Drug-Eating Genius Mage – 34



“I’ve been thinking about it lately.”

Aris who was quietly looking at a book suddenly spoke up.

A library filled with warm sunlight. A sonorous voice resonates in a clean space filled with the smell of paper.

“Aren’t you really lacking in concentration?”

“yes?”

Lennok who can be said to be the incarnation of a wizard simply in terms of talent lacks concentration.

These are quite unfamiliar words to hear from someone who can control magic power at a particle level even when blades are flying in front of his eyes.

At least Lennok had never once failed to control his concentration since he woke up in this world.

However contrary to Lennok’s sentiments Aris seemed to have a lot to say about this issue.

She put the book down on the glass table with determination and glared at Lennok slightly.

“That’s right. “Am I wrong?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“At best every time I come to the library I take the time to explain the theory in person but my thoughts keep wandering somewhere else. This is already the third time! “Did you think I didn’t know?”

“…………”

That’s right. The meeting with Aris which lasted once every two weeks was already entering its third year.

That’s not surprising. A considerable amount of time has passed since I made an appointment with the girl I met again at the library.

Lennok who took a considerable break as soon as a request was completed stayed in the library for a short period of time.

Lennok responded as he closed the book he was holding.

“The professor has a ridiculous misunderstanding. “Where is the evidence that I am not concentrating?”

“Usually the person who gets stabbed looks for evidence first.”

“But I have never made a mistake in the questions and answers given by the professor.”

“……”

Aris closed her mouth with a disapproving expression.

Lennok bit his lip slightly to suppress laughter as he looked at her face.

In fact there is nothing wrong with what she said.

The theories that Aris taught Lennok were aimed at those who had not yet learned magic properly so many of them were basic and it was also true that Lennok was unable to concentrate on the explanations.

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

However the questions she gave during the class were relatively simple so I was able to answer them without taking the class.

Still after seeing his face a few times he seemed to realize that Lennok was thinking about something else during class… but Lennok’s acting was too excellent to be trampled on.

Lennok stared at Aris who silently pouted and picked up a book.

“……..”

‘Is it almost time?’

Even if Lennok ignores her question and ignores it there is no reason to offend Aris’s sarcasm.

Especially considering the fact that Lennok was thinking of asking her for help.

In fact when they first met in the library Lennok had planned to be content with just taking her classes like he was doing now.

Revealing oneself carries great risk and Lennok was not strong enough to bear that burden.

But it’s different now.

After meeting the Ascendant Lennok couldn’t help but want more.

Wasn’t it part of that decision to take a risk and join hands with Dyke to increase influence in the underworld?

And if you can take a step forward in the shade what can’t you do the same in the sun?

The person named Aris Richellen whom Lennok experienced through three meetings was clearly someone more trustworthy than the nameless mercenaries in the back world.

Lennok took a deep breath before speaking.

I was planning to bring up something I’ve been thinking about even before this meeting today.

I reflected on what I had to say and slowly opened my mouth.

“Actually the professor is right.”

“…What?”

“There were circumstances that prevented me from concentrating in class.”

As Lennok said that he got up from his seat and walked next to Aris.

Ignoring Aris’ reaction of being startled and flinching I quietly looked at her face.

If she even expresses displeasure here she’ll be in trouble.

Rich blonde hair swept to one side.

Clear and blue eyes that are so clear and hard to believe even when looking directly in front of you.

Lennok being careful not to be distracted by her sophisticated beauty accepted the book she was holding.

“Elucidation of the magic driving principle. “It deals with the operating principles of magical power which are generally used in the use of magic but there were some things that I personally did not understand.”

Comparison of practical knowledge and theory gained while using magic on one’s own.

For the first time I ask her about the ignorance that comes from that gap.

“Horsepower acceleration using rotation and pumping through continuous pressure. The two utilities are depicted very simply in this interpretation. “There was no explanation at all for cases where when the amount of horsepower available at once exceeds a certain level the two effects of acceleration and pumping are completely reversed and control becomes difficult.”

“Now wait a minute. How do you do that…”

“Other interpretations and papers treat this phenomenon as a very unusual exception and interpret it vaguely but I think differently.”

Lennok’s calm gaze gazes quietly into Aris’ eyes.

“I think this is a rare theory that is only available to wizards who have reached a certain level of knowledge.”

“……..”

Looking at Aris who was silent Lennok once again recalled the iron rule he had previously established.

‘The talent part is completely hidden. It’s enough to just open up your knowledge of the theory and ask for help.’

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

There are countless magic-related books in the library but at some point Lennok was aware that the principles of magic that he personally experienced were slightly different from what was written in the books.

