Sensing killing intent, Ethella turned to the side. From the darkness in the air, a shadow lunged at incredible speed, striking her chin.
A fist?
Dozens of shadow fists then flew towards her. Ethella crouched, guarding her vitals with her arms. Despite the dull thuds echoing in the mountains, she stood firm, as if rooted to the ground.
Oh? She withstands this too?
Any ordinary person would have had their bones shattered by now, but Ethella's eyes, visible through her guard, were still clear.
I acknowledge your toughness, but let's end this.
Shadow hands appeared from all sides, grabbing the groggy Ethella. Her limbs were stretched out as the Might of Darkness tightened its grip on her wrists and ankles. Her large glasses were tilted, cracked, and blood stread from her lips.
Arcane cast Poison Cutter. It was a Triple Mix magic, much more complex than fusion magic, infusing rotation with the darkness and adding poison.
The magic, sharp as a blade, cut through the air, rushing towards her. Sensing the instant-death spell, Ethella exerted all her strength to sever the shadows, took a deep breath, and scread.
Aaaaaaaah!
The high-frequency roar, knocking down bushes as it raced through, shattered Arcanes darkness like smoke.
It was the Pama's Shout, a technique of the monks.
Karsis Yung, an ancestor of the Karsis Order, once said that awakening of the human spirit cos with a resounding roar. Pama's Shout was a righteous thod that broke evil magic with a roar, similar to a sinner startled by thunder.
Buried in the roar, Arcane shuddered. His skin tingled, and his hair stood on end. He had rarely encountered Pama's Shout in his 130 years of life, and now it was used by a woman barely in her mid-twenties.
Hahaha, this is why I can't leave this business.
The greatest talent brandishes the spirit honed to the extre like a master sword.
What an interesting affair.
Soone will die, and soone will survive.
Through endless destruction, creation, and re-creation, magic evolves, doesn't it?
Indeed. Surely.
Arcane cast Poison Cutter again. Seeing her chance, Ethella, grasping her ankle, severed the Might of Darkness and cast Spatial Warp. As she flew away like a bending flash, the Poison Cutter passed through the afterimage of light.
Phew.
Arcane whistled. The humiliation of retreat is great for the strong, but the ability to retreat without hesitation is also crucial in battle.
Arcane walked towards where Ethella had stood. There was blood on the ground she hadn't completely dodged the attack. If the poison had seeped in, she couldn't have gone far.
That cheeky lady will have a hard ti.
Arcane was delighted to et a formidable foe after 40 years. He had encountered a genius with a trinity of a Zoner's Spirit Zone, hand-to-hand combat to sever the Might of Darkness, and the noble spirit of a monk.
A certified 6th-grade magician, wasn't it?
Her rank was certainly high for her age, but geniuses don't conform to societal standards. If not bound by her duties as a teacher and seeker, Ethella's rank would have been much higher.
Alpheas Myrhe. That brat is respected?
Arcane looked up sadly. As his ntal control released, the trees straightened, revealing the darkened sky.
Arent you ashad, Alpheas? To be respected by soone superior to you. What a tragic reality.
Lanting his disciple's incompetence, Arcane slowly walked away. The darkness spread on the forest floor, showing him the path to take.
Damn it! Where could he be?
Thadd grew increasingly anxious. Alpheas was not at the lodge where he was sure to be. If he hadn't been captured by the enemy, there was only one place left.
Master!
He burst into the headmaster's office. But Alpheas was not there either.
Thadd didn't give up and examined the books on the shelves. He knew that Alpheas had set up a personal space here long ago.
There must be a chanism. I cant go through all the books.
His gaze quickly caught a book. Titled 'Perceiving Darkness,' it stood out among the old magic tos. Knowing his master's past, Thadd was sure it was a portal directly connected to Alpheas's mories.
Pulling the top of the book, a heavy chanism turned, splitting the bookshelf sideways. A tunnel with stairs leading downwards was revealed behind the wall.
As Thadd descended the stairs, the tilted book returned to its place, closing the bookshelf. He opened an iron door, revealing a small room with a crystal lamp. Nurous items were displayed on an old shelf, looking antique enough to be in a vintage store.
A portrait of a woman hung on the wall. She wasn't strikingly beautiful but had a gentle and modest appearance.
That must be her
Thadd gazed at the portrait, lost in thought. Alpheas's words were true. Her eyes seed to possess a magical power that drew people in.
Who's there?
Startled, Thadd turned around. Alpheas was sitting on a chair in the corner, leaning on his knees. His face, twisted in anger and confusion, was unlike his usual self.
Master! Youre safe!
You... seem to know .
Thadd stopped as he approached, understanding the situation from Alpheas's words.
