Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Just! Did you make us anxious by unnecessarily reading the room over just that!!! Though they thought this, no one could blame Risir. At first they were willing to do so- But the external factors they were currently facing were changing that thought moment by moment. "This is..." The expressions of those who had been pouting and looking at Risir gradually turned to shock. Gooooooo- By that dense aura that filled the entire space with much to spare, swirling fiercely. They instinctively realized. Risir. That he had broken through another wall. And thus, had stepped into the same realm as the Tower Masters present. "Risir, are you- are you okay!?" Remier, who had been briefly dazed, hurriedly came to her senses and asked about Risir's wellbeing. Then Palag, Lunadien, and Karoer followed suit. "This is a serious matter, so answer carefully! When you broke through the wall, how did you handle the phenomenon that occurred to yourself!?" Transcendence pain. It was a concept that came to all their minds at once. It was a phenomenon that came when one's power reached a realm that could not be fully contained by the world's laws- A kind of growing pain that those who reached 8th Rank inevitably had to endure without exception. Of course, calling it growing pains- It was something horribly severe to be merely called a natural phenomenon accompanying growth. Those who had reached a realm in governing themselves- Even those who had thus reached 8th Rank often lost themselves in the process of experiencing that growing pain. Pain and anguish accompanied by extreme alienation never experienced anywhere before. It sometimes caused personality distortion, and at other times brought about corruption of one's aura. In severe cases, some became crippled or went mad. It was a fact proven by various cases recorded in history. Therefore, those who were approaching the realm of 8th Rank thoroughly prepared for it. To completely protect themselves from Transcendence Pain, they mobilized all means and methods at their disposal. Some groups, including the Magic Towers, even had detailed systems in place for those facing Transcendence Pain. Right now, the Archmages present including Remier were witnesses to this. They were all victims of that terrible growing pain, and beneficiaries of systems created to protect people from it. That was why they were panicking at Risir's sudden change. "What, what- there's such a thing!?" Fienne, who had briefly heard about Transcendence Pain from them, opened her eyes wide. A single thought came to the minds of her and some others. -If such a thing existed, you could have given us a hint earlier...! It was a thought they kept to themselves, knowing it would become unfair criticism if voiced aloud. However, Remier, understanding their thoughts, cried out. "Because we didn't know!" It was a face that looked utterly wronged. "Because we didn't know he would reach 8th Rank this quickly! If we had known, we would have told you!!!" She, who usually maintained a doll-like atmosphere, waved both arms as she made her fervent appeal. At the sight of her like this, Fienne and the others naturally became solemn. If there was anyone most wronged in this place right now- They realized that it would at least not be Risir. "Risir, you! Look into my eyes! Are you feeling any particular abnormal symptoms!?" "...No, Lady Lunadien! I'm fine for now! Have I missed something!? If you give me instructions, I'll follow them completely!" Risir immediately realized the gravity of the situation and took his stance. Nod. The Archmages exchanged glances with each other and nodded. "Remier! Can the Gray Magic Tower step up and prepare 'that thing' right now!" "Lunadien! Isn't time too short to obtain that thing right now!?" "Of course it has to be short! But, Palag! There's no other way! Is there a group more suitable than the Gray Magic Tower to take immediate action!?" "That's...!" "Everyone calm down! The Gray Magic Tower has already secured 'that thing'!" "Is that true, Remier!?" "How on earth!?" "I prepared it in advance because I thought the day when Risir would need it would come someday! But who would have thought that day would come this quickly!" The urgent conversation of the Archmages proceeding rapidly. And there- Whiiiiing!!! That vast aura still asserting its presence and adding weight to the air. The atmosphere in the venue grew more serious by the moment. "For now-..." Risir tried to contain his aura, intending to at least lighten the atmosphere. "Risir!!! Don't!" It was the voice of the Gray Tower Master urgently stopping Risir. "You must maintain that state right now!!!" "...!" Risir was startled and followed her instructions. It was a timely restraint. Remier let out a sigh of relief and continued her explanation. "If you carelessly withdraw your aura now, the abnormal symptoms I just mentioned could appear!" "I understand! Then, should I continue maintaining this state!?" "Yes! I don't know if that's the best option- but since there are no problems currently, it seems good to maintain that state! Let's move in that state! I'll go ahead first and prepare 'that thing'!" Remier began preparing to depart first to the Magic Tower for advance preparation. The other Archmages assisted him at Risir's side so that his aura wouldn't become disturbed. A moment later. After finishing consultations with the other Archmages, Remier deployed a barrier around Risir. It was to prevent his aura from becoming unstable during the upcoming movement. Thus, the conversation continued during the process of opening the door and moving. "Risir! Remember! When you first operate that aura after reaching 8th Rank and then contain it- that's the most dangerous moment! So, you must maintain that state until we give you separate instructions! If it becomes difficult, immediately tell Lunadien and Palag!" "I understand! Oh, but- Lady Remier? You just said that the most dangerous moment is when you first operate that aura after reaching 8th Rank and then withdraw it again- what happens if you pass that moment!?" "You don't need to think about such things! As long as we're here, such things won't happen! In the first place, why are you curious about that!?" "Ah! It's not something else, but- reaching this current realm and operating this aura isn't my first time!" Thud. The movement of the group surrounding Risir stopped instantly. But the movement resumed immediately. "Unbelievable! Should I say that's so like you!? Thank goodness! Thank goodness indeed! That 'it' didn't happen the first time!" "Did Risir's power work to prevent 'it'!?" "I don't know what principle it is, but it seems to be the case!" Risir nodded repeatedly with