At the edge of the bridge they couldn't cross, Canis and the others gathered the people whose memories had been blocked. The mission was complete, but Arin looked pale. Even with the power of Abyss Nova helping her, controlling the minds of hundreds of people had clearly taken a toll on her.
Hidden in the bushes nearby, Neid watched the group and asked,
"Why are they just standing there? It's just a bridge and a cliff."
"I don't know," Iruki replied. "Maybe they're waiting for someone."
He then began listing off clues, pointing one finger at a time.
"Cliffs, mind control, thugs... It's pretty clear what's going on here. I think they plan to throw someone off that cliff."
"What? Why would they do something that insane?" Neid asked, alarmed.
"Logically, it doesn't make any sense. There's nothing to gain from pushing a student off a cliff. But emotionally? Maybe it's revenge. Or resentment."
Shirone nodded. That explanation actually made sense to him. Whoever was behind this probably wasn't the patient type.
"We can't just wait around. We might have to fight," he said.
For the next ten minutes, nothing happened. The students and teachers remained frozen under mind control, while Canis and Arin stared silently over the edge of the cliff, waiting.
"Are you sure this is okay, Canis?" Arin finally asked. "You searched the entire school, but you couldn't find Alpheas."
"I know. But Master told us to be especially careful when dealing with Alpheas. All we can do now is follow orders."
"Still... I have a bad feeling. I think we're going to get in trouble."
Canis turned to her, clearly annoyed.
"Stop worrying. Master isn't like that. He wouldn't scold you over something like this."
Nearby, Lucas listened with growing irritation. He had taken this job for a hefty payment, but he hadn't expected it to turn into a full-scale attack on the magic school. The payout barely covered the risk—and Arcane hadn't even shown up, despite being well past the agreed time.
"Hey," Lucas growled. "When exactly is your master getting here? Don't tell me he chickened out."
This operation was a major one—targeting the five most powerful families in the kingdom. Considering that most of the students were high-ranking nobles, even a successful attack would have huge consequences. Lucas wouldn't be surprised if even a top mage decided to back out at the last second.
"Don't speak about Master that way," Canis said coldly. "You have no right."
Lucas scoffed. "Unbelievable."
He scratched his head in frustration, then suddenly locked eyes with Canis. His stare was venomous.
"What? Do I look like an easy mark to you?"
Arin quickly stepped back, sensing the spike in hostility. But Canis stayed calm—he had seen this look too many times before back in Radum.
'Is that... the Evil Eye?' Canis wondered.
The Evil Eye was a rare schema technique, disrupting the brain by targeting the diencephalon with nothing more than a gaze. It wasn't something one could learn through training; it came from real combat experience—and a dark nature. Just seeing how Lucas used it said a lot about the life he had lived.
"It's over the moment you underestimate me," Lucas warned. "Watch your mouth. You keep bringing up the contract, but aren't you the ones holding things up?"
Canis had no response. Where was Master? Arcane had been preparing for this day more than anyone. His absence now made no sense.
Lucas, seeing Canis go quiet, eased back as well. They were still technically allies, and more importantly, he hadn't been paid yet.
'I never trusted you guys anyway,' Lucas thought, eyeing the students and teachers still under Abyss Nova's influence. Their bodies were still functioning normally, but it wouldn't last long. Once their stamina ran out, things would get complicated.
"Why don't we just kill them now?" he suggested. "If they faint, it'll be harder. We can't exactly toss them over the cliff."
Lucas was a hired swordsman. Mages could wipe out groups, but when it came to finishing off survivors, nothing beat a blade. And once those under control started to weaken, it would be his job to clean up. He figured it was smarter to start now.
"Not until Master arrives," Canis said firmly. "The point is to wipe them out in front of Alpheas."
"Tch. Fine," Lucas muttered. "Then let's have some fun. They're all going off the cliff eventually anyway."
Canis gave him a look of disgust but didn't stop him. As someone from Radum, he knew all too well how dangerous men like Lucas could be. He wouldn't listen to reason.
"Scum," Canis muttered.
Lucas suddenly stopped walking. He should've killed Canis from the start. The human brain adapts to insults over time—repeating them just dulls their impact.
"You know why I hate you?" Lucas asked through clenched teeth. "You act like you have principles. But we're both criminals. After today, you'll be a mass murderer too."
"I don't cling to principles because I think I'm better than anyone," Canis said quietly. "I just despise people like you."
Lucas laughed bitterly. "Oh yeah? You know what's worse than trash like me? Trash that acts righteous."
