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According to Roubaul's introduction, when Nirvana is first activated, it takes the form of black and white light pillars, and its initial range of influence is very small.
In its initial stage, Nirvana converts people near the Magic who are wavering between good and evil, transforming them with "light" and "darkness."
Simply put, it converts those nearby whose hearts aren't firm enough—ordinary people are the best examples of this type.
Fortunately, this was deep within a remote forest and within the ancient city that'd ascended into the sky. Besides a few Mages, no one else had set foot here.
Noah and Mystogan were both individuals with firm resolve, so they naturally wouldn't be affected by the initial Nirvana.
As for the unconscious Jellal and the five defeated Oración Seis members, since they'd lost consciousness, they were also temporarily unaffected by Nirvana.
Noah looked around but couldn't see Brain anywhere.
He figured that after Mystogan and Jellal's battle ended, and his own attention was focused on helping the exhausted Mystogan, Brain must've secretly gone to activate Nirvana.
"Rest for a bit, Big Brother. I'll take care of that side."
Noah held back Mystogan, who wanted to continue acting, then left him with a dashing figure as he walked away.
In the center of the ancient city, beneath the black and white light pillars, Brain stood in the middle of the ancient Magic circle, laughing maniacally. "A bunch of foolish guys, but I still found a chance to activate Nirvana."
"So what if it's activated? Nirvana can't affect everyone in an instant." Before Brain finished speaking, the white-haired young man appeared behind him like a ghost.
But this time, facing Noah, Brain showed no panic. Instead, he said wildly, "That's right, Nirvana's spread takes time, but you probably don't know—once this Magic is activated, it'll move toward the target set by the activator."
"Even if you kill me, Nirvana won't—"
Whoosh~
A sharp wind blade lightly sliced across Brain's neck. Noah looked at him, a playful smile on his face, and said, "What'd you just say? What'll Nirvana do if I kill you?"
Blood flowed down the clean cut on his neck. Brain's face still held an expression of shock. He hadn't expected a member of a renowned Legal Guild to be so decisive in striking a killing blow against him.
Brain fell, unwilling. Noah didn't look at him. If he could still live after having his throat slit, then he wouldn't be human.
Noah examined Nirvana's Magic circle. He knew what Brain hadn't said—that once Nirvana was activated, it wouldn't stop.
There were only two ways to stop Nirvana: one was to seal it, and the other was to destroy it.
If it were to be sealed, perhaps Roubaul would have a way.
As for destroying it, then this ancient city, which served as the Magic's vessel, would also have to be destroyed.
Just as Noah was contemplating the best way to deal with it, Brain's body suddenly erupted with towering black energy, and dark purple Magic Power surged like a tide, stirring the entire space.
"Hehehe... Finally... finally free!"
Brain, who should've died, not only had his wound instantly healed and was alive, but he also suddenly changed his appearance. Even his original dark skin turned white, as if he'd become a different person.
However, what surprised Noah the most was the sudden surge of Magic Power from Brain. It far exceeded the level of Magic Power he'd displayed before—even Jellal would be slightly inferior to him now.
"Who are you? Are you still Brain?"
Facing Noah's question, the imposing "Brain" showed a look of disgust. "You're asking about that trash outer personality? I should thank you. Brain'll never come out again."
"My name is Zero, the Guild Master of Oración Seis!"
Noah suddenly understood. No wonder even Ultear couldn't get any information on the Guild Master of Oración Seis—he was Brain's inner personality.
Who would've thought that Oración Seis actually had seven members?
"Boy, submit to me, and I will bestow—"
"So much nonsense."
Impatiently interrupting Zero's grand promises, Noah suddenly flashed in front of him, and his right fist, wrapped in wind, heavily struck Zero's jaw.
A visible circular shockwave exploded. Zero, who was several times stronger than the outer personality, was actually sent flying by this punch.
Impossible! How could he be so strong?!
Zero forcibly twisted his body mid-air, mobilizing his Magic Power to form a dark green, gloomy torrent carrying destructive killing intent, and struck toward Noah.
"Dark Capriccio!"
Although they shared the same body, Zero was indeed much stronger than Brain. Noah didn't know how Brain managed to separate personality and strength.
The only explanation Noah could think of was the factor of mindset.
Mindset has a great influence on the miraculous power of Magic. The same Magic in the hands of Zero, who was full of destructive desires, had far greater power and control than in Brain's hands.
The dark green spiral Magic came fiercely. Noah neither dodged nor avoided. A blue light shone around him, stirring the airflow to form a counter-rotating vortex.
The collision of one positive and one negative resulted in Zero's Magic scattering like a stream hitting a reef.
"Is that all?"
Noah shook his hand. It wasn't that Zero wasn't strong. In Noah's opinion, his strength was comparable to that of the former Ten Wizard Saint, Jose.
However, as the Guild Master of Oración Seis, one of the three great Dark Guilds, and a Mage considered a thorn in the side by the Magic Council, Zero's power left Noah feeling a bit disappointed.
After all, in the Ten Wizard Saints ranking, there were still five individuals more powerful than Jose.
No wonder Brain wanted to use Nirvana to bring down the Legal Guilds and the Magic Council. Turns out he had a clear understanding of his own strength, which was why he sought to achieve his ambitions through external means.
Noah's dismissive attitude deeply provoked Zero. He completely lost control, gathering dark energy in his hands, forming a Magic beam that he furiously shot at Noah.
"Dark Rondo!"
However, the Darkness Magic that'd once been invincible failed to make any waves against a young man who was now under twenty years old.
The air trembled, Magic Power surged, the gale raged, and darkness receded.
Seeing the white-haired young man effortlessly neutralize his proud Magic with just a wall of wind, Zero felt immense anger.
"Why?! Why can't I destroy you?!"
"Die! Just die!"
Zero roared hysterically. He was indeed stronger than his outer personality, Brain, but that was because he was the embodiment of Brain's destructive desires.
Once he encountered something unfavorable or a setback, anger would make Zero completely lose his composure.
Disregarding his own condition, Zero poured all his Magic Power into a final attack, looking at Noah with a ferocious expression. "You'll be devoured completely in endless darkness!"
The wind blew away the dust from his body. Noah also had no interest in continuing to fight with this brainless Guild Master of Oración Seis. It was time to end the battle.