Chapter 238. It's Familiar to Me

Crystal Hall.

Lee Hoyeol left the hall, leaving the connection device behind. Yet the shockwaves lingered, refusing to fade easily.

The players were the first to whisper among themselves.

"……He's saying he'll share this incredible opportunity with us?"

"And he hasn't even tried it out first!"

"Damn, what the hell was I even thinking……."

Once again, they realized it. Hoyeol's pride was so immense it was hard to even call it something one could chase after. And with that weight came profound meaning.

Some players glanced around.

"We can return to the Arcana Continent."

"Mother, Father……."

"I just want to confirm they're safe."

Hoyeol had said exactly that.

—"No one can judge the weight of that purpose."

Indeed. Who could possibly weigh the gravity or lightness of such a story? Once they had entered the Mage Tower, there was no returning to their previous lives. Yet for them, the Arcana Continent was home—and home held their blood kin.

Senior healing mage Bellie Yusia let out a soft chuckle.

"It seems you're saying you won't overlook a single thing."

Bellie knew. Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol never even skimmed the tower exit applications. Every rejected one came back with appropriate reasons and points for improvement.

And it wasn't just exit applications. The pre-screenings for regular conferences were the same. From Cley Odia's 『Methods for Cultivating Rare Herbs』 research to the immature works of novice mages—Hoyeol pondered them as if they were his own.

'But now, bearing an even heavier burden. You're shouldering it alone again.'

She wanted to share the load right then and there…… but Bellie lacked confidence. It was incomparable to exit approvals or pre-screenings. The responsibility that followed was immense.

'Chief…….'

That was why Marcelo could barely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lift his head.

Elder mage Yugweed spoke to him.

"Impressive, isn't it, Chief Marcelo? To be honest, if I were in your position, I'd have hidden the fact that I even obtained something like that for a while."

"You're quite frank, Elder Yugweed."

"Heh heh. Why make trouble where there is none?"

But what about Hoyeol? Not only did he scratch at that trouble—he laid it bare before the Mage Tower. No, the entire world. As if inviting the arrows to turn on him.

"A vessel beyond my comprehension."

"The same for me."

"Meow."

"……?"

A cat with fur bristled straight up. The Tower Master squeezed between them, babbling.

The Tower Master had finally finished weighing things in her mind.

'In every way, you are more suited to the seat of Tower Master than I.'

It was a decision that would horrify the person involved if he knew.

"Anyway……."

Marcelo gazed toward the exit where Hoyeol had departed.

'You said you had no time to spare.'

Where could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the chief be heading in such haste? Exiting through that door meant he was still in the tower.

Marcelo rose from his seat.

'……I can't stand it.'

Hoyeol and Marcelo had been jointly researching the device for returning to Arcana. But if Hoyeol's words were true, there was no need to continue.

'I may not even have the right to know.'

Yet the nature of a mage was insatiable curiosity. He needed to speak with Hoyeol to soothe his hollow heart.

The mages, led by Marcelo, buzzed as they filed out of Crystal Hall. Amid them, two remained seated to the end: Bensy William and Banggrit Tom.

"As expected, Chief Lee Hoyeol hasn't abandoned me!"

Exit approvals weren't trivial, but compared to returning to Arcana? Naturally, Arcana was the far greater prize!

"All those rejections were preparations for today!"

Banggrit's eyes scanned the smug Bensy.

'……Where does that confidence come from?'

For a commoner like Banggrit, who had risen to senior mage, gauging the mood was second nature. That's how he grasped the true meaning behind "bearing it."

'And the process won't differ from exit reviews…….'

Bensy, who couldn't even pass exit approval. As if you'd make it to Arcana……?

The harsh truth rose to his throat, but Banggrit just grinned awkwardly.

"Heh heh. Wait for me, little bro. Big bro's coming."

……Yeah, you'll realize it soon enough without me saying. Enjoy your joy while it lasts, Senior Bensy.

*

Roundtable conference concluded.

I headed straight to Garnet Hall.

There was only one reason to visit Garnet Hall.

'Time to go to the Arcana Continent.'

So, I needed to borrow some magic tools. And risk another scolding from Grandfell.

I sneak a glance at my level.

Not a bad reward for getting backstabbed by Raymon Sean. Leveling hadn't been easy since hitting the 600s.

Flutter—

Now the jacket fluttered with every step. Just 20 levels left until I could equip it properly.

That alone was reason enough to grind, but.

'Higher levels broaden my options too.'

Memories of parachuting into Garnet Hall resurfaced vividly. Back then, barely scraping level 100. The Mage Tower's magic tools had seemed like pie in the sky.

