Chapter 297 - The Beginning of the Divergence
Inside Carlo's research room in the Magic Association tower.
A week has passed since he discovered the life-force transfer magic. During this time, he has perfected the magic, and all that remains is to refine its efficiency continually.
Of course, he didn't forget to send Flamme a message about it.
While waiting for Flamme, Carlo stood in the center of the room, a table in front of him, its surface covered with complex magical runes.
"Carlo, you really succeeded?!" Flamme's voice trembled slightly as she strode to Carlo, her eyes burning as she looked at the papers on the table.
"Quick! Tell me! The complete structure and all the details!" As she spoke, she reached out to grab the papers.
However, Carlo instinctively leaned forward and raised his arm to block Flamme's movements.
His face no longer showed the joy of a research breakthrough, but was instead filled with struggle and hesitation.
"Lady Flamme," Carlo's voice was hoarse, "this magic—"
"What's wrong with this magic?" Flamme frowned, keenly noticing Carlo's unusual behavior. "We made a deal before, Carlo. I provided the most crucial magical runes to help you complete your research. I am qualified, and I must obtain this magic."
Her tone was firm and unwavering. This was the goal she had dreamed of for a long time, and she would not allow any mishaps at the last minute.
Even if it means resorting to force, she must obtain this magic from Carlo.
Carlo's lips trembled slightly. He looked at Flamme's determined gaze, then looked down at the magical runes on the table that were both a miracle and a symbol of evil.
Ariel's sarcastic words and the life conversion efficiency he himself deduced came to mind, the cost of which was staggering.
"I…I suddenly feel—" Carlo began with difficulty, "that such magic, perhaps, maybe, possibly, should not have been created, much less passed down."
Flamme's eyes sharpened instantly. "Carlo, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to back out?" She took a step closer, her body radiating a faint magical aura. "Don't forget, without me, you could never have gotten this far!!!"
Seeing Carlo's hesitation, Flamme subconsciously assumed that the man before her wanted to keep the magic for himself.
She was even prepared to take action.
Feeling the pressure emanating from Flamme and remembering his promise to her, Carlo's face showed a pained expression.
He didn't understand why Flamme was so obsessed with this magic, but he did feel indebted to her for her help.
Torn between moral struggle and the pressures of reality, he finally slumped his shoulders in despair.
"...I see."
Carlo's voice was low, yet it reached Flamme's ears clearly, and she let out a sigh of relief as the magical fluctuations around her dissipated.
Carlo reached out with trembling hands and pushed a stack of papers containing the core formulas and magical structures in front of Flamme, while simultaneously casting a spell to display the complete magic circle.
Flamme immediately picked up the stack of papers and began to study them quickly.
Her eyes were at first full of excitement, but as she gained a deeper understanding, her brows furrowed deeper, and the excitement on her face gradually faded.
"Absorbing the life force of others and injecting it into the body of the magician, thereby neutralizing the life loss in their body and achieving a near-immortality..." Flamme muttered to herself, her fingers unconsciously tightening, crumpling the edges of the paper.
"The conversion efficiency is extremely low, less than one percent..."
She finally understood why Carlo had hesitated before.
This is not a path to immortality at all, but a plundering magic built on the lives of others!
A chill ran up Flamme's spine and up her head. She sought immortality so that she would have more time to study the mysteries of magic and to stay by Professor Kurtz's side.
But if it has to be done this way, how can she face her teacher?
At that time, I'm afraid that not only would Professor Kurtz be unable to forgive her, but even she herself would be unable to forgive herself.
Seeing the ever-changing expression on Flamme's face, Carlo felt a mix of emotions.
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke. "Lord Flamme, as Serie's disciple, you must know a lot about Kurtz, right?"
Still reeling from the magic's impact, Flamme replied absentmindedly, "Of course, no one knows more about Kurtz than I do."
Carlo raised his head, looked directly at Flamme, and asked a startling question:
"Then, Lady Flamme, do you know whether Kurtz...is still alive?"
"Huh?!" Flamme was shocked and raised her head abruptly. "Why did you ask that?!"
But as soon as she said it, she immediately realized the problem.
Carlo asked that question because of the magic of immortality. After all, the source of this magic was Professor Kurtz's draft.
"With Kurtz's wisdom and ability, since he was able to leave behind such an exquisite draft, he must have already mastered this magic perfectly, and may even have optimized it to a degree that we cannot imagine. So, with the help of this magic, living from the age of mythology to the present day...isn't that not impossible?"
He paused, not uttering his darkest speculation.
How many bones did that great god-slayer pile up beneath his feet in order to traverse a thousand years of time?
He didn't even dare to think about it.
Flamme's brow furrowed deeply. Carlo's reasoning was completely wrong.
Teacher Kurtz had neither the need nor the inclination to use such magic. His very existence was a miracle beyond reason. But... the result was right by sheer coincidence.
Teacher Kurtz is indeed still alive. But how is she supposed to explain this?
Should she tell Carlo that Professor Kurtz transcended the laws of life on his own? That sounds even more unbelievable than using immortality magic.
Moreover, she had no idea whether Professor Kurtz would reveal his identity to the public.
Admitting it? It's inexplicable, and it might go against the teacher's wishes.
Deny it? Carlo had clearly accepted his own speculation.
The atmosphere in the research room became unusually heavy.
Finally, Flamme avoided Carlo's gaze and somewhat awkwardly changed the subject. "Carlo, your imagination is too rich. Kurtz would not use this kind of magic. After all, this magic is a manuscript that Kurtz discarded, isn't it?"
She clutched the paper tightly in her hand, as if it were something burning hot.
"I need time to study this magic in depth. Wait for my news."
After finishing her sentence, Flamme turned and quickly left the research lab without waiting for Carlo's reply.
Carlo was left standing alone, watching Flamme's departing figure, his face even more complicated and confused.
Miss Flamme's answer was indeed very reasonable.
If Kurtz really used this magic to survive until now, then why did the other party abandon this magic in the first place?
[End of Chapter]
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