Chapter 17
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Magic Tower Genius Descends into the Labyrinth
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마탑 천재는 미궁을 내려간다 17화.
Sylbian and Cherentia spent the time after parting ways with Sera resting.
That night and the following day, they did absolutely nothing but rest.
It was to catch their breath amid the fatigue accumulated from their long journey.
So they only met up for meals and didn't seek each other out otherwise.
The next day, after that sweet period of rest and recovery...
"Haaah..."
Sylbian let out a big yawn and wiped his face.
Once he relaxed with some rest, his mind felt as scattered as a snapped thread, hard to pull together.
But today, he had to head out.
It was the day he'd promised Sera, and he had some business to handle at the Adventurer's Guild too.
Srulk. Srulk...
As he draped his robe over himself, Sylbian pondered.
'So what magic should I show her.'
He didn't think he needed to pull out anything flashy.
What Sera wanted from him was probably just proof that an exile could still wield magic.
Clack.
Once he had his robe on properly, Sylbian stepped out of his room and happened to spot Cherentia.
She spotted him too and approached with a bright, innocent smile.
"Perfect timing—I was just about to come find you. Do you remember our promise, Sylbian?"
"Of course I do. That's why I'm heading out."
"Even better, then. Let's go together!"
"...You seem awfully excited. Did something good happen, Cherentia?"
As they naturally fell into step, his gaze flicked toward her.
Her perky ears and swishing tail were fascinating no matter how many times he saw them.
He wanted to touch them, but that was probably off-limits.
"I want to see some magic too!"
"That's why?"
They bantered lightly as they left the inn.
On the first day, exhaustion had left no room for sightseeing.
And meeting Sera had occupied their thoughts completely.
Maybe that's why.
After a good rest, taking in the sights of Soren felt entirely different.
'I'm definitely getting closer to the North.'
Considering Soren was a major city straddling the border between the West and the North, it didn't feel too far to his destination.
More than that, the certainty of his progress brought a strange sense of satisfaction.
"Sylbian! Those chicken skewers look pretty tasty!"
"We ate breakfast."
"Breakfast is breakfast, and snacks are snacks!"
Perhaps buoyed by the full day's rest, Cherentia was more energetic than ever.
They munched on chicken skewers as they strolled leisurely through the city.
The meeting spot with Sera was right at the entrance of the restaurant they'd visited before, so it wasn't far.
Nomph.
"This is so good! Oh, that street vendor's got something weird and interesting too!"
"No."
"Don't you want to try it too, Sylbian?!"
As he soothed Cherentia's persistent pleading and headed to the meeting spot...
His eyes drifted to the Adventurer's Guild building smack in the middle of the main street.
The roughly seven-story guild bustled with adventurers, exuding an impressive presence.
'Is it because Soren's more dangerous?'
A guild's prominence often reflected the region's danger level.
Before long, they arrived at the meeting spot.
"Lord Sylbian, you've arrived!"
Sera, who seemed to have been waiting, approached with her distinctive red hair swaying.
Tension was plainly etched on her face.
"We weren't late, I think."
Sylbian glanced at her nonchalantly.
Compared to her initial disheveled state, Sera looked almost unrecognizable now.
Just cleaning herself up properly drew admiring glances from the crowd for her beauty.
"I got here early to wait. I couldn't risk making you wait. Ah, did you rest well too, Lady Cherentia?"
"I slept great on that super soft bed!"
As Cherentia answered brightly, Sylbian cut in casually.
"No need to drag this out—let's go. I've got to stop by the guild today too."
"I couldn't ask for more. There's a good spot; I'll guide you there."
As they started toward the city's outskirts, passersby glanced their way.
A mage and a beastkin,
and a stunning adventurer.
An odd trio by any measure, but they soon blended into the diverse crowd and faded from notice.
Sera kept stealing glances at him as they entered the city outskirts.
Sarulk...
Amid her silver hair swaying with each step, the mage's mystical purple eyes seemed utterly calm.
If anything, he looked even more at ease than that first day.
