Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 315

Episode 315 Candidates (2)

The Ark Council is comprised primarily of captains.

Depending on the situation, only those with authority, such as elders or executives, may attend.

People who are merely candidates, like Leila and Locke, and do not have sufficient authority, are not allowed to participate in the meeting, let alone listen in on the conversation.

Leila said, taking a step forward.

“As I mentioned before, there is no direct involvement for candidates other than the exchange. Asher, unless you are a new candidate like me, there is no obligation for everyone to attend.”

The world doesn't always go as planned.

Even if the date of the Ark meeting is set in advance, an unexpected situation may arise or you may find yourself in a situation where you cannot leave.

Each person has their own circumstances.

The Ark imposes obligations on the candidates and helps them grow, but does not oppress them.

Unlike the captains who are compelled to attend the meeting for that reason, candidates who only engage in exchange battles are not compelled to attend the meeting.

Verden tilted his head.

“I’ve heard that candidates are always required to provide proof, but if it’s not mandatory… is there any reason to participate in the exchange?”

“Of course. The exchange itself is actually a place for candidates. If you succeed in proving meaningful growth, you will receive a reward that will help you personally.”

Leila pointed to her waist.

A blood-red sword. It was the price of proof.

“Not only that, the higher-ups are watching the exchange. If you get noticed, you can be given a trial by the captain himself. It’s not common, though. You can also use the Ark’s facilities. There are many reasons for this.”

Reward through proof… … .

Certainly, then, there are more than enough reasons for candidates to get involved.

Even if there was no such thing, being able to use Ark's library was a huge merit in itself.

At least that was the case for Verden.

Locke chuckled as he walked and did some light stretching.

“And everyone wants to prove their skills. To be honest, this is rare. Even if they don’t go on stage, they come to see other people’s skills and learn and experience them.”

What the candidates for the ark have in common is a strong desire to improve.

They are all people who, without exception, are trying to move forward and grow further. There is not a single one of them who does not.

Everyone who stands still is dead and will die.

Enduring it is also an ordeal.

“Ah, but there aren’t many people who are considered as incredibly strong as Sister Layla or Brother Asher. If you broadly categorize trials, there are villages, cities, and even countries. So the differences are quite large.”

It is no exaggeration to say that power is the world's absolute standard.

However, the Ark is a group for humanity, not a ruling power.

Candidates are selected based on a variety of indicators, including individual strength, potential for future growth, humanity, leadership, and aspiration.

And then, they are given trials that match their current abilities.

So I wondered.

“How on earth do you judge that?”

It is impossible to completely understand a person's intentions.

It's not even possible to predict with certainty how one's mind might change along the way.

“I don’t know the details either… but I heard that one of the captains is in charge of that part. Am I right, listener?”

“Haha, I can’t really tell you the details. He’s watching over the world…… That’s all I can say.”

Looking into the world.

'You've surpassed the level of magic. So you possess an ancient artifact with such power?'

It wasn't particularly surprising.

The mere existence of the Ark that is currently standing is shocking in itself. It is tiring to react to everything that the Ark is hiding.

Verden changed the subject.

“So almost all of the candidates will attend?”

“I’ve only experienced it about three times so far, but roughly speaking, it seems like about half of them come. In terms of numbers, it’s a small number. In the first place, there aren’t many candidates for the ark.”

“The attendance rate is lower than expected.”

The listener nodded.

“I guess it’s because the cycle is one year. Especially when comparing the past and the present, the bigger the gap, the greater the reward, so many people prefer to prove their skills after growing for many years.”

“But I think this time there will be much more than usual.”

Taila, who had been following along silently, added.

“Because the two new candidates, including Mr. Asher, are attracting considerable attention.”

She looked at Theon, who was in the back row.

“……Everyone knows that Gluttony is a traitor to the Ark. And that they are extremely dangerous. It’s surprising that the Doctor and Gluttony’s fifth tooth were defeated in the meantime. And since it’s known that the mastermind is attending the Ark meeting, it’s only natural that he’s getting attention.”

It wasn't really my intention.

In any case, it was a convincing reason. Immediately afterwards, Verden turned his gaze to the listener.

“I haven’t heard about any other new candidates.”

“I also found out about it yesterday and wanted to tell you… but I didn’t get a chance because Asher-sama didn’t come out. Oh, of course I’m not blaming you. Really. Anyway, I heard that you’re a candidate from the Central Continent. And you’ve mastered a new type of magic.”

“A new magic?”

Not only Verden, but everyone showed interest.

The same was true for Theon and Tailla.

Since they were each in charge of the Western Continent and the Eastern Continent, they were not very knowledgeable about the Central Continent.

“Oh, I don’t know the details either. I asked because I was curious, and all you said was that I would know when I saw it. So you’ll know naturally when you go. Probably.”

A listener who waved his hand guided the way.

‘… … A new type of magic.’

I have never heard of it, even though Verden looked back on his days at Matap.

That means it was either created recently, or was secretly carried out without the knowledge of the magic tower.

The central continent is the center of turmoil. That's why it's possible.

'There's one more thing to look forward to.'

