Ascension Of The Failed Mage

Lord Denzel was revered for several reasons.

One was, of course, due to his great power and skill as a Mage. He was one of the few who could cast Tier 9 Magic—the highest attainable by man.

However, that wasn't all there was to the old man.

He was well renowned as a scholar before gaining such heights in Magic. Unlike his very close acquaintance who was naturally gifted with godlike talent, Denzel had to utilize his intellect to make it to his current status.

Thus, he understood the importance of the environment—among other things—in a confrontation between two Mages.

If a Water Mage was going to confront a person, such a Mage had to choose a location with much moisture. If an Earth Mage desired battle, he would have to choose a well-grounded region.

Mages generally required locations that suited their capabilities and affinities. Then... what about Denzel? How did this apply in the current situation?

As the murals of the walls—Runes that served various functions—glowed, and the Magic Items all around him activated, Denzel obeyed the principle of Magic Warfare he postulated.

"You're in my place of power, stranger..."

Denzel narrowed his eyes as he remained in his seat. In his current predicament, it was clear who had the advantage. In fact, everything was premeditated—designed to give him the ultimate edge and victory.

"... Now answer my question."

The man who identified himself as Noir Novo remained fixed in a single spot. Not only did he appear unfazed, but his apathy to address someone of Denzel's standing with common courtesy bothered the old man.

Only those with power were entitled to such right.

'We're both Tier 9. it's possible he's stronger. If he continues his suspicious behavior, I'll have to capture him.'

Questions could always be asked at a different time.

"You're just as shrewd as they say. Unfortunately for you, I have my reasons for coming here and approaching you. If you desire to know my true identity, you'll have to pry it out of m—"

>VWUUUSSSHHHH<

In a flash, multiple beams of energy flew in Noir's direction. Far quicker than one's eye could process, they pierced through the young man's body, sizzling through his flesh and curring through his bones.

Within moments, he was riddled with multiple holes.

"I can attack from anywhere. It would be better for you to simply cooperate... especially since I know exactly where you are!"

In a flash of Magic light, a silhouette appeared on the wall. The body of Noir riddled with holes turned into mist, and the real version clung to the side of the wall.

"You can't run. You can't hide."

Several rays of light flashed around the room, all converging Noir's direction.

"Tch."

Their speed made them very impossible to evade, so Noit had to enhance himself with multiple Code effects. Even then, he was barely able to dodge them all.

Denzel watched all of this with keen interest, smiling as the young man displayed his physical prowess. Even as a Tier 9 Mage, he doubted he could move so nimbly.

'Perhaps it comes with old age?' As the Archmage thought this, he noticed Noir steadily approach him while still evading the constant blasts. With every ray he evaded, the blast would be sent flying to hit the wall, ceiling, or ground.

Fortunately, they were thoroughly enhanced, thus improving their durability.

'Even a Tier 9 Spell wouldn't be enough to destroy it.' Denzel grinned.

Still, he wondered why the young man utilized no other Magic ability other than enhancing himself. Plus, why wasn't he using higher-Tier Spells?

'Why don't I kick it up a notch?'

>VWUUUUUMMMM<

Several blades of light suddenly manifested in the room—each possessing so much condensed Mana that they would easily wipe out an army.

"[Light Blades Of Judgement]." The glow around them was silver—indicating Tier 8 Magic Spells.

"I do not need to expend my Mana, considering this entire place has been stocked with much energy. I simply need to activate the Spell sequence."

The several light blades—all suspended in the air—now tilted in Noir's direction. Their edges seemed deadly, and their numbers terrifying. All that restrained them... was Denzel's command.

"Let's see you get out of this."

>WHOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHHHH<

Now surrounded by a barrage of inescapable Spells, Noir had to make a move—and he did.

"[Dome of Darkness]"

A dark curtain shrouded Noir, encasing in a shell of pitch-black blackness.

