No Objections (2)

Marcelo doubted his own ears.

……Superfluous?

The real power in the Mage Tower, chief mage. That position was never one you could easily ascend to or defend. Not only did it demand ability, but to hold onto the chief's seat, you had to demonstrate relentless achievements.

Is there a problem in the exploration process?

Naturally, Marcelo took immense pride in his position as chief mage. And yet? Superfluous elements existed in the exploration process?

And from an adventurer, no less……?

Moreover, the one pointing it out was an adventurer. Even the senior mages coveting his position kept their mouths shut, so how could an adventurer ignorant of magic raise such a question?

In the Crystal Hall.

"Something's up."

"Marcelo won't let that slide with his personality."

"Who the hell is that guy anyway? Never seen him before……?"

The audience's murmurs were inevitable. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on an excellent presentation. Marcelo was sure to explode soon, turning into a viper spewing venom at seniors and skilled mages alike……

"……May I hear the reason for your thinking?"

……Wait, what was that response?

The audience stirred. They'd thought it nonsense, just nitpicking. They'd expected Marcelo to blow up for sure. But this reaction……

"……Could the question actually have some merit?"

A small voice murmured nearby. Marcelo answered inwardly.

I have no choice but to admit it. Superfluous elements do exist.

It stemmed from the discrepancy. Science, a concept utterly alien to magic. Fusing those two to manifest new magic—the process was grossly inefficient. Even Marcelo himself had spent months obsessing over manifesting this paltry orb of flame.

In truth, he still couldn't fully accept the retort.

That limit is unavoidable.

Yet even with his lofty pride, Marcelo was still a mage of the Mage Tower. Being called out at an academic conference? That paled compared to the pursuit of magic's essence.

That's why he'd asked the man.

All eyes turned to the man at Marcelo's question. The players who'd been silently watching began whispering.

"……Hey, isn't that Lee Hoyeol?"

"Took you long enough? Who else rocks that silver hair edgelord vibe?"

"See? Told you he was from our department. But alchemist my ass—can't you tell he's a mage class? Nobility just radiates off him……"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Dude, manners during the conference."

Manners. And right in front of Hoyeol, no less. The players quickly shut up.

Of course, Jessie had been ignoring the pointed-hatted mage trying to talk to her, standing ramrod straight with hands clasped at her navel in perfect deference.

The flood of attention.

"……Damn. Gonna make me nauseous."

"I'd be stuttering if it were me. For real."

"I'd just bite my tongue."

And the glares weren't friendly—they came from the Mage Tower's formidable mages. Enough to crush anyone. Yet Hoyeol showed not a hint of tension.

He remained seated in his Crystal Hall chair, posture unwavering.

Then Hoyeol replied.

"Grandfell too hath experienced that discrepancy. Chief Mage Marcelo."

……Experienced it?

No, before that—how had he even noticed the discrepancy himself?

Marcelo faltered. Then came words that seemed to comfort him.

"But fear not."

"……?"

Whoosh—flame bloomed in Hoyeol's palm. It spun, forming an orb of flame identical to Marcelo's.

"……!!!"

The Crystal Hall fell into shock at the sight. Of course, Hoyeol finished calmly.

"Utilizing centrifugal force in the interference process, was it? The method is crude, yet the result is commendable. A splendid presentation, Chief Mage Marcelo."

*

Whoosh—the spinning flame orb hovered above my palm. I swallowed a sigh.

……Who knew it could be used like this.

I'd avoided ignition spells because of their poor mana efficiency. But adding basic elementary science—centrifugal force—skyrocketed that efficiency. As you see, even with minimal mana, I could sustain it indefinitely!

Coming was the right call.

It wasn't just Chief Mage Marcelo's flame orb. Every spell presented at the conference was remarkable. Sure, most were beyond my meager mana reserves.

But I've got them all memorized.

With enough mana backing them, I could manifest them anytime. In that sense, I couldn't help but offer utmost praise at the end.

"A splendid presentation."

Above all, I felt a camaraderie with Marcelo. I'd struggled with that discrepancy too. Science and magic—two utterly incompatible concepts. Converting [Skills] into magic had kept me up for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠days.

Yeah, even a great chief mage of the Mage Tower must've suffered for days, right? His gaunt, ashen face said it all.

"We'll take a short break and resume the conference!"

Break time already? I was still gazing at the flame orb in my palm.

Wonder if the efficiency holds for larger manifestations.

Maybe I won't have to fight so scrappily.

I was lost in thought when someone approached. Skeleton…… No, Chief Mage Marcelo.

……What now.

I flinched inwardly. I'd been worried about it. After all, I'd critiqued his research—in the grand regular conference, no less.

"Dost thou have business with Grandfell, Chief Mage Marcelo?"

Of course, I couldn't show it. What could I do when this body and mouth were so arrogantly formed?

But Marcelo's next words were unexpected.

"Adventurer Lee Hoyeol."

Marcelo addressed me with full formality. Then he made a polite request.

"Would you join my research?"

