Infinite Mage

Chapter 83: The Battle of the Mages (3)

“That's why I'm telling you. Don't you know, Master?”

There's no guarantee that regaining memory will turn Alpheas back to his former self. Just because one lives the same life twice doesn't mean they end up at the same destination.

“No. My judgment is always right. No matter how I change, I am still me. This is your last chance. Cast the Photonization Magic.”

Thadd sighed and nodded. He now had no choice but to hope that Alpheas’s true personality would reemerge.

“Alright. Please, take a seat over here.”

Thadd fetched a chair from the corner and seated Alpheas.

“I'll begin. I'll cast Photonization Magic, but from there on, it's up to you, Master.”

“Ha! You think you're capable of worrying about me? Stop with the needless worries and just do it. Once I regain my memory, I'll give you a good telling-off.”

Thadd cast the spell with a fervent wish. As light permeated the Abyss Nova, a wave of drowsiness hit. Alpheas slowly closed his eyes and delved into thought. Time, halted at 18, began to flow again.

Buried in the bushes, Canis was unable to move a finger while the shockwave spread across his abdomen.

After realizing Arin's talent in mental magic, he had intensively trained in dark physical magic.

Absorbing force was also a form of physical power, and thus the shock absorption of his Dark Skin was quite high. Even an adult swinging a hammer was no more than child’s play before Dark Skin.

But the power of the Photon Canon that hit him unexpectedly surpassed all expectations. More importantly, it was impossible to analyze how light could contain physical force.

“Kiki, got hit hard, Canis.”

A husky voice tingled his ear. There was no one else in the mountains besides Canis, but the voice was real.

“Harvey... What hit me?”

“No idea. But from what I feel, it's mass. A mass flying at tremendous speed hit your abdomen.”

“Mass? Light has no mass.”

Canis knew about Photonization theory, a basic for any combat mage studying opposing attributes.

“Of course, light has no mass. But it has energy.”

In reality, moving photons have a minuscule amount of mass, known as relativistic mass, with solar wind being a typical example.

“But that's just a mathematical reduction. It's like feeling a hit from a stick in a strong wind.”

“That makes sense. But it's theoretically possible. So, it's not entirely impossible.”

“No, something's missing. To generate such power, something connecting mass and energy is needed. But such a thing doesn't exist in this world.”

The voice, Harvey, spoke blandly.

“He must have found it then.”

Canis didn't respond. Though he and Harvey were distinct entities, they shared thoughts. Sensing Canis's annoyance, Harvey reluctantly agreed.

“He's remarkable. A unique talent. Even the magic academy had such a prodigy.”

Content at last, Canis stood up. Accurately gauging an opponent's strength was the first step to victory. For the first time, he had met a worthy adversary. His body seemed to warm up.

“Can we win, Harvey?”

“Kiki. Canis, if that's what you want...”

The eerie voice melted into the darkness.

“There's no enemy we can't defeat.”

Canis, casting an abnormally long shadow, headed back to the mountaintop where Shirone was.

Shirone stared into the forest's darkness for a while. He wasn't certain if Canis had cast Dark Skin, but information barely reaching his retina was sending warning signals.

Canis emerged from the forest. Nade scowled as Shirone’s prediction was proven right.

“Damn. He's really unscathed?”

“Nade. The sun has set.”

With night, the power of dark magic would be maximized, so Yiruki cast a lighting spell. It was far less bright than Fire Sun, so Nade contributed his strength. Two light sources glowed 10 meters above. But considering the speed of a mage, it was still a stretch for a frontal confrontation.

“Tch. Still too dark with this?”

Just then, Canis cast a lighting spell. Light magic cast by a dark magician made both of them uncomfortable.

“Why lighting magic?”

“What's the problem? No matter the field, Photonization theory is essential. It's the basis of Teleportation.”

“That's not the point! Light is a weakness for dark mages, right? Why would you do something that hurts yourself?”

“Hahaha! Hahaha!”

Canis burst into laughter.

“As expected, magic academy students are dumb and rigid. No magic, regardless of its field, is without a weakness. What matters is how you compensate for those weaknesses. Lighting magic is proof of that. Arin, shoot another one.”

Arin, normally cautious, willingly cast the lighting spell as well.

With four light sources, it was almost as bright as day. But Canis wasn't satisfied and turned to Shirone. A light mage with a unique perception. His lighting magic could create the stage he desired.

“Hey, how about you shoot one too? I'm looking forward to it.”

Shirone didn't know how to cast lighting magic. From Teleportation to Rainbow Drop, Photon Output to Photon Cannon, his technical evolution had left no time to invest in other types of magic.

“What? You can't do it? That's ridiculous. A light magician who can't cast lighting magic.”

Sometimes that happens. A magician with a short magical 'cord' but fortuitous affinity excels in one type of magic. While this could make one famous in a circus, magic is not a feat but a lethal skill. In a battlefield rife with psychology and tactics, someone like Shirone, who can only do one thing, is perfect prey.

