Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 177

Episode 177: Repairs and Requests

Gray leather armor divided into upper and lower parts.

When Edmon looked at the side of the armor he was holding, he could feel the texture being thin, soft, and tough.

And the patterns and decorations that were symmetrical with each other based on the center. It could not be said to be flashy, but the design itself was not ordinary.

Magic items.

It's not even at the mass-produced level.

It was clear that it was a unique magical item, like the <Robe of the Yuzu> that he had received from the Liviant King. Verden's eye for detail was sharp, having appraised numerous magical items as a test subject.

Ahem.

Edmon said, clearing his throat.

“This is a magic item called ‘The Wizard’s Regret.’ As you can see, it’s not an ordinary item. It has an interesting history that any wizard can relate to.”

Wizards are powerful beings.

However, their ability to deal with unprotected situations is lower than that of warriors, making them very vulnerable to surprise attacks. In fact, it is a very common weakness that any magician would have thought about.

So, we compensate for our weaknesses with various magical items.

“Of course, as you know, it’s not easy to find a magic item with good performance that suits your taste. That’s why you go to the craftsmen and order the magic item you want. In the old days, a certain enchanter was one of them.”

After much hesitation and deliberation, the wizard invested all his wealth into ordering armor to compensate for the wizard's fundamental weakness.

He put in a lot of effort and time, including directly obtaining materials and actively participating in the craftsman's design drawings.

“But the enchanter could not see the finished product with his own eyes. The day before the armor was completed, he was ambushed and fatally wounded, losing his life in vain. Isn’t it ironic? He poured everything into overcoming his weakness, but in the end, he died because of that weakness. And just before he died, the enchanter said this.”

───If only I had hesitated just one day less… … .

“Regret and lament. That was all the wizard left behind. After that, the craftsman who worked with him named the armor after the wizard’s death, and after wandering around, he ended up here. Isn’t that an interesting story?”

Edmon put down the wizard's regret.

“But Asher, what do you think? If you had made your decision a day earlier, as he left his will… would you have survived?”

A sudden question.

Edmon and the Marquis' gaze turned to Verden, who paused for a moment in thought before answering.

“No matter when the decision was made, the grantor wizard would have died.”

“Oh? Can I ask why?”

“Because the culprit is the same anyway.”

“If it’s the culprit… it must be my father-in-law.”

Verden nodded.

A magician who was killed the day before the armor was completed.

It's quite a coincidence… … but it's not enough as a clue. There's also a possibility that another villain was involved.

But that's not what Verden noticed.

This is the will left by the wizard.

The value of the armor that was made that way naturally increased. Even the production costs were mostly borne by the enchanter.

When thinking from the craftsman's point of view.

There is good reason to kill the wizard. Once he is dead, ownership of the armor will be transferred to the craftsman who created it.

With just one kill, you can make a lot of money.

The Marquis of Esperance asked.

“Are you saying that it was a mistake to choose that craftsman in the first place?”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to tell if it’s true or not, but that’s what I think for now.”

“It’s not that I don’t understand… but isn’t it a bit of a stretch to say that the craftsman committed murder simply for profit? If he’s not careful, he could lose everything he’s worked so hard for.”

“I’m sure he was that greedy. To be honest, I think it’s highly likely that the craftsman made up the wizard’s will.”

The Marquis stroked his chin with his fingertips.

“You… don’t trust humans.”

“Believe, but don’t trust.”

Verden asserted.

His words contained sharp barbs, as if he had been betrayed in the past.

Silence fell.

Edmon cleared his throat to clear the air.

“Heh heh…… It’s not hesitation, it’s a lament about trusting the craftsman. You’re definitely different. Other people usually learn the lesson by saying, ‘I shouldn’t have hesitated.’ That was a very interesting interpretation. Now, it’s time to talk about the performance. Let’s see, the certificate of appraisal……”

“If you don’t mind, can I feel it myself?”

directly?

“No, you can even feel emotions? That’s not a talent, it’s something that requires a lot of knowledge… What kind of life have you been living at that age?”

“The teacher taught me.”

“Oh, Master. As expected. Of course, it’s not like you were self-taught. By the way, to raise a wizard like you, you must be a very famous person. And you must be strict as well. I’d like to meet you sometime.”

Of course, Edmon's wish will not come true.

Because the existence of the Master was just a background setting for Asher.

“Okay. Go ahead and try it yourself.”

The Marquis of Esperance gave his permission.

Verden, who received the wizard's regret, generated a small amount of magical power.

<Emotions>

◇ The Wizard's Regret

⦁ Physical resistance (medium).

⦁ Activate automatic strengthening magic barrier.

⦁ Register the bestowal magic (0/3).

'… … !'

Verden, who had confirmed the performance, was secretly impressed.

First, intermediate to upper-level physical resistance.

It far surpasses the leather gear of Mahbat that he is currently wearing.

And an automatic strengthening magic barrier.

After testing, I found that it was more than twice as effective as the necklace of protection that was broken by Gluttony's fang last year.

It's like having a wall made of magic around you in normal times.

'But the most striking thing is… … .'

Register the bestowal magic.

It is a function that allows you to register up to three types of magic that strengthen the caster in advance and use them simultaneously by consuming magic power whenever you want.

