Chapter 58: The Past of the Two

Chapter 58: The Past of the Two

"Why, what’s the matter?" Karyl asked, puzzled by Fasio’s demeanor.

"Oh, it's nothing... Of course," Fasio responded, attempting to hide his astonishment at Karyl’s unexpected return.

The old fox probably didn't expect me to be back in just two days.

"We must ensure our defenses are thorough. On my way here, I encountered a band of thieves with a distinctive emblem. It would be wise to investigate further," Karyl suggested, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a few small buttons embossed with salamanders.

Thieves, huh... It was clear evidence of guild affiliation to anyone who looked.

"For such a thing to have happened... I shall certainly look into it," Fasio responded, feigning surprise at Karyl's words.

The guilds in Azor wouldn't be involved... Did they take action the moment I entered? Dealing with them may be possible, but there’s no need to stir up unnecessary trouble. At least, not for now.

"And this is an artifact I found in the Gray Training Ground. It's not of use to me, so I thought it proper to offer it to you, my lord," Karyl said, presenting another item.

"Oh...!!" Fasio couldn't tear his gaze away from the items Karyl had produced. He had promised Karyl priority in obtaining any artifacts found in the Gray Training Ground. However, that was merely a ruse; the original plan had been to deal with Karyl upon his return from the training ground.

Luckily, he's young. Though skilled, he's still naive about the world. To think he mistook them for a mere band of thieves.

Fasio nodded, and his retainers quickly collected the items Karyl had placed before him.

Little does he know they're nothing more than trinkets restricted with unnecessary sealing spells.

As if he could see through Fasio's thoughts, Karyl offered a fake smile as well.

"Your contribution is substantial. While I cannot give you the Original Magical tome as a reward, I can grant you the opportunity to peruse it. What do you say?"

I'm not sure how he managed to escape the maze of the Gray Training Ground... But given the situation, it's better to win him over than to eliminate him. After all, even the sorcerers of the Council of Magic have yet to master those spells. If showing him would result in acquiring the treasures of the training ground, it would be a significant gain. Fasio's mind raced.

"Furthermore, I will reward you with a staff used by the senior sorcerers of the Council of Magic. This will signify that both Azor and the Council of Magic recognize your abilities. And you won't need to be a council member to have your status verified."

"Thank you. However, for now, I will have to decline the Original Magic. It's beyond what I can handle. I would appreciate the opportunity at a later time, though."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

"Yes, I'll gratefully accept the staff, though."

Karyl had already obtained the Freezing Talon, making the staff redundant as a weapon. However, as a symbol, it held significant value. While he had received Kuwell's emblem, true freedom required moving beyond the empire’s confines. In that regard, the Council of Magic's seal could prove handy when traveling to other nations.

The young one knows his limits, huh? As if just anyone can learn the Original Magic. Fasio looked pleased with Karyl's response.

[Goodness, why is this nonsense so lengthy?] Allen scoffed, his voice tinged with impatience. [And to think that pig is actually a descendant of Celine Han? Times have certainly changed. Despite her wretched personality, she was once considered beautiful enough to be called “the one who outshines the moon”.]

Karyl smirked as he heard the old man's voice in his ear. He's a skilled high-level sorcerer, so don't underestimate him.

[Hmph, it's not his pitiful skills I disdain. His magical power is hardly noteworthy. He's merely showing off with Gustav's magic. I have all of that knowledge in my head.]

Knowing this, Karyl had declined the offer of Original magic. It was unnecessary. And by refusing, he had made a good impression on the ruler of Azor, killing two birds with one stone.

[You're with that fellow and he still doesn't recognize me? The high-level sorcerers of my time weren't so incompetent.]

Times have changed, as you say, Karyl replied. It's been over a thousand years since your era.

"So..."

"Yes, I'll arrange for the viewing of the magical tome. You can go now if you wish," said Fasio hastily, fearing Karyl might change his mind.

"Thank you."

Step by step, Karyl slowly walked through the hall, carefully surveying his surroundings.

"...”

The sorcerers within the hall stared at him, their gazes sharp and piercing. After returning from the Gray Training Ground, Karyl felt a shift in the very air. Their magic, that he could always feel now seemed different, not just in strength but in essence. It was as if a veil had lifted. He could sense it now, the concentration, the nature, and even the quantity of the magic surrounding them.

