BOOM—!

Our spells collusion caused multiple explosions which caused even the weather to change drastically.

The opposing spells dyed the sky in a mixture of colours.

The undead and I threw our most deadliest spells in rapid succession.

I’ve never ever fought anyone that could match my pace and my mana in a battle. Each of his spells pack tremendous power that destroyed my own by simply overpowering it. The only advantages I held were a wider range of spells and techniques.

The undead litch uses pure skill and his large mana pool to match me. No, not match.

‘Shit, his spells are becoming stronger.’

I was sure that without the power up known as ancient spirit magic control, I would’ve been fried a long time ago from his spells.

BOOM—!

“Hmm...” While we were playing catch in the air, he suddenly fell into thought in the middle of our fight. This bastard had too much leisure, “How have you survived this far? Usually, humans and elves alike should have exhausted their limits even after passing it.”

I also stopped attacking.

“I’ve never encountered a human like you in my thousand years of life. Are you truly a boy?”

“Why are you refusing to believe I can match you?”

He snorted.

“Match me? Preposterous. I have only been keeping my power to your level. Since you are obviously not used to battling other mages, you should wouldn’t know that in a fight between mages, one must study the other. This is to find their weaknesses. Be it a second delay in their casting speed. Any opening could present a chance.”

The undead put his hands behind his back. He really likes to talk too much.

“I am Rolath. What is your name, boy?”

‘Rolath?’

“Why are we suddenly exchanging names? We’re enemies.”

“Kukuku. This is but for me to remember you by after I slay you.”

This arrogant prick. He kind of resembled someone.

“Clyde Astley...”

He nodded. I saw the lights in his eyes vanish which probably meant he closed his eyes in human terms.

“Hmm... I don’t seem to recall any mage by that last name. It might just be that my memory is clouded by other things. I fought many foes when the United Empire still ruled the continent.”

“Huh? You were around back then?”

He nodded.

“I was an adventurer who travelled with my comrades during those trying times. The world back then was far from the peace we have today. We had to watch our backs if we entered a new city or settlement. Food was scarce so we plundered from the weak.”

His gaze somehow sharpened.

“Those three heroes might have saved the continent from many disasters but what others don’t realize is that their immense power caused far more destruction than it did good.”

I silently listened to him.

“The homunculi war was the day everything fell apart. Who knew heroes of their strength would fall to mere creations. Even after the Demon Battle God fell, peace was but a dream. His kind still existed.”

He chuckled.

“You were there as well during that disaster?”

My heart pounded. There was something I needed to find out.

I suddenly heard a small voice call out to me.

–Time... future... death...

‘Huh?’

“I am only ranting my frustrations since my memory was reminded of the past. If you would like to hear more of my tales then try to defeat me. I would be happy to share my tale as I am an immortal who wanders these lands alone.”

I frowned when I saw a light behind his back.

“You bastard... Did you just distract me?”

“Silent chanting. Using the mind to chant the words even if your mouth is speaking. Now I know that you are but a hatchling when it comes to battles. [Concentrated Beam].”

“Shit–“

BOOM—!

He pointed his finger at me causing the blue cluster of energy to shoot towards me in near light speed.

‘Fuck!’

I really do need to grow up. I never thought his monologue was to distract me all this time.

‘What is this “silent chanting”?’

I had never heard of such a thing.

‘Now’s not the time for that!’

I hurriedly released the spirits inside my white arm and casted [Lightborn]. Somehow, my body seemed to know what to do before I could even think.

Screech—!

The spirits seemed to scream in pain from activating this time related technique for a second time.

‘Please work...!’

The world quickly turned grey.

----!

The spell stopped right in front of my eyes.

I gasped and heard the loud beating of my heart in this world with no sound other than my own voice.

If I was a second later then my head would’ve exploded.

“Dammit...”

My spirit arm lost all feeling and limped down. I could feel my arcane mana running out faster than when I used Lightborn before.

My vision became cloudy.

“Ugh... for fuck sake... It hurts...”

---!

Then a flash suddenly happened.

‘Is that me?’

It was like seeing a rewound of a video.

I could see myself and Rolath flying in the air.

He released his spell while I was still flustered over his trickery.

--!

My head exploded into nothingness.

Undine and Ifrit screamed out to each other as my body fell to the ground. Rolath laughed victoriously.

Undine and Ifrit turned into particles when they lost our connection.

Five seconds.

That was how long it took for all that to happen.

I could see little golden lights fly around my body in this colourless world.