Youve lost your mory.
Like other teachers, Alpheas must have been affected by Arcane's magic. But as a certified 4th-grade magician, he had taken asures before completely losing his mory and sought refuge here.
Hearing Thadd's words, Alpheas approached a bronze mirror, examining himself with a serious expression.
Hmm. Lost my mory, have I? I thought I had suddenly co to the future. Anyway, it's quite annoying to see my 18-year-old face turn into an old mans.
Thadd's eyes widened. 18 years old ant about 40 years of his life had been blocked. If Alpheas hadnt been so rational, he might have gone mad by now.
Yes, lost mory Perhaps it's for the best. At least I haven't been robbed of my life. But where is this? What happened that I lost my mory?
A magician cast dark magic to harm you, Master. You narrowly escaped it.
Telling a person who lost their mory that might only increase their anxiety, but Alpheas seed unperturbed.
Really? How old am I now?
Uh, you're sixty-three.
Sixty-three, huh. So, what have I beco?
Pardon?
I'm asking what magical achievents I've made.
Ah, well, you're known for your noble character and currently serve as the headmaster of a magic academy.
Alpheas showed a look of disbelief. The genius known as the light of the Myrhe family, teaching others? Considering his personality, it seed impossible.
So you're saying I beca a teacher?
Yes. Everyone follows and respects you, Master.
Puhahaha! Puhahaha!
Alpheas burst into a mad laughter. Initially, he was annoyed by his sudden aging, but after learning he had lost his mory, he stopped caring. The thought of hearing about his accomplishnts was even exciting.
I must have matured quite a bit. A headmaster, huh. Then, is this place a palace? Has the prince ascended to the throne?
Thadd beca anxious. Even for a rational person like Alpheas, bridging a gap of 40 years was not trivial.
This is a private academy. It's the Alpheas Magic Academy, which you established yourself.
Private?
Alpheas's expression crumpled. A genius like him should have at least been teaching royalty. But private? What happened in these 40 years?
...What grade am I?
Pardon? Oh, thats...
Thadd hesitated. The records proved how great Alpheas was in his youth. He lacked the courage to honestly reveal the current reality.
Out with it! What grade am I? You said Im sixty-three, right? So, am I grade 1? Or grade 2?
Thadd, looking guilt-ridden, replied softly.
Youre grade 4
Alpheas staggered. The shock was too much for his aged body. But soon, he couldn't contain his burning anger and raged furiously.
What the hell did I do! Idiot! Pathetic fool!
Alpheas hit his head, reproaching himself. With the talent given by God, he should have been at least 2nd grade after 40 years. But 4th grade?
What happened? What foolish life had he led to end up like this?
He needed to know his past. Everything. Determined, Alpheas glared at Thadd.
You can undo dark magic, right? You said you're my disciple, so you must know Photon Magic?
Yes. I'm not sure how long it will take, but with your help, it should be possible. But
Thadd suddenly realized.
Could this be not a curse, but a blessing?
Alpheas had lived with guilt for 40 years due to a mistake in his youth. If losing his mory could cleanse his past, it would erase a lifeti of regret.
Master, do you really need to regain your mory?
What? What are you talking about? Its my mory, of course, I need it back. There must have been a problem. Even now, I can still reach higher realms if corrected.
Master. I know it's hard to accept. The light of the Myrhe family, known for divine talent, just a 4th-grade headmaster. But that's why I urge you not to. You made a grave mistake, Master, and suffered for 40 years. It's ti for you to be free. Maybe this is a pardon from God?
Alpheas, reverted to 18, knew how past wounds could tornt life. If such things really happened, accepting and living with them was an option.
Roaming the room in thought, Alpheas suddenly noticed the portrait on the wall.
Whos that woman? Isnt this my room?
It is your room, Master.
Really? I hung that picture? Shes not even beautiful, and her eyes look dim. Like a simpleton.
Thadd was overwheld with emotion. Knowing who she was to Alpheas, he couldnt contain his sorrow.
Master, you shouldnt say that. She is...
Alpheas turned away from the portrait with a look of irritation. Nothing made sense to him.
Ill regain my mory. This future is too far off from my plans. I need to know what happened.
Please reconsider, Master. Life is
Hey, you.
Alpheas interrupted Thadd with a haughty look. Thadd realized there was no falsehood in his master's words. This was the young Alpheas.
You said Im your master?
Yes. Its been an honor, and Im always grateful.
Then consider yourself expelled as of today.
What?
Alpheas was serious. He was Alpheas of the Myrhe family, losing 40 years of mory without batting an eye, a paragon of intellect.
Whats so important about regaining past mories? I dont need a pathetic disciple like you.
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