The wizard's magical power is important, but even so, it is a very rare performance. It is understandable why the craftsman coveted it.

'It's a shame there's no attribute resistance, though.'

This alone is great.

Enough to satisfy Verden.

“I prepared this item because you said you are good at using magic. In terms of other performances, it is incomparably better than the leather armor you usually wear. Do you like it?”

“I like it.”

“Hehehe! Of course it is! Of course a magic item would be coveted by a wizard, but I’m not very good at enchanting. It’s too much for me. I envy you───”

“Let’s move on.”

“Oh, yes, Your Majesty.”

Edmon, with his smile erased, took out his second reward.

As before, the security box of the Artesian Tower appeared, but its size was at most about the size of a human head.

As soon as the box was opened, two magic stones, each slightly smaller than the palm of one's hand, appeared.

A precisely crafted magic stone.

The level was enough to catch Verden's eye.

But that wasn't all.

Two letters engraved on each stone. They were a form that was familiar to Verden.

'rune……?'

The second reward the Marquis offered was runes.

And there were not one, but two.

* * *

Although the two runes were similar in overall appearance, they differed markedly in their details.

Exceed and Oculus.

Although Verden wields two pieces of advanced rune equipment, his knowledge of runes is rather shallow.

I can't interpret what the runes mean, I can't read what they do, and I don't know how to awaken them.

But still, I had an idea what it was.

“Could it be…… a rune set?”

“I didn’t know you could tell. You’re quite knowledgeable.”

The Marquis' answer was immediately affirmative.

Verden's eyebrows twitched slightly at that fact. It was sheer shock.

Runes usually perform as a single unit.

However, there are two exceptional cases.

A rune craftsman combines different runes to create a unique effect.

And the runes themselves are closely connected to each other and have their own effects. These are the two things above.

“What you have in front of you now is none other than a set of runes classified as ‘high-level’. From the left, they have the abilities of ‘concentration’ and ‘release’. According to the research results, it is said that they concentrate and release the energy, magic, or divine power they possess, resulting in powerful destructive power. However, they are also very difficult to handle.”

Runes cannot be used as is.

It definitely requires the right foundation, that is, equipment.

Moreover, a single set of runes is useless.

To achieve their full potential, they need to be transplanted onto a single piece of equipment in the correct order and spacing, which of course requires a Rune Craftsman who can do it.

“But in this day and age, there are very few who can make rune equipment. We must find a race other than humans.”

“Are you a dwarf?”

“Yes. They live in tribes in the southwest of the continent, but they are too far from the kingdom to be easily contacted. Even if you do meet them, it is questionable whether they will respond since they are known to not be on good terms with other races.”

Additionally, you will need equipment that can withstand the power of the rune set.

If it doesn't contain at least half of the highest grade metal, it's likely to break. Even if it does hold up, its durability will wear out rapidly.

If you're not careful, you could end up losing both your rune set and your equipment, which is a disaster.

“In short, weaponizing them is extremely risky. So, a set of runes is like a very expensive toy for a Marquis.”

So that's why you put it out as a bonus?

but.

“Wouldn’t it be better to sell it rather than give it to me?”

“Why? Because it’s too excessive as a conservative?”

“Yes.”

The Wizard's Regret.

And a set of runes.

Verden would have been more than satisfied if he had been given either one.

Then the Marquis snorted.

“Everyone has a different standard for assessing value. Especially to me, the value of Kalia’s life is by no means small. More so than that armor and runes. Do you understand now?”

There was sincerity in his serious voice.

Verden seemed to have a vague idea of what kind of person the Marquis of Esperenza was.

Verden bowed his head.

“I will gratefully accept it.”

“Hehehe, you’re very polite. Now all that’s left is the final payment…….”

"for a moment."

The Marquis stopped Edmon and rapped the table with his fingers.

The appearance of thinking deeply about something.

He stopped his hands as if he had made up his mind and opened his mouth.

“Edmon, change the final compensation.”

“Yes? Your Majesty, that means…….”

The Marquis nodded once.

He looked straight into Verden's eyes.

“Let me cut to the chase and get straight to the point. Asher, I have a favor to ask of you.”

… … It’s a sudden request.

Although the situation unfolded in an unexpected way, Verden did not lose his composure.

“Can you tell me what the request is?”

“Once you hear it, it’s irreversible. But if I had to say, it’s similar to the request you received from Kalia. Of course, even if you refuse, I will pay you the third reward that was originally agreed upon right away. Also, I promise that there will be no other interference.”

There was silence for a moment.

Meanwhile, Verden thought carefully.

Whether or not to accept the Marquis' request.

The verdict was soon reached.

“I will listen.”

In a situation where the compensation was already excessive.

As long as the other party shows goodwill first, Verden will respond accordingly.

Of course, if I don't understand the content of the request, I'll refuse even if I'm threatened… … but that probably won't happen.

'The opponent is the Marquis of Esperenza, Kalia's father.'

“That’s a refreshing answer. Not bad. I can see why Kalia likes you.”

But before that.

“Let’s start with a meal. Since it’s a matter related to the royal family, the conversation will be quite long.”