Chapter 343
Chapter 343
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 343
Chapter Title: Battle at the Lake (1)
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"Urk...!"
Theodore let out a groan of pain for the first time today.
Using spatial magic in this way.
But the assault didn't end there.
From the portal that had sliced his body apart, ominous zombies poured out in droves, clinging to his wounds and detonating themselves.
It would have been something he could laugh off under normal circumstances, but the gashes from the portal gaped open, allowing the intense shock, heat, and filthy disease-based black magic to invade unchecked, striking directly at his nervous system.
The pain, comparable to excruciating toothache, combined with the abnormal signals from the disease magic ravaging his body, made Theodore feel like he'd taken a proper hit for the first time in decades.
Yet even this pain paled in comparison to the spell Dave had just unleashed.
Not only had he endured and seized control of the lightning bolt Theodore fired—impressive enough—but he'd perfectly separated the unified emotions and mana into two distinct parts. That went beyond mere skill or talent.
It was akin to extracting salt from water with his bare hands.
Not a matter of prowess, but something closer to divine authority.
And that wasn't the end of what impressed him.
Manipulating the fog to send him here was another impossibility that defied the laws of magic.
Seizing control of the fog Gretel commanded was feasible with exceptional skill, but teleporting decades' worth of accumulated mana equivalent to thousands of people through a portal? Utterly impossible.
Portals required mana proportional to the target's size, weight, mass, and energy as toll, yet Dave had simply ignored that law.
Even the mana separated from the lightning bolt was immense, but negligible compared to the punch Theodore threw.
In other words, he'd transported himself here with far less mana than needed.
It might seem trivial at a glance, but it overturned the laws of magic—a realm of miracles, achievable only by transcendent beings beyond providence.
By existences no longer human.
"Raaargh!"
Theodore roared, regaining control of his mana to expel the disease black magic infiltrating his body, then swung his massive arm to seize his target.
If he could just get his hands on that one, he could surpass the human limits set by the gods.
But Oliver moved a step faster.
Oliver pierced through the black smoke from the suicide puppets, channeling all the emotion robes around his body into sword forms and slashing Theodore's shoulder.
Being Theodore's own emotions, combined with the clear image of a sword, Oliver's blade unleashed astonishing power, severing the arm in one stroke. The fist brimming with vast mana turned into a massive hunk of meat, plummeting into the lake with Oliver and Theodore, sending up a colossal waterspout.
Sploosh—!!!
The enormous waterspout made the vast lake churn violently, and water shot skyward rained down like a downpour.
The rippling lake seemed to calm to the sound of the rain, only for another explosion from below to erupt another massive geyser.
Two figures burst from that geyser.
Theodore, Grand Master of the Life School, and Oliver, who was Professor Xenon of the Magic Tower and troubleshooter Dave.
The two stood atop the water's surface as if on solid ground, using their mana.
"Impressive... I can't even remember the last time I felt this flustered."
Theodore said to Oliver, who was staggering to his feet.
Coincidentally, Oliver felt the same.
He'd clung tenaciously underwater, attacking relentlessly to not miss his chance, but Theodore had repelled him with overwhelming mana and emotions through sheer force and was now healing his body.
No, it transcended mere healing.
Using a mana arm conjured in midair, he'd reattached his severed waist and regenerated his lost limbs.
Only elite black mages like puppeteers, flesh cooks' disciples, or Bathory displayed such regenerative power.
"...Have you converted black magic into Life School techniques?"
Oliver asked, observing Theodore.
"Impressive. I thought most mages had no interest in black magic."
Oliver meant it sincerely.
Setting aside the current situation and personal feelings, Theodore's exploratory spirit and ability to research and refine black magic in his own way were remarkable—worth emulating.
"And aside from the old man, you're the strongest I've faced."
"The old man? ...Who do you mean?"
"Elder Merlin. Archive Merlin."
"Merlin... You've fought him?"
Theodore asked, genuinely surprised, driven by pure curiosity rather than ulterior motives.
Only then did Oliver recall the two were friends.
Merlin had mentioned it when helping him in Martel.
"Yes... Though honestly, less a fight and more him gauging my level. I wasn't even close."
Oliver recalled his battle with Merlin on the icy plains. Just as he said, he hadn't stood a chance.
But Theodore took interest in his words. The atmosphere shifted at the mention of Merlin.
A mix of fondness, long-buried inferiority, anxiety, and doubt—amicable yet complicated.
"How'd you end up fighting Merlin?"
"Well... It'd take a while to explain, but he wanted to assess my worth. Said power equals value."
"That sounds like him. ...Or should I say 'her' now? Anyway, what was the verdict?"
"I barely scraped a pass."
"Barely?"
"Yes. At the end, he said I passed—minus the 'barely' or 'well done' qualifiers."
