Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch
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"An elixir...?"
Elixir.
In this world, it was a treasure revered by mages and knights who wielded mana and aura alike.
Just consuming one could increase one's mana or aura capacity, and it even transformed the body itself to become far more attuned to mana and aura—a miraculous potion.
'I really wanted one back in the early days.'
Truth be told, those from prominent families who trained in magic or swordsmanship were typically fed such elixirs from childhood on a regular basis.
No need to mention the princes—the highest-status people Jeon had encountered—Lena alone, as the lady of House Silvermont, had grown up consuming all sorts of elixirs since she was little.
'But now...'
Elixirs certainly provided tremendous benefits to mages and knights.
However, their maximum effect peaked around the 3rd Circle level.
Once one stepped into the realm of enlightenment, it became difficult to dramatically boost mana capacity or explosively enhance physical functions through elixirs.
Of course, even so, it was still far better than not taking one at all.
Besides, since this was an elixir from Mirna, it was bound to be rarer than most. Jeon set aside his stray thoughts and gratefully accepted her gift.
"I never imagined you'd give me something like this. Thank you."
"Hohoho, are you satisfied?"
"Pardon?"
But even seeing Jeon's reaction, Mirna didn't wipe the meaningful smile from her face.
"I know you've stepped into the 4th Circle. And ordinary elixirs have little effect on mages beyond that."
As if reading his mind, Mirna pinpointed Jeon's very concern. She continued, eyeing his slightly flustered expression.
"But that elixir, Silver Phantom Ginseng, is different. It provides sufficient effects even for 4th Circle mages who've attained enlightenment. Especially for you, Jeon, in your current state... it'll likely be even more effective than if you'd taken it at the 3rd Circle."
"Pardon? What do you...?"
Occasionally, there were elixirs so rare and exorbitantly priced that they still offered meaningful benefits to high-circle mages and knights.
But more effective than at the 3rd Circle?
"Jeon, you attained enlightenment quite recently, didn't you?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Gaining enlightenment quickly has its advantages, but it's not without drawbacks."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Rapid growth often creates an imbalance between mind and body."
"Ah."
Jeon let out a gasp of realization at Mirna's words.
'She's right.'
As she said, compared to his mental growth—accelerated by recent enlightenment and insights into the arcane—Jeon's mana capacity and physical development still lagged behind, like a body in its growth phase. He could feel the gap.
"It's especially true for young ones like you and Lena, who attained enlightenment at such an early age. Your bodies haven't fully matured yet."
To fully harness enlightenment, balance between mind and body was key.
Who knew this Silver Phantom Ginseng could bridge that gap so effectively?
"Its cultivation method has been passed down solely among House Silvermont's mages. We've never sold it for money... but we proudly claim it rivals the continent's finest elixirs."
Jeon nodded in agreement at Mirna's words, laced with pride.
Her explanation alone made it clear this was no ordinary elixir.
"But if you're cultivating it yourselves... is the supply plentiful? With Lena here too, I feel a bit hesitant to take it."
"Hoho, it's not common. Right now, that's the only one that's grown so well."
"Pardon? Then..."
"Even so, you're the perfect match for that Silver Phantom Ginseng, Jeon. Lena's my granddaughter, but it'll benefit you far more than her."
Beyond blood ties, she was giving it to the one who would benefit most from it.
"Besides, after your trip to the ruins, I sensed your balance had been disrupted in several ways."
"...You knew."
Moreover, Mirna knew Jeon had achieved even greater mental growth since returning from the ruins.
In truth, though both Jeon and Lena were 4th Circle mages, Jeon's additional mental advancements made his imbalance far more severe than hers.
"I also know how much you've done for us. So feel no burden in accepting it."
"...Thank you."
Mirna knew all this, which was why she'd given such a precious elixir to Jeon.
"And it's a bit of a bribe, too."
"Pardon?"
"Come visit with Lena again sometime."
To keep the mood from growing too heavy, she ended with a lighthearted laugh—a considerate touch so Jeon wouldn't feel burdened.
"Of course. I will."
Jeon accepted her playful remark with a smile.
After such kindness, hesitation would be rude.
Thus, he carefully tucked the wooden box she handed him into his bosom.
Only after confirming this did Mirna drop her teasing smile and ask casually,
"So, you're leaving tomorrow?"
