Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Clue (1)
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There was no one in the magical world who didn't know the name Jamie Welton.
Even those utterly oblivious to rumors knew of the genius mage drawing the most attention across the entire world.
He even had a fairly large fandom, and his reputation grew day by day.
"I had no idea it was you, Sir Jamie Welton. I'm sorry for not recognizing you."
The female mage scratched her cheek with an embarrassed look.
No need to apologize just for not recognizing him.
Jamie shook his head.
"Not at all. It'd be stranger if you recognized me at first glance."
"Haha. I heard you're eight this year, but you're quite tall. Taller than my son, even though he's a year older. As expected of Count Welton's son."
"It's all thanks to my esteemed father."
"This way."
The female mage personally guided him to the Mage Tower Lord's office.
"Just keep going down this hallway, and you'll find the Tower Lord's exclusive secretary. Tell him, and he'll take care of it."
"Thank you for the guidance."
"Oh my. Such manners too. Next time you see me, could you give me an autograph? It's for my daughter—she's a fan."
She had a son and now a daughter too, apparently.
Jamie nodded and parted ways with her.
'This is why a little fame isn't so bad.'
People guided him politely on their own.
If he weren't famous, she'd have just told him to find his own way.
Obvious without asking.
Jamie followed the hallway as directed.
Turning the right corner, he spotted a massive door and a man handling work in front of it.
Likely the exclusive secretary she mentioned.
"Who might you be?"
The secretary stood upon spotting Jamie and asked.
"I'm Jamie Welton. I've come to see Marquis Linmel, the Linmel Mage Tower Lord. Is he in?"
"Ah, an honor to meet such a famous figure. Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Please wait a moment."
The secretary bowed politely, approached the massive door, and knocked carefully.
"Tower Lord. Jamie Welton has come to visit. Shall I let him in?"
"Let him in."
"You're clear to enter."
Hearing the response from inside, the secretary turned to Jamie, then raised his hand into the air.
Mana gathered in his palm, swiftly drawing a green magic circle in the empty space.
Seemed like a security measure on the door.
Once the magic circle completed, he inserted his index finger into the center and rotated it clockwise. With a click, the lock disengaged, and the massive door cracked open slightly.
"Please, go ahead."
The secretary opened the door fully, revealing the interior.
Jamie's eyes widened.
This was supposed to be the Mage Tower Lord's office. But it was no mere office.
Far too spacious for an office. Not just spacious—this place felt like... yes, an disorganized library.
Thud!
The door closed behind him.
Looking back, the exclusive secretary hadn't entered; no one was there.
He turned forward and surveyed the surroundings again.
"What are all these?"
Numerous bookshelves stood in orderly rows, with long desks lined up between them.
The desks were cluttered with various books and scroll parchments, some unfurled so long they trailed onto the floor.
Up close, they were all magic tomes.
The scrolls seemed used for organizing the books, scribbled chaotically with all sorts of theories.
And there were far more than just a few.
Jamie walked along the long red carpet stretched ahead. The mess grew worse further in, but it didn't feel truly filthy.
Someone had arranged it for comfortable browsing.
As Jamie wandered about with a curious expression...
"A bit messy, isn't it?"
A voice echoed from somewhere.
Mana-infused, directionless.
It was Marquis Linmel.
'Mana manipulation over the entire space. Not an easy spell.'
Not just speaking aloud, nor telepathy—yet impossible to pinpoint the direction. It meant Linmel had perfect control over this library-like space.
As his office, that made sense.
"Messy might be too strong... It's a bit cluttered, but I kind of like the vibe."
"Hahaha. Jamie, you get it."
The voice's direction sharpened.
Turning left, Jamie saw Linmel standing amid scattered piles, looking slightly fatigued.
"Seems like research has kept you busy."
"As you can see, quite busy lately."
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced."
"When my Jamie comes to visit, I make time even if there isn't any."
Linmel spoke as if addressing a beloved grandson, drawing a faint smile from Jamie.
Inwardly, he muttered, 'We've barely met a few times, so why the chumminess?'
"So, what brings you here?"
"First, I see magic tomes everywhere—what are you researching?"
"Ho ho. You know you're not supposed to ask a mage about their research before it's announced."
"First time I've heard that."
"Not fooled."
"Doesn't work."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
The two stared silently before bursting into laughter simultaneously.
"Nothing major."
Linmel dropped his smile and continued.
"I've been researching war magic."
"...War magic."
"Yes. You know all about it."
In these times, war meant only one thing.
The war with the Zenith Church, not yet begun but liable to erupt anytime.
Linmel, a high noble of the Seldam Kingdom and one of the magical world's top elders, was—as befitted the Blue Mage Tower Lord studying magic tomes—developing spells for the war.
"But the opponent is the Zenith Church. No easy task. The god they serve symbolizes war itself. Word is, when they march to battle, victory is assured. To rout such foes, what magic must I create? That's what I've been pondering lately."
Jamie grasped the implication immediately.
'This magic's completion will be the opening shot signaling the war's start.'
An ultra-wide-area spell to deal devastating damage to the entire Zenith Church.
Nothing else came to mind but a spell to seize victory in one blow.