relief like them. He didn't know the details, but it seemed his abilities had protected him again this time. By delaying the abnormal symptoms that should have originally manifested. "Risir, I'm asking to be more certain- if there's anything you haven't told us yet, tell us everything now." "Haven't told you yet-... What should I tell you!?" "First, explain about when you first broke through the wall." Perk. The Archmages' nerves perked up like ears. Risir's "story of reaching 8th Rank." The Archmages felt a strange fascination at the thought of sharing one of the most intense and unique experiences of their lives with Risir. They momentarily forgot even the seriousness of the situation and listened to Risir's story with great interest. "It must have been when I just entered the work of destroying new fragments. That is, after destroying the Fragment of Oblivion. At that time, I instinctively realized that I had reached my limit. I instinctively felt that it was time to rest." "That's...!" The Archmages' breathing collectively became overwhelming. Ah! That's it! They felt their past selves overlapping with Risir's experience. Sharing of experience. Furthermore, sharing of thoughts and sensations! Remier's gaze turned to a distant place. "I too was pushing myself at that time, when my clone magic research was being completed." Palag's gaze turned to a distant place. "My heart suddenly beat mercilessly, and it felt like an awl was piercing the back of my head. The feeling of the entire ceiling pressing down on my shoulders. My body constantly screamed. Please stop. That it was too much to go further. But-" Lunadien's gaze turned to a distant place. "Even in the midst of all that, my mind was surprisingly clear and cold. In that state, it kept commanding. To keep going forward. That I shouldn't stop here. That what you desire is beyond this." "...Of course I was scared. It felt like everything would collapse if I took just one more step forward!" '...But the answer was there. Enlightenment built up from the bottom, without knowing anything. Tearing down that tower built recklessly once- and rebuilding it. More precisely than before, more calmly than before! While examining one by one the things I had overlooked without knowing!!!' The voices of the Archmages, continuing as if passing torches, became increasingly passionate. The eyes of Remier, who received the torch last, were gleaming with light. The Archmage passed that torch of enlightenment directly to the young mage. Risir nodded and said. "In that state, I had an intuition." "In a situation where you reached your limit, facing a wall, you had an intuition about what was just beyond it. Right!?" "Ah- It wasn't that, but I had an intuition that it was time for my Status to gradually rise and my body to be restored to perfect condition." The young mage threw away the torch. Thud. The group's movement stopped once again. "After experiencing this several times, I gradually developed a sense for it. While using the Power of Purification, gradually- gradually- gradually- now! Like that. So, I continued the work without stopping- yes-" Nod. Risir nodded confidently. "That's how it happened." "..." Gradually. Gradually. Gradually- Now! It was neither the monologue of a fisherman catching fish- Nor the monologue of a merchant gauging the timing for trade. It was the enlightenment of the Archmage who reached the realm of transcendence at the youngest age in continental history. If such a thing could even be called enlightenment, that is. The Archmages' gazes turned to distant places. To places so distant they could never return. Enlightenment. It was a moment when the dignified value of the Archmages was ruthlessly trampled. In any case. The movement resumed. Whatever the case, the Transcendence Pain had to be dealt with. "Oh, and- I had a rather strange experience at that time. As if the boundary between the world and my existence was crumbling-" "That's-...!" The Archmages, who had been writhing in helplessness, jumped up. Because symptoms of Transcendence Pain were suddenly mentioned from his mouth. "It was painful, like getting a cramp in my calf. But fortunately, when I lay down and took deep breaths, it got better-" Step. Risir, who had been talking, stopped in place. Because the Archmages, who had stopped in their tracks at some point, were standing behind him staring blankly. "Everyone?" They turned their backs on Risir and returned to the conference room. "Everyone!? Where are you going, Lady Remier!? Lord Palag!? Lady Lunadien!?" A moment later. The sound flowing from the conference room. "Damn." It was the sound of celebrating the birth of an Archmage. *** "...So- Master. I'm thinking of gradually heading back. There are still things I need to do in Bondaless." It was a voice bidding farewell to the daily life that had continued peacefully for a while. Pamon. She casually brought up the topic during dinner with her master. "So, Master~" Pamon. She came to sit next to Labella and poked her with her elbow. "When will you tell me about our Risir~? I've been the only one talking until today, but shouldn't it be Master's turn to talk today~? I'm curious. What happened between Master and our Risir." "..." The Grand Master's face, which had maintained a kind smile, was colored with embarrassment. Labella recalled how Pamon had been excitedly telling Risir's stories over the past few days. The content of those stories too. The way she had been so amazed about her disciple achieving 3rd Rank- Made Labella's heart both pleased and complicated. Eventually. It was the moment when Labella was about to carefully broach the subject. "By the way, our Risir... has he been okay all this time?" Master Pamon. She was sincerely worried about the disciple she had been forced to leave behind. How could she fathom the depth of that worry. It was the moment when Labella was about to carefully encourage Pamon. "Our Risir is so sincere and passionate... he hasn't fallen into strange magic, has he!? Or become eccentric like the mages of the Magic Tower-" Labella was left speechless by Pamon's abundant(?) imagination. "Are you worried about such things?" "Yes~ Am I perhaps being too excessive~?" Excessive. Labella slowly chewed over that part. Soon. She opened her mouth with a kind smile. "Pamon." "Yes, Master." "There's nothing to worry about. That child Risir will still be the same steadfast child you remember." "Ah! I'd like to hear more details~" "Details?" "Yes!" "Regarding that matter, I think it would be good to reconsider it once more." "What?" "You might not be ready yet." "?" At Labella's serious attitude, Pamon tilted her head in confusion. Just to hear about her disciple, what kind of preparation could be needed?