I Am A Wizard Who Can Travel Between Earth And The Other World

Moments later, Jay strode in with a wide grin. His eyes immediately locked onto the coffee in Gin's hands.

"You're drinking coffee? What about me?" he whined dramatically, rushing to the opposite sofa and giving Gin an exaggerated, pitiful look.

Gin arched an eyebrow, amused. Since realizing Gin wouldn't commercialize his coffee, Jay's obsession with obtaining free cups had only intensified.

"Alright, alright," Gin sighed, standing to prepare another cup. Gin punched the air triumphantly, mouthing "Yes!" under his breath.

When Gin handed him the steaming cup, Gin accepted it with reverence.

He sipped slowly, savoring every drop like it was a priceless treasure.

"By the way," Jay began as he finished his coffee, "should we contact Team Épée again?"

Gin shook his head. "No need."

He had already obtained the information he needed. There was no point in further interactions unless a future opportunity arose.

Jay shifted topics. "Oh, about the artifact we gave them yesterday—was it really defective?"

Gin recalled the shield generator from the previous day. He hadn't noticed any flaws, which puzzled him. "Defective? How?"

"It's not a flaw in the core spellwork or mana stone. It's more like an imbalance in the design. It works fine but can be inconvenient during prolonged use."

Gin regarded Jay with newfound curiosity. Initially, he had dismissed him as a simple broker with limited potential. Yet, Gin had exceeded expectations, forging connections with multiple workshops and securing access to various magical artifacts.

"Think you can get your hands on higher-quality artifacts?" Gin inquired.

"Like what?" Jay asked, intrigued.

"Artifacts that don't rely on mana stones," Gin clarified.

Gin chuckled bitterly. "You're asking for the impossible. Only high-ranking vassal families of the Five Great Houses produce those. And they guard them like treasure."

"So, the Frieden and Lynchfield families could manage it?"

"Yeah, but good luck getting your hands on one.

Those families rarely let such artifacts leave their control."

Gin frowned, recalling Lorien, the young magician he had once encountered. Despite his inexperience, Lorien had carried several mana-free artifacts. It was an anomaly Gin had yet to fully understand.

He voiced his thoughts aloud. "Do you remember our first job with Astra Pharmaceuticals?"

"Of course! That mission was life-changing for me," Jay replied enthusiastically.

"And the magician we captured—Lorien Vareth?"

"Yeah, I remember him. Oh, by the way, he's been released."

"Released? I thought Calden would have kept him locked up."

Jay shrugged. "Apparently, he's from some prestigious family. The name Lorien Vareth didn't ring any bells, but there are countless noble houses in this world."

According to rumors, Astra's executives had humiliated themselves, bowing deeply to Lorien Vareth before allowing him to leave with his dignity intact.

Gin pondered aloud, "If he's that powerful, why hasn't he come after me? Shouldn't he hold a grudge?"

"Who knows?" Jay shrugged again. "I tried to dig deeper but couldn't get far. His family must be something serious."

Jay changed the subject. "So, about today's job offer."

"Let's hear it," Gin said casually, though his mind had already begun drifting toward research. He had considered taking a break from missions to focus on developing his skills further.

"It's a protection assignment," Jay explained. "The client needs bodyguards for a trip to Okarita, a city about 4,000 kilometers from here. They're involved in a trade dispute over food supplies."

"Okarita?" Gin's interest piqued. He had never traveled outside West Ham. The opportunity to see another city was tempting.

Jay elaborated on the details. The mission involved guarding a company representative during negotiations. While West Ham had ample security forces, the limited number of personnel allowed on flights to Okarita had forced the company to hire elite outside help.

"You won't be doing this alone," Jay assured him. "They're gathering other verified magicians and ability-users."

Gin stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Sounds interesting. I'll take it."

"Good! We leave in three days," Jay confirmed, grinning.

Once Jay left, Gin retreated to his research lab, fully immersing himself in artifact analysis. The spatial bracelet loomed as the final challenge. Its security was unlike anything he had ever faced—layer upon layer of interlocking magical defenses.

Hours turned to a full day as Gin meticulously deciphered each barrier. His mind burned with relentless focus. Finally, after untangling the intricate web of spells, he felt the lock click open.

Panting heavily, he placed the bracelet on the table and lay down on the floor, trembling with exhaustion and exhilaration.

"I did it," he whispered, a victorious smile spreading across his face.

For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the glow of triumph. He had conquered another threshold, his understanding of magic deepened.

The road ahead promised more mysteries, but for now, Gin let sleep claim him, his body aglow with surging mana.

"Ugh, what is that stench?" Gin muttered, his face twisting in disgust as he awoke to a pungent, acrid smell assaulting his senses.

His last memory was of his mana surging uncontrollably, a torrent of raw power flowing through him. But now, as his eyes adjusted to the dim light of his surroundings, he found the entire room shrouded in soot and darkness. Everything—his clothes, the floor, and even the walls—was scorched black, bearing the scars of an uncontrolled magical eruption.

Gin sighed heavily and slowly rose to his feet, brushing off the ashen residue that clung to him. With a thought, he summoned his mana, letting it circulate through his body in a cleansing surge.

Whuumph!

The mana, now far denser and more refined, erupted from his core like a river of pure energy, washing through his limbs and veins. It swept through him like a storm, every corner of his body thrumming with renewed vitality before the energy returned to its source deep within his core.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. His control had sharpened, his core expanded. He could feel it—the unmistakable growth in his strength.

Whatever barrier had held him back before had now crumbled overnight.

"Looks like I crossed another threshold," he murmured to himself, his voice carrying a quiet satisfaction. Yet, the room still reeked of burnt mana, a reminder of the power he had unleashed while unconscious.

"First things first..." he muttered, stepping over charred remnants on the floor. He needed a shower. Badly. And then, perhaps, he could finally examine the fully unlocked spatial artifact that had pushed him to this point.