Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Researcher List
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Back in District 6 after leaving the academy.
In a shadowy corner stood the dingy information broker's shop.
Still tucked away in a spot no one would notice, without even a signboard.
How on earth had I stumbled into this place before?
I had to admit, I got lucky.
"Anyone here?"
"Oh, the crazy mage."
A man dressed head to toe in black, with tiny glasses perched on the tip of his nose.
He was in the same getup as before, waving cheerfully as if delighted to see me.
"Long time no see? You been well?"
"So-so. Anyway, what about that request?"
"Oh, that. Finished it ages ago. Here."
The broker slid a sheet of paper across the table.
A list crammed with what looked like names.
The roster of light magic researchers I'd asked for earlier.
"Exclude anyone tied to the Aldeon School."
"Sure? Hang on."
He snatched the paper back.
Then.
Scritch, scritch...
He scanned it line by line, striking through names one by one.
The list filled up with lines.
'Should've asked him to filter it upfront. Got my hopes up for nothing.'
I'd been excited by the sheer number of names, but turns out they were all connected to the Aldeon School.
Prisoners or fugitives, in other words.
No way I could learn light magic from folks soaked in that twisted ideology.
A bit disappointing, sure.
How long did I wait?
"Here."
The broker handed over the revised list.
Now a hollow shell, three-quarters slashed away.
Still, better than nothing.
At least a few names survived.
"Hmm."
I scanned the remaining names one by one.
Three had made it through the man's pen.
[Ani Person]
[Diablca Zamet]
[Adam Nicael]
Unfamiliar names, every one.
I pointed to them in order, asking for details.
The man opened his mouth right away, as if he'd memorized it all.
"Ani Person. Lives in District 3, been deep into light magic research for over twenty years, from what I hear. Most normal guy of the bunch."
"Normal guy... so not a mage?"
"From the intel, yeah. Can't handle a speck of mana."
"Too bad."
Twenty years of research means he'd be an expert in the field.
But non-mage? Huge drawback.
Magic's one of those abilities you can't truly grasp from books alone—you've got to wield it. No helping that regret.
Our perspectives on light magic would differ for sure.
Solid enough, but... pass for now.
"What about this one?"
I tapped the second name.
Curiosity piqued.
He'd called Ani Person the most normal of the three.
Meaning the others weren't.
What made him say that?
"Diablca Zamet. Royal mage, 7th circle. Specializes in light attributes."
"..."
Fitting description, from what I'd heard.
'A royal mage ain't exactly ordinary.'
In Asteron, the royal family held the biggest power, so that title wasn't handed out lightly.
Must've proven himself through fierce competition with magic.
'Or maybe born into royal blood.'
Either way, a 7th circle mage meant skills guaranteed.
But.
'Still no.'
No matter how urgent my situation or desperate my growth, I couldn't beg a royal mage to teach me light magic.
Even the war command treated people like tools—what would they do to me?
And would he even teach if asked?
That arrogant royal mage, teaching me?
Fat chance.
Pass on this one too.
"...And this guy?"
Down to the last one.
Adam Nicael.
The name alone evoked an angel...
"Adam Nicael. Also a 7th circle mage, but get this—he's got priors."
"...Priors?"
"Used to dabble in black magic. Turned himself in to walk a new path, and since getting out of prison, he's been nothing but light magic."
"..."
Angel, my ass.
More like the polar opposite.
And a former black mage on a light magic researcher list? Wild.
Even turned himself in.
What wind blew that way?
Total wild card, impossible to pin down.
"Lives in District 4. Interested?"
"...No chance."
Whatever the reason, odds were he wasn't right in the head.
Another pass...
"Tch."
Nothing left to check.
As expected in Asteron, where an entire light magic faction had vanished—finding a decent candidate was tough.
'Head back?'
I had three options now.
One: Give up and research light magic solo.
Two: Leave Asteron and scout elsewhere.
Three...
