Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 753 - 695: The Rebellious Prince

The justice that Raymond wielded was the foremost concept of this Holy Light era.

Justice, conceived from the ideational power of the Holy Light, was almost akin in power to what was called a miracle.

It was this absolute priority concept that reigned supreme over all magic and secret laws.

Thus, the "Brave" champions of justice, within this era enveloped by Holy Light, freely used the powers from their fabricated memories. Owing to the highest priority of the first concept, no force could interfere with the unleashing of their abilities.

Just like the Great Fool’s Pokeball capturing capability. These forces of justice possessed the absolute initiative and were indisputably unstoppable. Andrey Liches, unaware of these characteristics and still unclear about who their real enemies were, stumbled.

"The power bestowed upon us by the God of Light is of the Top Rank, we have the intelligence first-hand and have crafted the present battle achievements," the slender man advanced under the guard of his allies, his sharp gaze sweeping over the illusory sand table.

He sighed.

"But this advantage ends here."

Glittering dust fell from the sky, like milky way particles cascading through the air.

"Watch out for the enemy’s attack!"

Driven by the Wind of Holy Light, the Brave scattered the dust, those powerless tiny particles falling to the ground.

They solidified, grew, and turned into shining crystals, beginning to occupy the remaining space in Andrey’s castle. The beautiful objects gave the Brave a sense of impending danger, and under probing attacks, the crystals shattered, turning into even more lustrous seeds.

"Rushio! Our attacks only speed up the growth of these crystals!"

The man known as Rushio stopped, the iron crosses and spikes of his dress coat trailing behind him, leaving a silhouette for his comrades.

"You all continue as planned."

"Rushio! You bastard!!!"

"What follows a plan where might is more important than wisdom, my ability... it’s better suited to remain here..."

Unable to convince the stubborn Rushio, or perhaps understanding that they could not defy the King’s orders, the remaining Braves ran towards the castle’s exterior, leaving Rushio alone to face the proliferating crystals.

Sixth step, domain, folding the world.

The crystals were not transparent; they were shattered mirrors, portals to a reversed world.

A mask with an iridescent smile emerged from the mirror, and the Lich floated forth from the glass, looking down on the man with a resolute gaze, his tone light yet tinged with ease.

Rushio couldn’t decipher the material of the mask, but its smooth, mirror-like surface reflected his face in addition to the sculpted mocking smile.

The Lich said, "Is this wise? If I’m not mistaken, you should be a commanding and leading figure, akin to a conductor. Without your group, how effective can your power be?"

Rushio responded arrogantly, "A king ought to strike first, only then will the soldiers follow him to the death."

The mirror let out a joyful chuckle at the novelty, responding cheerfully, "I seem to like your new stance even more; it seems we have something in common."

"I am Rushio A. Nyatabuni, the Black King who has made a pact with the demons, declare your name if you are a king like me!"

The proud human issued a glorious invitation, and the dead Undead saluted the past glory, hand over his chest.

"I am Mirror, the leader of the Magic Research Society, a member of the Salvation Association, ’Magic Mirror’."

Responding with a ceremony worthy of a king, Mirror was full of enthusiasm.

"However, Your Majesty Rushio, I am not a ’King’."

The Seven Locks Magic Power manifested as an Abyss devouring light, the Crystal of Mirror making Andrey’s castle shine brightly.

"I agree with your viewpoint. But I am a ’Soldier,’ a follower continuing to proclaim the glory under the guidance of a great leader." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Now, Black King..."

The fragile mirror surface gathered radiance, and Mirror’s gentle voice seemed to drift to a lightless shadow, deep and haunting. Every mirror reflected his gloomy mask from all angles to Rushio’s gaze, murmuring the statement of fact.

"You will pay a price beyond death for damaging the academy I take pride in."

The mirror shards transformed into sharp swords, a tide of blades rushing at Rushio, piercing his limbs, his torso, his heart, his head, aiming for his eyes marked with the vivid red bird-like symbols.

"Geass!" The king’s command thundered, and under his scold, the surge of blades halted.

Mirror floated in mid-air, the pattern of extended wings now piercing through his body.

An asthenic Rushio gasped for air, looking at the formidable Lich before him whose power chilled him to the bone.

"Under the blessing of Raymond’s justice, my Geass holds absolute priority, my power is the absolute first, Mirror."

"You’re underestimating Andrey? Do you truly believe your understanding of the Punishing Angels is inferior to ours?" Mirror moved as usual amid Rushio’s shocked gaze, his icy words like shattering his final vestige of pride, "The absolute priority of ability release, wantonly depending on the Holy Light’s bestowed power, emphasizing one’s lofty status, I am...the one to bring you down."

