Chapter 38

◈ Chapter 38. Performance Test (1)

A long wait.

It was something that even her teacher, who spent almost all his time with her, found surprising.

The wizard's hat quivered.

Is this really my disciple?

Heaving a sigh.

- ...Disciple, do you know what it means to be disheartened?

“...”

The teacher's question.

But there was no answer, neither spoken nor thought.

Jesse's gaze was fixed on the smartphone screen.

More precisely, on the man in the video.

The wizard's hat, the teacher, sighed again.

- My heart is breaking. Breaking...!

The wizard's hat, imbued with the wisdom of a grand mage.

It was practically the grand mage's alter ego.

- So this is what they call a 'henta' in this world's language...

The wizard's hat was being dramatic.

All because of the man in the video, Ho Yeol.

The man who had changed his only disciple.

It was indeed a surprising event.

Even just looking at the current video.

A clear adventurer, yet he could freely manifest magic.

There was no sign of the rigid, formulaic manifestation typical of adventurers.

His appearance was enough to pique the interest of a disciple who had been skeptical of magic.

“...How did he understand it?”

That alone was enough.

Suddenly appearing at the regular academic conference.

Pointing out flaws in the presentation by the chief mage, Marcello.

He even managed to manifest the same magic.

That was exploration, interference, manifestation.

It was as good as saying he had perfectly understood the concepts of magic that even his own disciple found hard to grasp.

- ...No, beyond that.

A talent surpassing genius.

Of course, the wizard's hat did not voice this opinion.

For whatever reason.

Jesse had finally rid herself of her doubts about magic.

That was the teacher's regret.

No matter how many times I told her, she wouldn't believe.

How could she change her mind just by seeing that man?

- My dear disciple, all men are wolves!

Of course, it was a joke.

Not because he was a man, but because he was a fellow adventurer.

Because a fellow adventurer had perfectly understood the concepts of magic.

Jesse, too, had been able to break down the walls of prejudice.

- I can tell just by looking. Those sharp eyes, that arrogant tone. It's clear. He's a heartless, tearless man. He will definitely make women suffer...

Click—

A sudden sound.

The wizard's hat, which had been freely gossiping, flinched.

And now.

“Wow! I'm so jealous! Sir Ho Yeol!”

Exclamation points returned to Jesse's eyes.

Jesse, who was on a quest to become a mage.

She had naturally visited the mages' laboratories while entering and exiting the mage tower.

“Better than the laboratories of the proficient mages!”

But even Jesse could only access the lower levels of the mage tower.

The laboratories of apprentices and proficient mages, that was all.

It was no wonder she was amazed by Ho Yeol's laboratory.

“Sit and wait for a moment.”

“Ah, yes! I'll wait!”

“Unfortunately, I don't have any tea to offer.”

“...Tea?”

“The mage tower doesn't have rocket delivery.”

...What kind of tea was he talking about?

Americano? Black tea?

Rocket delivery?

Was rocket delivery a new kind of magic?

Curious, but Jesse held back her question.

‘A well-considered question...!’

She couldn't waste this opportunity on such a trivial curiosity.

Jesse sat at the guest table and waited for Ho Yeol.

Staring intently might be impolite, right?

Glance—

Jesse subtly moved her pupils under the wizard's hat.

Swish—

As soon as Ho Yeol sat at his desk, he picked up a quill pen.

Then he began to scribble something on the parchment without hesitation.

Jesse flinched.

‘Is he doing research as soon as he got back?’

She felt she might have disturbed him.

‘But he told me to wait...!’

Jesse sat politely, despite the potential rudeness.

To avoid disturbing him.

She didn't even look in his direction.

But.

“?”

...It was too quiet.

For some time now.

The sound of the quill pen scratching on the parchment had stopped.

She had been waiting for quite a while.

Glance—

Ho Yeol was still in the same position.

His back straight against the chair.

The perfect angles of his jaw, neck, and arms.

Yes, his posture hadn't changed at all.

“!”

His eyelids were closed.

An uncomfortable posture to look at.

At first, she couldn't imagine he was asleep.

She thought he was meditating, at most.

But when she focused, she could hear his breathing.

...Yes, Ho Yeol was sleeping.

In a perfectly straight posture.

‘It seems it won't work today.’

Jesse carefully got up from her chair.

She was about to sneak out of the laboratory when she stopped.

In front of Ho Yeol's desk, where he was sleeping.

Glance, Jesse looked at Ho Yeol's face.

The sight of Ho Yeol sleeping was definitely new.

Shake—

For a moment, Jesse shook her head.

‘...This is impolite behavior!’

Thankfully, she wasn't caught!

Gently—

Jesse closed the laboratory door and took a deep breath.

Jesse whispered to the wizard's hat, her teacher.

“He's not heartless or tearless. He's so human.”

.

.

.

...Did he fall asleep?

When he opened his eyes, he was still in the same position.

I feel like I overdid it.

Actually, all I did was add a spoon to a prepared meal.

I'm so weak that I can't even hold a spoon.

‘...Wait a moment.’

Still, something feels empty.

Like I've forgotten something...

Yes, Jesse Haines.

“Ah.”

Jesse was nowhere to be seen in the laboratory.

I didn't even notice her leaving.

How deeply did I sleep?

Checking the time, about five hours had passed.

...Five hours in such an uncomfortable position?

And not a single part of my body ached.

This is the level where form governs the body.

Anyway, I feel bad for Jesse.

I fell asleep when I was supposed to answer her questions.

‘Not good.’

Jesse Haines.

More important to me than any player.

What good would it do to make an enemy of a top-ranked player?

Beyond that, Jesse was a source of inspiration for me.

