Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Genius Who Lost His Light (4)
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Arcane knew someone had infiltrated his dungeon last night. But he paid it no mind. Countless fools had tried to plunder a grand mage's dungeon for treasure. By now, they would have been turned into a corpse by a monster or a trap.
Arcane dismissed the fleeting thought and refocused on his research. Lately, the field he had been delving into was the effect of dark magic on memory. His hand, which had been frantically scribbling a thesis, suddenly stopped. He took off his glasses and looked toward the door. The mechanisms were being disarmed at a rapid pace. This was no ordinary intruder.
“Has it been a while since I caught a big one?”
For Arcane, who would hole up for years at a time, an intruder was a welcome diversion. And today, it seemed a rather exceptional human had taken the bait.
With a thud, the iron door opened, and Arcane checked his watch. Exactly thirty-two hours, twenty-eight minutes, and five seconds. The time it had taken to disarm the mechanisms and reach this place from the entrance.
“Grand Mage… are you Viltor Arcane?”
The man was covered in blood. He was handsome, and his eyes shone with intelligence.
“You don't look like someone who's after money. Who are you?”
“My name is Alpheas. I had no other way to meet you, so I came here myself.”
“Oh?”
Arcane's eyebrow rose. Just because he was holed up in his dungeon didn't mean he was ignorant of the outside world. He had already learned of Alpheas's Photon Quantum Theory through clandestine channels.
“A mage of light visiting a mage of darkness. How peculiar. Have a seat. I'll treat you.”
Arcane activated a life-support system. As soon as he was submerged in the green liquid filling the hemispherical device, Alpheas fell into a deep sleep.
Three hours later.
“*Gasp! Hah!*”
Alpheas pushed his upper body out of the water. He had nearly suffocated. But how could he have fallen asleep? Puzzled, he turned his head and saw Arcane sitting at his desk, writing a thesis. He had a scholarly air, not at all what one would expect from the grand mage who had thrown the continent into chaos.
“Thank you for the treatment. It's a fine device. I'm curious about its principles.”
“Don't change the subject. That doesn't change the fact that you're an uninvited guest. State your reason for seeking me out.”
With a man who moved on curiosity and interest, there was no need to waste time.
Alpheas got straight to the point.
“I wish to learn dark magic. Please accept me as your disciple.”
“Oh?”
Alpheas, the hottest topic of the day, was pleading to become his disciple. Even for the great Arcane, it was an offer that couldn't fail to pique his interest.
“Is there a particular reason?”
“I have a wife. But she has a diminished intellectual capacity. I've heard rumors that you research imbuing memories into dark magic. I want to give my memories to my wife.”
Arcane's eyes flashed. Since they were both well-versed in each other's fields, there was no need for a lengthy explanation.
“I have indeed researched memory manipulation quite extensively. But what you're asking for is on a different level entirely. There's the issue of personality, and above all, it's a process that requires transplanting a person's entire life.”
“I believe it's possible. If we combine the absorptive properties of dark magic with the information-transmitting capabilities of photons, couldn't we create a virtual intellect?”
“Hmm, constructing a neural network with photon magic and then bestowing memories upon it?”
It was certainly a novel idea. Until now, photon magic had been so limited in its utility it might as well have been called time magic, but with the revelation of the Photon Quantum Theory, Arcane predicted it would come to excel in the field of information.
“Before we review the theory, I have one question. Has your wife consented to this experiment?”
“She doesn't know yet. But she will undoubtedly agree.”
“There must be a story behind this.”
Alpheas explained the circumstances that had brought him here. After hearing the story, Arcane understood his feelings. Moreover, the proposal was undeniably brilliant. For the next day, the two of them examined the possibilities. Once they had agreed on the theoretical foundation, Arcane too conceded that it was not a futile delusion.
“Very well. If you are truly prepared to stake your life on this, I will accept you as my disciple. But persuading your family won't be easy.”
Although he was becoming the disciple of a grand mage, Alpheas was also the son of a prestigious family. Arcane considered it unlikely that he would cast aside a guaranteed position in the Yongroe Magic Division to enter a gloomy laboratory.
But Alpheas had not considered any other path. If Erina was unhappy, he was unhappy too. He wanted only for Erina to be happy.
“Thank you. I will bring my family soon.”
Returning home, Alpheas consulted with Erina. As it was a life-altering matter, Klumpf was also present. The point Alpheas emphasized was that they could cure Erina's intellectual disability. And as soon as he finished speaking, Klumpf objected.
“Alpheas, what are you talking about? Why would you go to someone like that? He's a criminal, isn't he?”
“For a mage, such things aren't important. What's truly important is that he has the best understanding of dark magic on the continent. He's also profoundly knowledgeable about human memory and brain structure. It won't be a loss.”
“No, it is a loss. You're possessed by something right now. Implanting memories in a human brain? There's no way that's possible!”
“Klumpf, the reason you think that is...”
“Yeah! I'm an idiot! I'm not smart or a genius like you! But even someone like me knows one thing. You're kicking away the good fortune that's landed in your lap. If you associate with a man like that, your entry into Yongroe will be canceled. What about your family? Your family will really disown you!”
It wasn't as if Alpheas didn't know that. But it was a conclusion he had reached after countless deliberations.
