Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Demon of Wisdom 'Libramon'
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"Now it's my turn to receive a greeting, is it? Haha, no need to say anything. It'll be better if I just take a peek myself."
That was Libramon at the height of its power.
True to its reputation as the strongest among the great demons, it exuded an overwhelming presence.
"...Rowen. Get out of here, fast. I'll buy you some time somehow, so hurry!"
Lea could sense something was off too. Her trembling hands barely gripped her shield.
Of course, two academy freshmen taking on a great demon didn't make any sense.
But as I said before, this guy wasn't the real great demon—just a lingering remnant of its thoughts.
It might look hopeless, but the only change from phase one was this.
Upon entering phase two, Libramon pulls out the Eye of Truth to read the opponent's memories—a unique gimmick.
That's why first-timers challenging the Mage's Pavilion feel like their every move is being read.
To counter this cheat-like ability, you either had to crush it with overwhelming power or memorize every single pattern.
That's how clearing the Mage's Pavilion on minimum cut became a rite of passage for Avillon Academy veterans.
I'd thrown myself at this bastard hundreds of times trying to beat it, so by the end, I could clear it with my eyes closed.
And now with Lea here, it'd be even easier.
"Match my attacks, Lea."
"...You have some kind of plan?"
"It hasn't regained its full power. It only has one use of time magic left, so we can still win."
"Got it, Rowen."
Lea was still tense, her body stiff with effort.
But once we clashed, she'd realize it was manageable.
I channeled aura into my legs and kicked off the ground, arriving right in front of it in an instant.
"Your name is Rowen. A student at Avillon Academy. Trained in Serin's swordsmanship... I see. That sharp yet precise technique makes perfect sense!"
Libramon effortlessly dodged my incoming strike and laughed as if enjoying the moment.
It starts with trivial memories, then digs deeper into more important ones as the fight drags on.
Even if it read everything, I was confident I could win—but no need to give it any openings.
"Haha, your romantic entanglements are far more complicated than I expected. Keep that up, and you'll face major trouble with women down the line."
It casually deflected Lea's approaching shield.
And smacked away my follow-up sword strike with the back of its hand while preparing magic.
Definitely not going down easy.
I immediately retracted my sword and targeted its vital points.
As I unleashed a barrage on its smug face—
"Serin's death. Academy raid. Libramon's weakness...? Wait, what are these memories?"
Libramon, which had been blocking everything, suddenly looked flustered.
For a split second, its expression twisted and its movements froze.
Lea seized the gap, closing in instantly and swinging her shield at the opening.
CRASH!
"Urk! How do you have memories like these?! The true identities of the great demons, the location of the demon sword, the Demon King's revival! A mere human!"
It staggered, shocked, regenerating its body.
Even then, it kept reading my memories, blurting out words nonstop as the shock wore off.
Was it reading not just Rowen's memories, but mine too?
Peeking into the info I had on this world from my memories.
I hadn't anticipated this, but I had to press the advantage and end it quick.
Thud-thud-thud!
I squeezed out more aura and dashed forward, thrusting my sword at its neck.
Our eyes met, and time seemed to slow.
"Haaaaah!"
Its neck stained red, filling my vision, my strike shooting like light to sever it—
Slash!
Resistance met my sword hand, followed by the thud of something solid hitting the ground.
Thud... thud...
Right before the blade touched its neck, Libramon snapped out of it and pulled back, minimizing the damage.
Strands of hair scattered, body covered in wounds.
Its left arm, hit by Lea, hung limp and useless; from yanking back so hard, its right arm was gone from where it should be.
"Ha... haha! All this... for something so pathetic! To think the truth I sought was this hollow!"
Libramon laughed madly, ignoring its pain, staring into my eyes and pouring out words.
"Now I get it! That's why you knew my true nature, why you even had unknown information!"
"...It's over, Libramon."
Blood streamed from its Eye of Truth, overwhelmed by too much info.
