Flame-Wielding Mage Kim — Part 1
“Introduce yourself. This is Warrior Kim, a Level 3 Superhuman.”
Mage Kim’s mouth fell open slightly.
“Nice to meet you, Warrior Kim… Sir? I’m Kim Mabeob.”
A gaze filled with curiosity and surprise.
It was like he was observing some strange animal.
Kim Mabeob’s eyes seemed to be saying this:
How is someone’s name just Warrior Kim?
Hey, you’re no better.
How is someone’s name Kim Mabeob? (TL Note: Mabeob means Mage/Magic in Korean)
“Pleasure to meet you, Kim Mabeob. I’m Warrior Kim.”
“Oh, please, feel free to be casual with me. I’m just an apprentice mage. I’m only Level 1.”
“Still, you’re part of the Sun Mage Tower, right? As the grandson of the Tower Master, surely you’ll soar to high levels one day.”
“Well…”
Kim Mabeob gave an awkward, faint smile.
The Tower Master clicked his tongue.
“That’s exactly the problem. It’s our Mage Tower’s long-standing concern.”
“Pardon?”
I actually knew all the details.
But sometimes, you have to pretend you don’t know.
The Tower Master began to explain.
“This boy is too dimwitted to become a proper mage. He somehow managed to awaken to Level 1, but he can’t progress beyond that. His potential shows he could reach Level 5, but my heart aches knowing I’ve held him back at Level 1 because of his limitations.”
The issue was simple.
Intelligence.
True to his role as a tutorial character, and a naturally low-tier character, Kim Mabeob was missing a crucial screw.
Among the six main attributes—Strength, Agility, Stamina, Intelligence, Spirit, and Mana—his Intelligence was below that of other mages.
His starting trait was [Mana Bullet].
Even though he’s from the Sun Mage Tower, his skill wasn’t even [Fireball].
The best we could do was send him to an academy, try to equip him with the [Magic] trait, or push him to complete personal quests for an advancement.
Considering that Warrior Kim had no starting traits and his stats were generally low, their situations weren’t all that different.
It’s not like I was panting and struggling in the neighborhood park during training for no reason.
“He’s not smart? No way. He seems sharp to me.”
“It’s just that my grandfather’s expectations are too high.”
Kim Mabeob started to complain to me.
“I may look like this, but I’m a student at Seoul University’s Business School. But he’s still disappointed in me…”
“Bah! You should’ve joined the School of Magic! A guy who chose Liberal Arts has no right to talk! If you’d at least gone to Pre-Med or Physics, I wouldn’t be nagging like this! Good grief, with both your parents being mages, who on earth do you take after?”
“I take after you, Grandfather!”
“If that were true, you little brat, you’d be ranked first in the entire country, not just the school!”
I got the gist of it.
So he’s a math-phobic mage.
A mage who can’t do math?
There’s hardly anything more disastrous.
Looks like the low Intelligence stat has manifested in this way here.
I watched the entertaining banter between grandfather and grandson with interest before speaking up.
“Is Kim Mabeob’s problem really that he’s bad at math?”
“Yes! This boy has such a Liberal Arts brain! The other day, he even threw a fit about wanting to write web novels, driving me up the wall!”
“But didn’t you write poems when you were young, Grandfather?”
“That was just a brief hobby. You can have hobbies too, I won’t stop you. But only after you’ve raised your Superhuman level to at least Level 5.”
“What am I supposed to do when magic just doesn’t stick in my head?”
“That’s because you’re not trying hard enough, you brat!”
“Didn’t you say it was my intelligence that’s the issue?”
“You little—!”
When the Tower Master dramatically raised his arm, Kim Mabeob pretended to shield his head.
They’re quite the affectionate pair, it seems.
As I smiled faintly, the Tower Master cleared his throat.
“Hrm, hrm, we showed an embarrassing side of ourselves in front of a guest.”
“Not at all. I’m envious of how close you are.”
“He’s my only grandchild, you see. Other people have plenty of grandsons and granddaughters, but I only have this one. That’s the one thing I envy them for. My son should’ve put in more effort… hmph!”
“Is quantity really important? Isn’t it more about how well you raise them? Being in Seoul University’s Business School makes him part of the top 0.1% in Korea, doesn’t it?”
“Ugh! That’s not the point. I’d still like to see him grow into a respectable mage, but that’s where the issue lies. Honestly, he’s not completely lacking in talent. It’s just that he doesn’t align with our Mage Tower.”
We were finally getting to the main point.
The Tower Master downed his coffee in one shot and grumbled.
“Other mage towers are similar, but ours has it particularly bad. Our magic requires extremely precise mathematical calculations. If you make a mistake in the calculations, the spell can backfire or explode, leaving the mage disabled or worse.”
