Chapter 23 - Epilogue: Unlike A Stone Which Remains Still, I Fight The Current

In an unknown place, located a grandiose room filled with debauchery. The room was dimly lit. Men and women, regardless of any shame were lying naked while having their body glued to each other.

Moans of ecstasy from the people was like a music filling the room. In the front most place, a devilishly attractive man with red hair and equally red clothing sat himself on a throne.

Countless of beautiful women surrounded him. However, he paid them no mind. He was focusing on a beautiful azure sword with unique carvings on its blade that he was currently holding.

"Something is wrong with Vagus. It feels like something has disappeared from it. It is the same, however it is not at the same time."

The man muttered under his breath. Surprisingly, the identity of this sword was none other than Vagus that Basil had wielded in his past life.

"Interesting. Only now that I can pour my consciousness into Vagus. Nothing changed, however it feels different. This is highly intriguing."

"Lord Duke Zepar, why don't you forget that sword and play with us?"

One of the women who was surrounding whispered in the man's ear seductively. The man, who was revealed to be Zepar, smiled in a twisted manner and looked at the woman slyly.

He put Vagus on the ground and gazed at the surrounding women. He took the waist of one of the women and declared in a husky voice.

"Lay down, and I will leave you barren!"

"Ah!"

The surrounding women quickly having an intoxicated expression as they undressed themselves one by one. Zepar only looked at the scene in satisfaction.

'An unexpected thing might occur in nearby future, however I can not forget my nature. Lust is the purest form of love. Let this agent of Lust, Zepar, spreads his love to the world!'

Thus, the people in the room turned even rowdier. The debauchery continued untill all of them except Zepar died from pleasure.

...

In his way to the academy together with Shirley, he was talking with Vagus in his head.

'Now that you are with me, what will happen to the other you?'

'Hmm... I think there is no other Vagus aside from me currently. By going to the past, we have created a paradox of our own existence. So, I believe the other Vagus has vanished from this world upon our return.'

'I see.'

Basil nodded his head in acceptance and slight surprise. He didn't know that Vagus could be that smart.

'Darling... You know that I heard that.'

'Hm. I didn't mean to hide it anyway.'

'Cruel! Even if I don't look like it, I have existed for more than a thousand years. It is an enough time to learn many things! Although I had never conversed with Zepar, I have heard many things from him. Also-'

'Besides, you are my soulmate. I don't want to hide anything from you.'

'...'

Critical hit!

The chatterbox called Vagus had been silenced by the sweet words of Basil! He had spent three weeks with Vagus. Surely, he had already grasped the way to handle her!

He didn't lie to her though. They were indeed soulmate. They were two different souls sharing the same body. Therefore, a friendship between soul could be called soulmate. Basil had never lied to his allies. He just twisted the truth!

Cough.

He cleared his throat as a gesture to clear his mind. Somehow, he had the conscience to feel uncomfortable at his earlier thought.

Unknowingly, Shirley and him had arrived at the academy. The walk had been silent, however Shirley had enjoyed it. She had always got to everywhere by carriage. It was her first time going somewhere on foot. Therefore, she was ecstatic.

"We have arrived... Will you later.. uh.. go back together with me?" Shirley asked Basil in nervousness. Basil's response was instantaneous, "I will not go back home early..." Already, her face crumpled in disappointment.

"However, I could accompany you back home."

"Thank you!"

She cheered brightly and lunged herself at him. She hugged him briefly and quickly ran away to her classroom.

Basil looked at her and shook his head briefly. He muttered under his breath, "Spare the rod and spoil the child. In this world, being sheltered is one of the biggest mistakes parents make to their child."

She was too innocent. Her sheltered upbringing filled her thoughts with naivety. Innocence had become her demise in the past. Basil had almost ended the same way too. However, he had been saved by someone.

He looked at the sky longingly. 'What is she doing right now? Probably being a Discipline Committee member at Randalvine Magic Institute,' thought Basil.

