Chapter 25. Parachute

Grandfell harbored no such emotion as humility. To underestimation, he offered proof. To overestimation, he would inevitably make it reality.

That was his unchanging nature.

Knowing that full well, I added to the list on the parchment without hesitation.

Shamelessly demanding so much—did it make me feel sorry? Regrettably, no.

As I said, I would repay this excessive treatment in full.

So in the end, the one suffering would be me. Whatever, let's just call it preemptive payment.

I handed the parchment filled with demands to Marcelo.

"We'll prepare it right away."

……Really? That's it?

I'd steeled my heart for shamelessness, but seeing Marcelo's nonchalant reaction finally put my mind at ease.

He thanked me once more.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Adventurer Lee Hoyeol."

Then he added frankly,

"However, we can't conduct proper research just yet. As you pointed out, my exploration process has its flaws."

Marcelo gave a wry smile. With his gaunt, fleshless face, his pitiful expression stirred a twinge of sympathy.

Of course, that didn't mean I could help.

How am I supposed to explain what I just see?

Innate talent. This wasn't something you could grind out with effort.

Of course, I wasn't the type to voice such inner thoughts.

"Wait. Until you overcome that gap."

Grand words, but the reality was simple: I'd wait until the next quest popped up.

Marcelo's face brightened a little.

"Thank you for your understanding. During the research, feel free to use this lab and anything needed for it upon request. Then……."

Click—

Marcelo left the lab, leaving me alone to think.

……No matter how I looked at it, things were going too smoothly! Even after I'd cursed my loose tongue for its sudden outbursts.

I thought to myself,

……Could this be thanks to my luck, too?

34 levels gained. I'd invested 33 points into magic and the last one into luck.

I didn't even want that much luck, seriously.

Why, even just the class quest had been reward enough for investing in luck, hadn't it?

But human nature being what it was,

There's no proof it's luck's effect, but……

Didn't things just keep going my way every time I dumped points into luck?

Anyway, good superstition to have.

With my thoughts sorted, I finally took in the lab's surroundings.

For a research lab, it's ridiculously luxurious.

Research desk, bookshelves, even the quill pens—nothing offended the eye.

If even Grandfell's aesthetic sense found no fault, that was saying something.

All the players' money went into this place.

The Mage Tower of old, viciously sucking up gold. Sure, they didn't charge portal fees now, but back in the game days, its infamy was legendary.

In short,

Built on players' blood and sweat.

My impression slipped out.

"A pity there's no green tea."

Yeah, I should've added green tea bags to the list…….

No, that's not the point.

I'm getting more shameless by the day……!

This was the Mage Tower, one of Arcana's top powers.

Thanks to being chief mage, I'd snagged a whole lab. My position was a textbook parachute drop.

This isn't something to celebrate.

Parachutes had standards, too. At least function like one—don't plummet to the ground; float on the clouds awhile.

So what I had to do now was simple. No different from before.

If sinking was the old goal to avoid, now it was not falling.

Time to flail again.

In that sense, it was a decent start.

Scribble—

"!"

Suddenly, text began engraving itself on the desk's parchment.

……As expected of Mage Tower mages—a magical messenger.

Very mage-like.

Before the thought finished, I flinched.

The mana regen item I'd requested…….

At minimum, worth billions to tens, hundreds of billions. Considering the Mage Tower's level, even rarer ones might exist.

I'd requested them for research purposes and gained borrowing rights.

What was I thinking? Handing such things to a parachuter?

Normal people would hesitate, feel burdened.

But I boldly grabbed the quill and scrawled.

*

The Mage Tower's top floor. Glowing orbs studded the ceiling, casting backlighting shadows.

Marcelo faced five shadows—the tower's elder mages.

"We respect your judgment, Chief Mage Marcelo."

Marcelo said nothing. He'd expected the summons.

Proposing joint research with an adventurer.

And not just any research—one that might hold the key to resolving the current crisis.

Thus, Marcelo had done something unprecedented in Mage Tower history.

