Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard

Chapter 265

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Through his conversation with Eredith, Ian finally understood exactly what he had experienced.

No wonder he suddenly got hints about new fire magic - he'd glimpsed Maronius's memories!

At the same time, Ian thought that rather than studying random wizards' memories bit by bit, collecting and studying Maronius's memories would be much better.

"Wait, Master. But I was reading a book by the fire wizard Kvelin?"

"Kvelin was a famous wealthy man. He was known for using Maronius's quill that he won at auction... didn't you know?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"So I read his memories because the book was written with Maronius's quill."

"In my opinion... that's probably it."

Hmm.

Ian organized his thoughts.

So he had discovered fragments of the Archwizard's memories in an object Maronius had used.

He had reconstructed them using necromancy received from Hrundal...

'Should I dig deeper?'

The magic he'd gained after witnessing the [Black Great Fire] last time was new and powerful.

If he explored more of Maronius's memories, he might find even better magic.

Right now, leveling up wasn't optional for Ian - it was essential.

He'd already crossed a point of no return with the black wizards.

Ian needed to explore new mysteries to complete Anor-lsil.

But dying pathetically to a black wizard while traveling would be quite embarrassing.

Better to gain power while he could.

Ian decided to dig deeper into Maronius's memories.

"Ian. There's one piece of advice I'd like to give you."

"Please do, Master."

Eredith spoke with a rather serious expression:

"I know you handle all sorts of magic. But I think it's best if you keep the fact that you've glimpsed Maronius's memories as hidden as possible."

"That was already my plan..."

Wary of black wizards, Ian had no intention of revealing all his magic.

It was just like when Pals attacked.

Using Arcana magic as a surprise card had worked perfectly.

A true master always keeps 30% of their skills hidden.

Though Ian wasn't a martial arts master, he was at least a magic-master.

"I'll keep your research secret. But if you see any results or notice anything strange, you must tell me immediately."

"I'll keep that in mind, Master."

#

Ian's university life fell into a routine.

Wake up in the morning, wash up, attend required general education classes.

He honestly didn't want to attend, but the priests watched him so closely that he couldn't skip (they were theology and history lectures).

In the afternoons, he taught when he had classes scheduled and attended other professors' lectures when he didn't.

The ideal scholar's life - revolving around food, shit, sleep, and study!

Having become a studying machine, Ian felt like he'd returned to living under the same roof as Eredith.

While gaining experience through study, he also researched Maronius's life.

There was an overwhelming amount of material about Maronius's life.

The professors even kept throwing bits of knowledge at him, naturally building up his understanding.

'Um... Professor, sorry but I've been studying Maronius lately...'

'What?! Why didn't you tell me earlier that you were doing such interesting... I mean, important research!'

Like any field, professors at this level were crazy about newbies.

The moment Ian mentioned 'Maybe I'll look into Maronius~', they swarmed him like starving piranhas.

'First! Read this book!'

'No no, you should start with this one! How can you say you're studying Maronius without reading this!'

'Why are you fighting? Just read both! And add this one too!'

'Ho ho! What a method!'

'As expected, you're a genius!'

The books piled up beside Ian.

Ian cried out in horror:

'No, professors! I can't read this many!'

'Nonsense! Of course you can!'

'???'

But I'm telling you I can't?!

Ian was incredulous, but the professors shamelessly kept saying 'This book is really good~' while loading him up with more books.

'You can read all that in a month~'

'Professor Ian, I didn't take you for such a complainer. Tsk tsk...'

Ian wanted to throw all the books away, but he couldn't whine about studying when he'd come here to study.

With no choice, Ian gritted his teeth and became a study-monster.

This was the university you chose! Endure it through sheer willpower!

Argh! Fuck!

Just watch me never ask the professors anything again...!

And so Ian entered study-hell once again, just like in his teens.

Buried under countless books, Ian realized:

Ah, fuck! Wizards really are INT builds!

If I ever get another chance at character creation, I'll definitely choose an ignorant barbarian warrior...!

Though he briefly fantasized about satisfyingly smashing enemies' skulls with an axe, it was just pathetic escapism.

Ian quietly reviewed the information he'd collected.

'Archwizard Maronius. Birth name: Demius Gulistera Aktarapopu Maronius.'

True to civilized society, Maronius's full name rivaled Princess Elia's in length.

Made up of name + clan + family + title, 'Maronius' was both his wizard name and title.

People called him Maronius so much that it became like a proper noun.

And historically, there was only one 'Demius' who became Maronius.

'The one who greatly contributed to purging Mad Emperor Sulla.'

Demius was the right hand of 'Lupus', a Golden Empire general.

General Lupus was the one who recognized Demius's talent and helped create the system of 'magic'.

After killing Mad Emperor Sulla, General Lupus took the throne himself.

He granted Demius the position of 'Imperial Wizard' along with the new name 'Maronius'.

Maronius.

In ancient language, it meant 'The Communicator.'

