ushernet Chapter 35
Chapter 35
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 35: LEVEL 3 (2)
"Hm?"
Harrock Dryon, a Level 5 mage, was busy organizing the scene at the mana power plant when his eyes narrowed.
It was because an outsider, not a mage of the White Tower, had appeared.
"Who are you? This isn't a place just anyone can enter."
As he stepped forward to block the man and questioned him, the man in a suit pulled out a business card from his pocket.
"Haha, I’m not just anyone. I’m Nebula Grime from the Special Investigation Division under the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs."
"...Special Division?"
Harrock, taken aback by the unexpected appearance of such a group, couldn't hide his surprise as he looked at the card and asked again.
"So, what brings someone from such an important division here?"
"Since it's rare for a Heavenly Silkworm to hatch so close to the city, we've been ordered to investigate. Could I ask for your cooperation?"
"Of course... if that's what the imperial command says."
As Harrock stepped aside, Nebula smiled and gave a slight nod.
"According to the news, two mages from the White Tower hunted it down. Is that right?"
"Yes. We found it when a cleanup crew came due to frequent mana supply issues in the city recently."
"Wow, impressive. In that case, I'll take a look at the scene."
"Shall I explain what happened then...?"
"No need. Just a quick look is all I need; after all, investigating is my bread and butter."
Responding leisurely, Nebula focused his magic on his eyes and began examining the traces of the battle.
The scene from that time started to take shape before him.
‘One person initiated the battle first. The speed was decent, but....’
His gaze drifted to one spot.
‘The enthusiasm was there, but lacking combat skill. Judging by the mana residue, they were tense, overly exerting their strength. Eventually, they were restrained by another mage. Rather than internal conflict or betrayal, it seems more likely that one saved the other’s life in the face of mortal danger.’
Nebula nodded as he located a melted section of the wall.
‘This would have been the cause. The restrained one stayed seated for a long time without moving. Since there’s no trace of blood, it's likely they simply lost strength in their legs.’
Having pieced together the scene, Nebula frowned.
It was now significantly harder to read the traces of the mage who entered the fight afterward.
‘...What’s with this one? Even I can barely follow the general flow here.’
This meant that the individual had left fewer traces, indicating their considerable skill.
Checking the direction of the scattered Heavenly Silkworm fluids on the ground, he analyzed the situation.
‘Judging by the scattered nature of the fluids, this wasn't magic... it was modified weaponry. Specifically, firearms.’
Nebula didn’t think poorly of mages using such tools.
After all, mastering good tools was also a skill.
His gaze turned upward this time.
‘The Heavenly Silkworm, fatally wounded, attempted to flee by breaking through the ceiling and flying upwards... Judging by the interrupted footprints here, did someone actually follow it up there?’
The audacity was astonishing, almost laughable.
According to the report, a Level 2 mage and a Level 4 mage were credited with hunting the creature.
‘The one who followed it must be the Level 4 mage. The one who lost strength in their legs was likely the Level 2 mage.’
Honestly, he was surprised.
That a Level 4 mage could be this skilled and courageous was impressive.
Nebula turned and asked,
"What's the Level 4 mage’s name?"
"Oh, Veronica Fricks?"
"Veronica Fricks... that's the name."
Memorizing the name, Nebula continued.
"From the traces, it seems she nearly took down the Heavenly Silkworm by herself. Still a Level 4? She has quite the future ahead."
"Uh... actually, I think there’s a misunderstanding."
Harrock scratched his head, looking awkward.
"The one who took down the Heavenly Silkworm was the Level 2 mage. Given how proud Veronica is, she wouldn’t lie about it."
"...What?"
For once, Nebula's eyes widened in surprise.
"So, the one who chased it into the sky and finished it off was...."
"In that case, I'll gladly accept it."
"If you’re planning to consume it right away, I’ll stand guard."
Most elixirs or spiritual herbs, when absorbed under disturbance, could cause a mana overflow that could damage the circuit—and in the worst cases, it could even be fatal.
Thus, one would typically consume it alone in a quiet space or ask someone trustworthy to guard the surroundings.
'Of course, this inner core isn’t intense enough to require such caution... but there's no reason to refuse his offer to stand guard.'
"Then I’ll leave it to you."
Entrusting Maxim with the watch, Oscar opened the box without hesitation and swallowed the core in one gulp.
'Ah...!'
The core dissolved on his tongue, becoming a wave of magic that coursed through his body.
However, this wasn't his first time consuming such a thing in his previous life.
Oscar quickly regained composure, guiding the pure yet limited magic to the desired places within him.
'Hah.'
Watching him, Maxim’s expression turned to one of amazement.
Though he had heard Oscar had taken illegal elixirs once before, he seemed far too adept for his second time.
'Geniuses—whatever they do, they make it look effortless.'
With a satisfied look, he observed the young mage, the White Tower’s future, for several hours.
Finally, Oscar’s eyelids slowly lifted as he finished absorbing all the magic.
"Level 3 at last. Congratulations."
"...Phew, thank you."
Oscar felt the three lines of magic circuits firmly established within him, and he rolled his shoulders.
"My shoulders are completely healed, too."
"The Heavenly Silkworm’s core does have excellent restorative effects. That’s fortunate."
He might actually be stronger than before his injury.
With a pleased expression, Maxim suddenly grew serious.
"Since you’re now at a point where you should aim for Level 4, I’ll give you some unsolicited advice. Don’t get involved with that so-called ‘Designer’ character."
"Designer? Who’s that?"
"A mage from the Violet Brigade. I hear he redesigns magic circuits for people, for a fee."
Maxim’s ensuing explanation was rather intriguing.
"As you know, the human body has limited space for magic circuits. Moreover, each person’s physical form varies in shape and size, so even installing circuits of the same design yields different efficiency. So, if one wants to install a more efficient circuit and reach a higher level, they turn to this ‘Designer’ for custom installations."
"So, they have to reveal their body’s internal structure to that Designer?"
"That’s exactly what bothers me. But it seems young mages these days don’t mind. Apparently, many of them are secretly contacting the Designer, which worries me."
Oscar clicked his tongue.
"Kids these days... What do they think of privacy?"
Maxim looked at him, exasperated.
"...You’re one of those ‘kids these days’ yourself, you know."
"I’m different from those amateurs. Anyway, this Designer fellow must be pretty skilled?"
"He’s a Level 7 mage. That talent of his is what made him a criminal within the Brigade."
"Level 7!?"
Oscar looked momentarily surprised.
'The Violet Brigade—I thought they were just a regular mafia. But if they have a Level 7 mage in their ranks...'
Now he understood why the royal family was so wary of them.
It was no wonder if they possessed power comparable to the Magic Tower.
"I have no desire to get involved with them either. And don’t worry about my circuits."
No matter how skilled that Designer might be, he’d never be as capable as someone who had reached Level 9 in his previous life.
Even now, his circuit design was much more efficient and refined than it had been when he was at Level 3 in his past life.
"If I keep progressing like this, I may even be able to install ten magic circuits in this body."
"What? Hahaha!"
Maxim burst into laughter at the young mage’s boldness.
A mage who had only just reached Level 3 was now talking about reaching Level 10, a level never before attained.
But Oscar merely watched Maxim’s laughter with a serious expression.
'Laugh all you want now, Maxim.'
One day, he’d turn that laughter into shock and admiration.
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]