It still had one time magic left, so it might pull some desperate stunt.
I'd planned to force it to rewind time with this attack, then finish it with Lea in a combo—but then.
"Earth, possession, [Avillon Academy]! You're not from this world. Right?"
"What?"
"Some truths are better left unknown..."
Its face hardened, and it triggered its last time rewind. Mana in the room surged toward one spot.
"Rowen, watch out!"
Libramon's final desperate gambit, all cards on the table.
I widened the distance while Lea powered up her aura against the incoming attack—
Puuk!
A chilling rupture sound ran up my spine, and something incomprehensible happened.
It had stabbed its own chest.
It pulled out its heart, now drenched red, and chanted strange words.
"■■, I offer all I have. Summon the ghost of the past, if only for a moment."
⟨ Rite of the Past Phantom ⟩
The moment I heard those words, an inexplicable terror raced through my body.
Instinct screamed to stop the ritual, and before I knew it, I was charging at it.
Shrrrrk...
But it was too late. Space darkened, and behind Libramon, the air split open.
'What the hell is this...!'
Nothing in my knowledge said Libramon could do this.
Normally, it'd just recover mana, make a last stand, and fade away.
"Hm. The air of the living world after so long. How delightfully fresh."
A massive, horrific eye flashed through the rift. Then Libramon lifted its head, regaining composure.
"First, we have much to discuss. Shall we relocate?"
Despite its mangled body, Libramon spoke casually.
'My mind... is clouding...'
No movement, yet it had cast magic somehow.
Consciousness slipping away, I felt myself pulled somewhere, and blacked out.
"Feeling better, boy?"
I opened my eyes at the voice calling me and looked around.
Splash, splash.
A vast, endless clearing covered in shallow water.
On the black-stained canvas, a huge blue moon shone.
The stars filling the gaps seemed to embrace each other, forming a single picture.
"...Libramon."
I quickly assessed the situation and backed away, drawing my sword.
It wore the same gray robe as when we first met, smiling gently.
For some reason, I was certain this wasn't a mere remnant—it was the real thing.
"No need to be so guarded. I'm not here to harm you."
"...How can I trust that?"
"Hm. You must already know. You're quite clever, after all. If I'd harbored ill intent, you wouldn't have even been able to draw your sword."
Libramon muttered 'What a foolish question' with an incredulous look.
Then, as if to reassure me, it began explaining the situation.
"This is inside my mind. I borrowed the remnant's body to reach the living world."
"What about Lea?"
"The girl with the shield? You two seem close. No need to worry—time outside isn't flowing."
I had my doubts, but I had no choice but to believe it.
As Libramon said, if it meant me harm, I wouldn't be standing here.
I sheathed my sword, closed my eyes, and opened them again.
The sight before me was unbelievable.
"Earth is truly fascinating. A civilization like this without magic."
"What is this..."
"Ah, sorry. Even freed from the demon concept long ago, my curiosity is insatiable. Forgive me for peeking without permission."
Cars rushed endlessly over black asphalt, multicolored lights streaming from skyscrapers piercing the sky.
'This is Seoul.'
People checking phones while waiting for the subway.
The Han River sparkling under sunlight.
Leaves turning beautiful colors in autumn.
All of it flowed by in a panorama, converging on one place.
A deep alley, a rundown three-story studio apartment.
Through the narrow hallway, a rusted iron door.
"So this is your home. How intriguing."
The door opened to a cramped studio room.
A worn blanket, half-eaten cup ramen. An empty fridge.
A scene too desolate for anyone to call home.
"I suspected connections between worlds, but not like this. Now I understand why that foolish remnant went mad."
Finally, faint light leaked from the monitor on the desk.
The frozen loading screen read [Avillon Academy].
"Yes, you must have many questions. About how I know of Earth. Why I'm not attacking you."
Libramon gazed at me with a satisfied smile, as if its curiosity was sated.
"First off—your arrival in this world wasn't a coincidence."