Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Mage Heroine (6)
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“Returning Light.”
"Returning Light." ⟨ Final Burst ⟩
-Roar!
Flames made entirely of mana erupted across Frellia's entire body.
Clutching her staff in a reverse grip like a sword, wrapped in verdant green flames.
“This is... quite impressive.”
The Reverser couldn't hide her astonishment as she gazed at the spell.
“Each individual flame composed of mana... no, the flames themselves are pure mana. A technique that every mage unanimously dismissed as inefficient showmanship, refined to this degree...”
Turning mana into flames was commonplace.
It was a flashy stunt mages often performed for onlookers.
But the flames before her eyes were different.
The embodiment of all her rage.
The crystallization of the fury Frellia had directed toward the Reverser.
"Fading Memories." The spell shot toward the Reverser, flames clinging to it, at its original speed—unlike all the previous ones.
The Reverser invoked reversal once more toward the incoming magic.
“Reverse.”
⚙ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚙ Reverse The reversed spell immediately flew back toward Frellia.
But.
-Sizzle...
“...!”
Remnants of the flames flaked off the reversed spell and touched the Reverser.
Her memories began to fade bit by bit.
“...I see.”
The Reverser muttered softly, then suddenly lifted her head with a grotesque smile.
“As expected! Truly worthy of being my sister! A spell that pierces my 'Reverse,' which embodies everything I am! With this—with this, I can surely drag that being from above down below!”
-Stab.
The Reverser jammed her index finger into her temple.
“Reverse.”
Her vanishing memories returned.
“Now, that anger of yours directed at me! Unleash it all!”
“I was planning to anyway! Ahahahaha!”
A barrage of spells poured from Frellia's staff.
Fading Memories, Twisting Sensations, Shredding Thoughts, Scrambling Recollections, Whiteout Amnesia—each one an offensive hallucination spell hurtling toward the Reverser. And every time, she invoked Reverse on herself.
She reversed them as they struck, but if luck soured and she forgot about Reverse—or even that she needed to use it—it would be her defeat.
And if Frellia collapsed first, before the Reverser fell, she would lose.
A deadly game of chicken unfolded between them. After several exchanges, the Reverser suddenly froze.
“...Is?”
She had noticed Is had collapsed.
It was quite regrettable, as he was the second greatest of her masterpieces.
“Well, he'll be fine. He's a peculiar star, but... I possess the power to reverse even fate!”
The Reverser extended her index finger toward Frellia.
“Reverse.”
A black projectile shot from her fingertip.
Frellia desperately rolled aside.
“Hah... hah...!”
Even with elven agility, it was a close dodge.
Frellia stared at the Reverser with trembling eyes.
“Letting only you attack feels unfair. This time, I'll go on the offensive.”
The Reverser spread her hand toward Frellia.
Black energy gathered in her palm, forming a sphere the size of her head.
⚙ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚙ Great Reverse “Karmic Flames!!!”
"Karmic Flames!!!" ⟨ Infernal Blaze ⟩
Judging the cannonball-like black sphere impossible to block, Frellia made her flames burn even more fiercely.
-Crunch!
“Urk...!”
💥 HIT! 💥 Reversal Effect Applied
She took the hit, but starting from her struck arm, her body began inverting in color bit by bit.
Using her flames, she slowed the reversal's progression to the absolute limit.
But at this rate, Frellia's consumption would far outpace her opponent's. She needed to find a way.
However.
-Bang! Bang! Bang!
“?!”
In the blink of an eye, all her limbs were struck.
Shock colored Frellia's gaze.
“How...?”
“I took all your attacks without retaliating because I needed you alive—not because I couldn't attack.”
“Such cowardice...!”
“Cowardice? I can't keep taking hits forever.”
The reversal spread from her limbs, rapidly depleting Frellia's flames.
This situation is far too dire...
She had grown careless because the Reverser had only defended until now.
In truth, the Reverser could have won with a single attack—she had simply endured to witness Frellia's growth.
Is...
She recalled him in her mind, the one who always risked his life to save others without ever abandoning them.
But regretfully, Frellia couldn't create a miracle like that until the very end.
“Mom... Dad...”
Thinking of her parents' faces, she barely managed to haul her crumbling body upright.
But...
“Urgh...”
Her arms, already half-inverted, gripped each other and moved against her will.
Any chance of victory for Frellia was gone.
“Hehe, what a delightful expression.”
The Reverser approached Frellia with elegant steps.
Her face brimmed with anticipation and ecstasy more than ever.
Frellia's legs buckled at the knees, ignoring her will.
As if bowing to a superior.
In response, the Reverser slightly bent her knees to meet her eyes.
The two stared at each other from close range.
“Frellia, my finest masterpiece.”
“Won't you just fuck off? Ahaha...”
“In the reversed world I create, will you join me in dragging down the goddess?”
“No way! Why the hell would I?”
“In the reversed world, your rejection becomes affirmation. Thank you, Frellia.”
“Ahaha... really, this world is...”
So fucking shitty.
Before Frellia could finish, the Reverser's hand covered her vision.
Mom, Dad. I'm sorry...
Even her parents in heaven would be sent to hell in the reversed world.
Frellia would fail to protect even them after death.
-Boom!
“?!?!”
“What...?”
The moment Frellia abandoned all hope, a massive explosion rocked the ground.
Her vision still blocked, she couldn't grasp the situation.
But from the voices ringing in her ears, she pieced it together.
“How did you... Is! How did you break free of my black magic...!”
Ah, it's you again.
A smile tugged at Frellia's lips.
But it soon faded.
I'm grateful you came, but even you can't beat her.
She knew how kind and selfless Is was, but against the Reverser, he was hopelessly outmatched.
So she held no expectations.
But amid those thoughts, a sudden question arose.
...How did he undo the reversal, though?
The Reverser's reaction made it clear Is had escaped the black magic, but how remained a mystery.
At that moment, a gentle voice whispered in her ear.
“This isn't my role, but the situation is unavoidable—please forgive me.”
“Eh...?”
“I'll save you, even if it means using a loophole.”
“Huh? Loophole, what—”
The Reverser's hand fell away, clearing her vision.
-Shine!
An eye-searing blaze of light erupted, blinding her once more.
In that instant.
“Ah, kyaa?!”
Frellia's head throbbed madly with pain.
As if information was being force-fed directly into her skull.
Her mind turned to chaos; she couldn't even think straight.
“Wha... ahh...?”
I don't get it... what's happening? My head's all jumbled up...
As she floundered in confusion, the light gradually faded.
Her vision cleared, revealing a figure.
It sharpened: hair nearly white, a pale gray.
-Thump.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Then his ears, jaw, lips grew distinct...
“...Ah.”
Finally, a soft-featured Holy Knight with gray hair and blue eyes came into view.
“Is...”
Is.
Just like in the Black Tower before, he had come to rescue her.
Having undone the Reverser's black magic.
And the chaos in her head now was probably his doing too.
She had a hunch what happened, but clutching her rapidly pounding heart, Frellia asked.
“...Is, um, by any chance.”
Her lips hesitated, hopeful yet disbelieving.
As if reading her heart, Is gave a gentle smile and spoke softly.
“Yes. I undid the reversal cast on you.”
“...Ah.”
The curse—the hateful shackles—that had bound her entire life were gone.
“I don't know...”
Frellia's heart pounded wildly.