–Master?

The little spirit shook its body and connected its energy with mine.

I almost died.

And this little guy saved me.

Was that a glimpse into my future...?

“If... if I didn’t listen to its voice...”

I would’ve died.

I felt my knees tremble and my throat clog up.

I looked at Rolath’s frozen state. An undead mage with unparalleled mastery in forbidden magic. Not only necromancy, but he could even cast ancient magic; a magic that died with the United Empire.

This was my second time feeling my death almost approach.

The sky turned a vibrant blue. Undine and Ifrit continued pushing back the undead army.

Rolath’s spell roared past by me and destroyed a large area of land of the forest.

BOOM—!

...

“That technique again... I will have to set up countermeasures in the future...”

I silently stared at him with widened eyes.

“Hm? You sure a sneaky rascal. Instead of attacking me using your speed, you dodged the spell. Truly an idiot.”

My heartbeat started to calm down.

“Change...”

“Hm?”

“I have to change...”

My voice sounded cold and emotionless as if my very soul had died.

I could say it did after seeing my death approach two times.

My fists were so clenched that my nails dug into my palms. Blood dripped down my hand as disbelief flooded my mind.

“...”

Without even thinking of the consequences, I gathered all the spirits in the atmosphere.

“That bloodlust... You’re finally getting serious. Well, let me as well.”

I remembered reading a spell inside one of my magic spell books. A book out of the many my parents bought me.

It was the only one I could find involving spirit magic.

Accumulation of Elements.

A spell equivalent to upper high class arcane magic.

Surely I could go past my limits... right?

With hesitation still remaining , I chanted the words in spirit language.

–Ancient gods of creation...the world as you have made it harbours the fuel of my power.

A rift in space occurred in my palm when I lifted it. Rolath was chanting something as well in an unknown language.

– Let these spirits heed my call and follow my will.

Blue, red, white and golden particles gathered inside my magic circle.

It was working.

‘It’s working!!’

–Accumulated elements, be my power and create a new element...

The spell cooked for a few seconds.

TSSSSK—!

TSSSSK—!

Black lightning came out of the magic rune forming the magic circle.

Water, fire, light, space, wind and earth.

Six of the many elements made up of our world.

Rolath’s spell was releasing equal amounts of power similar to my own.

I underestimated my opponent too much.

He was the only one in my way. If I could kill him then I could cast [Mass Exorcism] to destroy the undead army.

“[Accumulation of Elements].”

A variety of colours were spinning around in a large sphere above my magic circle. The thin film was the only thing keeping the power contained inside. All I have to do it aim it at my opponent.

“Truly a magnificent magician in terms of potential. You must work on your abilities in the next life before challenging someone like me again...”

“I don’t plan on dying.”

Not again.

“Hoho. Then...”

He raised his arm into the air causing lots of magic circles to form.

“Upper High rank magic–[Hell dragon’s flames].”

Upper High vs Ancient Spirit Magic.

Although incomplete, my spell was releasing the same aura as that of Rolath’s.

“Damn...”

Thousands upon thousands of black dragon heads formed outside the magic circles. All of their mouths opened wide.

A heavy pressure fell onto my shoulders almost causing me to cancel my spell.

“Kuh...!”

“Your death shall not be in vain. You have survived this far after facing an Undead King such as I. I am honoured to fight you.”

ROOOOAR—!

The thousands of black flames fired towards me.

I tore off the thin film keeping the chaotic spell contained and fired.

“AAAAAH!!!!!!”

...

...

**

BOOM—!

RUMBLE—!

Even the dark clouds were blown away from the shockwave of the spells colliding.

The forests’ animals sought shelter as they cowered from the heavy force from two very powerful magic casters. Even the lesser dragons flew deeper into the mountains mistaking the colluding spells for two ancient dragons fighting.

The lights could be described as beautiful from afar but to those near it, they only thought the world was ending.

The elven villages around the World Tree strengthened their barriers protecting their people.

A giant hologram was displayed in each of the majors regions of Elca.

“Is he alive...?”

Someone asked with hope among the crowd. They were holding on to that hope that the one born with the blessing of their god would make it out of this fight.

Seeing as how Eredhel and Laura do not possess potential for ancient spirit magic, more casualties would have occurred if Clyde refused to fight Rolath. They’d have to use their Royal army just to kill all the undead army while the two members of the Order fight Rolath.

It was unknown why he could come back every decade despite the fact that he was killed every time. There were some who said they’d have to look for his tomb to put an end to his immortality.

