I Was Mistaken as a Genius Mage in a Game-Chapter 31

The Achilliptus Forest Zone. A massive forest where colossal ancient trees, vines, and strangely shaped mushrooms have been growing for thousands of years.

Inside this vast forest, countless secrets lay dormant.

Dark and deep dungeons, the bones of a famous adventurer who got stranded in this enormous forest, or a giant rune stone capable of communicating with spirits, to name a few.

Due to the steep cliffs and dense underbrush, this mountainous region had yet to be fully explored by the continent's races, including Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs. There were still many secrets hidden in these woods.

...Except for me, who spent 4,000 hours fully indulging in every aspect without missing a single element.

The Achilliptus Forest Zone was often referred to as a “treasure trove” among players.

To wizards, it granted the “Blessing of the Spirits”; for warriors like Barbarians, it offered artifacts like the “Flute Made from the Horn of the Transcendent”; for Rangers or Thieves, it gifted materials like Philia Fiber, used to craft the game’s highest-performing armor, the “Elven Cloak.”

Of course, each item was hidden in different places, and in order to obtain artifacts or rare fibers, you had to clear difficult dungeons or scale cliffs several hundred meters high in these rugged mountains.

On the other hand, obtaining the Blessing of the Spirits wasn’t that difficult. This wasn’t hidden inside a monster-infested dungeon but instead, tucked beneath the roots of the oldest and largest tree in the forest.

I arrived at the forest zone and took over the squad members from Major Belua. As soon as she took command of the infantry, she ordered the unloading of numerous construction tools from the supply cart and began directing the organization of the area.

“The terrain here isn’t as solid as I expected! We’ll need to lay down a road wide enough for carts to pass, so let’s start with land preparation slowly!”

“Workgroup at the barracks! Since the terrain is uneven, flatten the ground first with shovels and pickaxes before proceeding!”

“...The underbrush here is thicker than expected. Instead of setting up the barracks here, it would be better to find a larger, flatter area. However, since we can’t waste the land, let’s set up a small storage here!”

Since I had arrived in the forest zone, I hadn’t done much besides engaging in casual chatter with Lir, but Belua, with just hand gestures and her booming voice, had already begun flattening the rough terrain and laying the foundations for the buildings.

The Dwarves, with their exceptional craftsmanship, started laying down the blocks for the road that would connect the forward base to the “Vallerand” battlefield and capital in a straight line.

The human and Orc infantry worked diligently to move building materials like bricks and wood for them, while the archers kept a sharp lookout, guarding against any ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) possible threats.

“...I don’t seem to have any work to help with.”

I spoke quietly, trying to gauge Belua’s reaction.

Belua, who had been passionately leading the construction of the forward base, paused for a moment upon noticing my thin wrist exposed from the black robe, then smiled and replied.

“This isn’t something for someone like you to do, Captain! Leave this to us!”

Hmm.

It wasn’t the best feeling, but what could I do?

I was the one who had invested only 1 point into strength after all.

“If that’s the case, would it be alright if I briefly explore the inner parts of the forest zone? There’s something bothering me.”

“...Hmm, is it something urgent?”

Belua lowered her hands from her busy work and asked with a voice filled with concern.

“I’ve dismantled all the traps in the surrounding area, but... we only cleared the traps around the land for the forward base, not the entire forest zone.”

The Achilliptus Forest Zone was a massive area, covering around 50 square kilometers.

In less than half a day, it was impossible to thoroughly explore the entire forest zone and deactivate all the traps.

After all, due to its steep terrain, the Achilliptus Forest Zone had more unexplored land than developed land.

It was a place where traps could be set by demons.

So, it was natural that Belua looked at me with a worried expression.

“...Somewhere in this forest, I feel a powerful, mysterious magical energy. I’ll quickly check it out, so please don’t worry too much.”

I turned my head sideways, fixated my gaze on the dense forest, and, as if some unknown force was pulling me, made a face as though I were feeling fate itself. Then I spoke.

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...

There was no mysterious magical energy. All I could feel was the uncomfortable and stale air. But I had to act like this, or else I wouldn’t get permission.

...Why should I ask for permission when I’m the superior, you ask?

Please, don’t ask such a question if you have any sense of awareness. The one in command here was clearly Belua, not me.

“...Hah, for such an extraordinary genius mage to feel such a thing, it must be something special hidden here. After all, this forest zone has always been known for its mysterious objects, so it’s not unusual.”

I didn’t want to say it, but I’m the genius mage who will save humanity (misunderstanding).

How could anyone stop a mage like me, who is supposed to save humanity, from checking out something mysterious that I feel?

“However, I still feel uneasy sending you alone. I’ll assign you a capable guide, so please wait a moment.”

This was a natural decision for Belua. No commanding officer would send a mage alone into the battlefield without a guide.

