The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 356

Before starting the training, I explained to Adela about the power I was going to learn, the principle of contraflow.

“Contraflow, meaning to go against the natural order. A power that flows in reverse, you say,” Adela murmured with a serious expression, having roughly grasped the concept of contraflow. She looked like she couldn’t contain her excitement about it.

“That’s the basic definition.”

The concept of contraflow itself is simpler than one might think. It’s easy to understand if you just think of it as the opposite of the natural order. Making water flow from bottom to top instead of top to bottom. Making gravity push upwards instead of downwards. The concept itself is not difficult at all; in fact, it’s quite easy.

“I understand the definition, but I don’t quite get it. Contraflow… When I just heard about it, it sounded similar to the nullification I used to practice… the nullification of magic. Is it different?”

“Completely different.”

But the easy part is just the surface concept. If you delve deeper, it couldn’t be more difficult.

“Nullification means reading the unique wavelength of the opponent’s mana and then emitting a conflicting wavelength to destroy it.”

“Yes. Emitting a conflicting wavelength. Isn’t that what you just called contraflow?”

“Strictly speaking, that’s also contraflow. It’s destroying magic by colliding opposing forces.”

Adela is right. Nullification is also a type of contraflow.

“But that’s just a part of contraflow.”

“A part… So, within the large concept of contraflow, there’s a smaller concept of nullification. Is that what you mean?”

“Exactly.”

However, nullification is just one of the countless things that belong to contraflow.

“…Hmm. I get the nuance, but I still don’t quite understand. Nullification being a part of contraflow,” Adela trailed off with a vague expression.

“Hmm. To explain it simply, think of nullification not as contraflow, but as neutral.”

“Neutral…?”

Contraflow and natural flow. The complete stillness born from the collision of two forces. Neutral. Before being a part of contraflow, nullification is also a part of neutral.

“It’ll be easier to understand if you think of the opponent’s magic as natural flow, and the power I use to nullify that magic as contraflow.”

“Ah!”

Adela’s eyes slowly widened. She looked like she understood.

“Nullification balances the natural flow and contraflow. So, that’s why it’s neutral.”

“Correct.”

“I understand.”

Adela’s expression, which had brightened for a moment, darkened again.

“But…” Beyond the resolved question, a new question had arisen.

“Then what exactly is contraflow? I thought nullification was the essence of contraflow. What more do I have to do to achieve contraflow?”

“It’s simple.”

I concentrated mana in my hand and created water. Then, I slowly tilted my palm, letting the water flow downwards according to the laws of nature.

*Trickle, trickle.*

The water created in my hand fell to the ground, forming a small waterfall.

“This is natural flow.”

I brought my other hand to the flowing water. I applied a force that was the same size as the flowing water but with the opposite structure.

“This is neutral.”

The waterfall stopped. As if time had stopped, it froze in place. The seventh Infinity Circle. It was a simple demonstration of the ‘neutral’ power boasted by the neutral ring.

“And finally, this is…”

The Infinity Circles within my body trembled, as if proving how difficult the action I was about to take was. From the 1st to the 7th Circle. All the rings were screaming.

“Contraflow.”

At that moment, the waterfall’s time stopped.

“The water… is flowing in reverse…?”

The waterfall, which had started moving again, began to move in the opposite direction from before. Not from top to bottom, but from bottom to top. It flowed with the exact same force and speed as the water that had flowed naturally before.

“How did you do that?” Adela’s eyes widened. If someone else saw it, they would have said, ‘Why are you so surprised by that?’ What’s so difficult about moving water from bottom to top, and why are you reacting like that? They would have scoffed, thinking that.

“You didn’t use physical force to reverse the waterfall, but made the waterfall naturally flow from bottom to top…”

But that’s what someone who doesn’t know would say. Anyone who knows how this scene unfolded would be surprised.

“This is contraflow. It’s not just about using physical force to reverse the form, but the power to reverse the very concept of what is considered natural in this world.”

No magical effect is unfolding in the waterfall between my hands. The waterfall is flowing from bottom to top as if it were natural. It flows naturally as if the law was set that way from the beginning.

“Right now, my proficiency is still lacking, so I can only reverse a small stream of water like this… Ugh… Sorry. Just a moment.”

It’s starting to get difficult. The Infinity Circles are screaming. It’s so hard just to reverse this small phenomenon and control this small space. I suppressed the throbbing in my head and withdrew my mana. The waterfall began to flow from top to bottom again, following the original law. I even erased the water that made up the waterfall and focused my gaze on Adela.

“Hoo.”

I feel a little better now.

“It looks like it’s very difficult.”

“Yeah… It’s hard.”

Honestly, it’s a miracle that I was able to maintain it for 20 seconds.

“Anyway, to continue what we were talking about, if I succeed in mastering this contraflow…” I floated a mana sphere on my hand again and sent it forward.

“I can reverse any phenomenon I want, whenever I want.”

At that moment, the mana sphere that was flying forward changed direction at the same speed and flew towards me. This time, I didn’t use real ‘contraflow,’ but just a mimicry of contraflow to show the form. …But. It seems that the form alone was enough to surprise Adela. Adela’s eyes widened.

“If you master contraflow… you can return the opponent’s magic back to them… Is that what you mean?”

“Exactly.”

If you master contraflow, you can handle the opponent’s magic as if it were your own.