Suddenly, he spun around and grabbed Siana by the neck. Her eyes widened in terror as he lifted her effortlessly with one hand and carried her toward the edge of the cliff.
"Kill one person," he said, "and you'll realize—you're just like me."
He held her out over the drop. Her legs dangled in the air, her breath caught in her throat.
"She's a pretty one. Shame to waste her, but—"
He loosened his grip, letting Siana fall.
Just then, a spark flashed across his vision. It felt like a jolt—something only schema users could sense through their Spirit Zone.
'Where is it coming from?'
His enhanced senses zeroed in on the attack. Midair, something exploded near his right knee. Had it hit directly, it would've shattered bone.
As soon as he landed, Lucas rolled backward, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the unknown attacker. In a fight with an archmage, maintaining distance was a matter of survival.
Neid and Iruki appeared at the edge of a cliff using teleportation magic. They stood before a broken bridge, unable to cross, their eyes burning with anger as they witnessed Siena's humiliation.
"How dare you do that to a teacher…!"
"Tch. So there were a few decent ones. Typical sorcerers…"
Lucas felt the same fury. A renowned Mage had failed to hit their mark, and now everyone in their right mind had to face the consequences.
"That woman was a teacher?" Lucas said mockingly. "Too bad. She should've arrived by now—on the ground. Kuk."
Just then, Shirone appeared, teleporting up from the bottom of the cliff with Siena in his arms. His expression mirrored his companions' rage. How far had she fallen? How could someone throw another person off a cliff?
"I won't forgive you," he growled.
Lucas didn't care. The situation was getting messy, and he found it annoying.
"Hey. What now? Is this part of the plan?"
He made it clear who he blamed—just in case he needed leverage later. Canis didn't avoid the responsibility. With Arcane absent, he was in charge.
"Arin, stay back."
"But, Canis—"
"There's no need for you to step in. Focus on managing the crowd. I'll handle them."
Controlling the minds of hundreds wasn't easy. As Arin slipped into the crowd, Canis approached Shirone and his group.
"How are you still conscious? How did you break the mind control?"
Iruki responded sharply.
"Dark magic? That's outdated. The Law of Destruction has already spread far and wide."
"Don't talk nonsense. If it were that easy, the others wouldn't still be under its effect."
'True…' Canis thought, looking up at the sun. Though they were at the mountain's peak and daylight was strong, a student of a renowned archmage shouldn't need favorable conditions to fight.
Lucas, arms crossed, interrupted.
"Hey. What's the plan? This wasn't in our deal. I'll take care of it for double the price."
"I don't need your help. I'll handle this myself."
"Whatever."
Lucas stepped back with a sigh. He acted indifferent, but he was clearly waiting for an opening—to strike from behind when the fight began and finish things quickly.
"Hurry up. I don't have all day."
Shirone and Canis slowly approached each other. Through synesthesia, Shirone sensed that Canis' Spirit Zone was about 50 meters wide—roughly equal to his own.
"I'll handle him," Shirone said. "You guys stop that swordsman."
Iruki glanced at Lucas.
"Him? Judging by his vibe, I doubt he'll jump in."
"Don't be so sure," Shirone replied coldly. "He pushed Siena-sensei off a cliff. That's all you need to know."
Iruki swallowed hard. Shirone's usual demeanor was gone—he was in full combat mode.
He started counting down in his head. Photon Output, a powerful attack spell, had one of the fastest activation speeds. But dark magic was just as fast.
He couldn't read anything in Canis' expression—his eyes were like a wild animal's, completely instinctive. What kind of life would shape eyes like that?
Both of them moved their fingers. At the exact moment a bird flew up, they launched their attacks.
Shirone teleported into the air, his Photon Output blazing. The vertical column of darkness that followed him disintegrated in sunlight.
Canis grinned. He hadn't aimed for Shirone's body—he targeted his shadow on the ground. Realizing it too late, Shirone veered off over the cliff. The shadow vanished 1,000 meters below, and the dark energy fizzled out like smoke.
Shirone retaliated with rapid-fire photon blasts. Canis raised a Shadow Wall—thick darkness surged up, absorbing the light.
'That's strong. Darkness is blocking light itself.'
Shirone had refined his Photon Output through thousands of trials. This showed how formidable Canis' mental strength must be.
'Then try this.'
Concentrating energy into his hand, Shirone hurled a Photon Cannon. Canis reinforced the Shadow Wall again, smirking—until a blinding flash broke through.
'What—!'
Sensing danger, Canis instinctively cast Dark Skin. His body turned black just as the Photon Cannon slammed into his gut.
