Chapter 84

"What was that noise?"

The magicians in the nearby laboratory seemed to have come out into the hallway and started making a commotion.

It didn't take long for them to realize that Ricardo had made a hole in the floor of the laboratory.

He was summoned by Isalco and had to listen to a lecture, sighing as he entered Isalco's room.

"Ricardo, what were you doing?"

"I'm sorry. I was researching a new magic and failed."

Ricardo apologized.

This time, Isalco sighed.

"Such things should be done in the training ground."

Ricardo was severely reprimanded by Isalco and felt dejected for the first time in a while.

At that moment, Reuben and Gianpiero, the directors of the Alchemy Bureau, arrived.

"Ricardo caused a commotion, I hear."

Reuben said, glaring at Ricardo.

"I have already scolded him severely."

"Director Isalco, do you intend to let it go with just a scolding?"

Ricardo had a bad feeling but remained silent and watched.

"What do you mean? It's not uncommon for a researcher to accidentally cause a commotion with magic once a year."

Magicians who caused such commotions were usually just scolded.

"Ricardo, I've heard of your achievements. You seem to have a lot of energy, don't you?"

"He is an excellent researcher."

"I understand. However, we have received a request for support from the Hunting Bureau."

Receiving support requests from the Hunting Bureau was a regular occurrence, and they had never responded to them.

The Hunting Bureau, led by the royalist Cismund, didn't really expect support from the Alchemy Bureau. Instead, Cismund sent the requests to harass Director Reuben, who was part of the Elder faction.

"That has been refused by the director before, hasn't it?"

"But I think he can handle the support request properly."

One of the reasons the Alchemy Bureau never sent anyone in response to support requests was that they didn't have anyone they could confidently send. However, Ricardo's skills were on par with the members of the Hunting Bureau.

Moreover, Director Reuben had two more reasons for sending Ricardo to support the Hunting Bureau. One was to create a favor with the royalist Cismund.

The last reason was to keep Ricardo from having time to research.

Since Ricardo's presentation on lightning magic, several magicians, including Elder faction member Gianpiero, had started researching lightning magic, striving to enhance its power.

Gianpiero, realizing the great potential in lightning magic, wanted to become the leading expert in the field. Ricardo was the biggest obstacle to this goal.

When Gianpiero consulted Director Reuben about Ricardo being an obstacle, news arrived that Ricardo had caused a commotion.

Director Reuben saw this as an opportunity and decided to use the Hunting Bureau's support request to keep Ricardo away from his research.

While thinking that he wanted to focus on his research, Ricardo confirmed the details of the request.

"Um, what kind of request is this support request?"

Director Reuben smiled slyly.

"Oh, are you interested, Ricardo? The request is to hunt down a Bicorn Armored Bear. It seems to have made its nest near the Cogra Road, which connects the wheat town of Lurices to the capital."

The request was made by the Lurices Farmers' Association.

Ricardo thought this was a perfect request to test the power of the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet].

"By when is the deadline?"

"It seems it needs to be hunted down within a month."

Ricardo accepted the request. If this was his punishment for breaking the floor, he thought it was better to accept it quickly.

"Are you sure?"

Isalco confirmed. Ricardo nodded.

"A Bicorn Armored Bear shouldn't be a problem."

Gianpiero was irritated by these words. He had heard that the Hunting Bureau would send experienced members to hunt a Bicorn Armored Bear.

Seeing that Ricardo was confident enough to accept such a request, Gianpiero felt jealous. He also began to think that he didn't want to lose in magic research, even if he couldn't match Ricardo in combat.

After Director Reuben and Gianpiero left,

"You didn't have to accept it, you know."

Isalco said.

"No, I developed a new magic, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to test its power."

"I see. What kind of magic is it?"

"It's an improved version of the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] I taught Patrick and Tania."

"Even though you're telling me, was it okay to talk about it?"

"Yes, it's a practical magic, and I plan to use it more in future battles."

Isalco gave Ricardo a sharp look.

"You have another main magic, don't you?"

