Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch 88
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'What?'
The subtle gaze emanating from the short man standing behind Lucius.
Actually, it was so faint that it hardly qualified as a piercing gaze. Were it not for the strange energy emanating from that spot, Jeon might not have noticed at all—the pale purple light spreading from the man's eyes into the surroundings.
"Then, let me ask formally: will you become my subordinate?"
Whether he was aware of the short man emitting that gaze from behind him or not, Lucius revealed his recruitment intent to Jeon with a perfectly relaxed expression.
'Of course I'd refuse, naturally...'
Jeon's circumstances had improved considerably since meeting Lucian.
But his desire to avoid entanglement with the imperial family—including the princes—remained unchanged.
Of course, since their paths had crossed anyway, building some mutual goodwill couldn't hurt. Still, he had zero intention of becoming a subordinate, even on pain of death.
"I'm truly sorry, but I believe it's best for me to keep studying magic at the mage tower for now."
"You're refusing my offer outright?"
"Yes. I'm deeply grateful that Your Highness has made such a direct proposal to someone as lowly as myself, but I don't think I can join you."
"Hmm... I suppose I explained it too vaguely."
As if he hadn't anticipated such a sharp refusal, Lucius stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before beckoning Jeon closer.
"Come sit here. I'll explain why I want to work with you. Hear me out and decide again."
Even after Jeon had clearly stated his refusal.
Lucius showed no signs of withdrawing his recruitment offer easily.
'This is getting burdensome.'
Still, with the Third Prince insisting so earnestly, Jeon had no choice but to comply. He reluctantly followed Lucius's gesture and took a seat on the sofa opposite him.
"Alright, let's talk it over slowly."
As he spoke, Lucius flicked his hand in front of the short man, who then headed into the pantry attached to the VIP lounge.
He soon returned with two cups of tea.
Lucius lifted the cup handed to him by the short man and gestured for Jeon to drink as well.
'What is this all about?'
Why insist on sitting down here to talk?
Lucius had made his offer, and Jeon had refused.
That should have been the end of it.
Yet Lucius refused to back down and instead detained Jeon for further conversation.
What could the Third Prince possibly lack?
Of course, Jeon's talent was valuable enough to tempt even a prince.
But how had Lucius, upon their first meeting, recognized that talent?
"First, I should explain why I've come all the way to the White Mage Tower, right?"
As Jeon's mind filled with questions, Lucius began unfolding his tale.
"I'm following a revelation, you see."
"A revelation...?"
"Ah, not like the oracles the empire's priests speak of. I mean a direct revelation descending from up there in the heavens."
Lucius's finger pointed skyward.
Seeing it, Jeon realized something was deeply amiss.
'Is the empire's Third Prince... enthralled by a cult?'
The empire had an official state religion.
For an imperial prince to follow some other faith instead...
'Not the Luin Church.'
But it didn't seem to be the Luin Church either.
After all, the Luin Church didn't worship any god in the heavens.
Not the state religion, not the Luin Church.
That left only a cult.
"I know it sounds odd. But if you heard the revelation ringing directly in your head, you'd understand."
Well, now.
A so-called heavenly revelation that simply echoed in one's mind?
'Hallucinations, maybe?'
If he weren't actually a prince, Jeon would've asked point-blank if he was insane.
It was frustrating beyond measure that he couldn't.
Unaware of Jeon's inner turmoil—or perhaps indifferent—Lucius pressed on.
"And this man behind me is the one who shares the revelation with me."
"You mean both of you receive the same revelation?"
"Exactly. He hears it a bit sooner than I do, so I personally call him my prophet."
Lucius's words drifted toward the short man, who had handed Jeon his tea and returned to stand behind Lucius.
'That gaze shows no sign of stopping.'
Silent as ever, the faint purple light still emanated from his eyes, scattering softly into the air around them.
"Hey, aren't you going to drink your tea?"
Suddenly, Lucius urged him once more.
'...Honestly, it feels off.'
The tea gave off no unusual aroma or color.
He simply hesitated to consume a drink from a stranger in this situation.
"Ah, hot drinks don't really agree with me..."
"Even one from me?"
Jeon tried to beg off with an excuse, but Lucius cut him short before he could finish.
'Damn it.'
With the Third Prince pressing so openly, refusing outright wasn't an option.
'So this is class society for you.'
Feeling the irrationality of this world's hierarchy afresh, Jeon cautiously lifted the teacup.
'Just in case... I'll apply reinforcement.'
Of course, the Third Prince had no reason to poison him.
Especially not in the middle of a recruitment discussion.
But this was a prince steeped in court politics—who knew what else might be in it, poison or otherwise? To guard against the unknown, Jeon cast a reinforcement rune spell on his body.
