The Wizard Has A Biochip

The smoke rose between the treetops, and the cracking sounds of burning wood replaced the desperate screams of the Ents that had fled.

I did not pursue them.

There was no reason to.

In fact...

I had gotten lucky.

Very lucky.

If, instead of that old Ent, I had encountered a true high-ranking magical demon, the situation could have been completely different.

Ents were not particularly rare creatures.

Their natural affinity was with wood, plants, and life energy.

For an engineer like me...

They had very little use.

At most, some parts of their bodies could serve as raw materials for mechanisms that utilized enchanted wood.

The ones who truly valued Ents were alchemists.

Ancient sap.

Spiritual roots.

Living bark.

All of these were extremely valuable in various formulas.

While reflecting on this, I slowly lowered the arm of the armor.

The explosive crystal launcher was still hot.

The explosions had achieved their objective.

For plant creatures, flames were an ancestral instinct of fear.

I walked toward where the Shark Golem still remained motionless.

The enormous clay body slowly opened its jaw.

I looked at what remained of Orgham.

Or rather...

At what Orgham had once been.

The old Ent had been practically crushed.

His trunk was reduced to splinters.

His roots had been torn out.

Even the staff was broken into countless pieces.

I crouched down.

I searched through the wreckage for a few moments.

Not a single potion.

No magical crystals.

No enchanted equipment.

Nothing.

Unfortunately...

My Golem had done its job too efficiently.

The remains had been reduced to irregular fragments, mixed with earth, roots, and sap.

They no longer possessed practically any value.

I released a small sigh.

I stood up again.

There was no longer any reason to remain there.

I returned to the horses.

The animals were still showing some nervousness because of the explosions.

I ran my hand over the neck of the first one.

Then the second.

Finally, the third.

Only after all of them had calmed down again did I begin clearing a path through the forest once more.

The circular saw began roaring again.

VRRRRRRRRRR...

.

.

.

.

Smaller trees fell.

.

Bushes were cut down.

.

The hours passed slowly.

The sun was already beginning to change position when I finally spotted something different between the trees.

A road.

Finally.

I led the horses toward it.

As soon as I reached the open terrain, I looked one last time at my two guardians.

—Good work.

The Mud Knight planted its spear into the ground.

Its body began slowly collapsing into particles of the earth element.

At the same time, the Shark Golem partially emerged from the ground before also dissolving.

Only two small spiritual cores remained on the road.

I approached them.

I picked up both.

I carefully stored them away.

I climbed onto the driver’s seat of the carriage.

I firmly held the reins.

In my other hand, I grabbed the triple whip.

The horses already seemed eager to leave that forest behind.

—Let’s go.

The whip cut through the air.

PA!

PA!

PA!

The three horses neighed loudly.

The next instant, they charged forward with all their strength.

The carriage wheels began spinning rapidly.

.

.

.

.

.

After thirty days of travel...

When the surroundings finally began showing clear signs of human activity, I could not stop an enormous sigh from escaping my lips.

Thirty days.

Thirty days crossing forests, mountains, rivers, and practically abandoned roads.

For the first time since I left Arcangrove Tower...

I could finally relax a little.

Although Mages normally viewed acolytes the same way a human looked at an anthill, there was an important difference.

They had all still been born human.

That was precisely why, despite countless reports of forbidden experiments involving ordinary people, the great magical organizations avoided provoking large-scale massacres within human communities.

It was not altruism.

It was politics.

The greater the number of human victims, the higher the chances of attracting the attention of other Official Mages.

And none of them wished to start unnecessary conflicts because of a few peasants.

I ran my hand over the reins.

As soon as I arrive at that city...

I will finally be able to rest.

I looked at the horses.

The three of them were breathing heavily.

Their manes had grown longer.

Their hooves carried marks from the long journey.

They were just as exhausted as I was.

I slowed down the carriage.

The road became wider and better maintained.

Not long after, cultivated fields began appearing on both sides.

The golden crops swayed gently with the wind.

Farther ahead, an enormous mill slowly turned, driven by the constant breeze of that region.

A crystal-clear stream followed alongside the road.

Small fish with bluish scales swam peacefully against the current.

That simple landscape made my chest feel lighter.

I smiled without realizing it.

Serenity...

The true world of humans.

