-Chapter Fifty-One-

A New Future - Part One

The procedure of destroying one’s Mana Rings in order to reconstruct them into Mana Chains had been given the name the ‘Mills Principle’, named after the famous scientist and inventor J. Mills. Mills was a man who revolutionised the world for the newer generation. When Saints arrived on the Sacred Continent, it took years for them to integrate the power of Mana into their science. At the forefront of this scientific but also heavily political revolution was the famous J. Mills.

He worked with an anonymous identity to develop the concept of Mana chains, and then himself invested into developing machinery that could achieve that concept.

As Aelius undertook the Mills’ Procedure, he fell into a subconscious state. Unaware of the time outside, incapable of cognitive, conscious thought, all he was capable of was carrying out a single line of commands his brain had retained:

Breakdown the Rings. Reconstruct the Chains. Repeat, repeat.

A tiresome cycle that felt like it would last for an entire lifetime.

Finally, as months passed, he constructed his second Mana Chain. He had restored his Mana Core’s former state. His original two Mana Rings had been entirely replaced now by two Mana Chains.

However, he felt like he could instinctively continue. He could keep going.

The power that could be displayed by a single Mana Chain differed to Mana Rings significantly. In no means were two Mana Chains equal to two Mana Rings.

Mana Rings require a person to actively gather Mana from their surroundings and piece together their Ring component by component.

With Mana Chains, using Mana itself was enough to cause it to grow. The more the user fights, the more the user battles, the more naturally will they grow stronger.

Aelius was riding the wave as much as he could. Though he was not engaging in combat, he was constructing his third Mana Chain, and then his fourth Mana Chain, in the traditional way the same as he would with Mana Rings - by gathering Mana and condensing it.

He almost completed the Fourth Ring when suddenly, he was jolted out of the Mills’ Procedure. A ‘zing’ shot through his brain and his eyes shot open.

For the first time in six months, he was looking up at an ominous drill spike hanging down from the ceiling.

The ‘zing’ he had felt, he recognised straight away as his brain immediately reawakened from its sedated state.

Just as he had given Alea a hairclip, he had constructed a new and improved necklace for Aria. It had intense defensive properties built in, and would transmit her location to him should the barrier be expelled.

And that intense, powerful defensive spell he had imbued into the necklace, had been shattered in an instant.

Without hesitation, Aelius gathered his Mana. It shot from the room around him into his Mana Core, and distributed through his body at the same speed his neuroelectrical nervous signals did.

Activating Skill

「Reawakened One」

The User’s Mana Chain count triples

With the magical power of Reawakened One, in one single breath, the power Aelius was capable of displaying jumped from the Fourth Tier to the Twelfth Tier.

In this very moment, his Mana had surpassed human limits. It had surpassed the limits of this world.

Without even needing to chant, his body dissipated into a flash of light. Every molecule, every cell, every atom that formed his being broke down into particles and shot at the speed of light across the planet, closing in on his destination quicker than the blink of an eye.

Would it be far-fetched to say he was now in the domain of godhood?

It was not a question on his mind. Aria was in danger, and he was not going to allow history to repeat itself.

That was his sole focus.

—-----------------------

Subduing the leader of the Forbidden Order was like childsplay.

Even though the leader of the Order was a man at the legendary Ninth Tier, meaning he had enough power to take down an entire army and city, Aelius was not only well familiar with such powers from his past life as a Ninth Tier swordsman, he himself was now capable of exerting power at the Twelfth Tier.

He already had years of experience. It was far from a newly gained and unstable power.

Without even needing to flex his muscles, he stopped the Forbidden Leader’s Mana-augmented attack.

Mana augmentation was a common technique to enhance a body part of a weapon with Mana before unleashing an attack. The higher the tier of the user’s Mana when they augment, the more destructive that attack will be.

The Forbidden Leader was at the Ninth Tier, so his augmented attack would be difficult for an Eighth Tier to block.

Naturally, Aelius easily stopped the Forbidden Leader’s attack with his own augment, before contemplating what to do with him. Augmentation, at times, takes months to master.

