Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Flames of Oblivion
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Objectively speaking, Rain's body was several levels below Lin's when it came to the physical talent needed to wield magic.
Stamina, mana—everything.
For the noble bloodline of a great magic house to be inferior to that of an orphan was truly lamentable.
The biggest obstacle to growth was one's innate mana capacity, and Rain's current body didn't even have half the mana that sixteen-year-old Lin had possessed.
‘Which means I have to think carefully about mana allocation when casting spells...’
With his current mana, he could use a total of three 3-star spells. But what if none of them worked? First, he needed to accurately assess the enemy.
“Bell Sidias.”
With a soft shimmer, silver-white runes bloomed brilliantly in the boy's eyes, transforming the world's laws into mathematical equations and delivering them straight to his mind.
┏ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ┓
The spell's magic circle consisted of two rhombuses and one decagon.
The runes used were a combination of incantation-type Altigma and taboo-type Orvios,
Ratio 3:7.
Size: 189 Axel, Range: 284 Gimite.
┗ 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 ┛
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. A 3-star black magic spell... If he tried to interfere with it using Bell Quirius at his current proficiency, his brain might get corroded by the poison.
‘In that case, I have no choice but to blast it away with magic, even if it means bracing for the rebound...’
One shot.
Everything in a single strike.
‘A black mage might be watching...’
He ducked behind a rock where he wouldn't easily be spotted, spread his palm, and a ring of light that denied the world's foundational equations formed above it, scattering seductive radiance.
“The magic circle is four layers of triangles.”
Simple: four pure fire attributes.
Light and fire had been the natural enemies of the abyss since the era of the ancient gods.
The abyss's kin didn't die from slashes or stabs. They scattered into viscous liquid and reformed.
The only way was to burn them completely, erasing their very existence.
“Rune engraving.律 (bind), 瀑 (cascade), 稛 (bind tight), 䚟 (horn).”
These imbued the fire magic with properties of ‘律: binding’, ‘瀑: scattering like a shower’, ‘稛: bundling’, and ‘䚟: thrusting like horns’.
At the center of the spinning light patterns on his palm, runes etched themselves into the flickering flames, emitting even more intense light.
No, it wasn't just light.
Vast mana swirled around Rain, wildly shaking the field's bushes and trees, producing ghostly wails.
‘The equations to solve: fourteen polynomials and seven rational expressions.’
0101010001010010101. As massive equations computed mentally in his head, a burning white pain scorched his brain.
At the same time, sharp pain flared from his clenched core as he squeezed out mana to its absolute limit, followed by hot blood bursting from his nose and mouth.
Coordinate equations: calculation complete.
Power equations: calculation complete.
All variables filled with computed coordinate values.
As the mental arithmetic progressed, the 4-star magic circle—delicately etched with an intricately complex array of equations—became a work of art in itself.
‘Please.’
With a clear *ching*, the magic circle shattered in his grasp, emitting a sharp bursting sound.
All the mana connected to the circle drained from his body, dizziness blurring his vision as Rain collapsed against the rock.
And that small magic circle summoned a massive wave of flames into the world.
“Go...!”
䚟 (horn).
A horn-shaped storm of fire rose, incinerating the atmosphere and surrounding forest black as it charged toward the queen.
律 (bind).
A strand of flame separated, wrapping around Bart in a circular barrier. The intense heat forced the queen to recoil, mouth agape in agony.
稛 (bind tight).
The rune property that concentrated and bound.
In that instant, the flames enveloped the queen's entire body, compressing into a single point before *瀑 (cascade)*—showering embers in all directions and exploding, briefly erasing all color from the world.
Kwaaangggg─────!
A deafening roar followed, echoing through the mountains in multiple layers.
The flame spike reduced the queen's skin, bones, and organs to ash, annihilating the abyssal energy writhing within her.
Scorching heat and billowing smoke swept low across the ground as aftershock, engulfing the adventurers and rat-spiders.
The stench of burning fat and flesh wafted over.
‘Pathetic. Back then, I could've cast it seven times and still been full of energy...’