It had been a long time since I had seen a place where the biggest problem seemed to be nothing more than the next harvest.

I requested a projection.

—Biochip.

—Map.

[Beep!]

I followed the red line drawn by the Biochip.

—Monolith City...

I murmured.

According to the map, that would be the first reasonably sized city since I had left the Tower.

Even so...

I frowned.

It was still too close.

Too close to the influence of Arcangrove Tower.

Besides...

I continued discreetly looking behind me.

That unpleasant feeling remained.

That constant discomfort.

As if something was still following me.

Had they really given up?

After I brought down one of the balloons...

After the aerial pursuit...

After the Ent massacre...

No.

My instincts told me that it was still too early to lower my guard.

It was at that moment that another message appeared before my eyes.

[Beep!]

[Artificial Experience — Transfiguration Magic completed.]

My mood immediately improved.

Finally.

I quickly opened the report.

[Physiognomic Alteration Spell — Rank 0]

[Effect: Gradually adjusts the superficial structure of the face, discreetly altering the shape of the nose, jaw, cheekbones, forehead, and facial contour.]

[The transformation remains active while the spell is being sustained.]

[Consumption: 1 point of Mana per day.]

I read everything carefully.

It was excellent.

But it was still not perfect.

I thought for a few seconds.

Then I asked another question.

—Biochip.

—Is it possible to optimize this spell?

—I also want to conceal my magical energy waves and reduce my signature.

The Biochip remained silent for a few seconds.

Then...

[Beep!]

[New task registered.]

[Objective: Optimization of spiritual force concealment and magical energy wave concealment.]

[Estimated result: Capable of optimization.]

[Energy requirements: 7 Mana points.]

[Estimated processing time: 15 days and 8 hours.]

[Additional required data: Advanced Treatises on Spiritual Field Structure and Soul Signature. Theoretical models of Mana Wave Manipulation and Energy Dissipation. Anatomical records of Metamorphic Creatures or high-level Magical Camouflage Techniques.]

I observed the list in silence.

Then I shook my head.

—Seven Mana points...

I could achieve that.

It would take a few years...

But I could do it.

The real problem was those requirements.

Books about Spiritual Fields.

Advanced magical wave manipulation.

Metamorphic creatures.

I smiled bitterly.

I had not only gone to the Tower’s library once; I had gone several times on different days, and because of that, I had spent approximately five hundred magical crystals renting books.

Even so...

I had never found anything truly important.

That information was certainly restricted to Official Mages.

I closed the projection.

For now...

This will be enough.

I moved the carriage away from the main road and discreetly entered a small nearby forest.

I stopped between some trees.

I took a deep breath.

Then I began casting.

The magic slowly flowed across my face.

I felt small contractions in my skin.

In my jaw.

In my nose.

In my cheekbones.

Even my throat experienced slight pressure.

A few minutes later...

When I walked to the edge of the stream, I almost did not recognize the man reflected in the water.

The young engineer had disappeared.

In his place was a man with a mature appearance.

A thick black beard covered part of his face.

A large mustache completely hid my lips.

My eyes were now green.

The lines of my face became harder.

My body remained muscular, but now it gave the impression of an old knight accustomed to war.

My armor had also changed.

Now it was a simple metal plate armor that looked old.

Worn down by time.

The circular saw embedded in my arm had taken on the appearance of a long sword covered in reddish stains, as if it had passed through countless battles.

I looked at my reflection again.

Even my voice had changed.

I spoke a few words in different tones.

Deep.

Hoarse.

Calm.

Satisfied, I smiled.

Not bad...

I don’t think anyone would recognize me at first glance.

I then opened a small pouch attached to my belt.

I removed a tiny vial.

The label read: Odor Removal Potion.

Only one gram...

And any living organism completely loses its natural scent.

I carefully poured a small amount over my clothes, armor, and hands.

A gentle aroma evaporated almost immediately.

Within a few seconds...

Even I stopped being able to smell my own scent.

I stored the vial away.

Now, this is it...

Different appearance.

Different voice.

Different smell.

I looked once more at the road leading to Monolith City.

This should be the best possible disguise for moving among ordinary people.

Unfortunately...

My mana waves remain exactly the same.

Against an Official Mage...

This disguise probably would not last even a second.

...

1627 Words