Chapter 649. The One Who Left But Hasn’t Left (2) #PART 2
Bang.
“Lady Bellier!”
Panting breath.
In Adept Mage Cle’s hand was a scroll—parchment brought from Bellier’s office. Bellier, leaning back on the bed to rest, asked:
“Has the Chief responded? Cough.”
“Yes, I heard the sound of scratching! But why are you sitting up? You know better than anyone that you need absolute rest!”
“How could I lie down in a situation like this, Cle?”
She spoke calmly, but…
With every cough, her internal magic flow was getting twisted. Cle would make a fuss if she noticed, but Bellier had tried a simple magic spell while she was away.
Under the blanket, Bellier clenched a trembling fist.
‘There’s no way I could participate in a duel like this.’
Still, she requested Practical Magic Guidance and Instruction for a simple reason:
To keep the Chief from leaving, even if it was by force.
Bellier couldn’t understand it.
‘What are you thinking, Chief?’
The World Tree had said it clearly:
Light and Darkness were seeking reunion.
Yet Chief Lee, the very embodiment of Light, had declared—
-“Of course, because that is our pride.”
That he, a Demon Hunter, would hunt the darkness.
‘What happened while I was unconscious?’
And to make matters worse, he was resigning as Chief.
‘What are you doing, Marcelo?’
If the resignation of the Chief Mage had been officially announced in the Magic Tower, it meant one thing:
That the Tower Master, Marcelo, had approved it.
Cle looked at Bellier with concern.
“Lady Bellier, are you okay? You don’t look well.”
“I’m fine, Cle. May I see it?”
“Ah, yes! Here it is.”
The longer she thought, the more her head throbbed.
But until she understood the Chief’s true intentions,
she couldn’t let him leave the Magic Tower.
Slide.
Bellier unfolded the parchment and started estimating.
Considering the Chief’s casting ability, even if a senior mage brought out their secret arcane magic, surviving a half-day would already be impressive.
‘At the very least, I can keep Chief Lee tied to the Magic 3Tower for a few days.’
Most importantly, Senior Mage Matisse of Black Magic was on their side.
Objectively, even compared to the previous generation of Seniors, Matisse wasn’t lacking in ability.
And then—
“Judging by the frantic handwriting… Senior Bensch must’ve been pretty shaken, huh?”
Not quite on Matisse’s level, but still reliable, Senior Mage Bensch was guaranteed to respond to the duel request with great intensity.
Bellier nodded slowly.
‘To be honest, mages don’t need to talk.’
There’s a saying among mages:
『Magic Traces Know Everything.』
Not only does it record where and when a magic was cast, but it also carries the caster’s emotions.
Yes, Bellier believed in that.
‘Even if it’s not me.’
She believed the senior mages of the Magic Tower—who had explored the truth of magic by her side—could read the Chief’s true heart from the traces of his mana.
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P.S.
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But the moment she saw Hoyeol’s handwriting—
“…!”
Bellier, who had never lost her calm demeanor, suddenly changed expression.
Holding her breath, Cle asked cautiously:
“…Is it bad news, Lady Bellier?”
She couldn’t help but ask.
Bellier almost never lost her usual gentle smile,
yet now her brows were subtly furrowed.
Bellier finally spoke.
“I hate that my body’s in this condition, Cle.”
“Pardon? Even so, you mustn’t—”
“This… really got under my skin after a long time.”
“…Excuse me?”
Got under her skin?
Cle tilted her head in confusion, but Bellier’s mouth curved into a crooked grin, one that hinted at the twisted personalities of mages.
“Only a fellow mage can get under another mage’s skin.”
Bellier added meaningfully:
“Is our Chief really a Demon Hunter?”
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Amber Hall.
The ornate amber decor welcomed the senior mages with tense expressions.
The very reason why they had stirred the Tower into unease with such grim determination was now clear.
Bensch William opened his mouth.
“I know the Chief is amazing, but he’s taking us all on at once?”
Yes.
Hoyeol had declared:
There’s no need for unnecessary effort.
He would duel all the senior mages at the same time.
Senior of Ice Magic, Kotein Revel, joked:
“Isn’t this what you wanted, Senior Bensch?”
“What?”
“A perfect chance to repay your debt from the Paimon incident.”
Bensch glared at Kotein Revel with burning eyes.
“Are you trying to joke with me right now?”
“…It was just a joke. Is that something to get so worked up about?”
“Do I not look worked up? He told me never to think about repaying the debt for the rest of my life—how is that not provoking?!”
As mentioned, things got tense because of the mages’ personalities.
They’d hoped to hold Hoyeol back—and secretly, they were looking forward to it.
Why? Because it’s not often that one gets the chance to trade real magic with a mage who completely outclasses them.
That’s why Bensch and several others were preparing to take the duel with reverence.
And then, what did they get?
“Chief Lee…”
Senior of Dark Magic, Matisse Dean Karl.
Even Matisse, who rarely showed emotion, was shaken by the provocation.
So it’s no wonder the seniors momentarily forgot that the reason for the duel was to stop Hoyeol from resigning.
As Bellier said,
their dirty mage temperaments were stirred.
So now, they could meet Hoyeol with their full strength.
“Of course you arrived first.”
Amber Hall.
Standing alone in the center—
Chief Mage, Lee Hoyeol, replied.
“Less talk. More action.”
“…!!!”
“All of you, come at once.”
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Now that he was facing them, he realized it more clearly.
You’ve really gone insane, Hoyeol.
To think he could take on all those monsters at once.
But contrary to his true thoughts—he was already moving.
Ttogak.
Seeing himself like this,
even the great Grandfell might raise a brow.
Even if it was a duel…
Without [Natural Enemy] buff, without his brilliant talent, without the World Tree’s first blessing—
how in the world was he going to face all those monsters at once?
‘You really have to ask?’
Then allow me to answer.
‘You think I adjusted my outfit earlier for nothing?’
Yes, he had a trump card.
One that harmonized perfectly with his Dawn Jacket:
[Hexagram Brooch], a mysterious item with powerful effects.
“If you won’t come to me—”
That’s why he knowingly provoked the seniors…!!
[Set Item Effect Activated.]
[Current Set Effect Applied: 6/6]
-
All base stats increase by 2 points.
-
When attacking a boss monster, all damage dealt increases by 10%.
-
When fighting multiple enemies, damage taken decreases by 10%.
-
Upon reaching 70%, 50%, 30%, 10%, and 1% of max HP during combat, ‘Awakening’ is triggered.
-
During ‘Awakening’, mana consumption becomes zero for a limited time.
-
Unlock when activated.
With shamelessness surpassing even Grandfell, he declared:
“I’ll come to you.”
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