Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 216 - Lesson (1)

“!”

 

I could clearly see the exclamation point in her eyes, so it must be Jessie Heinness this time. Anyway, I was the one who should be surprised. For some reason, Jessie looked more surprised than I did.

 

“It’s been a while since I saw you in a place like this, Chief Lee Hoyeol!”

 

First of all, she didn’t seem to remember what happened at the social gathering of time and space.

 

Bow–

 

Her posture bending at the right angle was so polite that I automatically responded.

 

“It looks like your mana exhaustion has improved.”

 

Greeting each other like this was a good thing.

 

But, there should be a limit to being straightforward!

 

I just told you, didn’t I?

 

‘It seems she doesn’t remember what happened at the social gathering.’

 

She doesn’t even remember meeting me.

 

How would you know that she suffered from mana exhaustion?!

 

What if she asks?

 

I wondered what should I do if she gave me a strange look.

 

“Mana exhaustion…? As expected of Chief Lee! You noticed that the flow of my magic energy is unstable! Thank you for your concern. I’m feeling better now!”

 

 In times like these, the karma I accumulated could be helpful.

 

Anyway, I looked at Jessie.

 

Still, isn’t this place a little dangerous?

 

‘The level is around mid-early 500.’

 

I could guarantee.

 

This battlefield was too difficult for Jessie.

 

The evidence was already visible.

 

Her shoulders were shaking slightly.

 

Jessie came out of the portal.

 

The further away the destination, the greater the amount of mana consumed to manifest the portal.

 

I could see her catching her breath. Jessie must have used a lot of magic to manifest the portal.

 

Jessie wouldn’t have been able to track down the magic trace of the Tower Master.

 

Then as expected.

 

Was she following the class quest?

 

I took a quick look around.

 

So far, the Tower Master had not yet revealed himself.

 

I needed to exchange opinions with Jessie.

 

The more information we had about the enemy, the better.

 

In that regard, Jessie was a strong supporter.

 

‘In a way, she’s part of this.’

 

I knew some of the story behind this incident through my conversation with the Tower Master.

 

But I didn’t know his specific purpose.

 

Even though I had the quests, they were overly concise.

 

– Stop the conspiracy of the archmages. (In Progress)

 

• Face the body of the Tower Master. (Fail)

 

• Dispose of the body of the Tower Master (In Progress)

 

Dispose of the body.

 

That was how it was written.

 

But it must be different for the archmage, Jessie.

 

My guess was correct.

 

“As expected, you guessed it! That’s right, it’s because of the class quest. I may not be able to reach Chief Lee, but… I’ve been working hard too!”

 

I nodded sincerely.

 

It wasn’t because I was proud of Jessie.

 

I was proud of Lee Hoyeol.

 

I was really struggling to death every day!

 

Well, today too.

 

Let’s say that somehow things worked out, the emergency update was resolved, and I came back.

 

Whether it was in Yusra or Mage Tower, what I would do once I returned was obvious.

 

I would improve my [tenacity] and my body.

 

I would overwork myself to the point of reaching my limit.

 

Was that all?

 

Now that I knew there were competitors in the realm of oddity, including the high-ranking demon kings.

 

I couldn’t neglect the research on oddity.

 

‘Just thinking about it made me tired.’

 

But with this high pride.

 

There was no way I could whine in front of other people.

 

I spoke firmly to Jessoe.

 

“I know.”

 

The Tower Master had also said something like that.

 

Even if he hadn’t, she was suffering from mana exhaustion.

 

By the way.

 

Now that I’ve said that, let me add one more thing.

 

I continued shamelessly.

 

“However, the most important thing is not to sink.”

 

“…Oh, you’re talking about my mana exhaustion!”

 

“That’s right.”

 

I didn’t just say this, I meant it.

 

I hoped she refrained from overexerting herself to the point of suffering mana exhaustion.

 

My luck had already ended. I didn’t know what kind of archmage’s personality would emerge from the pointed hat.

 

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind!”

 

Jessie replied with an exclamation point.

 

I got to the point.

 

So what is the goal of the archmage class quest?

 

What is the Tower Master’s plan…!

 

“This class quest is [Lesson]!”

 

…Lesson?

 

The moment I heard that word.

 

Questions that had been scattered like puzzles began to fit in.

 

From the moment the Tower Master brought Jessie to the Mage Tower, to this moment.

 

Even the reason why he led Jessie to this space that was too difficult for her.

 

Even after the Tower Master settled in the pointed hat.

 

In order to teach the next archmage, Jessie.

 

He left his own body behind.

 

Jessie was an adventurer.

 

She didn’t have an ounce of magic knowledge.

 

Nevertheless, the existence of another world was absolutely necessary to stop the archmages’ conspiracy.

 

A special method was needed to pass on vast amounts of magic knowledge to Jessie.

 

Jessie said as she clasped her cane with both hands.

 

“The goal of the quest is to encounter the body of an archmage! I’m a little nervous and excited! This is my first time seeing one in person other than the pointed hat!”