Fascinating, Karyl thought to himself, taken aback at his own transformation.

The time he had spent in the Gray Training Ground had only been two days, yet the experiences within that brief period felt like they had lasted for at least twenty days.

[Look at those insignificant humans. What do you say? Don’t you feel a bit grateful to me now?]

A wry smile touched Karyl’s lips at Allen Javius’ words, the memories of the past two days flooding back.

***

Two days ago, at the Gray Training Ground...

While feasible with Void Magic, even the most powerful of sorcerers usually need time to draw power from the mana points. However, Allen was an exception.

"Everyone, get back!!!"

Gustav's cry echoed through the chamber, prompting the sorcerers of the council—Celine Han, Well Bahar, and Phan Omaan—to quickly withdraw.

Like a laser, fifteen magic circles materialized behind Allen Javius, and from within them, sharp Magic Arrows were unleashed.

That’s...

A chilling sonic boom reverberated through the training ground.

"Try to dodge this."

Immediately after, Well Bahar, one of the sorcerers standing behind him, had half of his head blown off.

Thud—

His body collapsed like a jointed doll, his limbs flailing, leaving the rest in stunned silence. They were all great sorcerers, but the speed and power of Allen’s magic left them unable to react, let alone block.

To call that Magic Arrow...

The shock was not limited to their faces alone, as Karyl also wore a stunned expression.

It was a mere 2nd Class offensive magic. Light-based magic was already unpopular due to its lower lethality compared to other elemental magics, yet Allen Javius effortlessly shattered such conventional wisdom.

While similar to Kaye Aesir, Allen was in a league of his own.

The magic Allen used wasn't just a typical Magic Arrow. With each arrow, lightning coiled around the long rod, vibrating violently.

As he flicked his fingers, the sound of air being split by the projectiles echoed through the hall.

"Aaargh!!"

The violet arrow, wrapped in crackling lightning, tore through a shield and ripped apart someone's arm and shoulder as if it were tearing through paper.

That’s Arcane Magic...

Despite not consuming a dragon heart, Allen Javius could use spells of two different elements simultaneously.

From within his consciousness, Karyl could see how Allen manipulated his magical power.

This must’ve been his purpose in showing me. Karyl chuckled softly.

Unlike Kaye Aesir, who had infused strong magic into lower-class spells, Allen had gone a step further, condensing two elements into one. It must have been excruciatingly difficult, perhaps he was the first of humanity to do so.

"Block it!!"

"Is the magic circle not ready yet?!"

Even towards those who had been his comrades mere moments ago, Allen Javius was relentless.

"Such a futile effort."

As the battle raged on, Karyl, who had once scoffed at the sorcerers' duels of honor, now understood the true essence of a sorcerer's fight.

Among all of them, Allen stood out distinctly. While Serica Lauren, who had self-styled the title of Supreme, relied on physical prowess and used magic as a support, in sharp contrast, Allen swept away his opponents with magic alone.

Maybe he is the true embodiment of a combat sorcerer... Karyl thought, his throat tightening in apprehension.

The dragon hunter, Kaye Aesir, was remarkable indeed, but it was Allen who had redefined Karyl's understanding of a sorcerer. He had effortlessly killed a grand sorcerer with a single blow, a feat that even Karyl, a renowned swordsman, found difficult. The remaining sorcerers were helpless against his Arcane magic.

The young Allen Javius had far surpassed Kaye Aesir in terms of power. Yet, despite his incredible abilities, he ultimately met his end on the Gray Training Ground.

How’s that even possible...? Karyl wondered.

Could there have been someone capable of killing a sorcerer more powerful than Kaye Aesir, the renowned Dragon Slayer?

But before Karyl could find an answer, his consciousness faded. That was as far as the memory went.

As the memory came to an end, Allen Javius, the person himself, looked at Karyl.

The admiration in Karyl’s eyes was evident as he spoke, "You truly are an amazing person."

Surprisingly, Allen’s response was equally filled with admiration, [As are you.]

Allen’s response was perplexing to Karyl, especially given the scene they had just witnessed.

[You did something unimaginable... You went back in time.]