Chapter 56: Allen Javius

"Why is this happening?"

Karyl had never seen something like this happen to Agnel before. As he held the now glowing dagger, he found himself even more perplexed than when he had encountered the Tarak. Karyl had owned Agnel In his previous life as well, but he had never seen it undergo such a change.

Agnel, named after the ancient word meaning “black pearl”, fittingly had an obsidian embedded in its handle. The blade itself was engraved with intricate characters, a forgotten ancient language that not even Karyl could decipher, something distinct from runes.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the characters etched into the obsidian, running down the length of the blade, were radiating a soft light. Kuwell had given Agnel to him as an heirloom left by Karyl's biological father, Karliak. However, Karyl was the third son, and if his tribe hadn't been decimated by the Extermination Decree of Heresy, this precious heirloom would have rightfully gone to Kazin, the eldest of the tribe.

"Come to think of it, I've never actually used it."

In his previous life, ever since receiving Agnel from Kuwell, he had merely kept it by his side, never actually using the dagger as he had been doing now. The swords of the MacGovern family were all masterfully crafted, far surpassing the rudimentary nature of Agnel.

Nevertheless, Karyl had always carried it with him, cherishing it not only as his father's legacy but also as a relic of his lost tribe. He gazed intently at Agnel, watching as the glowing characters gradually dimmed over time.

"Hmm?"

Once the light completely faded, he felt that Agnel was slightly heavier.

What just happened? Did it become heavier?

It was a subtle change, but Karyl, who had been using the dagger continuously, didn’t miss the difference. He spun the dagger several times in his palm.

"It's definitely heavier."

He felt an inexplicable sense of intrigue. Could there be secrets hidden even in the Agnel, which he hadn't even bothered to use in his previous life?

I thought I knew the past, but perhaps what I know is just the tip of the iceberg.

He pondered as he placed the dagger back within his coat.

Perhaps he would know.

Karyl had a feeling that there was more to the Gray Training Ground than just simple treasures.

"For now...let’s finish what we started here."

He made his way down the stairs, a step at a time, his memories guiding the way.

***

"It worked... It's done!"

The serenity of the forest was suddenly shattered by a powerful explosion. A series of densely packed trees fell silently, sliced cleanly.

Aidan couldn’t help but stare in amazement.

Insane, he actually succeeded without transforming his magic?

He sighed as he saw four mana points flicker and disappear from Mikhail's body, a clear sign that Mikhail had reached the 3rd class.

How can a brat from a mere mercenary gang... Be at the same level as me?

While reaching the 3rd class might not seem extraordinary at first glance, many disciples of the Magic Council possessed similar levels of mana. The true challenge lay in ascending to the 4th class and beyond, which made sorcerers so rare across the continent.

However, Aidan’s astonishment stemmed from a different reason.

Is it even possible for someone who was at the 2nd class to reach the 3rd in less than a month? It was impossible unless he had that level of mana from the beginning...

Although Aidan—due to Karyl's trickery—had taught Mikhail how to transform his magic, Mikhail's mana back then was barely that of an average 2nd class user.

He was in a state where reaching the 3rd class was an impossible feat. That's why Aidan had no qualms about teaching Mikhail the basics of magic transformation—just the basics, of course. Yet, from learning magic transformation to reaching the 3rd class, Mikhail displayed an unbelievable capacity for learning.

He hadn’t even seen such tremendous talent in the Burning Darkness. Even in his homeland in the east, where special talents were selected at a young age and underwent rigorous training, he had never seen anyone grasp magic so quickly.

Did I... perhaps make a mistake?

It was too late for regrets now.

Aidan watched Mikhail, who was rejoicing at his first successful non-transformative 3rd class magic, and couldn’t help but think wonder,

Karyl seemed to know from the start that Mikhail could reach the 3rd class. How?

It was impossible without any prior investigation. From the moment he met Karyl, Aidan had found it strange how much the young man knew despite his age. And that curiosity had reached its peak with Mikhail's unexpected growth.

There's no way he did this on his own. There must be someone behind this. If it's an organization that had access to such secrets...

He pondered.

It couldn’t be the Burning Darkness to which he belonged. The idea that guilds from other countries could operate in this manner seemed far-fetched.

Could it be...!?

A chilling realization swept over Aidan, leaving him stunned.

If everything was planned, if there was someone with the means and knowledge to orchestrate it all...

Everything fit too perfectly—from his undeniable confidence to his overwhelming power.

The First Prince, Luon?!

The mere thought sent shivers down Aidan’s spine, making him tremble involuntarily. He didn’t even consider the possibility of him being wrong.

This can't continue

. Quite frankly, Aidan was convinced his deduction was flawless.

He bit his chapped lips, trying to figure a way out. He saw Karyl's current absence as an opportunity.

I need to figure out a plan.

However, what Aidan failed to foresee was the chain of events that his mistaken assumption would eventually unleash.

***

[It's real. It truly is, hehehe.] A sinister voice echoed from the darkness.

Karyl lifted his head, only to lower it again, seemingly unfazed by the unsettling voice. He just continued to inspect the underground hall.

"Hmm, not here either. Where could it possibly be hidden?"

[The audacity of this creature!] The voice, harsh as scraping metal, grew louder, demanding attention. Yet, Karyl remained preoccupied with his search.

