissed it lightly, thinking there was nothing this bear doll could possibly do to him.
‘What could Alfredo’s mere plaything do to a 6-Circle Mage anyway…’
“Ow!”
With a sharp crack, Ren’s forehead swelled red.
Vivian had struck his forehead forcefully with a stick bundled with cloth.
“What are you doing?”
He threatened menacingly, but it had no effect whatsoever.
“Handle me with care!”
“I’m a 6-Circle Mage!”
“I’m Alfredo’s treasure! The Leblanc Family’s cherished doll!”
This bear doll certainly had a way with words for her station.
Ren found himself resenting Alfredo.
Why was such a bear doll considered a treasure?
When I return to the Magic Tower next time, I’ll definitely ask about this.
And I’ll investigate this bear doll thoroughly—whether she’s truly a treasure or just a nuisance—to uncover the truth hidden within her.
Ren gritted his teeth and unfolded a teleportation magic circle.
As befitted a 6th Circle Mage, an enormous magical circle unfurled in an instant, and Ren and Vivian vanished in the blink of an eye.
In the most remote corner of the Central Plaza, no one witnessed the magic that left neither trace nor sound.
***
The magical circle leading to the Magic Tower was pristine.
The magic was clean and without unnecessary flourishes.
“Hmm….”
It was fascinating to hear the Mage’s incantation after so long.
Ren ranked among the most skilled of humans.
“What’s with the ‘hmm’?”
Despite being kidnapped, Vivian’s composure made Ren tense as he asked the question.
Vivian gazed upward at the tower that pierced the heavens.
Then she surveyed her surroundings.
The layered mountain ranges and clouds draped between them and the Magic Tower formed a landscape of breathtaking beauty.
This was the entrance to the Magic Tower.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Without answering his question, Vivian was too busy taking in the sights. The Magic Tower felt entirely different from how it had been before the portal closed.
“Why won’t you answer me…”
“Stop complaining and move straight ahead!”
Ren’s brow furrowed sharply.
He couldn’t tell if this was a sightseeing trip or an actual kidnapping.
But since Vivian insisted on entering the Magic Tower, he had no choice.
Ren moved forward at a leisurely pace.
The Magic Tower, as always, bustled with people.
The massive tower consisted of 99 floors, with floors 1 through 70 serving as the general living quarters—much like a town with shops.
“And from the 71st floor onward, past the Round Tower, is where the high-ranking Mages reside, right?”
“…”
“Why are you looking at me with such suspicious eyes? I told you already. I’m a bear doll who’s friends with a dragon. I know the Magic Tower well enough.”
Ren opened the door standing alone in the center of the Magic Tower and pressed the floor button.
85th Floor.
A magical circle unfolded beneath their feet.
Moments later, when the doors opened again, the view was completely different.
The chambers of Mages living atop the Round Tower.
Among them, the rooms of those who had reached the 6th Circle—geniuses of the highest caliber—were distinctive.
All manner of chaotic magical instruments lay scattered throughout the chamber.
Beneath artificial sunlight, magical toys shaped like silkworms fluttered their wings as they flew about.
Brilliant emerald and gold light mingled with pure white, warm sunlight—a tranquil yet utterly chaotic room.
As Vivian surveyed the room befitting a true Mage, she tapped Ren’s arm, which had been cradling her.
“Put me down now.”
Ren carefully set Vivian on the floor, unable to contain his exasperation.
“Ugh, why do I have to listen to a bear doll?”
“Well, that’s because I’m the Magic Tower’s treasure, right?”
Ren, unable to deny what he’d said himself, pressed his palm against his forehead.
At least I’d managed to bring it to the Magic Tower.
My agile mind raced as I tried to figure out what to do with this thing.
To understand the peculiar aura emanating from this bear doll, I would need a magical instrument.
A mana meter.
From what I could tell, this bear doll definitely had something special about it.
If it wasn’t a puppet animated by magical incantation, the odds were slim, but it could be a being infused with mana.
For instance, something said to no longer exist in this world…
‘A different race.’
Well, I thought it was absurd, but wasn’t this the most plausible explanation?
A bear doll with no magic cast upon it moving with consciousness—it could be a new species I was unaware of.
‘All right, I’ll borrow a mana meter.’
My plan to uncover the identity of this strange bear doll was complete.
I told Vivian:
“Understood. Rest here for now. I’ll bring you what you’re looking for.”
“Oh, really? You mean the Magic Tower’s history books?”
“Yes. I promised to show you when you came here. I’m a Mage who keeps his promises.”
“Got it.”
If I had to wait, then I’d wait.
Vivian plopped down on the floor without ceremony, and a magical butterfly descended onto the bridge of her nose.
“The butterfly is so pretty!”
She sprang back up and chased after the butterfly with a bright smile as I left my room.
I strode purposefully toward the 87th Floor.
With a ding announcing my arrival, the door opened—and a trash bin came flying at me.
I stopped the trash bin hurtling toward my face with magic.
I swept the garbage floating precariously in front of my nose to the side and waved my hand.
“Hey, hey. Cranky old geezer.”
A Mage with ash-gray hair sticking up in all directions and thick glasses turned to stare at me.
Then he unleashed a spell.
“Ouch.”
The spell collided nimbly with my defensive magic and shot toward the wall, exploding on impact.
Debris from the collapsed wall tumbled across the floor.
“What if you hurt me with a sudden attack?”
With a whoosh, a magical arrow flew from my side. But the other party was equally nimble, deploying a defensive spell.
“Ren, you crazy bastard. Why are you here again? Why!”
“Clinky. Are you still holding a grudge against me? Because of that potion?”
“That potion, you say. What kind of potion was that! It was the ultimate gas-relief elixir made after 2 years of research!”
“So what good is the ultimate gas-relief elixir supposed to be? Does eating it make you the best at farting in the world?”
If that were the case, it didn’t seem to have been very effective.
Ren muttered seriously.
Hot breath snorted from Clinky’s nostrils.
How dare he insult my masterpiece!
“I won’t let you off easy…!”
“Forget that—let me show you a research subject that will truly pique your interest.”
“…A research subject?”
The moment Ren touched upon Clinky’s greatest passion, his anger evaporated in an instant.
Clinky’s wrinkled, creased eyes opened slightly wider.
“What is it? Speak.”
“A treasure of the Magic Tower and a dragon’s companion.”
Clinky’s eyes gleamed with deeper interest.
Noticing that he was already captivated by the words “treasure” and “dragon,” Ren delivered the final blow.
“And on top of that—a bear doll with consciousness despite having no magic. Aren’t you curious?”
….
“I can show you.”
“Where is it?”
Clinky seized the bundle of tools resting on the table.
Seeing the sharp instruments wrapped in soft cloth, Ren nodded downward slightly.
“It’s on the floor where I live. If you want to see it, lend me some magical instruments. And put away those frightening tools.”
“What magical instruments?”
“A mana meter. Bring me that.”
Ren smiled, squinting with a slight wink.

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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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