[Ani Person]
Settle for the theory expert, Ani Person.
Didn't take long to decide.
'Let's visit him first.'
Solo research could wait anytime.
Scouting new places too.
I'd paid for the info—might as well check him out.
Worst case, nothing lost.
If I didn't like it, I just wouldn't learn.
Anyway.
"Alright. Here's more on him."
The broker rummaged in a drawer and pulled out a file.
Clearly Ani Person's profile.
As I reached for it.
"Whoops!"
He knocked over a nearby glass with an exaggerated flail.
Sssss.
The writing vanished.
Some special paper they used here—everything on it erased.
"Oh dear, what a mess. All that hard-gathered info, gone."
But his face showed zero panic.
No accident.
"What the hell?"
"Looks like I'll have to recite from memory."
Pure shameless drawl.
Like if they sculpted "shameless" into a person.
One reason for this act.
"Which means extra charge..."
"..."
Money grab.
Guy never changed.
Could just ask outright—why the hints? Almost pathetic.
Though way better than unreadable types like Barus or Roan.
"Here."
"Haha. Thanks, sir."
I handed over every coin I had left, and he bowed deeply.
Back to serious mode, he spilled what he knew.
Exact address, locals' takes on him, his likes, backstory...
Detailed stuff, no disappointments.
'If only he wasn't so money-hungry...'
What could I do?
Guy stuck to his trade.
Anyway, I jotted down the intel overload and asked one more thing.
"Know anything about the black market?"
Black market info.
Nothing major—just if it was open.
"Oh yeah~ We know everything, mage sir. But... you know?"
Hinting at payment right away.
I stood without engaging.
"Whoa, leaving just like that?"
"Brokesville. Zero coins."
True story.
I'd emptied my pockets for the hunt prep.
Sure, Lena's quest payout in gold coins, but those were earmarked strictly for Barundel's weapon.
The rest? Not paid yet.
"Hmm..."
Sensing my sincerity?
He eyed my face, then nodded.
"Fine, this one's on the house. Customer loyalty service."
"...What's the catch?"
"Just that. Not big info anyway."
He smirked, gesturing me to sit.
Solid black market deets poured out.
Pricey place, but couldn't quit it.
***
After the broker.
"Money talk right off the bat... you really..."
"Haha... thanks."
Heard the black market was open, so I hit up Lena for a gold loan.
Thus, 1,000 gold coins in hand.
'Plenty.'
Per the broker, entry needed a ticket—100 gold each.
Plus, snag cheap useful stuff inside...
Had to borrow for that.
Well, technically, converted some pending artifact rewards to gold early.
Anyway.
"This the spot?"
Arrived at the black market entrance he'd described.
A rundown tavern in a deserted District 6 alley.
Looked utterly ordinary, zero suspicion.
Half-doubting, I stepped in.
"Welcome!"
A perky employee greeted with a bright smile.
Way too cheerful for black market gatekeeper.
But after scoping the place.
"Yeah, this is it."
Felt the unordinary vibe.
Empty of customers, yet five staff lounging.
All but the greeter were burly Thompson-sized bruisers.
"Eh? What do you..."
Playing dumb, I tilted my head at the woman.
"One black cocktail."
Then.
"Cash?"
Her face hardened instantly.
Facial shift so quick it was eerie.
Probably her real face.
"Here."
I passed the prepped 100-gold pouch.
She took it flatly, handing over a crisp black card.
"Entry pass. Entrance that way."
Thud, thud, thud.
As she spoke, one loitering brute approached.
"Follow me."
He led me to a corner.
Tapped the wall.
Rumble rumble!
Floor parted, revealing a hidden space.
Stairs down... looked like space expansion magic inside.
Definitely the black market.
"Go all the way down. Exit's inside separately."
"Got it."
Followed his lead, descending step by step.
First black market since entering this world.
Used it tons in the game...
Wonder what it'd be like now?
Kinda excited.