I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
Fordell’s room was modest, avoiding extravagance.
However, there were noticeable elements like exercise equipment taking up half of the room, or dumbbells.
“If it suits your taste, please enjoy.”
A cup of herbal tea brewed strong was placed in front of me.
“I should be able to provide you with the leaves of the World Tree the day after tomorrow.”
Fordell said, sitting across from me.
“But first, we need to confirm if the ancient magic is compatible.”
“Yes, understood.”
I nodded as I took a sip of the tea.
“By the way, Your Highness.”
Fordell, having taken a sip of his tea as well, spoke first.
“May I inquire about the method to restore the damaged Circle?”
“Before that, there’s something I’d like to hear from you.”
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“I want to know exactly what happened with Prince Leonard.”
That way, I could be sure of what needs to be done.
“Hmm…”
But Fordell only cleared his throat and didn’t easily open his mouth. It seemed he was worried about security.
“Don’t worry too much.”
I grinned.
“I came to the tower today and saw it. The tower is beautiful.”
“…”
“And I’m going to sleep here now.”
Today’s events were all meant to be kept secret. I had taken one step forward, so I could relax and let you take one step forward too.
“In that case.”
Fordell lightly smiled, nodding his head in understanding. But he still didn’t open his mouth easily. His face showed he was pondering which topic to bring up first.
After a while, Fordell mentioned a name.
“Do you happen to know someone named Aldou?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Aldou is the one who entered the tower with Prince Leonard.”
At the same time, he was a genius. Similar in age, talent, and timing, Leonard and Aldou became close rapidly after entering the tower.
“Although Aldou was of common birth, this is the tower.”
“Yes, talent is prioritized over status.”
That said, it didn’t mean that the boundaries of status completely disappeared like in a temple. However, the barriers of status were much more relaxed compared to the outside world.
“Yes, the two of them got along very well for a long time. They were so close that I thought the future of the tower looked bright, thinking that.”
The biggest reason the two became close while leaving others alone was their similar talents. While others struggled with challenges, the two effortlessly overcame them. Only the two of them.
“But such a strong bond easily breaks.”
The reason for breaking the seemingly unbreakable relationship was simply inferiority. At some point, Leonard began to surpass Aldou.
“The trigger was trivial. It was just that Aldou couldn’t understand something, which Leonard could understand first.”
Like tiny snowflakes, the sense of inferiority didn’t melt away but quietly accumulated over the years.
“The bigger issue is that during all this, Leonard’s perspective also narrowed.”
Fordell said, tapping the empty teacup with a disappointed smile.
“At that time, Leonard was striving hard to ascend to the 6th Circle.”
“…And how many Circles was this Aldou in?”
“He was in the 4th Circle.”
“Ha…”
I sighed. This meant two ambitious individuals who had been vying for the top spot in their class every year were now experiencing a significant gap in their standings over time.
If there’s any problem, Leonard will always be in the first place no matter how much time passes.
‘And Aldou… well, he would keep falling behind, right?’
Because new geniuses keep emerging. Being surpassed by one new genius, and another, and another. Aldou could easily imagine himself falling to the bottom.
‘Can’t bear it.’
Just a little while ago, they shared the glory together. While the other party continued to thrive, he kept falling, which was miserable for someone who was once called a genius.
‘That’s where it separates whether one remains a true genius or not.’
Idiot.
I clicked my tongue.
“Because of the 6th Circle, Leonard’s perspective narrowed, and Aldou’s vision became partially clouded due to his inferiority complex.”
Fordell sighed deeply as if relieved after enduring frustration all this time.
“Meanwhile, things escalated. Somehow, Aldou managed to get hold of some hellebore leaves and fed them to Prince Leonard.”
“Such a despicable act.”
‘He wasn’t just trying to kill him because hellebore leaves don’t kill people, but they disturb the mana in the body.’
In short, it was a message to experience the pain of having the Circle broken and falling to the bottom.
“Fortunately, Prince Leonard spat it out immediately… but the Circle was already compromised.”
Fordell pressed his wrinkled forehead firmly.
“After dealing with Aldou according to the rules, he made every effort to restore the Circle.”
He let out a heavy sigh.
“But the situation kept getting worse.”
“…In the end, as a last resort, we even requested a delegation of an archmage from another continent, but…”
There was no need to say more.
