The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 75

The Dragon Vein Plaza erupted in a cacophony of noise the moment the Sandstone Golem materialized.

“Not only does he precisely control the Bloodline Limit Summoning [a technique unique to certain families], but he’s also added new power to it?”

“If Lane Ludwick is the epitome of masterful simplicity, using only the necessary magic in the right place, then Krista Warden is the epitome of aristocratic splendor!”

“I thought the future of the magic world would be dominated by the descendants of the Eight Great Schools, but now I have to reconsider where my loyalties lie.”

Such praise wasn’t limited to just mediocre wizards. Even Madelia Page let out a sigh of admiration.

“The Sandstone Golem’s weakness was its vulnerability in durability, despite its strong attack power…”

She found the optimal rune, Su [a specific rune with properties related to binding or cohesion], and completely reconstructed it into a new magic. That will surely be passed down as a new secret technique of the Warden family.

“The essence of that arrangement is something only someone who has directly faced the original Sandstone would understand.”

Professor Kyle also smiled gently.

Because the magic circle was constructed with a dual attribute, the mathematical formula didn’t become overly complex even with the Su rune included.

“The interaction between runes and magic circles always closely influences the formation of magic. And that transformation was born from a perfect understanding of that interaction.”

I’m genuinely getting goosebumps. This class is a golden generation that has never existed before and will never exist again.

‘And the person who illuminated Krista Warden’s path so she could grow without stagnating in her superiority is…’

Professor Kyle’s gaze turned to the black-haired pretty boy looking down at Krista from the audience seats.

‘It must be you, Lane Ludwick.’

Lane raised the corner of his mouth with an amused look, seemingly realizing how important the transformation of the magic circle according to the runes is.

‘Tournay took only a week to realize that, though.’

How long did it take me?

Well, right from when I was learning the basics of magic?

‘Still, well… I can give it a 90 out of 100.’

The expression of Lane Ludwick, who was unknowingly wearing a warm smile, turned cold the next moment.

There’s a smell of blood.

The scent of death is approaching.

The owner of that stench came and sat in Gertrude’s empty seat, who had been hanging on the railing and shouting Krista’s name with an excited face.

“…”

I expected him to come, but seeing that face in person again made my heart stop for a moment.

‘I’ was sitting next to me.

That is, ‘Rin.’ To be exact, I should say it’s a guy with ‘Rin’s’ face.

“If you make any strange noises, I’ll kill you immediately.”

He said that and handed over a rag soaked red with blood. As I looked at it questioningly and started to unfold it, a burst of hollow laughter escaped me.

It was a silver pocket watch.

With 盟 (Alliance) [meaning “alliance” or “league” in this context, likely referring to a specific organization] engraved in the center.

It was an item given only to the wizards of the Special Task Force, proof that the owner of this watch is a battle mage renowned in this era.

“Did you kill all the owners of these?”

“It would be disappointing if you asked such an obvious question.”

“Hmph.”

Did he think I was trembling with fear? When Lane let out a burst of laughter, Rivadin laughed back as if amused.

“Yes, you’ll be in the same state soon, so you can only laugh.”

“No, I’m just glad that a proper black magician has finally appeared.”

I prefer this kind of guy.

Rather than someone like Valencidi, whose inner thoughts are impossible to fathom.

“Why glad?”

“Because I can kill you without any problems, right?”

The tone in which Lane said that, with his eyes shining coldly, sounded like a casual greeting, like ‘Good morning’ or ‘Good night.’

A voice as if dealing with and killing black magicians was just a daily routine…

Therefore, Rivadin had to raise his eyebrows blankly in bewilderment for a moment.

‘I was going to take his family hostage and drag him out of the city if he tried to run away or back down.’

So killing Ribeni wasn’t just luck. Of course, I could tell that from the multiple calculations he showed on the first day.

“Ha, this bastard… his spirit alone is top-notch.”

“Well, is it just spirit?”

“Choose where you want to die. I’ll let you choose the last place you’ll see in that insignificant life.”

It wasn’t like he was showing mercy. It was just that Valencidi had threatened him so much that he had to say this.

‘All I have to do is pretend to match his words and lure him out of the city.’

Then Lane got up from his seat. Just as he was about to grab his shoulder, thinking he was running away, Lane handed back the pocket watches stained with blood and said.

“The outskirts of the city would be good. A forest with no one around.”

Rivadin had to be slightly surprised at those words. Isn’t that what I was supposed to say?

“I was already on the radar of the ‘Golden Children’ and the Special Task Force because of you guys anyway.”

“Oh, and so?”

“If I kill you in a crowded place in this situation, I won’t be able to deny it anymore. I hate things getting complicated.”

* * *

The abandoned shrine of the forgotten king.

Filled with broken statues in the ancient Albraham style that evoke instinctive fear, this place is always filled with decadent, primal melodies.

That melody was the echo of a dream.

One of the five kings of the Abyss (深淵) [a realm of dark magic and powerful entities], the scream twisting space and time, the echo of the Queen who walks through time, with cracks slowly forming in her seal…

In that melody, Tournay sat cross-legged.

Normally, she wouldn’t listen to her disciples’ meetings during meditation unless it was a very important matter.

But this time it was different.

[What you just said, is it true?]

Number 5 asked in a surprised voice, and Number 1’s shadow nodded.

[He’s already inside the school. There was no time to stop him.]

Then Number 5 sighed and rubbed his forehead, and Number 4 nodded with a playful gesture.

[Well, what can we do? He’s dying to get revenge. The two of them were like siblings. Or, were they siblings?]

Rivadin and Ribeni were both creations that Tournay created through human transmutation, which the 광룡정교회 [likely a religious order or organization] and the Magic Alliance had forbidden.

