Chapter 237 - Chapter 237

Chapter 237 – Promise

The weeks of time, in which Verden received teachings from the Administrator.

During that period, Verden had not only devoted himself to the Demon King's methods of magic power control.

In the remaining time, he repeated various experiments to examine his own state, and remembered every single result without omission.

'It was a necessary process, but....'

It was a strangely unfamiliar feeling.

He had never imagined he would end up researching himself.

Lost in thought, Verden recalled the results he had recorded.

'First, the realm as a 6th-tier Magician.'

First, increase in magic power.

As his tier rose higher, the magic power dwelling in his heart was unlocked once more.

Thanks to this, his magic power capacity grew to the point where he thought it might rival even a Transcendent, allowing him to wield an even greater volume of power.

From the heart brimming with magic power came a sense of fullness.

Second, the expansion of mana circuits.

The Artifact, Center of the Three Primary Colors.

By extracting the traits of each elemental magic, it granted the ability to overlay them onto spells or use them in composite spells. Chaos had delivered quite a shock to Verden's mana circuits.

But now, with his mana circuits wider and stronger, that burden had been drastically reduced. The Artifact's side effects could now be considered as good as gone.

Along with this, his Mystic Eye could also endure far more recoil than before.

Third, Quadra Casting.

The technique of a high-ranking Magician, capable of casting four spells at the same time.

Upon reaching the 6th-tier, Verden surpassed the Magician's limit of Triple Casting. Thus, the breadth of his magical tactics expanded without end.

Of course, there do exist composite spells made through Quadra Casting... but apart from their raw power, the efficiency of fusion beyond Quadra was utterly abysmal.

The magic power consumed increased dozens of times over, enough to leave even Verden drained. The higher the tier of magic, the more so.

Even so, it was obvious that in a crucial moment it would become a hidden trump card.

This was the sum of what he had gained upon reaching the 6th-tier.

'And then, the ability of Mado.'

Mado , freedom that transcended the frame of tier.

Spells that would normally require calculations and structure, Verden could now manifest purely by thought and will.

According to the Administrator, this was a Mado impossible to comprehend theoretically.

If this was only half of Mado, how strong would it be once complete? A sudden sense of expectation stirred within him.

'But Mado must not be used recklessly.'

As powerful as it was, it remained incomplete, and the burden it imposed was immense.

If used lightly it did not matter much, but manifested with true power, the burden layered heavily upon both his mana circuits and his mind.

And this accumulated fatigue had the great drawback of recovering very slowly later.

Thus, the conclusion was that the most effective tactic for Verden now was to use tier magic as the foundation, while adding Mado on top.

'Lastly, my own body.'

A body reconstructed through Defying the Heavens.

As a result, Verden succeeded in breaking through the tier limit as he had wished, but there were unexpected changes, such as his altered appearance and the unknown magic power dwelling in his heart.

Among them, the greatest question began during the subjugation of Glory of the Dead, when he realized, 'Why does the miracle of the Luas Church not work upon me?'

For this matter, he directly sought the Administrator's counsel.

───You cannot receive the miracle of the Luas Church? I see... I understand. Though not exactly the same, such a case is one that only the rarest few in the world would ever face, so it is no surprise you would not know.

───Were there others like me in the past?

───Hmm, "others". As you know, the Luas Church is a religion for humans alone. And its noble divine power and miracles are bestowed solely upon the human race. Then, Verden, would you say a Transcendent is human, or not?

───Are you saying... that a Transcendent is not human?

───Rather than stating they are not human, it is more accurate to say they have transcended the bounds of humanity. In other words, they stand at a point where the goddess Luas's embrace may no longer reach them.

According to the Administrator, for those who reached transcendence, the miracles of the Luas Church might not manifest properly. The degree varied with each Transcendent.

But a case like Verden's, where the miracle failed to work at all, he had never encountered before. Not even in comparison with the Demon King himself.

Regardless.

'It means, my body has stepped beyond the standard of humanity.'

Thinking back, there had been clues.

When he first entered the facility, Alpha had said so after the scan—Verden's race was unknown.

And then, the purity of his magic power.

Karans had remarked it felt as pure as the World Tree itself, Verden's magic power being clearer even than that of nature.