Swords and spells weren't clashing yet, but the war had already begun.
"Anyway, no progress yet, so it's giving me a headache. I've shared my story—now yours. What brings you here?"
"I wanted to ask permission."
"Permission?"
"To teach the Full Body Breathing Method to one student. Is that alright?"
The unexpected request widened Linmel's wrinkled eyes.
The Full Body Breathing Method was akin to his secret art, taught only to Jamie so far.
Now Jamie wanted to pass it to another—Linmel didn't know what to say.
"Do you understand what that means?"
"That's why I'm asking permission."
"What if I refuse...?"
"I'll teach something else. Far inferior to the Full Body Breathing Method, of course. It's such an amazing technique—unique in the world."
Jamie stated matter-of-factly, indirectly praising Linmel in the process.
Linmel cleared his throat unnecessarily and agreed.
"True. Hard to find anything matching my Full Body Breathing Method. Elves or dragons aside."
"She's talented. But her mana sensitivity is lacking, which is a shame. With your permission, I'd like to teach her the Full Body Breathing Method."
"What's the child's name?"
"Anne. Anne Mayer."
"Anne... Ah, that girl."
Linmel snapped his fingers, clearly knowing her.
As Siegfried had said, Anne had indeed been mentioned among the magical world's leadership.
Linmel nodded, recalling.
"They said she's exceptionally bright. Understands everything on the spot after seeing it once. I remember Siegfried raving about her."
Jamie was slightly surprised at Siegfried raving—last time they spoke, he'd seemed detached, but he pitied her situation too.
"The Full Body Breathing Method should alleviate her mana deficiency to some extent."
"But you know it's not just about mana, right?"
"..."
"Her genius intellect is clear, but she lacks a mage's aptitude. More precisely, she's too ordinary. With the Full Body Breathing Method, she might reach 5th class somehow, but using my technique for mere 5th class feels a waste."
Linmel was coldly pragmatic here.
He took great pride in his magic, and the Full Body Breathing Method was his secret art.
Passing it to Jamie had required deep deliberation.
If Anne had shown some innate magical aptitude, he might have stepped forward before Jamie even asked.
He hadn't because he saw no need.
But Jamie thought differently.
"What if I could raise her beyond 5th class? Even to archmage?"
"You?"
"Yes. It's entirely possible."
"You haven't even become an archmage yourself yet—that's too..."
"Archmage? I could become one anytime."
Jamie cut him off.
Silence fell. The two who had just laughed now glared coldly at each other.
"Jamie. It's undeniable you possess the greatest talent in the succession. But archmage isn't a realm to mention lightly."
"My explanation was lacking."
"About what?"
"I've already completed my magical thesis. I'm just not satisfied with it."
Linmel's face filled with shock.
Only 7th-class archmages knew what "completing one's magical thesis" meant.
Only those who had experienced it could empathize.
"...Completed it?"
"It's not fully matured yet, so not immediately, but when the time comes, becoming an archmage will be easy."
Thanks to his past life.
If he reclaimed the magical thesis he'd perfected before—"Multi-Complex Three-Dimensional Magic Circle"—he could achieve archmage status anytime.
But it was a thesis he'd failed with once.
This life, he planned a different one, so it remained on the back burner.
"So now you're saying... you're creating another magical thesis?"
"Something like that."
"Ha!"
A mage might spend a lifetime yearning for even one magical thesis, never assured of attaining it. Producing two in a single life? Unheard of.
Even dragons would struggle.
"I can do it."
Arrogant. Yet his actions so far made denying it hard.
Linmel felt intimidation from the boy who had just turned eight.
Suddenly, he fancied someone—or something—stood behind Jamie, exuding immense presence, watching him.
'Jamie Welton. What kind of child are you...?'
Linmel laughed in disbelief.
Still, he wouldn't grant permission to the Full Body Breathing Method lightly.
"Let me make a proposal."
"A proposal?"
"Yes."
Linmel stirred his mana; space rippled as his unwashed robe cleaned like new, his disheveled hair and beard tidying instantly.
Reaching into the air, potent magic sparked as an indigo staff slowly materialized.
"Let's have a spar, since you like duels."
"You're serious?"
"Huhu. I won't demand victory. Just satisfy me. I won't treat you as a genius—I'll face you as a fellow mage. Come at me with full power."
"You might grudgingly admit it."
"What do you take me for? I'm no petty man. Leave such pettiness to Serpent."
Linmel held no fondness for Serpent either.
Jamie grinned, lip curling.
His left hand gripped Scud's hilt, right clenched empty air.
Sparks flew as the staff 'Beyond Avalon' began summoning from the void.
"Beyond Avalon? How do you have that...?"
"A gift."
"...That old hag wouldn't sell it to me. Heh, we'll hear about that later. Let's begin."
Linmel struck the floor with his staff; the space shifted.
A vast cube-shaped room. Strong mana resistance coated all six faces—tough enough against most attacks.
Shing— Jamie half-drew Scud, assuming a stance with a thrilled expression, and warned.
"No regrets."
First, seize control of the space.
Boom!!
All mana flows revolved around Jamie.
"It's been a while, so I might not control my power."
The time had come for sword and magic to become one.