Infinite Mage

Chapter 82: The Battle of the Mages (2)

Sensing killing intent, Ethella turned to the side. From the darkness in the air, a shadow lunged at incredible speed, striking her chin.

‘A fist?’

Dozens of shadow fists then flew towards her. Ethella crouched, guarding her vitals with her arms. Despite the dull thuds echoing in the mountains, she stood firm, as if rooted to the ground.

‘Oh? She withstands this too?’

Any ordinary person would have had their bones shattered by now, but Ethella's eyes, visible through her guard, were still clear.

“I acknowledge your toughness, but let's end this.”

Shadow hands appeared from all sides, grabbing the groggy Ethella. Her limbs were stretched out as the Might of Darkness tightened its grip on her wrists and ankles. Her large glasses were tilted, cracked, and blood streamed from her lips.

Arcane cast Poison Cutter. It was a Triple Mix magic, much more complex than fusion magic, infusing rotation with the darkness and adding poison.

The magic, sharp as a blade, cut through the air, rushing towards her. Sensing the instant-death spell, Ethella exerted all her strength to sever the shadows, took a deep breath, and screamed.

Aaaaaaaah!

The high-frequency roar, knocking down bushes as it raced through, shattered Arcane’s darkness like smoke.

It was the Pama's Shout, a technique of the monks.

Karsis Yung, an ancestor of the Karsis Order, once said that awakening of the human spirit comes with a resounding roar. Pama's Shout was a righteous method that broke evil magic with a roar, similar to a sinner startled by thunder.

Buried in the roar, Arcane shuddered. His skin tingled, and his hair stood on end. He had rarely encountered Pama's Shout in his 130 years of life, and now it was used by a woman barely in her mid-twenties.

‘Hahaha, this is why I can't leave this business.’

The greatest talent brandishes the spirit honed to the extreme like a master sword.

What an interesting affair.

Someone will die, and someone will survive.

Through endless destruction, creation, and re-creation, magic evolves, doesn't it?

‘Indeed. Surely.’

Arcane cast Poison Cutter again. Seeing her chance, Ethella, grasping her ankle, severed the Might of Darkness and cast Spatial Warp. As she flew away like a bending flash, the Poison Cutter passed through the afterimage of light.

“Phew.”

Arcane whistled. The humiliation of retreat is great for the strong, but the ability to retreat without hesitation is also crucial in battle.

Arcane walked towards where Ethella had stood. There was blood on the ground – she hadn't completely dodged the attack. If the poison had seeped in, she couldn't have gone far.

“That cheeky lady will have a hard time.”

Arcane was delighted to meet a formidable foe after 40 years. He had encountered a genius with a trinity of a Zoner's Spirit Zone, hand-to-hand combat to sever the Might of Darkness, and the noble spirit of a monk.

‘A certified 6th-grade magician, wasn't it?’

Her rank was certainly high for her age, but geniuses don't conform to societal standards. If not bound by her duties as a teacher and seeker, Ethella's rank would have been much higher.

“Alpheas Myrhe. That brat is respected?”

Arcane looked up sadly. As his mental control released, the trees straightened, revealing the darkened sky.

“Aren’t you ashamed, Alpheas? To be respected by someone superior to you. What a tragic reality.”

Lamenting his disciple's incompetence, Arcane slowly walked away. The darkness spread on the forest floor, showing him the path to take.

‘Damn it! Where could he be?’

Thadd grew increasingly anxious. Alpheas was not at the lodge where he was sure to be. If he hadn't been captured by the enemy, there was only one place left.

“Master!”

He burst into the headmaster's office. But Alpheas was not there either.

Thadd didn't give up and examined the books on the shelves. He knew that Alpheas had set up a personal space here long ago.

‘There must be a mechanism. I can’t go through all the books.’

His gaze quickly caught a book. Titled 'Perceiving Darkness,' it stood out among the old magic tomes. Knowing his master's past, Thadd was sure it was a portal directly connected to Alpheas's memories.

Pulling the top of the book, a heavy mechanism turned, splitting the bookshelf sideways. A tunnel with stairs leading downwards was revealed behind the wall.

As Thadd descended the stairs, the tilted book returned to its place, closing the bookshelf. He opened an iron door, revealing a small room with a crystal lamp. Numerous items were displayed on an old shelf, looking antique enough to be in a vintage store.

A portrait of a woman hung on the wall. She wasn't strikingly beautiful but had a gentle and modest appearance.

‘That must be her…’

Thadd gazed at the portrait, lost in thought. Alpheas's words were true. Her eyes seemed to possess a magical power that drew people in.

“Who's there?”

Startled, Thadd turned around. Alpheas was sitting on a chair in the corner, leaning on his knees. His face, twisted in anger and confusion, was unlike his usual self.

“Master! You’re safe!”

“You... seem to know me.”

Thadd stopped as he approached, understanding the situation from Alpheas's words.