Now, I could pick freely.

"Ah, Chief Lee Hoyeol……?"

The skilled mage guarding Garnet Hall flinched. After suddenly calling the roundtable, what business here?

I replied nonchalantly.

"The roundtable is over."

"Ah, right! But what brings you to Garnet Hall……?"

"I'd like to borrow some magic tools under chief authority."

"Ah, understood! Any specific ones you're looking for?"

Mage Tower mages rarely relied on magic tools. Born with the talent to enter, they pursued research, truth—endless self-improvement.

Thus, tools merely amplifying manifestation power were unused without special purpose.

So.

"I need manifestation-related magic tools."

"……!"

No wonder he was shocked. It implied a special purpose for me.

Of course, he wouldn't pry.

"Th-then, this way……."

I followed into Garnet Hall.

'Oh ho.'

A few tools from my parachute days caught my eye. How frustrating low levels were—I even remembered their names.

That necklace-like tool, [Frozen Knowledge], right?

Still a must-have for any ice mage. 50% mana recovery on expenditure? Imagine that on a pure mana tool.

'Epic grade at least.'

I hadn't known back when my knowledge was limited. Now I got why a unique item with low restrictions: Ice magic was niche.

'No real strengths, honestly.'

Excels in specific scenarios, but glaring weaknesses. Worst, fatal matchup against mainstream fire magic.

'And he rose to elder mage with ice magic.'

Truly impressive, Senior Curtain Revel. And I was acknowledged by that very man.

No more parachute-era me, all show. Back then, I ogled and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠borrowed just the [Six-Pointed Brooch].

Lee Hoyeol was beyond that now.

I confidently grabbed [Frozen Knowledge].

"!"

……Too boldly? The skilled mage's pupils twitched.

But it was too early to be surprised. I said brazenly.

"Next, select the one I'll borrow."

Not just entering Arcana—I'd face the dying elder dragon, Yunak Seus. Maybe even whatever drove an elder dragon to death.

Could I prepare with just one tool?

'……It's gonna be ridiculously flashy.'

Even now, necklace, brooch, fluttering jacket—overkill. But thankfully, no eyes in Arcana.

So endure the gaudy outfit a bit, Hoyeol.

"Not bad."

"I'll borrow this."

"Same."

For a while, only my voice echoed in Garnet Hall…….

.

.

.

Garnet Hall's true overseer was senior enchantment mage Kiko Armin. All events reached her.

Today's was no exception.

"……What did you say, Raran?"

Skilled mage Raran, guarding the hall, repeated carefully, enunciating.

"Chief Lee Hoyeol borrowed a total of twelve magic tools……?"

Twelve. A lot, but not shocking—chiefs had free borrow rights.

The issue was the types.

Kiko tore at her hair, scanning the parchment.

"[Frozen Knowledge], [Heart of the Seahorse], [Dice of Fate]……?!"

All twelve: "decisive battle" tools amplifying manifestation.

Reading on, Kiko finally understood Raran's distress.

"……Senior Kiko!"

"Jumping to conclusions isn't wise, Raran."

"But……!"

Unlike others, decisive tools required rental periods. Indefinite use by mages was unpredictable.

Even Hoyeol followed rules.

Raran sniffled.

"The rental period Chief Lee Hoyeol wrote……!!"

No need to say—Kiko refocused on the parchment. Hoyeol's handwriting calmly stated:

.

.

……Well, not wrong. But did it have to be so blunt?

"Until return from Arcana" would've been kinder.

Until death! Simple reason: My title [The Last Adventurer] effect.

Confirming that reliable effect again.

In Grandfell terms: In hellish Arcana, until death—never bow or bend.

The skilled mage was horrified, no doubt thinking I was shamelessly milking tower tools till death……!

'If only I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠got flak for real greed.'

Pure integrity meant no real greed. Yet treated as shameless for borrowing twelve till death.

'So unjust. Truly.'

……But clearing misunderstandings? Too many stories to tell first.

Only teetime soothed this grievance.

"Mm."

So no complaints about green tea, Grandfell. Bitter is good for you. What I needed now wasn't caffeine—but rare herb doping.

……Elcidoir the elf grew them? Or organic? Solid effects.

'Slight boosts stack into big differences.'

Time to prepare the crossing.

Clink—

I set down the teacup and stood. Feeling from opening the Arcana portal? Needed space to handle massive manifestation energy.

Perfect: Mage Tower top floor.

Opening the door wide to head up…….

Whoa!

What are they doing at my office door? Those grave faces? ……Wait, did they hear my tea grumbling too?!