Roland, the fifth-sigil Elemental Adept Magus, now knelt before him, blood trickling from multiple cuts across his body. If not for the superior-grade magic tool in the shape of an hourglass pendant around his neck, slowly knitting his wounds together, he would have perished when Victor unleashed the full might of his Cosmo sigil. Still, Roland’s defenses and the power of his sigils required everything Victor had to overcome and destroy the old Magus’s earthen golem—multiple times.
“You’re one stubborn old Magus,” Victor said. He was panting, despite feeling the triumph of his victory. “But it’s over now.”
Roland grimaced, clutching his injured side. “Go ahead, kill me,” he muttered, resignation etched onto his face. “Everything I’ve worked for… all in vain. All of this… just for a few more decades of life.” His voice was tinged with bitterness as he bowed his head, prepared to meet his end.
A few decades of life? As I suspected, he was trying to extend his lifespan. Victor allowed himself a small, knowing smile, as his conjecture was proven correct.
Instead of delivering the final blow, Victor raised his hand, conjured a wooden stump from thin air, and gestured for Roland to sit. At this point, his Mask of Impersonation had almost been dispelled as a result of the battle, though his true appearance remained blurred.
“It seems you have no true allegiance to the Merlin family,” Victor remarked, downing a healing potion to ease the throbbing pain from his injuries.
Roland hesitated before slowly sinking onto the stump Victor had conjured. “Allegiance? Don’t make me laugh. I have no loyalty to those petty bastards, but they promised me something I couldn’t refuse.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed, knowing exactly what that something was. “The life-extension elixir.”
Roland’s silence was answer enough. His weathered face said it all—a man nearing the end of his life, terrified of what lay beyond. The longer someone lived, the greater their fear of death, and Victor could relate. After all, he had once experienced death himself.
“I thought so,” Victor said, pulling another stump directly in front of Roland and taking a seat. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, choosing his next words carefully. “I won’t pretend I don’t understand that kind of desperation, Roland. But be warned—the Merlin family’s path will only hasten your end, not prevent it. Do you really think they’d give away something as precious as a life-extension elixir so freely?”
Roland’s jaw clenched, frustration flickering in his eyes. “What choice do I have, then? In just a few years, I’ll lose the ability to wield magic. I’ll be nothing more than a helpless mortal. The elixir is the only thing that could buy me another decade, maybe more. But what does it matter now? I’m about to die anyway, and I’ll be remembered only as a stray Magus who outlived his usefulness.”
The fish has taken the bait. With that in mind, Victor leaned forward and proposed, “Then, how about if I offer you a better deal?”
Roland’s eyes flicked back to Victor, skepticism clouding his features. “A better deal? You can’t be serious. What could you, a mere first-sigil Elemental Adept Magus, possibly offer that they can’t?”
Victor smirked, but his voice remained firm. “Join me. Serve as a mentor at my academy, and I will provide you with a true life-extension elixir—not one of the diluted, temporary versions the Merlin family would’ve handed you. I have the means, and I can assure you it’s no empty promise.”
“Ha! You expect me to believe that? Ridiculous.” He laughed, dismissing the notion. Yet, as he took in Victor’s unwavering expression, his laughter faltered, replaced by shock. “You’re… you’re actually serious?”
To Roland, the very idea of someone like Victor possessing such an elixir seemed laughable. An academy run by an Elemental Adept Magus of his rank would typically be small and insignificant, accepting only the most desperate candidates. Yet, what Roland didn’t—and couldn’t—know was the existence of the System and the players that made Victor’s academy unlike any other. Though Victor had no intention of revealing that secret.
“Why would I lie?” Victor questioned, enunciating each word. “Here’s the deal: meet me at the depths of the Thornwood Forest, and I will prove it to you. And to show I’m serious, here—” He reached into his robe and handed Roland a small, shimmering crystal. “This is a communication crystal. When you’ve reached the forest, use it to contact me.”
Roland stared at the crystal for a long moment, turning it over in his hands. His pride and survival instinct warred within him, but in the end, he nodded slowly as he clutched the crystal tightly. “I’ll… consider it.”
Victor stood up, extending a hand to help Roland to his feet. “That’s all I ask. Take your time, but don’t wait too long. Time isn’t exactly on your side, after all.”
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With that, Victor nodded and allowed Roland to leave. The old Magus clutched the communication crystal as he limped away into the distance, his wounds only partially healed. The surviving knights, though still dazed, went with him after dispelling the illusion.
Victor knew he was taking a risk by letting Roland go. The old Magus might betray him, perhaps even sell the information to the Merlin family. But Victor wasn’t too worried. Even if he were to tell them, they wouldn’t suspect Victor’s true identity because of the Mask of Impersonation. He already had methods for countering any risk that might come his way.
Well, risks were inevitable on the path to power.
But thinking about it made Victor curious about his current stats, as he had pushed himself to his limits.