"Ugh…!"
The impact overwhelmed even Dark Skin's defenses, the shockwave ripping through his insides. Canis was blasted into the forest, legs trailing.
"Canis!"
Arin stood frozen in disbelief. Light is pure energy—it shouldn't have physical force. If it did, the very planets near a sun would be torn apart.
For the first time, Lucas' expression grew serious. Shirone had launched a beam of light fast enough to strike even a seasoned fighter like Canis.
'This isn't bad luck. I've really stepped in it now.'
Lucas' eyes sharpened. The job wasn't worth the danger, but he'd already taken payment. His twin swords vibrated in anticipation as he stared at Shirone.
Meanwhile, 800 meters from the broken bridge…
Ethela stood in the mountains—face to face with Arcane, who had once ranked as an unofficial third-class Mage 40 years ago.
To Arcane, she was an unwelcome interruption. He was still recovering from casting Abyss Nova, his mental energy barely at 60%.
But his annoyance faded. The moment he sensed Ethela's presence, he narrowed his eyes.
'Well, well. What do we have here?'
She wore oversized goggles and had a gentle appearance, more like a docile lamb than a fighter. But Arcane could feel it in his bones—power flowed through her unobstructed.
Her eyes held a sage's depth—someone who had transcended the Eight Spirits: joy, sorrow, desire, and more.
She was no ordinary teacher.
'She's worth using Abyss Nova on.'
Ethela, too, was cautious. Arcane was a master of dark magic whose reputation was well-known even before her birth.
"I've heard of you," she said.
"Where's your monastery?" Arcane asked. He guessed she was a monk, but her answer surprised him.
"I'm Ethela, Bishop of the Karsis Monastery. Why would someone like you—once praised for your magical talent—do something so monstrous?"
"Bishop, huh?" Arcane scoffed.
A bishop under thirty? Impossible in his time. And Karsis wasn't just any monastery—it had over 2,000 parishes. A bishop oversaw an entire city.
"Where's Alpheas?"
Ethela didn't answer. She didn't know herself, but even that might be useful information.
"I can hear the gears turning," Arcane said. "It doesn't matter. I never expected that sly man to fall for my tricks anyway."
Calling the sixty-year-old Alpheas a "child" revealed how long Arcane had lived.
"Why are you after the headmaster?" Ethela asked. "If there's a grudge, it can be resolved. Release the students from mind control and I'll help arrange a meeting."
"Ha! The kid must've built quite the reputation while I was gone. But he's not who you think he is. He's the most arrogant fool alive."
"Whatever happened in the past, the students respect him now."
Arcane smirked.
"Really? Now I'm curious. What did he do to earn that?"
Ethela knew his game—he was stalling, waiting for nightfall when dark magic was strongest.
"If you're buying time for night, don't bother. As a teacher, I can't allow your crimes to continue."
Arcane scowled. How dare someone over a century younger talk down to him?
He summoned darkness, his shadow stretching into the forest. Trees bent unnaturally toward him.
"You think daylight scares me?" he growled. "Then you underestimate Arcane."
The trees formed a massive dome, plunging the area into darkness.
"Die. You disgrace."
Arcane melted into his own shadow—using Dark Pot, a dark magic technique that erased distance and allowed him to move through any shadow instantly.
His approach was silent. That was the true threat of Dark Pot.
But as he emerged, Ethela flashed away in a streak of light. His dozens of shadow hands grasped at air.
The battle exploded into high-speed chaos. Arcane vanished and reappeared repeatedly. At times, it looked like there were dozens of both of them. Ethela responded with rapid teleportation, her body splitting into afterimages as shadowy hands barely missed her.
'A bishop of Karsis… She's stronger than expected.'
Arcane admired her. Though not his mental equal, her skill and instincts were far beyond her age.
"Then let's see your weakness."
Ethela's eyes flickered in alarm as Arcane summoned thousands of shadow hands.
His magic overwhelmed even the senses. Jonah's search abilities were like a spell themselves—but even they couldn't track all those shadows.
A branch-like shadow grabbed Ethela's wrist mid-teleport. She couldn't escape without losing her arm.
"Ugh…!"
The shadow stretched like rubber, but Ethela's strength was immense. Gritting her teeth, she tore it apart.
'She's tough,' Arcane thought with a cruel smile.
"If that's how you like it, I'll make this your size."
Feeling invigorated, Ethela scanned her surroundings—only to be struck in the chin by a shadow darting from the darkness at lightning speed.
"A fist?"
