Ash's Overwhelming Presence

The singular existence known as Ash the Witch. Her presence was tremendous—so much so that if they were in enemy territory, one would want to flee immediately.

"Dante. You just provide support."

"...Understood for now."

As a 7th Circle mage myself, I figured adding my power would be better, but if she insisted that strongly, I had no intention of refusing. If things looked dangerous, I could judge for myself and step in.

"Daughter, can you handle him alone?"

"...There's no reason I can't."

"You know a single circle's difference isn't trivial."

Hating to admit it, Joshua was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right. He was originally an 8th Circle mage, and now with demonization progressing, he was nearing 9th Circle level. Ash, on the other hand, was merely at the tail end of 7th Circle.

In general, victory seemed impossible...

"No. Our circles are equal."

In an instant, eight circles manifested behind her back. The clear symbol of an 8th Circle.

It seemed I wasn't the only one in the family hiding their true power.

"Impressive talent indeed. That's why I planned to claim you last."

Even as the possessor, I was awestruck by her talent. 8th Circle in her twenties? Who could believe it? In terms of realm alone, she rivaled the academy chairman, Hinisila Prihen.

"I worked hard for Father's sake."

As Ash spoke, she soared high into the sky.

"Please, no more disgraceful displays."

"As expected, a child who climbs over her parents needs the rod."

Circles manifested simultaneously. An evenly matched clash between two 8th Circle mages—a sight rarely seen even in history books, unfolding right before our eyes.

—Whoooooom!!!

The two magics shot toward each other at blinding speed. In the split second the divided masses seemed to merge into one...

—KABOOM!!!!!!

A deafening roar erupted, and thick dust clouded our vision.

"Did you think reaching 8th Circle would let a human touch me?"

With Joshua's arrogant words...

Ash emerged from the dust cloud, already fallen to the ground and chanting.

"Summon the sinners, and upon this land, bestow eternal punishment..."

"Chanting...?"

The reason 8th Circle and above earned the title of archmage was simple. Unlike common spells anyone could learn, they constructed their own unique world and wielded personal magic.

And chanting was the method advanced mages used to amplify their spells. The key to opening their personal world, the bridge connecting self and magic.

In other words, Ash's chant delved into a realm even Joshua couldn't predict.

"Descend."

With those short words from Ash's lips, a single drop of rain fell from the empty air.

—Plip.

Followed by another drop.

—Plip-plop.

And then...

—Plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip!!!

What began as a single drop became a downpour, shredding Joshua's body.

"Ash!! You dare ruin my plans like that damned wench!!!!!!!"

"Damned wench? Ah, you mean Celine."

"I thought your friendship was a thing of the past!"

Huh? Celine's story comes up here?

"Sis."

"Hm?"

"Did something happen with Celine?"

"...Ah, you wouldn't know."

Ash made an "oh no" face and slowly began recounting the story.

"...Once, the previous heads of Valencia and our house made a promise. To marry their youngest grandchildren and form an alliance."

"I know that much."

I'd heard it endlessly since the engagement began.

"But your existence was seen as a stain on both families, so they conspired to eliminate you."

"...Pardon?"

This was uncharted territory for me.

"But somehow Celine found out first and unilaterally announced the broken engagement. Valencia lost their pretext to remove you. Apparently, Celine pulled some strings."

"What...?"

"And with Valencia backing out, our house shelved the plan. Time passed, and they sent you to the academy."

"Ah."

So that was the truth? Both families didn't want me, nearly killing me off, and the fiancée I'd cursed for so long had abandoned me—for my sake?

"...Sounds like something out of a novel."

"It does."

I wholeheartedly agreed with Lilia. Hell, even novels wouldn't trash the heroine like this. Reality outdoes fiction sometimes.

"Right. Your existence was useless to the family from the start."

"...What!?"

Ash, usually expressionless, spun around in shock. Joshua, whose body had been torn to shreds, was slowly regenerating, reclaiming his form. A sight defying common sense.

But demons always defied logic.

"I planned to toy with you slowly before claiming you... But things have come to this. I'll take you all right now."

In that moment, an enormous surge of demonic energy poured from Joshua's body. Until now, it had been mixed with mana, but this was pure demonic energy. Joshua's ironclad resolve to hold nothing back.

"...Dante."

"Yes, Sis?"

"Run if you can. With that level of power, mutual destruction seems our best bet."

She planned to go down with demonized Joshua? Impressive she could even consider it.

But seeing her unleash unknown magic earlier, it didn't seem impossible...

"No. Sis, just buy me a little time."

"...What?"

"That's all I need. I'll finish it."

"Can you?"

Her eyes held unwavering trust in me. The old me would've gotten an urgent "flee now." But I was no longer that powerless, magic-less trash.

I was a 7th Circle, 7-core possessor.

"Just hold on a bit."

"Got it."

Ash nodded once and resumed her stance, facing the demonic spears raining from the sky.

"Father. Relying on that power, your magical insight has dulled."

"...You dare judge me?"

"The father I once admired is gone."

Countless mana orbs rose from Ash's eight circles behind her, countering Joshua. No more yielding—an all-out clash.

In the violently shaking banquet hall, I focused solely on my task.

"Master. You're not going to use that again, are you?"

"No."

I could mimic Star Manifestation-level magic now, but using it would shatter my body beyond recovery. A 7th Circle vessel couldn't handle transcending 10th Circle.

'Though... I did rely on Star Manifestation magic against demons before.'

It had the decisive power needed. 6th Circle limited my options.

But now, with body and soul perfected like those from myths, reaching true 7th Circle mastery...

Exterminating a mythical demon was something I could handle alone.

'It should be possible now.'

Barbaric methods to catch barbarians.

And I would use demonic energy to seize demonic energy.

Drawing inspiration and enlightenment from books in Vergilius's annex and the deep archive, I infused the magic I devised with the surging demonic energy in my body.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠key was decisive power to shatter an 8th Circle demonized mage in one blow. Pure destructive force concentrated on a single point.

"Heavens."

This cry called to absent skies.

"Make us your final soldiers."

We who never yielded, spears raised for life alone.

"My spearhead points solely at foes."

No mercy on the blade facing myriad demons.

"And at its end, we shall fall."

Black sparks crackled in my grasp, forming a spear shaft. As if entranced, my body moved on its own—and suddenly, I had hurled the spear at Joshua.

—Screeeeech!!!

A piercing whine. The scent of ash.

And at the end, Joshua stood unscathed.

"...What? He survived?"

In my momentary fluster...

"Master. Look over there."

"Ah."

Following Lilia's pointing finger, my eyes shifted. A black shadow lay separated from Joshua, heart pierced, collapsed.

—Ding.