"Ho... What did you do to satisfy that guy?"
Theodore's eyes gleamed with intense curiosity.
"I don't remember clearly. I smoked a Filterette, but..."
"Filterette? That drug?"
"Yes... A special one made from beautiful light. I extracted my emotions for it... But after smoking, my memory fades. I had strange dreams too."
"...Intriguing. What made Merlin pass you so satisfactorily? And why aren't you using it now? ...No more of that special Filterette?"
"No, I have some."
Oliver patted his inner pocket in response.
Second only to his quarterstaff in importance, he always kept it on him.
Theodore tilted his head.
"...Doesn't make sense. Then why not use it?"
"Only two left? ...Saving them."
Oliver replied, recalling the beautiful light from Duncan's and Seamus's.
Even after years in Landa, he'd only secured this much. Far more precious than money.
But his explanation misfired, igniting Theodore's inferiority-fueled, anxious rage.
His mana surged like a volcano, rage steaming out like vapor.
"You dare say you're saving them against the Grand Master of the Life School...?"
"Took four years to get just three."
"Didn't you use it against Merlin?"
"Yes, so two remain. Ah..."
Oliver belatedly grasped Theodore's intent and explained.
"Well... You're as strong as the elder, but I think it'll be a close call, so I'm saving them. No offense intended."
Theodore fell silent, seething with rage at Oliver's sincere words. He'd touched the reverse scale Theodore harbored his whole life: his obsession with Merlin.
Unintentional as it was, that only fueled the fury more.
It felt like denying all he'd done to close the gap.
"A close call? ...I've been humoring you to test your power, but you must think me a joke...!"
Theodore roared, unleashing vast mana and emotions that made the entire lake quake, proving his might.
A presence evoking a mana power plant—beyond human, let alone one person's capacity.
Oliver, facing the mana gale centered on Theodore and the lake's raging waves, said,
"I don't see you as a joke, Theodore. Your physique and mana reserves surpass anyone I've seen."
"Right—my body, forged through countless researches to rival Merlin. If my mana fills this lake, yours and your emotions amount to a single cup... How do you plan to face me without the power you used on him?! A wretch whose only talent is lucky birth!!"
Theodore seized control of his erupting mana, manipulating the earth to form massive serpents.
A tremendous rumble echoed as brown-and-black earthen giants—each building-sized—burst from the forest encircling the lake, exuding immense pressure.
Comparable to the giants Seamus once made.
Not opponents to fight, but calamities to flee.
Oliver stared calmly, then dropped to one knee.
"That's why I came here... Extract."
"Elder! Elder! Elder...!"
Terrence's clamor roused Philip, who barely opened his eyes.
"Grooo..."
Pain greeted him instantly, drawing a groan before he knew why.
"It hurts."
"Good, means your nerves are working. Hey, hand it over—yeah, that. Elder, take this."
No sooner had Terrence spoken than a bitter liquid filled Philip's mouth. A potion.
Philip swallowed every drop reflexively.
"Good... Everyone, over here—grab hold! We need to move the elder!"
Hands lifted Philip at Terrence's shout.
The over-two-meter Terrence moved sluggishly, but Philip's vision cleared, revealing the scene.
"Terrence. These people...?"
Philip asked about those carrying him.
"Students Kevin and Xenon saved... This'll sting a bit."
Terrence jabbed a needle-tipped ampule into Philip's arm upon setting him down, injecting its contents.
Pain surged anew.
"Ow...! What the... Ah, my arm's gone."
Philip eyed his severed arm. The golem prosthetic must have expired while unconscious.
"Lucky, all things considered. You're weak from blood loss, yet holding up... Thought you were done for falling through the ceiling."
"Can't have the Roer family head die like this... Was it Kevin holding off Theodore? Since he saved the kids?"
"Not sure."
"Not sure...? What does that mean? Treating me means the crisis is over, right?"
Logical deduction.
Treating the wounded came post-battle, and the kidnapped mages were rescued.
But reality defied logic, leaving Terrence uncharacteristically flapping his mouth, words failing him.
Philip sensed the ominous mood.
"Something happen while I was out?"
"Black lightning and a giant fist... Sigh... Better see for yourself."
Terrence trailed off with a sigh, helping Philip outside the ruined building.
Outdoors, Philip noticed something off.
"...Where's the fog surrounding the place?"
"Vanished suddenly."
"Vanished?"
"Yes. But that's not the issue. That's the problem."
Terrence pointed toward the village center's lake, supporting the hulking Philip.
There, earthen serpents rivaling five-story buildings clashed with ice human-faced snakes, biting and tearing.
Black lightning and fiery pillars flashed from earth to sky amid the mayhem.
Like a battlefield—no, hell itself. Philip muttered,
"Oh, my god..."