Episode 878: Luck is a skill! (3)
Salvation through Radiance.
The magic Astion created to save Yulien’s soul.
But that light was fatal even to the priests of the Church of Salvation. It wasn’t just about washing away the darkness, but a purification that forcibly burned it away.
And
now
,
the
apostles
were
enduring
its
power
.
”
Ku
… Having mastered magic equally, she was even sharing the calculations for the spell.
Neither of them doubted that it would succeed.
They believed that if this magic were to be unleashed, it would be enough to incinerate the Apostles.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
Vanessa spoke with a pale face.
“Jerome… any longer… is dangerous.”
“No, we have to suppress him somehow.”
Jerome continued to cast the spell, blood seething from his mouth.
The two had already poured all their magical power into it.
Whether they succeeded or failed, they could no longer fight. Furthermore, Parniel had likely exhausted most of his divine power protecting Alfoy.
The Apostles must have also expended considerable energy, but there was no guarantee they could win with what was left.
Therefore, they had to risk their lives to ensure this spell succeeded.
Kwaaaaaaaah!
The two of them were doing their absolute best to maintain the spell.
Just once, just once, they had to upset the balance of power.
Then the magic would instantly engulf the Apostles.
But that wasn’t as easy as they thought.
“Hold on! We can endure!”
At Rahamod’s shout, the apostles gritted their teeth and unleashed all their darkness.
That’s why they were able to block the now-intensified golden meteor.
Amidst the tense standoff, Gathros’s gaze wavered wildly.
‘This can’t be… … . Even our power can’t overwhelm them!’
He had confidence he could block the spell even if it were cast. He had
come to that conclusion after experiencing that spell in the past.
But to think that two people who hadn’t even reached the 9th Circle could wield such power?
The magic was powerful, but their magical power was also extraordinary.
It was clear they had been saving it for this moment.
‘Ugh… … . But we can still win.’
Such a powerful spell couldn’t be sustained for long.
Just hold on a little longer. Their side had expended a tremendous amount of energy, but the two wizards would surely fall.
Then, the remaining ones could be killed through a combined attack.
With that in mind, the apostles continued to hold on.
Erenes watched the clash of energy with a stern expression. The others were the same.
Even if they wanted to help, they couldn’t intervene. They would suffer the same damage if they fell under that spell’s influence.
In fact, Jerome had attempted to wipe out Gatros and the Atrode army with that spell in a past war.
At that moment, when everyone else was helpless, Parniel threw Alfoy back and said,
“I’ll go. I’ll go and distract them.”
It would only take a moment.
If he interfered with the apostles for even a moment, the light would upset the balance and engulf them.
It would cost him his life, but he
was prepared to do so to save the world.
“Wow!”
Parniel gritted her teeth and took a step forward, but Erenes grabbed her arm.
“If you go, you’ll die before you even get close.”
“I have the saint’s bracelet. It’s more than enough to withstand that darkness.”
“No, your divine power will be depleted the moment you enter.”
“…”
Parniel bit her lip.
Erenes was right. And yet, there was no other way.
The moment she shook off his arm and tried to advance, Belinda and Gillian blocked her path.
Belinda spoke with a weary look.
“If the spell fails… we’ll have to fight for our lives anyway. Then we need at least one more person…”
Her cracked voice echoed across the battlefield.
“We could die together.”
“…”
At those words, Parniel finally stopped.
If we were going to die anyway, it was right to bet on the one with the highest probability of victory.
Everyone watched the battlefield, even breathing cautiously. The impatience and tension were piercing.
No one could help. Right now, Jerome and Vanessa had to handle this alone.
At that moment, Alfoy, who had been thrown backwards, slowly rose to his feet. Everyone was focused on the front, paying no attention to him.
‘We should run away now.’
The storm had vanished.
All power was concentrated on Jerome, Vanessa, and the apostles.
They must have already asked permission several times. It would be clean to get out like this.
As Alfoy slowly withdrew, his instincts called out again.
– Hey! Look! That’s magic!
‘Why?’
– It’s so tight right now! Perfectly balanced!
‘So why?’
– What if you just gave him a little help?
‘Oh?’
“The balance will shift, right?
” “Oh!”
“Everyone wants to help, but they can’t! They don’t have magic power! But you can! It’s only a little, but that’s what matters!
” “Right!” “Yes!” ”
Yes, you’ll finally achieve immortal fame. As the hero who saved the world!
” “That’s it!”
Alfoy’s eyes sparkled.
That magic was impressive just to look at. If it worked, it could wipe out even the Apostles.
Then there’s no need to run. There’s no need to be afraid.
Even better, you’ll become a true hero who saved the world. Because
it’s something no one else can do.
” Alfoy was about to immediately transfer his magic to Vanessa. But thinking about it, he realized that doing it like that would be a bit weak.
He wanted to see everyone wailing, kneeling, begging for help.
So he let out a little.
“Ahem! Oh, that’s not how magic works. I guess you don’t know.”
“Come on, I can do it! Hurry up and ask me!”
Surprisingly, no one paid Alfoy any attention. The situation was so dire.
Alfoy was the only one, as always, oblivious to the situation.
“No, I can help you…”
Alfoy, sullen again, hung his head in vain and muttered. He wished people would pay attention to him.