However, Aelius had reached the peak of the Ninth Tier in his past life already, so in this life, he already had all the instinctive memory and experience that carried over.

First, Aelius considered killing him on the spot. But what would that achieve? Ninth Tier mages are valuable to the human race in the war against the Devils. The more allies Aelius has at his side, the higher the chance of everyone surviving together.

But for some reason, the Leader of the Forbidden Order was playing the role of a delusional king, pursuing a stupid dream irrelevant to the fate of the world.

Drunk on power.

Aelius suddenly recalled times of his past life. A time when he attacked the Forbidden Order in search of vengeance for Violet’s death, but ended up failing miserably and being imprisoned in their head-base for a time.

At that time, he didn’t think much of it, but one of the adjacent cells had bones that appeared to belong to a Dragon in it. It didn’t leave a strong impression because he was half dead at the time, being dragged down the corridors. He only recalls catching a glimpse of the remains.

Now it all made sense.

So how should Aelius deal with the dilemma before him?

He glanced over his shoulder at Aria, who would have died if Aelius had arrived only a second later.

The man before him had his priorities completely wrong. He found a blossoming magic talent, and thought he should kill it instead of nurture it. He sought only to protect his own position.

Aria had achieved an incredible feat for her age, and the only thing the Forbidden Leader thought was that he must smother this flame.

Maybe it’s not that the Forbidden Leader does not care about the war between humans and Devils. Maybe, he just wasn’t aware of it at all.

Activating the Skill 「Liberated Eyes of Truth」

Enhance the psychic powers of the Dragon Eyes

Tap into the intangible, penetrate the psyche.

What Aelius was attempting was something he hadn’t considered until he refined his Mana Chains, but he always wondered how Aria was able to regain a portion of her memories from the future.

From what he questioned her, she only remembered up to Baron Fedaul casting the curse on her. After that, the rest of her memories were stolen by Aelius when he used Phoenix’s Love to heal her.

But if it is possible to impart memories of the future into someone… Still, Aelius wasn’t sure if this process was dangerous or not.

Thankfully, he had a guinea pig right in front of him to experiment on.

As he theorised, as soon as Aelius’ golden eyes activated, the Forbidden Leader immediately dropped to the ground, falling into a dream state.

Aelius looked down at the man, unsure of how he felt about this, knowing another man was going to experience his own anguish. But there was no point to dwell on it, and there were more important things that required his attention.

He felt a genuine smile warm up on his face and back around, meeting Aria’s dim golden eyes.

“Hey precious. Sorry I’m so late.”

—-----------------------

“Aelius…” Aria felt tears sting at the corner of her eyes as she pushed herself to her feet and stumbled forward.

All of the life threatening fear from a moment ago disappeared like it had never been there, and she tumbled into his outstretched arms, feeling his warmth engulf her.

“Aelius… you really were so late, you fool.” She stifled a sniffle, and looked up at his apologetic eyes.

“Yeah, I got held up,” he dejectedly acknowledged, pulling away and reaching up to caress her cheek with hand softly. “You’ve improved so much. I’m proud of you.”

“Ah… it was gruelling.” She softly smiled back at him. “Somehow, you’ve gotten even stronger as well.”

“Well, sort of. This power comes with a cost-”

“Ahem…” the couple heard a cough and both of their heads whipped to see the Aerianne Archduke clutching his gut, leaned up against a decimated tree trunk.

“I’m sorry you two, but I’m not sure if I’ve got much longer left,” he remarked.

“Father!” Aria pulled away and came skidding to a stop on her knees at his side. Tentatively, she removed his hand to inspect the hole in his stomach.

“It’s fatal if we don’t treat you. It’s already a miracle you didn’t die instantly.”

“Well… Aelius appeared out of thin air and caught me. He absorbed most of the impact and momentum.” The Archduke looked to the teenager and then back down the craters in the trees. “Most of that was him trying to bring me to a safe stop. Unfortunately, my injury was already inflicted by that point.”

“Oh thank the Goddess,” Aria sighed in relief “Thank you, Aelius. I have to get my Father to grandmother straight away.” She pursed her lips, looking to Aelius unsurely for his approval.

He gave her an encouraging nod upon their eyes meeting.