Could Lennok’s overwhelming talent be leading him down a completely different path?

Rather it is highly likely that information about magic theory available to the general public is extremely limited.

Lennok had been doubting this hypothesis for quite some time and was just convinced by Aris’ reaction.

Lennok who sat across from me again began to move smoothly.

“It’s been a few years since I started reading books.”

“……..”

“But the more I learn the more the gap between my knowledge widens and what I thought I knew turns into awkward knowledge.”

From here on acting is necessary.

Lennok slowly avoided Aris’ gaze as if he was thinking about it and continued speaking.

“Do you know why I’m only bringing this up now?”

I briefly close my eyes then open them again and make eye contact with her.

In her eyes he must have seemed like a person obsessed with an unknown desire for learning.

They may be viewed as students who are unable to continue their studies due to their talent and environment.

And as if Lennok’s acting had worked well Aris’ gaze began to waver significantly.

“…….You fooled me.”

“sorry. But… it was difficult to get the words out easily. “Who would I dare tell this to?”

There is a suffocating silence.

Before we knew it there were only two people left on the 8th floor of the library.

Aris sat blankly for a while and then answered slowly.

“You guessed right. “There is information that cannot be unlocked for wizards of the 4th rank or lower who are not authorized by the city government and this also applies to citizens of Balkan.”

“……..”

“It is extremely rare for the restrictions to be lifted unless you find a teacher and become a former disciple or belong to the Magic Tower. “It is safe to say that this is a de facto information isolation measure.”

“okay…..”

Saying something like this is probably a tacit expression from Aris’s perspective that she cannot violate the ban.

It’s natural. To her Lennok was just a stranger whose name she didn’t even know.

We only have these meetings irregularly due to her personal favor. Originally the relationship between the two had no meaning whatsoever.

‘How should I persuade him….’

What Lennoc wants is not simply a teacher who will teach him theories he is not allowed to learn.

He just needs a wizard like him to share some of his concerns about magic theory talk with him and provide inspiration.

“I don’t mean to ask the professor to share his knowledge without permission.”

It was necessary to rephrase it carefully.

“But how about changing the current teaching method a little?”

“What is that…?”

“This time the professor listened to what I usually thought about while reading theory books. Actually there were a lot of things I wanted to say while studying magic.”

He grinned as he caught Lennok’s bewildered look.

This time it was a sincere smile.

“Don’t you think it would be fun?”

test

A few days have passed since my meeting with Aris began to take on new meaning.

Panoa not only handed over the relics to Lennok as promised but also gave him all sorts of allowances for the failure of this operation.

Lennok’s bank account which only had 20 million cells was quickly filled with enough money to purchase another stemonia.

It would be easy to buy another one as a spare right away but it is not something that Lenok can do as he pleases.

No matter how much money you have it is of no use if there are no items for sale at auction.

In the end in order not to spend that money in vain you have to aim for a higher place than you are now.

Another week passed and Lennok returned to Dyke’s headquarters where the negotiations took place.

“hello. “My name is Manya House and I have been appointed as assistant to the anti-mage from this operation.”

An employee who looked very young greeted me with an expressionless face.

“You may have heard the explanation from Team Leader Panoa in advance but starting today there will be a test to select team members for this project. “During the process you can evaluate and filter out candidates who are deemed insufficiently qualified.”

She held out the small shopping bag she was holding to Lennok with both hands. When I looked at the contents inside it was an ordinary suit that employees would wear.

“It’s not custom-made but the size won’t be a problem. “It will be enough to blend in naturally with other employees.”

Manya was not wrong when she said there was no need to stand out and Lennok obediently changed his clothes into a suit.

He unbuttoned the first button of his stuffy shirt and loosely pulled down his narrow tie but Manya didn’t say anything even as she looked at him.

“These suits are distributed directly by the company and are basically elastic and durable so there is some demand for self-defense. “Unless you particularly dislike it I recommend that you wear matching uniforms in future operations.”

“Because it’s not noticeable?”

“Because the other team members who will be selected this time will be able to save Ban’s life.”

Manya who casually said something scary turned her back.

Contrary to his youthful impression he was a person with a cruel outlook.

Lennok laughed and immediately followed her.

Take an elevator that slides at high speed and go down to the basement of the building.

Go further down through the underground parking lot reserved for employees and executives.

Manya opened her mouth as she stared into the darkness beyond the glass window.

“We spent a considerable amount of money lobbying the city government to secure underground space for our headquarters. “We put a lot of effort into securing the route that the subway was supposed to take.”

“Can you tell me that?”

“We have already concluded that in order to make the project a success we will need the help of Mr. Banmage. “It wouldn’t be a bad business if we could expose the company’s irregularities and gain trust.”

