Just Baseless Worries (2)
Verification. It sounded grandiose, but it was nothing special.
[Omen of Impure Knowledge]. Since it was a demon's item with its power sealed, it simply needed purification.
In that sense, I couldn't check the item's effects right away.
"All things have their proper time."
Purifying a demon's item through the Exorcism Ritual required a demon to hunt, after all.
Of course, there was the option of using the Mage Tower's services. And without spending a single penny, thanks to my chief mage privileges.
But.
No need to go that far.
If I left the purification—and appraisal—to the Mage Tower, they would learn of the item's existence and effects.
Learning about its effects through someone else? That alone felt like a bit of a leak.
Besides, what kind of beings were the Mage Tower mages? A group endlessly pursuing knowledge.
They might even request to borrow it, like they did with the [Orb of the Vampire Count] after I slew Count Ascura.
Of course, I'd refuse any such request.
But above all, nothing's ever been a dud when I purify them.
Yeah, that was the real, most important reason.
The demon items I'd purified through the Exorcism Ritual all had outstanding effects, without exception.
From the aforementioned [Orb of the Vampire Count] to the gear I was currently wearing.
Of course, it's not like I can go hunting demons just because I want to.
As a demon hunter, I knew better. Demons were cowardly scum that hid deeper the more you sought them out.
They only revealed themselves when you forgot about them.
So the conclusion was clear.
Shut up and handle the task at hand first.
And the task at hand was, naturally, the quest.
─The Weight of the Chief (Repeatable)─ ▲
● Conduct verification in Topaz Hall.(Success)
● Successfully conduct the regular conference.(In Progress)
…….
Successfully conducting the regular conference.
And I knew exactly what actions were needed for that.
"Reading is the nourishment of the soul."
Flip—
As expected, only the sound of turning pages filled the air.
*
The Mage Tower's regular conference.
Even back when Arcana was just a game, it had been a regularly held event.
I could confidently say no other session had drawn as much global attention as this one.
The reason was obvious: me, Lee Hoyeol.
"What is the Mage Tower? One of the greatest military forces on the Arcana Continent. And on top of that, builders of the ivory tower of knowledge!"
"To receive official recognition from such a place. Incredible, Player Lee Hoyeol!"
"And not just any recognition— not apprentice, not proficient, not even senior mage! Equal status to the one and only chief mage…."
So the Korean broadcasters had already started popping champagne.
It was guaranteed ratings material.
VBC studio, in the midst of recording.
Producer Hyun Yong-seok nodded in satisfaction.
"Nothing beats national pride as a cheat key."
"Does that even work these days, sunbae? The young kids freak out over it. They say it's overhyping nothing. I check SNS sometimes to gauge reactions, and it's chaos!"
"Tsk tsk. National pride has its levels too."
Indeed. If anything, this was legal national pride.
On a global scale, not just Korea.
No exaggeration.
"Look. Even Japan's going nuts. Saying Lee Hoyeol proved East Asia's superiority. That he fought fiercely for Hokkaido."
"…Wah, for real?"
"People's bodies are honest."
Hyun Yong-seok was the same.
No, it went beyond national pride to a sense of catharsis.
"Honestly, it bugged me a bit. The Mage Tower's attitude. Not that I should complain since they benefited big time. But anyway, the Mage Tower clearly looked down on us—on humanity."
Arrogant as their fame suggested.
Except for keeping the portal open, they hadn't cooperated.
They hadn't even shown their faces properly.
If the Mage Tower had been cooperative, maybe reality's situation would be better.
Such criticisms continued, but the Mage Tower never changed.
Yes, that lofty, stiff Mage Tower.
And Hoyeol had entered it boldly. With status equal to the chief mage, no less.
"Feels like we landed a solid hit on the Mage Tower, right?"
"Come on, sunbae. Don't say it like that."
"Since we're at it, it'd be nice to land another real punch."
"Even for Hoyeol-ssi, that's impossible, sunbae."
The assistant director looked like he had plenty to say in response.
"Think about how much side-eye our Hoyeol-ssi must be getting. How much of a thorn in the side he must be to those great ones? Even when I first switched jobs, every idea meeting was nerve-wracking…!"
"What? You went through that? Why didn't you say so?"
"You just sighed heavily every meeting, sunbae. Anyway, if even I felt that, imagine his pressure. Everywhere—Arcana folks. All senior mages from the mighty Mage Tower."
"Hm. Makes sense."
Anyway, Hoyeol had entered the Mage Tower because his abilities were recognized.
But Hyun Yong-seok knew society didn't run on ability alone.
The Mage Tower wouldn't be different.
So here, better to cheer than expect.
"Still, let's watch. Who knows with Lee Hoyeol."
Interest in the regular conference wasn't limited to the media.
Players—especially mage-class ones—were staking their lives on it.
Players gathering at the Mage Tower one after another.
Their faces were filled with grim determination.
Again, because of Hoyeol.
"Gotta stay awake for real today."
"That's basic. Gotta try to understand with your brain."
"…But does effort even make it happen?"
Hoyeol's achievement that got him into the Mage Tower!
It started from 'that incident' at the last regular conference.
In the memories of players who witnessed it directly, Hoyeol's figure was still vivid.
"Still gives me chills thinking about it."