Made from fragments of the great magician Rin, they all had surprisingly similar appearances to Rin.

It goes without saying that their abilities were as outstanding as their appearances. The beginning was the same, but Rivadin, who enjoyed fighting strong opponents, was three times stronger than Ribeni.

[Mr. Valencidi, things have become very interesting, haven’t they?]

Number 7 chuckled, and Number 1’s eyes narrowed.

[Does this look fun to you right now?]

[Haha, don’t be so edgy. Think about it. It’s definitely an unexpected situation, but it’s much easier for you, isn’t it?]

Valencidi was in a position where he absolutely couldn’t have his identity exposed until graduation day, as Tournay had put him in the school with great care.

But what about Rivadin?

Even if that guy caused an accident, Valencidi could just pretend he didn’t know anything. There would be no one who knew about their connection.

[Just let Rivadin kill him. How easy is that? Rivadin is a professional magician hunter. Is there any magician who can beat ‘that ability’?]

[Look at the forest, not just the trees. What kind of repercussions will Lane Ludwick’s death have on the school?]

[The school will be a bit noisy, but that’s all. Are they going to cancel the graduation tradition that still has a long way to go?]

[It’s not that simple─]

The sound that cut off Valencidi’s words, as well as attracting the attention of all the members, was the sound of tapping a tobacco pipe on the floor.

The owner of the sound was Tournay.

This meant that she would make a direct judgment on the matter, so everyone immediately closed their mouths as if bowing down and looked at her.

“Let Rivadin run wild. I’ll punish him later.”

At that decision, Valencidi’s eyelids closed weakly. If Tournay made a decision, there was no room for him to intervene.

[As you wish… I will follow.]

If Lane Ludwick is the dangerous person that Millek reported, then that means he’s the one who defeated Ribeni.

In that case, the only members who can be trusted with a one-on-one assassination are Numbers 1, 2, and 4.

“If it were another child, I would have ordered a withdrawal or asked Valen for help, but wouldn’t that child be okay?”

Soon, the shadows gathered in the shrine disappeared one by one.

Swish.

There was no reversing Tournay’s decision, and no one had the authority to object, so the meeting was over.

“…”

Tournay put down her tobacco pipe and closed her eyes again, sitting still in a cross-legged position.

Even though she was already at the peak of mastery, the reason she organized and trained her magic power every day without fail was because she had been taught that way by Rin.

Tournay had never disobeyed Rin’s teachings in her life. Except for one thing, the teaching to never touch black magic.

– What’s important in magic is consistency. Always work hard.

Events from 300 years ago came to mind. The coldness and weight of the rain that poured down endlessly on the day they parted made her spine feel cold.

Even though her master was in that state, her colleagues just waited and did nothing.

The other two were ignorant of magic and sorcery, so they were given absolution, but Master Freede was so capable…

Tournay didn’t act so ignorant and heartless. Instead of just waiting, she desperately searched for a way.

She had lived for 300 years for that one wish alone… and the Abyss had given her the answer. Soon, the long journey that had seemed endless would come to an end.

‘Soon, I’ll be able to see you again.’

* * *

A disgusting stench flowed from the wind that swept through the forest.

In that wind, the leaves that had been dyed with the colors of summer instantly turned into fallen leaves and fell helplessly to the ground.

With those fallen leaves between them, the hems of two masters’ robes fluttered quietly. It was Lane who first took off his school uniform cloak and threw it into the air.

“Let me ask you one thing. What the hell are you guys?”

Responding to that murderous intent, Rivadin threw off his tattered cloak.

“What’s the point of a guy who’s about to die knowing that?”

“It depends on the answer. Whether you die comfortably, or painfully like that kid Ribeni.”

At that moment, a blood vessel bulged on Rivadin’s forehead. If he wasn’t sure that this guy was a master, he would have charged at him right now and twisted his neck off.

“So tell me. Who gave you guys Rin’s face? And what the hell are you guys up to?”

Here, Rivadin was slightly surprised and opened his mouth for a moment.

‘Except for the members, there’s never been anyone who recognized that I have Rin’s face…’

Most people just think, where have I seen this guy before?

That’s understandable.

All they have is a glimpse of his face from a statue.

“Sorry, but your question is too strange for me to answer!”

The iron bars hanging on both sides of his waist were assembled into a staff in an instant with a clank. At the same time, magic power erupted from around him as if exploding.

The magic power of a black magician who deals with the Abyss is transformed into poison, taking on a dark blue color instead of a light blue color.

Also, unlike ordinary magic power, which does not have a significant impact on the natural world other than wind pressure, it rots everything it touches.

“No one gave me Rin’s face!”

Right now, the trees are withering and the dew is rotting, causing a stench to fill the air wherever that magic power sweeps through.

“This body is just the reincarnation of the great magician Rin!”

It was an explosion of poison that even the battle-hardened Special Task Force magicians were momentarily taken aback by. Did that chick lose his fighting spirit and lower his head─

“Puh-ha.”

─He’s laughing. As if mocking, as if dumbfounded. Rivadin’s brow furrowed.

“Did you lose your mind because you’re about to die?”

“Sorry, it’s just too funny. This is the first time this has happened before a fight.”

After clearing his throat a few times to control his laughter, Lane took off the glove on his left hand, revealing a palm strangely wrapped in bandages.

“Rin’s reincarnation? Then what to do, you’ve picked the wrong person to mess with, so wrong.”

And from that boy’s body, a vortex of inexplicably intense magic power poured out, sweeping away the poison that was swirling around him as a headwind. Along with this pun.

“This side is Rin original.”