Black Dragons. 700 years ago, when a gate reaching deep into the Void opened, beings from the Void invaded the world. The opportunistic demons took the chance to open their own gate from the Abyss and invaded the world as well. This war lasted for several years and the corpses stacked up like mountains. The Black Dragons first appeared near the end of the war when victory was in sight. As the species that once ruled the world when swords and magic was still undeveloped, they cannot stand the fact they are surpassed by weaker races that they trampled on. They contracted with the demons and betrayed the world, during which all their scales became black.
The void craves to devour everything and the demons are born to destroy, their existences are like natural phenomenon, just like how the skies are blue. But the Black Dragons are different, which made them the most hated enemy of the world and are now hiding within the Wasteland.
"…That, um, sorry for dragging you into this."
"Even if you suddenly become self-aware it won't change what has already happened."
"What's that lecturing tone. You sound annoyed but you look so eager to fight."
Do I?
It's my first engagement on this journey and even though I'm not in the best shape, I still look forward to blasting magic… maybe not. I shouldn't get ahead of myself before getting use to casting magic in Lily's body.
"I am glad you brough him to me. Young boys like those needs to be rehabilitated."
"You're scary right now. And he is over twenty now so he can't be considered a boy, right?"
Only twenty? Too young.
We are standing in the training field inside the adventurer's guild right now, each preparing for the fight. I don't really need it, but the other side is busy showing off his mediocre sword art to his friends.
"That is Schwarz, one of the wanderers leading in strength, and is well known as the Black Dragon Sword Master for his
"That's wrong."
"Huh?"
"The highest level is of sword art that wanderers possess is level 9, and no one can reach level 10 yet."
The limitation of level 10 will lift when the world fully recovers. That's when my, Lir, and Ronia's ability will be completely released. Lily is more than capable of reaching level 10 in some of her skills too, and will be joining the ranks of the Legends.
"I'm not really worried about you since you are B-rank, but Schwarz is a wanderer, he can come back as many time as he need to kill you. He can even call for other to help him since he thinks you are a wanderer too."
"Man, you wanderers are brutal. Killing each other out of jealousy."
"I'm being serious. You might die."
"And I'm telling you not to worry."
"How can I not!"
'She's a good child isn't she, Gobuda.'
She is indeed, just a little stupid.
"Listen up kid. You saw me as a hunter last time, if I use your words here, hunter would be my sub class.
My main class is a Mage."
I left those word behind as I walk to the center of the field. Many Fel adventurers have come to watch the show too after returning from their quest and making bets too. Not missing the chance, I had fake elf bid all our money on me, while most other went for Mr black dragon who they know better.
"If you want to surrender, now is the time. If you promise to stay away from April, I won't hunt you down after this."
Ahh, not only does he has a hateful name, he even has a hateful personality. Makes me feel less stressed about what I'm about to do.
"Referee!"
Ignoring him, I called a staff from the guild walks up to the field and goes over the rules. A special rule of killing is allowed only because both of us are confirmed to be wanderers, who can be revived.
The countdown starts. I watch the human pull out his sword in anger and preparing his skill.
"Begin!!"
"Haaa-"
Magical lights flare up from his sword as he swings down, signalling the activation of a technique. A flying slash comes straight towards me. Aura isn't something that you can manifest before becoming a master, so it should be mana. He is taking advantage of an ogre's low magic resistance and lack of means in range attacks. Quite a cunning one, he is well trained. His eyes are just a bit bad.
I turn aside to avoid the blade of mana while considering how to defeat him. Magic is no good, my head hurts. Beating him up physically is good, but wanderers can't feel much pain so it's not good for a lesson. A lesson is meant to be painful.
Fumu, let's take full advantage of Lily's ability here.
The shadow under me darkens and expands, turning the field into a jet black canvas. The human breaks his follow up attack as he tries to escape, but tendrils of shadow hold him down. Both of us sinks into the shadow like falling into ink.
[Shadow Manipulation]
A skill Lily acquired when she was a Shadow Slime. This skill allows her to control shadows, especially her own shadow which is already an extension of her body. Rather than a skill or magic, it is more like an innate ability, like moving a part of my body. Thanks to that, it doesn't strain my mind.
That is only one of the many ways to use magic. Others include incantation, inscribing, gestures, dancing, singing, etc… as long as you can attune with nature and guide the flow of mana, any method is valid.
Among which, my current favourite method is to conduct rituals. Depending on the level of preparation, the burden on the caster can be reduced to zero! It is basically a magic tool, a huge and ugly one that is very inconvenient to use. But it is in a mage's nature to make good things practical.
Or more like, it is the only way I can use magic. Sniff.
The space we got pulled into is a segment of the shadow storage. Living things can enter, but the entrance cannot be closed in this state. It is very useful for setting up magic formations because I can control every part of this space, and all the materials I need are here too. Putting everything in place, the human is now chained up in the middle of an altar decorated by heaps of bones and dripping blood. It looks like a sacrificial offering of a demonic cult.
"Wh-what is this?"
"An important lesson from the Sage, kid. Immortality does not exist. Even if it does, it will only be as a curse."
[Curse Ritual: Degradation]
"…You're not a wanderer..."
"Have I ever said I am?"
Smiling at his realisation, I kill him the moment the ritual is in effect.
One minute later, the blob of darkness disintegrates, revealing only one person inside.