"Hm... Departing around lunch or afternoon tomorrow should be about right. To reach the village with the inn nearby without arriving too late."
They'd already stayed longer than planned.
Heading back to the Mage Tower tomorrow would minimize any suspicion.
"I see."
"I'll come back soon, without delay."
Jeon added reassuringly to Mirna, who couldn't hide her reluctance.
Even without the Silver Phantom Ginseng, now that he knew about her bond with Lena, he planned to return when possible.
"Hoho, looks like the bribe worked."
"It did."
Both knew it, yet they exchanged jokes without spelling it out—each considerate of the other.
"Thank you for listening to me so late. I always feel bad for keeping you up when I call you this late."
"Haha, this much is fine. Then... I'll head back."
"Yes, go on. If you're leaving tomorrow, you should rest up."
"Right, that's best."
As she said, the night was deep; it was time to return and rest.
"Safe travels."
With Mirna's farewell, Jeon left her home.
It was late, but heading straight back to sleep would allow a decent rest.
So he hurried toward the inn.
But that night, not only Jeon, but Mirna and the villagers too...
Not a single one fell into deep, peaceful slumber.
"Is this the place?"
The guide who'd led him here nodded at the man's question.
"Well hidden, indeed."
With that, the man cast his gaze toward the village perched midway up the mountainside.
A tiny rural hamlet, the kind found on any mountain.
Yet this was where House Silvermont's mages—long at odds with the Order—had been hiding.
"Truly, without you, Kairon, rooting them out might have been impossible."
Tremble, tremble.
Was it his name being called, or the man's words?
The guide trembled violently.
His shaking betrayed his rage, but he couldn't move further.
His body no longer obeyed his will.
This flesh wasn't Kairon's original body to begin with.
It was Balkazar's corpse—head long severed—pieced together with parts from other people, beasts, or monsters into a makeshift form.
And its master prioritized loyalty to its creator over any soul within.
"Why so upset? You betrayed your comrades and joined us, Kairon—or should I say, Balkazar?"
Nod, nod, nod.
At the man's question, the grotesque body housing Kairon's soul nodded frantically.
Perched atop a human neck wasn't a human head, but a slobbering orc's—making the nodding all the more eerie.
Tremble, tremble, tremble!
The body shuddered harder in response.
Shaking wildly, head nodding madly, half the orc face grinning, the other half gnashing teeth in fury.
"Hahaha, what a delightful sight."
Kan burst into amused laughter as he watched.
"You two were bitter enemies in life, yet death has made you a perfect pair."
As he spoke, Kan casually raised a hand.
The body's grotesque movements halted instantly.
Both soul and flesh belonged to Kan now.
Be it Kairon or Balkazar, neither could defy him—they were bound in submission.
"Now then... shall we go?"
Having stilled the body housing Kairon and Balkazar, Kan turned back to the village.
Black energies began seeping from his form.
Thick clouds veiled the moonlight, plunging the night into darkness, but the aura rising from Kan was deeper, blacker still.
Clank, clank!
Screech, screech!
Grind, crunch!
From the oppressive darkness enveloping Kan emerged unsettling noises first.
Then came black-armored knights and black-robed mages.
"It's been a while, my legions."
Kan smiled contentedly at his emerging minions.
-We greet our lord.
Clank, clank!
The subordinates knelt in unison, pledging loyalty.
Hundreds materializing from the mountainside to bow to one man—it was a spectacle in itself.
"Rise. We have much to do tonight."
-Command us, any mission at all.
"These are the ones who've plagued my Order for ages. Tonight, we eradicate them."
-Your will be done!
Clank, clank!
Knights and mages rose as one at Kan's words.
Black energy swirled around them, arming them with swords, spears, and staves they hadn't held before.
"Ah, right—you'll need something too."
Kan, leading his battle-ready forces, glanced at the idle body housing Kairon and Balkazar.
"You've labored to bring us here. From now on, I'll call you Kabal."
Tremble!
A careless name, blending the first letters of Kairon and Balkazar.
Yet it sent the body shuddering in thrill.
It absorbed nearby black energy; the shabby flesh smoothed over, dyed black, and a black robe draped the once-naked form.
"As my greatest creation, I expect great things from you tonight, Kabal."
-Y...our... will...
Thus prepared, Kan's legions marched on the tiny village.