“You can leave front-door security to me, don’t worry and safely head back in for now.”

Aria answered with her own nod before casting levitation magic on her father and conjuring him back toward the village entrance.

Just before she stepped in, she looked over her shoulder past Aelius and called out.

“Brian! Come on!”

The boy named Brian was clearly in shock, hyperventiliting as he rested on the ground. But upon hearing his name, he looked to Aria.

“Brian!”

“C-coming…” The boy scampered to his feet and ran back to her, nervously looking over his shoulder back to Aelius and the Forbidden Order, before the three of them disappeared back into the village.

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Finally left to his own devices, Aelius turned back to the Forbidden Order, wearing an impatient frown.

“Now-”

“Ohhh- ahhh!” the Forbidden Leader cried out in anguish, interrupting Aelius. The man began to cry and wriggle, his voice embodying the sense of an unimaginable pain.

Was it pain from the memory transference, or was it all of Aelius’ grief, compounding into mere seconds within this man’s psyche?

“Right…” the teenager sighed, approaching the leader when a hooded figure jumped in front of him with her arms sprawled out to her sides.

“What have you done to him!? Please, I beg of you! Spare his life!” she pleaded with him with no regard for her own safety.

For a long moment, Aelius stared at her blankly, wondering to himself whether she was actually aware he could kill her with a flick of his finger or not, until he ultimately sighed again.

Even a man such as this has loyalty in his subordinates, Aelius supposed.

“Move out the way. I’m not gonna kill him.”

He pushed his way past her, crossing his arms as he looked over the grown man floundering in pain, clutching his temple.

After inspecting him, Aelius was unable to find a way to aid the man, and could only lean back with his arms crossed.

The Forbidden Leader continued for some time longer until finally, he snapped out of it.

“Ahhh-!”

The man’s eyes snapped open and his pupils refocused, seeing Aelius’ face.

At that moment, the two merely exchanged gazes as the man struggled to catch his breath, until finally his underling broke the silence by rushing to his side to help him sit up right.

“Master! Are you okay?”

“Ugh…” the man groaned in pain, his face revealed under his hood. “Y-your name is…?” he looked up tentatively.

“Aelius,” the teenager coldly answered.

“What you showed me… was it an illusion?” the man asked with wide eyes, fearing Aelius’ response.

“What do you think? I’m certain you already know the answer to your question.”

“Oh Goddess…” the man looked back down, looking to his hand. “I-I… I can’t process it all right now.”

“That’s okay. I just need you to answer some questions for me.” Sternly, Aelius crossed his arms and bent down, meeting the leader of the Forbidden Order’s eyes.

“The Heir of Mana. Why were you trying to kill her?”

The Forbidden Leader’s face twisted into a perplexed frown as he looked back down.

“Kill the Heir of Mana? What preposterous… I never put out such an order…”

Aelius could hear the genuine tone of perplexion in the man’s voice.

“Okay… well, who was it that put a Prophet mark on the Heir of Mana’s grandmother then?”

“That I indeed did see to but… at no point was any killing meant to be involved.”

“Well, either you’re lying or you have some very naughty subordinates.” Aelius leaned back, unimpressed.

“That… the team was never mine. All I did was provide information on where they would be. The Black Ghosts were supposed to handle the rest.”

Aelius frowned.

“The Black Ghosts…? You’ve joined hands with them?” he asked in surprise.

“Yes. They were the ones who wanted the Heir of Mana for whatever reason. I merely was also interested in what they could achieve with her power, so I lent some assistance. But I have no further involvement.”

Aelius looked at him with disapproval.

“Then I’m guessing you weren’t the ones who poisoned her with the Devils Poison either?” Aelius confirmed.

“No such thing, we’ve never even had direct contact, except for marking the Eighth Tier Mage…”

“Well… okay…” Aelius doubtfully narrowed his eyes.

“All this time,” the man spluttered harshly, clutching his chest and temple. “All this time I…” The man’s words fell away as he looked down at the ground.

“Ignorance is a sin.”