"Indeed, Director Isalco. You have a good intuition. I'm developing another magic, and I think it will be a powerful one when it's completed."

"Ah, if Ricardo says it's powerful, it must be quite something."

"It's not complete yet, so I can't be sure of its true power, but I'm looking forward to it."

For the time being, he had no intention of telling anyone about the [Air] magic. Not only because it was incredibly powerful, but also because the technique was still incomplete.

"By the way, your opponent is a Bicorn Armored Bear. You'll need someone to act as a shield to stop its movements."

Hearing about the shield, Ricardo thought of the magic cannon staff Tania was developing. This staff was designed to replace a shield.

There was also a prototype of a magic cannon staff that could reproduce the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet]. While its power was questionable for a kill, it could definitely stop the bear's movements.

However, in a normal situation, they would hire a monster hunter.

"I'll contact a monster hunter I know."

"That's a good idea."

The costs for the hunt would be covered by the Magicians' Association, but they would be checked for reasonableness.

Ricardo left Isalco's room and headed to Tania's laboratory.

"Ah... I suddenly have a lot to do. I need to find people to work at the breeding grounds in nearby villages, and now I have to hunt a Bicorn Armored Bear. I really wanted to focus on my research."

Ricardo grumbled as he walked down the hallway, which was unusual for him.

He knocked on the door of Tania's laboratory. When he received a response, he entered.

"Ricardo, what's up?"

Ricardo explained about the Bicorn Armored Bear hunt and the reason he came to see Tania.

"I want to use the [Heavy Wind Hammer] magic cannon staff. Got it, I'll go with you."

"No, it's fine if you just lend me the staff."

"I want to go with you. I want to test the power of the staff I made."

So, Tania decided to join the Bicorn Armored Bear hunt.

When Patrick heard that Ricardo was going to hunt the Bicorn Armored Bear, he volunteered to go as well.

"Sure, I want to build my track record."

"Well, that's fine, but your opponent is a Bicorn Armored Bear."

"A Bicorn Armored Bear? It's nothing. The Flame Destroyer Turtle was much more terrifying."

Ricardo recalled the Flame Destroyer Turtle and winced.

"That was a failure. I put Patrick in danger."

"Well, in the end, we escaped thanks to Ricardo's magic."

The familiar trio decided to go on the Bicorn Armored Bear hunt. However, since all three were magicians, they discussed who would act as the shield.

"We don't need one."

"Right. That's why I developed the magic cannon staff."

Tania developed the [Heavy Wind Hammer] magic cannon staff so that magicians could take down powerful monsters without a shield. The prototype was completed and tested.

The next day, the three left the capital and headed for the town of Lurices along the Cogra Road, one of the main roads connecting the capital to regional cities.

The road was about ten meters wide, with obstacles like stones removed, but it was just a compacted dirt road. On a sunny day, it was easy to walk, but after rain, it became muddy and difficult to traverse.

People traveling on the Cogra Road on rainy days would end up covered in mud.

Since the Bicorn Armored Bear began appearing, merchants using this road have increased the number of guards.

The presence of monster hunters guarding the merchants' carriages was noticeable. The high cost of guards meant that only merchants dealing in high-value goods continued their business.

The circulation of low-value goods like agricultural products stopped, and food prices in the capital gradually increased.

When they were two-thirds of the way to Lurices, Ricardo detected a monster's presence with his magic.

"There's a monster to the north from here."

"Is it a Bicorn Armored Bear?"

"I'm not sure yet. But there are two reactions. It might be a pair."

Patrick, who had been listening to Ricardo and Tania, took out the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] magic cannon staff from his back. This staff was a prototype made by Ricardo and entrusted to Patrick.

Tania took out her magic cannon staff, and Ricardo took out his Death Oprodder.

The three left the road and headed north into the forest.

Suddenly, a terrifying roar echoed.

"It's coming. Tania, the staff!"

Right after Ricardo shouted, a large bear burst out of the bushes. It was about three meters long, with two short horns on its forehead. It was definitely a Bicorn Armored Bear.

Tania fired the [Heavy Wind Hammer] magic cannon staff.