Rather than praising his success, Rain clicked his tongue in self-mockery at his deficient ability.
‘Still...’
In the suddenly formed crater, Bart staggered to his feet, gazing at the charred queen. Seeing him safe eased Rain's mind, and Rem collapsed on the spot in relief.
“The queen... in one hit...”
“Who is that? That level of magic...”
“To cast something like that, you need to be at least an Atlas-level (3-star) mage, right...?”
Their voices carried bewilderment.
And awe, as if beholding a work of art... Then someone shouted.
“The rat-spiders are fleeing!”
“Don't let a single one of those damn rats escape!”
Chaos spread through the once-quiet world in an instant, and Rain slid down against the rock, gasping for breath.
‘Stay conscious... I can't lose consciousness...’
Black mages existed in this era too. As if there had ever been a time without those cockroach-like bastards. Still, he'd allowed himself a bit of complacency.
‘I thought I'd try living a peaceful life pursuing scholarship...’
Someone might have witnessed this. They might be watching him. He couldn't be defenseless if one showed up...
‘If I lose—’
But his vision was darkening... the world tilting sideways for some reason... everything blurring... fading...
‘—I can't...’
* * *
“Bart! You okay?”
“Brother Bart, I'll heal you right away!”
No sooner had the situation calmed than Rem and Sammy rushed over.
Even with his armor dented and blood streaming from the joints, Bart stared blankly at the queen's charred remains.
Had the tension snapping released him? Or was it the amplified drunkenness? Rem staggered, dry-heaving.
“Crazy... I never dreamed the queen had power like that... Isn't this not even in the Alliance (Adventurer's Guild) database?”
Was it really just an individual trait?
Bart remembered the chilling sensation from moments ago, when mortal threat had every nerve in his body writhing.
‘Melting metal with raw power, plus ultra-fast regeneration... Was there some kind of curse involved?’
To annihilate such a threat with a single spell—who could it be?
Unlike most rootless adventurers, Bart was a disciple of the Namryun Sword School, one of the eight prestigious sword schools in the empire known as the One Saint and Seven Swords.
Even he wasn't sure what would've happened without Rain's shout earlier...
“Hey, where's Rain?”
Rain was nowhere to be seen.
In this hellscape, had he fallen to a rat-spider? Sammy hesitated, then pointed to a rock.
“I saw him hide behind there earlier... And I think Brother Rain cast that spell just now.”
“What?”
“The magic came from that direction. No idea why he'd hide when there weren't even rat-spiders around.”
Rem tilted his head.
“That's weird. Why hide? If you wanna make a name, this is when you shine.”
Bart steadied himself and ran over.
Rain lay curled up at the base of the rock. Soaked in cold sweat, his body convulsed spasmodically.
Bart tore his cloak and draped it over Rain, murmuring blankly.
“This is mana overload.”
Did that mean this kid really cast that spell in such a short time?
Proving it, the mana flow centered on Rain had shredded all the surrounding foliage razor-sharp.
Rem swallowed dryly in disbelief.
“So that thing earlier... uh, you mean this kid really...?”
* * *
“I have no desire to be recorded as a member of the hero party.”
It had been ages—truly ages—since he'd dreamed of that distant past.
“So don't use my name.”
The empire's herald, who had traveled far to honor them, fumbled in shock.
He bore His Majesty's will to praise the four warriors who devoted themselves to humanity and exalt the empire's glory, yet this reaction...?
But his hero party comrades seemed even more flustered.
“Why? Lin, don't you like us?”
“...!”
“Always pulling mean pranks. You troublemaker.”
It wasn't about dislike or pranks. With an awkward cough, he pushed away the comrades pressing in from three sides.
“Look, my personality sucks, right? Far from self-sacrifice. I only joined this party out of personal curiosity to begin with.”
“So?”
“If a guy like me gets recorded as the hero party's mage... well, it'd be bad for you all...”
So he didn't want to be recorded.
“Don't misunderstand! It's not for your sake—I'm just uncomfortable with it.”
The three exchanged glances for some reason, then grinned.
“Eek, what! Stop it!”
