Arcane knew someone had entered his dungeon the night before. However, he didn't care. Those who ventured into the Archmage's dungeon seeking treasures were common. By now, they would have surely been caught by monsters or traps and turned into corpses.
Arcane momentarily cleared his thoughts and focused back on his research. The area he had been delving into recently was the impact of dark magic on memory. His hand, which had been frantically writing his thesis, suddenly stopped. Peering towards the door, he removed his glasses. Something was disabling the mechanisms at a rapid pace. This was no ordinary intruder.
"A visitor after such a long time?"
For Arcane, who withdrew for years once he was trapped, dungeon invaders were a pleasant entertainment. And today, the rather decent-looking guest turned out to be a human.
With a clank, the iron door opened, and Arcane glanced at his watch. Exactly 32 hours, 28 minutes, and 5 seconds. That was the time it took the intruder to dismantle the mechanisms from the entrance to here.
"Are you the Archmage... Vilthor Arcane?"
He was a bloodied man. He looked decent, and his eyes gleamed with determination.
"You don't seem like someone seeking money. Who are you?"
"I am Alpeas Milch. I came here because I didn't have the chance to meet you."
"Is that so?"
Arcane's brow raised. Ignoring external circumstances while trapped in the dungeon made no sense. Through a secret route, he had already obtained information about Alpeas's photon theory.
"A Light Mage seeking a Dark Mage. It's truly unusual. For now, sit. I'll heal you."
Arcane activated his life maintenance device. Alpeas, submerged in green liquid within a hemispheric device, fell into a deep slumber.
Three hours later.
"Hah! Jjaak!"
Alpeas jolted awake. He nearly choked as he gasped for air. But how could he have fallen asleep? As he wondered, he saw Arcane sitting at his desk, writing his thesis. His features were so scholarly that one couldn't consider him to have disturbed the most powerful mage on the continent.
"Thank you for the healing. It's a good device. I'm intrigued to know how it works."
"No need for pleasantries. Although that doesn't change the fact that you're an intruder. Tell me why you came."
If someone curious and interested in movement had arrived, there was no need to waste time.
Alpeas got straight to the point.
"I want to learn dark magic. Please accept me as your disciple."
"Oh, really?"
The current situation was that the hottest Alpeas of the moment wanted to become an apprentice. For the most celebrated mage, it was inevitably interesting.
"Do you have any special reason?"
"I have a wife. However, her intellectual capacity is limited. I've heard rumors about your research on dark magic and the possibility of storing memories. I would like to give my memories to my wife."
Arcane's eyes gleamed. Since both were well-informed about their respective specialties, there was no need to keep dragging the topic.
"I've researched quite a bit on memory manipulation. But what you're asking for is entirely different. It involves personality issues and, above all, transferring an entire person's life."
"I believe it's possible. If we combine the absorption of dark magic with the photon information transfer ability, couldn't we create some kind of virtual mind?"
"Hmm, building a nervous system using photonic magic and endowing it with memories?"
It was an innovative approach. Although photon magic had so far been limited in its utility, with the discovered photon theory, Arcane foresaw it shining in the field of information.
"Before considering the theory, I have a question. Has your wife approved of this experiment?"
"Not yet, but she surely will."
"There must be a reason behind it."
Alpeas explained how he got to this point. Listening to his story, Arcane understood his feelings. Moreover, the proposal was undeniably gratifying. For a day, the two discussed the viability. After reaching an agreement on the theoretical basis, Arcane agreed it wasn't a senseless fantasy.
"Alright. If you're truly willing to risk your life, I'll take you as an apprentice. But persuading your family won't be easy."
Even though he would become an apprentice to an Archmage, Alpeas was also a prominent candidate from a respectable family. Arcane thought it was unlikely he would give up a secured future in the Department of Ritual Magic to enter a shadowy laboratory.
However, Alpeas didn't consider another option. If Erina was unhappy, so would he be. He only wanted happiness for Erina.
"Thank you. I'll soon come with my family."
Upon returning home, Alpeas discussed with Erina. Since it involved their lives, even Klump was present. What Alpeas emphasized was the possibility of healing Erina's intellectual capacity. And once he finished his words, Klump immediately opposed.
"Alpeas, what do you think you're saying? Why go see that person? He's a criminal!"
"I don't care if he's a dark mage. What's important is that he understands dark magic on the continent better than anyone and has knowledge about human memory and brain structure. It won't be harmful."
"No, it will be harmful. You're obsessed with something. It's not possible to implant memories in the human brain!"
"Klump, you have a reason to think that way..."
"Yes, I'm foolish. I'm not as smart as you or a genius. But even I know one thing. You're dropping all your luck. If you join someone like that, even your place in the Department of Ritual Magic will be canceled. What about family? Will they really abandon you?"
Alpeas couldn't ignore that fact. But his conclusion was the result of much reflection.
