Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch
----------------------------------------------------------------- ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In truth, it was impossible for Jeon to fully comprehend the blueprints that spanned over thirty pages.
Not only did the artifact manufacturing process require engineering knowledge, but understanding the principles of magic at a higher circle than his own was utterly out of reach.
So Jeon focused on the parts of the blueprints he could grasp.
'I might not know much else, but I'm confident in Magic Language.'
Thanks to the Korean Patch, he had a profound understanding of Magic Language.
Building on that, Jeon zeroed in on the problematic combinations of Magic Language and magic formulas in the current artifact.
And because of that...
Even if fully grasping the concept and principles of the Distortion Field was impossible,
he could pinpoint the issues with mana flow formation—crucial for efficient spellcasting—and the high mana density in that space.
"So, what exactly is the solution?"
Ralph watched Jeon with eyes still sparkling, eagerly asking about the fix.
"In my view, the core of the Distortion Field lies in regulating mana flow."
"Mm, I think the same."
"Then, I believe we should stick with the pre-modified version, focused on mana flow, rather than the current revision."
"But as you demonstrated last time, that would clearly introduce performance flaws in the Distortion Field, wouldn't it?"
To Ralph's concerned counterquestion, Jeon pulled a mana stone from his pocket—the artifact he'd crafted himself.
"What's that?"
"An artifact I made. It gathers and stores ambient mana bit by bit."
"Oho, you made an artifact yourself? Mind if I take a look?"
"Of course."
Mid-discussion on the solution, when Jeon produced his handmade artifact, Ralph examined it closely with curiosity-filled eyes.
'This guy... is he less a genius and more just magic-obsessed?'
Or maybe he's called a genius precisely because he's obsessed with magic?
Having never met a true genius before, Jeon watched Ralph with equal fascination, waiting patiently until he finished inspecting the mana stone.
After a long examination, Ralph nodded and handed the mana stone back to Jeon.
"Impressive. It sounds simple in words, but this is a remarkable artifact."
"Thank you."
"That was my honest impression. Accepting mana and storing even small amounts is basic for artifacts, but this pushes that performance to the extreme."
Ralph emphasized that his praise was genuine, not flattery.
But setting aside such admiration...
"Still, what connection do you see between this artifact and the Distortion Field generator?"
The priority now was improving the Distortion Field artifact's completion.
Ralph hadn't yet grasped how Jeon's mana stone would help.
In fact, that was perfectly normal.
'It's just for show anyway.'
In Jeon's eyes,
to perfect the Distortion Field artifact, they needed to maintain the current mana flow while maximizing mana density in the space.
The problem was balancing the two due to magic formula limitations, but Jeon found the answer not in formulas, but in runes.
'Boost the space's mana storage capacity with storage runes to increase density.'
The more complex a magic formula, the higher the chance of internal conflicts.
But using runes—a separate domain—might avoid clashes and even enhance performance.
'Of course, it won't work on the first try.'
In any case,
Jeon had shown the mana stone as a stand-in, since directly revealing the storage rune was tricky.
"What if we incorporate the core magic formula from this artifact into the mana density formula in the current blueprint?"
"Hmm."
Ralph stroked his chin thoughtfully at Jeon's suggestion.
The magic formulas in the current Distortion Field artifact were the fruits of long research.
Deviating from them risked not just performance issues, but outright failure to manifest the field.
"I can guess your thinking, but even adding just a core formula might disrupt the overall balance significantly."
"Hm, I don't fully get it yet, but modifying even one piece of Magic Language in a formula takes our entire research team two straight days... I'm not sure."
As Ralph said,
they couldn't implement Jeon's idea immediately, even if explained.
Ralph had skimmed the artifact, but hadn't grasped it yet.
Jeon knew this well, so he didn't push for blueprint revisions on the spot.
"Then, do you have any prototypes I could test on?"
"Prototypes..."
Ralph trailed off, pondering Jeon's words.
His accumulated knowledge made it hard to accept easily, so he hesitated.
But soon, he nodded decisively.
"No dedicated prototypes, but I have some stored defective units."
"Would it be okay to use those for testing?"
"Of course. Follow me."
Decision made, Ralph stood and led Jeon.
He'd deliberated, but was deeply curious about the results of Jeon's core formula idea.
Jeon followed Ralph.
The destination wasn't far—just across from Ralph's room, a short distance away.
"This is where I test ideas alone at night or dawn."
A research lab slightly smaller than the room Ralph had been in.
He called it for light work, but despite the size, it had all necessary equipment.
"These are all defectives. I use them for tests too, so feel free."
With that, Ralph handed over a box.
Inside were piles of items resembling the artifact Jeon had seen during his qualification exam.
'He's tried all sorts of variations.'