[Do you not hear me?!]

"Don't be so noisy,” Karyl finally responded, his tone nonchalant. “After dealing with a Tarak, now a vengeful spirit? This place really has it all. As if it wasn’t obvious we're in the Gray Training Ground.”

Karyl continued, letting out a dry chuckle. “It's not unusual for the spirits of the deceased to linger, especially here, where the great Assembly of Seven Elders was once held. So, which of the seven are you? Or were you wronged by them? If you're thinking of revenge, forget it. Not that I'd entertain the idea, but they’re all long dead anyway."

His words, sharp as daggers, left the voice dumbfounded. [...I've never seen anyone like you in all my life.]

"Well, technically, you aren’t even alive right now." Kyle retorted, his demeanor unexpectedly calm. But given his exhaustive experiences, from facing death to traveling back in time, mere spirits were hardly a concern. "Let me ask you something instead."

[What?]

"Where is the Freezing Talon? According to Narh Di Maug, it was found here."

The voice replied, its tension evident. [Huh, how do you know of the Freezing Talon? Wait, Narh Di Maug? That damned dragon knew about the Gray Training Ground?]

Karyl's interest was piqued by the sudden outburst. "You have some grudge against the Platinum Dragon? Don't worry. He knows nothing of this place. He's probably sleeping somewhere in his lair... so he won't find out at least for a few years."

[What do you even mean?]

"Nothing important.” Karyl dismissed his concerns. “Anyway did you think you could deceive a dragon? Also, this place was discovered by the sorcerers of Azor, not dragons."

[That’s beside the point. The training ground itself isn't what's important.]

"Hmm." Karyl didn't miss the passing comment. "How about you start by telling me who you are? That might make our conversation more productive."

The Freezing Talon alone is a formidable weapon. Is this place meant to hide something even more important?

[...You are a madman.] Despite the shift in tone, the voice didn't deny Karyl's request. [Fine. I've seen enough worthless sorcerers perish before the Tarak, unable to even find their way. You're clearly different.]

"Thanks."

The voice seemed gracious, almost as if it was alive. [I am Allen Javius.]

"...!!" Karyl was taken aback.

This is surprising. Is he telling the truth?

Even as someone from a magic-less tribe, he recognized the name. Allen Javius, aside from Kaye Aesir, was the most renowned sorcerer in the history of the continent. He was the highest elder of the Assembly of Seven Elders and the founder of the now-extinct Arcane sorcerers.

Why didn’t Narh Di Maug mention such crucial information? Or did Allen’s spirit disappear from the shattered training ground after the descent of the Oracles?

While many speculations arose in his mind, none were certain.

Yet, the significance of encountering one of the members of the Assembly of Seven Elders was paramount.

[Shocking, isn’t it? To see a member of the great Assembly of Seven Elders in person. It's been at least a thousand years since the last human saw one of us.] Allen Javius laughed heartily.

However, Karyl remained unfazed. "I see," he said calmly.

[That's it? Aren't you surprised by this situation? Or don’t you suspect that I am a specter?]

Karyl smirked. "A specter, huh...? Specters, while high-ranking undead monsters, would be troublesome, but it’s unlikely that one is here."

[Why are you so confident?]

"As you said, this place was created by the great Assembly of Seven Elders. The Original Magic discovered in your tombs remains beyond anyone's comprehension, even to this day." He shrugged casually. "Besides, many sorcerers could deal with a specter, anyway. It wouldn't last here, not with all this mana around."

[Hmm... You aren’t entirely wrong,] Allen conceded with a rasping laugh. [But Original Magic? We didn’t leave anything like that behind.]

"Well, the terms might differ. Your magic is considered the first in human history. Hence the name."

He had been asleep for only a thousand years, huh? That’s far from the divine beings rumored to have taught magic to humanity at the dawn of time itself.

With such a realization, the ghost before Karyl seemed even less imposing.

After all, in his quest to return to the past, Karyl had encountered truly divine beings within Pharel.

[What kind of magic is it?]

"It’s hard to say. I don't know its name, just that it refers to three preserved magics?"

[The three magics... Could it be those?]

Karyl didn't miss Allen Javius's intrigued reaction and pressed further, "You seem to have something in mind?"

[If my suspicions are correct, then those aren't creations of the Assembly of Elders,] Allen replied.

It was so absurd that it even broke Karyl’s poker face. “...What?”

[Why? Are you curious?] Allen countered, quickly shifting the dynamic between them.

It was at that moment that an ethereal figure materialized before Karyl, surrounded by wisps of mist. The figure took the form of an elderly man.

Bowing slightly, he addressed Karyl directly, [Would you make a deal with me? I can reveal what you seek.]

What a moment it was, for someone who had devoured countless tomes and unraveled the truths of the world, handling a mere child seemed trivial. Despite the passage of time, humans remained ignorant.

But little did he know of Karyl's past.

"I've seen that look plenty of times," Karyl stated, tired of seeing this look. The challenges he had faced in life far exceeded the time Allen Javius had spent trapped as a specter. "And all of them were full of it."

Karyl stared intently at Allen Javius, whose spectral form momentarily wavered under the piercing gaze.

[...W-What?] Allen faltered.

"A deal? Forget it," Karyl concluded, casually turning away. "I'm not interested. Scram."