Dozens more shadow fists followed. Ethela crouched down, shielding her vital areas with both arms. Despite the thunderous blows echoing through the mountain, she didn't budge—like a deeply rooted tree.
"Oh? You can endure this?"
Anyone else would've had broken bones by now. Yet Ethela's eyes, visible through her cracked glasses, remained sharp and focused.
"I'll admit you're tough. But this ends now."
Suddenly, shadowy hands emerged from all directions, grabbing her as she began to sway. Her limbs were pinned by the power of darkness gripping her wrists and ankles. Her large glasses hung askew, cracked and bloodied, while blood trickled from her lips.
Arcane invoked Poison Cutter, a highly advanced triple-mix spell—more complex than regular fusion magic. The darkness twisted into a deadly, rotating blade laced with toxic energy, slashing through the air toward Ethela.
Recognizing it as a killing blow, Ethela mustered all her strength to break the shadows restraining her. She took a deep breath—and unleashed a scream.
"AAAAAAAAGH!"
A thunderous, high-frequency roar ripped through the bushes and shattered Arcane's dark magic like smoke dispersing in the wind.
This was the Perm Shout, a sacred skill passed down by monks.
Karsis Jung, the founder of the Karsis Monastery, once said that a true awakening of the spirit comes with a roar. The sound could disrupt evil magic, just as a guilty heart trembles at the sound of thunder.
Arcane trembled beneath its force. Her skin tingled; her hair stood on end. In her 130 years, never had she heard such a sound from a woman so young—barely in her twenties.
"Hehe… now I see why I've been stuck on this floor."
The most gifted individuals sharpen a single skill to its peak, wielding their minds like masterfully forged swords. Some perish, others endure—magic evolves through endless destruction, rebirth, and growth.
"That's how it should be. Good."
Arcane recast Poison Cutter.
Ethela, knowing this was her only chance, broke free from the shadow's grip and instantly cast Spatial Shift. A blinding flash streaked past—and the poison cutter pierced only her afterimage.
"Whew."
Arcane let out a whistle. She knew well—stronger opponents feel greater humiliation when forced to retreat. But the wisdom to escape when needed was also part of strength.
She walked over to where Ethela had stood moments ago. Blood stained the ground—Ethela hadn't completely avoided the attack. If she had been poisoned, she wouldn't have gotten far.
"The wild girl must be struggling to stay conscious."
After forty years, Arcane had finally met a worthy foe. A rare genius who mastered Jonah's Spirit Zone, martial arts capable of severing darkness, and the spiritual power of a monk.
"She's a certified 6th-rank Mage, right?"
By standard measures, her rank was high. But geniuses transcend society's limitations. If not for her obligations as a teacher or a seeker, Ethela's rank would surely be even higher.
"Mirhi Alpheas. Is that child really worthy of respect?"
Arcane looked up at the sky as her mind control faded. The forest trees straightened, revealing a twilight sky.
"Aren't you ashamed, Alpheas? To be praised by those greater than you. What a cruel reality."
Mourning her disciple's mediocrity, Arcane slowly moved forward. The forest's darkness parted, guiding her onward.
Meanwhile…
Damn it! Where are you?
Thaad's anxiety grew. Alpheas wasn't in the quarters where he was sure he'd be. If the enemy hadn't captured him, only one place remained.
"Master!"
He burst into the principal's office—empty.
Determined, Thaad examined the bookshelf. He had long suspected Alpheas had a hidden space here.
There must be a trigger mechanism. I can't search every book…
His eyes locked onto a title wedged between ancient spellbooks: "Seeing the Darkness." Knowing his master's past, he was certain this book connected directly to Alpheas's memories.
Pulling the book's top edge triggered a hidden mechanism. The bookshelf split open, revealing a staircase descending through the wall.
As Thaad descended, the book reset and the entrance sealed behind him. He passed through an iron door and entered a small room lit by a crystal lamp. Antique items filled the space, like a private museum.
A portrait of a woman hung on the wall. She wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, but her expression was warm and serene.
"That must be her…"
Mesmerized, Thaad stared at the painting. Alpheas had spoken of her before. Her eyes drew people in with mysterious allure.
"Who are you?"
Startled, Thaad spun around. Alpheas sat in the corner, one knee pulled up, his face twisted with confusion and anger—unlike anything Thaad had seen before.
"Master! You're safe!"
"You... seem to know me."
Thaad froze mid-step. He immediately understood—Alpheas had lost his memory.
"It seems you've been affected by Arcane's magic."
But before he lost everything, Alpheas must've retreated here—just barely—thanks to his 4th-class Mage instincts.