Great warriors can endure sudden threats, and skilled archers can prevent threats in advance, but great mages are often caught off guard and perish without even reacting.

That’s why people in game communities call mages ‘Mabokchi,’ and that’s why the standard build is to invest some points into health.

“Sergeant Trian!”

“...What is it?”

The sharp voice came from a nearby tree.

“Escort duty! The General has somewhere to go, and you’re to safely guide the way!”

Belua issued the command as if it were nothing and immediately returned to commanding the infantry.

Rustle.

With the light sound of leaves crunching, a tall male Elf with long hair, wearing a giant bow and quiver, slowly approached.

The Elf, with his tall stature and scars scattered across his body, was the stereotypical ‘Elf archer.’ His long hair, shiny despite a few days of marching, had a glossy sheen.

“Where are you going?”

The Elf didn’t introduce himself but immediately asked. He bypassed any formalities, even disregarding saluting, and seemed slightly irritated by my presence.

“....”

I had heard that Elves were notorious for their lack of manners, but I didn’t expect them to be this bad.

“Is this how you treat other superiors as well?”

Even though I’m a General, are they really going to treat me this way? If I let it slide, it might lead to a breakdown in military discipline.

This isn’t about me! It’s about military discipline and humanity’s future!

“I’m 1211 years old. Isn’t it a bit too much to be saluting humans in their 50s?”

“Hah.”

Trion, the Elf, responded so arrogantly that I briefly considered whether I had done something wrong.

But the answer came quickly.

...This bastard is crazier than I thought.

“A simple honorific should suffice, don’t you think? If you really don’t like it, I can switch you to another archer.”

I realized why some commanders avoided Elves, despite their excellent skills.

Their personalities didn’t match the military culture.

Their pride was as high as arrogance... their condescending gaze and sharp language, the way they looked down on all other races besides Elves.

Wow, writing this out, it’s more than just a few things.

“I don’t mind, but you might want to be more respectful with the other commanders. Some of them take military discipline seriously.”

“How many countries do you think I’ve seen rise and fall? How many armies have I watched disappear and be rebuilt during that time? Don’t think I’m just some regular soldier.”

...Does he not feel embarrassed to walk around saying, “I’m special”?

Moreover, why the hell is this Elf so damn confident?

“If you had just explained from the start that you're an older Elf, I would’ve understood and said, ‘Alright, I get it.’”

“......”

Of course, living for over 1200 years was impressive. They must’ve learned and experienced many things that ordinary humans, Dwarves, and Orcs could never even imagine.

So, I could understand their attitude toward other races to some extent.

But if I were 1200 years old and some kid in their 40s or 50s asked me to show respect, wouldn’t I laugh instead of getting mad?

“I don’t want to get old...”

Even so, I couldn’t hold it back.

It’s not like the “respect” thing is a part of aging, so why not just be polite?

“...What do you mean by that?”

“I’m just saying I don’t want to grow old. Losing my sharpness is a scary thought for anyone, right?”

I widened my blue eyes and feigned innocence, while Trion, the Sergeant, clenched his teeth. I couldn’t help but silently laugh at him.

Regardless of his age, he was still a soldier in the military, and he shouldn’t act like that.

This isn’t about me! It’s for the sake of military discipline and humanity’s future!

“......”

“I see you think I’m a fool.”

“Me? I didn’t mean to, but if you feel that way, I apologize.”

The Elf standing in front of me was the Sergeant who dared to challenge the General.

I had no intention of talking to a madman like him, and that’s why I decided to counter with logic rather than answer him directly.

“...You’re making it hard to use honorifics.”

My strategy worked splendidly as I scratched at his nerves.

“Well, if it’s hard to use, don’t. I didn’t tell you to use them, did I? Just talk comfortably. I don’t like hearing honorifics from an old man like me either.”

“You... arrogant bastard.”

Oh? I hit a nerve, huh?

How does a 1200-year-old Elf get mad at a kid who’s not even 20? You’ve been alive for over a thousand years, yet you’re acting like this?

“Oh, a young one shouldn’t speak like that to an older person. I’m sorry.”

“Bin-nim! You said you felt a special magical energy?!”

While we were wasting time on this useless power struggle, the well-mannered Elf, Lir, approached.

...I hadn’t realized it before, but now I see just how precious Lir is to me.

It doesn’t matter if she’s socially awkward. She’s polite, and doesn’t look down on others because of her age.

“Master said to follow! He thinks we might learn something amazing!”

I glanced between Lir, with her bright eyes, and the sharp-eyed male Elf who glared at me, and sighed.

...When Lir grows up, will she be just like this rude Elf? The thought was enough to make me dizzy.

“...Lir, don’t grow up to be like him.”

“What?”

She looked at me with wide eyes, not understanding a word I said.