“So, the reason you said you needed my help…”

“That’s right. Your mana is as familiar to me as my own.”

“I see.”

There is no one more suitable as a training partner for contraflow than Adela.

“Then, I know what I have to do.” Adela nodded as if she understood everything.

“I know what you want. Let’s start right away.” Adela’s mana circle began to rotate faintly. Just by looking at the movement of mana, I could tell. Adela knew exactly what she had to do.

“It’s good that I don’t have to explain. I’m counting on you.”

And so, my training began.

* * *

A week had passed. My daily routine during that time was quite regular. When the Infinity Circles were fine, I would concentrate and do circle synchronization training. When they were about to be depleted, I would go outside and read books from the Dante Roa library. While reading, when my strength recovered a bit, I would meet with Adela and train to master the control of contraflow. The past week was a repetition of these three activities.

“Good work.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Today’s routine was no different from the others. Training to weave the Ring of Nothingness under the guidance of Mimir and Tei-nim in the Dante Roa library. Going outside to rest and read books. After dinner, training with Adela. It was a simple but very fulfilling day.

“Hoo…” I just sat down on the spot and flopped backward. I was at my physical and mental limit. I was so tired that my brain wasn’t working properly.

“Here. Water.”

“Thanks.”

As if she was used to my appearance, Adela handed me a water bottle she had prepared in advance. As if she knew I would lie down like this, it even had a straw attached so I could drink while lying down.

“It’s already been an hour.”

Well, yeah. In the past week, there hasn’t been a single day when I haven’t collapsed. It’s only natural that she would prepare like this.

“I know. Somehow, I’ve achieved my goal.”

When I first started training, I couldn’t even last 20 minutes. In just one week, it increased by 40 minutes. It’s a significant improvement.

“Today’s control was quite stable too. I think we can move on to the next stage starting tomorrow?”

“No. I’m going to stick to today’s schedule until tomorrow. I think I can master it by tomorrow.”

“Is that so? It seems like you’re already proficient enough…”

“It’s still not enough.” I know myself best. I haven’t mastered this stage of training yet. I shouldn’t move on to the next stage until I’ve completely overcome it.

“It might be boring, but please bear with me until tomorrow.” There’s no need to rush. Taking one step at a time is the fastest way to move forward.

“It’s not boring.” Adela squatted down next to me and met my eyes. “Just watching you is stimulating.”

Cold, yet hot. Within Adela’s unique coolness, a burning passion is hidden. Adela is enjoying this moment more than anyone else right now.

“I’ve also realized something new while training together.”

“…Realized something? You realized something from watching my training?”

“Yes.”

Is there anything Adela could gain from assisting my training?

“What is it?”

“It’s a secret for now. I’ll tell you when it’s complete.” A playful smile, unlike Adela. “You’ll probably be surprised.”

The future looks promising. That was the expression she had. But, I probably won’t be surprised.

“…I wonder if there’s anything that could be more surprising than today.”

Today’s surprise was so intense that I feel like I’ll just take it in stride.

“You’ll probably be even more surprised.”

“…Is there something more surprising than being able to use forest magic alone in a week?”

“Yes.”

Adela succeeded in using forest magic independently today. Mimir and Elena-nim said it would take at least a month. But she succeeded in just one week, not even a month. I don’t know how surprised I was when I saw it.

‘…But there’s something more surprising than that?’ I can’t even imagine it. What kind of realization did she have?

“I’m really curious. Can’t you just tell me?”

“No.” Adela’s expression was very firm. She had an expression that said she absolutely couldn’t tell me until it was complete.

“…You’re so firm, it makes me even more curious.”

“Just be patient. It won’t take that long to complete.” A different light shone in Adela’s eyes. The future looks very promising. That was the expression she had.

“…Okay. Well, I’ll wait with anticipation.”

Honestly, I feel like I’m dying of curiosity right now. But what can I do when she says she has no intention of telling me? I have to wait.

“Hoo.” I took another sip of water using the straw. And then, I lifted my upper body.

“Can you already get up?”

“It’s okay. It’s not that bad.” Adela looked at me with a feeling of novelty.

“You’ve really improved a lot in just a week. On the first day, you didn’t even have the strength to move a finger, so I had to support you.”

“I have to improve. I’m training like this.” If I didn’t improve, I wouldn’t be able to live with the injustice.

“Then, I don’t have to support you today.”

“Hmm. Well, maybe. I think you might need to.”

“…Why?” Adela tilted her head slightly. She looked perfectly fine, so why would she need support? That was the expression she had.

“I’m fine now. But I don’t think I’ll be fine in a little while.”

“Are you going to train more?”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t call it training. There’s something I want to test.”

I got up from my seat. I must have lost a lot of strength, because my legs were trembling slightly even though I was just standing.

“You remember when I said that after Persona, I gained another mythic magic?”

“Yes. It was eight months ago, right? I believe the name was…” In the two and a half years, I had gained a total of two mythic magics. One was Persona.

“‘Dissolutio,’ was it?”

“That’s right. You remember?” And the other one is ‘Dissolutio.’

“But, didn’t you say you couldn’t use it?”

“I couldn’t.”

I took out Dissolutio’s symbol from Aeth. A dagger with a strange appearance, as black as black and as white as white. I held it in my hand.

“But maybe… I can use it now.”

Now that I know about contraflow. I should be able to use it now, when my strength is depleted to the point of exhaustion and the amount of mana I can control is very small.