◈ Episode 353. Poor Welcome Greeting (1)

Back to reality.

Nam Taemin turns on his smartphone and checks the date.

Leonie, who was looking at the screen with him with her magpie feet, is stunned.

“……It’s only been a day, right?”

Their first time on the Arcana continent?

They were surprised by the time difference.

It was an indescribable experience.

Perhaps most alarming of all was the endless buffs, which the guild masters of the three Great Alliance guilds, as well as Skal, personally recorded the buff in handwritten notes.

“We need to plan thoroughly for the future.”

Of course, buffs weren’t just for players.

Even if you couldn’t see them.

Arcanians could feel the effects of buffs in their bodies.

Vangrit Tom, Senior Mage of Pure Magic, spoke up.

“You guys have no idea what’s going on in the Arcana continent, hope is the right word, and to think we were the only ones to see it……!”

It was such a series of surprising events that even when I caught relatively innocent apprentice mages and told them not to lie, they told me not to lie.

But for all the hype, there was no response.

Vangrit scratched the back of his head casually.

“…… haha. I’ve been talking a lot, haven’t I?”

Kiko Armin, Senior Enchantment Magic.

Only Kiko turned her head in response to Vangrit’s reaction.

“Ugh.”

Dark circles all the way down to the chin.

Kiko spoke back in a dying voice.

“……I’m sorry, Senior Vangrit, what did you say?”

“Oh, no, I didn’t say anything.”

“……You did? Ugh.”

The legendary blacksmith Wallswale’s insane work rate.

“So, here you are, back on your own two feet!”

Just as Harkon had hoped.

The essence of dwarven technology and magic smithing.

And a prosthetic leg that somehow transcends human limits.

“I think I’m going to die…….”

Kiko had been up for three days and nights. No wonder she didn’t have the energy to keep up with Vangrit’s ramblings. The situation was no different for Bellier Yusia, a senior in Healing Magic.

“Healing magic isn’t enough, we need something more…….”

No, she was even more frantic than Kiko.

Anyway, unlike Kiko, who had done her part.

Bellier was still researching ways to heal the dragons who had swallowed the evil fruit, and she had gathered a lot of research materials from the Arcana continent.

So naturally, Vangrit’s gaze shifted.

“And you, Senior Matisse, are a……?

I wasn’t expecting it, but I was stunned.

Matisse’s expression was serious.

Vangrit fumbled for his memory.

‘But you seemed fine until you entered.’

The portal that Chief Lee manifested.

From the moment the portal opened to the Arcana Continent, or more precisely, the Dwarven Iron Castle. Matisse’s expression began to darken rapidly.

‘As if you saw something you weren’t supposed to see……?’

……gulp.

Of course, Vangrit didn’t think much of it.

‘I suppose you have your own troubles, Senior Matisse.’

Why, he had a new one of his own.

The concentration of magic on the Arcana Continent has increased.

Vangrit’s affinity for magic is unparalleled, even in the Magic Tower. Thanks to this, he was obliged to recognize the change in the concentration of magic on the Arcana continent, make preparations for it, and present it at the regular conference.

‘If you were to manifest magic as usual on such a continent.’

The consequences would be unimaginable.

“My head hurts just thinking about it.”

In truth, more than any apprentice or adept mage, Vangrit was worried about Bensch William, the senior fire magic. At the thought of Bensch manifesting fire magic with such enhanced magical power, Vangrit’s hand automatically went to his forehead.

“……I have to tell you, really.”

Of course, everything.

This is the story of when Senior Bensch stepped onto the Arcana Continent.

Vangrit smirked and strode to his office.

Finally, he was alone.

Suddenly, Matisse stopped walking and opened his mouth.

The words that spilled out were profound.

“……I guess I can’t escape my destiny.”

The reason for Matisse’s silence was simple.

The moment he set foot on the Arcana continent.

He had seen it.

The vast, suitable magic that pervaded the Arcana continent.

“…….”

Matisse looked at the ring on his finger.