So what did this mean?

If he had transcended the limits of humanity, could he wield the traits of other races' magic power? Perhaps when using Mado, it might be possible.

But it did not flow as he thought.

One of the traits of the Elves, bodily reinforcement through direct magic power.

He had attempted to imitate it, and did succeed, yet the effect was absurdly low. At best equivalent to a 2nd-tier enchantment spell.

Not even close to the toe of a high-tier enchantment spell.

This proved that though Verden was no longer human, neither had he become a being that encompassed all races.

'In other words, I have become an independent existence.'

He could not say it with certainty.

For now, this was as much as he could discover. In the future, he would need to continue reflecting upon it.

Having finished his thoughts, Verden lifted his head.

"..."

The Administrator, now half-transparent, was visible.

It meant the time sustained by conserving magic power had reached its end. Slowly descending the stairs, the Administrator walked toward Verden.

"Verden, I had anticipated this ever since you began imitating the magic power control of ... Yet even so, your rate of achievement is abnormal. Even the direct bloodline of the main body would not dare lift their head before you."

"Compared to you, Administrator, I am far behind."

"Indeed, far and lacking compared to me. It must be so, it absolutely must. Were you to have already mastered , it would disgrace the dignity of the main body. And beyond that, have you not been devoting yourself to more than just ?"

"That is true, but...."

"Your aspiration for advancement, I understand, but you must also know the wisdom of acknowledging your level and finding satisfaction. Endless progress may become the shackle of eternity, binding you."

His words carried weight.

"With the strength you now possess, there are not many in the world who could oppose you. Your Ainber, yes, but also the Mado that defies reason, and . And even that Sacred Star Magic you wield... Even a Transcendent would not take you lightly."

At last, the Administrator stood before Verden.

"Verden, is your purpose still unchanged?"

"It is unchanged."

"I know of your desire for vengeance. But now, you are no longer the experimental subject of the Magic Tower, you are a mighty Magician. If you wished, you could live a life of glory anywhere. And yet, you intend to risk your life to bring down the entire Magic Tower ruled by Transcendents? In that process, you may well die."

"My choice remains the same."

"And why is that?"

"Because that is the reason for my life."

Verden answered without hesitation.

It was resolute, imbued with an unyielding, unbending will.

Cold fury, and a lifelong hatred.

Facing those blue-gray eyes, in which an emptiness could also be felt, the Administrator gave a single nod.

"...Then one day you shall have your revenge. And that wish will inevitably be tied to your spiritual enlightenment. That is a matter for you alone to resolve, so I have nothing more to say on that. But, externally, I will give you one piece of counsel."

The Administrator placed his hand upon Verden's shoulder.

"You need not bind yourself with the compulsion that it must be accomplished alone. Especially if it is the Magic Tower you are to face."

"Are you telling me... to make comrades?"

"You may have companions, or you may directly lead a group yourself. The meaning is nearly the same. Since the Magic Tower is what forced upon you such a dreadful life, there will be others who bear a similar desire for revenge, and if you walk together with them, it will hold meaning."

"..."

"I have existed for a long time as the Administrator. And after meeting you, when I recalled my life, I suddenly realized something... to be alone is to be in solitude. Well, how you take this is entirely up to you."

The Administrator let out a faint sigh.

His sapphire-blue eyes flickered weakly.

"Verden, in that sense, grant me one promise."

"Speak."

"This facility, someday, will become necessary for you. The things being studied here are highly useful. Therefore, do not abandon Alpha."

The Administrator continued.

"As you already know, Alpha has also inherited a fragment of the main body's memory. Thus, faint though it may be... it possesses a heart as well. Just as it willingly staked its life to protect you. Surely it did not wish to lose the creator it had finally found after centuries. Though it may not know it itself... do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand."

Verden answered quietly.

"Did you not say it yourself, Administrator, that this facility is mine. I do not abandon what is mine."

"So I did. Good, that is enough."

The Administrator smiled, seemingly satisfied.

"Then you should go your way now. I wish to face the moment of dissolution alone."

The Administrator turned away.

His figure slowly shrinking, becoming ever fainter. At this moment, it was certain—this was their last meeting.

"Administrator, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Why did you show me kindness?"

