Chapter 96: Genius Lost in Light (5)

Chapter 96: Genius Lost in Light (5)

"Master! How did it go? Was the experiment successful?"

"Yes, it was a success! Our magic worked!"

However, Alpheas couldn't rejoice. Something was clearly wrong with Erina.

"But why is my wife like this? Honey! Snap out of it!"

Arcane, re-examining the control panel, was shocked. The balance of each item was normal, but the overall bodily rhythm was dropping simultaneously, as if life itself was fading away.

"Why is this happening? The clinical trials didn't go like this."

"Honey! Erina! Open your eyes!"

Erina half-opened her eyes, showing a faint smile.

"Honey I'm okay."

"Erina! What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"There was a rejection reaction starting from the terminal nerves. It seems the human brain has something different. But you've achieved something remarkable. With a little more research Ugh!"

Erina gasped for air and convulsed.

"Honey! Don't talk! I'll try to do something! I'll save you, no matter what!"

Alpheas, realizing the irreversibility of the situation, cursed his own intellectual ability. But he had no choice but to say those words.

Erina slowly shook her head, knowing what her husband knew.

"Honey hold my hand."

Alpheas tightly grasped his wife's hand. He would have tried anything if there was even a 1% chance. But now, all he could do was stay by her side.

"Erina, this can't be happening. How can this?"

Erina smiled sadly.

"Honey, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? What did you do?"

"For being a fool."

Alpheas's heart tore apart. Trying to change her, forgetting her words that her mere existence was beautiful.

"No Why are you sorry? What are you sorry for! I'm the fool! It was me!"

"Meeting you was a blessing."

Erina finally understood her husband. A wonderful world governed by rationality. She was happy to have shared his memories, even for a short while.

"Honey! Open your eyes! Please I was wrong, honey!"

As Erina's eyes closed, Alpheas held her face and wailed.

"Uwaaaa! Honey! Honey!"

Arcane, with a somber expression, bowed his head. How is the human brain different from animals? The tragedy could have been avoided with initial human experimentation.

But it was a meaningless conjecture. Erina's only condition for allowing herself to be experimented on was never to experiment on others.

Therefore, the effort was even more devoted. The data obtained so far would be precious for humanity.

"I'm sorry. Your sacrifice won't be in vain."

A dull thud sounded. Turning his head, Arcane saw Alpheas hitting his head against the wall.

"Uwaaaa!"

With each collision, the sound of breaking echoed. It was unclear whether the wall or his head was breaking.

"What? Light of the Myrhe family? Light? Light!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Alpheas, repeatedly hitting his head, bounced back like a rubber ball. But he didn't stop. The horror of surviving alone without his wife overwhelmed him.

"Arrogant Alpheas!"

Alpheas charged at the wall again.

Thud!

Klumph grabbed Alpheas. Left alone, he would surely die.

"Right"

"I heard the news. You became an official inspector. Congratulations."

"Congrats between us? I'm the latest of our peers, man."

Klumph awkwardly responded. The achievement felt less impressive, knowing what his friend had gone through.

"Sorry. I had nowhere else to go. I need to impose on you for a while."

Klumph sadly gazed at Alpheas' emaciated back.

How had he come to this?

Once hailed as a rising star of the magical world, Alpheas was now a vagrant, shunned even by his own family.

After the bath, Klumph had the maids prepare a meal. But Alpheas could hardly eat, his stomach having shrunk too much.

Klumph knew it wasn't just because Alpheas had nowhere else to go.

Taking Alpheas to the study, Klumph poured him a drink. Alpheas didn't even look at the alcohol but briefly flashed the same sharp gaze he had seven years ago.

"Talk to me. You've ended your wanderings, so you must have plans. You need to get back on your feet. I'll help you."

Alpheas bluntly said.

"Lend me 100 million gold."

"100 million gold?"

An astronomical sum.

Klumph, having passed the official exam, was in line to succeed as family head. But even as head, there were limits to what he could lend.

"Not at once. I'll withdraw it over four years. Hire a financial advisor. With a monthly limit of 7 million, it should be manageable without significant impact. I'll pay interest too. But no compound interest. Set the annual rate at 20%. I can start repaying the principal after a year."

While the lender usually sets the terms, Klumph didn't mind. He knew Alpheas would have optimized the deal before even arriving.

Effectively, it meant earning 80 million gold in profits over four years, besides the principal. Klumph was more curious about how Alpheas planned to achieve this.

"What's the plan? Developed a new spell or something?"

Alpheas shook his head.

"I've lost all passion."

"Then what will you do with 100 million gold?"

"I'm going to build a school."

"A school?"

Klumph's eyes widened. Alpheas, who always considered himself the best, was planning to teach others.

"What are you thinking?"

Seeing tears on Alpheas' cheeks, Klumph couldn't finish his sentence.

"I mustn't let another like me arise. I'll teach students, atoning until my last breath. Ensuring no one's talent gets trampled by a moment's mistake, I'll live devouring my pain."

Alpheas covered his face with his hands, sobbing uncontrollably, yet unable to stop the tears.

Klumph's eyes reddened too.

Erina Bastadd. Alpheas would probably never forget her. He might suffer for a lifetime.

But that made the decision easier.

If Alpheas' pain could transform into someone's growth, if that could truly happen, then this friend, who once dreamed of success and happiness, might smile again someday.

"I'll lend it. 100 million gold."

Alpheas named the school after himself in Creas City. He worked as a mage during construction, paying off the interest, and studied at night to get a teaching certificate.

Four years later.

Alpheas, the headmaster of the Alpheas Magic Academy, repaid 180 million gold to the Orgent family.

As the effects of Abyss Nova completely faded, Alpheas slowly opened his eyes. With all memories returned, he remained silent for a long time. The 40 years he had relived were so lengthy and burdensome.

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