Then, instinct screamed again.
―Hurry up! If Jerome and Vanessa fall behind, it’s over! You’re dead too!
― “T-That’s right. We have to do it quickly.”
Alfoy, though disappointed, gave up on watching the people beg.
Instead, he quietly floated into the sky, anticipating the praise that would follow his success.
“Come on, I’ll help you, you idiots. Ugh, you should have asked me a long time ago.”
Jerome and Vanessa were so focused that they didn’t even notice Alfoy behind them.
The rest of the group turned their heads. They
had assumed he was just running away, so they paid no attention to him, but now they felt Alfoy rising into the sky.
Belinda shouted in horror.
“No! Alfoy! You idiot!”
Everyone knew Alfoy could transfer magic.
Despite this, they didn’t ask for help for several reasons.
First, they didn’t think it would be of much help. Second
, they knew Alfoy would die if they did.
Third, they absolutely couldn’t do it.
The discussion about magic transfer had already been concluded. It was inevitable that such considerations would be made ahead of such a crucial battle.
Right now, only Jerome and Vanessa, who understood the structure, could wield this magic. If anyone else were involved, the magic would be distorted and the spell would be broken.
That’s why they hadn’t even brought along any reserve magicians. They knew it wouldn’t be of much help anyway.
But Alfoy knew nothing of this.
He widened his eyes and asked,
“Why?”
This was his chance to become a hero?
“Aha, are you jealous that I’ll be the hero? Hehe.”
Alfoy didn’t know.
How much willpower this action required.
How much magical knowledge it presupposed.
And… …that it would even cost him his life.
I figured I just needed to add a little magic power like usual.
So, without thinking, I had already reached out.
The moment Alfoy’s hand touched Vanessa’s back.
Paaaaaaaaaa!
“Kkieeeek!”
With a tremendous suction, Alfoy’s magic and vitality were sucked out in an instant.
Alfoy dried up in an instant.
“…!”
Vanessa gritted her teeth, feeling another magic power enter her. She instinctively flung Alfoy off her back.
If she had been even a little later, Alfoy would have truly died.
Belinda safely caught Alfoy as he fell unconscious.
The problem was what happened next.
As a price for saving Alfoy, Vanessa’s concentration was briefly broken.
‘Oh, no!’
Vanessa desperately tried to control her magic again.
But… …
‘This can’t be happening!’
The magic didn’t falter at all.
The sudden influx of foreign magic inevitably disrupts the flow.
That’s why the magic power had to be controlled and reallocated according to the spell.
Therefore, magic transfer was only good for briefly replenishing magic power in desperate situations, and even that was volatile.
Furthermore, this magic couldn’t be used by suddenly receiving another magic power in that way.
This was because it was a “true 9th Circle” magic, complex and requiring flawless execution.
However, Alfoy’s magic flowed naturally, as if it had always existed.
“Huh, how could this be…?”
Vanessa was momentarily confused by this impossible phenomenon.
Then, after examining Alfoy’s magic, she finally understood the reason.
“There are no impurities… at all.”
A wizard’s magic, like nature’s energy, cannot be perfectly pure.
This is because they study and experiment, seeking various ways to grow.
This is inevitable and natural. As magic accumulates, various properties inevitably become slightly mixed.
Therefore, any magic requires a process of refining and controlling.
However, Alfoy’s magic was free of such impurities.
It was the very essence of “purity.”
She knew Alfoy’s magic was pure, but she never thought it would be this much.
At the same time, Vanessa realized another truth.
“He hasn’t grown at all….”
Alfoy didn’t study. He didn’t make any effort to become stronger.
Aside from the magical power he’d accumulated briefly during his time in the Low Circle, all he’d absorbed was Dragon Heart.
And he didn’t increase or mix it.
He simply diligently utilized the magic he had, building upon it. In fact, the more he did this, the purer his magic became.
There was no reason for other impurities to mix in.
The trace impurities he’d accumulated during his time in the Low Circle had all vanished through this process.
‘This is ridiculous…’
A miracle possible only because he hadn’t exerted himself a single day in his life.
He… was truly a man whose mind was as pure as his magical power.
Vanessa’s gaze wavered.
Should she be pleased or disappointed?
Perhaps others would dismiss it all as coincidence and luck.
This was the result of a long and sufficient accumulation of causes.
Only Alfoy could unleash…
Jerome felt his magical power fill up a little more.
And it was a remarkably pure one.
A chill ran down his spine. He knew who had given him this magical power.
‘Alfoy!’
Under normal circumstances, it would have been such a small amount that I wouldn’t even laugh, but in the midst of such a close fight, it was a different story.
Even a single drop of water on a perfectly level scale would tip the scales.
And now, that single drop was… …
the magic that Alfoy had unexpectedly bestowed upon me.
“Well done! Alfoy!”
Kukukukukukukung!
The golden meteor, now slightly(?) stronger, radiated light in all directions.
Soon, Jerome’s voice rang out across the battlefield.
“You really saved the world!”
Along with his shout.
Kwaaaaaaa!
The balance of power was finally broken.
As the golden light tore through the curtain of darkness, the darkness that had covered the world could no longer resist and began to crumble.
