Master of Time

Chapter 224: Master Torturer Maxwell

The remark is not arrogance if I do have the power to back it up, and I do.

Honestly, I could instantly kill everyone and everything around me with little to no effort. Hell. I would not even need to lift a single finger for something like that.

Legion can do it all himself at my request. He just needs the permission to go on a massacre. That does sound incredibly insane, but I have designed him to be an unstoppable legionnaire of killing machines.

Did I mention unstoppable? Not to brag, but Legion is practically unstoppable, at least here on Azula.

Just think about it. If a crappy assault rifle from the 1970s can wreck an Archmage at pointblank range, I do not need to explain what a real high-powered laser rifle of the 31st century can do to a living body at any range.

Bullets are super slow in comparison to deadly beams of colorful lights, and dodging lasers is not really possible. Even if a mage could somehow do that, I would really like to see them try and dodge tens of thousands of laser beams.

How about a million or a billion then?

Legion can pretty much spam lasers if I give him the go ahead. Moreover so, Legion can span weapons of deadlier magnitude and proportion than just simple beams of colorful lights.

It is somewhat strange to think that laser capable of burning holes through solid steels and reinforced concretes being just beams of colorful lights, but visually, lasers are just beam of colorful lights.

Certainly, deadly beams of colorful lights, but not more deadlier than a whole host of weapons existing within my vast arsenal. A lot of them are designed and fabricated to kill things that are way, way more durable than squishy human mages.

Squishy of anything, really.

Gods are pretty squishy from last I check. Tanking a supernova blast is impressive, but I am really never the one to shoot one at a time. Why bother when nothing feels like an overkill than an actual overkill.

In any case, it is unreasonable to think Sapphire could defeat two upper mages of the second-circle of magic. Even if she is the most powerful peak stage first-circle mage to ever had lived, she still wouldn't be able to defeat them.

Not with her current level of power.

Sure, Sapphire might be able to hold herself against them, but that depends on what kind of artefacts or items they may have at their disposal. In a real battle between actual mages, anything goes.

Trying to hold back for whatever reasons is stupid. Well. I am an exception to this. Not the stupid kind, but more like the trolling kind. What? No fun in instantly killing everything that move, and I do love to monologue.

It is my thing, so get off my back about it. It is also my charm, at least I like to think so.

"Yes, Master Maxwell."

Sapphire responses before directing her attacking spells towards the two newcomers, who are far too shocked to even raise a shield or barrier in order to protect themselves from her. It is expected, given that they had just witnessed their all-powerful master being killed like someone insignificant. He is an Archmage, after all.

But in my eyes, Archmage are more or less ants, and I highly dislike hearing ants acting all mighty and arrogance, demanding things before even taking the time to see what is actually happening.

If there is a brain their head, they should use it. If they do not, then they should not mind me of taking it out and examine it for myself. Speaking of which, I toss the severed head into a spatial rift, so Legion can have a look.

I feel that this occurrence will happen a lot, not that mind. Better than me going from places to places, just so I can decapitate people and extract their memory. It is better for them to come to me.

And why don't I just let Legion do that. Swarm the entire world and then molest everyone? There are things that should not be alerted on Azula. Things that are equal in power to Ingra.

Therefore, I should be somewhat cautious. No need to bulldozer my ways through everything, just to make a bunch of enemies, especially when I do have the element of surprise right now.

With their attention on me, the first waves of fireballs crashes into the two mages, sending them both tumbling back from the resulting explosion.

But once the dusts and smokes are cleared, they are completely unharmed. This is due to the magical aura shrouding their body and protecting them.

It is a passive magic shield that all real mages have, at least that is the theory. Those five idiots do not have it, but that is because they skipped way too much stages just to become official mages. They ruin their future. For what, exactly?

Just so that they can bully people around? Tsk. Pointless. These two second-circle mages are better. I have a look at their profile while they are tangling with Sapphire.

And from her attack alone, the both of them become aware that she is not someone capable of hurting them. As such, their only concern is me, but I am not interested in fight them. It would be stepping on ants.

Seeing neither mages being affected by her fire spells, Sapphire channels more of her magic into a far more powerful attack, but her casting speed is too slow. It is expected, as higher spells require a lot of time to cast.

And in battle, time is of an essence.

Since that is the case, allowing someone to finish casting their spells or similar is foolish. The two know this well, and they already drawled their enchanted weapons and charge towards Sapphire.

