Chapter 221: Overcoming

Karyl gazed at the two transparent flames before him. He finally understood why they were as such.

Whoosh...!

Ramine’s flame emerged between the two. Unlike before, it had regained its original hue. Now that Karyl wasn’t suppressing Ramine’s power, his flame didn’t waver amidst the darkness.

Ramine. I apologize for trying to forcefully drain you of color to merge you with Arcane mana.

Despite being Spirit Kings, Rasis and Duaat were classified as two powers, different from the five elements because their essence was fundamentally different.

[Is this how you apologize?]

But Ramine’s flame flickered more intensely, expressing his indignation. In response, the two transparent flames wavered, merely circling around Ramine without approaching.

Alright... shall we begin?

Despite Ramine’s reluctance, Karyl spoke with a pleased expression.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

[What do you think of him?]

For the first time since their contract, Duaat broke his silence.

Allen, who had been quietly staring at Karyl’s back as he sat cross-legged, spoke with a hint of surprise, [It seems he’s on your mind.]

[How could he not be? This human plans to use me as a component to complete his mana.]

[Do you think it’s possible? Right now, he’s making up for the missing spirits with his dragon mana, but if he eventually contracts with all the Spirit Kings...] Allen chuckled.

[Combining spirits... I don’t even want to imagine that. It’s already chaotic enough with Karyl’s mana merging with me. The idea of me and Rasis actually merging is absurd.] Duaat shook his head.

At that, Allen made a peculiar expression. [It’s impossible for a human to contract with all seven spirits.]

It was unclear whether Allen was truly convinced of that, but Duaat’s uneasiness was evident.

[Why worry about something that’s impossible? You sound like you’re actually concerned about this. Or perhaps you think Karyl can actually do it?]

[...]

Duaat’s silence caused Allen to laugh heartily again.

[Although you’re contracted with me, my essence ultimately comes from him. So, I know him better than anyone. Let me give you some advice,] Allen said softly. [There’s only one answer anyway.]

* * *

[Are you threatening me?!] Ramine shouted defiantly. But unlike before, Karyl looked at him calmly within the space of his subconscious.

I'm asking for your help.

[Help? Hah, aren’t you a smooth talker?]

Think about it. This is an incredible undertaking. Honestly, with dragon mana, I can use fire mana without you. I can synthesize the mana without you.

[So what?]

But I want to merge your power with my mana. It’s like combining spirit power with mana. Right now, it’s just you, but once I obtain all the spirits, you’ll be the pioneer of this great achievement.

[...No.]

Karyl frowned slightly at his response.

Some never become sorcerers, and even those who do often get stuck at the 5th Class due to magic poisoning. Only a few surpass the 6th Class.

[...]

But even among those few, some managed to reach the 7th Class.

[What are you trying to say?]

It might be possible for me to reach the 6th Class through Arcane mana. But why do you think I’m trying to reach it through the challenging path of spirit magic?

Ramine was slightly taken aback.

[Isn’t it to master the magic needed to find the dungeons connected to the Demon Realm?]

No.

Karyl shook his head.

If it were just for that, Israphil alone would be enough.

[Then... Why?]

I’ve pondered this for a long time. Will I truly be satisfied just with the sword and magic?

[No way...]

The opportunity I need isn’t just to surpass the 6th Class.

Ramine’s flame quivered at Karyl’s words.

Crackle... Crackle...! Whoosh...!

A tempest swirled around him, crackling with fierce lightning.

The 7th Class is known as the human limit, but in the past, Kaye Aesir surpassed that and reached the 8th Class. If someone has reached a higher level, calling the 7th Class the pinnacle of magic might be wrong.

Karyl spoke in a soft voice, almost down to a whisper,

Isn’t Kaye Aesir the true pinnacle?

Whoosh! Crackle—!

Stones rose in the air, spinning within the icy vortex around him.

I wonder... It might be so for humans. But the 9th Class, known as the Dragon’s Realm, clearly exists.

Crack! Boom...!

The realm within Karyl’s subconscious shook as though it was about to collapse—this space, created by Karyl, could become stronger or vanish according to his will.

Then, can we really say that the realm the dragon has reached is the end of magic?

Karyl looked at Ramine.

What if we surpass the realms of humans and dragons? I chose you for that purpose. The might of spirit power, which I alone can use.

The mana around him gathered and dispersed multiple times before finally aligning in a single row. One spot in the middle remained empty. It was Ramine’s spot.

The opportunity I desire is one that will take me to the very edge of what humans can achieve.

[But—!]

Ramine circled the empty spot fearfully.

Hmm... Ramine, maybe we’ve been together for too long.

Karyl frowned slightly, clicking his tongue.

I still remember meeting you in Riseria’s lair... Have you perhaps changed?

[What?]

I expected more from a Spirit King who has lived through the Mythical Era. Has time dulled your memory?

Karyl bit his lip hard, his expression becoming stern. He rubbed his chin with one hand, crossed his arms, and then reached out toward Ramine’s flame.

