Most of the Outers were in tears.
The few who weren't, either forced themselves to hide their overflowing emotions or were too focused on gathering energy to concentrate on anything else.
'Ciel understands what needs to be done. I just need to do the needful.' Neron smiled, raising the pill to his mouth in order to ingest it.
His hands were trembling, and once again it registered within him that death was awaiting him the moment the substance entered his mouth.
However… Death was already coming for all of them.
In this inevitable situation, wasn't it better for him to sacrifice his life for his friends?
Yes…
"Farewell, everyone."
It would be rough for them without him, but he had faith that they would pull through. They would gather new members and become stronger. Ultimately, they would stop Jared and return the world to its glorious state of peace and tranquillity.
'I... I wanted to see it happen!' He fought back his tears and willed his mouth to open.
'I'll watch over you all in paradise with the rest of our friends.' He dropped the pill into his mouth. 'All of you must…'
The white, round object neared his lips as he closed his eyes and accepted his fate.
'... Survive.'
"WAIT!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice pierced the air, causing Neron's face to move with a jerk. The white pill bounced off his chin instead, forcing him to catch the precious item before it rolled away.
"H-huh…?!"
Both Neron and the rest of the Outgroup— even the enemy forces— looked above them to find the source of the sudden sound.
It came from a young man who floated in the air. He had a darkened cloak and his blue hair unnaturally flowed behind him. He looked like a total stranger.
Yet…
'T-that is—!'
Neron could recognize him. They had met before, and while the lad was now putting on a new face, he could not mistake his presence.
'Jared Leonard!'
Jared, in this new form, was grinning widely, and he confidently stood above everyone—even the floating Golems. As both friends and foes alike stared at him, there was only one thought on their minds.
'What is he doing here?!'
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[Moments Earlier]
'Haaa… this is good.'
Thankfully, the dysfunction my power was experiencing in this world didn't affect its internal nature. When I concentrated enough, I was able to sense all my Cores and Familiars.
'Well, this is going to be a bit tough.'
My goal to transform my current Cores into Aether ones was simple, but also very difficult.
'I'll have to purify and condense my cores. That's really all there is to it.'
Thanks to Ana's groundbreaking discovery of Aether, as well as its formation, I was going to awaken my Aether by using this process.
'It's amazing how she figured this out. With this alone, she has surpassed me.'
Of course, Ana didn't see it that way. For her, her discovery was only a stepping stone. She wanted to make even more discoveries and inventions that would bury me.
I suppose that was the true meaning of surpassing your predecessor.
'Welp, I'm rooting for her.'
In any case, I needed to focus on this task. It would be really draining, and I would end up starving afterwards.
The Outgroup never mentioned a kitchen to me, but if I was successful in doing this, I would be able to access my subspace through Original Magic and bring out something to snack on.
'I better get right to it, then!'
[Hours In]
'Ah… yes.'
Finally, after condensing and purifying the cores for over three hours, I was able to do it—my first actual Aether Core.
'Ah… I've missed this feeling.'
My primary Core had now been transformed into an Aether Core, which would make it easier to affect the others. Still, to think I sacrificed over a thousand Mana, Miasma, and Fused Cores just to satisfy the most basic requirements for an Aether Core— It was just crazy.
The demand for energy was really high… but so were the rewards.
'If I turn most of my Cores into Aether Cores, I should be able to apply Spellcraft internally, and directly purify and condense my Mana Particles so they automatically get turned into Aether.'
Once that happened, I would naturally be able to generate Aether, and I could automatically form Cores even during battle or rest.
'For now, though…' I smiled, feeling the surge of energy within me and even externally.
'I can finally feel the energy around me. Not surprised, though.'
Aether was the very energy that represented the essence of this world. It didn't matter the branch—Aether would still function the same way.
In this world, there was no Miasma. It was possible that other realities where there was no Mana, or where everyone was inept existed.
'I can't imagine how people can live without Magic. Perhaps they'll rely on ingenuity to create technology that can assist them, rather than Magic.'
However, one indisputable fact about all of this was the flow of Aether. As long as I had that, I would be able to use Magic.
'I'm not that hungry. Should I form another one? That would be nice. Maybe I can even—'
Suddenly, I received a signal from the Micro-Automatons I placed on all the Outers. I did it so I could help them in case I got my Magic figured out on time.
Unfortunately, I couldn't even access them until now—after developing my Aether.
~It has been a great honour fighting alongside you all. You're my family, and I love you.~ I heard Neron's voice.
It seemed troubled, and I could hear sniffles and voices of unease from the other Outers. I couldn't completely decipher the situation, but one thing was quite clear.
'Something is wrong.'
My Automatons instantly fed me the location of the Outers, and the distance from my current position was considerably large.
However… it wasn't going to be a problem.
"[Original Magic: Great Sage's Memoir]."
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[A/N]
Alright! Hype moment!
Can't wait to see what our hero will do now.
