Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch
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'What the hell? What's going on with everyone?'
Seeing the crowd gathered thickly in front of the elevator, Jeon unwittingly took a step back.
"Oh no, they're already swarming!"
In contrast, Tasha, who had escorted Jeon here, bit her lip in dismay and stepped forward.
"Everyone, please wait a moment! Jeon is currently an apprentice under our dispatch team! All procedures should go through our dispatch team!"
"Apprentice my ass! Come to our lab right now! We'll make you a full member—no, chief researcher on the spot!"
"No way! Come to our lab! We get way more research funding!"
"What nonsense! In terms of funding, our lab is the top in the White Tower...!"
But even with Tasha stepping in, the people blocking the way showed no signs of backing down easily.
By this point, Jeon could tell this wasn't a normal situation.
'...So the invitations weren't just because I got first place?'
First place in the qualification exam happened every month.
There was no way that alone would draw such a crowd.
In other words, Jeon's score must have been incredibly impressive.
'Even so, this is a bit much.'
But even considering that, the fanaticism emanating from the people in front was hard to comprehend.
Especially since most of them were prominent figures in the Magic Tower.
Of course, it was all because Jeon had recorded results far more overwhelming than he imagined.
"This is the person who entered the White Tower today! And they're part of our dispatch team! Please follow proper procedures!"
In the meantime.
Tasha, who looked barely in her twenties, was holding her ground against these influential Magic Tower figures without yielding an inch.
Especially since she was the one speaking the truth.
"No, what I mean is..."
"If you have something to say, submit a formal request!"
"We just need to talk for a bit! Once you hear our terms, you'll change your mind...!"
"Since when could the esteemed White Tower with its long history just steal someone else's team member without a word?"
"You're being too rigid about this!"
"It's not rigid—it's following the rules!"
Tasha refuted each of their arguments one by one, gradually leaving them speechless.
And on top of that.
Beep-beep-beep!
The elevator warning alarm blared because the doors had been open too long.
"Alright, everyone, step back for now! We can't hear everyone's story like this!"
Faced with Tasha's firm response, the crowd reluctantly began to retreat.
"If you really want, please formally contact the dispatch team! We'll consider the team's schedule and Jeon's wishes before replying!"
And after soothing them just enough as they backed off.
"Ahem. Well, procedures are procedures, after all."
"Hmm, maybe we got a bit too excited..."
"Better to hurry back and submit an inquiry to the dispatch team first."
The gathered people calmed their excitement, glanced around cautiously, and started dispersing one by one.
'She's sharper than I thought.'
Watching Tasha calmly and decisively disperse the mob, Jeon inwardly admired her handling of the situation.
She didn't seem like the same clumsy person he'd first met.
"Phew, I didn't expect it to be this chaotic on the first day... You must have had it rough."
"No, you had it way worse, Tasha."
Once the intruders had finally left, Jeon and Tasha could catch their breath.
"Still, no one means any harm. It's just that such an amazing prospect joined us."
"Amazing prospect?"
"Of course. Your score will go down in White Tower qualification exam history."
A score for the ages.
'...Way better than just doing well, huh?'
Only after hearing Tasha's words did Jeon realize just how exceptionally he'd done on the exam.
And only then could he understand why the crowd had swarmed him.
'...Like the top grad school prospect showing up.'
In his previous life, Jeon had nearly become a grad student.
Professors had subtly encouraged him to give it a try.
If someone with the ultimate qualities for grad school appeared before those professors' eyes.
'No wonder they'd flock like this.'
Of course, it wasn't 100% the same, but that was Jeon's analogy.
"Then let's head to the dispatch team office."
"Sure."
Anyway.
With the commotion over, it was time to resume what they'd set out to do.
White Tower Dispatch Team Office.
It was just a team not assigned to any department, but given the White Tower's scale, the office was quite large.
From waiting rooms and break rooms to meeting rooms and personal spaces for team members, it was like an independent company.
"...The ripple effect is more terrifying than I thought."
And in the dispatch team leader's office within, they were currently buried under an avalanche of incoming requests.
"Anyone would think I forcibly dragged him into the dispatch team."
Most of the requests were from people wanting to meet and talk with Jeon, ranging from collaboration proposals with the dispatch team to outright demands to transfer him to their own labs or departments.
"But that's what puzzles me too. Did he really want to join our team?"
"...Ellie, not you too?"
Connect sighed in response to Ellie, the short-haired staff member sorting requests with him.