The mute archer Kies ruffled Lin's hair dozens of times more vigorously than usual.
“You little rascal. Aren't you getting too cute lately?”
The Fire Dragon's Shrine Maiden Fride pulled Lin's head to her chest, unable to contain her adoration.
And Rista.
The woman with snow-white hair and golden eyes knelt on one knee before Lin, meeting his gaze with a soft smile.
“Lin, that's what you were worried about, huh.”
“It wasn't worry. It was just logical probability calculation from a mathematical standpoint...”
“You don't need to try becoming someone else. Or change like that. It wouldn't suit you anyway.”
Always with those haughty eyes, that bored expression—yet fragile and passionate beneath. That was what suited him.
“But if you're still worried, just pick up one small habit.”
“...?”
“Help the people around you. Not throwing your body or fortune into it—just lend a hand a little.”
Then, you see, Lin.
Everyone will remember you this way, explain you to their descendants this way, pass you down through history this way.
- As the great archmage of the hero party.
The warmth of tears pulled his consciousness from the dream's fog into reality.
Through barely open eyes, the twilight-dyed cityscape of <Delaiten> filled his view.
The hurried footsteps of passersby, merchants' hawking... But his eye level was absurdly high, and his body moved forward on its own.
“Oh, you're awake. You're up.”
A voice came from far below. It was the archer Rem.
“Where... huh?”
“We were gonna let you sleep more, but you've got curfew, right? Bart's carrying you to the school gates so you don't miss it.”
“More?”
Sammy, walking beside Rem, smiled gently.
“You've been out since collapsing yesterday, Brother.”
“Exactly! We even called a carriage to let you rest, but you didn't wake once the whole way back.”
His body still ached like needle pricks everywhere, head foggy with headache. Overusing mana burdened the body immensely.
‘Lucky no rebound occurred...’
And no black mage showed up...
As he exhaled in relief, Bart— one hand wrapped thickly in bandages—spoke up.
“That spell... was it you?”
“...”
“Don't lie. Sammy saw you hiding behind the rock and casting.”
“...Wasn't really hiding it.”
“What?”
Rem flinched in surprise, scratching his head awkwardly.
“Ugh, I told 'em it was a scroll so you wouldn't get in trouble, but now I've gotta backtrack?”
“No, it's fine. Wasn't hiding it, but better to keep it under wraps for now.”
“What's that mean?”
His body and magic weren't refined yet... He'd dodged potential black mage retaliation. All for the best.
“I won't ask why you're hiding your power. What matters is you used it for us despite your circumstances.”
Don't say it like that.
I just needed the money.
“I won't forget your name or what you did. Promise. Whenever you need us—no matter when—I'll repay it fully.”
It was really just... that was all.
“Oh, and take all the subjugation reward, Brother. The credit should go to you too...”
“Yeah, got it.”
His immediate reply made Rem flinch, then bite his lip in pain.
“Why the face? It's my rightful claim.”
“No... I kinda hoped for a fair split? Or you'd say something cool like, ‘Nah, it's all our victory.’”
“Why's your speech suddenly like that?”
Rain and Rem burst out laughing almost simultaneously.
“Kidding. I just need five coins. You three split the rest.”
“No need. It's your right.”
“Nah. Just paying for escorting me from the Crimson Mountains here.”
Not abandoning me or selling me off... That alone put him in massive debt.
“But...”
As Bart tried to protest again, Rem jumped in, thumbs up.
“You're savvy, right? Me and Bart are gonna be top adventurers. Investing in connections like this ain't bad! Right, right?”
Rain laughed openly.
He hadn't intended to create this situation... but sometimes, couldn't he just accept such words with joy?
Like you did, Rista.
“Um, Brother Rain?”
“...?”
“You asked about Tureina earlier? Well, uh, it's not exact, and it's sensitive, so not sure if I should say... but since you saved our lives, uh...”
As Sammy cautiously glanced around and spoke, Rain's mouth fell open in shock.
“In his later years, he apparently dabbled in black magic. I only overheard the high priests talking about it while I was at the parish, so details are fuzzy...”