I said I’d do it. Wasn’t I clear enough?

[...]

Or...

Grabbing his flame as if seizing him by the collar, Karyl dismissed Ramine’s response.

Are you defying me?

* * *

Boom—!!

Crash—!

A massive mana storm erupted, accompanied by a flash of lightning. This didn’t occur naturally; rather, it was a brilliant display of mana.

The descending lightning swayed chaotically in the air, shaking the entire Fasio’s mansion to the ground.

“What... What’s going on?!”

The people of Azor were startled by the sudden lightning strike on the lord’s mansion, causing a commotion.

To their bewilderment, flames engulfed part of the estate where the lightning had struck, while other sections lay coated in frost, torn apart by fierce winds, and the ground split open as if shaken by a massive earthquake.

“That’s... strange...”

As Azor was the City of Magic, the sorcerers on the streets could tell right away that this kind of lightning wasn’t a natural occurrence. However, that wasn’t the only reason for their surprise. Despite the intense storm of mana, there barely felt any residual mana.

Did I see it wrong?

It can’t be...

The sorcerers racked their brains but found no explanation for this abnormal phenomenon. Some of them recalled a similar event—an instance when such lightning had struck before. However, neither the sorcerers of the Magic Association nor Azor’s investigators had been able to identify the cause, eventually dismissing it as a natural disaster.

It was when Karyl first synthesized mana for the tournament training. Now, once again, the same person had succeeded in synthesizing mana, though Azor’s people had no way of knowing that.

“Is the Great Sorcerer playing some kind of prank?” someone in the crowd muttered, their words carried by the wind to the ears of others.

Karyl slowly opened his eyes. Over his familiar red pupils, hidden by Ramine’s power, a black glow appeared and then vanished.

“Phew...”

He could feel the warm mana flowing from his meridians, traveling up his throat and over his head. A ring appeared and disappeared on his forehead.

I’ve reached the 6th Class...!

It wasn’t perfect yet. The clarity granted by the mana was satisfying, but much work remained. Once Karyl managed to access Allen Javius’ repository, an overwhelming amount of experience and information would flood his mind, bestowing him with the vast knowledge of a Grand Sorcerer.

This was the 6th Class of Karyl McGovern.

“So, you’ve finally broken through the wall. How do you feel? Have you found the opportunity you’ve been seeking?” Allen Javius spoke as if he had been waiting for Karyl to open his eyes, witnessing his achievement.

“I’m not sure about the opportunity, but I understand one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If you treat them too well, they’ll overstep. For those who do that, a good beating is the answer. Do you understand?”

“...?”

Allen was puzzled by Kary’s remark, but instead of answering, he merely gave a faint smile. He could sense the faint aura emanating from Karyl, especially the intense heat of the flames, which felt more powerful than ever.

“What on earth happened?” Allen muttered, feeling a prickly sensation just by observing Karyl’s aura.

At that moment, the commotion outside grew louder.

“Hey, I said no!”

“Move aside, you brat! If the person inside finds out you stopped me, your hand will fly off!”

“It doesn’t matter. The order was to not let anyone in!”

“You’re not letting go? Hey!”

The joy of breaking through to the 6th Class was short-lived as the commotion at the door continued. Karyl recognized the familiar voice and chuckled as he stood up.

Creak...

He opened the door to see an old man tussling with the guards on the floor. Witnessing the absurd scene in the corridor, Karyl couldn’t help but smile.

He eventually called out, “Kamma.”

“M-Master...! No, my lord!”

“It’s been a while.”

Kamma, kicking the guards away, hurriedly knelt before Karyl, tears welling up as if reuniting with a long-lost lover. He looked like he had been through hell in the principality.

“You could’ve waited at the guild. Why come all the way here? Is it urgent?”

“Yes, it’s about the principality. And... it’s also about the task you’ve assigned.” Kamma’s gaze sharpened.

Given that Aidan wasn’t with him, it was clear he had caused this commotion to report his accomplishments first. While it could be seen as an old man’s greed, the fuss indicated he hadn’t come empty-handed.

“Really?”

Kamma looked up at Karyl.

“...!!”

And his eyes widened in shock.

It had been quite some time since he had last seen Karyl, their paths diverging last in the principality.

What the...? Is he the same boy from back then?!

Kamma quickly covered his mouth, fearing he might inadvertently voice his thoughts. The young man before him was in stark contrast to the one he remembered.

It’s been about a year since we parted in Cove... but to change so much...

With winter passing and spring approaching, Kamma realized Karyl was now fifteen years old. He was still just a boy, but...

It’s not his appearance...

Kamma had almost forgotten that because Karyl seemed nothing like a child. The reason he was so imposing wasn’t his appearance, but the overwhelming aura he exuded. Kamma felt like he was standing before a towering mountain, and it certainly had nothing to do with Karyl’s height or build.

Nevertheless, Karyl could sense the satisfaction on Kamma’s face, a confirmation of his own progress.

“Come in. Let’s hear the details.”