“I don't care. Things like that can't decide my life. I don't need Yongroe, and I don't need my family. If Erina can be happy, then I can be infinitely happier than I am now.”
Erina hesitated. But Alpheas's final words had already sealed her decision. If her husband was happy, Erina could be happy too.
“Darling, I'll do it.”
“Sister-in-law! This is something you need to think about.”
“I'm going to do it. Because I trust my husband. Alpheas will make me happy.”
“Of course, he will! Who do you think I am? I'm a mage who's received the Gold Circle. And my master is a grand mage. If we join forces, we can easily fix a weakness like yours.”
Klumpf came by every day to persuade Alpheas, but he couldn't break the couple's resolve. In the end, Alpheas liquidated all his assets and entered Arcane's dungeon with Erina.
“Welcome. I am Viltor Arcane.”
“Hello. My husband is in your debt.”
Erina bowed respectfully. From now on, he was her husband's master, so she couldn't be careless in her actions.
But Arcane, as if unconcerned, reassured her.
“Don't you worry too much. Despite how I may seem, I've devoted decades to this field. You've made a big decision. If we succeed, we could cure countless people with mental illnesses. Your husband will also gain a level of fame incomparable to what he would have had at Yongroe.”
Her husband was becoming the disciple of a grand mage. Besides, if success meant her husband could regain everything he had given up, Erina thought it was worth a try.
For the next two years, Alpheas resided in the dungeon, conducting research on transferring memories to his wife. Arcane, who was skilled enough to operate a personal dungeon, was an expert in experimentation. Under his rational care, Erina was also able to live in the dungeon without any particular discomfort.
“Hey, Sister-in-law. How are you doing?”
Once a week, Klumpf would visit, bringing food. The two busy with the experiment were one thing, but he couldn't let Erina eat bland food, could he?
“I'm fine. They say the experiment will be over soon. Then my husband can go back out into the world.”
Klumpf let out a hearty laugh. She must have had a hard time with all the tests over the past two years, but she had endured it so well. That's why, on the other hand, he felt a bit bitter. So what if her intelligence was a bit low? Her heart, willing to sacrifice for her husband, was by no means inferior.
Hearing that Klumpf had arrived, Alpheas came to the room. Just as Erina said, he seemed to be pushing himself harder and harder; his face was more gaunt with every visit.
“You're here? Thanks, as always.”
“How's the experiment? Any progress?”
“We've almost perfected it. We even succeeded in the clinical trials without any issues. Next month, Erina will be free from those hateful, scornful gazes.”
“Next month? That soon?”
“What are you talking about? It's been a whole two years. My master and I have been pulling all-nighters every day researching. Anyway, you have to be there that day. And this time, don't bring food, bring a ton of booze.”
The month-long wait was long for everyone.
But time eventually passed, and the long-awaited moment of execution arrived.
Erina lay on the bed, waiting. Since Arcane and Alpheas were busy checking the apparatus, Klumpf stayed by her side, talking to her to ease her tension.
“Sister-in-law, how are you feeling? After today, you'll have Alpheas's memories. Even the memory of him wetting the bed as a kid. Try to remember if he ever glanced at another woman. Hahaha!”
Erina burst out laughing at Klumpf's joke. It was impossible not to be nervous, but the atmosphere was good. It was the kind of day where everything felt like it would go well, and the experimental device was also declared to be without issue.
“Alright, I'm starting, Erina.”
Alpheas lay down next to Erina and stroked her hair. He could give her his memories because she was the person he loved most in the world. Embarrassing memories, shameful memories—with her, none of it mattered.
“Darling, thank you.”
“What are you talking about? I'm the one who's thankful. You've endured so well. Let's live happily. And have children.”
Alpheas worried his smile might look awkward. To be honest, he was so nervous he felt he might pass out. Arcane approached and attached devices to both of their heads. It was an experiment that brought together a treasury of knowledge from every field: magical engineering, magical biology, alchemy, photon dynamics, human biology, and more.
“I'm starting. Relax. It'll be over soon.”
As Arcane prepared to activate the device, Klumpf walked to a corner and wrung his hands anxiously. With a clank, the mechanism lowered. Dozens of detailed components whirred to life, and crystals glowed, dazzling the eye.
Alpheas accepted the dark magic penetrating his mind without resistance.
The core principle was simple. Absorb Alpheas's memories through dark magic. Then, transmit them via photon output to overwrite Erina's memory.
“*Gasp!*”
Erina's eyes flew wide open. As a massive amount of information flooded in, sparks flickered in her eyes. From Alpheas's very first memory to the conversation they'd just had, all the moments that made him who he was were being transmitted at the speed of light.
Erina smiled faintly. She felt as if she were truly becoming one with Alpheas.
The thrill and worries of when they first met, the anticipation of their marriage, the bliss of being newlyweds. The love he had for her, free of any prejudice, was conveyed in its purest form.
‘Darling, thank you. And I love you.’
Erina closed her eyes. She had no regrets. In her life, she had received more love than she ever deserved.
Meeting Alpheas… was a blessing.
The light faded, and the experiment was over. Arcane checked the instrument panel. Information transfer rate: 100 percent. All memories were transmitted perfectly.
“Erina! Erina!”
Alpheas turned to look at Erina. She was pale and covered in a cold sweat.