“What if he used artifacts, magical spirits, or even computer-based artificial intelligence to assist? Couldn’t he at least insert a terminal?”
“There are limits to that. Up to Level 3 or 4, you can rely on the tools you mentioned to grow quickly. But Level 5—that’s a different story. Once you reach that level, any barrier you barely crossed becomes an insurmountable wall. Not even Nectar or Ambrosia would help. As his grandfather, I can’t sell his future to buy a shortcut for the present.”
“That makes sense. So, what if you taught him magic that doesn’t require mathematical calculations?”
I hit the nail on the head.
The Tower Master nodded thoughtfully.
“That was precisely our Mage Tower’s proposed solution. Actually, there are quite a few people with potential who can’t become mages due to their lack of intelligence. My cousin, for instance, eventually gave up and became a priest.”
A problem you’d find anywhere.
The most crucial stats for a mage are Intelligence, Mana, and Stamina.
Born into a family of mages but with a Liberal Arts brain?
Nothing could be more tragic.
Even if he becomes a Superhuman, he’ll never become a true mage.
“With the long history of the Sun Mage Tower, you must have researched this issue extensively. Why is it still a ‘long-standing concern’?”
“Our Mage Tower only began taking this problem seriously relatively recently. In the Joseon era, or even during the Japanese occupation, they’d just write off someone’s lack as a personal shortcoming. It wasn’t until after World War II that people started acknowledging individual differences.”
“I see…”
It’s similar to how the noblemen of the Joseon era only studied Confucian classics.
“We did conduct research, but the results have been slow. We managed to develop a few Mana Circuits. But the power… it’s just far too lacking. I mean, how can a Level 3 Mana Circuit just produce a tiny flame and be done? How could anyone call that a mage? It’s fine for a magic swordsman, but look at this frail body of his. Does it look like he can be of any use as a warrior-type Superhuman?”
I glanced at Kim Mabeob.
Indeed, he was slim and lacked any visible muscle.
He could manage as a scholar or a mage, but a magic swordsman? Absolutely impossible with his physique.
“I understand why this troubles you, Tower Master. But why are you telling me all this? I’m a warrior. I wouldn’t be of much help in developing Mana Circuits for mages.”
The Tower Master looked me straight in the eye.
“I may be a Tower Master, but that doesn’t mean I don’t hear things.”
He stared intently at me.
“You’re the one who treated Mr. Seo’s son, aren’t you?”
“You knew?”
“Those in the know, know. And I saw the black flames with my own eyes today. I thought I’d mention it just in case. Even though I’m a mage, mages tend to be overly reliant on magic and get a bit narrow-minded. Given that you wield one of Earth’s greatest flame abilities, you might have an incredible idea we haven’t thought of yet.”
His eyes held a mix of hope and doubt.
Fine, I’ll shatter those doubts for him.
I know exactly how this quest’s final resolution will ease the Sun Mage Tower’s concerns.
“What if we used spirits?”
“Spirits?”
“Yes. Not an artificial spirit, a real one. The problem is with casting spells, right? Since he can’t handle the calculations, he can’t use magic. So, why not let a spirit handle that part and simply provide the mana?”
“Hmm, that’s impossible.”
The Tower Master looked openly disappointed.
“The gods are dead, and the gateway to the Spirit Realm is closed. Ever since the Magi-Tech Revolution, spirits have become impossible to find in the natural world. Nowadays, only those with exceptional spirit affinity can barely become Spirit Summoners. And this boy here doesn’t have even a sliver of spirit affinity. How could he ever become a Spirit Summoner?”
“I’m not suggesting he make a contract with a spirit. I’m suggesting he use a spirit.”
“Explain yourself—exactly, and in detail.”
“I understand that the Sun Mage Tower’s Mana Circuits are designed primarily to replicate fire, heat, and the sun itself.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then why not replicate a fire spirit?”
“Huh?”
“You engrave a single, dedicated spell into the Mana Circuit. Of course, it would need to allow adjustments in form and intensity. The user provides the mana, while the circuit handles the magic. This way, even a blockhead could use magic.”
“Hmm.”
The Tower Master fell silent, deep in thought.
“But isn’t that… not really a mage?”
“No, it’s not being a mage.”
“Hm…”
“Ultimately, the choice is yours, Tower Master. But think about it. Would you rather pour money into spirit artifacts and push your grandson to reach Level 3, maybe Level 4 if you’re lucky? Or would you train him properly to become a Level 6, possibly even Level 7 Pyromancer?”
Pyromancer!
The Tower Master seemed struck by that word.
It was indeed the right path for Kim Mabeob’s growth.
Though, honestly, instead of wasting Nectar to turn him into a Pyromancer, it would be far easier to just recruit a naturally talented Pyromancer.