He wanted to meet her, to prove that this wasn't a dream. However, he wasn't strong enough. He wanted to meet her differently from the past. This time, he didn't want to lean on her. He would be the one who was leaned on.

His eyes glinted in determination. When he thought about that particular incident, his heart boiled in rage.

'Disgusting bastards!'

Innocence leads to demise. He had managed to avoid demise due to someone's sacrifice. However, the scar those bastards had left on him, their betrayal was forever etched in his mind.

This time, it would be him who turned their lives upside down! The light in his eyes sank down coldly.

...

The third year's classroom was in uproar. There was a rumour that the person they had been waiting for a week, Basil, was coming to the academy. Most of them were curious to the the late bloomer.

They had been his classmates two years ago. He had always beaten them in theory, however he had always failed in practice. Therefore, they wanted to see his skills in Magic, now that he was able to use it.

Only three people remained calm about this matter. Just like Shirley's and any other classes, this class also had their own pillars. These three people were the top three students in their class and possibly for the entire third years.

"That Basil has finally able to use Magic? So, what? A pebble can never be a jewelry even if you polished it."

"I am a little bit curious to how far the rumour is true though. I want to test him myself."

"I guess all of us have the same mind?"

"Hahaha!"

Three people that had just shared their thoughts laughed altogether. Their laugh was loud as they didn't pay any mind to their surrounding. The classroom went quiet as they watched the people laughing.

The pillars' reputation was well known to the class. They may act modest, however they had always looked down on anyone. And not only that, they also treated people like slave!

No one dared to protest. One of them was the son of an Earl. To further the problem, he was the son of none other than Earl Ansley Woster, the very owner of Woster County.

Although this son of his was considered a failure in his family, blood has always been thicker than water. No one mad enough to treat him carelessly.

Harold Woster looked at his surrounding and nodded his head in satisfaction by the reaction. He was the minority of people who could exert power with his last name only. Everyone treated him carefully, and no one would act casually in front of him.

Clap!

"Alright, everyone! Time to start our lesson!"

"Tch."

Harold clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. He hated Chester who had interrupted him from having his moment. There were only two people could treat him casually in this academy, and they were Chester Cowdray, and the headmaster, Spellcaster Blake.

To be an Earl and above, one had to be at least a Mage or a Knight who had raised quite a merit. His father, Earl Ansley Woster was a renowned Fifth-Circled Mage. He was a powerful individual.

However, he couldn't treat someone like Blake or Chester who were geniuses carelessly. If a fight broke out, Earl Woster would be naturally slain by either both of them. Titles and money had no actual worth in this world.

Power has the right to decide it all.

A cruel world to live in, however it was for this reason humanity managed to preserve.

"Today, we are having a guidance on how to utilize your Magic Circle better. You have carved your circle and used spells with it last year. However! All you have done was no more than cutting a meat with sword. Inefficient!"

Chester was about to have another word in his lecture when the door to the class was opened. His eyebrows twitched, and the students became nervous.

'Who is the ignorant person who interrupted my lecture?'

He was about to use his forbidden Spell called Preaching on the person, however when he looked at the person, his face erupted in glee.

"I hope I am not interrupting in the wrong time."

An equally pretty and handsome young man walked in. His steps were leisure, however it looked gracious. He was none other than Basil. He had never walked casually since he had learned Movement Technique. He had been training it everyday!

Therefore, his steps were always gracious. Sadly, he couldn't train his Step Art because it involved Mana. Only techniques from Knight Principal could be trained without the use of Mana related energy.

"You are not interrupting any important thing. It has been a long time Basil."

Gasp!

The students were surprised not only because of Basil's appearance, but also Chester's denial. It was unprecedented! They felt excited for no reason.

"What took you so long?"

"I had a conversation with the headmaster earlier."

"Ohh..."

The students gasped in amazement. At this point, they started to believe that the rumours were all true. They really wanted to see the might of the newly risen 'Fire Lord'.

"Alright, you may take a seat. Although I don't know how much, I believe my lecture will help you someway."