‘More precisely, Jesse's skills inspire me.’

Anyway, when I see her next, I'll answer her questions as kindly as possible.

I can't stand owing someone, even for pride.

“Too bad there's no tea.”

...I should have some green tea bags on hand.

At what point did I fall asleep?

I could tell by looking at the parchment.

At least I managed to write down the request before falling asleep.

The response to the request was written on the parchment.

- Understood. I will analyze in detail whether the magical artifacts that can be made from the items you requested meet your requirements.

My requirements were simple.

Most importantly, the level restriction.

I needed a magical artifact or item that I could use immediately, even if it meant compromising on its effects.

Still, it's fortunate that I gained 50 levels by defeating the Greed of the Seven Sins.

I added a note to the response.

- The cost is no object.

...Isn't this the worst line in a negotiation?

But to the mages of the mage tower, like Granfel, wealth and fame were meaningless.

They wouldn't take advantage of a fellow mage tower mage, even if they might take advantage of an adventurer.

I moved my gaze from the parchment.

To the pile of books on one side of the desk.

These were the magic books I had requested from Marcello under the pretext of research.

When I opened the top book, I saw unfamiliar words.

“Ah.”

Of course, what was even more unfamiliar was my ability to understand such a book.

It didn't require much effort to understand.

The magic and concepts presented at the regular academic conference.

Compared to that, this was child's play.

Still, the reason I needed such low-level magic books was simple.

My level was poor.

To put it simply, a bottomless bucket.

That was me.

Float—

A sphere of mana floated in the air.

The basic magic of Pure Mana Studies, Light.

A beginner's skill to illuminate the surroundings.

One of the first skills a mage class character learns.

And now, I was learning this basic skill,

Not as a skill, but as a spell?

The reason is simple.

I am not a mage but a demon hunter.

Of course, the mages of the mage tower wouldn't even imagine I was a demon hunter.

My class identity came to mind.

But let's think positively.

‘I'm building a solid foundation.’

Plugging the bottomless bucket, that's how I should think.

Someone might say.

Starting with the basics at this late stage.

Isn't it inefficient?

It's a natural question.

But that only applies to skills.

Magic is different from skills.

Magic allows for creative manifestation.

Like now.

Float—

I repeatedly manifested Light.

Soon, dozens of mana spheres floated in the air.

Even a basic magic is essentially a clump of mana.

If I go through the process of exploration, interference, and manifestation again...

Crackle—

The mana sphere could become a ball of fire.

Crackle—

It could become an electric sphere.

Whirl—

It could even become a small storm.

‘Of course, within the limits of the mana I can handle.’

A spell with a different attribute.

Manifesting dozens at once, perhaps.

...The mana consumption was no joke!

At this rate, I couldn't use it easily, even when the enemy relationship was active.

I realize again.

I'm still very weak.

Despite the rapid level-up, I'm only at level 226.

My pride is so heavy that I could sink at any moment, at such a low level.

Similarly, this side also lacks a solid foundation.

‘I really have no time to rest.’

To plug the bottomless buckets on both sides.

What if I get a cramp while flailing?

While I was having this unproductive thought.

Knock—

“?”

Someone knocked on the door.

Who is it?

No need to ask.

The quest window flashed at the same time.

[Quest: Marcello's Research]

Chief Mage Marcello of the Mage Tower.

He wants you to help him reach a new level of magic.

- Accept Marcello's proposal. (Success)

- Prove your ability. (In Progress)

●Convince the majority of the senior mages. (0/20)

Yes, I was wondering why it had been so quiet.

Chief Mage.

Even if he is a power player in the mage tower, not all mages would agree with Marcello's decision.

Especially since I was a parachutist, so to speak.

A parachutist performance test.

I expected it.

I said,

“Come in, Chief Mage Marcello.”

The door opened, and Marcello entered.

He looked even more gaunt than before.

He seemed surprised as soon as he opened the door.

...Because of the smell?

There were still flames floating in the air just a moment ago.

If it was the smell of smoke, his surprise is understandable.

If I had burned down the borrowed laboratory, whether it was me or Marcello,

Thinking about the compensation cost is already terrifying.

I quickly changed the subject.

“I know why you're looking for me.”

“...Ah, did you hear? I'm sorry.”

Marcello looked genuinely apologetic.

He took a deep breath and continued.

“It's all because of my position as Chief Mage. Senior mages constantly want to prove their qualifications to the Chief Mage to take his seat. This time is no different. It's my fault...”

I shook my head.

To the point of apologizing to someone who helped me parachute in.

“No, the lack is not in you but in their trust.”

...Well, it might be a bit awkward.

But I'm not ungrateful.

Moreover, a position that requires constant proof, right?

‘Underestimation requires proof. Overestimation must be made real.’

It was also a familiar position for Granfel.

I stood up with a perfectly calm mind.

I added to Marcello.

“Get used to that position, Chief Mage Marcello.”

.

.

.

Marcello stood still for a moment.

Magic traces.

The traces left by manifested magic.

The magic traces still floating in the laboratory.

They told the story of the complex explorations and high-level interferences that had been repeatedly manifested here.

The moment he entered the laboratory.

Marcello flinched for that reason.

‘...He manifested magic at this level simultaneously?’

The degree of magic understanding was ‘strange’ regardless of the amount of mana.

But Marcello didn't think deeply about it.

- No, the lack is not in you but in their trust.

He couldn't be a man of insufficient trust.

Marcello hurriedly followed Ho Yeol.

“I'll guide you.”

He had never been this excited, even when presenting the results of his research.

For the first time, he was looking forward to the reactions of the senior mages.