It was still stained black. Yes, that vast amount of suitable magic power was definitely suitable magic power from Chief Lee’s past and background.

That was why Matisse was so sure.

Blackening.

After all, Chief Lee had been

Unknowingly.

Unknowingly, he must have experienced blackening on the Arcana continent.

‘What has happened?’

The aftermath was unimaginable.

Vangrit was right, the Arcana Continent was full of life. Chief Lee’s suitable magic power descended upon the Arcana Continent, darker and deeper, like the shadow of a bright light.

‘At the moment of blackening, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire world was truly engulfed in infinite darkness…….’

Therefore, I couldn’t help but wonder.

How did Chief Lee manage to overcome the blackening.

Was he able to overcome the backlash of the past?

Matisse shook his head.

Even from the perspective of the founder of Black Magic, he couldn’t imagine it.

However, he was relieved.

That it could only be him.

That the aftermath of the blackening hadn’t eroded the past.

Matisse looked at Hoyeol’s office and murmured.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Chief Lee.”

*

I’m glad.

‘As expected, Anoimaly is the correct answer.’

Harkon’s new legs worked as well as expected. It was a battle where sacrifice was inevitable, and to make matters worse, even if there were unavoidable circumstances, I couldn’t feel at ease.

After all, it was Harkon who had lost both of his legs in my absence. Of course, I wasn’t going to diminish his accomplishments by giving him a new pair of legs.

“Everyone can look forward to it.”

If only there was enough time.

I would give him and the others a leisurely tour of the Arcana continent.

‘Not this time, though.’

Once we were free to enter, we would naturally explore the Imperial capital, Antonium, as well as other parts of the Empire that were under reconstruction or repair.

Among them, of course, is…….

“My estates is always open to you.”

…… including our own vast Claudi family estates!

Anyway, after acknowledging the history of Claudi family.

The patriarch’s short temper is a problem.

‘Are you going to invite them to the mansion and cook a meal or something?’

It’s like a nobleman to invite people who have done great things to his mansion and treat them to a meal. I hate that I’m getting used to this kind of aristocratic thinking. …….

Nevertheless.

Slurp~

I nobly filled my teacup as soon as I returned to my office.

Let’s see, until the green tea steeps…….

After all, I couldn’t skip my regular routine.

I glanced at the pile of work on my desk.

“Is it a gap of one day?”

Don’t make a big deal out of one day, Grandfell.

I mean, even a five-day workweek gives me a weekend and two days off.

I don’t know many people who never take a day off like you.

‘Besides, I’m not the only one who suffers in reality.’

Even on the Arcana continent, where time passes four times slower than in the real world, I’m still doing things big and small, so it’s safe to say I’m suffering from a 14-day workweek.

But…….

‘……What is this?’

One by one, I finished checking the routine documents, and what caught my eye was an unusually colorful envelope. A letter from Magic Tower that even I, the chief of Magic Tower, had never seen before.

‘It’s even sealed with a magical candlemark…….’

I don’t think anyone would steal a letter from me, a chief of the Magic Tower.

Anyway, it’s not supposed to be read unless you’re there.

It means it went through a special process.

I murmured.

“Not bad.”

……without even checking what it said.

Don’t just pass it off as aesthetically pleasing, Grandfell.

And why these papers are sitting on my desk in the middle of nowhere.

I thought I had a hunch.

‘It must be Tower Master, this.’

Several times.

The after-effects of blocking Eunaxus’s breath.

The out-of-breath Tower Master had said to me.

-“I’m leaving you in the position of the next Tower Master, Chief.”

It was his last words.

Needless to say, I declined the favor.

Didn’t I just say that?

I’m the only person in the world who works a 14-day week. I literally don’t have enough time, even with two bodies. And as if that weren’t enough, I’m asked to take over the Tower Master job?!

This cat has had enough.

I realized that this cat had decided to take advantage of me.

I refused and gave it back.

-“Your mission is not yet complete.”

What happened to Tower Master after that?

‘Illusions are free, cat.’

