Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

"Wizard Wei’en, I need your help!!"

Uh,

’Help?’

Wei’en was taken aback. He stared at the screen, at Dean Josue’s eyes, which glowed with a red light that seemed to reflect the Endless Abyss. He could vaguely make out a hint of... ’sincerity?’

"Dean Josue, what is it you need my help with?"

’He doesn’t still want me to return to the Ghost Soul School and join that Feng Enliso Research Center, does he?’

"What to—" Dean Josue leaned back and placed a bone-white finger before his teeth. The bones scraped against each other with a CLACK-CLACK sound, as if he were clearing his throat, before he continued, "My apologies, Wizard Wei’en. I didn’t frighten you, did I?"

Wei’en shook his head. "Please, continue."

’After encountering so many bizarre and terrifying aberrations, not to mention those twisted divine figures, a simple skeleton actually seems rather cute.’

’At least skeletons don’t have disgusting pus or tentacles covered in eyes...’

’This world is practically a godsend for people with trypophobia. If you stay long enough, you’d probably be cured.’

"Wizard Wei’en, it’s like this..." Dean Josue began, stammering, "You remember what happened before in the Caster City State, don’t you?"

"Of course."

"Then the magic you cast there... um, I mean, the power of those spells was very strong. It—their power seemed overly strong, wouldn’t you say?"

"Was it?"

’Wei’en was playing dumb. As expected, the Dean was still after his magic, which was amplified by the Death God’s origin.’

"Yes! Absolutely!"

Dean Josue opened his two rows of crystalline teeth wide, his skull leaning so close he seemed to be pressing against the communicator. His words were interspersed with the grating sound of bone on bone as he shouted:

"Whether it was the terrifying plague-spreading and explosive effects of your Corpse Explosion Skill, that Blink Spell that created duplicates and charmed its targets, or your empowered Bone Wall and Necromancer’s Claw... it’s all simply art!"

"Do you know? That is the unanimous conclusion of every researcher at the Feng Enliso Research Center! Your spells are the pinnacle of applied runology, they are incomparable works of art, they are..."

’A-art... The conclusion of all the researcher wizards?’

The corner of Wei’en’s mouth twitched. ’Their aesthetic tastes really are something else.’

However, to save time, he had no choice but to interrupt. "And so, Dean Josue?"

"So?" Dean Josue’s words caught in his throat. After a few seconds of silence, he slowed his pace and said, "So, on behalf of the Feng Enliso Research Center, I am once again inviting you, Wizard Wei’en Loft, to join us!"

’As I thought...’

Wei’en shook his head. "I’m sorry, Dean Josue, my time..."

Dean Josue interrupted, "Wizard Wei’en, since our last meeting, I have felt guilty for my dishonest actions back then. I offer you my sincerest apologies for it."

’Guilt? Apologies?’

"There’s no need for that. I wasn’t bothered by it."

"Please let me finish! A genius wizard like you deserves far more generous conditions!"

Wei’en raised an eyebrow. ’Looks like he came prepared.’

Just then, Dean Josue produced a long scroll of parchment from somewhere. He looked into the screen, his expression serious, and said, "On behalf of everyone at Feng Enliso, I solemnly extend this invitation to Wizard Wei’en Loft!"

"In full consideration of Wizard Wei’en’s wish to travel, we hereby propose the following terms: First, we will grant special approval for you to establish your own independent research institute and serve as its director, without requiring you to return to the Feng Enliso Research Center."

"Second, we will select the most exceptional researchers from across the Feng Enliso Research Center to form your support team... And on this point, Wizard Wei’en, you have my word. I swear on my core essence that they will be the absolute best wizards."

"Furthermore, the Research Center will be responsible for providing everything you need, such as the school’s most comprehensive arrays or the latest auxiliary tools. Even if you require the personal equipment of the Legendary Mage Boras, I will apply for it on your behalf."

"Third, you will not be required to constantly participate in research projects—in fact, you don’t have to participate at all. You would only need to guide the researchers when it is convenient for you..."

"Wait, wait, wait," Wei’en couldn’t help but interject. "Are you saying I would only need to be the head of this institute in name, and occasionally give the researchers guidan—... hmm, lectures?"

’Guidance doesn’t feel like the right word. These terms sound more like the package for a lead advisor, don’t they?’

Dean Josue’s eyes flashed. "It would be even better if you found it convenient to share some of your... unique knowledge."

’Lectures... that seems like a better idea? Damn it!’

"And what else?"

Wei’en didn’t rush to refuse, planning to hear all the conditions before making a decision.

’At least from the terms offered so far, Dean Josue and the Feng Enliso Research Center he ran seemed to be quite sincere.’

’They weren’t demanding he return to the school, and they were even offering staff and all the necessary resources...’

"And finally... regarding the magic you used in Caster... hmm, would it be possible for you to provide our Research Center with a direction for study? A research topic, to be precise. For instance, with the Blink Spell, what runes or other knowledge must be combined to create duplicates...?"

Dean Josue’s voice grew quieter, as if he too felt this request was excessive. He quickly added, "This last part wasn’t proposed by our Research Center. Rather, it comes from the school’s other departments, and from some Great Mages. Even a few of the Legendary Mages in the Ice Castle and the Forbidden Land are very interested in them."

’Great Mages? Legendary Mages?’

’Wei’en had only just become a Wizard and hadn’t yet had time to fully understand the ranking system. But from the sound of it, after Wizard came Great Mage, and after that, Legendary Mage?’