Chapter 1176: Flowering (7)

“Take a deep breath slowly and calm your mind.”

“Huuuuh…”

“You don’t have to try to concentrate forcefully. It’s enough to let your thoughts flow as they come.”

This was the top-floor office of a building leased in the nearby District 48, while the Magic Tower’s construction was underway.

Jenny sat upright in the office chair, eyes closed, breathing deeply.

In her hands, a blue ring glowed, slowly rotating.

Wooooong!!!

Jenny’s Ouroboros magic circle, radiating a blue light, different from Lennok’s golden glow.

However, Lennok wasn’t particularly concerned about the difference in color.

The important thing was the image of ‘convergence’ within the Ouroboros magic system.

Because Jenny was visualizing it better than anyone else in the Magic Tower.

“Good. That’s enough.”

The moment Lennok said that and clenched his right hand, the black ring on his index finger rotated.

Simultaneously, the darkness spread around Lennok and Jenny, rotating and forcibly halting everything.

Whoosh!!

Only then did Jenny open her eyes, panting and coughing violently, dripping with sweat.

“Haa, cough…!!”

“Let’s rest a bit. Just don’t forget the sensation you just had.”

Lennok, who had been holding her shoulder, stepped back, opening and closing his right hand.

“The results of all the practice you’ve accumulated. I can maintain them for you while I help you practice.”

“This is the first time I’ve learned and practiced something this way.”

Jenny wiped sweat from her sleeve and narrowed her eyes.

“To be able to preserve the results of my practice without losing them. Where did you get a power like that from?”

“Well…”

Ever since he realized that the activation condition for his Mandala was not himself, but rather external to himself.

Lennok was gradually getting a sense of how to utilize the Mandala’s ‘preservation’ ability.

The Mandala, true to its name, was a vessel capable of holding eternal essence as it is.

But there were literally no limits to what could be contained within that vessel.

If it could even contain and preserve the remains of a dead Outer God, then interfering with ‘phenomena’ across spacetime should also be possible.

That was why Lennok was helping Jenny practice the manifestation of Ouroboros, using it as an opportunity to practice the Mandala’s abilities himself.

However, Lennok calmed those thoughts and nonchalantly changed the subject.

“I’ve learned and mastered so many abilities that I don’t quite remember. I’ve also discarded many abilities after using them once.”

“…You’re saying that to be deliberately annoying, aren’t you?”

“It means there’s no need to be bound by miscellaneous means if your core is firmly established.”

Lennok chuckled and turned around.

“Many of the spells I’ve mastered have similar abilities, but if I have a clear standard, I can distinguish whether they are truly necessary for me. Then it’s not difficult to integrate similar abilities or discard one and organize the rest.”

“…”

“The reason I’m passing down Ouroboros to you is ultimately because this magic system can serve as that standard. From the beginning, this power was created for ‘that’ purpose.”

Lennok smiled, looking at Jenny, who was staring down at her hands with a serious expression.

“Well, to be fair, it’s also because your aptitude is exceptionally outstanding.”

Jenny possessed the most outstanding aptitude for the Ouroboros magic system among all the Magic Tower companions Lennok had ever taught.

When he first started teaching Ouroboros, she even showed greater achievements than Evelyn Marcia.

That was why Lennok sought Jenny whenever he had time, teaching her the Ouroboros magic system.

Fortunately, Jenny did not disappoint his expectations and did not neglect her practice, so now she had grown enough to independently manifest the basic magic circle.

Upon hearing Lennok’s words, a more resolute determination appeared on Jenny’s face.

She pulled her chair closer, placed both hands on the desk, and said,

“Let’s do it again. I’m ready.”

“You seem very tired. Are you sure?”

“Even with your help, I don’t want to forget this sensation.”

Jenny closed her eyes, flipped her hands over, and stacked them as she replied.

“On the contrary, I should try to practice on my own even when you, Van, are not around.”

Pah!!!

The Ouroboros magic circle, rotating as a blue ring in Jenny’s hands, took shape.

She began to carve her own will and standards, one by one, into the empty, blank magic circle.

“As you’ve learned by now, Ouroboros isn’t a magic system specialized for combat.”

Lennok said, standing beside Jenny and looking down at the magic circle.

“It’s closer to a tool that analyzes, screens, and absorbs things… serving as a standard or means in that process.”

“…”

“But precisely because of that, once you’ve completely mastered Ouroboros, you’ll be much freer in acquiring other types of magic than before.”

Lennok continued,

“Of course, it will still be influenced by your innate spellcraft aptitude, but at least it will open up opportunities to learn and understand new magic, spellcraft, and knowledge.”

“That’s…”

“I intend to make that qualification the authority to operate and control my Magic Tower.”

It was no coincidence that Jenny, of all people, had the aptitude to learn the Ouroboros magic system.

While it was partly due to her being a descendant of the Bajour bloodline, inheriting Kaiser’s blood through atavism.

Lennok knew it was also because her own abilities had reached such an outstanding level.

The understanding and insight inherently required to wield the Ouroboros magic system.