 

Comparing Jessie’s quest goal with mine.

 

‘….Mine is to defeat. Jessie’s is to encounter.’

 

The nuance was very different.

 

Of course.

 

Unless I told her, Jessie wouldn’t know about my quest.

 

So I could understand her excitement.

 

But I knew.

 

“Jessie Heinness.”

 

“Yes, I am listening, Chief Lee!”

 

“This lesson will not be easy.”

 

Well, before the full lesson even started.

 

The body of the Tower Master made 10 Meteor strikes towards the Earth. I had been through so many shitty situations. I got a little hunch for it.

 

As if responding to my speculation.

 

Beyond the changing landscape of illusion magic.

 

In a turbulent wave of magic.

 

The body of the Tower Master emerged.

 

“Looks like the lesson has started.”

 

At those words, Jessie’s pupils turned away from me for the first time.

 

The body of the Tower Master that escaped from the opaque magic sphere.

 

Was it a man or a woman?

 

It had an androgynous appearance that made it difficult to determine its gender.

 

What stood out more was the unfocused, empty eyes.

 

Soon, I heard Jessie’s urgent voice.

 

“…Chief Lee!”

 

I know even if you don’t tell me.

 

“The quest goal has been updated! But…”

 

“You can say it.”

 

“It says, ‘Survive the lesson…!'”

 

Survival was an impossible quest goal for Jessie, wasn’t it?

 

But I felt like I already knew why he gave Jessie this quest goal.

 

Obviously, in that pointed hat. Among the consciousness of the archmages. Something unusual was going on, right? Tower Master?

 

Time was running out.

 

He was no longer in the pointed hat.

 

He couldn’t afford to take care of Jessie.

 

In that situation, he thought of me.

 

I had formed a circle, moreover, I was the founder of the oddity.

 

If I were with Jessie.

 

It was an arrangement made for Jessie in the distant future.

 

He must have decided that it was okay to start at this point.

 

To sum up the situation in one word.

 

‘…It feels a bit like an observation class, doesn’t it?’

 

At a time when his body and consciousness were separated, it was impossible for the Tower Master to control his body. In case his body ran wild and tried to get through Jessie.

 

He clearly wanted me, who was watching, to dispose of it.

 

‘No, you’re like a real manager.’

 

To hell with him, he manipulated his subordinate while demanding the quest goal.

 

But I couldn’t complain about it.

 

It was only natural.

 

All the magic currently being displayed by the Tower Master was literally for the next archmage, Jessie.

 

Like Meteor Strike, there was a lot of high-level magic that couldn’t even be found in magic books.

 

In that regard, I kept my eyes wide open.

 

Let’s change our mind, Hoyeol.

 

Let’s think of it as taking a class together rather than just observing.

 

『His innate magical talent is such that he can imitate most magic just by looking.』

 

I, Grandfel, had the gift of absorbing everything I witnessed.

 

Great.

 

Let’s start the lesson, Tower Master.

 

I spoke shamelessly.

 

“I hope there’s something to learn.”

 

*

Mage Tower.

 

Yugwid looked at the senior mages who had gathered.

 

Then she graciously raised the corner of her mouth.

 

“With this, the secrets of the Mage Tower have been exposed to the world.”

 

Chief Lee, especially, had no shame.

 

From the rebellion of Karimjeva and the other elders.

 

To protecting the Mage Tower.

 

And setting things straight again.

 

Hoyeol turned all attention to himself.

 

But that sacrifice was meaningless.

 

“This is the manifestation of super-high level magic. He’s full of energy.”

 

The Tower Master could be said to be Mage Tower itself.

 

Their Tower Master gave them a huge stab in the back.

 

Naturally, Yugwid and other senior mages gathered here couldn’t know the exact situation.

 

However, they came to realize one thing for sure.

 

“I think I know why Chief Lee stayed silent.”

 

“The Chief couldn’t bring himself to say it.”

 

“Matis.”

 

The senior mage of black magic, Matis, opened his mouth.

 

“Chief Lee always prioritizes the Mage Tower.”

 

His silence in the Crystal Hall was also clearly his way of being considerate.

 

If the Tower Master revealed his hostility, the Mage Tower would have to step in and stop the Tower Master. No one here would be happy with such a situation.

 

However.

 

“It’s time to make a decision.”

 

It didn’t really matter who the Tower Master was hostile towards.

 

What was important here was the action of the Tower Master.

 

It posed a great threat to the world of adventurers.

 

“We can’t leave everything to Chief Lee.”

 

“I feel the same way, Yugwid-nim.”

 

“Oh, Senior Belliere.”

 

“Me too.”

 

“Oho, Nasrow?”

 

Led by them, all twenty senior mages agreed.

 

Yugwid smiled once again.

 

It seemed she had been worried for no reason.

 

“That’s a relief. I no longer have to worry about going out alone.”

 

Yugwid’s eyes soon changed.

 

Gentle Giant, Yugwid.