"It doesn't matter. They can't decide my life. I don't need the Foundation or Ritual Magic. If Erina can be happy, I can be much happier than I am now."
Erina hesitated. But Alpeas's final word had already decided. If her husband was happy, Erina could also be happy.
"Darling, I'll do it."
"Sweetheart! This is a matter that needs to be considered."
"I'll do it. Because I trust my husband. Alpeas will make me happy."
"Then, of course! Who am I? A mage with the Golden Circle. And my master is an Archmage. When we work together, we could easily fix your weaknesses."
Klump tried to persuade Alpeas day after day, but he couldn't bend the couple's obstinacy. Finally, Alpeas arranged everything and, along with Erina, entered Arcane's dungeon.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Vilthor Arcane."
"Hello. I'm grateful for the favor you're doing for my husband; I'm in debt."
Erina greeted elegantly. Now that Alpeas was her apprentice, she couldn't afford to act carelessly.
But Arcane reassured her, as if he didn't care about it.
"Don't worry too much. After all, I've been dedicating decades to this field. You've made a great decision. If we succeed, I'll be able to cure numerous patients with mental disorders. And your husband will gain a fame that can't even be compared with Rituals."
Being an Archmage's apprentice and getting a successful reward to recover everything the husband had sacrificed was something Erina considered feasible.
Two years later, Alpeas resided in the dungeon, conducting research to transfer memories to his wife. Arcane was an expert in experiments, managing his own personal dungeon. With his careful attention, Erina could spend time in the dungeon without major discomforts.
"Hello, how are you, Miss Erina?"
Every week, Klump brought food. Although the two were busy with experiments, wouldn't it be unfair if Erina didn't taste the food?
"I'm fine. It seems the experiments will end soon. Then, my husband will be able to re-enter the world."
Klump let out a sincere laugh. Despite how exhausting it would have been to carry out numerous tests for two years, he had been extremely patient. That's why, in a way, he felt bitter. What if her intellectual capacity decreased? Her sacrifice for her husband was by no means inferior.
Alpeas found the room when Klump came. It seemed he was quite tense each time he came.
"You're here already? Thank you as always."
"How are the experiments going? Has there been any progress?"
"They're almost done. We've succeeded in the clinical trials. Next month, Erina will finally be freed from those contemptuous looks."
"Next month? So soon?"
"What are you saying? It's been two years. We've been researching day and night. Anyway, you must come that day. Bring lots of food and drink."
A month seemed like an eternity for everyone.
But time finally passed, and the long-awaited moment of execution was nearing.
Erina lay on the bed, waiting. As Arcane and Alpeas were busy with machine maintenance, Klump tried to reassure her.
"Miss Erina, how do you feel? After today, you'll have Alpeas's memories. Even memories of when he wet the bed as a child. Have you peeked at other men? Haha!"
Klump's joke made Erina laugh. She couldn't help feeling a bit tense, but the atmosphere was pleasant. It seemed that everything would go well that day, and it was determined that the experimental device had no issues.
"Alright, I'll start, Erina."
Alpeas lay down next to Erina and caressed her head. He was giving his memories to the person he loved most. He didn't care about embarrassing or humiliating memories.
"Darling, thank you."
"What are you talking about? I should thank you. You've really endured well. Let's live happily. We'll have children too."
Alpeas worried if his smile looked forced. Frankly, he was so nervous that he was losing composure. Arcane approached and placed devices on both their heads. It was an experiment that brought reports from all areas, from magic engineering to magic biology, alchemy, photons, and human biology.
"I'll start. Relax. It will be over soon."
As Arcane prepared to activate the device, Klump anxiously approached a corner and nervously wiped his sweaty hands. The mechanical device descended with a metallic sound. Numerous mechanisms whirred with machine noises, and the crystals blinked brightly.
Alpeas accepted the dark spell penetrating his mind without resistance.
The principle was simple: absorb Alpeas's memories through dark magic, then transmit them using photon output, and overlay them onto Erina's memories.
"Oh."
Erina's eyes widened. A vast amount of information poured in, and her eyes gleamed. From Alpeas's earliest memories to the conversation they just had, every moment of his life was being transmitted at the speed of light.
Erina smiled faintly. It was as if they were becoming one with Alpeas.
The excitement of getting to know each other for the first time, the anticipation of marriage, the happiness of the honeymoon. The feelings of being loved without prejudice were perfectly conveyed.
"Love, thank you. And I love you."
Erina closed her eyes. She had no regrets. She had received so much love in her life that it overflowed.
Meeting Alpeas... was a blessing.
When the light disappeared, the experiment ended. Arcane checked the instrument panel. The information transmission rate was 100%. All memories were perfectly transmitted.
"Love! Love!"
Alpeas turned to Erina. His face was pale, and he was sweating coldly.