Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 87

After leaving the library, I headed straight to Barundel's house.

I was going to stay there again today.

Brrrring— Brrrring—

When I arrived at the house, Barundel was already sound asleep.

Thud.

I also collapsed onto the spot as soon as I arrived.

Perhaps the alcohol was hitting me late, but my head was pounding.

'Well, I did chug whiskey like it was soju...'

It was to be expected.

Even with two mythic-tier traits, I couldn't help but feel my mind become muddled by alcohol.

It seemed like this body couldn't handle alcohol as well as my old one.

Anyway, how much time had passed?

I had fallen asleep at some point, and I woke up to a spicy smell tickling my nose.

And reflexively looking around... I witnessed a sight I never wanted to see again.

"Hmm, hmm~ hmm!"

A muscular back with a pink apron.

"..."

Okay, it was all good.

Cooking, liking pink aprons, humming a cheerful tune, it was all good.

But did he really have to be shirtless while doing it?

That was something I couldn't tolerate.

'Is that really the demon hunter who made a name for himself 10 years ago?'

I felt nauseous, like the food I ate yesterday was about to come back up.

But what could I do?

I couldn't complain about such a thing when I was in his care.

If I was uncomfortable, I should be the one to leave.

While I was thinking that, I happened to turn around and made eye contact with Barundel.

"Ah, you're awake? I just finished preparing breakfast. Come and sit down."

Barundel said so and started setting the table with food.

Thump, thump, thump.

When did he even wake up? He had prepared quite a lot in the meantime.

‘...He's a kind person. Huh.’

My heart softened a little at the thought that all this wasn't done out of malice.

Chanting my own mantra, I carefully took a seat.

The table was already full of various dishes.

Everything looked delicious, but what caught my attention the most was the main dish.

'Kimchi stew?'

The reddish color was reminiscent of K-kimchi stew. The smell was similar too.

"It's a stew I always make after a night of drinking. Not only is it delicious, but the spicy taste really settles an upset stomach."

"It looks delicious."

"Don't just say that, try it."

At Barundel's suggestion, I took a spoonful of the stew and put it in my mouth.

Slurp.

And then...

"Oh my!"

A spicy taste spread in my mouth, and my mind was instantly cleared.

I had been half-awake and half-asleep from the hangover, but now I was completely alert.

Such an effect from just one spoonful?

"This is like an elixir! An elixir!"

Just as Barundel said, it was perfect for a hangover cure.

It even tasted good.

With a taste similar to kimchi stew, I could eat it without any aversion, and the unique savory flavor, which I had never experienced before, made me want to keep going back for more.

Slurp, slurp!

"Uhaha, you seem to like it!"

"This is the best food I've ever had. It's exactly my taste."

"Is that so? You have similar tastes to me! This is my favorite food too."

"Can I have another bowl...?"

"Of course."

Slurp! Slurp!

After a while of devouring the stew...

The pot was soon empty, and my stomach was full.

Barundel also seemed satisfied as he patted his belly and said,

"So, are we going to Sector 3 now?"

Judging from his words, he seemed to remember the conversation we had yesterday.

Indeed, I was planning to move to Sector 3 today.

To meet the man, no, the person who had been researching light magic for over 20 years.

"Today, I'm just going to meet him lightly and get a sense of what kind of person he is. I can't risk learning magic from another strange person."

"That's true. The world is full of crazy people like Dercion... Be careful, be very careful."

Barundel said with a worried look.

Perhaps it was because of his past experience, but it was probably also because I was going to Sector 3.

'I do need to be careful.'

Sectors 4 to 6 were areas where nobles and commoners lived together.

As such, the difference in social status wasn't as prominent.

But from Sector 3 onwards, it was a place where only nobles resided.

The nobles living there were very authoritative and had no intention of ever leaving their Sector.

In other words, there were many twisted villains there.

Villains with power, such as wealth and status.

Hadn't I experienced it firsthand?

Through that crazy guy, Barus Garion.

From that perspective, if I thought about what kind of person Ani Persson might be...

'...It won't be easy.'

Worries immediately flooded my mind.

This was a person who had been holed up in Sector 3, researching light magic for over 20 years.

I doubted he would be normal, perhaps even stranger than Barus.

Well, the Information Guild did say he was an ordinary man...

'I'll find out when I meet him.'

If I sensed anything strange, I would leave immediately, so it was fine.

'First, I need to get to Sector 3.'

With that conclusion, I said goodbye to Barundel and immediately headed to Sector 3 by carriage.

Rattle, rattle.

From Sector 6 to Sector 3.

The carriage traveled for quite a while, passing through three Sectors.

Just as I was starting to feel stiff from sitting for so long, the carriage finally came to a creaking halt.

"We've arrived."

We had finally reached our first destination, the war command center.

"...Ah, you've arrived."

