TCHB 34

Chapter 34

“…Where did this come from?”

I was confused, but more than that, I needed to know its source. Before anything else, I had to determine whether this content was trustworthy, whether it was true.

Ventus, as if he had expected me to react this way, told me to calm down.

“It was in your family mansion’s library.”

“…I didn’t know it existed until now.”

When I muttered that under my breath, Ventus shrugged as if it were obvious.

“It was under magic. A spell formation woven from four kinds of mana—red, blue, white, and black—was used to erase its very existence. Of course you wouldn’t notice it.”

That’s even possible?

When I questioned him in disbelief, he reminded me, as always, that he was a dragon.

“I was surprised too. Four intertwined types of mana and a spell formation on top of that. And the original script was strange as well. I had to use a deciphering spell to read it.”

He said it casually, but to me it was a massive shock.

Four kinds of mana and a spell formation. And on the page I had just read, it clearly said 320 years ago.

Was it even possible, in that era, to dismantle multiple spell formations and combine only what was needed into a hybrid formation? And on top of that, that person was my ancestor?

It was sheer astonishment and confusion.

Hetein Clamback. If they were such a capable mage, I should have heard their name or accomplishments at least once. Yet no matter how hard I searched my memories, nothing came up.

They weren’t a direct ancestor. There was no one like that in the main line.

Then that meant a collateral branch…

As I dug through my thoughts seriously, Ventus tapped the book.

“Think about it later and read first. I only found it yesterday myself, so I didn’t get through all of it either.”

When I got home, I’d have to dig through the family genealogy. I nodded and turned my eyes back to the diary.

January 28, Year 320

As promised, the Emperor provided us with a place to live.

Our existence has been erased from the world.

We were recorded as having died during the black mage execution, and now we live under different identities as imperial court mages.

The contract with the Emperor is to create an elixir of immortality.

Jermel, I will save you no matter what. Please wait.

Jermel? I’d definitely heard that name somewhere before…

I searched my memory. It felt like it was right on the tip of my tongue, but it wouldn’t surface. Frustrated, I decided to think about it later and turned the page.

March 13, Year 320

While experimenting on turning the mortal into the immortal, I have also been experimenting on reviving the dead.

Immortality and the resurrection of dead souls.

For the experiments, I need the feather of an immortal bird—the phoenix.

A phoenix? This is beyond imagination… It really existed? Wow.

Even I, reading this with a clear mind, and my clearly not-right-in-the-head ancestor—there were no words for either of us.

August 30, Year 340

The phoenix’s habitat was located in a high mountain range spanning the Kingdom of Asiltaon.

Ah, will I finally be able to see you again?

It’s ironic. I lost you to black magic, yet I’m trying to revive you using black magic.

Phoenix feathers are effective in making recovery and healing potions, so I must obtain them quickly.

While I’m at it, I should collect its blood too.

…Blood and feathers? How many lives does this person have?

I shook my head and stopped thinking further. My mental health would only take more damage.

December 2, Year 326

I needed ■■ of ■■.

All other ingredients are complete.

But ■■ of ■■ can only be entered by those loved by the gods. What should I do?

Even finding it is a problem.

I’m loved by the gods? Not a chance—quite the opposite.

Why would Helio, the god of peace, ever like a black mage?

I’ve already come this far just to save the person I love.

December 19, Year 340

The location of ■■ is still unknown, and Aki confessed to me.

She said she likes me.

It must be a sign that the world is ending.

If I die instead, would I go to your side, Jermel?

I envy those loved by the gods.

Black magic is magic of misfortune, magic of pain.

Every time it’s used, I shudder to think how many lives are extinguished.

…Only now do I understand why you tried to stop me.

But it’s already too late.

Black mage. Aki. Jermel.

The name Jermel kept appearing, and I was certain I’d heard it before, but I couldn’t remember where.

April 25, Year 353

I met the god Helio.

He showed me the future.

I suppose it’s because I’ve been doing good deeds and offering support lately.

But what kind of future is this?

Damn life.

Helio? Met a god? And saw the future?

What is this ancestor of mine…?

The more I read, the more chaotic my thoughts became. Yet I couldn’t stop. My eyes moved downward again.

July 8, Year 370

It has been exactly 60 years since you died, and I am now 80 years old.

As a black mage, my appearance remains that of my 20s, but I can feel my body deteriorating.

Ah… Is it finally time to sleep for real?

Since I have hardly killed anyone since then, the unsealed black mana within my body has been continuously gnawing away at my life.

When a child with black mana is born, that mana is sealed. Unless they grow up and use it, it remains so. But I used mine long ago.

Those who cast black magic must always pay a fitting price.

Aki tells me to kill people. She still hasn’t come to her senses.