The reinforcement rune boosted his physical abilities across the board.
Not merely explosive strength, but various resistances, including mental ones.
Slurp.
With the reinforcement rune active, Jeon took a sip of the tea.
"The aroma is excellent."
"Naturally—that's why I favor it."
Fortunately, Jeon detected no anomalies after drinking.
The scent was genuinely pleasant, leaving him almost embarrassed by his own caution.
"Then let's continue. There's plenty more tea, so feel free to drink up."
Evidently pleased by Jeon's approval, Lucius grinned and carried on.
"I received another revelation this time. My original schedule was quite packed—I planned to head straight back to the capital after the mission—but it came down that the talent I seek was here in Linkcroft. The White Mage Tower, specifically."
In other words, he'd impulsively visited the White Mage Tower based on voices in his head, revelation or not.
Tea aside, he clearly fell into one of two categories: cult-obsessed or mentally unwell.
"My prophet here received a similar revelation—more detailed, in fact."
"So beyond the timing, there are differences between your revelations?"
"Indeed. Mine are broad strokes; his are far more specific."
As he spoke, Lucius gazed proudly at the short man.
The faint purple light still radiated from the man's eyes amid it all, but Lucius either failed to notice or chose to ignore it, forging ahead undeterred.
"The revelation was straightforward: a young talent who'd recently entered the White Mage Tower would provide me great aid."
"But how can you be certain that talent is me?"
"The prophet felt it the instant he saw you."
The more Jeon heard, the more it felt like this "prophet" was toying with the prince from above.
'Something's seriously wrong here.'
The Third Prince's odd state was concerning enough.
But relying so excessively on one person defied understanding.
And with that subtly spreading purple gaze thrown in...
'Could it be mind control?'
But how?
The Third Prince was a seasoned knight.
He placed great stock in the way of the sword; while not a master, he had attained graduate level.
Mentally dominating or brainwashing such an expert was no simple task.
Aura inherently resisted mental intrusions.
As Jeon mulled it over, Lucius—having drained his cup again—turned to him with a grave expression.
"So, I extend the offer once more. Won't you join me in following the revelation?"
The recruitment pitch resumed.
Only this time, a change occurred—not from Lucius, but courtesy of the man behind him.
'The gaze...'
Flash!
The faint purple light from his eyes abruptly intensified, lancing straight toward Jeon.
Moreover, the pervasive purple hues that had been quietly infiltrating the space converged on Jeon in an instant.
Jeon felt them envelop his body... and burrow inward.
"Now, your answer?"
Convinced Jeon would finally deliver the desired response, Lucius pressed eagerly.
"...So that's what it was."
But alas.
Utterly different words emerged from Jeon's lips.
"Who the hell are you?"
And not directed at Lucius, but the man lurking behind him.
Flinch.
Not anticipating Jeon's gaze upon him, the man's body shuddered once.
Lucius opened his mouth to intervene.
"Hey, what do you think you're—"
"Puppets stay quiet."
Jeon sliced through Lucius's words without hesitation, eyes locked on the man.
"Not magic, not aura... what power are you wielding?"
"...Why... are you unaffected?"
For the first time, the man's lips parted at Jeon's resolute demeanor.
With it, Lucius's mouth snapped shut as if enchanted.
"Why? Even after downing this tea, your power's a dud—got you rattled, huh?"
Meeting the man's visibly flustered gaze head-on, Jeon lifted his teacup and dumped its contents onto the floor.
"You... what are you? How is my brainwashing failing?"
"I asked first."
"No, why won't my power—"
"I asked first."
Cutting off the man's frantic barrage, Jeon rose from the sofa.
Before the man could react to the abrupt move...
"Answer."
Jeon closed the distance in a blink and seized his collar.
"G-gah!?"
Empowered by the reinforcement rune, Jeon's motion was beyond what the aura-less, mana-less man could track visually.
His hood tore free, fully exposing his face.
Gaunt from emaciation, with jutting cheekbones and deeply sunken eyes, the man's venomous visage stood out starkly.
Jeon paid it no mind and shook him by the collar.
"Answer."
"Y-you bastard!"
Struggling to resist, the man summoned more of his power.
His eyes flared purple once more, intensely.
"Quit getting feisty."
Slap!
Jeon lightly backhanded his cheek with casual indifference.
Crack!
The man's head whipped aside; blood and several white fragments tumbled from his mouth.
"Oops. Misjudged the force."
He'd swung lightly, but the reinforcement rune had amplified it more than expected.
No apologies forthcoming, of course.
Jeon gripped the collar anew.
Locked eyes with him and repeated, ever so politely.
"Answer."
The man's gaze trembled fiercely now, laced with an anxiety Jeon had never witnessed before.