The guard captain, recognizing me, gave an awkward greeting with a forced smile.

Due to the previous incident, our relationship had become somewhat strained.

"Are you here on business related to the contract?"

"Yes, should I show you my ID card?"

"No, it's alright."

"Don't I have to submit any weapons I have?"

"...No, you can go straight in."

Unlike last time, the strict procedures were gone.

It seemed that they confiscated my weapons back then to ensure the success of the kidnapping.

While it didn't feel good, it also meant that I was safe now.

Honestly, I was worried.

That they might try something absurd again for some nonsensical reason.

Fortunately, that didn't seem to be the case.

Anyway, I entered and headed towards the familiar strategy room.

Knock, knock.

I carefully knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside.

"Come in."

It was still an authoritative voice.

As I opened the door and entered, Barus Garion greeted me with a wide smile.

"Ah, my friend Yuhan! Do you know how long I've been waiting?"

"A little less than a week?"

"Hahaha... That's not what I meant. Anyway, have a seat."

"Yes."

As I sat down, Barus went somewhere and brought back two cups of warm tea.

"Let's wet our throats and talk. You must be tired from your long journey."

"...Ah, yes."

He seemed to be treating me more sincerely than our first meeting.

Wondering if there was something strange in it, I left the tea untouched and brought up the main topic.

"Here is the contract signed by the dean himself."

"Y-you succeeded...?"

"Yes."

As I nodded in reply, Barus burst into hearty laughter.

"Uha! Uhahaha!"

He seemed very pleased to have dragged the dean into the war.

That's why I couldn't bring up the next point.

How could I say it? That the dean might kill him after the war was over.

And honestly, I didn't want to tell him.

'He needs to learn his lesson.'

While I was thinking that, Barus, who had been carefully examining the contract, said,

"This is definitely his signature. The mana pattern is very intricate."

"Well, he signed it himself."

"I meant that I confirmed it wasn't a forgery. Anyway, now you have to give me what you promised."

There was only one thing I had promised.

It was the item that was to be paid first among the three rewards specified in the contract.

10,000 gold coins.

"Someone!"

Barus shouted, and I heard footsteps approaching from outside.

Along with a clinking sound.

Barus' personal secretary entered and placed a large chest on the table.

Thud!

A heavy sound despite being placed down gently.

"It's 10,000 gold coins. Check it."

At Barus' suggestion, I opened the chest, and a deep golden light struck my eyes.

'10,000 gold coins...'

Seeing it in person, it was indeed an enormous amount.

The gold coins were piled up high, sparkling brilliantly.

I didn't bother counting them.

Partly because there were too many, but mainly because I didn't think it was necessary.

Would Barus, who was overflowing with money, try to cheat with something like this?

Anyway...

"Could you send this to the academy instead of me? With the recipient being the dean."

I asked Barus to send the chest to the academy.

It was too heavy to carry around, and it wasn't my money anyway.

Asion Gale planned to use these gold coins for a very appropriate purpose.

"Alright. I'll send the chest as it is to the academy."

Barus readily agreed to my request, and the secretary took the chest away again.

"It should arrive by tomorrow."

"Thank you."

As I bowed my head, Barus said with a grin,

"By the way, that's really impressive. I didn't think he would actually agree to this contract. How did you do it?"

How did I do it...?

Honestly, it was embarrassing to say how little I actually did.

"I just persuaded him desperately. Fortunately, the rewards and purpose of the contract were good, so he readily agreed."

I simply explained the most rational choices with some reasoning of my own.

I also promised not to stop him from paying the price after the war was over.

Perhaps he took that in a different sense...

"Haha, as expected of a talented individual. Truly talented."

Barus laughed with satisfaction and praised me.

He seemed to think that this contract was successful because of my abilities.

"Would you be interested in applying to be a Royal Mage after graduation? If you are, I'll write you a letter of recommendation."

He even offered me a position as a Royal Mage.

It seemed like he really liked me.

'The Royal Mage build opens up like this.'

It was surprising since it was completely unintentional, but there was no need to think about it.

"No, thank you. I already have a path I've decided on."

"Oh, I see. Could you tell me what path it is?"

I paused for a moment.

I wondered if he would believe me if I said I was a high-ranking mage who hunted demons freely without belonging anywhere.

In the end, I came to the conclusion that it was better not to say anything and opened my mouth.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can say it out loud yet."

"Ah, it's alright. If you say so, there must be a reason."

A brief silence followed.

I was about to leave, but I asked Barus just in case.

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Do you happen to know someone named Ani Persson?"

It was purely a question out of curiosity.

Since they were both residents of Sector 3, he might know him, right?

But Barus' reaction was completely unexpected.

"Ani Persson...? How do you know that man?"

Barus' pupils trembled slightly at the name Ani Persson.

As if he had heard a frightening name.

[Translator - Prøks]

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