As a final note to the future ■, I advise you this about black magic: the best choice is not to touch it, not to get involved with it at all.

The person I loved fell into eternal sleep because I used black magic.

And you, future ■, will face the same situation. That is why I leave these records behind.

Bring the phoenix feather, the ■■ of ■■, ■■■■, the blood of one afflicted by black magic, and lastly a ■■■ filled abundantly with white mana—mana opposite to black—to an alchemist and have them brew the potion.

As you brew it, wish for it with all your heart. If you do, this potion will be able to nullify all black magic.

I hope you do not become like me, and I wish you good luck.

To the future ■■■ ■.

“…Ventus.”

When I called his name sharply, he lifted his head and looked at me quietly. His gaze seemed to ask how it was, but I couldn’t answer easily.

Though it had been deciphered, there were still many unreadable portions.

Most importantly, in the final section, three of the required ingredients—aside from the blood of the black-magic-afflicted and the phoenix feather—had not been deciphered. And on top of that, I had no talent for alchemy, nor did it say how long it needed to be boiled or stirred.

Hah. Calm down and think.

First, combining the book and this diary, black magic was magic of death, so its counter would logically involve resurrection-related elements.

And only extremely rare and precious ones.

Could I even obtain them? And why was black magic—something not even part of the original story—suddenly appearing like this?!

The road of hardship was already wide open, welcoming me with open arms. Damn it.

“Jermel Richard. He’s recorded as having died in an accident. A collateral member of the Duke Richard family.”

“Ah. That’s where I heard it. Wait—he died? In an accident?”

That made no sense. Because that man was—

“He was a Master…”

A Master.

Someone who had formed a mana core and manifested aura. The higher their level, the longer their lifespan—much like mages.

Among them, Jermel Richard was known to be exceptionally outstanding.

Who would believe such a man died in an accident?

Then suddenly, a line from the diary resurfaced in my mind.

I lost you to black magic, yet I’m trying to revive you using black magic.

The “you” mentioned there was likely Jermel Richard.

Which meant Jermel Richard had died due to black magic.

Even a Master couldn’t resist black magic? Wait—then this is really bad!

I bit my lip and tapped the desk unconsciously.

Sensing my anxiety, Ventus wrapped his hand around mine.

“Black magic is dangerous in and of itself. Killing spells, control spells, curse spells—it probably has everything. No matter how exceptional a Master is, they’d last at most a week.”

His tone was steady, as if it were obvious. I looked at him, but no words came out.

Unease washed over me, but I tried my best to appear normal.

“…Then couldn’t we die too?”

“That’s right. But it can’t be used indiscriminately. If the tail is too long, it gets caught.”

If the tail is too long, it gets caught.

He was right.

From what I felt last time because of the captain, black magic felt distinctly different from other magic. The psychological discomfort alone was different. If it were used repeatedly, the identity of the black mage connected to the Emperor would inevitably be exposed.

Or rather than exposed, suspicions would pile up, and all arrows would point toward the imperial family.

“I’ll keep this diary for now.”

“Okay.”

Ventus answered without even a second of hesitation. Judging by his face, he too was lost in deep thought.

It had been a while since I’d seen him like that. I rested my chin in my hand and looked at him.

His blue eyes were filled with gravity.

Was this what an unapproachable presence felt like? Right now, Ventus radiated an atmosphere that made it hard to approach him or joke around as usual.

After reading the diary, the study fell into complete silence.

“Ugh, I’m tired.”

The moment I got home, I dove onto my bed and wriggled between the soft blankets.

I didn’t want to do anything. Today had drained me mentally.

“Hetein Clamback.”

I rolled the diary owner’s name around in my mouth several times. The reason my ancestor wasn’t in the family records was actually simple.

They were a black mage.

Black mages were believed to have all died during the execution, but she survived. Naturally, she had to hide her identity, and erasing others’ memories would be the most effective way to prepare for any contingency.

For a black mage, erasing memories would be easy.

“Yawn… What’s wrong with me…”

As I dug deeper into Hetein Clamback and Jermel Richard, someone seemed to guide me into sleep, and my eyelids closed.

[Hello, my child.]

“…Who are you?”

[You always ask me the same question whenever you see me.]

A being whose gender I couldn’t tell smiled faintly. They reached out, brushed my hair back, and gently stroked my head.

I simply watched the actions of this unfamiliar person—neither quite “he” nor “she.”

Strangely, my chest felt ticklish, and I felt good. I wanted to stay here forever.

[Your world is the land above.]

At those words, it felt as if cold water had been poured over me, and my senses returned. But almost immediately, I liked this place again.

Though it was clearly unfamiliar, it didn’t feel strange.