Landon was born into a family of ruined, with a lineage stretching back generations. While their family had fallen and were now nothing but an impoverished bunch, there was a ti when they were revered and powerful.
Unfortunately, their inability to adapt to the tis caused them to fall into ruin.
From a young age, Landon showed promise in the Magic Arts, displaying a natural affinity for magic that set him apart from his peers. His parents saw his potential and nurtured his talents, enrolling him in the prestigious academy of magic at a tender age.
He was so exceptional that he outshone those from the other prestigious families and even managed to catch the attention of the Grand Mage of the Kingdom. the a
Under the tutelage of the Grand Mage, Mordred, Landon flourished, soaking up knowledge like a sponge and mastering spells with ease. He rose through the ranks swiftly, earning the respect and admiration of his teachers and peers alike. It seed as though his destiny was written in the stars, destined for greatness as one of the most powerful mages in the Kingdom.
But despite his prowess and dedication, Landon could never quite break through his limitations. Try as he might, there was always a barrier, a ceiling beyond which he could not ascend. Frustration gnawed at him, driving him to push himself harder and harder, desperate to reach the heights of power he so coveted.
Perhaps it was a desperation that was imbued into him by his family, but the constant fear of falling off lingered in his heart.
If he didn't continue to make progress, perhaps one day he would end up like them.
Landon didn't want that!
He wanted to ascend! His position of Archmage soon beca nothing but a hollow title, and he desired a much higher position.
Unfortunately, his power and talent could only take him so far.
He had reached his limits.
It was during this ti of uncertainty and doubt that his family approached him with an offer too tempting to resist. They had been contacted by soone who showed them a deep and powerful secret, making them wielders of a 'different' kind of Magic.
With this power, their fallen lineage could once again rise to the top… and Landon could achieve his dreams of growing stronger. He didn't want to yield to the temptation, but the voices in his head urged him to.
They promised Landon that with their help, he could surpass his limits and beco stronger than he had ever dread possible.
The obsession he had soon made him spiral out of control.
Tempted by the allure of power, Landon reluctantly agreed to join his family's ranks, becoming their leader and embracing the forbidden magic they offered. And, even right until this mont, it seed as though his decision had paid off, as his abilities grew exponentially with each passing day. He reveled in his newfound strength, believing himself to slowly be approaching the realm he coveted.
But now… he realized the folly of his ambition.
********
"A-ahh…"
Landon's body was pierced from every single angle as he remained paralyzed in the sheer white space that imdiately surrounded him.
The space beyond his imdiate domain was blackened, and only what surrounded him had the blank canvas.
'How did he do it…?' Landon thought to himself as dark blood spurted out of his body.
He thought he had the perfect counter for Mordred, but it seed the Grand Mage had yet another trick to show.
'N-no… is this sothing he just ca up with? Specifically to deal with ?'
It was amazing, just how talented and skilled his Master was. Mordred was the true prodigy, achieving a level that not even Landon could think of reaching.
The power he possessed—even with the aid of the Blood Stone—could not match true genius, it seed.
'I wanted to share this power with the world. To grow strong and prove that there is indeed another way…'
Of course, he didn't desire to hurt Neron, his Master, or any of the other people he threatened or even killed.
But… it had to be done.
It was all for the sake of the advancent of Magic.
'No… it was all for myself.' Landon realized as his blurry vision picked up Mordred floating in front of him.
It seed the obsession that his family had ended up being passed on to him, despite how much he desired not to be affected by it.
By escaping to the Academy, making new friends, and even studying under Mordred, he thought he could escape that influence.
By rising above anyone in the history of his family, he thought he had broken that chain.
… He was wrong.
'In the end, I was just like them…' Landon coughed out blood as he felt his consciousness fade away.
'I'm sorry Master. Sorry, Neron…' His eyes slowly closed and he began to draw his last breath.
'... This is the end for .'
Even at the final juncture of his life, he ended up learning the sa lesson.
People like Mordred and Neron… they weren't to be compared to. Their talent and power far exceeded anything he could ever accomplish.
He was nothing but a speck of dust, and as he finally died, he knew he had fallen into obscurity.
Forever lost in the echoes of ti.
*************
Mordred heaved a sigh as he watched his disciple die.
There was no room in his heart to feel a shred of pity or pain for him; not after the calamity he had wrought and the casualty that had ensued due to his actions.
The only thing Mordred cared about was Neron, and in one swift sleight of hand, the boy was safe in his arms.
'Thankfully, I was able to activate the technique I've been theorizing for so long.'
It was the first ever ti he tried using Inverse Original Magic; essentially flipping his Magic into itself, almost in an attempt to unravel it.
The result was the switching of position between his area of influence and that of the enemy's.
'It worked. And now…' Mordred brought Neron close to his arms, and they embraced like father and son.
'... You're finally safe!'
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