Genius 52

Test

Chapter 52. Creation

Liberation of the [Emerald Tablet].

Creation of magic. Miraculous works. To achieve this, he reached out to the countless pieces of magic flying around him ──

"Ugh"

── The world flowed in.

Such an overwhelming amount of information that it felt like the world was flooding in. His mind instantly overflowed, and his consciousness flickered as his thoughts blurred.

Trying desperately to stay sane and focused, but new information kept pouring in without a moment's rest.

This is why the true essence of the [Emerald Tablet] is usually sealed.

Even Hermes, accustomed to magic, struggled. If a novice tried this release, their brain would fry, killing them instantly.

No, even Hermes couldn't be sure he wouldn't suffer the same fate in the next moment. Such a vast, violent flood of knowledge.

From there, he had to pick and assemble only the appropriate elements. Like finding specific grains of sand in a desert──an unimaginable task to repeat thousands of times. It felt impossible──

(……Calm down……)

He understood he wasn't yet capable of mastering this.

Don't try to do everything. Set your goal properly and focus only on the necessary mechanisms.

(That's right, don't think of creating from scratch)

Ideally, yes, but rushing blindly would be no different from Aster.

The boundary between ideals and reality was now his guide in the infinite expanse of wisdom.

Following it, he set his goal.──What magic should he create?

(First, I absolutely need firepower. The greatest ever, enough to pierce that defense)

──Then, [Ahura Mazda].

Aster's use was too crude, but now, having successfully replicated it, he understood. Used properly, this magic could rival or even surpass [Hlidskjalf] in pure power.

Extract only that element and make it the core of the magic. That was doable.

(But it's not enough. My current magical output alone can't achieve the desired firepower. I need to draw power from somewhere else──)

──Then, [Soteira Trivia].

That magic connects to the underworld to borrow power, achieving high performance with minimal magic consumption. Katia, constantly in the fiercest battles, hadn't run out of magic, proving its effectiveness.

Apply that effectively, not for defense but to boost firepower──it could work.

(But then, how to combine those two? To seamlessly merge completely different types of magic.)

──Then, [Mistle Teinn].

The essence of that magic is enhancement. It's specialized in combining different magics.

Using it as a 'binder' might fit perfectly. It could also physically enhance firepower through propulsion.

(Coat it with [Aiolos] wind to prevent power dispersion. And [Lunad Saraka] could boost spiritual power. Applying [Hraesvelgr] could help with control──)

It's about combination.

Creating magic from scratch is ideal. But reality limits him to recreating existing magic.

So the boundary. Extract elements from reproducible existing magic and combine them to form new magic.

All the beautiful magic he had seen. The crystallized wishes.

Embedding everything encountered in the capital, he crafted his unique magic.

(──Damn──)

Naturally, it was a task of immense difficulty and pain.

The flood of knowledge continued, even intensifying.

The pain felt like his head was splitting. A moment's lapse in concentration and his thoughts would scatter.

Only in such conditions could he construct magic. Not every idea worked. Each defect and retry caused hesitation and anxiety, paralyzing his mind.

Such delays here could be fatal. Fear of ending the next moment's mistake, the seemingly eternal pain eroding his resolve──

──Therefore, hold on to the desire.

To withstand the pain. To clearly see the wavering goal, to move his trembling hand to create the desired.

Those who created magic before endured the same or more.

Hence, their magic is so wonderful.

And thus, so painfully──it resonates.

Therefore, he too.

(I want it)

Fueling his desire.

(The power to protect what is beautiful. The power to destroy all that tries to take it)

Can I become like them?

Have I developed a desire as strong as theirs?

(So, in this place. I can't stop!!)

Believing, wishing.

Overcoming the pain, driving his thoughts.

Reaching for the radiant light──and then.

"──It's done."

As he muttered with certainty, his consciousness returned from the world of wisdom to reality.

"……"

He looked around instantly.

Immediately found Katia and Sara. They had endured Cerberus's fierce attacks as promised.

And in front of him──there was a sword.

A simple greatsword, vivid red-purple.

He imagined a mythical sword. A decisive weapon from the final war, wielded by a giant king, said to burn the world nine times.

"Spell Creation──[Laevateinn]"

His created magic.

The sword's name is the magic's title. As if responding to the naming, the greatsword gently fell into his hand.

"────Hah."

He couldn't help but laugh.

"…What a clumsy magic."

It's a clumsy product, with magical elements slapped on to restrain its enormous power. Not refined at all, the spell structure and magical circuits are a mess. Extremely inefficient.

Lacking durability and stability, consuming an immense amount of magic. A patchwork of failures, incomparable to those beautiful magics.

"──But, this is fine"

It's clumsy and inefficient, but this is his magic. For now, he should rejoice in creating it.

Besides...

The very first wish. The overflowing power was a definite grasp.

Then, no problem. Now just wield it.

With that determination, he dashed forward.

…He must have been at his limit.

It's a miracle they held off Cerberus's assault this long with just the two people. Especially Sara constantly targeted for her healing abilities──finally.

"Ah,──!"

Failed to block the charge, [Theur Gy] shattered. Cerberus collided with Sara, still in its momentum.

Though somewhat mitigated, the massive weight. The impact took all her remaining strength, helplessly blown away.

She landed directly into Hermes's arms, just arriving.

"!? Ah."

"……Truly, I apologize for keeping you waiting. You endured well"

Sara's eyes widened in surprise, followed by tears of relief and past fear.

But soon, seeing what he held in his right hand, her expression turned to shock. She understood the immense power it contained.

"I'll take it from here"

Saying only that, Hermes ran off.

Only Katia left. Cerberus, confident in its triumph, sprinted towards her, raising the greatsword.

"!? ──Oo◇◇◇◇◇n────"

Cerberus noticed, sensing the danger in Hermes's weapon.

Instinctively raising its hackles, the right head emitted a strange voice.

Probably its incantation. Following that action, a red translucent wall appeared. The formidable barrier magic that perfectly blocked Hermes's full strength [Hlidskjalf]──but.

"…Break."

No matter.

This magic was created to cut through even that. Its power is on a different level.

And as declared.

The swung greatsword easily sliced the barrier, deeply penetrating the previously impenetrable Cerberus's flesh.

Moreover, the cut ignited, inflicting massive damage for the first time in this battle.

"!!? ──Oo──oo────!!"

Cerberus's genuine scream and roar were heard for the first time.

As it subsided──all three pairs of eyes focused on Hermes.

With an intent to kill, now mixed with anger, distinguishing from the previous cold malice.

"……Apparently."

Understanding precisely, Hermes muttered.

"Finally, recognized me as an 'enemy'. It's an honor. Unforgivable. But, beautiful slaughterer."

Matching the three pairs of eyes with his jade ones filled with equal resolve.

The final battle began.