318th Chapter
“As expected, it’s you, Vargan. You noticed right away, didn’t you?”
Helion, who manifested a unique spell for the first time, smiled faintly.
Currently, Vargan had realized the effect of the transparent barrier trapping him and Helion, preventing anyone else from entering or exiting the arena.
“You’ve managed to create such a dreadful magic, haven’t you? Have you gone through a trial or something?”
“I created this spell while pondering how to inflict the most lethal effect on you, Vargan. With this level of restraint, I certainly had to face some trials myself.”
“I’d like to get out of here as quickly as possible, but… it seems that won’t happen.”
Vargan tried to infuse curse energy into his mana with the movement of his fingertips, but he failed.
This wasn’t a spell that sealed away magic. The power of the entrenched Howlisk remained intact.
However, a crucial difference occurred; all activated curse magic was forcibly unraveled.
Moreover, any attempt to cast new curse magic scattered like smoke.
‘The development changed, and the type of the last unique spell created by Helion has also changed. It’s now a spell aimed solely at hunting me down.’
Inability to use curse magic.
Control of mana circulation.
Absorption of mana.
With these three conditions, Helion firmly grasped the initiative of the game.
“The strength of Vargan lies in being the most mana-rich human among the current population. Utilizing that advantage, I made the first unique spell that alters common sense and several incredibly powerful spells.”
“…….”
“But you know what? Strengths can also be weaknesses at the same time.”
“…So you cut off my hands and feet by sealing my curse magic and disrupting the flow of mana.”
“Haha. Exactly. Just a moment ago, I saw your second unique spell was also a curse. You were lucky this time.”
Just as Vargan understood Helion well, Helion understood Vargan just as thoroughly.
‘The dream of the butterfly has disappeared, and in this situation, I can’t use Ouroboros either.’
Vargan lost the two powerful cards he held.
On the other hand, Helion was not only cloaked in his unique spell ‘Dominate,’ but also ‘Strength’ and ‘Purification.’
Moreover, he was even stealing mana, so the future battle was sure to flow in Helion’s favor.
“Then shall we begin the second round?”
Swish—!
In an instant, Helion’s figure vanished.
Leon’s Figure.
As he regained his senses, there he was right in front of him. A split-second moment. Vargan heightened his sensitivity to mana to read his moves.
“Stabbing me with the Purification Sword. Knowing that pure magic vanishes under Haulisk’s power, yet still repeating such folly?”
…No, that can’t be.
His opponent is Helion.
Zukaagak—!
Sword aimed at Vargan’s heart. Instead of vanishing, it exploded massively upon contact with Vargan’s skin.
“As expected. It’s surrounded by Holy Light on the outside, but the blade is created from elemental magic within. In such a short time, you’ve pinpointed Haulisk’s weakness…!”
The blade narrowly missed his heart.
Vargan twisted his body, targeting Helion’s flank. A powerful side kick from his enhanced physique. Both were sent flying back, creating a shockwave.
Helion landed and spoke.
“Indeed, Vargan, you’re impressive. It must be difficult to manage mana flow, yet you changed your familiar at that moment.”
“…Familiar uses less mana, you see.”
“Still, the one you’re using is a dual-fusion entity like before, right?”
He seemed to see straight through Vargan’s condition.
Two fused creatures, Darkie and Strongbone, are physically formidable.
“Haha. Speaking of which, it really feels like I’m up against Altife right now!”
Vargan’s right shoulder was torn and swinging loosely.
Muscle bundles were tangled in a mess. Thanks to Strongbone’s capabilities, his bones weren’t an issue, but the blood loss was significant.
“So, shall we continue?”
Once again, Helion vanished from his line of sight.
Vargan had to endure an unrelenting barrage from him.
Gradually increasing wounds. With mana flow restricted, recovery wasn’t easy.
In contrast, Helion showcased his skills.
Raging while wielding a sword and shield wrapped in Holy Light.
Kwaaaang—!
Attempting to fire off the highly compressed Magic Cannon that had previously injured Helion, but its power diminished.
This level wouldn’t deal him any critical damage.
—Magic Cannon… Should I show you something similar? I’ve never seen such a large quantity of mana as you, Vargan, so I’ll just mimic it.
In the midst of battle. As Helion’s words echoed in his head, a dazzling shimmer flashed around him, blinding him.
It was as beautiful as sunlight reflecting off water, but one shouldn’t be deceived by appearances.
The countless needles of light crowded in the air could land lethal blows.
Normally, Helion wouldn’t use such magic, but with his Unique Spell absorbing Vargan’s mana, it was more than enough.
—It might sting a bit.
Chwajajajak—!
The piercing needles of light rained down from every direction.
They came down like a heavy seasonal rain.
Vargan expanded the radius of his familiar, creating a barrier.
However, even that was pierced through like wet paper by the overwhelming power.
In the end, he called forth Taesan to shield himself.
“Wow. Seeing how you took all that damage and your familiar is still alive, your body must be quite sturdy!”
“…”
Taesan had countless holes all over his body.
He didn’t take care of himself, trying to protect Vargan.
“…Helion, you’d do well to keep that mouth shut from now on.”
“It’s getting serious.”