As Imperial Wizard, Maronius announced a new language system he had devised himself, calling it the 'Maronius language'.

Interpreting the ancient meaning, it would be something like 'Universal Communication Language'.

Emperor Lupus had his subordinates learn the Maronius language and began mass-producing wizards.

One of the positions that emerged then was [Celestial Wizard].

Ian recalled the only Celestial Wizard he knew.

'Bertholdt, that bastard. Still not dead?'

Hope he choked to death eating...

Ian organized the materials while having stray thoughts.

Maronius focused on creation, continuously updating the Maronius language.

But at some point... Maronius stopped creating new words.

It was the moment of 'abandonment' that Eredith had mentioned before.

'Maronius suddenly stopped creating language.'

The reason is unknown. There are no records.

The content about Maronius's later years is truly mysterious.

Then... Maronius met a suspicious death. Cause of death: heart attack.

Among scholars, the theory that Lupus eliminated Maronius was strongest.

Maronius kept creating new magic, but Lupus's subordinates were already struggling just to learn the magic the genius wizard created.

Thinking that if left unchecked, he might threaten even the Emperor's authority with magic, Lupus killed Maronius.

They say if Maronius had continued his magic research, he could have created incredible magic capable of changing the laws of the world itself...

'Just a conspiracy theory?'

Ian clicked his tongue.

Honestly, the part about Lupus assassinating Maronius was closer to a conspiracy theory cooked up by scholars.

There's no way such an incredible Archwizard like Maronius would stop magical research for no reason!

-It was a conspiracy theory written with the mindset of severe fanboys.

'Why did Maronius stop his research?'

Ian thought briefly, but the answer was already set.

Who knows?

'Well. That's not what's important.'

Ian had no intention of peeking at Maronius's later memories.

What mattered were the moments when the Archwizard created magical language.

He just needed to cherry-pick scenes that would help him level up!

'The problem is how to get objects containing Maronius's memories...'

The university overflowed with materials related to Maronius. Natural for a place that just ate and researched.

But surprisingly, Maronius's actual objects were hard to find.

When the Golden Empire fell, all of Maronius's possessions were looted (the Maronius language was also widely leaked then).

Ian being able to glimpse Maronius's memories was pure luck.

"Um~ I can get those though?"

"?"

Ian was startled and looked at Imperial Princess Elia.

Wait, how long had she been there?

"What research are you doing now? Are you creating terrifying destruction magic like last time with Lady Eredith?"

When Ian made a strange expression, Elia giggled and answered:

"You were saying to yourself 'I need to get Maronius's objects~' so I accidentally overheard."

"Then about what you said earlier..."

"Hm? Oh. I can get them! Maronius's objects!"

That's right.

Unlike Ian who was pure dirt spoon class (Ian was a serf's son), royal-blooded Elia could easily obtain Maronius's objects!

"Getting Maronius's objects would take quite a while..."

"Huh? We have them at home though?"

"???"

"Like dishes and pencil cases Maronius used. We have those at home."

Ian was momentarily dumbfounded.

When you're princess-level, do Maronius's objects just lie around the house?!

Of course, House Hastria having Maronius's objects was likely just the result of rich people's collecting habits.

Maronius was famous as a Archwizard, and famous people's objects were worth collecting.

"If you need them, I'll lend them to you."

Elia's eye-smile faded.

She spoke in a serious voice:

"It's repayment for guiding me on the right path."

"The right path?"

"The one who caught me when I was wandering was clearly Ian~ And I plan to get revenge someday for what happened at the wind tower~"

"..."

Was the medieval bungee jump that unpleasant?

Anyway, Elia agreed to 'just' lend Maronius's objects.

She even said she'd have people gather a few more items.

"The thing is... since these aren't ordinary objects, it would be better if you came to see them yourself..."

Elia winked and said:

"Would you like to come see the Duke with me?"

"...I'll pass."

As Elia said, since they were Maronius's objects, it didn't feel right to just send anyone to get them.

But Ian had a reliable knight.

Ian immediately went to find Belenka.

"Hm? You want me to go to Duke Hastria's domain?"

Belenka was training under Salvador while also helping with university security.

"Sure. I'll go."

Since she was staying because of Ian anyway, she immediately prepared to leave.

"I'll go too."

"You too, old man?"

"Sitting around at home makes me stiff."

Though Salvador had been half-dead when he arrived at the university - natural after getting beaten by a dragon at his age.

But after eating well and resting properly, he quickly returned to being a healthy old man.

That part impressed even Ian.

Even recovery was mastery level for a Sword Master!

Getting restless, Salvador wanted to wander the continent again.

Old person trait) Hates sitting still at home.

It was welcome news to Ian.

Belenka alone was reliable enough, but with Salvador too?

"Please. Salvador. I'm counting on you, Belenka."

"Right. Just a little walk."

Belenka and Salvador soon left the university.

Their destination was Duke Hastria's domain.