Chapter 74: Dream On (3)

Chapter 74: Dream On (3)

You should have kept pushing! Dont you know that the more trials you run, the less the error becomes?

But we needed bullets for that! Following your strategy, we could have ended up staking even the house deed!

See, thats the point! Nothing in this world can be infinitely consumed! Energy is no exception!

Why are you bringing that up now?

Hahaha!

Shirone burst into laughter. Everyone striving towards their dreams is united in purpose. Thus, success and failure are merely secondary. Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates

Even if the world points fingers, calling it a pointless endeavor, or mocks them as idealists unable to support a family, humanity has progressed to this point precisely because someone chose to take on those challenges.

It's okay if its not me. Even if I become just a stepping stone for someone else, I don't mind.

Shirone stopped worrying. He felt thankful for all the luck that had shaped him, deciding to keep moving towards his dreams.

Yiruki, puzzled, asked, Shirone, why have you been grinning like that since a while ago? Did you eat something weird?

Shirone shook his head without answering, reaffirming his determination as he walked.

Im back, guys.

Two days were left until the suspension was lifted.

Nade and Yiruki arrived at the 4th training field early at dawn, waiting for Shirone.

It was early, but bright due to summer, and both yawned continuously, eyes fixed on the entrance.

Rubbing his sleepy face, Nade complained, Ah, whats this? Calling us out so early.

Didnt he say he had something to show us?

Whats there to show all of a sudden? Weve already seen enough to be overwhelmed.

Maybe he tattooed his wee...

Puhahaha!

Imagining what Yiruki said, Nade burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Shirone entered the training field.

Ah, you were already here. But why is Nade like that?

Dunno. Maybe because hes a pervert.

Puhahaha! Tattoo! A tattoo there! Puhahaha!

Anxious, Shirone didnt ask. It must be some silly joke they were sharing.

Anyway, let's start. Im eager to show you.

What are you showing? A tattoo? Puhahaha!

Yiruki spoke with a look of disdain, Stop it. Its not funny anymore. But why did you call us here? What do you want to show?

Just wait. Ill show you right now.

Shirone walked to the center of the training field and extended his hand towards the rock mountain.

Whats this? Photon Output? Did you increase its output?

Shirone executed the Photon Canon. A white flash swiftly passed before Nade and Yirukis eyes.

Boom!

With a dull roar, the rock exploded.

Nade and Yiruki, who had been nonchalant moments ago, were now wide-eyed, jaws dropped.

The impact area on the rock was flattened. They ran over to inspect the aftermath.

Seeing Shirones emotional reaction, Nade waved his hands dismissively.

Hey, hey. No need to be so serious. I'm actually glad. We became friends without any preconceptions. If we had known earlier, we wouldnt have experienced events like the recent research presentation.

Yiruki, deciding to change the topic, stood up from the table, Alright, lets head to the library. I was bored to death anyway. Lets ignite our academic fervor!

Shirone and Nade stood up, joining in with enthusiasm.

Great!

In the capital Bashuka of the Kingdom of Thormia.

In the Jijeon mountain range encircling the royal castle, a dungeon 70 meters underground, completed a century ago, lay hidden. Known as the Labyrinth of Darkness, it was once the hideout of the archmage Viltor Arcane who once dominated the world.

Arcane, someone who excelled in dark magic, frequently clashed with various nations until he mysteriously vanished 40 years ago after a certain incident.

At that time, Arcanes mage rank was an unofficial third grade.

Upon reaching or exceeding third grade, one is bestowed with the title of an archmage, regardless of official or unofficial status.

A mages grade is determined by their achievements and renown, managed through a special scoring system by the Magic Association.

For example, achieving 1,000 points from achievements and fame is required to ascend from 10th to 9th grade. To rise from 4th to 3rd grade, a staggering 280 million points are necessary.

This means a third-grade mage has accumulated achievements and renown beyond ordinary comprehension.

A Grade-A dangerous dungeon eradication earns 500 achievement points, and a royal summon to meet the king earns 100 fame points. Considering these, one can guess how much Arcane stirred the world.

40 years ago, at the age of 89, Arcane reached the rank of an unofficial third-grade mage. His score at the time was 100 million points for achievements and 180 million for fame.

His fame surpassed his achievements because he was a troublemaker who turned the continent upside down.

Banned experiments were just the start; he formed dark organizations, spawning anarchists, causing national upheavals.

People over seventy tremble at the mention of Arcane, a testament to his infamy, which is clear even without mentioning the 280 million points.

Phew.

Within a crystal tube filled with green liquid, Arcane opened his eyes. Bare and wrinkled, his 149-year-old body was a testament to his age.

Finally finally, its complete, the essence of darkness.

It was the dark power he had gathered for 40 years. Arcane planned to absorb it to reclaim his past glory.

Humans age and die because their cells reach a replication limit. But Arcane suppressed cell division using a life support system.

Glancing at the crystal on his desk, initially diamond-like but now turned pitch black, he had accumulated the dark power with daily Injection Magic.

Alpheas, wait for me! I will repay this humiliation.

After suffering a critical injury from a young Alpheas, Arcanes magic power rapidly declined.

But surviving on revenge, Arcane was about to regain his past power and rise once again as an archmage.

As the green liquid in the life support device drained, Arcanes frail body bent. He looked old enough to be encased in the tube.

The front of the crystal tube opened, and Arcane crawled out, gasping for air.

Canis! Arin! Are you there?

Two young-looking children entered, their demeanor somber, likely due to their dark magic training.

Did you call for us, Master?

Clothes. Bring me my clothes.

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