"Understood."

Basil nodded faintly and turned his head at the students. In the crowd, he could see three heated gazes planted solely on him. He raised one of his eyebrows, and smirked rather condescendingly.

'Let's weed out the pest as soon as possible.'

He thought coldly, then took a seat in the back. And just as he had predicted, the three people met him at the end of the class.

"Let us test ourselves, shall we?"

...

Shirley was running on her feet. She had heard that apparently, her brother, Basil would be having a duel against the three pillars of his class. Her steps were naturally leading her to the Battle Ground.

Upon reaching there, she was met with the sight of Basil standing calmly, facing one of the three pillars in the middle of the Battle Ground. His opponent was Andrew Nate, the son of Baron Nate who was Earl Woster's subordinate.

There were many other people watching as the spectator's seat was crowded. Eventually, teachers were also taking an interest in this duel. There were also a few fourth year students watching.

With referee separating them, and medical team in the background, Basil and his opponent stood still. The referee was none other than Chester. He looked at the two of them and said, "Are you ready?"

"I am born ready."

"Hm."

Contrary to Andrew's response, Basil merely nodded his head nonchalantly. It was as if gesturing Chester to make it quick. Looking at this, Chester wasn't mad. He smiled expectantly instead.

"Then... You may begin."

Shirley was looking at this from the foremost seat. She couldn't miss it! She saw Basil's opponent distanced himself from him and chanted a Spell. Basil didn't do anything as he merely stood there.

"Why is he just standing there?"

"Is he too afraid that he forgot to move?"

"Well.. rumour is rumour after all."

All the people around her clicked their tongues in dissatisfaction. Only the people who had watched his performance on that fateful day remained silent. And, their expectation wasn't in vain.

"[Zil edenz adz utracht, Gale]!"

A perfectly executed [Gale] was sent toward Basil. Andrew didn't become one of the pillar for naught. He had the skill to back his title!

Whoosh!

'Got you!'

He saw Basil was engulfed by the [Gale] he had shot toward him, he was sure of his victory. The crowd also thought of the same too as they signed in disappointment. However, at that moment —

"You couldn't even aim properly, how could you say yourself a Mage?"

— Basil's voice reverberated through the Battle Ground.

"What the..."

"...Hell?"

The crowd was stunned. Basil who had been engulfed by [Gale], reappeared behind Andrew who had casted it.

Andrew felt a chill ran down his spine, he didn't see that coming. He had been sure his victory was certain. However, faced with the cold reality, his mind froze in bewilderment.

Bang!

"Ugghh..."

"Andrew!"

Basil merely hit the back of Andrew's head with the back of his hand. Andrew was instantly thrown into the ground and lost his consciousness.

Basil also trained himself in Knight Principal. How could an ordinary Mage's body faced his abnormal strength?

"You...! Let's have a duel too!"

"Sure."

The one who had shouted earlier, another one of the three pillars challenged Basil. He was none other than Alex Howard, son of Baron Howard, another one of Earl Woster's subordinate.

Contrary to his fiery challenge, Basil responded him nonchalantly. Chester who saw this, merely waved his hand and medical team brought Andrew's unconscious body away.

"Are you ready?"

"Of course!"

Alex responded Chester heatedly. However, at that moment, Basil opened his mouth.

"Hold on a second."

"Huh! Are you afraid now that you know you are going to lose?"

Basil shook his head at Alex's taunt. He was looking at a kid being kids. He merely ignored him and looked at Chester.

"It is too bothersome to face them one by one. Let us have multiple duel."

"Ha! No need to act cool. You are bound to lose-"

Alex couldn't continue his words as he was interrupted by Chester.

"Alright. Let's do this that way. Harold!"

"Tch."

Harold clicked his tongue but obeyed it anyway. He quickly went to the middle of the Battle Ground, and got face to face with Basil.

"Let us make it quick."

He smiled condescendingly. He had no shame on teaming up with Alex to beat Basil. He didn't request it after all. Basil merely looked at him and smirked in faint ridicule.