The Forbidden Leader was a man who led his entire life on but a small stage. There was a whole other world out there, and anything he sought to accomplish, in the end, was all for naught in the face of the Devils’ agenda.

Come to think of it, there was a time when Aelius felt the same hopelessness. What was the meaning behind everything, if certain doom awaited him? What justified all the pain he felt? What justified him driving himself to damn near insanity, when faced with an unavoidable fate of destruction?

In fact, he didn’t know for what purpose he was even moving, at this very moment. It was only a shred of hope that kept him going, but he can’t tell if he’s deluding himself or not.

Suddenly, Aelius felt his mood dampen, at that thought.

Sighing broodingly, the teenager turned away from the man.

“What matters is what you do from here on out, now that you know the truth.”

“What I do here on out…?” the man muttered.

“Do you know where the Devil’s Poison came from?” Aelius asked, looking over his shoulder at the Forbidden Leader, who shook his head

.

“I know not the nature of such poison.”

“It’s called the Devil’s poison, and it’s also a method of warfare employed by the Devils.”

The Forbidden Leader’s brow furrowed as he connected the dots.

“If that is so… how could the Black Ghosts possibly have inflicted the Ruler of Mana with it? Unless… they are an organisation of Devils?”

“That’s one way of putting it. No, it’s more accurate to say that they’ve switched sides, and not just them. You probably know. Numerous nations, including their Nobles. Anyone with power is most likely fallen for their temptations and lies. Even yourself, potentially,” Aelius narrowed his eyes in distrust at the man.

As the leader of the Forbidden Order, how is possible he still has not been inducted into the Devils’ lies and schemes?

“Do you really intend to stand up against them?” the man asked quietly. “Even at the Ninth Tier, I am one of humanity’s strongest currently, and I am unable to kill a Devil if I meet one.”

Aelius’ eyes narrowed.

“I would have expected them to contact you by now. The forces of the Forbidden Order must be too tempting for them not to get on their side.”

The leader frowned as he considered the idea.

“Actually… correspondence came from the Black Ghosts, requesting a personal meeting with me next month. The structure of my organisation usually means I do not take action personally. Maybe they just have not found the opportunity to contact me yet.”

“That’s… plausible,” Aelius nodded in consideration.

“Then here’s what we shall do. You need to act like you know nothing. When you meet any Devils, pretend like you are loyal to them. As you do, I want you to conserve your power. I want you to ultimately swallow the Black Ghosts whole. It’s plain obvious that they are a problem.”

The leader looked back up in surprise.

“You want me to… help you?” he asked.

Aelius returned a frown.

“Would you rather I kill you right here? I didn’t show you the truth for nothing.”

“Then… if I am able to be help of to you…” the Forbidden Leader grunted as he rose to his feet, clutching his waist as he approached Aelius with a limp. “I will fight on the correct side of this war. Perhaps this is the fate I have been chasing all this time.”

Aelius turned back around, only to be met with an outstretched hand from the man in his late-thirties.

“Augustus.”

“Well… Augustus.” Aelius took the hand and they exchanged a firm shake. “I’ll be looking forward to your accomplishments.”

“What else should I do while I wait?” The Ninth Tier mage, Augustus, asked.

“Names. Names of those colluding with the Devils. Betrayers of humanity. You should be able to find them easily with your information network. Deliver me a list and I will tell you who I want dead."

“It shall be done,” Augustus answered firmly.

“Good. Then, until next time.”

—-----------------------

When Aelius delved deep into the mountain, he was fascinated to find an underground village, illuminated with the odd street lamp and thousands of glow worms in the ceiling cavern overhead.

Aelius had no need to be directed, for he could see with his Eyes of Truth where Aria awaited him, in one of the main buildings at the top of the village.

Soon, he was coming upon the isolated villa which awaited him atop the hill.

Only silence radiated from within, until Aelius slid open the sliding, bamboo-mat door and stepped in to find an empty living area.

He could clearly feel Aria’s presence in one of the rooms nearby, and as he followed their bond, he came to another sliding door that he slid open.

Entering in, he was greeted with the Aerianne Archduke laying on the single bed in the corner and Aria by her father’s side, tending to his wounds with various herbs and bandages.

