Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 52 (Part 2): Spring Rain (2)

I stood in front of the camera again.

“Thank you all for your support and votes. Number 3 received the most votes…”

Muttering, I grabbed the lid of Number 3. I felt a slight tinge of nervousness.

The Labyrinth Exploration team doesn’t skimp. It’s safe to assume there’s at least a Rare-grade item inside.

“Ta-da!”

I opened the lid.

Inside was a single pair of leather gloves.

“…Gloves, huh.”

I almost felt disappointed but quickly appraised them.

【Elastic Mana Fiber Gloves】

◆ Grade: Rare

◆ Overview: Gloves made of mana-infused fibers. Adjusts to fit the wearer’s body. Enhances hand-related skills.

◆ Mystical Leather: Provides a slight correction for all hand-related actions.

My eyes widened.

Nice.

This wasn’t just any Rare—it was a high-tier Rare, bordering on Unique.

Why?

Look at the [Mystical Leather] clause.

“Provides a slight correction for all hand-related actions.”

It’s a vague description, but in 「MoMo」, the vaguer the item description, the better. It means the effect’s scope is broad.

Actions involving the hands.

Not just threading a needle or knitting, but logging, carpentry, crafting, and even further—aiming, shooting, and, if performed with the “hands,” even spellcasting could receive the corrections.

“Thank you. This is all thanks to you.”

I bowed sincerely. My heart was pounding.

* * *

The library.

Studying has become my hobby lately. I never expected this of myself, but undeniable talent sparks motivation.

Any spell, after seeing it two or three times, I grasp its principles. Dig deeper, and I understand its structure and core. Go further and try casting it a few times, and somehow I “deconstruct” it. It’s impossible not to find it fun.

The cycle where those who excel at studying find it enjoyable, I suppose.

[ Ian McCarter’s Standardized Spells ① ]

[ Ian McCarter’s Standardized Spells ② ]

[ Keist’s Special Spell Collection ]

Not only the standardized spells of renowned Mages.

[ Parillion’s Spell Structure Studies ]

[ David Marellion’s Introduction to Spell Theory ]

[ Retorn’s High-Speed Spell Mastery ]

The idiosyncratic spell theories of distinguished university professors.

[ Standardized Spells Using Blood ]

[ Tracking, Pursuit, and Assassination ]

[ Facial Expression Analysis Spells ]

[ Correlation Between Thoughts, Movement, and Behavior ]

I’m devouring even the works of numerous unorthodox mages.

For a novice mage like me, with little knowledge in my head, this is an incredible luxury. Books that cost millions or tens of millions of won are scattered around here in Labyrinth Exploration’s library.

*Clatter─*

While I was immersed, a loud noise rang out. I looked toward the bookshelf. Seo Ji-woo was there.

“Ow… that hurts like hell.”

It seems she fell on her butt trying to pull a book from a high shelf.

“What are you doing?”

“!”

Seo Ji-woo flinched, turning to me.

“…None of your business.”

I picked up the book rolling on the floor.

[ Emer’s Advanced Spellbook ]

Emer. A 37-year-old high-ranker said to be close to a true mage.

But this “close to a mage” evaluation is pretty vague.

Most moderately successful spellcasters get labeled as “close to a mage” or something, but in the end, they never seem to cross that wall.

I flipped open Emer’s spellbook.

“…What’s this?”

My brow furrowed instantly.

“Pfft. Tough, right? You know Professor Emer?”

Seo Ji-woo snickered, standing up. She kept her distance from me—a little, no, quite far.

“Emer. Heard the name.”

It’s a sorcerer’s name that pops up often in the academic journals I’m subscribed to lately.

Seo Ji-woo shrugged.

“I met him in person. Studied under him for about six months while I was abroad. He told me to join his school.”

“…Emer’s school?”

“No. Kezain’s school. Emer’s probably a direct affiliate of theirs? Heh.”

Kezain. A true mage.

I skimmed the advanced spellbook again.

“So, you’re saying you’d study under the person who wrote this?”

It was pure curiosity on my part.

Seo Ji-woo crossed her arms, puffing up proudly.

“Yeah. What, jealous?”

“…”

The exact opposite.

Sure, I’m still just a novice spellcaster. My mana rank of C+ proves it. In 「MoMo」 terms, the remaining ranks are B-, B, B+, A-, A, A+, AA, AAA, S. Nine grades total.

I’m a preschooler with 90,000 li to go, but after breaking through the second Refinement, my pure talent value is [12.6].

On top of that, the 【Good Ears, Good Eyes】 trait:

◆ The character’s vision and hearing are inherently exceptional. All actions involving eyes and ears are superior.

All actions involving eyes and ears—including the “discernment” of a spellcaster—are amplified.

Thus, just by looking directly, I can gauge a spell’s strengths, weaknesses, efficiency, pros and cons, and composition.

That’s why.

“This book is garbage.”

I can bluntly state my opinion without caring about the other’s status.

Because I knew. Also, because I could explain.

Furthermore, because I could change it.

“…What?”

Seo Ji-woo furrowed her brow. I waved the book, smirking.

“Too inefficient. And needlessly pedantic.”

“Pedantic… what? Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

Seo Ji-woo let out a hollow laugh, incredulous.

“You must be crazy. Can you even cast those spells?”

“Nope. Not yet.”

I can’t. Not with my current skill.

My ability to control mana is lacking. Emer’s standardized spells are definitely [Advanced].

“…”

Seo Ji-woo’s expression went blank. Like she was looking at a lunatic. Still, I wasn’t lying.

“I’ll be able to soon enough.”

A year… no, three months, and I’ll break through that level.

“But even then, I wouldn’t do it this way.”

Seo Ji-woo narrowed her eyes. Leaning against the bookshelf, she muttered discontentedly.

“What a joke. Showing up out of nowhere.”

“…If you can, don’t study under that guy.”

Spells reflect the caster’s personality. If someone publishes spells like these and takes pleasure in students’ struggles, they’re likely a narcissist.

“You’ll either get caught up in superficial flair or fail to learn anything properly.”

Someone obsessed with their own grandeur. Consumed by intellectual vanity, unable to tolerate anyone surpassing them.

Especially someone who can’t stand seeing a student outshine the master.

I’ve seen plenty of officers and commanders like that in the military. Most are troublemakers. Narcissistic leaders either get their subordinates killed or end up fragged.

I usually opted for the latter.

“You’re talking crazy. You’ve never even met Emer.”

“That’s true.”

I haven’t met the person, but I’m not “merely” judging them by their writing. It’s because of their writing that I can see through them relatively accurately.

It’s ten times more precise than reading faces. People rarely lie in their journals.

“…Oh! Wait a sec.”

Suddenly, Seo Ji-woo’s eyes widened as if she’d realized something.

“Could it be… because the professor is young and handsome?!”

…What kind of nonsense is that?

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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