Cursed techniques.
They are similar yet different from magicka and the entire magic systems in general. They are innate—something resulted from one's birth origin. Their possessors, people known as sorcerers, would instinctively know how to 'activate' it. All that was left is to hone their proficiency until it reaches its limits.
A select few of these cursed techniques possess the power to break the 'balance' of a world.
Satoru-san's Limitless that enables him to manipulate space and Newtonian gravity.
Tsukumo-san's Bom-ba-ye that adds an imaginary mass to her target.
Sukuna's Cleave and Dismantle that separates their targets.
Just these three special-grade sorcerers alone have cursed techniques that directly 'manipulates' the laws of the physical world at their whim. Moreover, they are able to do such feats within forty years or less as opposed to the older magicians.
To put it simply, they are extremely broken.
It is for such a reason that I didn't hesitate to use a chance against Kenjaku.
During the ninth iteration, I clashed with him several times. Despite my power being only slightly behind Magisters—even going as far as borrowing my two goddesses' powers—he used his so-called "tricks" to circumvent them all.
As far as data tells, he could only store four cursed techniques. However, would that really be the case?
If a Sorcerer in contact with such "hacks" lived for a thousand years, how many trump cards could he possess?
Thus, his death via the Sacrament is a sure-fire way of killing him thoroughly.
I don't want another episode of Demi-spirits to occur again.
As for this Black Dragon…
"It's a pity…"
It lacked everything that a Sorcerer should've had. It didn't have the stocked knowledge, experience of predecessors, and innovation to better use its cursed technique. It is for such a reason that it was easily caught by this simple trap.
Overall, it lacked information while I had a full-knowledge of them.
'Would it be considered a god or a demon?' I mused as I started selecting the best way to deal with it. '...I see.'
With all my nine partitions, 187 million thoughts flew in my head.
Once, I created a type of magicka within my "Akasaka System". I didn't neglect it and tried combining it with other techniques that I often used.
Using [Historia Emendatus], I summoned forth a familiar blue-colored katana.
'To settle this, I wouldn't need to use it.'
After all, the Black Dragon isn't the same as Kenjaku. According to the information I received at that time, it was forced to slumber within the depths of this place–the Dragon Valley—after being severely injured by the Mercenary King, Albert Waldstein.
It had only woken up twelve years later. Meaning to say, it only had twelve years to wield a completely unfamiliar power, unknown power system, and lacking explanations.
It could only use its instincts to explore this new power thoroughly. Worse, it started focusing on its recovery which cut off that time even shorter.
That wouldn't be a bad thing if it is completely unknown. It could simply wreck havoc once it is fully healed from its injuries with [Skip].
Unfortunately, I existed.
I know about its location, plans, and power.
Buzz-!
Crackle-!
Hum-!
As hundreds of magic circles spread out in the air, the world itself trembled. It's as if a form of restriction had been touched upon by the power I released.
Shatter-!
Just as the circles grew to a thousand, it had been broken. It merely served as a thin thread to act as an alarm.
'These gods… Ouranos did a good job.'
If the usage of Arcanum hadn't been regulated, Gekai would've long turned into a god's playground. Although it could still be considered as one right now, the gods don't have complete control over them.
In a sense, the dislocation of the physical and spirit realm in my world has been replicated by this act.
By the time this spell ended, the entire sky was proliferated by thousands of magic circles.
"Abraq ad habra." (I shall create as I speak.)
In an instant, a wave of holy light came from all of the magic circles.
Tap.
A faint tap from my feet overwrote the world. It brought the dreamland that I envisioned—the same Temple of Solomon filled with sanctimony. Its effects don't have to be said when it comes to cursed spirits such as the Black Dragon. Superimposed with the grand holy magicka I casted and the bindings I gave, it is far stronger than the previous injury struck by the Mercenary King.
I didn't intend to stop there.
Holding my sheathed katana, I gave the finishing blow.
"Vinctrix magna malum." (A great evil shall be vanquished.)
Hum-!
Once more, the world was shaken.
*****
A blinding white light.
Ignoring any distances, the holy light reached every place in Gekai. Be it the young or old, everyone stopped what they had been doing. Their attention was caught by the pillar of white light that appeared on their horizons.
Upon looking at it, they felt a sense of tranquility.
Needless to say, it shook every single country within Gekai.
…
"From that direction… The Dragons' Valley..?"
The head of Altena, the goddess of Wisdom, immediately deduced the origin of it. Her long silver hair suited the aura of wisdom around her.
"...Was it really…"
Surprise couldn't be hidden on her platinum pupils. It has long been 'theorized' that the Dragon's Valley is most likely the place where this world's greatest foe, the Black Dragon, resides.
…
"Sanctimony…"
The principal of the School District, Baldr, discerned the nature of the light which is very similar to his light. However, it also possesses several differences that set it apart.
"Someone at this level…"
Without the intervention of gods, only the mortals could've caused it. For someone to reach that level within twelve years…
"I wonder who that person is."
…
Each person has their opinion regarding this event that shook Gekai. Nevertheless, the one with the greatest impact was none other than Orario.
"Loki-sama. Various reports came in."
Finn entered the Twilight Manor's courtyard. He saw Loki staring at the pillar of white light that remained for several minutes as of now.
"It is estimated that the light has appeared throughout the entire Gekai."
