I did not believe in reincarnation in this world.
Something that has died will remain dead and will never return.
If someone were to ask me whether reincarnation exists or not, I would clearly answer… "No."
But… it seems I was wrong about that!
And yet, if I were given a second chance, I would want to "live again." Those words unintentionally escaped from the depths of my mind.
I am a sorcerer from another world—the final world—filled with darkness and emptiness, a symbol of Destruction and Chaos. With a single chant, I could create hundreds or even thousands of soldiers. I could summon the souls of the dead and turn them into an army that would fight behind me.
"Necromancer—sorcerer of death." That was the title the people of the empire gave me.
The only thing I can remember is… standing tall upon a vast battlefield littered with swords driven into the earth. Blood splattered beneath my feet like a field of roses, and corpses lay scattered before me. I was fighting a king of the empire, a king respected and feared by countless enemies. With just one or two swings of his sword, he could obliterate nearly half of my army. His swordsmanship was formidable, and even his mastery of magic was extraordinary.
That king's name was Adius Alaric, the very first monarch of the Alaric Empire. At the brink of the world's destruction, when a sorcerer sought to overthrow the empire, only he could stand against me. Wielding an ancient legendary sword that could only be used by those of imperial bloodline—
The Excalibur. A relic that absorbed magical energy from the world of "Aetheria" and released it in a devastating strike powerful enough to cleave mountains in a single swing. Not only that, his physical endurance was incredible. Even in his elder years… his breath never once faltered.
When my army began to crumble, slaughtered mercilessly, I attempted once more to chant a summoning spell to call forth more soldiers.
> "Death is not the end… souls imprisoned by curse, rise from the grave! Summoning Magic—Undead!"
As soon as I chanted, three massive glowing magic circles of brilliant violet emerged from the ground behind me. A skeletal hand reached out from within the circle, dragging its body upward as if corpses were clawing their way out of their graves.
Hundreds of skeletons with glowing violet eyes, their bones burning with violet magical fire, stood armed with swords, spears, shields, bows, even staves—ready for war at my back.
"Attack!"
I commanded them coldly and mercilessly, raising the black sword I gripped tightly and pointing it at King Adius, who was cutting down the remnants of my forces.
"…?"
King Adius turned, startled, as the newly summoned skeleton army rushed toward him.
"Endless…" he muttered in annoyance, watching the tide of skeletons surging forward. Growing weary and disgusted with the endless dead, he resolved to fight more seriously.
> "Great lightning, inheritance of the sky gods, rise and reveal your might! Lightning Magic—Voltaic Breaker!"
King Adius channeled lightning magic into his Excalibur. Then, with incredible speed, he dashed toward the advancing skeletons. As the distance closed, he suddenly leapt high like a soaring eagle, diving into the heart of the undead ranks.
He roared as he descended. Just before his feet touched the ground, he flipped the blade downward and hurled it into a skeleton. The sword shattered its skull before embedding itself firmly into the earth.
In that instant, the sword released a strange crimson glow, crackling with sparks. From the heavens, a crimson thunderbolt crashed down, striking my entire undead army mercilessly.
In a single spell, all of my summoned skeletons were obliterated. I froze in disbelief at the overwhelming might of his magic.
Truly insane power… I thought to myself in shock.
Then, King Adius landed gracefully on both feet before his sword, which was still embedded in the ground. Grasping it firmly, he pulled it free and raised it, pointing directly at me. His voice thundered—
"Enough of these games. I've grown tired of your tricks. Fight me one on one… Death Sorcerer."
His tone was heavy, commanding, and filled with absolute confidence of victory. He challenged me to a duel. To hear such words stirred something within me—I felt both joy and honor. Ordering the remnants of my forces to withdraw so they would not interfere, I prepared for a true battle. A fight to the death.
"…Excellent! I'm glad you agreed. Then I too shall order my men to retreat."
….
"ALL OF YOU, FALL BACK!"
King Adius's voice boomed across the battlefield.
The soldiers froze, stunned by their king's command. Silence fell, broken only by their confused stares, as if the same question haunted every mind—"Have we lost?"
But that was not the case.
One soldier, his body covered in wounds, limped forward. His armor was slashed, his steps heavy, his left leg dragging, leaving a trail of blood. His voice trembled as he spoke.
"What? But, Your Majesty… why…?"
"Did you not hear me?! I said fall back!" King Adius roared, his voice thundering with authority. "He is mine to face. None shall interfere."
His gaze pierced like a spear—cold, sharp, and lethal. The soldier froze, paralyzed by invisible terror. Resist? He could not even move a finger.
"…Forgive my insolence," the soldier whispered, choking on fear. He retreated slowly, rejoining the ranks.
Hearing King Adius's words, I began walking forward calmly, without the slightest trace of fear. At the same time, King Adius lowered his blade and also advanced steadily, unshaken.
We both walked, step by step, eyes locked in deadly seriousness. The air between us crackled with overwhelming magical energy, as if the very battlefield trembled.
This man… he holds such immense power?!
King Adius, inwardly shaken, gripped his sword tighter, his face hardened, exuding a killing intent.
On the other side, I too felt the immense power radiating from him. His gaze was cold, merciless, and lethal. His expression revealed that he truly intended to kill me and end this battle swiftly.
A fight to the death… that is what this truly was.