[83] A Mage's Battle (4)
"That's precisely why I told you. Master, you know this too, don't you?"
Even if he recovered his memories, there was no guarantee he'd return to the Alpheas he used to be. Living the same life twice didn't mean the destination would be the same.
"No. My judgment is always right. No matter what form I take, it's still me. This is the last chance. Cast the photonization spell."
Sade sighed and nodded. All that remained was to hope Alpheas's nature would restore his original personality.
"Understood. Please, sit here."
Sade brought a chair from the corner and seated Alpheas.
"I'll begin. I'll cast the photonization spell, but after that it's up to you, Master."
"Haha! Do you think I'm not capable of handling my part? Don't fuss—just do it. When he remembers, I'll give him a proper scolding."
Sade poured all his earnest will into the magic. As light seeped into the Abyss Nova, a faint drowsiness washed over them. Alpheas slowly closed his eyes and drifted into thought. Time that had stopped at eighteen began to move again.
Light and Darkness, Good and Evil (1)
Buried in the bushes, Canis couldn't even twitch a finger while the shockwave that had spread through his abdomen still lingered.
Since discovering Arin's talent for telepathy, he'd focused his training on dark-type physical magic.
Absorbing force was still a form of physical power, and the shock-absorption of the Dark Skin he cast was considerable. Even a hammer swung by an adult felt like a child's punch against it.
But the power of the Photon Cannon that struck him in a surprise attack exceeded all expectations. Above all, it was impossible to analyze how physical force could be contained within light.
"Kikikiki. You took that well, Canis."
A coarse voice pricked his ears. No one else was on the mountain, but the voice was real.
"Havi... what hit me?"
"No way to know for sure. But I feel it as mass. A mass flying at tremendous speed embedded in your belly."
"Mass? Light has no mass."
Studying opposing attributes was basic for a combat mage, so Canis knew the theory of photonization.
"Of course, light has no rest mass. But energy exists."
A moving photon effectively carries an infinitesimal amount of mass—what some call relativistic mass; the book gave the solar wind as an example.
"But that's just a mathematical reduction. It's like how a strong gust of wind can feel like being struck by a stick."
"You have a point. But in theory, it's possible. So it's not entirely impossible."
"No, something's missing. To produce that level of power, there must be something linking mass and energy. But nothing like that exists."
Havi's voice sounded nonchalant.
"So he found it, then."
Canis didn't answer. He and Havi were clearly different entities, but they shared thought. Sensing Canis's displeasure, Havi grudgingly conceded.
"He's incredible. Unique. There's talent like this—even in the Magic Academy."
At last, Canis allowed himself a satisfied rise to his feet. Accurately gauging an enemy's skill was the first button toward victory. This was the rival he'd longed to meet. His body's temperature seemed to rise.
"We can beat him, right, Havi?"
"Kukukuku. Canis, if you want..."
A creepy voice sank into the darkness.
"There is no foe we cannot defeat."
Canis let an abnormally long shadow trail behind him as he returned to the mountain peak where Shirone stood.
* * *
Shirone stared into the forest's darkness for a long while. He couldn't be certain Canis had cast Dark Skin, but the information imprinted on his retina without reaching his brain was sending alarm signals.
Canis cut through the trees and walked out. When Shirone's prediction proved right, Nade grimaced.
"Damn. He's actually fine?"
"Nade. The sun has set."
Dark magic grew stronger at night, so Iruki cast illumination magic. Its brightness was far below a fireline, so Nade added his strength. Two glowing spheres floated ten meters above them. Still, considering their target's high-speed movement, a frontal assault remained unwise.
"Tch. It's still too dark?"
At that moment Canis cast an illumination spell. The light coming from a dark mage made the two uneasy.
"What is he thinking? Illumination magic?"
"What's wrong with it? Whatever the discipline, photonization theory is essential. It's the basis of teleportation."
"That's not it! Light should be a dark mage's weakness. Why would he do something that cuts into his own advantage?"
"Hahah! Hahahahaha!"
Canis burst into laughter.
"As expected, those from the Magic Academy are foolish and narrow-minded. No discipline is without a weakness. What's important is how you cover it. Illumination magic proves exactly that. Arin, fire another one."
It wasn't empty confidence—usually cautious Arin obediently cast another illumination.
When four luminescent spheres gathered, the brightness was almost like daytime. But Canis wasn't satisfied and looked toward Shirone. A light mage who wielded a unique reservoir—if it was his illumination magic, he could create the stage he wanted.
"Hey, you shoot one too? I'm hoping to see it."
Shirone couldn't cast illumination magic. While he'd advanced technically from Rainbow Drop to photon output and Photon Cannon, he hadn't invested time in other spells.
"What? You can't do it? Unbelievable. A light mage who can't cast illumination magic."
Sometimes that happened: a mage's path was short, and some seized a fated focus in a single spell and stood out for it. That could make one famous like a circus act, but magic wasn't a trick—it was a killing art. On a battlefield of psychology and tactics, someone like Shirone, with only one trick, was a prime candidate for death.
