Ch.102Chapter 102. First Elder Kilbis (1)

Kilvis Bernate.

Once a name that resonated throughout the entire continent, but now it was a name hardly anyone remembered.

There were quite a few descriptors for Kilvis, but the most famous was undoubtedly “the ill-fated genius.”

A magician with the greatest talent who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Willian, the current Archmage.

In some aspects, he was even considered superior to Willian.

Especially in terms of magical application, he was an unrivaled genius.

Kilvis’s signature was using the same magic in his own way, employing completely different calculation formulas.

Kilvis, who had such a promising future alongside Willian, collapsed in an instant.

Sadly, it was an accident caused by his greatest strength—”magical application.”

While conducting various research in his laboratory, Kilvis lost control of his mana while experimenting with a new type of magic.

The mana went berserk in that situation.

Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the price of the mana surge was cruel.

Because he didn’t receive proper treatment during the golden hour, Kilvis became unable to properly use mana anymore.

Kilvis, who had been expected to become the next Archmage, fell to rock bottom overnight.

Not only was he expelled from the kingdom where he had been staying, but the numerous people who had been by his side also left.

The money he had saved up disappeared in an instant.

Above all, Kilvis had lost his driving force in life.

He could no longer use the magic he so dearly loved.

From Kilvis’s perspective, there was almost no reason to continue living.

After several years, when Kilvis had been almost forgotten by the world.

A new hope came to Kilvis, who had been listlessly waiting for death.

It was Black Magic.

‘That ability is similar to the Founder’s.’

The First Elder of the Nameless Organization, Kilvis, returned to a safe place and thought calmly.

Someone in black clothes who appeared when he was about to deal with weaklings who couldn’t even properly resist simple magic.

It was the Black Shadow Corps, which he had only heard rumors about.

There were rumors that the Black Shadow Corps had also ruined the Third Elder’s work in the Crescen Empire, so Kilvis had looked into them.

One of the shadow organizations that handled various missions, large and small, across the continent.

Among them, the elusive abilities of the Black Shadow Corps leader were quite famous.

Kilvis was quite taken aback after experiencing those abilities firsthand.

The Black Shadow Corps leader dispelled his fog too easily.

Up to this point, it was within the realm of understanding.

Although it was a black magic structure that made it difficult to identify weaknesses, it was still at a level that a skilled magician could dispel.

However, the Black Shadow Corps leader’s abilities didn’t end there.

Without even a hint of using magic, he teleported right in front of him and then performed several consecutive teleportations.

Kilvis had never seen anyone use teleportation magic so quickly and accurately.

‘As rumored, that guy must have been involved with the Third Elder.’

When Kilvis thought about the Black Shadow Corps leader’s abilities he had just witnessed, he couldn’t help but think that.

It was hard to gauge exactly what level of magician he was.

It was like the feeling he had when he first met the Founder.

He felt like a wall that he could never overcome no matter how hard he tried.

Moreover, according to his investigation, the Black Shadow Corps leader wasn’t a magician but a swordsman.

How could a mere swordsman perform teleportation with such speed and precision?

‘He found the student.’

As Kilvis was thinking about why the Black Shadow Corps, especially the leader, had appeared here, he suddenly recalled what the Black Shadow Corps leader had said earlier.

The Black Shadow Corps leader had clearly asked where the student was.

‘Could it be to save that student?’

Thoughts raced through Kilvis’s mind.

Was the reason the Black Shadow Corps leader suddenly appeared in the O’Neil Kingdom to save Sinclair?

He had no idea what relationship the two had, but there was no other way to explain this situation.

Come to think of it, Sinclair was a student at Crescen Academy.

The very place where the Third Elder had been active.

‘There’s definitely a connection.’

Kilvis’s mind began to race.

Although he hadn’t fought the Black Shadow Corps leader with 100% of his power yet, he could tell from their brief encounter.

That guy was definitely not an easy opponent.

If that was the case, wouldn’t it be good to have some insurance just in case?

Having finished his thoughts, Kilvis began to move quickly.

Although the situation was unfolding a bit differently than expected, it was still going according to plan in the grand scheme of things.

‘A variable has emerged, but it’s controllable.’

Kilvis thought as he closed his eyes.

**

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

‘Hmm.’

I thought this might happen, but it was still disconcerting when it actually did.

As expected, I became the target after the Nameless guy suddenly disappeared.

Ordin pointed his sword at me, seemingly unaware that he had almost been defeated by the Nameless guy just moments ago.