Others speculated that he could also be from another world and that there were millions of other copies just like him. They were comparing him to the immortal homunculi from the Red Era back then.

“There!”

Miya pointed to the hologram.

A tattered boy with light brown hair was still floating above the sky. The only problem was that he was missing a leg. His face was stained with blood. The blue robe he wore before was in tatters and completely burned off. His arm was comparable to a twisted branch.

“Oh my goodness...”

Dryad Queen Xantha thought of the worse case scenario.

What if he failed?

‘He made it out...’

“Miya, where are you going!?” Zefra shouted.

Miya casted [Flight] on herself and ascended into the sky.

“He doesn’t seem to have any power left. That undead could also still be alive!”

She flew off with a few Royal knights.

“The boy did it. What do you think now?”

Skyrith smirked at Aldion, Zefra’s father.

“Humph! I could’ve wiped the floor with that undead too and come out with both my legs.”

He gave an arrogant harrumph and crossed his arms.

He was the only one who doubted Clyde up until now. He said it was too early to plant the seed that could somehow revive their god inside of Clyde. If that seed grew then it could awaken a power inside that boy not yet recorded before in this world.

“The 《Seed of Spirits》 was too precious to give to a boy like him. Weren’t those your words? And yet he could cast ancient spirit magic immediately after acquiring it.”

Velian coughed a few times at Skyrith’s teasing remark.

“My memory seems to be cloudy at the moment. I cannot remember uttering such words.”

“Ah, is that so~?”

The Spirit Seed was the seed that was left after the death of their god. He died in the very depths of the World Tree 1000 years ago. No one had heard his voice before or seen his figure inside their dreams but they believed he existed.

The Spirit Seed that lied in the roots of the World Tree was proof of that.

Legends depicted that he fought the very first true Immortal who wanted to conquer this world. After his defeat, the immortal vanished into one of the worlds of the Red Abyss dungeon.

No one knew if he survived.

“I still believe he might become the next Spirit King if the seed grows inside of him. He managed to pass the test we set up for him with flying colours.” Skyrith saw dazzling lights embrace the undead army. Their shrieks reached everyone’s ears.

The undead lost.

–OOOOOOH!!!!!!!

Everyone cheered when they saw Clyde perform [Mass Exorcism] using the ancient spirits. He chanted the words while releasing the golden light from his remaining arm.

If the spirit seed did indeed grow then his very race will change, along with his lifespan, his power and then....

He will become the Spirit King’s Incarnation and possibly the next Spirit King.

◇◇◇

(CLYDE POV)

“Here you are...”

I saw the undead king who I defeated a few moments ago.

His entire body was broken apart. His core was broken and it looked like he was on the verge of death.

–I am dying... which means I lost... huhu...

His voice sounded so far away as if it was fading.

–Do you still want to know of my knowledge of the past?

I nodded.

–I see.

He lifted his bony hands and started taking off the many rings on his fingers.

–As you are the victor, you may have these.

I took the nine rings in my palm and held them. They were the nine colours of the rainbow. The dense mana I sensed meant that those rings were extremely powerful artifacts.

–Keep them safe. I raided many dungeons to acquire them. Ah, my time is near. As I cannot verbally inform you of what occurred so take this book.

He chanted something and then a big book appeared.

–Rolath Diary–

“Your diary...”

–Umu. I have lived for a long time so I recorded all my findings in that very book. With old age comes wisdom as they say so I wanted to keep mine in that book.

His body started turning to dust.

–You were truly a wonderful opponent. Seeing as how you have used light magic on me, I fear I would not be able to achieve my goal. My immortality ends here.

“Goal?”

–To find my comrades. Ah, why do I remember now...? There’s Alu...

His voice started cracking.

–Mer....

“Huh?”

What was he saying?

–ette...

“Hey! What are you saying!?”

The light vanished in his eyes and then his skull turned into dust.

“...”

I silently gazed at the book before putting it along with the nine rings in my dimensional ring.

‘Huh?’

My consciousness suddenly started fading away as a pain hit my head.

–Clyde!?

I saw a white haired girl running towards me.

‘Princess Miya...’

My body shut down again due to mana exhaustion. I was paralyzed from my neck down.

Just before I fell onto the ground, a soft sensation enveloped my face as I was held by someone.

“Thank you... You did well...”

Miya smiled gently and stroke my hair. I could hear the footsteps of knights in armour approaching us.

“Ah, man... I’m so hungry...”

That was the last thing I said before I lost consciousness.