“I didn’t expect you to know how to give medical care,” Aelius remarked off-handedly as he entered, noticing the boy their age from earlier seated in the corner.

“You’ve arrived. I’m guessing this nonsense business has concluded then.”

“Aelius, my boy. I don’t know how to give my thanks. You’ve saved my daughter’s life time and time again,” the Aerianne Archduke tried to sit up before being pushed back down by Aria, who gave him a stern look.

“Focus on your recovery, Felix,” Aelius said as he took a stool and scooted to Aria’s side, taking some bandages and herbs from her hands before setting to work on the Archduke.

“I already made it clear a long time ago that I’d do everything I can to protect Aria.”

He noticed Aria blush but her expression quickly returned to neutral, and he stifled a chuckle as he began to work on the Archduke’s legs, employing a method of treatment that combined healing mana and banadage wrapping.

“It’s a relief she’s in good hands,” the Archduke gave a breath of relief.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Aria rolled her eyes. “Am I? Are you finally taking me back, honey, or are you satisfied with Saki and Lia?” she asked sarcastically, but with a hint of playfulness hidden in her tone.

“Don’t worry, I know I’m late. I’ll make it up to you. And yes, I’ve been setting up a base of operations further North. I’ll move you and your father to it.”

Aria nodded, trying to hide her ecstaticness.

“We’ll get to travel together, then?”

“Yeah.”

“Good,” Aria softly mumbled.

“Besides, I also don’t think I’d like to leave you here any longer, when the Dragon didn’t even step in even as you were about to die. I don’t think I can trust such an entity with your safety, after today.”

“Oh… who knows?” Aria blinked, considering the question. “Perhaps she knew you were going to save me,” Aria answered. “Her eyes can see the future, after all.”

“See the future, huh?” Aelius wondered.

“To a certain extent, yes,” Aria responded, finally finishing and laying back.

“Hmm…” Aelius fell into momentary thought.

That must be why Augustus wanted the Dragon. He’s crazy over anything to do with prophecising.

“All done, father! Did we miss anywhere?” Aria clapped her hands together and he shook his head.

“Sorry for showing you two such a pathetic state.”

“If you’re sorry, hurry up and step into the Eighth Tier. As a Seventh Tier, you’re only a liability,” Aelius remarked as he rose to his feet, turning away and the Archduke sheepishly chuckled.

“I’ll work on it…”

“It’s okay, father. You were so brave today, and if it wasn’t for you courageously acting as a shield, things could’ve gone very bad. I’m proud of you.”

Aelius glanced over his shoulder as Aria leaned in and gave him a soft peck on the forehead.

“My daughter…” The Archduke looked almost moved to tears. “At least this father was able to protect you, even if it was for a moment.”

Aria pulled away, giving him a smile.

“Since when did you two get along so well?” Aelius asked with a raised brow.

Aria turned back to him with a smile.

“Aelius, can you wait for me outside?” she suddenly asked. “I’ll join you in a second. Just give me a moment here.”

“…Alright.”

Aelius vacated the room, and with his presence gone, Aria turned her attention onto the silent Brian sitting at the corner of the room.

“Brian… you doing okay there?” Aria asked and he looked up in surprise.

“O-oh… of course. You don’t need to worry about me, Aria.” He mustered a shaky smile.

“Brian…” Aria sighed in sympathy as she stepped up to him. “That man was a Ninth Tier, okay? He’s an almost untouchable existence. I promise you, as long as you stick to grandma’s side, you won’t encounter an existence like that again.”

“…Sure. Of course.”

Aria felt like anything she further spoke would simply fall on deaf ears, and as she left the room, she glanced one last time at the teenage boy, before sighing to herself.

It would have been better if he hadn’t come along with them. He contributed nothing to the skirmish and came away only with trauma. He should have stayed with the village children.

But… that’s life. It’s to be expected to encounter traumatic experiences. If he can’t overcome this then… he’s destined to remain broken.

And now, her time here has come to an end. The man she waited so long for has finally come to retrieve her.

With excitement, she left down the corridor.

Finally, twelve months of preparation, all for what lies ahead.

Together, they will create a new future.