“…This isn’t the time for us to be fighting each other.”

“Shut up! We of O’Neil haven’t forgotten the humiliation we suffered at your hands.”

“…Sigh.”

Ordin showed no intention of resolving this through dialogue.

Not just Ordin, but the numerous knights behind him felt the same way.

And this was after I had just saved them by dispelling the black fog.

‘I guess words won’t work after all.’

The best outcome would be to resolve this with Ordin through dialogue and go after the Nameless guy together, but that possibility seemed almost non-existent.

As expected, Ordin was fueling his anger as soon as he saw me.

And I didn’t have time for this.

‘If I’m delayed, something might happen to Elaine.’

There’s no choice.

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Protect the tree!”

“Huh?”

“Don’t let him get near it! He’s a master of teleportation. Everyone, be prepared!”

“Ha.”

Amid all this, Ordin was quick-witted.

He even anticipated that I would ignore everything and try to escape from here, ordering his men to protect the tree.

Ordin’s prediction was spot on.

I had overheard the conversation between Ordin and Amillion earlier, so I knew exactly what that tree was for.

If I could move through it, there was a high chance I’d find Elaine or the Nameless guy.

“You must have more urgent matters than this.”

“Shut up.”

Ordin replied with an irritated tone and a firm voice.

If that’s how it is, I really have no choice.

No matter how I thought about it, there was only one way to quickly follow the Nameless guy in this situation.

Defeat Ordin and use that warp point.

Sring-

Silently, I opened a space with my right hand and drew out the Black Shadow Sword.

I glanced at Professor Amillion’s condition, and she seemed too shocked to know what to do.

It seemed unreasonable to expect anything from Professor Amillion.

“I don’t have time. I’ll end this quickly.”

“You bastard!”

Woong- Chang-

For the first time today, the crisp sound of sword meeting sword rang out.

Even though I had emerged from a blind spot with teleportation and swung my sword, Ordin twisted his body and blocked my attack.

Chang- Chang-

From that moment, the real fight began.

Ordin received my swift sword strikes with relative ease.

It was absurd to be fighting Commander Ordin here, but I needed to deal with this quickly.

I didn’t want to drain Ordin’s strength, but I had no choice.

As expected, Ordin was not an easy opponent to face with a sword.

I had to give it my all.

A few years ago, I struggled when fighting Ordin and was even pushed into unfavorable situations.

But I wasn’t the same person I was back then.

A few years ago, when I had just realized how to incorporate teleportation into my swordsmanship.

Back then, I might have been pushed back by Ordin because I was still inexperienced and awkward, but not anymore.

Moreover, now I could also use “wind magic.”

Chang- Chang- Chang-!

Quickly and powerfully, I pressed Ordin.

As I continued to attack only from blind spots, Ordin was hard-pressed to defend.

If I kept this up a little longer, I could corner him.

Just a little more.

Chang- Chang- Chang-

‘Ah, he’s holding out for a long time.’

That “little more” was proving quite difficult.

Ordin was barely holding on, receiving my sword strikes while occasionally launching counterattacks.

Plus, the other knights waiting behind were also a pressure.

If I pushed too hard, those guys behind would probably strike at my openings.

It was also very annoying how they were slowly moving to surround me.

‘Damn, I can’t let this drag on.’

I’m still weak in one-against-many fights.

Just as I was thinking this.

“Wait!”

Flinch-

I momentarily stopped moving at someone’s shout.

The owner of the familiar voice was Professor Amillion.

Professor Amillion was staring directly at Ordin and me with flashing eyes.

“We don’t have time for this, Commander! Our student has been captured!”

“…I know that, but there’s nothing we can do. This guy is from the Black Shadow Corps. And not just any member, but the leader.”

“I know that, but isn’t there something more important right now?”

Professor Amillion spoke with a voice mixed with anger and frustration.

Thanks to that, the attention of Ordin and the other knights was momentarily diverted.

Just for a moment, a fleeting instant.

‘Okay, good.’

Professor Amillion probably didn’t intervene to help me, but the timing was perfect for me.

Woong-

Taking advantage of the moment when Ordin’s gaze was directed at Professor Amillion, I leaped through space.

To the top of the tree that the other knights were guarding.

“Oh!”

“Stop him!”

Pung-

Just as I heard someone’s shout, the sound of air bursting hit my ears.

‘Thank you.’

I waved my hand toward Professor Amillion as I surrendered myself to the swirl of space.