"As you say."

Snap!

That was the sound of Harold's nearly non-existent patience breaking. He sighed heavily and looked at Basil coldly. The Battle quickly began.

Both Alex and Harold distanced themselves and chanted each of their Spell.

"[Gale]!"

"[Blaze]!"

The two spells quickly combined themselves and produce a storm of fire. Although it wasn't really comparable to the one Basil had made, it was impressive enough for the spectators to sigh in awe.

The storm of fire quickly engulfed Basil. The crowd watched in anticipation, they were expecting the same thing like earlier would happen. Harold also thought about the same thing as he had also turned his back.

Unfortunately, at that moment —

Bang!

"Hm!"

— Basil passed through the storm of fire and struck Alex squarely in the chest.

Crack!

The sound was clearly heard through the whole Battle Ground. Alex who was thrown away by the impact was bounced to the ground while leaving a trail of blood. Blood was pouring incessantly out of his mouth.

Everyone gasped in fright, however no one stopped them. In battles between Mage, having an injury or getting killed was the norm. One wouldn't be a Mage if one was afraid of getting injured.

Harold quickly became alert, he instinctively put his hand on his pendant that had been enchanted with a protective Spell. Using a Magic Talisman in a duel was forbidden, however he didn't care. He was scared by Basil's earlier display.

"Harold, stop right away!"

Chester's voice was ignored. Harold had already injected his Mana to the pendant.

Boom!

A beam with dangerous aura went toward Basil rapidly. Everyone was already panicking, however Basil himself was calm as always. He even snorted in disdain.

"You dare to use a defective product from the Rune Master Association on me, This Lord?"

He pointed his pointer finger and pulled up all of his Mana. Then, he muttered "[Lesser Art: Heaven Piercer]!"

Light quickly gathered in the tip of his pointer finger. The light instantly shot through the beam that was heading his way and pierced it cleanly. The beam was dispersed in the next moment.

When everyone saw this scene happened, the only thing they registered was Basil pointing his finger toward Harold and then the beam had mysteriously disappeared. Not even Chester could find out what had happened. He just stood there dumbly.

"Life is give and take. You have attempted to take my life. Naturally, I have to pay you back."

Basil instantly disappeared from their view. Although Basil had used up the Mana his heart contained, he hadn't used his Qi yet. Therefore, he could still use his Movement Technique, [Feather Step] to appear in front of Harold.

Bang!

Basil circle kicked him and his body was naturally thrown away. Basil didn't stop there, he reappeared next to Harold's body and kicked him once again in the guts.

No one could utter any single words. The words stuck in their mouth, they couldn't stop Basil. The development was too quick! Luckily, there was one person who could still think clearly. That was Chester.

Quickly using his Step Art, he reappeared beside Basil. He told Basil calmly, "Stop, Basil. The duel is your win." Basil merely looked at him in the eyes and stomped at Harold's skull.

"Gah!"

Then, Basil responded him calmly, "In a battle between Mage, death is common. Even more, if one of the party has been eagerly trying to take the other party's life."

Bam!

Harold's head was further embedded into the ground. The crater it brought wasn't caused by his head, but because Basil forcefully exploded his Qi under his foot.

"And, I am just naturally returning the favor."

He moved his foot off the bloody mess called Harold and gazed at the crowd calmly.

"Anyone wants to try their luck?"

Overbearing!

He had implicitly declaring war to the whole students, however none of them charged at him recklessly. Their mind still couldn't process what had just happened. At this moment, they realized that unlike the other three, Basil didn't show his Circle yet.

Gulp!

Everyone had the same thought in their mind.

Monster!

That day, they didn't see the display of 'Fire Lord', but the power display of 'Blood Tyrant' instead.

Basil who was looking at the crowd calmly, thought in his mind, 'The stone in the river stands strongly and takes whatever the stream has to offer. However, unlike a stone which remains still, I fight the current.'

Thus, his full of obstacles life was started.