The captain, who is an unknown force, and the other new candidates.

Verden was truly feeling the reward of coming to Ark.

* * *

The Ark Conference begins in the massive citadel at the center of the Ark.

Meanwhile, the candidates wait in their respective waiting rooms for the exchange to begin, moving through the space shuttle installed in advance.

'They're using spatial magic here and there that's hard to see.'

If the magic of the world were to develop even further, would it look like this?

Even in real life, you can travel across space… I couldn't really imagine it. No matter how much I thought about it, it was clear that it was something that couldn't be seen in this day and age.

It was Verden's personal view.

“For your information, only candidates are allowed to enter the waiting room. So we will wait outside. If you are planning to leave right away, please go up to the prepared moving line.”

The listener pointed forward politely.

There were three magic circles shining there, one for Verden, one for Leila, and one for Locke.

“See you later, Brother Asher! Sister Layla!”

Locke headed to the waiting room first.

As the distinctive purple light flickered, his presence completely disappeared and Lee Dong-jin disappeared from sight.

Next it was Leila's turn.

“Another teleportation thing… I don’t know about anything else, but this is the one thing I don’t like.”

“You’ll get used to it someday.”

“I wish that were true. Hmm, maybe things would have been a little different if I had taken the path of magic…….”

Do you hate anxiety that much?

Verden found it difficult to fully empathize, having experienced it firsthand but never suffered to such an extent.

“By the way, Asher, I have something to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Your colleague… is he doing well in Riverrun?”

Before coming to Ark, Verden had entrusted a favor to Adrian, something that Layla had already told her herself.

“It will definitely happen.”

A renowned figure in the Central Continent.

The experience and skills he has accumulated are not false.

“……I feel reassured when you assure me like that. If possible, I hope this can be resolved quietly without any problems.”

Leaving those words, Layla stood on the space shuttle.

She too disappeared in a burst of magical and attribute light.

“Be quiet… I can’t guarantee that.”

Berden, who spoke late, took a step forward.

Likewise, the mobile movement is moving.

I moved through space, surrendering myself to the flow of magical power.

* * *

Trollin Mesmore, the mayor's assistant in Riverrun.

For over ten years, he has been handling various affairs, assisting Mayor Troven, who suffers from occasional anxiety disorders.

He took legal things for granted and did not hesitate to do things that were on the borderline of the law or illegal. It was never just because of his upright loyalty.

Since he was in charge of the situation, he had a lot of rice cakes on his hands. He even took care of them so thoroughly that he wouldn't get sick even if he just put them in his mouth.

In just a few years, the clothes we wear, the houses we live in, and many aspects of our personal lives have become incredibly abundant.

Market agent.

With that title, most people in the city looked up to him. The life of a powerful person was so sweet.

It was the same today.

A private meeting with the Adventurer's Guild Leader.

It was a periodic meeting over several months, each time with a lengthy discussion about the disposal of Ain't-human corpses or deceased adventurers.

And it was a simple matter of just handing over the promised profits while being treated with kindness by the guild leader who was obsessed with flattery.

Just in case, he brought along three knights and two wizards as escorts.

Of course, on the outside, they disguised themselves as adventurers or mercenaries. Because of that, even though they didn't have proper equipment, their skills remained the same.

'But, why did it turn out like this?'

All the escorts brought were subdued.

No, it would be more accurate to say that he was literally slaughtered. Even the Adventurer's Guild Master, who had skills no less than those of a knight, was defeated in the blink of an eye.

And yet I couldn't even see who the culprit was.

The only one who was sane was himself. All he knew was the blade pressed against his back and the cold voice.

Yes, that's right.

The trolling aide was kidnapped.

A large ship floating on the Hein River.

The trolling aide, who had fooled the guards, entered inside.

Then, a voice was heard from behind.

“Is this the place where the corpse of an Ainin is?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right……!”

Adrian emerged from the darkness and looked around.

Still with the trolling assistant in front, he slowly looked inside, leaving the lantern hanging on the wall behind him, and saw something huge covered with a cloth.

A magic item used by the Adventurer's Guild for storing corpses.

Adrian carefully pushed the cloth aside.

The corpse of an Ain appeared, accompanied by the pungent stench of rotting meat.

'Is it an ogre?'

There are stab wounds around the neck and limbs.

Judging from the cross-section and traces of blood, it was clear that it had occurred during the subjugation.

Adrian asked.

“Who do you trade with for these subhuman corpses?”

“I, I don’t know about that either. That’s because the mayor himself made the deal……! The only thing I’m in charge of is dealing with the guild master……!”

The body trembles along with the voice.

It doesn't really seem like he's lying.

'But there's something you're hiding.'

What on earth could it be?

Adrian looked at the ogre closely, his eyes widening. At that moment, he discovered a long, thin line extending from the chest to the lower abdomen.

'Traces of cutting and then reattaching.'

Adrian swung his dagger without hesitation.

It was a weapon taken from the guy who was the aide's bodyguard. The sharp, slashing blade cut right through the line, splitting the tough skin apart.

Adrian poked inside with the tip of his knife.

“…….”

There was a person there.

The naked body of a dead person.