Why…?
Why in the world was this idiot putting 'Emperor' as part of the title? Wasn't this just plain old Mage Mode?
'Was this how his predecessors had dubbed it? How narcissistic could they have possibly been?'
This stuff could be used and learned by anyone with enough talent and skill in Magic. Yet, it seemed like Kuzon thought he was something extremely unique for having it.
'This is… troubling.'
The art of Mage Mode being passed down, like some sort of special secret, must have been one of the causes behind Magic's slow progression in this world.
Everyone hoarded too much information and the few who could use strong Magic—like Mage Mode and Original Magic—began to act as if it was exclusive and special to them.
As a Scholar and a Mage who had dedicated himself to the art, I could only say I was utterly disgusted by this.
'I only kept Spellcraft, as well as a few theories and designs—like multiple Mana Cores—because the world simply wasn't ready for it.'
I also couldn't prove a lot of those theories right or wrong, so there was no way I could publish such content. As a Scholar, I had to have empirical, well-researched, and accurately described results, before I could put anything out there.
I didn't have that luxury.
'Also, if I had just left it lying around, it's possible that the people might cause even more harm than good just from using it recklessly—without my supervision.'
That was why I buried my secrets. Someone would have been bound to find it eventually, and by then the world would have either figured out what I discovered, or they would have advanced to the point of properly testing and utilizing the things I left behind.
'But that's not what I see here…' I glared at Kuzon's haughty smile.
The elite thought they could keep the strong Magic for themselves, thereby creating a gap in the knowledge and practice of Magic.
"It's disgusting…" I muttered.
"What did you sa—"
Before Kuzon could complete his statement, I rushed towards him, ignoring all the defences and buffs provided for him by the artefacts he donned.
I instantly distorted the purple lightning that flashed around him, quieting them instantly. In one quick swoop, I grabbed his neck and fixed my gaze on his.
"You're disgusting."
I had no idea why I was feeling so annoyed. Maybe I did, but chose not to think about it too much. One thing I knew for sure, though, was that this person I was holding tightly was a disgrace.
"T-tch… Y-you!"
He managed to slip away thanks to short-range teleportation, finally creating some distance between us.
I watched as he appeared and flung an intense surge of Magic at me.
'Light Magic… and it's this pure…' I thought to myself.
Swiftly coating myself in Light Magic, while also intensifying my body's enhancements, I evaded the bright bursts of power.
'He's using it so crudely. So much Mana, yet he's throwing a great deal of it away.'
What about moulding the energy to form a more desired, efficient result? Simply shooting blasts of intense Mana wasn't going to help his cause.
"Just… dieeee!" He condensed the golden light in both of his palms, forming something akin to an unstable overflow of golden energy. It was like an ever-morphing orb that contracted and convulsed.
'That is a lot of Mana…'
Kuzon directed the Spell at me, causing the very air to vibrate as it approached me.
'Unfortunately, it's just that. Simply Mana.'
After watching this person use his immense power so foolishly, and seeing how he always avoided any close-range fights, I could already tell that he had no real Battle IQ.
His Martial Arts skills were most likely nonexistent and his control over his Spells was basic, at best.
'Maybe I should show him…'
A smile formed on my face, and so I decided to use the very first transformation I was able to achieve.
"Elemental Chamber."
Instantly, a wind sphere enveloped me, and it was coated and encircled by the basic elements; fire, water, earth and lightning.
The level of control required to utilize so many contrasting elements in such a stable form was only really possible with multiple Cores.
'Though, with his Special Core and that energy in his possession, surely he should be able to find a way to mold his Mana into something similar. Even if it's just two or three elements.''
That was what I was hoping he would see.
"W-what is… what is that? How do you have the same power he does…?!"
Same power as who? This world's Jared?
I mean, we were sort of the same, so I expected that he could at least do this much.
'Elemental Chamber is still basic. There's the Grand Elemental Chamber as well where I can use even more elemental attributes. But that'll be overkill.'For now, I was satisfied with just this.
My hypothesis of Kuzon had already been proved.
'He's weak.'
However, I wasn't done. There was one more thing I wanted to see. Until then, I would keep this up for as long as I wanted.
"[Penta Bomb]" I generated a floating orb that seemed like a miniature Elemental Chamber.
The orb was made of wind and had a center that was rich in energy. That served as the core of the spell, just as I was the core of the current Elemental Chamber.
With the centre of gravity established, the other elements swirled around the orb to form the bomb. It all happened in a flash, and all five elements coalesced to form my new technique.
Yes. I just developed it on the spot.
"Water. Earth. Fire. Air… and Lightning." I mumbled while staring at the obviously frightened Kuzon.
"Prepare yourself,"
I stared down at him from my superior estate, preparing to launch my Spell. Of course, I was giving him enough chance to react.
Why?
Because I was waiting for something.
'Let me see it, Kuzon. Show me your second Trump Card.'
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[A/N]
It's time to pull out the big guns!
Here's the link.