'Can he really use magic?'
The doubt she'd felt back then had only grown stronger over the past few days.
She'd never heard of a stigmatized exile wielding magic, even back in the Gracia Family.
Deep in thought, Sera led them into a building in a back alley.
Creeeak...
The old hinges on the door let out an eerie groan.
The dimly lit interior, starved of light, was deserted.
"No one will see us here. Perfect for you to demonstrate your magic, Lord Sylbian."
Sera lit up the space and regarded him steadily.
"Bigger inside than I expected. Old training ground?"
"It used to be the rally point for Haksen's party. Now... it's just mine."
As she gave a wry smile tinged with quiet sorrow, Sylbian didn't press further.
Step.
He surveyed the vast, well-kept interior, then headed to the center to prepare his spell.
Cherentia naturally sidled up to Sera.
"Sera, you're in for some amazing magic today!"
Her expectant tone made Sera look at her in wonder.
"Is he really that incredible?"
"Sylbian's the greatest mage I've ever seen!"
Cherentia declared it flatly, never having seen another.
"I... see."
Sera blinked in surprise before turning away.
'Just how great is he?'
Standing at the center, he looked ready to cast at any moment.
But the stigma on his neck still caught her eye.
"Honestly, I couldn't wrap my head around it. I heard stigmatized mages have their mana severely restricted."
"I felt the same at first. Couldn't believe it watching Sylbian."
"But seeing his magic changed your mind."
"Exactly! Sylbian's magic was incredible!"
As Cherentia's praise continued, Sylbian slowly gathered his mana.
Shaaa...!
Mana currents swirled around him vividly.
A deep blue light began illuminating the dark interior.
Concentrating, Sylbian frowned slightly.
'No, if you're hyping me up that much.'
He couldn't settle for something modest anymore.
Srulk!
He gently grasped the surrounding blue mana.
As it coalesced softly in his hand and his eyes settled completely...
"Esitil Chante."
⟨ Esitil Chante ⟩
With the incantation, he flung the gripped mana flow into the air in a grand burst.
Shwaaaa...!
The blue mana scattered widely at his gesture, swiftly taking on a defined form.
"...!"
"Ooh!"
Sera's mouth fell open in disbelief, while Cherentia marveled openly at the unfamiliar spell.
And rightly so.
A massive blue spear now rested in Sylbian's hand.
The brilliantly gleaming spear radiated overwhelming power on its own.
Its sharp edge promised imminent launch.
But it didn't end there.
Srulk.
With a light wave of his hand, the spear shot from his grasp, soaring steeply through the air.
Shoooosh...!!
Its path across the vast interior transcended the very concept of a spear throw.
One might picture a straight-line trajectory for a hurled spear.
But now...
The mana spear danced unpredictable arcs at his command, trailing countless blue streaks.
It was a display of mana control pushed to its limits.
"...Impossible."
Sera murmured blankly, unable to trust her eyes.
She'd expected mere proof of casting—nothing impressive.
Even if a stigmatized mage could cast, it wouldn't be anything special.
But what was this?
This colossal spear weaving intricate blue trails...
It was magic beyond even seasoned adventurers' defenses.
Even gold-rankers might struggle against it...
"Sera."
Sylbian called to her then.
"Y-yes?!"
She startled and replied, as he casually began walking.
Srulk...
The spear obeyed, descending toward his lowered hand.
His mana-charged purple eyes pierced straight through her.
Sera met his gaze, utterly overwhelmed.
Shrieeek...!
The spear's trajectories continued filling the air even as he reached her.
"I think that's plenty of magic demonstrated."
His confident voice resonated directly into her ears.
An echo.
A massive one that shook her to her core.
"......"
Sera's mind went blank.
Indescribable shock and awe.
And the spear still slicing through the air kept stealing her gaze.
Finally, she forced her lips open.
"Are you... really an exile?"
Her intense stare fixed on the stigma etched into his neck.
How could such a mage exist?
That was when it happened.
Thud!
An unexpected sound rang out from the door...