How a Wizard Lives 15

Chapter 15-The Mastermind.

The key figures and various Mages of the southern branch of the Magic Tower gathered for an emergency meeting.

These were individuals with considerable authority in their respective fields, including circuit studies.

Francis, the barrier magic specialist of the southern branch, distributed two sheets of paper to each person in the room.

Some had already seen the contents, while others were viewing them for the first time.

“What is this?”

“One is the circuit diagram of the barrier magic currently installed on the southern front’s walls. The other… take a look for yourself.”

An elderly mage, who had spent his entire life studying circuits, adjusted his glasses and examined the two diagrams in detail.

As he scrutinized them, his face gradually filled with surprise and awe.

“Who… who drew this?!”

The mages in the room quickly realized that the new diagram was an improved version of the original barrier magic.

Francis, trying to calm the excitement, gestured with his hands and began to explain.

“First, we verified the validity of this circuit diagram. Surprisingly, the results were successful. The circuit functions flawlessly, and both its performance and efficiency have improved compared to the original.”

The bespectacled elderly mage added, his voice trembling with excitement.

“It’s astonishingly innovative. No, I should say ingenious. They incorporated circuits that were traditionally considered unusable for barrier magic. Even outdated circuits that were no longer used were repurposed. The composition of the circuit is so meticulous that it’s nearly impossible to find any waste. The entire structure has been subtly reworked.”

“Exactly. We only understood how these elements worked together after thorough verification. Even what we initially thought were minor errors ended up enhancing the overall efficiency when combined with other circuits.”

Francis pointed to various parts of the diagram as he spoke.

“An outdated circuit… no… this has also been improved…!”

“Yes, it seems almost everything has been refined. Even the circuits we thought were outdated have been reworked.”

The scale of the diagram was immense.

At a basic level, it contained hundreds of circuits.

Identifying the outdated ones among them was a daunting task.

In fact, it was questionable whether the improved outdated circuits could even be called outdated anymore.

The mages were beyond surprised—they were dumbfounded. This discovery alone could fill several books.

“Who on earth could have done this…?”

Everyone was puzzled.

The decision to publicly post the circuit diagram for improvement had been made two months ago, as the demonic race’s offensive grew stronger.

Given that the diagram had already undergone numerous refinements, no one expected any groundbreaking changes, let alone a completely new approach.

But who could have imagined such a monumental result?

“There was a witness who saw someone drawing something near the bulletin board.”

“Who is it? Who drew this?”

“They said it was a handsome young mage. But beyond that, we have no information.”

The elderly circuit researcher stood up abruptly and shouted.

“We must find this person immediately! Search the entire city if we have to, but we must find them!”

The mysterious individual had left behind an improved circuit diagram, but that alone wasn’t enough.

They needed the underlying principles. Not just guesses based on how it worked, but the exact reasoning…!

“What if we request the assistance of the Count’s daughter? She’s also affiliated with the Magic Tower, isn’t she?”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll take this to the castle.”

The bespectacled elderly mage grabbed the circuit diagram and stood up. Several junior mages followed him.

“Let’s move quickly.”

Soon, the entire southern branch was bustling with activity.

All to find the genius who had left behind this circuit diagram.

—

After spending several days improving the circuit diagram, Yurik took a couple of days to relax in his room.

Finally stepping out, the handsome mage resumed his exploration of the city.

He visited places he hadn’t seen before, captured beautiful scenes in his drawings, watched children playing war games in the alleys, and browsed shops filled with dazzling items…

Thirsty from wandering the city, Yurik entered a cheap tavern. The moment he stepped inside, a wave of noisy chatter hit him like a tide. Most of the patrons were mercenaries.

The mage found an empty seat at the counter and ordered a beer.

The tavern owner placed a full metal mug in front of Yurik and glanced at his face.

“You’re quite handsome. Are you a mage, by any chance?”

“I am a mage, but why do you ask?”

“Lately, the Magic Tower has been in an uproar looking for a handsome mage. Anyone even remotely good-looking is being dragged in.”

Yurik gave a puzzled look. The burly mercenary sitting to his left, sipping his beer, chimed in eagerly.

“I heard the Count’s daughter is also out searching. She’s part of the Magic Tower, too. Something about a circuit diagram or whatever.”

“…A circuit diagram?”

“Who knows what those mage folks are talking about? How many of us here can even read? But that’s what they’re saying, so I guess it’s true.”

At that moment, a pockmarked mercenary sitting to Yurik’s right joined the conversation.

“Someone drew a circuit diagram on the branch’s bulletin board. They’re turning the city upside down looking for the person who did it. Posters are everywhere. Didn’t you know? Haven’t you been here long?”

The handsome mage’s gaze shifted to the pockmarked mercenary.

“Apparently, they need an explanation of the principles… Oh, and there’s a big reward. That’s why a lot of fakes have been showing up.”

Yurik downed the rest of his beer in one go, thanked the two mercenaries by patting their shoulders, and bought them each a drink.

He hurried out of the tavern and headed to where the posters were displayed. Most people were illiterate, so only a handful of people lingered near the posters.

Yurik read the poster carefully. It matched what he had heard at the tavern.

The Magic Tower was looking for the mage who had drawn the circuit diagram on the branch’s bulletin board. Young, handsome.

The poster even included a copy of the circuit diagram.

And then, it clicked.

‘This… is me, isn’t it?’

Angel Hring, the Count’s daughter and a member of the Magic Tower, immediately pledged her full support upon hearing the news.

“I will spare no effort in finding this person.”

With Angel’s backing, the Magic Tower officials poured all their resources into the search for the handsome mage.

They put up posters, sought witnesses, combed the streets, offered rewards, and made inquiries.

Despite their efforts, the southern branch was flooded with unrelated individuals.

The number of times they had rushed out upon hearing rumors of a handsome mage was now too many to count.

Each time they arrived at the reported location, they found only mediocre men dabbling in magic, none of whom even understood the basics of circuits.

Three days after the posters went up, the number of people claiming to be the mage dwindled. Even young mages who weren’t particularly handsome were investigated, but to no avail.

Angel and the Magic Tower officials began to worry that the person might have already left the city. Honestly, if they hadn’t shown up by now, the likelihood was quite high.

Still, they didn’t give up and continued their search. Meanwhile, they also intensified their research on the circuit diagram.

Angel, the Count’s daughter and a dedicated circuit researcher, felt her breath catch every time she analyzed the intricate harmony of the diagram.

If even she, who was usually unshakable, was this impressed, the other mages must be in awe.

After a long session of research, Angel glanced out the window and noticed the sun was setting.

The Count’s daughter decided to take a break and headed to the garden in area 4, her guards following quietly behind.

As she strolled through the garden, she made her way to the corridor with the bulletin board. As the day was nearly over, the corridor was mostly empty.

Lost in thought, Angel arrived at the bulletin board and noticed someone standing there, staring intently at the circuit diagram.

The man turned his head toward her as she approached. The moment she saw his face, her eyes widened slightly.

Handsome.

And a mage.

Angel scrutinized him carefully, matching him to the descriptions she had heard.

Once, twice, three times.

With each glance, her certainty grew.

This man,

was the one they had been desperately searching for.