Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

199. War’s participation [2]

At that moment when two Grand Duke-level demons joined the battlefield, turning Eldain upside down.

The two sages.

Astrid and Noah were fighting to protect the academy.

They were preventing the prince’s army and demons from breaking through, primarily with Astrid using fire magic to attack and Noah finishing them off with ice magic.

The two had complementary attributes, allowing for efficient combat, and they knew each other’s strengths well.

In short, they could be called the strongest mage duo in existence.

However.

No matter how monstrous these two beings were, the more they used their magic, the more their mana would deplete, and their stamina would inevitably run out.

Even though they were extraordinary beings, they could not defy the natural order. These two were no exception to such limitations.

‘Moreover, the prince possesses the ancient weapon [Apollo]. If we recklessly approach, it will only hinder Nox. We’ll end up holding him back.’

Apollo was an ancient weapon discovered in the Catalyu Kingdom in the past.

It was a device that fired guided projectiles, extremely dangerous to mages.

The reason was as follows:

'If hit directly by Apollo, a mage would be unable to move properly for a while. In the worst case, even their dantians could be shattered.’

For a mage, the dantians were different from that of a knight.

Ultimately, while a knight’s foundation lies in the sword, a mage’s foundation is the dantians and its circulation system.

This applied to dragons as well.

The fact that even Astrid couldn’t easily step within Apollo’s range was proof of this.

“It seems we can’t drag this out for too long, right?”

“…Ng. My disciple. That kid will be in danger. A stronger enemy is coming.”

At Noah’s words, Astrid nodded and conjured flames.

True to her title as the [Flame Mage], the beautifully rising flames began to sweep away the demons in an instant. It was a scene that could be described as chilling.

Noah, not to be outdone, attacked the enemies with ice magic.

Countless soldiers froze and then shattered.

But the two beings did not stop and continued their assault.

It was inevitable.

They knew war better than anyone and were not easily swayed by the sweet talk of victory.

From the olden times, war was something that spread thick bloodshed alongside solitude.

At the same time, defeat meant losing everything. As past history showed, a war brought glorious light to some but left tragic remnants for others.

Thus, the two had no choice but to play along in this farce-like war drama. Other options were excluded from the start. To protect what was precious, they had to fight now. And to not have any regrets.

“Apollo is a threat. If your dantians are destroyed, you might never be able to use magic again. Still, will you go?”

For Noah, it was a natural question. She was the academy’s dean.

No matter how recklessly she acted as a faculty member, in the end, she had more than enough reason to protect the students.

In short, there was a reason for her participation in the war.

But Astrid was different.

Could it be said that she, a dragon, had to intervene in human conflicts?

No.

Dragons have their own way of survival.

Though they are said to be extinct, their systems, existence, and civilization still remain scattered across the continent.

That’s why Noah asked.

Astrid didn’t necessarily have to participate in the war and antagonize the first Prince Louis. It could even be troublesome.

But Astrid’s response was clear.

“Nox… I have to save Nox…”

“As expected, that’s how it is?”

Noah poked Astrid’s side with a slightly mischievous expression. Astrid shook her head in annoyance.

At that moment.

Kuguguguu—!

With the sound of the ground shaking, countless demonic energies began to surge.

Uuuuuu….

The scene of demons rising from the underground, a calamity unfolding, left the two beings bewildered.

But what was most shocking was the immense,

corrupted mana that was awakening.

“…..At least two Grand Duke-level demons… no, three.”

At Noah’s words, Astrid let out a sigh.

“This has become troublesome.”

“Now we have to make a choice.”

At Noah’s words, Astrid nodded slightly.

If they didn’t act now, not only Nox but all the students would be in danger of dying. The faculty members too.

Furthermore, the entire central continent could be reduced to ruins.

But then, a voice stopped the two in their tracks.

— Not yet.

— ……Nox?

Astrid responded to her disciple’s short message with a puzzled expression.

Noah was the same.

— Not yet? Nox, you are sensitive to mana too, you must already know that Grand Duke-level demons are awakening? And not just one or two.

— I know. But it’s fine. Please wait. Securing Apollo comes first.

— ….

The two couldn’t respond.

Noah, who had experienced Nox’s decisive tone several times, and Astrid, who had witnessed his talent once.

The two couldn’t help but hope.

That Nox von Reinhaver had devised a new method to break through this situation and how efficient that method would be.

'But seizing it… is that really possible?’

It was a question that naturally arose.

Apollo was in the hands of the royal family.

Moreover, being such a crucial device, it would be heavily guarded by countless troops.

In such a situation, to defeat the first prince’s layered army and seize Apollo to their side?

'……Just reaching Apollo is an absurdly difficult task. But.’

There were no other clear options.

Even if the two mages, Noah and Astrid, went to help Nox, there was no guarantee they could perfectly resolve the situation.

After a moment of contemplation, the two finally nodded.

― If it takes too long, we’ll go to save you.

— If you fail to seize Apollo, there will be penalties, so keep that in mind.

The sign of permission.

As soon as it was given, Nox began to move.

The night was creeping in.

It was the time of demons.

But it also meant that Nox’s time was slowly approaching.

[Trait is activated.]

Along with the system sound, Nox von Reinhaver released a dark aura into the air amidst the thick darkness.

He then smiled at the demon blocking his path.

It was, of course, the smile of a victor who did not anticipate defeat.

**********

To put it simply, Apollo’s principle was quite straightforward.

It targets the most powerful mana-wielding entities one by one, rendering them incapacitated. This was the basic operating principle of this ancient weapon.