In some ways Manya’s response without blinking was quite similar to that of rational magicians.

Did Panoa take note of her temperament and intentionally set her up with Lennok?

While the brief worry passed the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

As I passed through the cold metallic-colored hallway and crossed the arch-shaped bridge I could see a huge cavity underneath.

It is hard to say that it was completed properly and it has a crude form that looks like a huge space was simply dug out and lights were placed on top of it.

Except for the fact that the floor was made of hard cement and a platform was built in one corner it was an empty space with nothing visible but construction equipment.

Meanwhile many people are busy moving around bringing in various geographical features placing them and moving them.

The structures are installed one by one according to the colorful paint pictures drawn on the floor.

Lennok twitched his eyebrows when he saw Killian directing the work at the front.

“What is that?”

“We are in the process of setting up temporary facilities to test candidates. “Killian personally took charge of airlifting the relevant items.”

“Killian?”

I thought he was just a scoundrel who started picking fights everywhere but did you know he would do something like that?

Moreover I was even more surprised because the shape of the structure they were installing looked quite plausible.

Manya perhaps sensing the emotion contained in Lennok’s words glanced back at him and opened her mouth again.

“Killian comes from a fairly high-ranking warrior class among lycanthropes. Therefore he knows very well what kind of physical training can be used to test warriors. “This physical test is entirely under his jurisdiction.”

“It’s a warrior class…..”

I knew that werewolves lived in a tribal society when they were young but I never thought I would hear that word here.

Lennok looked down at the loud green-haired man with new eyes.

If there is talk about class Killian’s werewolf blood is so pure that it cannot even be compared to that of Guile whom he met last time.

While they were talking the two people came down the spiral staircase arrived at the common floor and headed toward Killian.

He who was moving the structure with other employees recognized Manya’s presence and turned his head.

“A precious wizard has arrived. “How are you feeling?”

“As many mistakes as you made.”

Lennok’s cold reply immediately brought silence to the audience.

Dyke’s other employees are also trying to keep quiet as if they had previously heard about Lennok’s identity.

In the end Killian started an argument for no reason and couldn’t get his point back so he let out a shy smile.

“……You really don’t lose a word. “I also feel sorry about this operation.”

“……..”

“But isn’t the reason you came here just to try to do well together? “We are working hard to prevent something like this from happening again.”

“I’ll have to see it for myself to know.”

“of course. What I’m preparing here now… is the minimum cutoff line so to speak. “If we’re going to protect our wizard shouldn’t we at least have good specs?”

Are the tests currently in progress the result of reorganizing the project around Lennok?

Lennok keenly realized that Panoa had made up his mind and made a bet.

At this level isn’t it a way of leaving the direction of the project entirely up to Lennok’s abilities?

It seems that Lennok’s strength shown at the port was quite impressive to Dyke’s employees.

‘doesn’t care. ‘Because the thought itself isn’t important anyway.’

After a short conversation with Killian Lennok sat down on the platform at the end of the cave and watched the situation unfold.

Manya stood behind him without saying a word and observed the scenery below.

Only after the structures to test the ability to cope with various situations are in place does Panoa appear in the community.

She held the cell phone with one hand and looked around while busy talking on the phone.

When she found Killian she immediately walked up to him and said something and he scratched his chin with an awkward expression.

Other employees who followed behind her move in unison and begin setting up a tent nearby building a fence and putting in all kinds of measuring equipment.

After a while the elevator door opened and a group of people began to enter the joint guided by other employees.

They must be candidates directly selected by Panoa for this plan.

“……”

Lennok watched the group of people who looked to be around twenty with sharp eyes.

The magic power he unleashes has a strong direction and extends straight out weighing down on the candidates’ shoulders.

Woooo!!

At the same time I quickly moved my gaze left and right to see how people reacted.

“..!!”

Four people turned their heads as if in surprise. Five people noticed something.

And there were three people who turned their heads exactly this way.

‘There are three guys who are good at using magic….. Not bad.’

It seems that Panoa selected better candidates than expected.

A faint smile appeared on Lennok’s lips.

“……Sir have you really started already?”

“hmm?”

Lennok was slightly surprised by Manya’s belated question and turned his head.

“Did you notice?”

“I could sense that the wizard was using magic power.”

Manya shook her head slightly with a troubled expression.

“We would appreciate it if you would refrain from provoking the candidates as much as possible before the physical test is over. “The conditions for confidentiality are quite strict here so they must be quite sensitive as well.”

“……”

Lennok nodded roughly at Manya’s words but that wasn’t what surprised him.