"Heh, kidding, of course."
"Still, the atmosphere seems better than before."
"Hehe, right? With such an incredible talent joining our team, everyone's excited."
Upon hearing Jeon was joining as an apprentice.
Like everyone else, the dispatch team members were thrilled and surprised.
Especially since rumors of Jeon's exam score, which had spread quietly at first, exploded over the weekend, amplifying reactions.
"By the way, I've only heard rumors and I'm dying to know—when's he coming...? Oh!"
"Team Leader, I've brought Jeon."
Just as Ellie muttered about wanting to see the man of the hour.
The office door opened, and Jeon and Tasha entered.
"Ooh..."
Ellie stared at Jeon with eyes full of wonder and curiosity, while Connect smoothly stepped in front of her to greet him.
"Welcome. You must be tired from the trip."
"...Yeah, getting here was harder than expected."
It would normally be polite small talk.
But Jeon had truly struggled to get here.
If Tasha hadn't handled it decisively, he might still be trapped in that crowd.
"Looks like things are hectic here too."
"Haha, with all the buzz..."
The dispatch team was just as swamped.
Even before Jeon arrived, they'd been sorting requests from various places eager to meet him.
Jeon looked at Connect with eyes tinged with apology and sympathy.
"I'm fine. It's refreshing to have some energy around here for once."
As he said, even after the disappearance incident, work continued busily, but the vibe was dead.
No positive news anywhere—it was inevitable.
Then came the good news of Jeon joining the dispatch team.
Unrelated to the disappearances, it still lifted the gloomy, negative atmosphere.
"That's a relief then."
Jeon didn't know the internal details but nodded, seeing Connect's genuine relief.
"Shall I give you a quick rundown on the dispatch team?"
"Ah, yes."
After brief greetings.
It was time for the main purpose of coming here.
But despite the ordeal getting there, Connect's explanation was concise.
Basically.
The White Tower dispatch team stayed on standby internally and deployed for specific external missions—making it the department with the most outside activity.
"Of course, missions vary by rank. You get extra rewards beyond base pay for completing them."
Missions came with travel allowances, and for tasks exceeding the team's scale, they got help from other departments; conversely, they assisted others when idle.
That was the gist of Connect's explanation.
"So report to the dispatch team office for work."
"No fixed daily duties then?"
"Like Ellie here as my assistant, those without fixed roles are mostly free. But with over half the month on missions, it's compensated accordingly."
Rest after fieldwork, as long as missions weren't overwhelming—decent conditions for workers.
"Still, no one just idles. Being a Magic Tower, many pursue personal research in spare time."
The Magic Tower was fundamentally a research institution.
The dispatch roles attracted those less research-focused, but not entirely devoid.
Quite a few borrowed personal labs for their work.
"Hmm, so what about me?"
Unlike the norm.
Jeon had joined solely for the White Silver investigation.
Connect knew this well and had no intention of assigning unrelated missions—discussed at the dinner too.
"I was thinking of lending you a personal lab under my name at first..."
So Connect planned to provide one in his name initially.
"But looks like I won't need to."
With that, Connect went to his desk, grabbed a stack of requests, and handed them to Jeon.
"These are the better ones from requests piling up since work started. Investigation will take time anyway, so if any pique your curiosity beyond personal research, joining one could be good."
"Got it."
Jeon nodded at Connect's suggestion.
The elevator scene was shocking, but Jeon was curious about the tower's research too.
'Plenty that could help.'
He didn't know what happened to Silvermont's mages yet.
But a group disappearance wasn't trivial.
With his current abilities, he might not even help, let alone solve it.
So until the investigation ended, Jeon needed to boost his power maximally.
He skimmed the top request.
"...Hmm?"
A few pages in, a very familiar name caught his eye.
"I'll do this one."
Spotting it, Jeon's decision was swift.
He handed the request with the familiar name to Connect.
"Already? ...Ah."
Connect started to question the speed but stopped upon seeing the name, nodding in understanding.
And understandably so.
The name on the request was none other than Ralph's.
'This'll stir things up again.'
The meeting between the genius eyed as next tower lord and the history-making prospect.
Rumors would spread by tomorrow—no, tonight—Connect shook his head thinking about it.
But he was curious too.
'What happens when geniuses meet?'
As they say, only geniuses understand geniuses.
Like everyone else, Connect anticipated their encounter.
"Perfect. I'll send the response right away."
Connect took the request from Jeon with eager anticipation.