The surrounding air whistled as it gathered and compressed into a massive projectile that flew toward the Bicorn Armored Bear. The projectile exploded upon impact, releasing the compressed air.

A loud boom echoed, and the Bicorn Armored Bear was knocked back. It thrashed its limbs in the air and rolled when it hit the ground.

Tania exclaimed happily.

"We did it!"

Ricardo confirmed that another Bicorn Armored Bear had appeared.

"Patrick!"

Patrick, aiming the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] magic cannon staff at the other Bicorn Armored Bear, pulled the trigger.

Silver steel particles appeared in front of the staff, began to rotate, and formed a spindle-shaped mass. With a crack, it shot toward the Bicorn Armored Bear.

The [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] hit the Bicorn Armored Bear's face, stopping its movement and chipping its skull with the steel particles.

Although the power was lower than Ricardo's [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet], it was still enough to deal significant damage to the Bicorn Armored Bear.

Ricardo, about to finish it off, noticed that Tania was preparing the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet].

"Tania, can you fire it?"

"Leave it to me."

Tania fired the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] at the injured Bicorn Armored Bear. The blow was the final one, and the Bicorn Armored Bear died.

Ricardo turned his gaze to the Bicorn Armored Bear that had been knocked back by the [Heavy Wind Hammer] magic cannon staff.

The Bicorn Armored Bear, seeing its companion dead, let out a terrifying roar of anger and charged at Ricardo and the others. The murderous intent in its eyes was intense, and Patrick and Tania's faces contorted in fear.

At this moment, Ricardo had finished preparing the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet].

"Ricardo, it's up to you."

Patrick seemed to have decided to build his track record next time. Ricardo, feeling fear at the approaching giant bear, suppressed it and chanted the incantation for the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet].

"Amval Galsam Hurebag Zaldakishur"

The [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] had the same magical effect as the original [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet], but with more magic power, the number of steel particles increased, and the amount of electricity they carried also increased. Additionally, the flight speed doubled, making it incredibly powerful.

The [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] that hit the Bicorn Armored Bear's head shattered its skull and obliterated its head. The headless body fell to the ground with a thud.

"Amazing!"

Patrick exclaimed, deeply impressed.

Tania, also amazed by the power of the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet], stared wide-eyed at the fallen Bicorn Armored Bear.

"Was that not the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet]?"

Ricardo nodded.

"No, it's the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet], an improved version of the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet]."

Ricardo gave a brief explanation of the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet].

"Does that mean you're going to teach us?"

Tania asked seriously.

"First, let's check the Bicorn Armored Bear's nest to make sure there are no others."

Ricardo stored the Bicorn Armored Bear's corpse in a storage crystal and confirmed that there were no others in the nest.

"The mission is complete."

Ricardo began teaching the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] to the two of them. Using the Death Oprodder and prepared catalysts, he demonstrated the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] and taught them the procedure.

"The magic power required is enormous."

"Well, it's an advanced magic."

It seemed that Tania and Patrick could only cast the [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] once a day with their current magic power.

After they had learned, they started their return journey.

On the way back, Tania asked,

"Why did you teach us? The [True Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] is an incredible magic. Didn't you want to keep it as your trump card?"

Ricardo smiled.

"I have another trump card. I need more combat power."

"Combat power for what?"

"The Serrato Prophecy. There's a prophecy that monsters will overflow from the magic realm in the third year of a prolonged cold wave. I want to secure combat power in preparation for that."

Tania had heard about the Serrato Prophecy from Ricardo but was still skeptical.

"Can you trust that prophecy?"

"I believe there's an 80% chance that a major disaster will occur as predicted. That's why the Crown Prince asked me to develop the [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] magic cannon staff."

When Ricardo consulted the Crown Prince about the Serrato Prophecy, he thought that he could leave the rest to the Crown Prince and just assist a little.

However, when the Crown Prince returned to the capital for a short time and was soon sent back to the Yogul territory, Ricardo began to consider what to do if the Crown Prince's plans for the prophecy didn't go as planned.