“I was mistaken. I thought this would be a good duel, but you're just a kid who's neither here nor there, aren’t you?”

At that moment, a bright light source appeared above Shirone's head, outshining the others' lighting magic.

Nade and Yiruki stared blankly. He had instantly cast a lighting spell he had never learned. It was his anger, even more than his boundless insight, that was palpable.

Shirone stepped into Canis’s Spirit Zone. He couldn't forgive him for taking the entire student body hostage and talking about a fair duel.

“Are you satisfied now? I did as you wished, so do whatever you want.”josei

Canis retracted his previous thoughts. Shirone wasn’t just a magician good at circus tricks. But did it matter? No matter how strong the opponent, he was stronger. The situation was perfect to prove it.

“Anything? You’ll regret saying that.”

As he cast Might of Darkness, shadows at his feet surged towards Shirone like a rapid current. Shirone, ascending into the sky, levitated photons on his palm. It was the same attack pattern as before.

‘Just to annoy me with bluffs?’

As Shirone cast Photon Cannon, Canis vanished into the shadow below. Although slightly novel, it was just a teleportation spell learned from books. As Canis appeared from all directions like a mole, Shirone bombarded him, devastating the mountaintop.

‘Got him!’

Strategically analyzing Canis's movements, Shirone launched a predictive shot at an inescapable spot. Canis appeared too late to avoid it. Inevitable hit. And with power that Dark Skin couldn’t withstand.

Just when everyone thought it was over, a shadow rose from beneath Canis’s feet. It was elongated like a human’s shadow and intercepted the Photon Cannon with hands and belly. The photons, caught between palms, were absorbed with a bang into the shadow.

A flustered Shirone landed on the ground. The shadow had destroyed the Photon Cannon. It meant darkness had overwhelmed light.

“Kiki, what a grand entrance. How was I?”

“How can that be? Darkness swallowing light…”

Nade couldn't believe it. No matter how strong dark power was, it couldn’t suppress light. Imagine lighting a torch, but the surroundings don't brighten at all.

The creature connected to Canis’s shadow moved unhindered, even under the lit magic. It had a small head, but large shoulders and chest. Its waist was thin like a leopard's, arms long like a monkey's, and its palms were wide like shields, with fingers thin and long like blades. The beautiful balance of its body was evidence of artificial creation.

“Kik, I told you I'm nothing special, right? Hey, kid. The photons you shot were really tasty.”

As the shadow spoke, Shirone was dumbfounded. Moreover, the fact it used the term 'photons' and not 'light' indicated it possessed intellectual abilities.

Canis introduced his shadow.

“The essence of dark magic. The strongest magical creature, Harvest.”

“A magical creature?”

The pinnacle of alchemy and magical engineering - magical biology. Seeing something only mentioned in books was truly bizarre. Moreover, it was an intellectual creature never introduced before.

“Kiki! He’s totally out of it! Why’s he acting like he’s seeing a magical creature for the first time?”

Harvest, boasting a rough sense of humor, chuckled and shrugged. A rash and peculiar monster? No, a being with supremely human yet transcendent qualities.

“Harvest is immune to light. Plus, it's linked to my life. As long as I live, Harvest won't perish.”

“That’s right! We are two yet one! One yet two! Of course, I’m better looking. Really! I look great, but there’s no way to show you. Kekeke!”

Despite Harvest's joking, Shirone had no time to care. If it was immune to light, even the only weakness of a dark magician was gone.

‘Can I... win?’

So far, he hadn't received any outside help, nor was Alpheas’s location clear. The lives of hundreds were in the hands of those present.

Canis was pleased with Shirone’s dismay. Introducing Harvest after the lighting magic had a remarkable effect. It was also Harvest's strategy. The frivolous manner and tone were a perfect act. In reality, Harvest was an intellectual being, even more than Canis, having absorbed all of Arcane’s knowledge. Even now, Harvest was continuously exchanging brainwave patterns with Canis.

- Canis. Let’s go into the forest. We're at a disadvantage here.

- Think they’ll follow easily?

- They’re in a hurry, not us. Plus, Lucas is quite strong. If we can get him to move, our strength will increase.

- I don’t like it. I don’t want to rely on someone like him. I would have fought him if you hadn’t stopped me.

- For you, Canis. He’s strong and not stupid. Considering the total amount of shame, you’re losing. I can’t let you get tangled in a futile emotional battle.

Lucas was another face of the villains who tormented Canis in Radum. The thought of having to rely on such a person made Canis seethe.

- Canis. Your heart rate has increased by 1.7 times. If your adrenaline level rises, your judgment gets clouded. If you’re angry because of what I said, I apologize.

Harvest’s consideration calmed Canis’s heart. With the cold and rational Harvest, he was confident he couldn’t lose to anyone.

- No, Harvey. Sorry. You’re right. Let’s start.

Join our discord at https://discord.com/yT4GsFAYRf

***

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Link to donations in the discord!