It is very unbecoming of them to gang up on a first-circle mage, but they want to get rid of her as fast as possible, just so they can focus on dealing with me. More like running away afterwards. There is no way in hell they are able to stand up against someone who instantly kill their master.

Ripping his head right off his shoulder too. His body is still bleeding on the ground, and I think I should loot the body. It is a normal thing to do, right? Meh. I will do it later.

Sapphire instantly switches her incantation circle to form a barrier in order to defend herself, but their magical weapons cut through her barrier like hot knife through butter. She manages to evade a follow up slash, but the next one severed her left arm despite being able to dodge the blade completely.

This is because the aura coating those weapons extend outwards to hit her, and despite being an aura, it is strong enough to slice through her aura and injure her physically.

Sapphire soon loses her other arm, and without any arms, she cannot cast magic as quickly. She is still a first-circle mage after all, and handless casting is not something she has mastered yet. Also, handless casting is actually not the best.

A person hand is not a good medium to channel magical energy. That is why all mages carry with them artefacts and weapons, most taking shape of rods and staffs. Wands too.

These two are combat mages, so they use weapons instead. They have been constantly casting magics on themselves, boosting their speed and power. One should be more than enough to kill Sapphire, so two is just overkill.

Before the two mages can execute Sapphire, however, I decide to step in. Not me personally, as it isn't something needed.

I have Legion to via Bruce without any restrictions, and with a single blow, Legion sends them both go flying backwards.

And before they even hit the ground, Legion pummels them several time with devastating strikes onto their squishy body, causing them to spat out a mouthful of blood each.

Their magical auras did protect them, but not enough to negate the damage. Even so, their auras have prevented their internal vial organs from turning into mush. Each punch from Legion is enough to turn building into rubbles, so it is something.

Sapphire pants heavily and tries to stop the bleeding from both of her hands. It is the second time that she has been defeated today, and while there is no shame in it, twice is enough.

"I have failed you again, master."

Sapphire apologizes deeply before collapsing onto her knees and kowtow, and seeing her being very, very disappointed with herself, I cannot help but moved. I am not a rock after all.

"There is no shame in defeat, Sapphire. Only true failure comes from not learning anything from your defeats. I hope that these will make you a better mage in the future. There is no need to keep all those manastones. Sell them and buy proper armors and weapons. I do not wish to see my student wearing only rags."

I tell her. I am aware of everything that she does. Legion keep her under surveillance, reporting all that she had done and will ever do. Even when she takes a… ahem. Let not go too far, huh.

"Yes. Master Maxwell. I will not disappoint you again."

Sapphire responses as I heal her wounds. More like negating everything with my power, returning her to perfect health and full power. Seeing that shocks the two mages, who are trying to heal themselves.

The only reason that they are able to heal themselves and stabilize their aura is because Legion stops assaulting them. They are not opponents for Legion with unrestricted strength and speed.

Sure, they could hit Legion, but whatever damage they could inflict upon Legion is pointless. Legion is not a biological object, and therefore, Legion is not affected physical attacks. Not even magical attacks.

"Now. What should I do about you seven?"

I question as more lights descend from the sky. Oh great. More privileged idiots and their mothers or fathers. Given that the case, they have been watching this battle remotely for a while.

And despite that, they have not bother to step in to stop the five idiots from hurting my student. That is enough for me to straight up murder them all. I can probably do that, and no one can stop me, not in this Kingdom anyway.

Or any other nearby countries.

"Greeting, Master Maxwell. I am –

An old man greets me, but he shuts up when I glare at him. The magical aura that I radiate is far more than enough to force him and everyone around me to their knees.

It is not the first circle aura, however. It is the third circle aura, as I use the headmaster's magical core to simulate it with unlimited magical energy.

"Did I allow you speak?"

I question as the ground begin to shake. The earth beneath their feet cracks, as if there is an invisible hand presses down everyone, choking the life out of them.

"N-no. A-apology, Great One!"

The old man calls out and slams his forehead to the earth. It is a sign of submission. Everyone else do the same, including Sapphire. Even though she did not feel the aura, she could see it clearly, radiating from me.

It is so dense. Incredibly suffocating.

I keep the aura for a bit longer, knocking a few weaker Archmage as well as all the Mages. It is a show of power, as that is the only thing that these people can understand.

Azula is governed by the strong after all, and I have to be the strongest for my words to become laws – absolute laws.

"You may speak."

I state when silence reigns the whole area for several minutes. No one dare to say a single world. Not before me. My presence is alone to scare them shitless. To them, I am practically God.

