Chapter 115: Final Gift

I went back to my old home, to my master's. It has been a while since I came back here but it's just filled with memories that I wished I could go back to.

I opened the door to the house and the same old view is greeting me. Books everywhere, the desk filled with countless papers. Theories and studies on the art of magic. But something intrigued me, an unopened letter was on the table. My master's dead so I don't think he'll mind if I open this letter.

Zeta Hynolva Rui, you've grown.

Those two words that he said made me tear up. This letter isn't for my master's. It's from him to me. It's his final words to me.

I remember you were just a little boy in that forest.

Clinging on that magic book like it was your life.

You were a weird kid.

Suddenly asking for me to teach you magic.

But you know what?

You are singlehandedly the best thing that happened in my life.

But as time goes on, the student must surpass its master.

You Zeta must be stronger.

Complete the magic I was unable to complete.

Give truth to my theories.

Be a better mage than I am.

I'm sorry even in this situation I'm talking about my work.

But you have to.

You have to get stronger.

Not for me and my studies.

But for yourself.

Find someone other than me to protect.

To create bonds with.

To love, to create friendships.

Find someone like that and protect them.

Give them the love I couldn't give you.

Get stronger so that you can protect them.

So that you can protect yourself.

Right now you might be confused about why I'm saying all of these.

It's because I've obtained knowledge about someone.

A being that should not exist.

Ouroboros.

I want to tell you who Ouroboros is but it's too dangerous.

Right now Zeta I'm giving you a chance.

A chance for another shot at life.

I have some treasures in the basement filled with treasures I accumulated all my life.

Take them all and live someplace far with someone you love.

Create your own home with a loving family.

But... if you really want to know who Ouroboros is... then take the key that came with this letter.

Enter the labyrinth behind Vulcan's Mountain in the east.

I see. So this is the final words my master left me. Then so be it. I need to know more. I'll see this to the end.

I went on and headed towards my destination. Vulcan's Mountain. The third highest mountain in the world and according to my master, there's a labyrinth there.

But that isn't what I'm interested in. It's his death. How could he die just from knowing something from this "Ouroboros." I don't know who they are or what they are.

After thinking and walking for a while,I finally arrived at the place. It took me three weeks to get here.

I walked through the steps engraved on the side of the mountain and began running towards the top. After halfway through, I saw some houses on the side of the mountain. It seems that they just carved it out from the side and made this their territory.

I was stopped by one of them. "Wait. Where are you going?"

"To the top," I said.

"This is our territory. Foreigners like you aren't allowed here."

"Okay then." I ignored their message and continue to walk to the top.

"Hey." The man grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"Let go. I have to do something."

"Then if you really want to go you have to pay a fee."

"Fine. What is it?"

"Leave some food or weapons here."

I didn't want to cause some trouble so I just complied with their demands. "Fine," I opened my inventory and threw some food at them. "Goodbye."

"Men!" Suddenly all the inhabitants of the village surrounded me.

"What's this? I paid the fee. Get out."

"For you to throw out your food like that... You must be a rich kid huh? Give us everything you've got. Hehehe."

"I don't want to cause trouble. I'll just do something at the top then leave."

"That's all the people who came here said. Do you think we're simple? Our tribe's treasure is there."

Why did master want me here? But as long as I get answers I'm satisfied. "I don't care what's there. But my master left me something there."

"Your master? Hah! Lying won't do you good. No one has gone up that mountain other than us. Men, kill him!"

They all moved towards me with their spears and swords. "Chain Lightning." I only aimed it at their shoulders so that they don't die. I came here to find something, not commit mass murder.

But to my surprise, the skill I cast didn't pierce through their shoulders.

"Shocked? Heh. We're not normal cavemen. Even though we don't have armor, our bodies are much stronger than those you wear."

"Tsk. Root Bind!" All those near me got entangled and have their movements restricted.

"Wither!"

My plants that were stuck on their feet and arms were suddenly destroyed.

"You have mages too?"

"Heh. Come on boys!"

"I don't have time for this. Gazer Form, come, Corpse Defiler."

"New staff and armor? Heh. Nothing will change. Just give up everything and we'll let you go."

"Then try this. Chain Lightning."

"That again-"

That skill I just cast blasted through his shoulders.

"I told you to just let me go and I'll be done with it."

"You... KILL HIM!"

All of them ran at me at tried to hit me.

"Shockwave!" A blast of wind blew everyone away when I slammed my staff on the ground.

They don't give up and have continued to charge at me. "Rock Pillar!" Several rock formations lifted off the ground. I can't use lethal spells so knocking them off is the only thing I have to do.

They were hesitating this time to rush at me so I took the initiative. "Root Bind!"

The mages behind them are trying to cancel it out by using the Wither spell on me. But, "I don't think so! Fireball!" A basic spell but it's enough to blast them away and knock them out.

"It's time to end this." While they were rooted in my bind, "Rock Pillar!" Straight to their stomachs enough to knock them out.

It seems that the fight is over so I dispelled my gazer form.

I left them all here and went on to the top of the mountain and the thing that greeted me was an insanely huge door. I used the key my master gave me and it opened. It was huge inside. Filled with walls in random order. It really was a labyrinth.

I entered the room inside and everything suddenly moved. A trick I learned from the books I've read is to just stick to the left of the wall and I'll find the exit.

And sure enough, after 6 hours of walking slowly as the maze changes every hour, I finally found the exit. It wasn't difficult, it was just a lengthy process.

In the next room, I was greeted by a hall full of statues. As soon as I walked up to the very end of the hallway to open the door, the statues began to move and attacked me.

"Gazer form, come, Corpse Defiler. DRAGON LIGHTNING!"

Several more challenges await me. From quizzes, theories my master made, and problems that only I could solve. It's as if... this labyrinth was made for me. Only I could know the answers to these questions and problems.

I finally arrived at the end. There it was, a floating crystal on top of a pedestal and a letter stuck on the front of the pedestal.

Before I grabbed the crystal, I opened the letter first.

I'm afraid that you chose this path Zeta.

I wished for you to just live quietly somewhere since your strength is enough to live a quiet life.

But if it's strength you seek, You've come to the right place.

You have the right to know about Ouroboros.

But not now. You are still far too weak.

Even I couldn't hold up a candle against him.

So I'm going to give you my greatest creation.

Though I'm ashamed to admit this was made with countless souls.

You may spite and hate me for this Zeta.

But to beat the demon, I must become a demon.

Grab this floating crystal and say these words.

I did as he said and grabbed it. "My own life, my own soul. It shall be yours but in exchange give me enough strength for my goal, for I am your master and you're my servant, I shall give you everything as long as you give me everything."

A voice then popped in my head. "I have heard your call and I, Yurid shall respond. Forged by thousands of souls, I will help you with your goals, take me master, for both we are whole."

The crystal broke into pieces and rearrange itself into a human form. It had green hair and has the body of a young adult. She was beautiful.

After the completion of her transformation, she collapsed and fell into my arms.

"So this is the final gift my master left me." I was curious about what she is. "Mana Eyes." And to my surprise, her whole body is covered with mana. All of this world has their mana covered in their bones and veins only. But she has her mana covering her whole body. "I see master. You've been preparing for this for a while. I'll complete everything you've started master."