“You’ve lost your memory.”

Like other teachers, Alpheas must have been affected by Arcane's magic. But as a certified 4th-grade magician, he had taken measures before completely losing his memory and sought refuge here.

Hearing Thadd's words, Alpheas approached a bronze mirror, examining himself with a serious expression.

“Hmm. Lost my memory, have I? I thought I had suddenly come to the future. Anyway, it's quite annoying to see my 18-year-old face turn into an old man’s.”

Thadd's eyes widened. 18 years old meant about 40 years of his life had been blocked. If Alpheas hadn’t been so rational, he might have gone mad by now.

“Yes, lost memory… Perhaps it's for the best. At least I haven't been robbed of my life. But where is this? What happened that I lost my memory?”

“A magician cast dark magic to harm you, Master. You narrowly escaped it.”

Telling a person who lost their memory that might only increase their anxiety, but Alpheas seemed unperturbed.

“Really? How old am I now?”

“Uh, you're sixty-three.”

“Sixty-three, huh. So, what have I become?”

“Pardon?”

“I'm asking what magical achievements I've made.”

“Ah, well, you're known for your noble character and currently serve as the headmaster of a magic academy.”

Alpheas showed a look of disbelief. The genius known as the light of the Myrhe family, teaching others? Considering his personality, it seemed impossible.

“So you're saying I became a teacher?”

“Yes. Everyone follows and respects you, Master.”

“Puhahaha! Puhahaha!”

Alpheas burst into a mad laughter. Initially, he was annoyed by his sudden aging, but after learning he had lost his memory, he stopped caring. The thought of hearing about his accomplishments was even exciting.

“I must have matured quite a bit. A headmaster, huh. Then, is this place a palace? Has the prince ascended to the throne?”

Thadd became anxious. Even for a rational person like Alpheas, bridging a gap of 40 years was not trivial.

“This is a private academy. It's the Alpheas Magic Academy, which you established yourself.”

“Private?”

Alpheas's expression crumpled. A genius like him should have at least been teaching royalty. But private? What happened in these 40 years?

“...What grade am I?”

“Pardon? Oh, that’s...”

Thadd hesitated. The records proved how great Alpheas was in his youth. He lacked the courage to honestly reveal the current reality.

“Out with it! What grade am I? You said I’m sixty-three, right? So, am I grade 1? Or grade 2?”

Thadd, looking guilt-ridden, replied softly.

“You’re grade 4…”

Alpheas staggered. The shock was too much for his aged body. But soon, he couldn't contain his burning anger and raged furiously.

“What the hell did I do! Idiot! Pathetic fool!”

Alpheas hit his head, reproaching himself. With the talent given by God, he should have been at least 2nd grade after 40 years. But 4th grade?

What happened? What foolish life had he led to end up like this?

He needed to know his past. Everything. Determined, Alpheas glared at Thadd.

“You can undo dark magic, right? You said you're my disciple, so you must know Photon Magic?”

“Yes. I'm not sure how long it will take, but with your help, it should be possible. But…”

Thadd suddenly realized.

Could this be not a curse, but a blessing?

Alpheas had lived with guilt for 40 years due to a mistake in his youth. If losing his memory could cleanse his past, it would erase a lifetime of regret.

“Master, do you really need to regain your memory?”

“What? What are you talking about? It’s my memory, of course, I need it back. There must have been a problem. Even now, I can still reach higher realms if corrected.”

“Master. I know it's hard to accept. The light of the Myrhe family, known for divine talent, just a 4th-grade headmaster. But that's why I urge you not to. You made a grave mistake, Master, and suffered for 40 years. It's time for you to be free. Maybe this is a pardon from God?”josei

Alpheas, reverted to 18, knew how past wounds could torment life. If such things really happened, accepting and living with them was an option.

Roaming the room in thought, Alpheas suddenly noticed the portrait on the wall.

“Who’s that woman? Isn’t this my room?”

“It is your room, Master.”

“Really? I hung that picture? She’s not even beautiful, and her eyes look dim. Like a simpleton.”

Thadd was overwhelmed with emotion. Knowing who she was to Alpheas, he couldn’t contain his sorrow.

‘Master, you shouldn’t say that. She is...’

Alpheas turned away from the portrait with a look of irritation. Nothing made sense to him.

“I’ll regain my memory. This future is too far off from my plans. I need to know what happened.”

“Please reconsider, Master. Life is…”

“Hey, you.”

Alpheas interrupted Thadd with a haughty look. Thadd realized there was no falsehood in his master's words. This was the young Alpheas.

“You said I’m your master?”

“Yes. It’s been an honor, and I’m always grateful.”

“Then consider yourself expelled as of today.”

“What?”

Alpheas was serious. He was Alpheas of the Myrhe family, losing 40 years of memory without batting an eye, a paragon of intellect.

“What’s so important about regaining past memories? I don’t need a pathetic disciple like you.”

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