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

There was something familiar about Gin—a strange yet comforting presence that lingered like a forgotten melody.

Owen had pondered this feeling countless times. Was that elusive familiarity the reason he had taken such a liking to the enigmatic mage?

He delved deep into his memories, searching for the source of that sensation.

But the answer continued to evade him.

Hours passed as he struggled to piece together fragments of recollection, only to be met with frustration.

Finally, Owen sighed and collapsed onto his sofa. "I guess there's no helping it. I'll just have to keep observing him," he muttered. He had a gut feeling that discarding this strange intuition would be a mistake.

His thoughts shifted to the upcoming meeting he had arranged with Gin. Looking back, Owen couldn't even remember why he had invited him.

What was he hoping to achieve? And it wasn't as if he could bring Gin to his estate without raising questions.

Perhaps I should visit my family estate soon, Owen mused, mentally preparing for the inevitable obligations that visit would bring.

Meanwhile, Gin exited the storage facility, walking leisurely through the city streets.

He had spent nearly twelve hours inside the warehouse, fully engrossed in his research on the mutant carapace troll's body.

His observations had yielded promising results, but there was still much work to be done. Microscopic and intricate studies were required—tasks that would be better suited to the advanced equipment he had at his research lab on Earth.

During his time in the storage facility, Gin had meticulously harvested samples from various parts of the troll: its carapace, skin, muscles, bones, and nerves. These materials would serve as key components for further study back on Earth.

He had already traced the flow of mana through the creature's body, though he regretted that its core had disintegrated upon death. Still, the residual traces had provided valuable data.

Just need to wrap up the café business, then I'll return for the research, he thought, feeling a surge of excitement. The prospect of dissecting the mysteries of the troll's biology quickened his pulse.

Gin pulled out his phone and called Jay.

― "You went to the storage facility?"

"Yeah. I've decided to keep it for now."

― "That's going to cost you."

"Which is why we need to get the business running. How's the café location search going?"

― "I've found three potential spots. Come take a look and decide."

"I'm on my way."

― "Where are you? Still near the storage building?"

"Yeah."

― "Wait there. I'll pick you up. It'll be easier if we use my car—these spots are spread out."

"Fine. I'll wait."

"This one's the best," Gin declared after inspecting the three locations. His experience with opening cafés on Earth guided his decision. No matter how good the coffee tasted, a prime location was crucial for quick success.

"So, should I move forward with the lease?" Jay asked.

Gin nodded. "Go ahead. Let me know when you've chosen an interior design firm."

The café's interior would be just as important as its location. Still, a lingering concern tugged at Gin's mind. What if someone notices the coffee is too similar to the one from Café Wizard?

If any ability users from Earth recognized the taste, they might draw connections between his dual identities—the Gin of Earth and the Gin of this hidden world.

Currently, few Earth-born users had the luxury to relax here, but if the café gained popularity, that could change.

Then again, it might not matter, he reasoned. The magical amplification here was enormous—mana surged a hundredfold stronger than on Earth.

The coffee brewed in this world would naturally have an intense, almost overwhelming flavor. After experiencing it, even the best coffee on Earth would seem dull by comparison.

The chances of anyone uncovering the truth seemed slim. Still, precautions were necessary. If the café's interior and branding bore no resemblance to Café Wizard, the risk of suspicion would decrease significantly.

"By the way," Jay said, breaking his thoughts, "the shield goes on sale today."

"Really? I'm curious to see how it does."

"They're expecting it to make quite a splash. Could be a big hit."

"That'd be great," Gin replied with a grin. With his significant share in the shield's sales, success would translate to a substantial profit.

"Alright, I'll handle the rest. You're heading back home again, right?"

"Yeah," Gin confirmed casually.

Jay's face darkened with apprehension. The last time Gin had gone "home," he had disappeared for nearly a week without contact. It was a nerve-wracking experience that Jay didn't want to repeat.

"You'll come back, right?" Jay asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

Gin chuckled softly. "Of course. I've got too many irons in the fire here to just walk away."

Despite the reassuring words, Jay couldn't shake his unease. To him, Gin often seemed detached from the projects he had started in this world, as if he could abandon them at any moment without regret.

But what choice did Jay have? He needed Gin's resources to keep things running.

As if sensing his anxiety, Gin gave Jay a playful pat on the shoulder.

Sometimes, keeping people on edge made them more reliable. The sound of an approaching taxi drew their attention.

Gin boarded, giving Jay a casual wave before the vehicle pulled away.

Jay stood silently, watching the taxi disappear into the distance. His eyes reflected a quiet, almost desperate hope that Gin would return as promised.

Through the shimmering portal, Ban Tae-soo crossed the threshold back to Earth, stepping directly into his research laboratory. His first task upon arrival was to carefully secure the samples he had extracted from the mutant carapace troll's carcass.

These samples held immense potential for future research and needed to be preserved with the utmost precision.

Within the lab, a vault encased in layers of powerful enchantments awaited the samples. The protective spells here were leagues beyond the defensive wards he had placed in the storage facility in the hidden world.

Satisfied with the samples' safety, Gin decided to put off research for the night. His mind needed rest, and tomorrow he would take time to reconnect with his surroundings.

His recent life had been deeply entrenched in the affairs of the hidden world, and a growing sense of imbalance unsettled him.

He feared that his life on Earth was beginning to drift beyond his control.

Once the preparations were complete, Gin exited the lab and checked the time: 9 p.m. The streets outside were cloaked in darkness.

He briefly considered visiting a café but decided instead to head home.

When he arrived, he didn't even bother to shower.

Instead, he collapsed face-first onto his bed, the familiar comfort enveloping him.

"Feels like I haven't been here in forever," he murmured to himself.

It hadn't actually been that long.

His work at the Runewright Workshop on the shield project had only taken a short time.

Yet the sheer number of tasks he had undertaken there made it feel as though he had spent ages in the hidden world.

Perhaps the sensation also stemmed from the fact that even here on Earth, he spent more time in his lab than at home.

But tonight, surrounded by the familiar warmth and stability of his own bed, he allowed himself to sink into a peaceful sleep.

"Boss! You're here!"

The cheerful voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he stepped into the café the next morning. Wayn spotted him first and rushed over with a bright smile.

"Hey, been keeping things running smoothly?" Gin asked with a casual grin.

"Of course!" Wayn replied confidently.

The café buzzed with a steady flow of customers, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.

Gin took a moment to observe the lively scene. Despite his frequent absences, the café remained in good hands.

It was a comforting reminder that while the hidden world pulled at him with endless intrigue and danger, this place—this life—was still his anchor.