>CHINGDINGCHINGCLANGDANGCLANG<

The blades—each packing enough energy to cause the whole room to tremble—were deflected by the dark dome. Each impact sent wind pressure flying around the room until even Denzel decided to stop the fruitless endeavor.

Rather, it was much better to focus his attention on a single point.

"[Grand Luminous Arrow Of Judgement]"

It was a bit ambitious of him, but... Denzel decided to utilize one of his most destructive and inescapable Spells—one guaranteed to hit his opponent.

Light particles—including the remaining blades that remained unused—gathered in a single location and began forming something akin to a scepter. The scepter swiftly took a thinner form, and became an arrow.

The arrow of light, filled with almost unbelievable energy... was radiating golden light.

It was Tier 9!

"I'll have to use the runes and defensive Magic Items around to contain the blast, but..." Denzel smiled, wondering what other thing the young man would show him.

"... Let's see how you fare."

>WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<

It appeared as though space warped when the arrow spun and made its way toward its target. It was too fast for even Denzel to perceive, but he was able to quickly erect his strongest barriers to protect himself, his books, and his more fragile properties, from harm.

If the barrier wasn't present, the archmage feared the outcome.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<

As usual, Denzel was correct.

Even with the defenses he put in place, Denzel could feel the enormous impact of his Spell. His body shook and his bones were rattled.

Even the caster of the Spell knew just the amount of destruction he would have wrought if such a thing was allowed free reign. As a result, he was able to witness the compartmentalized arrow's blast completely pierce and eviscerate the target.

"Why didn't you offer another defense? Don't tell me I killed you already..." The old man finally left his seat by allowing the wind underneath him to raise his body.

Levitating in the air, he allowed himself to draw closer to the quarantined site of destruction, observantly staring at the remains.

"He's... not here...?"

There were two options that popped into Denzel's mind.

One was that the mysterious man was completely destroyed by the attack—and that was totally reasonable and plausible. Noir's barrier had already been sustaining damage when Denzel's blades were attacking. There was no way they could have withstood his strongest possible attack in such conditions.

Even though this was his place of power, it was still plenty restrictive fighting indoors.

Still, Denzel found it unconvincing that someone of Noir's caliber couldn't have cast a corresponding defensive Spell that would—at the very least—soften the blow of his attack.

'Maybe he was out of Mana? Casting a Tier 9, and then a Tier 8 Spell within such a short interval can be draining. He must have had a very limited Mana Pool...'

There were five Mages who had attained Tier 9 in the Empire, yet only he and his friend could use them properly and conveniently. The major reason was because of their Mana Pool restriction—though there were a few other factors.

Even he—Archmage of the Magic Institute—couldn't use more than two Tier 9 Magic Spells in a row. As for his trump card... he could only ever use it once.

'That's why a place of power is important. I've hardly expended any Mana since we began our match.' Denzel carefully watched the sizzling ground, yet there was still no sign of Noi Novo. Was he really destroyed?

Well, there was a second option.

'He escaped?' The old Archmage wondered.

But that was even more implausible than his first hypothesis.

'The Runes around prevent teleportation Magic, and even Tier 9 Teleportation will be delayed before it can be used. Besides, if he bypassed the Runes, I would have been informed.'

​ His [Grand Luminous Arrow Of Judgement] was impossible to evade. Even his friend who was far stronger and more skilled at using Magic had to comment on how he would rather face the Spell head-on, rather than avoid it.

As such, if Noir was unable to teleport away, and he was nowhere to be seen, then... he had to be dead.

"Such a shame. I would have liked to know more about yo—"

"It's not too late."

Noir's chilling tone caused Denzel's eyes to widen in shock. His body nearly jumped and he felt a strong chill behind him.

'What is this? Bloodlust?!' Denzel's gaze tilted behind him, only to see Noir there.

His hand was coated in dark energy, and judging by his speed, Denzel realized he didn't even have enough time to think or wonder how the young man was able to do the impossible. If he didn't act fast, he wouldn't ever have the chance to think any longer.

Which was why...

"... [Magic Territory]"