"I misjudged you. I expected a good fight, but you're just an immature nobody."
The moment Canis finished speaking, a luminous sphere popped into existence above Shirone's head. It was so bright it made the others' illumination spells pale.
Nade and Iruki stared dumbfounded. He'd cast an illumination spell he'd never learned. More than boundless insight, it was Shirone's anger that showed through.
Shirone stepped into Canis's Spirit Zone. He couldn't forgive the man who'd held the entire student body hostage and then talked about a fair duel.
"Satisfied? I gave you what you wanted. Try whatever you like."
Canis retracted his earlier thought. This wasn't a mere circus performer. But did that matter? No matter how strong the opponent, he was stronger. This situation was perfect to prove it.
"Anything? You'll regret saying that."
Invoking the power of darkness, the shadows at Shirone's feet surged toward him like a torrent. Shirone leaped into the sky and levitated photons on his palm. It was the same pattern he'd used so far—nothing spectacular.
'You just wanted to bluff me?'
When Shirone fired the Photon Cannon, Canis's body slipped beneath the shadow. This tactic was slightly new, but still a teleportation spell straight from the books. Bombarding the Canis who popped up everywhere like a mole, the mountaintop was pulverized.
'Got you!'
Having analyzed Canis's movement pattern strategically, Shirone fired at a spot that was impossible to avoid. Canis appeared late where the Photon Cannon would land—no way to dodge. And the power was strong enough that Dark Skin couldn't stop it.
Just when everyone thought it was over, the shadow at Canis's feet rose. It stretched like a human silhouette and took the Photon Cannon in its hands and torso. The photons trapped between those palms made a pop as they were absorbed into the shadow.
Startled, Shirone descended to the ground. The shadow had destroyed the Photon Cannon. Darkness had overwhelmed the light.
"Kikikiki, flashy entrance. How was I?"
"How can that be? Darkness swallowing light..."
Nade couldn't believe it. No matter how strong dark energy was, it shouldn't be able to suppress light. How would you feel if you lit a torch and the surroundings didn't brighten at all?
The monstrous body linked to Canis's shadow was completely unfazed by the illumination magic on the ground.
Its face was small while its shoulders and chest were huge. Its waist was as slim as a panther's, and its arms hung long like a monkey's. Its palms were broad like shields and its fingers thin and long like blades. The body's balance looked unnaturally beautiful—proof of artificial creation.
"Kuku, didn't I say it wasn't a big deal? Hey, kid. The photons you fired tasted delicious."
When the shadow spoke, Shirone was dumbfounded. Calling the light 'photons' rather than 'light' implied it had intellect.
Canis introduced his shadow.
"The essence of dark magic. The strongest magi-creature: the Havist."
"A magi-creature?"
The pinnacle of magical biology combining alchemy and magi-engineering. Seeing something from a book in reality was grotesque enough. Worse, it was an intelligent life-form nowhere described in any text.
"Kikiki! He's completely out of it! Why's he acting like he's never seen a magi-creature before?"
The Havist laughed, its bulky shoulders shaking. Was it reckless and perverse? No—though grotesque, it was strikingly human and transcendent.
"Havists are immune to light. They're also linked to my life. As long as I don't die, the Havist won't perish either."
"Sure, sure! We're two and one! One and two! Of course I'm the prettier face. I'm telling you, I'm very handsome—just no way to show it. Kehehehe!"
The Havist cracked jokes, but Shirone had no time for that. If it was immune to light, the dark mage's only weakness was gone.
'Can I... win?'
So far there had been no help from outsiders, nor was Alpheas's location certain. Hundreds of lives rested on those present.
Canis savored Shirone's flustered expression. Revealing the Havist after the illumination had been highly effective. It was also the Havist's strategy: the flippant manner and attitude were perfect acting. In truth, the Havist was more intelligent than Canis—Arcane's knowledge had been transferred into it wholesale. Even now the Havist continuously exchanged neural patterns with Canis.
- Canis. Let's go into the forest. Here we're at a disadvantage.
- Will you come along easily?
- The urgent matter is over there. Besides, Lucas is quite strong. If we move him, our side's strength will rise.
- I don't like it. I don't want help from a jerk like that. If you hadn't stopped me earlier, I would have fought him.
- For your sake, Canis. He's strong and not stupid. In terms of total magnitude, you're behind. I can't let you get caught in a wasteful emotional brawl.
Lucas was another face of the villains who'd tormented Canis in Radum. The thought of relying on such a man made him seethe.
- Canis. Your heart rate has increased by 1.7 times. With adrenaline up, judgment will cloud. If you're angry because of what I said, I apologize.
The magi-creature's consideration to prevent loss of combat performance calmed Canis's heart. As long as the cool, clinical Havist stood with him, he felt he would lose to no one.
- No, Havi. Sorry. You're right. Let's begin.