Perhaps Tower Master himself is well hidden and relieved to see me at his funeral. But I’ve heard all about your whereabouts from Jesse.

So.

“I thought you were faithful to your mission.”

The words come out of my mouth, cold.

I didn’t hesitate to check the papers. With a light touch of my enchanted fingers on the candlestick, the seal dissolved and the papers unfolded. Now, my mouth opens.

“So, this is a new procedure.”

My stomach flipped.

‘……This cat is real!’

It was the Rules of the Magic Tower, as amended by the Tower Master’s will.

An amendment to vote for a new Tower Master.

I was convinced. It was a procedure, and even if it was a bad custom, it had to be upheld. It was obviously a ploy to take advantage of my temper……!

──────

1. The Gentle Giant

2. The greatest discoverer in the history of the Magic Tower

3. the Dark Dragon

──────

The snout sums up the situation.

“The candidates are Yugweed, Marcelo, and this body.”

Someone might ask at this point.

I’m being self-conscious. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s already worried about being the next Tower Master after beating out two strong candidates. Yes, if that were the case, I’d readily admit to being overly self-conscious.

However, no matter how you look at this additional amendment that followed…….

──────

The right to vote is given without discrimination to those who have proven their qualifications to the Magic Tower. Even if it is an adventurer who does not have the qualifications to be a mage, there are no exceptions.

──────

You’re trying to get me voted in as the next Tower Master!

Of course, there’s an ulterior motive.

Tower Master, what kind of cat is he?

“It’s a discipline fit for an open magic tower.”

Realizing that closure was poison, the Magic Tower was planning to open everything up, and they had a good reason for doing so: the next leader of the Open Magic Tower would have to be elected in a new way.

‘We can’t just have an internal vote.’

Even I, with my connections and influence in the Magic Tower.

I’ll never be able to match what Yugweed and Marcelo have accomplished.

But if players were given the power to vote, it’s a different story.

‘Of course they’re going to vote for me!’

Marcelo and Yugweed.

Marcelo and Yugweed didn’t have much contact with the majority of players.

At this point, it was time for a anomaly quest: surfing the internet.

Sure enough, my suspicions were correct.

‘Holy shit.’

The community was already rallying around me.

-Let’s get the first player to become a Master of Magic Tower!

-ㄹㅇㅋㅋ Let’s go up in status.

-I don’t know what it is, but it looks like fun, so I’m filming Lee Hoyeol haha.

From receiving the qualification quest at the Magic Tower.

A strategy to clear it easily.

They were just doing everything they could to get me elected as the Tower Master!

Me, Lee Hoyeol.

I’m breaking out in a cold sweat.

If I do this, I’m going to take over the position of Tower Master.

The thought was creeping into my mind.

At the same time, I felt goosebumps on my skin.

‘You’re going to go behind my back like this?’

Even Marcelo, whom I trusted.

‘I didn’t want to blame him.’

The fact that this happened while I was away could only mean that Marcelo was in on it. But most of all, I resented it.

“Indeed, it is a reasonable procedure.”

He was a tired person who couldn’t handle the damn procedures.

This is why I will die of overwork before I drown in pride. It was at this moment that I picked up the teacup of green tea to quench my burning throat and beg for a way out.

Sussss─

The words appeared on the tattered parchment.

It was the handwriting of the elder mage, Yugweed.

But the words are strange……?

──────

To Chief Lee Hoyeol.

──────

It was only a single line, but the meaning was immediately clear.

──────

Chief Lee, even in cold water, there are ups and downs.

──────

……Yes?

*

Same time.

[Quest: Election of the Next Tower Master]

The quest flashes in front of the players’ eyes.

A new quest objective has been updated.

However, the quest objective was a bit odd.

“…… What is this, did it pop up for you too?”

“It’s up, it’s up!”

“No way……. Was there some kind of friction in the selection process?!”

─Witness the duel of proof between the Gentle Giant and the Dark Dragon. (Ongoing)

The world began to tremble at the sight of the giant rice cake.

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