Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 142

"Do you know what each of these does?"

"Well, they were hastily procured from the royal family's magical supplies, so I don't know the specifics."

"Hmm."

I pondered, looking at the ten elixirs before me.

'So, these are all magic-related elixirs?'

If Barus wasn't trying to deceive me, all ten of these elixirs would be related to magic.

Of course, [Demon Fantasy] contained hundreds of different elixirs.

Therefore, distinguishing which elixir had what effect wasn't easy.

Even Barus claimed ignorance.

However.

'I think I have an idea.'

If [Demon Fantasy] had hundreds of elixirs, I, who had played the game for ten years, had consumed them thousands of times.

While I couldn't be completely certain, looking at the colors of these elixirs gave me a rough sense.

'This one expands mana circuits, this one enhances mana regeneration...'

Swipe, swipe.

We could take four elixirs.

I discarded the unnecessary ones one by one.

Eventually, six elixirs remained as candidates, with the following effects:

1. Elixir that increases maximum mana capacity.

2. Elixir that increases magic casting speed.

3. Elixir that enhances elemental affinity.

4. Elixir that enhances magic learning ability.

And two elixirs with unknown effects.

These six elixirs remained.

And I internally wrestled with a dilemma.

'None of them are useless.'

Each one had a useful effect.

'...'

How long did I deliberate?

Eventually, I established a criterion.

If they were all useful...

'Choose the most expensive ones.'

I decided to choose those that were costly and difficult to obtain.

Suddenly, my complex thoughts began to organize rapidly.

Swipe, swipe, swipe.

Finally, I narrowed it down to four elixirs.

In order:

Number 2, the casting speed elixir, number 3, the elemental affinity elixir, and the two unknowns.

These four elixirs seemed to be the most difficult to obtain and the most expensive.

Especially...

'I don't know what effects these two have, but they are definitely incredibly valuable.'

The two elixirs I couldn't identify yet.

These were far rarer than the others.

The colors of the elixirs were subtly different.

A subtle difference that only someone who had experienced countless elixirs, like me, could discern.

Anyway.

"Let's take these, Dean."

I pointed at the four gathered elixirs and spoke to the dean.

He tilted his head and asked,

"You looked so thoughtful, so I waited... Do you know what each of these does?"

His expression suggested he was puzzled.

Which was understandable.

How many people could discern elixirs by sight alone?

But... it worked out, didn't it?

"Yes, I believe these are the elixirs we need most."

"Is that so?"

After examining the four elixirs in turn, the dean turned his gaze towards me.

He didn't seem to have grasped what each one did.

"Not what you need?"

"..."

Asion Gale was quick on the uptake.

***

'What's going on?'

Barus Garian clutched his head in bewilderment.

He was utterly unable to grasp the situation.

'...Surely they can't distinguish the effects?'

The ten options presented to them.

He had told them he didn't know what each elixir did, but in reality, Barus Garian knew.

Even if they were hastily procured, there was no way he would have brought them without confirming their effects.

Therefore, he was well aware of what each effect was and its approximate value.

And that was why Barus was confused.

As someone who knew what each elixir did, he couldn't comprehend the mage's choices.

'How on earth...'

Could they pick only the most expensive elixirs like that?

Elixirs that looked no different on the surface?

Wondering if it was a coincidence, Barus Garian looked at the black-haired mage and said,

"I, I think this one's better? It looks so lustrous, mages would go crazy for it..."

He thought he would try to persuade them with any words.

However,

"That one looks the worst."

The black-haired mage narrowed his eyes and replied.

He looked utterly convinced of his opinion.

"..."

Barus couldn't easily respond.

The elixir he had recommended increased maximum mana capacity.

It was a good effect, but among the ten elixirs, it was relatively cheap.

Barus, feeling incredulous, forced himself to speak again.

"Then this one...?"

The second one he pointed at increased magic learning ability.

This was also a rare elixir.

However,

"Not bad, but not something we need to take."

The black-haired mage once again expressed his refusal.

And then, Barus Garian became certain.

'...It's not a coincidence.'

It wasn't a coincidence that he picked only the expensive elixirs.

He didn't know how, but the black-haired mage knew which elixirs were valuable.

"...Alright. Let's go with these four, then."

In the end, Barus Garian raised the white flag.

Continuing the discussion with that man would only give him a headache.

The funny thing was, his bizarre behavior didn't stop there.