Taesan’s condition isn’t looking good. If he takes another hit like that, he’s definitely a goner.
Vargan, facing off against Helion, furrowed his brow for the first time. Purple mana was slowly leaking from Vargan’s ragged body.
“So, you’re finally thinking of using Gamigin’s powers… I was wondering when you would.”
Helion poured more mana into the Judgment Weapon he was wielding.
Gamigin’s power is the ability to erase memories. It’s not exactly easy to deal with.
Plus, I heard Vargan can unleash a shockwave alongside that power, dealing massive damage all at once.
So there’s no time to waste. The best bet is to finish this in one go.
Whoooosh—
Helion gathered mana from the Root.
Even though he was already getting more than enough from Vargan, he positioned himself for his “strongest blow.”
“I’m sorry, Vargan. I would have liked to go longer, but I can’t deal with that power for too long.”
Vargan had one misunderstanding.
Helion’s final Unique Spell shown in the original work. It wasn’t that Helion had given up the power called the Maximum Secret Technique to study a spell to catch Vargan.
In these four years, Helion faced only two trials.
He had found a countermeasure against Vargan after already obtaining the Maximum Secret Technique.
Ziizzz—
The sword Helion held. The form of purification transformed.
The end became sharper and the blade lengthened.
The radiance it emitted was painfully blinding.
“The sins of a disciple are the sins of a master. It’s the master’s role to conclude a disciple’s tragedy after crossing an irreversible river.”
Swish—!
Helion dashed forward.
His speed left no afterimages, surpassing the speed of sound.
The tip of his sword was aimed solely at Vargan’s heart. The life of his once-proud first disciple.
In response, Vargan moved his purple mana and original mana as well. His eyes locked onto Helion without missing a beat. He clung on persistently.
The two clashed again.
They unleashed all their strength.
Helion’s fifth Unique Spell.
Holy Fire.
The secret weapon of Hero Helion illuminated the world with its great power to sever evil.
*
“Vargan, student. I have one last question for you.”
“…Go ahead.”
“What is it that you ultimately want?”
“…That’s rather out of place as a question.”
“Is it? I’ve been curious for a while. Just what is it that you aim to achieve? Why choose this method… I thought we were similar, but then I see the differences.”
“I’m not devoid of emotion like you, Helion. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat me the same.”
“It’s just my nature; can’t help it. Even when trying to study, I can hardly grasp empathy.”
“…Well, lacking emotions does mean being more rational, so I see that positively.”
“Wow… to hear Vargan say that to me. I guess four years really wasn’t such a short time after all?”
“…Indeed. It certainly wasn’t short.”
*Cough—.*
Blood pooled at the corners of Vargan’s mouth. He wore a feeble smile, lacking the usual arrogance and strength.
“Did you have good meals at the Goddess Church?”
“I received much more than what I would have earned working for Yggdrasil.”
“Wow, so you’re rich then.”
“I was already rich.”
“Oh, so that’s what they mean when they say ‘how unfortunate.’ I totally understand now.”
“Don’t pretend to understand. There’s no way Helion can feel human emotions.”
“…Do I really have to hear that from the Goddess Church filled with monsters?”
Helion smiled faintly.
Looking at Vargan, he continued to speak.
“In the end… you intentionally didn’t use Gamigin’s power, right?”
“……”
“Even if you pretend otherwise, it seems you wanted to have one last conversation with your master.”
“That’s absolutely not the case.”
“Hahaha.”
Crackle—.
Like a faulty old television screen, Helion’s appearance flickered.
He looked as if he was about to disappear, and he glanced down at his own body.
“I never anticipated this move. Is this the secret of Student Vargan?”
“…I suppose you could say that.”
“Truly impressive. A unique spell that mixes two schools of magic—this is the first time I’ve heard of and seen it. How on earth did you come up with something like this? Even if you did, it must have taken an immense amount of time.”
“…I had an opportunity to immerse myself solely in the technique without being bound by time.”
Vargan reminisced about the time he spent in Schugenharz’s past.
One year spent with Beled in the cabin. The unprecedented technique he conceptualized back then was perfected by exchanging the remaining life he had after capturing Ipos in the past.
“Really… it must have been tough.”
Crack. Snap—.
The unique spell enveloping Vargan and Helion began to dissolve.
In the center, Helion, who lay weakened, gazed at Vargan standing beside him with blurry vision.
“Congratulations. You’ve won against me.”
“……”
“Aren’t you happy about it?”
“…It’s not something to be joyful about.”
“Well… I’m called a hero, you know. …But, whatever. Let’s return to the first question.”
“……”
“What is it that you ultimately want to achieve, Student Vargan?”
“……”
“I think I fully understand what you’re aiming for now. But what comes after that? I feel that from what I’ve seen of you, you would never be satisfied. What are you thinking?”
Vargan, questioned by Helion, kept his mouth shut for a moment before slowly opening it.
They had merely a few seconds left together.
Instead of a farewell, Vargan revealed a desire he had never shared with anyone.
Upon hearing the answer, Helion’s eyes widened in surprise, and then he smiled genuinely, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“I hope your wish comes true.”
Crackle—. Zzt.
And just like that, Helion vanished.
Left in the midst of war was Vargan.
Alone.
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