I was just surprised by Manya’s sensitivity in noticing the magical energy that was not used on her albeit belatedly and checking its direction.

Considering that all of the other candidates moving around there didn’t even notice Lennok’s magical power until it started to weigh on their shoulders it was clearly a talent that was hard to find.

“Have you learned any magic or techniques separately?”

“I am not a participant in the planned battle but…”

“I’m asking because I’m curious.”

When Lennok said that Manya answered reluctantly.

“I’ve learned some magic from the red-type magic before. “It won’t be of much help now.”

“I see….”

It’s a dark group…. It’s hard to stop the face of ‘Cheongyeon’ from coming to mind whenever I meet those types of wizards.

The clue to the word alkaid that Cheongyeon used at that time has still not been found.

Since we have at least opened up a conversation with Aris we will have to use our connections to approach him cautiously.

It was a distant story right now.

Meanwhile the candidates lined up in front of the podium and Panoa who was standing in front of them opened his mouth.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Panoa Dyke’s planning team leader. “We all met once a while ago and had individual interviews.”

“……”

People didn’t respond at all.

Panoa also spoke immediately as if he wasn’t expecting an answer.

“As mentioned in advance this test is being conducted to select the most suitable people to carry out our project and those selected as team members will be sequentially paid the advance payment and success fee promised in advance.”

As soon as the topic of conservatives comes up the candidates’ eyes completely change.

If freelancers from various fields reacted like that it would mean that Panoa really accepted the loss without looking back.

“We will select people through two stages: a physical test and a personal test. The physical test will be conducted by Killian and the personal test will be conducted by a wizard we recruited first.”

With those words I can feel people’s eyes glancing at Lennok who was sitting on the platform behind her.

Sharp and sensitive emotions flow in without filtering.

His annoyance towards the judges who were trying to evaluate him was clearly reflected.

Unlike Killian’s fierce and murderous attitude Lennok appears to be just an ordinary young man on the outside so in a way this is natural.

If he decided to hide his magical power no one here would know.

As soon as Panoa finished speaking other employees quickly took the candidates and began guiding them.

From what I can see the testing process has already been designed and to what extent Killian and Lennok’s opinions are reflected in the process.

Start by measuring basic physical abilities.

Strength agility endurance horsepower mana sensitivity and control ability are measured and other employees standing next to them record the values.

As Lennok watched the process his eyes sank deeply at some point.

Among the candidates there is one woman who is mixed in the middle.

A somewhat strict look with black hair tied back tightly.

Although it looks ordinary on the outside the magic power that flows out when measuring magic power catches Lennok’s senses.

A cold magical power that feels strangely artificial and inhumane… It’s definitely the kind of thing I’ve encountered in person somewhere.

verification

After a short period of thought Lennok found the answer in an instant and turned his head towards Manya.

“Mana.”

“Please tell me.”

“I think I heard that new team members are being selected.”

“…That’s right.”

Lennok frowned faintly after hearing her words.

At the same time a heavy magical power spewed out from around him drenching the entire area.

“But why are people from the Cybrid Echo group mixed in?”

“……..”

Although he is pretending to be a human being just like everyone else Lennok’s senses cannot be fooled.

The magic power of that cold steel. A sense of heterogeneity that is distinctly different from the slow and sticky flow of humans.

It is very similar to the magic I felt from the fugitive in the last operation.

And it made no sense for Dyke not to know this fact.

The moment when a faint look of confusion flashed across Manya’s face and Lennok was about to get up from his seat.

“Cybrid Echo has once again expressed its intention to participate in this operation. “The compensation we promised them this time was compensation so it seemed like they had no intention of giving up easily.”

After finishing the explanation Panoa approached the podium and said.

“…………”

“What happened in the last operation was actually a mistake on our part and it is said that we are a more capable force than the Echo agents who participated at that time so we plan to keep an eye on it.”

Panoa’s words were quite calm as if she was talking about someone else’s business but Lennok actually liked her calm demeanor more.

Rather than being intimidated and complaining about losing the initiative because he made a mistake in the first operation it seemed better to shake off the grievances by making a clean deal with Lennok and focus on work.

If you are going to be with someone for a while you need someone who is at least somewhat competent. That was it.

Meanwhile the physical test is progressing rapidly.

Unlike his gangster-like impression when we first met Killian he was quite skillful in handling the candidates.

If you feel like you have roughly reached the average you immediately move on to the next step and lightly ignore the voices asking for a chance to try again.

Once the quantification had progressed to a certain extent he immediately divided the candidate group into three groups based on the measured numbers rolled up his sleeves and began to work.

“The six people from Group 1 line up in order at the front. Because you’re going to have a fight with me. “The seven people from Group 2 can go to the podium over there and Group 3 can go home.”