While it could be quite damaging to mages, in truth, it wasn’t as impactful to exceptional knights.

For example, even if just temporarily. The level of the Three Sword Emperors. It meant nothing to someone like me who could reach just below that level.

Facing Amon, one of the 72 demons, I declared.

That I would face him using only magic. There were two clear purposes for this. One, Amon was indeed vulnerable to magic.

Another one, to make the mechanical device Apollo target me.

'Apollo can be easily cut by a knight’s refined sword. I need to use this to my advantage.’

As I was thinking this.

Whoosh!

Amon suddenly leaped, claws extended towards me.

I watch his slanted, arrow-like attack to the very end before tilting my head back to evade it.

Without using [Genius’s Time], it would have been difficult to avoid, but not for me now.

I had been gradually pushing my limits by facing stronger foes. Moreover, I had one overwhelming advantage that others didn’t.

The habit of using [Genius’s Time] continuously had allowed me to watch and dodge enemy attacks until the very end.

This was, of course, an ability not easily acquired.

Isn’t it the central nervous system that reacts immediately to even the slightest twitch of an opponent?

But in this fleeting moment, I had perfectly adapted to that movement. It was nothing else. The skill that kept me alive. It was what propelled me forward.

Now, I should categorize it as my special ability, but anyway.

Reading an enemy’s attack until the very last moment and moving accordingly was not something easily done.

No matter how much innate talent one had, it ultimately required sensitivity to attacks and, paradoxically, calmness as well.

I had heard that to endure this series of processes and making the ability my own, it could take decades.

That I had this from the start might seem unfair to countless soldiers.

But what could I do?

I simply did my best with what I had in hand.

Amon bared his teeth and laughed.

[You little rat!]

“Yeah?”

I dodged several consecutive attacks before lightly touching the ground.

Then, a black mana rose from the ground, transforming into sharp spears that pushed back his attack. Amon spoke with annoyance.

[I heard you were a scion of the Reinhaver family… but to wield magic too, it’s surprising.]

“It’s not surprising as seeing a talking dog”

【……I’ll tear your mouth apart.]

He was simple.

Looking back, he wasn’t as strong as Paimon.

In terms of mana control, he couldn’t compare to alchemist Jagan, and in pure physical strength, he wasn’t particularly strong among the 72 demons.

He was strong.

But not overwhelmingly so.

At that moment, for some reason,

I couldn’t help but think arrogantly, thinking that this is fun.

How much had I grown since hunting Paimon in the past?

Remembering escaping from Jagan’s filthy water prison, wasn’t this situation trivial?

I knew.

I knew better than anyone where I stood now and how far I could go.

Unconsciously, I bit my lip lightly, watching the enemy ahead and whispered.

“If I turn you into a magic stone, Leon will have plenty to fight with for a while.”

[…?]

At my incomprehensible words, Amon was bewildered as I began to cast a spell towards him.

An unbearable chill spread, emitting a cold aura, forming a massive chain structure shrouded in darkness.

It was a massive ice prison. What I had prepared for him.

“It’s time for the dog to go home.”

Kwakwakwakwa—!

Massive ice walls began to rise.

A new message appeared the next moment.

[Short-term negative trait Cold Limbs Lv5 is applied to the player.]

'Cold Limbs in this situation… it’s still the world I know.’

I dismissed the thought of my hands losing sensation from the cold.

Instead, I briefly recalled Noah von Trinity’s teachings when I first acquired this skill. It was quite amusing, probably.

— Is there a reason you want to learn my magic, Nox?

— In this battle, I will need Dean Noah’s power. the first Prince will undoubtedly bring the ancient weapon Apollo here.

— Hmm.

— Leaving aside Master Astrid, I already know that Dean Noah won’t act as she pleases. the first Prince Louis is cunning. He’s not particularly intelligent, but he knows how to use his position to attack people. You’re likely one of his targets.

— That’s certainly problematic… Apollo. A direct hit could destroy a mage’s dantians in the worst case. It’s not a good match for me and Astrid…?

— That’s why I think I should be the one to finish this battle. I’ll do my best, so please help me. I need Dean Noah’s ice magic.

As she pondered, I continued.

— While Astrid-nim fire magic is also important, my conclusion is that I must first learn ice magic. It has the power to bind everyone, even if just for a brief moment.

— ……Alright. But I’m not good at teaching. Use your talent to cover for me.

It wasn’t particularly helpful…,

But in the end, it helped me grow, so it was a gain.

Astrid was an excellent teacher, so I wasn’t worried from the start.

[This is… Trinity, that damned woman’s……? How can a brat like you wield magic of this scale? You’re barely an adult by human standards!]

To that question, I could only respond.

As the massive ice prison rose and began to trap the bewildered demon, I felt a deep sense of pleasure and met his eyes.

When the lavender pupils calmly gazed at him, he would think. That he could still break free. If he just gathered a bit more strength

But here, I decided to bewilder him again.

Whoosh!

Hot flames bloomed in my hands.

This was Astrid’s.

My magic teacher, one of the Four Sages. The genius [Flame Mage].

[This……]

This can’t be.

Amon’s expression froze coldly as if thinking this.

But I simply watched with a calm smile. And finally answered his question.

“It’s talent.”

Everything, in the end, started from there.

At that moment, a sudden, massive vibration sound was heard.

Then, the ancient weapon Apollo began to precisely target me.

How amusing.

With a faint smile, I conjured even larger flames.

'It’s going as planned.’

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