"How'd he even think to call them out?"
"To the chief mage, Marcelo, no less…!"
The shock had been that intense.
But who knew?
That bold critique would connect to the Mage Tower's quest.
Having seen it, the players had no choice but to be resolute.
"Honestly, couldn't we do it too?"
"Anyone remember Hoyeol's line from back then?"
"Something about exploration whatever. Ugh, my thick skull."
Sighs were brief.
As players pulled out their regular conference invitations.
Someone passed by them.
Jessie Haynes, wearing her oversized pointed hat.
Gulp—
Sudden silence among the mage-class players.
Hoyeol was already far beyond reach.
No one could see him as a rival.
'The most annoying is Jessie.'
'The biggest obstacle this conference.'
'Probability-wise, Jessie Haynes….'
Thanks to that, Jessie unwittingly became everyone's rival.
Unaware or not, Jessie's lips curved high.
"Yo, she's smiling?"
"First time seeing it? Jessie smiling?"
"…She looks prettier smiling."
"You lunatic. Snap out of it. She's a rival!"
Of course, no one could ask her why.
'Hat' notwithstanding.
Above Jessie's head, the pointed hat twitched.
Disciple, your eager anticipation for the conference is a sight to behold. Now you finally look like a true mage in your pursuit of truth. All that hard teaching was worth it!
But silence—no reply.
In that quiet, the hat suddenly realized.
The hat twitched more violently.
…Disciple. You're excited for the conference, right? Surely not… no way? Please, say something. Anything!
But no answer to the desperate plea.
Clack clack.
Ascending the dizzying Mage Tower stairs, Jessie suddenly stopped.
Crystal Hall, the venue for the regular conference.
At the entrance, she took a small deep breath.
'…Why am I the one trembling?!'
Yes, the one who should be nervous was Hoyeol.
Unlike other players, Jessie had felt the changed atmosphere while frequenting the Mage Tower.
Hoyeol, who handled the pre-conference verification.
Thanks to him, she knew the frozen mood of the Mage Tower all too well.
'They're all watching.'
Especially the senior mages, eyes blazing.
The conference results affected their school's honor and standing—no exaggeration.
Different from Hoyeol proving his ability.
A separate issue.
No way the seniors would look kindly on Hoyeol.
"!"
As expected.
Entering Crystal Hall, she saw the senior mages.
Counting them—all present.
'Even Matis-nim?'
Even Matis Din Karl, senior black mage who rarely attended conferences.
Definitely a different vibe in Crystal Hall than before.
Yes. The silence flowing through Crystal Hall at that moment.
Within it, different thoughts swirled.
Some burned with quest desire.
Some harbored grudges over the pre-verification.
Others worried for Hoyeol.
But those thoughts didn't last.
Soon, the sound of shoes echoed in the hall.
The moment Hoyeol appeared, he declared.
"Chief Mage Marcelo will not attend this regular conference due to the Round Table Conference. Therefore, per procedure."
Making someone's worries fade.
In a calm voice.
"I will moderate this regular conference."
*
Regular conference.
Round Table Conference.
Of all things, the Mage Tower's two major events overlapping!
Whoever scheduled it, if this were a company, it'd be a write-up at minimum.
This? 'Marcelo trusts me way too much.'
Dumping the regular conference on me.
Marcelo showed no concern.
No, he was glad.
—"Thanks to your help, I can attend the Round Table."
What even was the Round Table that he'd dump the conference on me to attend?
At first, I was puzzled.
But hearing the details, I nodded involuntarily.
The chief mage called the Mage Tower's real power.
Marcelo held the lowest rank there.
Tower Master.
Elder Mages.
And Chief Mage Marcelo.
Their meeting was the Round Table Conference.
What exactly was discussed there? Beyond me.
'Don't even know what they look like.'
I'd never met the Tower Master, let alone the elders.
They were hard to see from the start.
Even among seniors, few had met the higher-ups—finger-countable.
In that sense, a bit exciting.
—"I'll bring back good news for sure."
Marcelo added that.
A meeting with the high ones.
Good news among the agenda? ….
'Something big's coming.'
Whatever it was, expectations were fine.
Of course, that was just my fleeting thought, Lee Hoyeol's.
Never showing on the surface.
"In the interference process, I attempted various variations…."
Thanks to that, I focused on the conference.
I listened intently to the proficient mage presenting research, not missing a word.
As said, conference-presented magics were verified, high-level, and new.
For me, who used anything, very helpful.
However.
Not enough.
Above all, I bore the weight as chief.
What was chief (首席)? Top rank/position.
Occupying the seat to lead others.
Pride wouldn't settle for that.
……Damn pride!
Thanks to it, I'd pored over magic tomes till dawn.
To me, such proficient mage research couldn't satisfy.
If this were Topaz Hall, I'd have rejected without mercy.
But this was Crystal Hall, mid-conference.
And I was moderator, substituting for Marcelo per procedure.
So. As chief, I opened generously.
"Do you truly believe that is your best?"
"……!!!"
That was my standard, the problem.
. . .
"Do you truly believe that is your best?"
"……!!!"
Hoyeol's following words.
Senior mage Nasrow's face gradually changed.
'How dare he speak of illusion magic!'
From anger—
"……I, impossible."
To shock—