"Great One. We seek forgiveness. The younglings do not understand what power they have offended in their foolishness. Please allow us to chastise them in your stead. They will only dirty your hands and waste your time otherwise. We are willing to compensate for everything."

The elder requests. His name is Liao. Sounds Chinese. He does look like those old farts in those ancient Chinese movies with long ass beard coming from their long ass eyebrows. In fact, most of those people with him are Chinese origin.

Not all of them, however.

"You assume that I do not like to get my hand dirty, Elder Liao. You may not have heard, but I am the newest Master at the academy. Master Torturer."

I state, making everyone tense up. Even my poor student, Sapphire. Poor as in she really has no money to buy anything other than the absolutely bare essentials.

If it was not for the clothes that I had gifted her, she would be wearing rags. That would reflect on me, pretty badly. Having face seems very important here, so I should have face.

Well. With all that happen here, my face is probably pretty scary. No one will start shit in front of me, and I think it is a good time to purge some factions from the academy.

I want my school to be utterly cleaned and spotless.

Eh… I wonder if this is George Collins talking or me talking. The man always wants to run a school, just because he had never had a good school life, and it is rubbing off on me big time.

I do not mind as I have plans to start a magic school in the prime-reality, right after I introduce actual magic to the world. It is a good of a time as any to learn how to run a school.

Not me personally since I probably cannot chill around here forever. I will let Legion do the hard work with a lot of assistants from Kozak and others, and then benefits afterwards.

"Since you have failed to discipline your children when you have the chance, I will discipline them for you. Do not worry, they will not be alone in this, as the headmaster did request me to purge his school of everything that disruptive."

I tell the mass as spatial rift begins to form. Hands emerge from within and grab hold of each of those badly injured brats. Two hands also grab the two second-circle mages as well. They did not go without protest, but it is pointless effort.

"No! Please have mercy, Great One!"

One of the women calls out. She is quite a looker despite being 40 or 50 years old. Honestly, she could pass for 20 or younger. Magic does wonder for the body, and I have already thought about introducing it to the prime reality.

In fact, Infinite Health is already experimenting with the healing and stamina potion. One can heal all manners of wound, and the other boost stamina and vitality. They will be quite a hot product for the public.

There are side effects, however. Because of that, I did not release them just yet. Besides, it is still 1990 in the prime timeline, and there is no reason to introduce all magic products, especially when everyone is watching my companies.

"This is me being merciful, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind about this. I am simply not interested in your words. I am also not interested in any material needs, at least at your level. Do not think that I am only an Archmage. I am far more powerful than that."

I brag a little before vanishing into thin air. I take Sapphire with me as well, obviously. Leaving her right there would be kind of stupid. I also have a look at what Kozak is doing with Eliana.

They have fought for a bit before my name comes up, and now they are just talking. Honestly, I wanted them to fight a bit more just to see how they fight, but there will be plenty of opportunity.

Kozak is going ahead with what he had told me, and it is probably for the best at the moment. It would stop the human's encroachment into the forest for a while. Likely a few months or so.

That gives me plenty of time to fix up some problems here at the Arcane Academy, getting it to run as smoothly in ever.

"Sapphire. There is something I need you to do for me."

I speak up once I am standing in the private office.

It is the same office that I had talked to Kozak and killed the headmaster. More like replaced him since he is a dead man walking anyway. No one has noticed the headmaster has been replaced, and Legion can mimic anyone.

"Yes, Master Maxwell. I will carry out your will to the best of my ability."

Sapphire responses, bowing deeply. She does not give a single thought to what I will ask of her. If she did, she would realize that we are alone in a sealed room. No one can disturb us. No one dare too, not after what happen.

Information about me should be spread far and wide within a couple of days or so, and that is exactly what I want. It is time to make my mark on this continent. Gathering as much information as I can as well.

"Are you not afraid of what I am going to ask of you, Sapphire?"

I question and examine her face. She tries not to match my gaze as several things enter her mind, but despite knowing those things, she resigns herself and will do whatever I need to the best of her ability.

Seeing her like that, I simply smile and take a seat behind the desk.

"Please tell me everything that have happened in the past year. Do not skip on the details as I do have plenty of time. Time that I would not spend anywhere else. No. Not when I have a wonderful student as you."

I tell her. It is a compliment, and it has the effect that I desire. Unfortunately, Legion informs me that Sapphire actually prefers girls to boys. Sapphire is actually in love with Lavender, despite not realizing it herself.

Oh woops. I forgot about that. Damn.