That knowledge, that talent is essential.

Reproducing magic just by seeing it? Incredible on its own.

But the reproduced magic wasn't ordinary.

Marcelo was certain.

And he knows about the gap.

Precisely, he'd spoken as if he'd overcome it.

Mysterious.

How does an adventurer grasp magical concepts?

Even he struggled with scientific notions.

But one thing was clear: the man would be a huge help.

To the silent Marcelo, the shadows added,

"But you must bear responsibility for that judgment."

Responsibility?

Marcelo swallowed a scoff.

Are you qualified to speak of responsibility?

Idiots lost in ideals, ignoring reality.

Marcelo despised the elder mages.

He wanted to call them out, question the tower's contradictions right then.

But he couldn't.

"Withdraw, Chief Mage Marcelo."

The shadows turned. Behind them loomed a massive mana sphere, a human silhouette floating within.

"No more disturbances, yes?"

Marcelo bowed his head.

Grind—

He ground his teeth softly.

How long will you stay silent, Tower Master……!

*

Garnet Hall. A space red as pomegranate stain.

A robed mage stood there.

"The requested mana regeneration magic tools."

……But why so many?

I'd expected much from the Mage Tower, sure.

But this quantity exceeded even that.

I examined each magic tool and item.

……Hold on. Starting off insane.

A Lv.550 restricted unique item. Players couldn't even dream of touching this.

And the effect? No joke.

Ice magic only, but 50% mana recovery on use.

……Efficiency will be broken at higher levels.

High-tier magic guzzled mana.

Worth its weight in gold, truly.

Of course, pie in the sky for me.

Lv.550. Over 400 levels short.

Even the small stuff hammered home my parachuter status.

But naturally, I didn't show it.

"Splendid."

I calmly checked the next.

……But wait.

[Restriction: Lv.500]

[Restriction: Lv.600]

[Restriction: Lv.450]

All level restrictions too high.

I couldn't help ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bristling.

What do they take my level for……!

Overestimation much?

I wanted to demand different tools, but the parchment message…….

Expect the Mage Tower's discernment? What discernment!

Mouth runs faster than brain, indeed.

Then, one particularly small item caught my eye.

Not a necklace or ring…… a brooch?

Noticing my interest, the mage said,

"It's an incomplete magic tool, but we prepared it just in case."

Incomplete, huh. Let's check.

……Oh?

Level restriction: pass.

After all those god-tier items, it felt underwhelming.

But on second thought, no.

Ice, fire—all had restrictions.

50%, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠40% recovery, but with caveats.

This brooch? No conditions.

And considering my combat style……

My style wasn't fancy. Magic, science—whatever I had, I threw it all in a desperate brawl.

In that sense, better than any other here.

"I'll borrow this one."

Passed even Grandfell's picky aesthetics, too.

The mage looked surprised at my choice.

"No other magic tools needed?"

I couldn't use them anyway……! But death before admitting that.

"This suffices for me."

"Understood! We grasp your intent."

What was with that admiring look?

Seemed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he'd misunderstood, but I had no more business.

Yeah, why stare at unreachable trees?

Better build strength to climb any giant one.

Time to flail again.

I left Garnet Hall promptly.

My destination? Not the Yusra Archipelago like the players below.

Just an ordinary rift.

Know my place.

Treasure Island Yusra. Tempting nickname, but minimum level 350.

I'd beaten Lv.430+ Count Ascura, so why fear?

No demons……!

Yusra had no demon monsters.

Ascura's domain worked thanks to Natural Enemy.

Magic was efficient, but without enhanced mana, I couldn't cast it repeatedly.

Regrettable, but unavoidable.

I'd resolved as much.

Plus, building foundations now—with Mage Tower backing.

No need to rush.

Yusra was distant for me…….

"!"

Then it happened.

The dormant class quest blinked.

……Wait, this forces a change of plans?

I didn't hesitate.

Pinned the brooch to my suit lapel.

Far too elegant prep for battle.

But I declared gravely,

"No training rivals real combat in efficiency."