The intuition to grasp the essence and the macroscopic vision to see the invisible.

The only person who could share duties and make judgments from the same perspective as Lennok.

The only one he could trust with the Magic Tower when he left the city and was away.

His partner with whom he had spent the longest time since creating his Van identity.

She would know that birth or origin wasn’t what mattered.

What Lennok valued most was always—

“Yes, I know.”

Woooooong!!!!

Jenny, with the Ouroboros magic circle floating, slowly half-opened her eyes.

“That this is an extension of what I do best. And that I can do it better than anyone else.”

Crack, crackle!!!

Complex patterns and characters were instantly etched onto the blue magic circle, completing it.

Jenicia Bajour’s unique Ouroboros magic system solidified its form and rotated smoothly.

“I’ve already decided what I want to do.”

Jenny murmured.

“If qualification is needed, I’ll take it now.”

Paaaah!!!

Seeing the lingering warm blue light filling the vast office, Lennok stepped back.

“So, the preparations are almost complete.”

She hadn’t perfectly mastered Ouroboros yet, but she was very close.

From here on, even if Jenny practiced alone, she would achieve tangible results.

Once she entered an awakened state, it would take some time for her condition to stabilize properly.

Lennok, who had been silently watching her, cast a simple barrier spell in the office and turned to leave.

Most of the necessary tasks before the Magic Tower’s construction was finished were now done.

What remained was—

[Van. The Chairman has returned to Vulcan.]

Lennok walked, looking at Virgil’s message on his phone screen.

[She wishes to speak with you briefly. Can you come to the Cartel headquarters right away?]

The Chairman’s office, located on the top floor of the Cartel headquarters.

Behind a vast library, stacked high with all sorts of books and ancient texts, a transparent veil hung.

A scene Lennok always encountered whenever he came here to meet Olivera.

“You’re late.”

Lennok said, confirming the gleaming eyes from beyond the swaying veil.

“You left Kundara before me, yet you’re only just now returning to Vulcan?”

[After a long absence, I had many things to attend to on my travels.]

Olivera’s familiar Six Harmonies Echo resonated from beyond the veil.

[Long ago, I wandered the continent, exchanging many favors and grudges. This time, I merely repaid those debts.]

“For someone who says that, you look much healthier.”

Lennok chuckled.

“It seems your journey to Kundara was quite the excellent recuperation for you.”

Although she had cleansed impurities from her body by bathing in the venom of Nives’s domain, she had suffered several serious injuries during the battle in the Ninth Tribulation.

Yet, Olivera’s condition upon meeting her again seemed much improved compared to before.

Not only did her Mystic Eye gleam fiercely from beyond the veil, but the aura emanating from her languidly reclining body was also sharp and vibrant.

It was clear that she, who had left Kundara first, had somehow recovered and optimized her condition.

Considering the injuries and side effects Lennok sustained in Kundara, it was almost absurd.

Of course, it was Lennok who had requested Olivera to accompany him to Kundara in the first place—

[You, too, seem to have properly met the people you needed to meet before returning.]

Olivera let out a languid laugh.

[So, has that failure gone to atone for his sins?]

“…Well, I’m not sure if you could call it atonement.”

Lennok shook his head.

The brief encounter just before leaving Kundara.

He had known for a long time that she had surmised his meeting Maleon and turning him into a follower.

“Maleon’s situation wasn’t his fault. Despite that, he tried to remain himself until the very end.”

“…”

“I merely wanted to give Maleon a chance. The rest is for him to bear responsibility for.”

[You wanted to give him a chance, you say…]

Olivera sneered.

[You speak as if you’re a god. Even after experiencing such things, you’re still just like yourself.]

“…”

[If even your arrogance hasn’t changed, then that’s not a bad thing either. Seeing your face, it finally feels like the work is done.]

“…You didn’t call me all the way here just to mock me, did you?”

Lennok gave a wry smile and averted his gaze.

“The fact that you sought me out as soon as you returned to Vulcan means you’ve heard all the news from the Central Front, right?”

[Heard, you say? If you’re referring to the decisive battle between the Nether King and Jinwa, then you could put it that way.]

Olivera chuckled and replied.

[I, however, have seen what happened there.]

“…You personally saw that battle?”

He had wondered why her return to Vulcan was so late; it seemed Olivera herself had directly observed the decisive battle.

Lennok paused for a moment at her retort, and Olivera leisurely said,

[The entire perimeter of the Central Front was enveloped in an endless night, becoming a Demonic Realm where not an inch could be seen.]

“…”

[The outcome is not yet known, but when the night lifts, all will be over. Perhaps the victor has already been decided.]

“It’s already been over a week since night fell over the Central Front.”

Lennok asked with a stiff expression.

“The Nether King and Jinwa… have they been fighting for that long?”

[For Transcendent beings on the threshold of Ascension, the world’s time is a highly relative concept.]

Olivera said.

[The battle would have begun and ended in an instant. All other time would merely be the process of managing the aftermath. From the outside, even that would feel as long as eternity.]

