Chapter 339: Dropping the Magic Tower
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 339: Dropping the Magic Tower
Come to think of it, Isaac’s standing in the Brother’s Land was incredibly low. No, he had no standing to begin with. He was ignored everywhere he went, and the one who could be called their leader, Blood Dagger, did not recognize his greatness.
‘Archmage Isaac.’
In ancient times, it was a name that made the continent tremble. Everyone wanted to be associated with him, and humans swarmed like bees to obtain the artifacts he created. Of course, that wasn't to say he missed those days. But at the very least, being treated like an afterthought was unbearable.
The Giant Wolves treated his true body—his staff—like a chew toy, and Blood Dagger, too, seemed to have little interest in the staff, leaving it neglected.
If only that brute were a mage, he would have recognized the magnificence of this body.
“This is why warriors are useless…” Isaac muttered, gazing at the scene before him.
“Heheheheh…”
“Lord Isaac. This way, please.”
“Y-Yes.”
It was only natural for his ego to swell. He didn't think of himself as an arrogant person, but after being neglected for so long, his shoulders began to rise toward the sky.
Before him were citizens who looked as if they were welcoming a triumphant general. The only difference was that they were all mages.
“Hehehehehehet.”
“Lord Isaac?”
“It’s nothing. Let us proceed.”
In truth, he had no idea what was going on. When he was suddenly told that Blood Dagger had summoned him, he had assumed it was for some strange errand. But the sight that greeted him in the human city was unexpected. It was as if everything had been prepared just for him.
‘As expected, humans recognize my greatness. Archmage Isaac! You’ve still got it!’
It was perfectly natural for such a thought to cross his mind. Green Skins knew nothing of magic. Their shamanism was fascinating, but compared to true magic, it was a rather primitive method. And the magic used by the plant—the only other mage in the clan—was closer to an innate racial ability than actual magic.
It was no surprise they were ignorant of the greatness of a mage.
The humans must realize it.
The majesty of Archmage Isaac. The value of this staff…
“Shall I prepare something for you to drink?”
“That won’t be necessary. This body is immortal, capable of surviving without food or drink. More importantly, I am curious as to why you have invited me to this castle…”
“Are you aware that we are currently at war with the undead?”
“Of… of course, I am. Human mage.”
“We are trying to manifest a large-scale spell, but for some reason, it is not working properly.”
“I… I do not know if I can be of help, but it would be best if I took a look.”
“Yes. We will escort you.”
Research and experimentation were a mage’s daily life. To study magic with friends was, in fact, a small dream of Isaac’s. With a heart full of anticipation, Isaac began to walk.
‘Wilson… I… I did it. My little dream has finally come true.’
It was only right to offer a word of thanks to Wilson, who had sustained him until now. He felt like he could fly with happiness. When he entered their laboratory, he saw a tremendous number of mages.
“It is Lord Isaac.”
“Lord Isaac, welcome.”
“Welcome, Lord Isaac.”
Every single one of them was an extraordinary mage. They must have all been loners. After studying magic in their own workshops, they must have become friends one by one and established a system like this. He could see several of them wearing glasses. Just like him. Their eyes must have worsened from studying all night.
“Hehehehehet…”
The most conspicuous person was Choi Eunju, the woman who claimed to be Blood Dagger’s lover. Her hair had turned white, but there was no way he wouldn't recognize her. She was the most skilled mage he had seen on this continent. Choi Eunju gave him a slight smile and spoke.
“I heard you were coming, Lord Isaac.”
“Yes, yes. I am curious about what kind of magic you are researching.”
“The truth is…”
“Hmm!”
“We intend to drop a bomb containing immense magical power into the heart of the undead forces.”
“Oh!”
That was quite a difficult task.
“What is the approximate amount of condensed magic?”
“The exact value is…”
“Incredible… I never imagined the mages of this continent were of such a high caliber… There’s no way you could have gathered this much magic in such a short time… To withstand this level of power, the quality of the medium containing the magic must also be crucial.”
The mages on this continent were more skilled than he had thought. The amount of magic was staggering, comparable to the power he had accumulated over ten thousand years. What was particularly impressive was that they had also prepared a medium capable of withstanding it. With a look of slight surprise, Isaac began to scan his surroundings.
“Yes.”
“Amazing. But wasn't teleportation magic your specialty? No… looking at your hair, I can roughly guess what happened. You need to take care of your body… The knowledge of mages at our level must not be lost.”
“There were some circumstances… Even if I were in my normal state, it would have been incredibly difficult. My power is a bit ambiguous to be called pure magic. Of course, I do chant spells, but…”
“I think I know what you mean. In truth, teleportation is a magic that is impossible even for me. It would be more accurate to say that while I completed the theory, it was regulated. I researched teleportation for a long time, but that power does not lie within the realm of magic. You must have acquired that power through the intervention of another force. What they call a Unique Ability.”
“Yes. As expected of Lord Isaac.”
Not only Choi Eunju but the other mages also praised Isaac. Seeing this, Isaac let out a puff of air from his nose, picked up a nearby book, and began to write down the theory of the teleportation spell.
“It’s remarkably similar.”
“Hehehehehet.”
It was only natural that he felt good.
“Theoretically, it is impossible, but with you as the caster, it should not be out of reach. Of course, you need not worry. I will cast the large-scale spell by borrowing your body and mana, so there will be no strain on you. After all, completing a spell of that magnitude will require the power of every mage in this room. No, even the power of all the mages here might not be enough.”