"I am Mirror, I am your other side, I am the counterattacker with the last move. Just as you have a talent for certain first moves, Rushio, my gift is reflection, to record every attack, every spell inflicted, and return it in full."

"Be it an instant death spell or an executioner’s fatal blade, I will invert those concepts and return them twofold."

Folding world, Reflection·Kaleidoscope.

"Through the thousands of Magic Mirrors I’ve established in Andrey’s castle, rebellious members of the Literature Society, enjoy your own attacks,"

The figure of the mirror twisted into the shape of Rushio, flaring brightly.

"Geass, in the name of the mirror, surrender without resistance, traitors."

Birds transformed into countless rays of rainbow light, erupting from the mirror’s eyes, flying towards its surface, surging throughout Andrey’s domain.

"You have lost, Rushio."

Rushio, recoiling from the backlash of the Geass, stood frozen in place as the mirror’s palm steadily approached like soothing a frightened child.

Just as Rushio’s head was about to be enveloped in crystal clarity, a weakened voice slowly rose.

"How about making a transaction with me, mirror?"

The mirror snorted coldly, "A final struggle, Rushio..." Suddenly the mirror remembered the other side existing within Rushio’s body and hastily retreated.

"Could it be, you... this fellow..."

Rusted chains began to move, brass gears clanging in the sky.

Familiar scenes, familiar transactions, the mirror grew impulsive. Bound by the concept of secret, it could only roar at this person.

"Reporter!!! You, this fellow, had actually regained your senses long ago!!! You damned rascal!!!"

Mr. "Reporter’s" eyes twinkled with symbols of birds, a pattern prompting the mirror to consider another hypothesis.

"Ah, so my real identity is called Reporter," Rushio mocked with a smile, "You Liches are truly terrible at naming, linking names to abilities. It serves you right to be exploited."

The mirror looked at the personality it twisted and spoke words it dared not even contemplate.

"Reporter, no, Rushio. You haven’t recovered your memories but retraced to Reporter’s personality through your own wisdom?!!"

Rushio shook his head, "I simply discovered the power within this body. I don’t believe in so-called Gods of Light or Bravemen, and I maintain skepticism towards uncontrollable unknowns. That is my way of thinking... realizing I am but a puppet clad in human skin, a personality twisted into existence..."

The mirror stared at the companion it found both familiar and strange.

"Even though you surmised it was fake, you still helped those bastards run amok. Has your twisted sense of amusement awakened, you reprehensible creature?"

Rushio’s voice carried a trace of relief.

"Is there no reason to pursue something simply because it is false? You soldier captivated by reality."

The mirror scoffed once more.

"Even if you resort to the transaction of the Secret, nothing can change now. The power of Geass has been released by me, and you, along with those fools, will undergo soul correction in the Soul Tower. That is the only outcome."

"I acknowledge such an outcome, the false returning to the false... but I wish to change the method, to conclude with the flair I am best at."

The mirror looked at Rushio, whose face, Mr. Reporter’s face, exhibited a brilliance never shown before.

"What else do you wish to do? My ability can reflect Geass, your power is ineffective against me."

Rushio laughed, a hearty laugh.

"What a drab, unexciting reality. Fine, then I shall complete my final performance as if it were a play!"

"Isn’t there another here who can be controlled by Geass!!!"

Rushio raised his head high, his pupils directly confronting the great brass gears at the pinnacle of the rusted world.

"Geass! I, Rushio A. Nyatabuni, command you in my name! The god-like Secret! Fulfill your transaction with me!"

"Take my power of Geass as a bargaining chip, turn the power of Geass into a part of the Secret!!!"

The gears screeched harshly, the sharp chains carrying out the forceful command, piercing into Rushio’s eyes, retracting the symbols of the birds.

Mystery, it needs to be concealed and protected.

Geass, immediately became part of the Secret.

All collective accusations released by the mirror’s reflection, were erased under the interference of the Secret!

The mirror supported the man teetering on the brink, his facial flesh guise slowly peeling away due to the extreme sapping of magic power, revealing the skeleton within and the pulsing soul flame.

"Is it necessary? To lose your own power, to erase the Geass I’ve released? Since you’re aware of Andrey’s existence, you also realize you’re merely buying those fools a fleeting chance to breathe. Andrey’s high-ranking combat power isn’t limited to just me."

Rushio lifted his skeletal arm, curiously observing.

"My initial plan was to hinder your steps. King of the Black Abyss gladiatorial spell, your absolute reflection is indeed the nemesis of the righteous Brave. Everything is proceeding according to my plan, including my departure..."

The mirror supported the Lich comrade as they vanished into the depths of the castle, muttering to itself.

"Can a twisted personality actually improve intelligence..."