At that moment, my vision flickered.

……Magic wasn't enough; now a quest too? I thought again.

Attending the conference was definitely the right move.

*

Yusra Archipelago.

Mid-Pacific. Clear skies. Azure seas. A gentle breeze.

Just that made it feel like a vacation spot.

"Sis, doesn't this give off Arcana vibes?"

"Reminds me of those dream-filled, hopeful days~"

"Should've packed a bikini."

The legendary island. Yusra Archipelago's scenery was legendary in itself. Every inch incomparable to the mundane world, as they said. Its natural beauty outshone any resort.

"Bikini? Cut the crap, you're embarrassing us. Shut it."

Of course, expecting sentiment from a berserker who only knew battle was futile.

On the dazzling sandy beach, Leoni stood with legs spread wide, glaring askance at the portal.

"Fucking horde. For real."

Players? No surprise they swarmed. What was Yusra Archipelago? Even back when Arcana was just a game, it was everyone's treasure island dream. Truth would reveal itself, but the hype alone drew top guilds and players.

"Yes, I'm here at Yusra Archipelago now."

Reporters filming it all? Expected.

"Didn't see that coming."

But NPCs too? Not anymore—Arcana natives now?

Anyway, even those summoned from Arcana flocked here. Monsters and rifts held no interest, but treasure did.

"Ugh, head hurts."

More rivals by the truckload……!

Leoni's head throbbed. Even a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠glance showed elite NPCs arriving.

"Lion Heart Knights. Shadow Mercenaries. Oh? Explorers' League too? Damn, everyone's treasure-crazed."

Small mercy: The Mage Tower mages stayed true to form, focused on research. What was the Mage Tower? A group where each mage's power defied imagination. Legends said it once reshaped Arcana's order. Jokes claimed their research obsession was for balance.

"Hoo—"

And couldn't overlook the one-man armies. Especially since Skal was likely appearing here.

Ranking 1st, Skal. Leoni knew his absurd strength as a fellow ranker.

……Skal plus one more.

Lee Hoyeol ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too. Overwhelming.

Leoni sighed again.

"Still, gotta snag something."

Yeah, she wasn't the only one fretting competition. The subtle tension around the portal—players and guilds eyeing each other—told it all. No way she'd lose.

"……Sis, why the death glare?"

"Those bastards are eyeing us like creeps."

"Maybe they think you're cute?"

"Cute my ass."

As Leoni's already sharp eyes narrowed further—

Bzzz—her pristine wrist smartwatch vibrated. She connected the call.

"Yeah. Conference over already? Come straight here?"

Guild ranking 20th, up from 21st. No shock that Berserker Guild had an invitee to the Mage Tower conference.

But the report was the shocker.

"……What? Lee Hoyeol praised the chief mage?!"

—Sis! Language! Not praised—critiqued.

"Same diff. So it blew up? Got chewed out?"

Even geniuses needed tact. Talking smack to the Mage Tower chief? Leoni stifled a giggle.

"Knew it from how petty he got over food. Called it."

……Sis holds grudges forever.

Guildmates stuck out tongues briefly as Leoni gaped.

"Wh-what?! He accepted it? The chief mage?"

Those arrogant pricks took the critique? Unthinkable.

But the shock wasn't over.

"And on top, a quest……?"

Then Leoni imagined it. The monster. Backed by the Mage Tower. Descending on Yusra Archipelago……!

Shiver—chills hit her.

No time for this! She cut the call abruptly.

"We go in fast and hard. Everyone, prep!"

And Hoyeol's news didn't stop with Leoni.

"Yeah. Listening."

"……Lee Hoyeol?"

"So the bastard was a mage."

Guildmates at the conference relayed the scoop. Faces shifted wildly among recipients.

"……What? A Mage Tower quest?"

"You sure? Not a mix-up?"

"Bowing his head right there? No way……"

"Bro…… what do we do?"

Seoul's Lee Hoyeol. From mid-Pacific, he upended Yusra's atmosphere.

*

Naturally, I accepted Marcelo's request.

Whatever it was, a quest was a quest. One others couldn't even dream of. A linked one, at that! Plus, Mage Tower quests meant solid rewards.

Even one mana regen item would be a win.

That said……

Where's he dragging me? And the reward?

I followed Marcelo up the Mage Tower's upper levels. The stairs were no joke.

Floosh—even stepping into empty air, floating marble slabs rose to support my foot. Like a ride. Damn, old me couldn't have taken one step.

For real.

"Once more, my thanks for your cooperation."

A wooden door floated ahead. Before its antique frame, Marcelo continued.

"This shall be your research lab, Adventurer Lee Hoyeol."

Is this lab the first quest reward?

Marcelo added,

"Anything needed for the research—speak it."

……Beyond generous. Daring to guess, I might be the first player assigned a Mage Tower lab.

Yet calmly, I accepted it as my due.

I replied,

"Then I shall request necessary items at once."

On the desk, I scrawled across parchment.

Unabashedly.