Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch 108
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"What... what is this...?"
Staring at the heart that had literally gulped down the bead, Jeon unwittingly made a dumbfounded expression.
But unlike Jeon, the heart stopped vibrating as if nothing had happened and fell silent.
"Hey, what the hell? What's going on?"
Out of exasperation, Jeon grabbed the heart and shook it, even tapped it, but it remained completely unresponsive, like an ordinary stone again.
"Hah..."
Jeon let out a hollow laugh as he gazed down at the heart, which had swiftly absorbed the bead and returned to normal.
"I never imagined the Dragon's Heart would react like this."
Mirna, who had been watching the scene alongside him, showed a similarly deflated reaction.
The mysterious power emanating from the bead had been quite impressive, and it was absurd that the Dragon's Heart had reacted on its own only to go quiet again.
"Still, let's think positively. The fact that the Dragon's Heart reacted on its own to something related to the Apostle means there might be some connection."
"...Yeah, you're right."
As Mirna said.
This was the first time the Dragon's Heart had ever reacted on its own, so there was something positive to take from it.
The only issue was how ridiculous it felt.
'It just gobbles it up and that's it?'
Jeon glared at the still-unresponsive Dragon's Heart, sighed helplessly, and tucked it back into his bag.
"I had all sorts of questions prepared... but this feels so anticlimactic."
He had originally planned to discuss with Mirna how to research the bead today.
But with the subject gone, those plans had all gone up in smoke.
"Hohoho, you must be quite disappointed."
"Well, yeah... but what can you do."
It would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed, but he couldn't bring back what was already gone.
As always, Jeon wasn't one to dwell on unsolvable matters, so he quickly shook off the regret.
"So, what are your plans now?"
With the bead discussion unexpectedly wrapped up, Mirna asked about Jeon's next steps.
Jeon pondered her question for a moment before answering casually.
"With so much happening, I think I need some time to sort things out."
"A wise choice. Especially after such massive growth like this time, it's essential."
As Mirna said, Jeon had achieved tremendous growth this time.
Not just mental growth like before, but physical growth as well.
'My height shot up, for one.'
Indeed, thanks to the dragon ginseng, Jeon's body had undergone significant changes.
His height had increased by about 5 cm all at once, his shoulders had broadened, and his overall build felt larger.
'And my strength has gotten much greater.'
He had trained his body daily without fail, but it hadn't reached the level of a professional knight.
Now, his physical abilities had risen a full level, enough to hold his own against entry-level knights.
Beyond those external changes, there were substantial internal ones too.
The amount of mana he could handle had changed entirely.
This came from his body being able to accommodate a greater total volume of mana.
Even without advancing his circle, Jeon could now wield far more mana than before.
Previously, the purple and gold mysteries within him had been barely accessible, like tasting a flavor.
Now, he could wield both to a considerable degree as he wished.
'I thought it only healed my wounds...'
When Jeon had eaten the dragon ginseng.
He had done so in a do-or-die mindset, hoping mainly to heal his immediate wounds.
But not only had it healed them as desired, it had yielded far greater unexpected gains.
"Lena was incredibly jealous, by the way. Especially about the height growth."
"She should give up on beating me in height by now."
"Hohoho, she's just grumbling because you grew so fast."
With this 5 cm growth, Jeon had clearly outgrown his boyish stature.
Beyond the dragon ginseng's effects, his growth plates were still wide open at his age.
By adulthood, he wouldn't have to worry about his height anywhere.
"Anyway, take this time to review what you've gained. Who knows when you'll get another break like this."
"...You think the Luin Church will move right away, don't you?"
"Exactly. It involves one of their Apostles, after all."
The Apostles held immense status in the Luin Church.
If one had been defeated in some unknown place, the likelihood of a massive investigation—far beyond before—was high.
"I'll do my best to conceal your existence, but thorough preparation never hurts."
"You don't have to push yourself..."
"It's not pushing—it's only natural. From our perspective fighting the Luin Church, you're a hidden card to keep secret until the very last resort."
As Mirna said.
The Luin Church still didn't know Jeon's identity.
So, the known Silvermont mages would step forward, while Jeon's existence had to stay hidden as much as possible.
"Even if we take losses in the process."
"Ah."
Mirna's expression held firm resolve as she said this.
Jeon could only nod in gratitude, at a loss for words.
'Until now, even fighting the Luin Church, we were actually afraid of them...'