An archmage couldn’t leave their assigned tower to come to another continent.
“I see.”
I nodded quietly.
I wondered why the commoner was given such importance.
It was more complicated than I thought.
Betrayal from a trusted commoner friend.
And just when his vision was severely limited, he was stabbed in the back.
Focusing on one thing was good, but being too absorbed prevented one from seeing other important things.
‘So, what Leonard needs now is to restore the damaged Circle and broaden his perspective?’
Broadening one’s perspective often requires a great deal of strength to break through one’s limitations.
‘Restoring the damaged Circle and the lack of Carmel’s power are both unfortunate.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
If only I could muster the strength for just ten minutes, no, five minutes, this situation would be neatly resolved.
Ugh, gritting my teeth while enduring the headache, I was about to sink into frustration when Fordell tapped the table briskly.
“So, Your Highness, what was the method mentioned in the ancient text for restoring the Circle?”
“Oh, it was written to pour mana until the damaged Circle is restored.”
This was the only way to restore a damaged Circle. Simply pouring mana ignorantly to fill the gap.
‘But only one person should pour mana, and if that person fails, the Circle might be further damaged.’
That’s why it was difficult to heal higher Circles. Higher Circles meant more mana.
You had to pour all of that mana and even more to fill the gap. That’s why those who were three Circles higher than the patient usually performed the healing.
“Indeed, it seems that’s the only method available.”
Fordell sighed, looking tired.
“Forgive me, but Mage Fordell, how many Circles are you?”
“I’m in the 7th Circle.”
With a 7th Circle, the success rate was only about half. It wouldn’t be easy to attempt.
“Is there anyone with a higher Circle than Mage Fordell?”
“No, Your Highness.”
He nodded heavily.
“Unfortunately, I currently have the highest Circle in the tower.”
Well, even reaching the 8th Circle would grant the title of Archmage. Wasn’t it just an undeserved title?
And if there were someone with a higher Circle, they would have already healed him years ago instead of leaving him to suffer.
‘Must have been very painful.’
I couldn’t see any way to help. Mana was leaking, making even simple tasks from the past strenuous. And a broken Circle came with its pain. It must have been unbearable.
‘I wonder if there’s anything I can do to help.’
“It’s getting late.”
Fordell, concealing his complicated feelings behind his heart, rose from his seat.
“I’ll escort you to your room, Your Highness.”
“Oh, no need!”
I waved my hand.
“I can go alone.”
“But-“
Before Fordell could finish his sentence, a knock was heard.
“Mage Fordell, it’s Leonard.”
“Oh, a guest has arrived! Then I’ll take my leave!”
I smiled widely and opened the door.
‘Oh, no.’
I was met with Leonard, his face completely drained of color.
“…May I come in?”
Why are you here? Aren’t you tired?
Without bothering to pick up those words, Leonard asked.
I didn’t even have the leisure to pick up such words.
“Yes, please do. Go ahead and chat, both of you.”
“Goodnight, Your Highness.”
With Fordell’s farewell, the door closed.
“Phew.”
As I stepped into the corridor, I took a deep breath and scanned the surroundings.
‘No one here?’
Great, maybe it’s because it’s late. No one’s here.
Now, shall I reveal why I came here?
Grinning to myself, I approached a door.
It was the laboratory I used when I was Carmel.
‘Just to be sure, let’s check once.’
I gently placed my hand on the door.
I didn’t sense any mana detection at all. It seemed like nobody was currently using this laboratory.
‘No one would bother to put up security spells in an empty lab, especially since it’s adjacent to Fordell’s room. Who would dare to ransack a lab with a Master nearby?’
Well, hello there, it’s me.
Giggles!
There was a simple locking spell, but…
“Redina Dovidoc.”
The door opened easily. Because I was the one who set up this locking spell.
And by the way, the meaning of the phrase I set as the password in Runtar was ‘you stupid.’ I can imagine my juniors cursing nicely while using this place. How satisfying!
Creak, the poorly oiled door opened, and I grinned wickedly. I began frantically searching for a crack in the wall to my right.
“Oh.”
Soon enough, I found the precious item I had hidden and forgotten about. Good job, past me! I chuckled evilly as I held the item in my hand.
Alright, time to go break Leonard’s head open!