Alpheas stood before a bronze mirror, examining himself.
"Hm. Amnesia, huh? For a moment, I thought I'd time-traveled again. But look at me… the face of an 18-year-old turned into an old man. How irritating."
Thaad's eyes widened. Eighteen? That meant he had lost 40 years of memory. If he weren't so rational, Alpheas might have lost his mind.
"Well, I've lost my memory. But at least I'm alive. So… where am I? What happened?"
"A dark Mage targeted you, Master. You barely escaped."
Discussing it might increase Alpheas's confusion, but Thaad pressed on.
"I see. How old am I now?"
"Sixty-three."
"Sixty-three… Then what have I become?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean, what magical rank did I reach?"
"You… you're the principal of a prestigious magic school. A man of great respect."
Alpheas scoffed.
The genius of the Mirhi family? Teaching others? That doesn't sound like me…
"So I became… a teacher?"
"Yes. Everyone reveres you."
"Puhaha! Hahaha!"
Alpheas burst out laughing. Annoyed at first by his sudden aging, he now felt giddy. He'd get to rediscover his legacy, step by step.
"I must've matured a lot. So I became a principal. Are we in the royal palace then? Did the prince inherit the throne?"
Thaad's face tensed. The 40-year gap was too much for even Alpheas to process all at once.
"This is a private institution. You founded the Alpheas Magic School yourself."
"Private?"
Alpheas's face twisted. A man of his caliber should've been teaching royalty—not running a private school.
"…Then what rank am I?"
"Huh? Oh… that…"
Thaad hesitated. The truth would crush him.
"Tell me. What class? You said I'm sixty-three. So, am I a 1st class? 2nd?"
Thaad lowered his head in shame.
"4th class…"
Alpheas staggered, overwhelmed by shock. His body trembled, but his fury burned hotter.
"What have you done, you fool?! You wasted everything!"
He beat his head with his fists, cursing himself. A divine talent like his—given 40 years—should've been a 2nd class Mage, at least.
He had to know the truth. Every detail.
"Can you undo the dark magic? You're my disciple—you must know photon magic."
"Yes, Master. With your help, I believe we can reverse it. But…"
Thaad hesitated.
Maybe this isn't a curse… but a blessing.
Alpheas had lived with guilt for 40 years. If memory loss freed him from that torment, maybe it was a chance at peace.
"Master, do you have to regain your memory?"
"What are you talking about? Of course I do! Something went wrong. If I fix it, I can still reach a higher realm."
"Master… you may not understand. You, the Light of the Mirhi Family, now stand only as a 4th-class principal. You made a terrible mistake and lived in bitterness for decades. Maybe this is your second chance. Maybe it's forgiveness."
Alpheas turned away and paced. He glanced at the portrait again.
"Who's that woman? Isn't this my room?"
"It is, Master."
"I hung this? She's not even beautiful… why do her eyes look so sad? Like someone missing a part of herself."
Thaad's heart ached. He knew exactly who she was.
Master… if only you knew…
Alpheas turned away, annoyed.
"I will get my memory back. This future doesn't match my plans. I must know what happened."
"Please reconsider, Master. Life isn't—"
"Hey, you."
Alpheas cut him off with a sharp glare.
"You said you're my disciple?"
"Yes. It's my greatest honor."
"Then, consider yourself excommunicated—starting now."
"…What?"
Alpheas was serious. Even without his memories, his genius shone through. He didn't hesitate.
"What's the point of recovering memories I never wanted? I don't need a disciple who pities me."
"I'm telling you this because it's not that simple. Doesn't Master understand?"
Even if Alpheas regained his memories, there was no guarantee he would become the same person he once was. Living a life twice doesn't always lead to the same outcome.
"No. My judgment is always correct. No matter how I change, I'm still me. This is your last chance—cast the Photonization magic."
Thaad let out a long sigh and nodded. At this point, all he could do was hope that Alpheas's true nature would return once his memories were restored.
"All right. Then please sit here."
Thaad brought over a chair from the corner and helped Alpheas sit down.
"Let's begin. I'll cast the Photonization magic—but after that, it's up to you, Master."
"Haha! Are you seriously worried about my part in this? Don't waste time fretting—just get on with it. Once I get my memories back, I'll make sure to give you a proper scolding."
With a sincere heart, Thaad began chanting the spell. As the light of the magic seeped into the dark core of Abyss Nova, a wave of drowsiness began to wash over Alpheas. His eyes slowly closed, and his mind drifted deep into thought.
The time that had been frozen since he was eighteen... began to move forward once again.