As seen in the battle with Khan.
The Silvermont mages positioned themselves as a secret society battling the Luin Church, but even at full strength, one Apostle was too much.
Chiron had betrayed due to the gap in power between the Luin Church and Silvermont mages, a chasm like an insurmountable wall.
But not anymore.
The gap remained large, but now there was hope to close it.
And that hope was Jeon.
'A talent whose limits we can't even guess.'
At this young age, he had already grown enough to land a blow on an Apostle.
And that growth showed no signs of stopping.
'If we rally around this child, we can stand against the Luin Church.'
Beyond Silvermont mages, groups opposing the Luin Church existed.
But despite the common enemy, they couldn't unite.
Selfish interests played a part, but to Mirna, the biggest reason was the lack of a central figure to unite them.
A being who could give hope that they could fight openly without secrecy and not lose to the Luin Church.
To Mirna, Jeon was that being.
"How long did Tasha say her trip would take?"
Mirna, gazing at Jeon with resolve, soon softened into a warm smile and shifted the topic naturally.
"I think she said about a week."
"Then we have about four days left. Make good use of the time before heading to the Magic Tower."
"Yes. Thank you."
Seeing how Mirna always looked out for him, Jeon bowed his head in thanks.
'...I'll miss it when I leave.'
Until recently, focused on needing to leave soon, he hadn't felt it much.
But now, he realized he had grown quite attached to the place—and especially to Mirna, who had always been considerate.
It even felt a bit bittersweet to depart.
"Once the settlement is decided, I'll definitely come back."
"Hoho, I'd be grateful. And who knows? We might end up near the Magic Tower. Then we can see each other often."
"Haha, I'd like that."
Their warm conversation continued until evening.
"Haaah... I'm tired."
Inside the mana carrier heading to the White Magic Tower.
Lena, who had just switched driving duties with Jeon, muttered in an exhausted voice.
But Jeon teasingly picked at her words.
"You were just watching from the side—why are you tired?"
Lena's driving skills were still inexperienced, so she had only observed and learned while Tasha drove.
In truth, there was no reason for her to be fatigued from driving.
"...It's not from driving. I'm just not shaking off the fatigue."
Lena shot him a glare and grumbled in response to his jab.
Unable to retort directly since she knew her driving was lacking, Jeon chuckled at her roundabout complaint.
"Fair enough, then."
After the life-or-death battle with Khan.
Lena had traveled to villages here and there, greatly aiding reconstruction.
Jeon knew this well, so he nodded in acknowledgment.
"But I'm still worried. Master, the villagers—everyone's planning to leave the village."
Thinking back on village matters brought regret, so Lena murmured while gazing at the road behind them.
"Well, they'll decide properly with the support from the Magic Tower."
Tasha, who had been away for reports and cleanup, returned with a few Magic Tower mages.
She was now traveling with Jeon's group to the tower, but the others stayed to help with the relocation.
'The Magic Tower's paying attention too.'
Having heard via Tasha, the Magic Tower had quickly sent aid, so relocation shouldn't be too hard with their help.
"I hope they don't go too far away."
"They probably won't."
Leaving the wistful Lena behind, the mana carrier carrying Jeon's group sped onward.
'Travels are usually incident-free.'
Aside from the goblin horde on the way from Haswell to the White Magic Tower, Jeon had rarely encountered trouble while traveling.
This time was no different; they arrived without issue.
However, as peaceful as the journey was, a noisy commotion awaited upon arrival at the White Magic Tower.
"...It feels kinda chaotic, doesn't it?"
"Yeah? I didn't hear about any events or festivals..."
Upon reaching Linkroft, the surroundings already seemed bustling and hectic.
Sights typical of festivals made the group wonder.
And the bustle only intensified.
By the Magic Tower, it was twice as rowdy as outside.
So, they grabbed a passing mage to ask what was happening.
"Excuse me, has something happened at the Magic Tower?"
"Oh? Are you from the dispatch team?"
"Yes."
"You must have just returned."
The busy-looking mage glanced at the group disembarking from the mana carrier and kindly explained.
Hearing the reason, the group was utterly shocked.
"What? Her Highness the Princess is at the Magic Tower?"
"Yes. The Empire's First Princess, Briella Eldragon, has been staying here for a few days."
It made sense—only days after the Empire's Third Prince had visited, now the First Princess was at the Magic Tower.