I am Reheim, the teacher of Aubern. The admiration I felt when I saw Senior Reheim was by no means exaggerated.
Of course, I can't be sure if he is truly the strongest of the era.
There isn't a 'First Wizard of the World' competition where all the wizards from across the continent gather to compete.
However—
"...It's terrifying."
An overwhelming presence.
There was only one being that could exude such a formidable aura.
The Archmage.
In other words, this seemingly insignificant old man had reached one of the pinnacles of transcendence!
"...And that's how it happened."
"That's how it is. It must have been a difficult journey. You must have endured a lot."
While I was lost in the overwhelming presence, Senior Reheim finished his conversation with Aubern and turned his gaze to me.
"You've also been through a lot. You did well to come such a long way."
"Well, it wasn't that hard..."
"Yeah, Schwertz. Or rather, how is your teacher? I didn't have the chance to ask about him properly because of the urgency."
"He's living comfortably and well. But... "
I tilted my head.
"Teacher? Who is whose teacher?"
"...?"
This time, Senior Reheim tilted his head.
"You, a teacher... "
"I never had one."
"Did he pass away?"
"No, I never had one."
"..."
An awkward silence fell.
"Or... Is Schwertz not your teacher?"
"...What a terrible thing to say."
"Just by looking at your eyes, I can see you're just like him when he was young. Hmm, this is quite surprising. So, you're not his student?"
"...No. If I must say, we're more like seniors and juniors."
Suddenly, I had a thought.
Perhaps, to become an Archmage, one must lose something precious. Or, perhaps only those who are inherently lacking can reach the level of an Archmage.
Fahrenheit was born human, but his heart was no different from that of a beast. As for the headmaster, he's such a mysterious person that it's hard to guess his state of mind, but he seems to have lost his sanity.
From this perspective, what Senior Reheim has lost is his ability to see people for who they are.
While I was lost in these thoughts, Senior Reheim's voice broke through the silence.
"Ah, Schwertz gave the Crescent Moon emblem to someone who isn't even his student?"
His expression showed genuine surprise.
At this point, I couldn't help but wonder.
'The Crescent Moon emblem?'
I remembered it clearly.
He said that if I wore a mask, I would be severely punished, but with this mask, even my friend would understand and be lenient.
But, then and now,
From the way the headmaster and Senior Reheim spoke, it seemed to have some significance to them.
"What is this emblem for?"
"Don't you know? Hmm. Well, it's been a long time. It's fine if you don't know. If he didn't tell you, there must have been a reason."
Seeing how nonchalantly Senior Reheim brushed it off, I nodded in agreement.
It felt a bit unsettling, but the Crescent Moon emblem wasn't the most important thing at the moment.
"By the way, what's going on here? The atmosphere is quite different from what I expected."
Originally, I imagined the 4th Base Camp to be much more chaotic.
Ancient spirits.
They were supposed to be rampant, tearing the flesh of the living. A battlefield where the undead, monsters, and humans fought each other.
But,
'The 4th Base Camp is practically a fortress...'
From Aubern and Rayleigh's reactions, it seemed the fortification was relatively recent.
Not only that,
'It's peaceful.'
Even the undead were nowhere to be found, let alone the monsters.
It seemed things were taking a different turn from what I had expected.
"Oh, right. I should have mentioned this first. You've heard of Destrue, right?"
I nodded, and Senior Reheim stroked his chin for a moment.
He seemed to be pondering where to start, but he didn't take long to begin.
"Do you know why ancient spirits prey on the living?"
"Isn't it to sustain their existence?"
Unlike the undead controlled by necromancers, they had to replenish their own existence.
However, Senior Reheim shook his head.
"You're half right. But that's not all."
"Then... "
"Let me start from there."
* * *
When the story was over,
"...Hmm."
I crossed my arms and looked at Senior Reheim.
The ancient spirits. The reason why they indiscriminately slaughter the living was quite understandable.
- When a living being dies, two energies are released. One is the Vital Energy, and the other is the Death Energy. Do you understand this?
- Yes, I do.
- Among these, the Vital Energy sustains the existence of the undead.
This was a well-known fact. However, there was more to the story.
- They are gathering power.
- Power...
- When Destrue awakens. They are accumulating the power to offer to their master at that time.
So, while replenishing their own existence, they are also accumulating the energy to offer to their master.
But that's not all.
- Then, how is the Death Energy used?
- Don't tell me...
- Yes, the more Death Energy there is, the faster Destrue's liberation will occur. In other words, it's like offering sacrifices for liberation.
It was a dire situation.
The more the ancient spirits dominate, the faster Destrue's liberation will be, and the more powerful it will be when it arrives.
Well, up to this point, it was understandable.
'...Well, it could be.'
Destrue.
Vital Energy and Death Energy.
These energies are only theoretical in magical studies and are said to be impossible to utilize. However, Destrue itself is an entity far beyond common sense.
Even if they use these energies, it's something that can be accepted.
However,
What I really couldn't understand was how Senior Reheim dealt with this realization.
