SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

Everything had led to this moment.

After absorbing all the power that had been left behind for him to inherit, a path opened up for him, and he was brought to this moment in time.

Aether spoke to him, and he understood.

Everything suddenly became clear to him.

As such, even as his body became restructured, and he arose—like a flare piercing the darkness—there was no room for confusion or fear in his heart.

His countenance displayed excitement, and a broad smile filled his face, instead.

Even against the ultimate evil that threatened to end everything he knew and loved, Kuzon's glow did not fade.

"Thank you all for waiting. I'm back now." He spoke with confidence.

Silence followed his words. Confusion and shock, no doubt, confounded the people that witnessed his resurrection. However, none of that bothered him.

The only source of concern for him, at the moment, was the malevolent being that floated right in front of him.

And, just as he gave it all his focus, the Nether returned the attention.

"You are… a Midas. Hmm… Kuzon Midas. Something about you is… different."

"I'll take that as a compliment. It seems my reputation precedes me." Kuzon responded with a shrug.

"It doesn't matter. You'll end up dying anyway. Just like Jared. Just like everyone here."

"Is that so? Then I guess I'll have to do all I can to stop you!"

"You? What can you do?"

A wider smile formed on Kuzon's face, and a golden brilliance instantly shrouded him.

In a flash, his entire body turned golden, and a glorious crown floated above his head. Adorned in a gold emperor's robe, along with the many—nigh uncountable—sparks of golden light that danced around him, Kuzon's majesty was revealed.

To his left was a sceptre, and to his right, a sword. Seven stars danced beneath his feet, and everything about him brightly shone with pure golden authority.

"T-this is…!"

"Absolute Emperor's Transfiguration. It's the best I can do." Kuzon calmly spoke, his golden eyes still focused on the Nether.

Not only had his Aether reached an unimaginable degree, but his very constitution was perfect to the very core.

'[The Emperor] and [The Empress] have been fused with me. As such, I can freely affect anything around me, and nothing can affect me.'

It was the very definition of being invincible.

"Arcanas don't work on me." The Nether, almost as if reading the boy's mind, based on his smug expression, responded with a growl.

"But these aren't Arcanas. At least, not anymore. They're now a part of me. You'd better believe that they'll work." Kuzon's energy kept climbing to a dangerous degree.

"You can't beat me." The Nether kept his menacing glare intact.

At this point, the dark clouds were already dissipating. Once again, the world's descent into darkness was interrupted.

"I know. Regrettably, even this power isn't enough to get rid of you. However, I can play my part… and stall you."

"Stall me? For what?"

At this point, a thunderous roar surged from the dark entity's lips. His eyes were wide with amusement, and the very world shook with each cackle he made.

Dark thunders raged, and the heavy wind blew around like whips—his power was manifesting.

"Your heroes are dead. There is no one left in this world who can beat me. The only one who stands a chance is you, but your power is insufficient."

The Nether was right.

"I grow stronger by the moment, and I shall consume this world, becoming even more powerful. Every second you waste will only serve to make me more powerful. Stall all you wish… it shall only cater to my ends!"

Once more, he was correct.

"I will enjoy killing you, and destroying this world—even more so than I enjoyed it the last time. Hahahaha!"

The Nether kept up his laughter, drowning in the ecstasy of his assured victory.

And then—

"WHOOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHHH!!!!<

'H-huh…?'

A gaping hole, the size of a fist, appeared on the Nether's body. Dark purple blood oozed out of the hole, causing the dark being to tremble in slight terror.

Just slight terror.

"Are you done?" Kuzon's voice echoed, his hand raised high for the Nether to see.

Sure enough, dark purple stains could be seen on his golden fist—at least, before everything dissipated as a result of the immense Aether that shrouded him.

"I see what you did…" The Nether mumbled, his wound healing instantly.

A single blow—one that transcended even the speed of time—was sent to his body. That was what injured him.

'He's fast!' Thought the dark being.

He would need to be more careful.

"M-Master!" Ciel yelled for him, but the Nether could not concern himself with her at this moment.

He had to pay close attention to his opponent. Else…

"Take care of her. I'll handle the Nether." Kuzon told his allies and they all nodded.

At this point, it was already clear to everyone just how capable he was. His speed, his strength, his overall power… everything had already transcended the bounds of humanity.

The Primordial Stage.

Kuzon was already within it, and he was not simply at the start line.

"You told me earlier that I would be stalling in vain, but you're wrong." Kuzon grinned.

As he prepared for his next strike, and the Nether also made his move to respond, the Absolute Emperor was certain that help would come.

"He's not here now, but… he'll certainly show up."

It didn't matter how long he had to stall, there was no way the heroes of this world were all gone. After all, 'he' was still alive.

In a sense, anyway.

"Until he arrives, I'll be your opponent."

*

*

*

"Haaa…" Neron sighed with exhaustion.

His breathing was heavy, and his expression told the reason why.

He was tired.

Neron's body was trembling, and his usually composed facade was nowhere to be seen. Having been trapped in eternal darkness, he was now like a different person.

"You're something else, Neron…" Legris Damien emerged from the darkness, along with innumerable versions of himself.

"Even with all the restrictions, you've killed millions of my variants."

Neron's gaze did not leave the speaking Legris. The dangerous glimmer in his eyes told of a powerful, unbreakable resolve.

After a brief moment of silence, only interrupted by his ragged breath, he finally uttered his first statement in a long time.

"Yeah… and you're next."