With the ground-breaking invention of "Sirius", the communication orb, long-distance communication became possible. Its only prerequisite were the 'radio towers' that has to be established throughout several places in Gekai.
Of course, the Loki Familia had enough resources to do such a thing, more so when the Soma, Hermes, Hephaestus, and Artemis Familia were in the mix.
"Tsk, tsk. What a way to signal your return…" Loki mumbled with an interested smile. "...it suits my style."
Hearing this, Finn's speculations became firmer.
"Tell me. Who do you think has enough power to do something like this?"
She asked with a grin.
Immediately, the face of a white-haired young man flashed in Finn's mind.
"He came from another world. What if there is someone else who caused this?"
The knowledge regarding Nobu's otherworlder status is known to three familias who worked in accordance with the plan of keeping Gekai safe. There isn't much use in hiding it, either.
Loki might've been interested in visiting that world, but she could infer the ridiculous strength and different mechanisms present on Earth.
"That's why I'm betting on my instinct." Loki stated perfunctorily before breaking a smile. "I'm kidding. It's the nature of that light. Wasn't that from one of his spells?"
Despite these words, Finn knew that his goddess had truly felt something he didn't. It didn't prevent him from inferring the identity of the person behind this light, however.
In the end, he let out a sigh.
"Gekai owes him many things. If he truly did deal with another grave danger, it'd be added to that list."
"Yeah."
The young boy, Nobu, didn't expect much when he enacted the plan to boost Gekai's progress. It started with the high-end knowledge, Mana Furnace, that was taught to the three familias.
Although its acquisition is extremely hard, it sets a huge chasm between those who learned it and those who hadn't learned it.
In fact, out of the entire Loki Familia, only three people had learned it. All of them have a certain connection with spirits, to boot.
The one with the strongest connection out of them all managed to become the second shining star of Orario.
All of these things could be attributed to Nobu alone.
"All that's left is to wait. He'll arrive soon enough."
True to her words, Orario's North Gate welcomed a returnee.
*****
"A world with gods among mortals… It is quite unimaginable."
"Much like the Age of Gods of our world."
"You took the words out of my mouth."
After dealing with the Black Dragon and making sure it remained dead permanently, I headed straight to Gekai with my King.
I really have to thank the Black Dragon for not having troublesome measures such as Kenjaku's [Anti-gravity System]. The restraints would be less effective if it had that.
"Cursed techniques… was it? They are powerful."
My King commented.
"Yes, they are that strong. Still, they have their own limitations."
Cursed techniques are a matter of match-ups. For example, Tsukumo-san's [Bom Ba Ye] is countered by Kenjaku's [Anti-gravity System], much like Satoru-san's [Infinity] countering every attack that doesn't span an 'infinite distance'. There are only three people who could do that.
"In a sense, magicka is more flexible."
"I see. What would've happened if you learned magecraft from Merlin's tutelage instead..?"
"No… my King."
My refusal came the moment she proposed that possibility.
"Merlin is… to be frank, just as inhuman as I was before."
Most importantly, the thought of being as 'eccentric' as him sent imaginary chills down my spine. I can't fathom how I'll act in that scenario.
"Being your knight is the best possibility at that time."
"...I see."
Currently, my King wore a decorated white robe. It is a magic item I created to hide the mysteries surrounding a person. In this case, it is her divinity that is currently being hidden. Still, it perfectly suited her silver armor.
On the other hand, I chose to wear my magician's outfit. In contrast to the previous design, it possessed several accessories such as a chained pin of an opened book on my chest as well as a necktie pin in the shape of a crescent moon.
These were given to me by Suimei. He said that Lord Nettesheim 'predicted' my return long ago and gave me the symbols of a Magister in advance.
After some time, we reached the North Gate. It was still nighttime, hence the people who lined up for registration camped out. Though, there are still several people who hopped on the registration line.
When I chose to skip the entire line, the people lined up sent strange looks at me.
"Excuse me, sir. Are you perhaps a returning adventurer?"
"Yes."
Orario has a known characteristic of being hard to leave. While it is not impossible, it is hard to do so. Releasing several strong adventurers in the city could destabilize several regions alone which is why they had to do this.
One of the countermeasures they thought of is the "returnee" privilege that enables adventurers registered here to bypass the line outside. It is but a small perk that they gave out.
I took out my copy of the registration form from the guild. It was updated to [Level Seven], the same status before I abruptly left Orario.
"..!!!"
The guild staff froze while holding my form.
"M-m-mister S-sirius?!"
He nearly dropped the form before he regained his grip. His eyes didn't leave me, however.
"Yes. That is me." I replied. "I can bring my acquaintance over, right?"
"Y-y-yes…"
With trembling hands, he jotted my name on the log kept by the gatekeepers—rather, scratch that. The log is a white slate connected to the "Internet" of Orario.
'These were implemented…'
Seeing these confirmed my guesses about my plans being successfully implemented.
The guild staff then handed me my form back.
"W-welcome back to Orario, Mister Sirius!"
The guild staff bowed as he shouted these words loudly.
"Thank you."
I strode towards the familiar city.
*****
A/N: Since th Black Dragon (technically) killed Hephaestus, I couldn't see the reason why Nobu would not kill it. But of course, there'd be something else that will (technically) let him study more about its cursed technique. The hints (for this fic's future flow) are starting to be laid out during these chapters. Do look out for them ;)