There was quite a bit of opposition to Killian’s unconventional declaration that he would drop approximately ten people at once but this was quickly resolved.

Everyone roughly understood that there was nothing to be gained by causing trouble here.

Lennok instantly figured out how Killian selected the candidates and nodded.

‘Group 1 based on physical ability. Is it group 2 based on magical power? ‘I’m thinking of leaving the secondary verification of the magicians to us.’

And among those seven the woman from Cybrid Echo also joined in.

To what extent has the magical ability using the uniquely modified body been recognized?

As he was selected as a team member during the first operation he probably did not lack personal capabilities.

The people lined up again in front of the podium look up at Lennok.

The woman also seemed to recognize who Lennok was and was looking up at him with a slightly nervous expression.

Lennok blatantly made eye contact with her then stood up and walked in front of them.

He slowly opened his mouth while looking around the audience.

“It is difficult to measure the abilities of magicians.”

“……..”

“It is also true that there are quite a few magicians who use power sources other than magic and that it is difficult to judge their abilities based on combat ability alone.”

dump.

Lennok who was sitting on the steps of the nearest platform made a rough gesture.

“First please introduce yourself one by one and explain your affiliation etc. “I think we need a different method to determine if we have the capabilities to work together.”

I want to smoke a cigar but it is true that exhaling smoke in front of other people can be a bit difficult.

If you’re in battle you probably won’t pay attention to what other people think but isn’t this an underground cave?

Of course there must be ventilation facilities but is it right to take out tobacco in this place in terms of basic manners?…

For the first time in a while while Lennok was pondering a dilemma about public morality someone walked out from among the group first.

It was the woman from Cybrid Echo who had just made eye contact with him.

She was staring at Lennok with a slightly stiff expression and cautiously opened her mouth in a firm tone.

“……Agria. Agria Noto.”

“What is your affiliation?”

Agria answered in a calm tone as if she already knew that Lennok had discovered her identity.

“Cybrid Echo. Long-distance support is possible through body modification using magic engineering. “I am somewhat confident in my basic physical abilities but I mainly work as rear support.”

As she said that she stretched out her hand towards the corner of the cavity.

Weeeeeee!!

As the wrist opens a beam of bright blue light comes out from within transforming into a laser beam and extending to a deserted place.

Quang!

Moderate noise and destructive power. It is an oriental medicine whose power is clearly controlled.

Agria also calmly lowered his hand as if there was no need to talk more here.

“In addition it can store a variety of cartridges and can perform most missions even if it is less powerful than specialized professionally trained forces.”

“You can easily run away in case of emergency right?”

“……..”

She flinched at Lennok’s sharp criticism but lowered her head without saying a word.

Lennok who was quietly looking down at the top of her head gestured with his chin to one side.

Anyway she is a different person than the masked woman I met back then. There was no need to heat it up and stimulate it.

However other people who were watching seemed to perceive it completely differently.

“Wait a minute this is a different story.”

A young man with a bandana with a complicated pattern tied tightly around his head opened his mouth.

He looks quite young as if he has just taken off his boyishness.

He appears to be only two or three years older than the boy he met in the den of blood mages.

“I agreed to take the test but I wasn’t told that I had to bow down like that. “Why are you treating us like this in the first place?”

“what?”

After thinking for a moment Lennok realized what that meant.

Hood had just seen the conversation between Agria and Lennok and thought that they were forcing that kind of attitude on others as well.

They didn’t know what happened in the last operation.

The others probably had similar thoughts but their expressions didn’t look so good.

Having gained the tacit sympathy of those around him Hood gained momentum and took a step forward and started talking.

“If you want to test us you’ll have to show us your credentials first. “I’m sorry but I have pretty good ears so I heard that you were not an employee of Dyke but someone hired for this job.”

“……I see.”

Lennok who had no idea what confidence he had in stepping forward like this muttered blankly and Panoa who was standing next to him whispered.

“Ban here I am….”

“no.”

Lennok said and stood up.

“I will do it myself.”

Duggan’s claim was absurd but it resonated with Lennok to some extent.

It is a matter of selecting team members who must work together at least three times.

I didn’t come to Dyke’s headquarters to sit back and watch people.

It was right to check with one’s own hands whether there was a useful magician.

bang! Kwaang!!

Lennok grinned as he looked at Killian who had already started the second test on the other side of the cavity.

I didn’t think there was any need to use any other method.

“Come forward one by one.”

“……what?”

Lennok glanced at the hooded man who was questioning him unable to understand properly and then snapped his finger.

“I’ll show you in person that I have that qualification.”