Victor Asteriscus
HP: 85%
MP: 245/717
Power Rank: First-sigil Elemental Adept Magus | Ki Initial
Elemental Affinity: Cosmo (96%) | Anemo (82%) | Pyro (57%)
Mana Aptitude: Intermediate bright grade
Meditation Technique: Omni-Elemental Fusion Method (first sub-level, 96.21%)
Breathing Technique: No name (first level)
Status: Healthy
Strength: (35)
Agility: (35)
Vitality: (35)
Magical Power: (45 → 46)
Infused Mana (total): (664 → 717)
Spell Repertoire:
- Aleph: {Blink Step}, {Spatial Mirage}, {Slicing Wind}, {Zephyr Dash}, {Tempest Burst}, {Wind Guard}, {Flame Whip}, {Flame Dart}, {Flame Prison}, {Ember Shield}, {Heat Wave}, {Demonic Eye}, {Mind Programming}
- Bet: {Warpblade}, {Blink}, {Gap Hole}, {Ethereal State}, {Volcanic Spear}, {Tempest Gale}, {Blazing Burst}, {Curse of Nightmare}
Although his three core stats hadn’t improved, his total mana reserve was increasing, reaching the threshold of a second-sigil Elemental Adept Magus. Just a little bit more, and he would advance… With the power he had right now, he could already force back stronger opponents—so what would happen when he became even more powerful?
With a satisfied smirk, Victor flew back through the dense forest, still feeling the sharp pain from his wounds that had dulled somewhat, thanks to the healing potions he had consumed. Although nearly fully recovered, the exhaustion from a battle between official Magi would be felt in his bones for some time.
Soon, the familiar creek came into view, and there was Lillie, sitting against a tree, her small frame trembling as her wide, innocent eyes overflowed with fear and worry.
“Mister Black Knight!” she cried out, scrambling to her feet the moment she saw him approach. “You’re injured!” Her gaze fell on the bloodstains that hadn’t been fully cleaned by his enchanted robe.
Victor landed gently, masking his fatigue with a calm demeanor. “It’s nothing serious,” he reassured her. “It’s all over now. No one is chasing you anymore.”
Lillie quickly rushed to his side, her voice trembling. “Lillie… heard the explosions and the crashing. Lillie thought you—” Her voice broke, and she quickly wiped her eyes, embarrassed. “Lillie thought you wouldn’t come back.”
Victor knelt to meet her gaze, resting a hand gently on her head. “I told you I would protect you, didn’t I? I’m not going anywhere, Lillie.”
She sniffled and nodded, trying to be brave. “But… Lillie’s the reason you’re hurt. If it weren’t for Lillie, you wouldn’t have had to fight that Magus. Lillie is… cursed. Everyone who’s ever helped Lillie has gotten hurt or worse.”
Huh, I didn’t think too much about it at first. But why does she keep referring to herself in the third person? Victor was puzzled but kept his expression neutral. He guessed it was probably because she was a sheltered princess of the Brightmoon House.
In response to her guilt, Victor shook his head as he met her eyes with a soft smile. “You’re not cursed, Lillie. You’re special. And that’s why a lot of people want you.” He sighed, taking a deep breath.
“But you don’t have to face this alone anymore. From today on, you’ll be under my protection—officially.”
Lillie blinked in confusion. “What does that mean?”
Victor stood tall, letting his presence as a headmaster fill the space. “Lillie arc Brightmoon, would you like to become my personal apprentice?”
Although Victor was aware that he was unworthy of being her teacher, he couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Lillie’s special constitution would definitely play a pivotal role in the academy’s development. Besides, gaining her trust would secure Brown’s full allegiance, and there was the added benefit of making her a mascot for the players, which would make them all the more loyal.
But Lillie took this differently as her eyes widened in disbelief. “Your... apprentice? But Lillie’s just—”
“No,” Victor interrupted gently. “You’re not just anything. You have power inside you—something unique, something people fear because they don’t understand it. But I see potential in you, Lillie. And I want to help you control that power, to protect yourself and those you care about.”
Lillie’s bottom lip quivered as she processed his words. “You really mean it? You want to teach Lillie?”
Victor nodded. “I do. I believe in you, Lillie.”
For a moment, the pure-looking girl stood frozen, the weight of his offer sinking in. Then, slowly, her face lit up with a hopeful, innocent smile, and the fear in her eyes gave way to something brighter. “Yes! Yes, Lillie wants to be your apprentice, Mister Black Knight!” She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Victor winced as pain flared in his side, but returned her embrace, patting her back. “Alright, alright. But first, stop calling me ‘Mister Black Knight.’” He almost cringed at the title, then cleared his throat. “My name is Victor Asteriscus. Just call me by my— No, call me ‘mentor.’”
Lillie pulled away, wiping the last of her tears with the sleeve of her dress. “Okay! Mentor Victor! Lillie will do her best! Promise!”
Victor stood, feeling a sense of pride swelling in his chest. “Good. Then, as your mentor, I promise you a lifetime of peace and happiness.” He had made a promise, and he would carry it through to the end.
“Mm-hmm!” she nodded eagerly.
[Mission Accomplished!]
[Congratulations on passing the mission. You have successfully led your acolytes to uphold justice and punish the slavers.
[The reward (1,000 academy points) has been issued.]
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked: Fairytale Hero]
[Congratulations on fulfilling the condition (becoming the hero in the eyes of a little girl) for this achievement.]
[The award (150 academy points) has been granted.]
Ignoring the message, Victor offered her his hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
With a determined nod, Lillie took his hand. Victor then lifted her into the air and set off to find the players and Eleanor.