 

It was not a title derived from 『magic』 like Karimjeva or Senios.

 

Even after entering the Magic Tower.

 

It was a second name that was given to her late as she worked her way up from senior to chief to elder.

 

The reason why she got such a title was simple.

 

“Then shall we start now?”

 

A cool-headed judgment hidden behind a benevolent smile.

 

Yugwid was decisive.

 

No one could stop a giant who had begun to take a step.

 

In that regard, Yugwid was a giant.

 

Because she had never once backed down from a decision she made.

 

A cool joke ensued.

 

“So this would be a treason against the Mage Tower, right?  Well, it’s not bad. Since I’ve already stepped into the Mage Tower, it would be nice to sit in the Tower Master’s seat and show off my age. Heh.”

 

Yugwid immediately tracked down the magic trace.

 

Rather than the magic trace of the Tower Master.

 

It would be much easier to track Chief Lee’s mana.

 

That was what she thought.

 

Yugwid laughed.

 

“…You’re really no ordinary, Chief Lee.”

 

She couldn’t even track down his magic trace.

 

Was this what he called [『oddity』?

 

Indeed.

 

For him, the circle was just a stage to pass through.

 

“So you returned Tower Master’s Meteor Strike to the sky.”

 

Even Elder Mage Yugwid couldn’t fathom the oddity.

 

For a moment, she was amazed by the refreshing shock.

 

Yugwid opened her mouth.

 

“If this old woman hasn’t gone senile yet, it seems that Chief Lee’s mana has reached a level that ordinary people like us cannot dare to trace. Is that right, Matis?”

 

“Elder is right.”

 

“Banglet, what do you think?”

 

“Y-Yes! W-Wait a minute!”

 

Senior mage of pure magic, Banglet.

 

Among the seniors, he possessed the best magic sensitivity.

 

He was so sensitive that he got chosen by magic power. It was safe to say that this talent that was close to a blessing elevated Banglet, a commoner who had not received a proper magic education, to a senior position.

 

“Senior Yugwid seems to be right.”

 

Of course, even for Banglet, it was still too difficult.

 

“It can’t be helped.”

 

Yugwid shrugged her shoulders.

 

“I guess we’ll have to get Chief Marcelo’s help.”

 

“If it’s Marcelo…”

 

“He will be able to see it, right?”

 

If it was Marcelo, who walking down the path of oddity with Hoyeol.

 

He would be able to track down Hoyeol’s mana.

 

Yugwid transmitted a telepathy to Marcelo.

 

No, she was going to.

 

“Oh.”

 

Belliere asked in surprise.

 

“What’s wrong, Elder Yugwid?”

 

“It seems we’ve been slow.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I can’t send a telepathy to Marcelo.”

 

“That means…?”

 

“Chief Marcelo is probably in the same space as Chief Lee. It seems he’s entered the magical vortex created by the Tower Master. Isn’t it too difficult for an old woman to chase after the two chiefs?”

 

Of course, she was just exaggerating.

 

As had been stated, the giant had already set foot.

 

Yugwid immediately tracked Marcelo’s trace.

 

Soon, the portal was manifested.

 

Yugwid said.

 

“It’s late, but let’s diligently chase the two chiefs.”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

I looked at Marcelo standing across from me.

 

“Chief Lee Hoyeol. I can’t trust you.”

 

Saying that, Marcelo raised his mana.

 

His voice sounded serious.

 

To me, there was nothing more ridiculous than this.

 

Of course.

 

In private situations like this moment now, Marcelo usually called me with the address ‘Sir’. Didn’t I tell you, Tower Master? The situation between the Mage Tower you knew and the current Mage Tower is a bit different.

 

So, get rid of these childish illusions.

 

“It’s too lax to be called a lesson.”

 

I continued seriously.

 

Topaz Hall, where pre-qualification for regular academic conferences was conducted.

 

I said with the same vitriol I used there.

 

“I hope you don’t lose face with the Mage Tower. Tower Master.”

 

Then I heard a voice.

 

“I agree with that opinion.”

 

This time it was real.

 

“You may not know. Sir Hoyeol just calls me Marcelo. He doesn’t attach unnecessary titles like ‘chief’. Of course, he does the same to the elders.”

 

…I feel like he’s calling me out as a guy who doesn’t even know honorifics.

 

Anyway.

 

Nice to see you, real Marcelo.

 

But somehow Marcelo’s reaction was unusual.

 

The eyes that should look gloomy in front of the Tower Master…

 

Why did they seem to be burning brightly…?

 

I could immediately see why.

 

The fact that Marcelo was also a mage.

 

Indeed.

 

Those burning eyes were like the eyes of the Eternal Snow, Senios.

 

“Well, that’s how you are.”

 

I.

 

“No, it’s actually nice that you seem consistent.”

 

Anyhow.

 

“Only then it will be worthwhile to win against you.”

 

It seems I completely misunderstood the relationship between the Tower Master and Marcelo…!