“The others are researching different spells. Things like the fusion of divine power and magic… or magic that can safely store spells for a long time…”
“All fascinating topics! Th-Then! Let us begin the research at once!”
He was incredibly tired, but studying magic with friends was an exciting affair. Just as Isaac beamed a happy smile at the mages, he saw Choi Eunju’s face, which for some reason looked sad.
He couldn't be sure, but it seemed like she was pitying him, or perhaps genuinely heartbroken. He didn't know why she was looking at him with such an expression, but an inexplicable anxiety made Isaac swallow hard.
“You’ve been working for a long time, so please rest well today, Lord Isaac. It’s getting late, so we were about to wrap up as well.”
“Ah! U-uhm… yes. That would be best. Excessive research is a poison in itself. It is good to rest deeply when one rests.”
For some reason, he felt uneasy. It was because he had seen Choi Eunju’s sad expression. Soon, the mages began to guide him to his room, and Isaac, as if mesmerized, entered the prepared chamber.
It was an enormous bed. He could just sleep inside his staff, but it was only natural to want to jump on such a large bed. Just as Isaac was about to leap onto it, he saw an unfamiliar flower and a letter.
“Hm?”
Could it be for him? With a fluttering heart, he glanced at the letter and saw his name clearly written on the front.
[To Isaac.]
“Wh-What is this?”
Of course, he tore open the letter in a hurry. He could feel the faint but distinct magical energy of Blood Dagger.
[Isaac. I imagine you are reading this letter by now. Forgive me for not being able to greet you in person, as we are on the verge of a battle with the undead.]
“H-Hmph. As if I’d forgive you… Still, at least he knows he did something wrong.”
[The flower on the bed is a gift. A flower may not mean much to you, but it is a high-quality, top-grade Mana Herb. I thought it would be a good gift for you, since you do not eat.]
Isaac glanced at the flower. It wasn't beautifully decorated or elaborately wrapped, but it was certainly a top-grade Mana Herb. He couldn't understand why Blood Dagger would give him such a flower.
‘D-Don’t tell me…’
The thought was inevitable. That brute was a Green Skin, not a human. He knew nothing of the warm love between a man and a woman. Looking at the flower, which had been tossed there as if abandoned, it was clear he lacked delicacy.
“Calling this a gift… Hmph!”
He was about to punch the flower but instead gently lifted it and took a sniff. He could feel a rich magical energy seeping into him.
“It’s a waste… just because it’s a waste.”
[There is much to say, but I think it would be best to tell you in person when I return. I will end this letter here. Get along with Choi Eunju and the other mages. p.s. As soon as I return, we will test our unification, so be prepared.]
‘Unification? U-Unification?’
“Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaat!”
Without realizing it, Isaac threw the letter into the air.
Unification… Unification? Does he mean… becoming one body? C-Combining?
His mind instantly became a tangled mess. Only then… only then did he understand the meaning of Choi Eunju’s expression from before. That incredibly sad, deeply sunken expression—this was the reason. It was famous enough for a three-year-old to know that Choi Eunju was Blood Dagger’s woman. She must have heard it directly from him.
‘Eunju.’
‘D-Darling?’
‘I’m sorry… I just don’t see you as a woman anymore… Now…’
‘H-How could you…’
‘There’s only Isaac now!’
‘P-Please don’t leave me!’
‘I’m sorry…’
The meaning of her sad expression…
“Th-This is troubling… What am I to do? I feel so sorry for her.”
Isaac slyly looked at his reflection in a mirror. A peerless beauty was there. As expected, that brute was a man, after all. To be honest, the Choi Seulgi incident last time had been a result of his utter bewilderment. He couldn't count how many times he had to calm his heart after witnessing that event. He was happy, but this was too arrogant. How could he tolerate such an insolent proposal?
“But he’s not human…”
This must be a cultural difference. "Testing" it probably meant testing their compatibility. Considering how intense things were between Choi Seulgi and Blood Dagger back then, he could tell how much importance he placed on nightly affairs. Compatibility between a married couple was a very important factor; Isaac may have been a virgin for ten thousand years, but he had heard that much.
“Th-The… the bar is set so high… B-But…”
His breathing began to quicken. His whole body grew hot as if he were sweating, and without thinking, Isaac started fanning himself with his hand.
“Is… is it finally happening? No. Isaac, get a hold of yourself. This is a demon’s temptation! Wilson! What do you think? You were fooled last time, too! Huh? You think I should accept? Wilson! H-He’s too rude! I don’t know how he became my master, and it’s not that I dislike him, but…”
But… his heart began to pound fiercely.
“It’s… it’s too sudden… What should I do, Wilson? W-Well, if you say so, then I guess it’s true. A-Actually, he’s not all that bad… He can be warm sometimes… and come to think of it, he’s capable… and sometimes it feels like he cherishes me… He’s ignorant, but he has his delicate side, I guess? And his… his stamina… Kyaaaaaaah! W-Wilson! D-Don’t you think… this might be something like fate? Wilson? You think so too?”
Isaac clenched his fists. Thinking about it, it was strange. It was strange that a Green Skin had entered the tower, and it was strange that he had the ability to wield any weapon. As if the pieces of a puzzle were fitting together, he had fallen right into his grasp. It began to feel like something that couldn't be explained if it wasn't truly fate.
His heart began to race. The thought of that brute’s face made him blush for no reason. Isaac buried his face in a pillow and muttered.
“Hehehe… Finally, me too… Hehehet… I think this is love! I’m so happy, Wilson… I’ve made so many friends, too… Hehet… Suddenly… is it okay for me to be this happy?”
Naturally, no reply came from Wilson.