- Then, what should we do?
- Well, we should stop them, right?
- Yes, so I stopped them.
- ...?
He said it so casually.
- I confined them with a barrier.
What did he mean by that?
He gathered the ancient spirits spread throughout the Hamearn Great Forest, like herding fish with a net, and confined them with a barrier.
It sounds easy.
'It sounds... easy.'
Think about it.
Would the ancient spirits be gathered in one place? No, they were rampant over a vast area, enough to change the ecosystem of the Hamearn Great Forest.
But,
'He confined them with a barrier over the entire area... and drove them into ancient ruins?'
It was the most definitive solution.
The area near the ancient ruins has been devoid of life for a long time.
By delaying Destrue's arrival, even if it does come in the worst-case scenario, its power will not be complete.
However,
"...Or a dragon?"
"It wasn't easy for me either."
"Looking at you, it seems that way..."
My eyes scanned Senior Reheim thoroughly.
I hadn't noticed it before, but he didn't look human.
A kind and gentle expression, clear eyes, and a presence so strong it could be violent.
His skin was pale, and his face lacked any color, but his back was straight, and his shoulders were slumped, lacking energy.
But, that was all.
He looked exhausted.
Just that.
'...Does that make sense?'
Mana... Yes, I could understand if he used concentrated magic arrays.
The mana filling this space is probably for the barrier.
And the mages of the 4th Base Camp are likely working to accumulate mana, building concentrated magic arrays.
Sure, I can accept that.
But...
'The mental strength of a human...'
Is that even possible?
I don't know.
Even if we set aside mental strength, the human brain has a capacity.
To construct a barrier over such a vast area and narrow its range with a human brain? It's unimaginable!
Not only that,
'The barrier... is still being maintained.'
Even with the help of surrounding magic arrays, this was madness. No, it was just crazy.
"...Why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
Senior Reheim, with a mysterious expression, seemed to be pondering.
I glanced at Aubern and asked again through a message spell.
[Is your hometown the Hamearn Great Forest?]
[...My hometown is the capital of the empire.]
[But, why...]
An Archmage? A Transcender?
Even at the pinnacle, transcending humanity doesn't change the essence. An Archmage is still human.
They have limits, and exceeding those limits leads to destruction. The only difference is that their limits are far higher than those of ordinary people.
And from what I could see, Senior Reheim was...
Right at the limit.
Walking a tightrope.
Then, what is the cost?
'...I wonder.'
Mana backlash? Perhaps that would be fortunate. In severe cases, it could lead to paralysis. Or, depending on the situation, even death.
Honestly, it wasn't my concern.
'If he wants to use his life as he pleases.'
I was just curious.
How could an Archmage of this caliber make such a sacrifice? Why stay in a remote area with his student to protect the Hamearn Great Forest?
Did he understand my thoughts?
[There's a reason.]
Senior Reheim's voice echoed in my ear.
And what was that 'reason'? It was incomprehensible to me.
[There's something that needs to be stopped, and I have a small talent.]
[...]
[Thinking of the disaster Destrue will bring, how can I value this one life?]
I looked into his eyes and then slowly turned my gaze to the ceiling.
Clear.
His eyes were so clear that it felt like even a minnow couldn't survive in such barren waters.
'...Human compatibility.'
Is the student like the teacher? No, that was a bit difficult to say.
Aubern is still a novice. If I wanted to corrupt him, I could. Or, he would naturally be influenced by being around me.
'But, Senior Reheim...'
It felt like I was being purified.
I took a step back.
"...?"
Senior Reheim tilted his head in confusion, but I didn't lower my guard and took another step back.
At this point, I had a question that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
"Senior, who are you?"
"Me? ...Hmm. You're not asking for my name, 'Reheim,' are you?"
An old war mage.
By this point, he must have been one of the best during his time.
But, an old war mage with such a clear mind? This contradicted my understanding.
After all, the headmaster is the standard image of an old war mage, right?
"Well, since you received the Crescent Moon emblem, it's not bad to tell you. In fact, it would be rude not to."
"Yes, Teacher. It's fine if you're a senior."
"It's a shameful past, but..."
Senior Reheim smiled wistfully and spoke with a gentle expression.
And when he opened his mouth,
"...Hmm."
It felt like someone had smacked the back of my head.
"My name is Muspelrun."
He didn't give his full name.
But, associating the name 'Muspelrun' with the 'barrier' he cast in the Hamearn Great Forest, his full name was impossible to miss.
Muspelrun Gigas Adarian
The middle name 'Gigas' means nobility.
The last name 'Adarian' is granted only to a single bloodline.
The most revered.
The royal family.
However, the name Muspelrun is more famous for another reason.
He is the...
The Mage of the End
The only mage who ended the old war.
A genius among geniuses in barrier magic, and a butcher who alone crushed ten thousand soldiers.
A highly respected mage, and the one with the heaviest sins, known for the most blood on his hands during the old war.
In short...
'The craziest of the crazy.'
Yes, Muspelrun was the craziest among the already crazy war mages.