The Administrator had said it before, during his teaching.

That what Verden had gained was what the victor rightfully deserved to claim.

And that teaching him was simply because, rather than having him clumsily imitate fragments of it, it was better to teach him properly.

But Verden knew, that was not the real reason.

The Administrator turned his head slightly. Their gazes crossed.

"That is a question I have already answered."

His steps grew more distant.

At last, the Administrator began ascending the stairs. Slowly, one step at a time. Just as he had in the beginning, in the end too, he sought to keep to his place.

"Thank you, Administrator."

Verden, offering his farewell, also turned away.

The Administrator walked toward the broken throne, and Verden toward the exit of the Administrator's chamber.

Each one's footsteps echoed in their ears.

Yet, neither of them looked back.

It was both the beginning and the end.

***

Verden stepped into a secluded space.

In his sight was the spatial teleportation circle, the same one he had seen upon first arriving at the facility. Beside it, Alpha stood with a staff in one hand and a scepter in the other, awaiting him.

[Your Majesty Verden. The spatial teleportation circle is ready.]

"Thank you. But those...."

[The Administrator's request. He asked that they be delivered to Your Majesty Verden.]

A scepter and a staff.

They were without doubt the weapons of the challengers from the Ark. Verden had thought them destroyed during his magic duel with the Administrator, but apparently, they had survived.

'I can deliver them to the Ark later.'

Of course, he had no intention of using them himself.

Though fine weapons, they could not compare to Orient.

And selling them was out of the question.

Not because of poverty, but because he simply had no desire to do so. It would be better, just like the Magician's relics he had collected from the First Power Room, to hand them to Listener.

Verden stored the relics of the challengers in his spatial bag.

[And one more. There is another item to deliver to Your Majesty Verden.]

Alpha brought out a blue sapphire.

It was identical in shape to the one Listener had once given.

[I added an automatic spatial coordinate record function inside.]

In other words, when the research was complete, a signal would be sent. Just as had been done with the Demon King in the past.

Without hesitation, Verden accepted the sapphire.

"I understand. I shall await that day."

[This time, it will not take long.]

Alpha's single eye glimmered.

Verden nodded and stepped onto the spatial teleportation circle. When Alpha manipulated the device, purple light flared as magic power surged.

Alpha waved its small arm.

[Travel safely, Your Majesty Verden.]

"Then I shall see you next time, Alpha."

[Next time. A promise. Is it?]

A promise, indeed.

"Yes, I promise."

Fwoooosh!

Light filled the space, and at its end, Verden and the teleportation circle vanished together.

Silence descended over the place where he had stood. In the lonely chamber, Alpha gazed blankly into empty space.

[Promise.]

Before long, Alpha trotted back into the facility.

For the completion of the research.

And in hope of Verden's return.

***

"...So he has gone."

The Administrator, seated upon the throne, perceived Verden's departure from the facility. Just one man had left, yet the stillness within the place felt unfamiliar.

Amid that silence, the Administrator pondered.

The existence known as Verden.

The Infinite Mado he had pioneered.

The dark crimson magic power that shattered supreme magic.

It was a contemplation he had been engaged in for some time now.

And at last, he could reach a conclusion.

"...A singularity of the world."

Unaware of it himself, Verden had broken the laws of the world.

He had shattered the limits granted by the heavens, and his Mado, containing infinity, had gone beyond reason.

And his final dark crimson magic power, that was nothing short of ruin.

An aberration that defied the world's standard. One might even call him an existence Defying the Heavens.

"Ha, what would the main body say, if it saw this. I am terribly curious."

Perhaps, he was the very one the main body had been waiting for, the one who fit its mysterious purpose. Or perhaps not. Such was the limit of a mere clone.

Still, there was one thing he could affirm.

Verden's existence would bring tremendous change to this world. The era would flow toward a direction unseen in all of history.

The Administrator's magic power dispersed.

The blue light flickered. From his fingertips, his body began to vanish.

Facing annihilation, yet feeling no regret. For the meaningless life of an clone, at its end, he had left behind significance.

The Administrator was no longer lonely.

"...May fortune be with you, Verden."

At last, the light of magic power faded away.

In the place where the Administrator vanished, only the broken throne remained.