Chapter 49

049.

Grand Mage.

This is the title given to beings now known to exist only in three individuals in the world.

Even though they are exceedingly rare simply by existing, inevitably, among them, there are those well-known to commoners.

The once fallen, yet resurrection-seeking, ancient noble family Blamia is precisely that person.

But even so, when we say “famous,” it is only the title “Grand Mage” that the people are familiar with.

Few know the name or appearance of Blameya Dranu.

As an existing Grand Mage.

The one who engages in worldly affairs and activities is none other than he.

Excluding Blamia, one of the other two solely immerses himself in a single place, researching magic,

while another’s whereabouts remain altogether unknown.

These are the Grand Mages known in the world today.

Despite such grand beings existing, it still explains why the royal family or the four great families reign.

However, is there truly no such thing as absolute?

The world is built by people, but at the same time, the world keeps trying to hide something from people.

“Hmm, how troubling.”

The very existence of Austio Tide, one of the Grand Mages known to have unclear whereabouts, is one of those things.

At the time when Kalen and Sinat shared unforgettable memories in their hearts.

If you remember the person who somehow managed to hold onto Kalen’s heart that had turned black,

it was during the heyday of the three Grand Mages.

Even those who knew them back then have forgotten now.

Austio Tide, once acclaimed as a master of manufacturing attribute magic, shook his head as if troubled.

“Old man, why do you have to cause trouble just when it’s time for you to go? Can’t you just quietly pass away?”

Austio glanced at the figure of the girl lying on the bed and scolded the elder behind him.

The elder with the long white beard, Blamia, had utterly sunken eyes.

Hence, there was no returning reply.

Blamia merely took in the sight of the girl.

He had no spare room for other words or thoughts.

Watching his empty gaze, Austio clucked his tongue once again.

“Tch. Every time I get involved in your affairs, it just feels like I grow more powerless. I miss the days when I was praised for reviving the dead.”

Though his tone was filled with displeasure,

the look he gave the girl was not much different from Blamia’s.

Why wouldn’t it be?

Blamia who cherishes his granddaughter Sinat immensely—no one knows this better than Austio.

Already hours have passed with various examinations and treatments,

but still, Sinat shows no sign of waking.

No, it wouldn’t be accurate to say she could.

“Boy.”

“…Yes.”

“It seems your master isn’t in his right mind, so this falls to you.”

Austio was scribbling something down on a scroll he had laid out extensively.

“I can’t fix this.”

Hearing those words, akin to a verdict,

Kalen felt his strength drain from him, almost collapsing on the spot.

These were the words of the person Blamia trusted most, believed to be the best in the world at healing ailments.

Kalen regularly received medicine from Austio, managing to alleviate the severe chest pain.

How could he doubt Austio’s words?

“It’s the same as when I fixed your heart. This is far beyond what any human can handle.”

Kalen reconsidered his thoughts.

Calling it a “disease” was a misnomer.

After all, by the definition of “disease”…

Eliana.

At the very least, a state as extreme as Eliana’s mana overload should suffice, wouldn’t it?

Of course, that is also rather excessive to be called a disease, but

compared to the symptoms Sinat displays, it’s a much more comprehensible standard.

Kalen silently turned his gaze back to Sinat lying on the bed.

Squeak – Squeak –

Her labored breathing, making each breath sound painful, tore through his ears like a blade.

It can’t be helped.

Sinat’s elemental spirit had forewarned of “danger”.

Though no one could have predicted that it would manifest in this form, even knowing beforehand did not prevent this outcome.

Sinat’s body appeared to be covered in markings that resembled chains.

They seemed to start at her wrists, enveloping her left arm,

then spreading across her entire body,

even creeping towards her lower half and face.

With each setting and rising of the sun, their reach expands a little further.

Sinat’s condition worsened accordingly, drastically different from when she had first been found collapsed on the floor.

Despite having been warned ahead of time, a sense of guilt for failing to act weighed heavily on his body and clouded his mind.

To be truthful, there was some unfairness from Kalen’s perspective as well.

Although the warning of danger was given, it wasn’t heeded properly.