“…”

[And, I think I already know which side won…]

Olivera’s Mystic Eye gleamed sharply from beyond the veil.

[It would be best to prepare for the worst. Neither of them were the type to leave a loser intact.]

“Not leave them intact, huh…”

Did that mean Myeong or Jinwa would desecrate the loser’s death? Or the opposite?

Though Lennok vaguely understood the meaning, he couldn’t bring himself to ask her.

Because Lennok himself had also anticipated the outcome of the battle.

[Before we discuss the fate of monsters who toy with the rules of Ascension, there was something else we needed to talk about.]

Olivera asked in a stern voice.

[The Legion is returning. What will you do?]

“…”

[The purpose of the Legion Parade hasn’t been officially announced, but those who know already understand. You, too, must have heard the whole story.]

“…I think you, not I, would have the answer to that.”

Lennok looked up.

“I know nothing about the time the Legion existed in Vulcan. I don’t know what they were like when they were members of The Three Chiefs.”

“…”

“As the head of the Cartel, having clashed with Deadrise, you would know. What kind of beings are the Legion?”

Lennok asked.

“What happens when they return to Vulcan?”

[Everything will return to how it was before.]

Olivera met Lennok’s gaze.

[To the time when the Black Consumer Project failed and civil wars and battles continued. When they built and destroyed cities, piling up corpses.]

“…”

[Ethan Bajour’s return must be to correct past mistakes. At the very least, he must wield that much power.]

From beyond the veil, the sound of her leaning back on the couch was heard.

[It’s clear that the Legion desires war. The Demoness’s defeat is also one of the reasons. The bond among the Sacred Kin of the Legion has always been immense, then as now.]

“…”

[I heard they will fill the vacant Legion Commander position during the Legion Parade. I also heard that your name, and Cheonbeon’s, who is under your protection, are being mentioned for that position.]

Seeing the silent Lennok, Olivera asked with a hint of a smile,

[Facing the high-ranking Legion Commanders of Deadrise, who have gathered solely to oppose you, can you really protect your Domain intact?]

“I don’t know. Whether I can do it is, in the end, something difficult to gauge without actually trying.”

There were many intertwined matters regarding this Legion Parade, and he didn’t know if he could handle them all at once.

His meeting with Olivera was to discuss and coordinate these matters.

He had made a proposal to Peshia, but surprisingly, she hadn’t immediately accepted Lennok’s words.

Instead, she had merely hesitated with a rare, wavering expression, postponing her answer until the last moment.

He could give her time to think, but even so, what Lennok had to do remained unchanged.

“I intend to meet Ethan Bajour before things begin, one way or another. At least, without knowing what kind of person he is, it’s impossible to make a judgment.”

“…”

“What does he, who has been away from Vulcan for so long, desire by returning to the Legion at this point?”

Lennok gave a wry smile and looked up.

“When dealing with a Transcendent of that caliber, there are things one can never know without meeting them directly.”

After that, Lennok finished coordinating his schedule with Olivera until the Legion Parade and left the office.

He had left many things in progress during his journey to Kundara, and there were tasks that needed to be finalized.

He needed to decide what identity to use for the Legion Parade.

And what to confirm when he met Ethan Bajour.

“Van.”

Virgil, who had walked from the opposite side of the hallway, spoke to Lennok, who was deep in thought.

“Long time no see. Have you been well?”

“I’m somehow alive, now that I’ve regained my senses.”

Lennok replied as Virgil led him into the CEO’s office where he worked.

“I apologize for borrowing your Chairman for this matter. There were many dangerous situations.”

“No, it was the Chairman’s own wish, so it’s not for me to say anything.”

Virgil, arms crossed, with arms as rugged as rocks, smiled.

“On the contrary, I wish the Chairman would enjoy her excursions more often. All Cartel matters are like this, but the Chairman is unusually… disinclined to move.”

“…Could you say that same thing to Olivera’s face?”

“Of course, absolutely not.”

Lennok and Virgil looked at each other and laughed simultaneously.

Even amidst that, Virgil glanced around cautiously, then held out a data chip placed on the office table.

“Anyway, since the Chairman has returned, I can now hand this over to you. That’s why I called you briefly.”

“What is this?”

“Van. You may not have been aware of outside news, being busy with research in the Magic Tower, but the current atmosphere is unusual.”

Virgil’s expression turned slightly serious.

“Not only are there external threats, but within, a series of critical information leaks have made things extremely ominous.”

“…”

“The reason I’m giving this to you first is to inform you exactly how this information, currently being widely shared in Vulcan, is affecting the mega-city.”

Click.

As soon as he heard that, Lennok unhesitatingly inserted the data chip into his phone.

Davi immediately responded to Lennok’s will, scanning the internal data and displaying it on the screen.

“…This is.”

He confirmed the title of the report, which contained a familiar-looking keyword, and his expression hardened.

[Risk Report: Social Reactions and Ripple Effects of the Eastern Continent Superhuman Power Ranking Posted on the Deepweb (Ranking List Attached)]