“Pyromancer… Pyromancer…”
The Tower Master rolled the word around in his mouth, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
After all, a Pyromancer is still a mage-type Superhuman.
But soon, his expression turned serious again.
“There is one problem.”
“What is it?”
“With the gateway to the Spirit Realm closed, we can’t summon a fire spirit.”
Currently, only one Spirit Summoner is known to the world—and even that person only deals with water and ice spirits.
The spirit fossil that the Sun Mage Tower has preserved since the Goryeo Dynasty isn’t precisely a fire spirit, either.
Don’t tell me they expect me to open the gate to the Spirit Realm.
Fortunately, I already had an alternative solution.
“It doesn’t have to be a spirit essence.”
“Not a spirit essence? Are you talking about a divine beast’s essence?”
“Yes.”
“A divine beast, huh… Of course! The Phoenix!”
The Tower Master slapped his knee.
“If we capture a Phoenix and replicate its heart, blood vessels, and neural system to create a Mana Circuit… this could work! Or, we could even directly implant the Phoenix Circuit! Pyromancy… Phoenix Pyromancy! Hahaha! How did I not think of this before? Consulting you was a stroke of genius! Hahaha! What a blessing you are!”
“Whoa! What’s going on?”
“What do you think? On a day like this, we have to dance!”
The Tower Master grabbed me and started to dance an awkward, jubilant jig.
It was a sight that didn’t fit his usual stern face or his strict, formal attire in the slightest.
Watching an old man well into his eighties dancing like that made it hard for me to just stand still.
So, reluctantly, I joined in, moving like a broken puppet alongside him.
Kim Mabeob, too, let out a heavy sigh and joined us.
Apparently, whenever the Tower Master was in a particularly good mood, he would drag his grandson into a private dance like this.
“Hahaha!”
The Tower Master burst into hearty laughter.
“I should have invited a warrior over for a chat ages ago. Warriors really do see things differently from mages. Bah, what’s the use of a hundred meetings among these stubborn old mages? They just keep going over the same points every time.”
In truth, that’s not quite accurate.
In the end, the Tower Master would reach the same conclusion: capturing a Phoenix and implanting its heart, blood vessels, and nervous system.
The result would be the [Phoenix Pyromancy] trait.
While it’s not quite on par with Extreme Pyromancy or Solar Flame, it’s still quite effective.
The Tower Master suddenly stopped laughing and put on a serious face.
Then he looked straight at me.
It was the same intense expression I’d seen on his face when he looked at his smartphone earlier.
“So, here’s what I want to ask you.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Could you capture a Phoenix for me? It doesn’t need to be an ancient, thousand-year-old beast. Something that’s been around for fifty years—or even just twenty years—would be ideal. That would minimize rejection and make it easier to implant into my grandson.”
“You’re asking me to find the Phoenix Valley?”
“Exactly right.”
Phoenix Valley.
Simply put, it’s a nesting ground for Phoenixes.
A place where the Great Divine Beast Phoenix periodically comes to lay its eggs.
Naturally, it’s hidden by the Phoenix’s power, making it difficult to locate, even for high-level Superhumans.
“I’m asking you this just in case.”
The Tower Master laid out his terms clearly.
“If you find Phoenix Valley, I’ll reward you with whatever you want. Even if you ask for an honorary elder position in the Tower, I’ll accept. And even if you can’t locate Phoenix Valley, I’ll still reward you handsomely if you bring back a young Phoenix—something suitable for implanting into my grandson.”
However, the difference in rewards would be substantial.
A young Phoenix?
It’s a rare creature, but not something the Sun Mage Tower couldn’t obtain on their own.
The real prize was Phoenix Valley.
It seemed like a good time to strike a deal.
I stood up straight and looked the Tower Master in the eye.
“You’ll give me anything I want?”
“If you find Phoenix Valley, yes.”
“I wouldn’t settle for just a young Phoenix anyway.”
“To repeat, if you succeed in locating Phoenix Valley, you can have whatever you desire.”
“Even the Solar Flame?”
“Hmm?”
“The Solar Flame. I want the Solar Flame.”
The Tower Master looked at me, surprised.
Then he chuckled, as if amused by my bold request.
“Oh, sure, I can give you the Solar Flame. If, that is, you can actually use it.”
“I want it stored in a memory chip. Don’t try to stall by saying I have to learn basic magic or imprint the circuit myself.”
“Fine. If you find Phoenix Valley, I’ll give it to you immediately. What, don’t you trust my word?”
“No, I trust you.”
The Tower Master laughed, treating it like a playful joke.
I laughed as well.
The laughter came naturally.
Because…
I already knew the location of Phoenix Valley.
–TL Notes–
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