After selecting the elixirs, the next step was to choose the secret magic books.

And he repeated the same act.

Flip! Flip!

Yuhan, the black-haired mage, quickly flipped through the pages, pretending to just glance through them.

"Hmm, I'll take these two."

In just over a minute, he narrowed down five secret magic books to two.

Again, he chose only the expensive and rare ones.

'...What kind of person is he?'

Barus wondered, but there was nothing he could do.

He could only report it with a heavy heart.

He hoped the royal family wouldn't question it.

***

After selecting all the rewards, the situation moved swiftly.

With the contract rewards doubled and a proper apology received, there was nothing more to say.

"Are you satisfied now? It feels like we've gotten some revenge."

"...Yes, it's sufficient."

I asked Asion Gale, and he seemed satisfied.

Barus, for some reason, looked gloomy, but that wasn't our concern.

I quickly wrapped things up and returned to the academy with Asion Gale.

"Mr. First Place! Dean!"

As we entered the academy, Thompson, who had come to greet us, waved with a cheerful face.

He seemed to have been waiting for us here, having nothing else to do.

"There are no classes today. Why did you come?"

"I'm leaving soon, so I wanted to practice more of the physical transformation magic while I can."

"Leaving?"

Asion Gale, who had been talking with Thompson, asked in surprise.

"Ah, Mr. First Place, you haven't told him yet?"

Come to think of it, I hadn't mentioned it yet.

I was only concerned about getting the elixirs and secret magic books.

"Let's talk inside."

I sent Thompson back to the dormitory and headed to the dean's office with Asion Gale.

And, as I had done with others, I revealed all my future plans.

"...Alfheim? The land of the elves?"

"Yes, that's the first place we plan to visit."

"Well, this is quite sudden."

The dean reacted with surprise, like everyone else.

It was only natural, as I had suddenly announced my departure from Asternon.

However, as if used to this now, the dean quickly regained his composure.

"You're truly an unpredictable fellow. So, why are you going to Alfheim?"

He asked the reason for my destination.

"Hmm."

I hesitated slightly.

My purpose was clearly to level up, but I couldn't say it outright.

However, I could easily come up with an excuse.

"I believe there's something I can learn there."

Alfheim, also known as the Land of the Elves, was a place overflowing with mysteries.

Therefore, many mages sought it out.

A mage always pursued the mysterious.

The dean nodded in understanding.

"Yes, it certainly seems worthwhile. The elves' power is extraordinarily mystical. I'm sure you can achieve meaningful results there."

Tap, tap, tap.

Asion Gale suddenly rose from his seat and placed something on the table.

It was none other than the elixirs and secret magic books we had chosen earlier...

"This is your first time traveling abroad, isn't it?"

"Yes...?"

"Take these with you."

"Huh?"

Asion Gale suddenly told me to take them.

I had been wondering how to ask for them, so I was taken aback by his initiative.

"Are you really giving them to me?"

"Yes, of course."

"Why?"

At my question, Asion Gale spoke with a serious expression.

"You may not know it yet, but visiting a foreign land as a stranger is very dangerous. Without the power to protect yourself, anything could happen. That's why I'm telling you to take them."

"Ah..."

In other words, since it was a dangerous place, he wanted me to use them.

He had a point.

Even in the game, visiting other continents was always fraught with danger.

"Hmph, I hope I don't lose the academy's top student by sending him to such a place..."

He muttered to himself.

Asion Gale seemed quite worried.

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen. You know my abilities, don't you?"

I confidently reassured him.

"With these, I'll be even safer. Nothing will be a threat anymore."

"Hehehe."

Asion Gale smiled at my words.

Clunk!

After chatting with the dean for a while, I left the dean's office.

And I slowly headed towards the dormitory.

Thump, thump, thump.

For some reason, my steps felt heavy.

No, I knew the reason.

'...Was I too complacent?'

My conversation with the dean had made me realize how complacent I had been.

It wasn't a leisure trip.

As he said, visiting a foreign land as a stranger was very dangerous.

I had to be extremely cautious.

Instead of just being happy about going to another continent...

'Let's be careful. Very careful...'

Nearly repeating my past mistakes, I clenched my fist and made a resolution.

This time, I wouldn't let any danger come near me.

Fortunately, unlike when I first opened my eyes in Asternon, I now had the power to prevent it.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]