The current design was two bracelets,
but the box held overlapped pairs, singles, even triples—various failed forms.
Jeon sifted through the failures, carefully selecting one for testing.
'Find one with stable mana flow but unstable density maintenance.'
He finally picked a square cube, not a bracelet.
"That's from the very early days. You sure?"
"Yes, it seems perfect for trying."
With the test subject chosen, Jeon moved to the lab's widest spot.
Ralph's curious gaze followed, wondering how he'd test it.
"Alright, here goes."
"Hm? Right here?"
"Yes."
Ralph had assumed Jeon meant inscribing new formulas onto a defective to make a prototype.
But doing it right there?
Before Ralph could ask more, Jeon infused mana into the cube. Wooooong! The cube hummed with faint light and vibration, producing a very shallow Distortion Field.
But as a defective, it formed not a hemisphere, but a square forward projection.
Mana flow existed, but the density was so thin that it couldn't block even a stone thrown by an adult man, let alone a spell.
'Good, now the real test.'
Jeon poured more mana into the cube.
Simultaneously, he overlaid it with the storage rune magic on its surface. Wooooooong! The cube's vibrations intensified, and the Distortion Field began taking shape.
As Jeon fed more mana,
what started like a shallow puddle's surface deepened to a spring's,
then a stream's flowing surface,
and finally a turbulent river's complex currents and depths. Wooooooooong! Soon, as the cube shrieked wildly,
"Th-this...!"
a raging sea-like Distortion Field loomed before Jeon and Ralph. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Impossible!'
Ralph couldn't hide his shock at the perfected Distortion Field before him.
And rightly so.
When he'd handed Jeon the defective, he hadn't expected a full field at all.
'But it's perfect—the closest to my ideal!'
Fierce mana flows perfectly dominating the dense space.
A masterpiece embodying his recent insights on space and mana control.
'Jeon... what in the world...?'
Staring in awe at the field, Ralph's gaze shifted to its creator, Jeon.
At their cafe meeting, he'd helped the young qualification examinee out of admiration.
Before the fourth exam, he'd noted surprising talent for his age.
After, despite youth and low circle, he'd glimpsed recent insights, raising expectations.
So he'd requested Jeon for his lab.
But only as a compatible researcher for the artifact—not expecting instant perfection.
'People called me a genius, but...'
He'd just clung to magic he loved, focusing on rigorous research for solid results.
But Jeon?
He acted on inspiration without hesitation, sensing intuitively rather than calculating on paper, and produced results.
'Is a real genius like Jeon?'
He fit the tales of genius perfectly.
As Ralph marveled at the field and its maker, Wooooong—Craaaack! "Ah." Craaaack—Kwachik! Cracks formed on the cube, unable to withstand the vibrations, and it shattered completely.
"...Guess this is the limit for now."
The field vanished as the cube broke.
'Still, it worked.'
Jeon had achieved his goal.
Forcing mana storage into the space via storage runes on Ralph's formula enabled perfect manifestation.
'Now, the key is how well I bluff from here.'
Next: join artifact creation, pass off storage runes as core formulas, and complete it.
Ralph had promised the first unit if Jeon helped finish it.
It could become a new form with the runes he'd researched anyway.
"Incredible... truly incredible!"
"Pardon? Oh, uh-huh."
As Jeon mentally outlined his plan,
Ralph, eyes full of admiration, approached and grabbed his hand.
"Would you take a disciple?"
"...Pardon? Not master, but disciple?"
"Yes. If you're taking one, I'd like the spot."
What nonsense is this?
Jeon slipped his hand free and stepped back from Ralph's bold proposal.
"How could I take you as my disciple? No, I'm not even at a level to take disciples."
"No. I've seen in you, Jeon, the makings of a great mage for the history books. Being the first disciple of such a great mage would be the highest honor."
Ralph was one of the White Mage Tower's rumored next tower masters.
With the requirement being 7th Circle or higher—great mage realm—Ralph was openly expected to reach it.
For such a man to suddenly offer discipleship and proclaim Jeon a future legend left him flustered.
"No, I'm only 3rd Circle, you're 5th! And I'm much younger!"
"I've heard learning knows no age or status."
"There's a limit!"
Jeon already saw Ralph as eccentric—from their first impression, his odd speech, and today's magic-mad vibe.
But this?
'This is too much!'
Succeeding once with the field and he wants to be a disciple?
This went beyond eccentric to magic-blinded fool.
"Please take me as your disciple!"
"No, I said it's impossible."
"Then honorary disciple!"
"That's not a thing!"
After a prolonged tug-of-war,
Jeon barely fended off actual discipleship.
"But you can't stop me from holding you as my master in my heart."
"...Fine, do as you like."
Though he couldn't prevent becoming Ralph's mental master in the end.