Even when he managed to piece it together himself, reaching the point of pondering a connection between the elemental spirit he had once encountered alone,

he only anticipated the monster’s return.

None could have foreseen or experienced this form of attack.

Yet, Kalen couldn’t help but feel guilty,

as that emotion was entirely wrapped up in the conclusion that Sinat was in pain.

“…I’m not sure how effective it will be, but I’ll give you something similar to the medicine I gave you earlier. Have her take it daily.”

“Understood…”

“I’ll stay here to observe her condition for a while.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Austio waved his arm to change the heavy air in the room, caused by the sorrowful feelings emitted by his old friend Blamia

and the distressed atmosphere Kalen struggled to hide, then left the room.

The room thus filled with a suffocating silence.

“…Boy.”

Kalen who was searching for the right words to console Blamia was a little startled.

He didn’t expect Blamia to initiate the conversation.

“Is it because of me?”

Kalen hesitated in his response,

realizing that the question was not directed at him.

Blamia’s utterly sunken eyes never left Sinat, lying in agony on the bed.

Kalen chose his words carefully and replied gently.

“No, Master.”

Whether one should automatically console someone lost in grief is a subject worth reflecting upon.

However, the closer that person is to you,

the more intertwined the relationship, can you really refrain from offering solace?

A single word can

push someone off a cliff,

or pull them back up.

“Sinat didn’t push herself to this state.”

Blamia, to Kalen, was more than just a benefactor.

A family who taught him the ways of life and the warmth in this world.

Kalen now fully understands this reality, leaving him no choice but to offer words of comfort.

Moreover, Kalen believed the statement wasn’t false.

It was clear Sinat had been overworking herself.

The warning from the elemental spirit occurred during that period.

If overworking was the cause of this situation,

there wouldn’t be a compelling reason for the elemental spirit to directly warn.

Caldryu, Sinat’s elemental spirit, accompanied her in her attempt to reach the third rank.

If it wished to prevent this, it would have stopped her efforts towards the third rank long before.

Kalen had decided just that.

Not only to console Blamia,

but Kalen himself needed to believe it.

If he did not, considering how even Austio was unable to act,

and the bizarre phenomenon that rendered all of Blamia’s efforts useless before Austio’s arrival,

fear would take over.

In the room now occupied solely by Kalen and Sinat,

Kalen gazed out at the fading sunset.

This was a reminiscent sight.

The crimson hues on the ridge Sinat loved the most.

Having witnessed that smile,

how could he ever forget?

Slowly moving to the bedside where Sinat lay, Kalen knelt down,

and gently held her right hand, the one still free from the creeping marks eroding her body beneath the covers.

It would be nice if Sinat’s elemental spirit could manifest here, though it’s somewhat regretful that it hasn’t.

In a tight grip on Sinat’s hand, Kalen made a vow.

Since she had filled so much into his once empty life,

emptying everything he now holds, he would still save her.

The family who took him in from a deserted road, empty-handed,

such was the heart of the boy for the girl.

“Hooooh…”

The grating sound

felt like nails scraping the brain.

From that sound echoing in the space,

a girl was trembling, bound by chains of a similar dark color,

in a pitch-black space.

Perhaps due to overexertion, her vision had faded and she had collapsed.

When she woke up, she found herself bound in this place.

The girl liked the darker colors,

because she thought it suited the boy in her heart the most.

But even so, such a pitch-black hue was undesirable.

There should always be limits to the darkness.

This had gone far beyond them.

To be tied up in such a terrible place, it’s almost miraculous she hasn’t gone mad.

Time itself is lost in the pitch blackness.

There’s no telling how long Sinat has been trapped here.

The terrifying blackness that steals even the sense of time,

is enough to make one tremble with fear.

When opening her eyes slightly, all one sees is a monstrous entity glaring at her.

That very same monster.

The same creature that had sealed her fate in love for Kalen.

She only wept continuously.

Even though it does nothing but stare at her,

there’s no reason for that not to be terrifying.

The only reason she has managed to endure so far,

has been because of one boy.

“Kalen…”

Sinat turned her gaze away from the monster with effort and

whispered the name of the boy that rose fervently within her.

The monster’s laughter grew louder, mocking her fervent desires.