Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 78:Rayleigh Von Mez (8)
Rayleigh looked up from his table, several objects scattered along its length. In his hands, a notebook filled with complex diagrams and formulas.
He frowned, casting a spell to check who had intruded into the boundary he had set up before relaxing slightly upon seeing Anna’s face.
She had chosen to leave the tower nearly five decades ago, spreading his magic and travelling the world. Ever since then, several mages and other beastkin had sought him out—seeking his help.
His eyes suddenly focused on the group that followed behind her. A particular crest on their equipment.
...Virex Empire Knights.
He paused his research, donning a cloak and picking up his wand. Something he had received as a gift from the beastkins.
Rayleigh wasn’t stupid. His father had likely known he was here all along. He simply hadn’t bothered to do anything with him.
But now, Rayleigh knew damn well why his father was sending this message.
After conquering the seven human kingdoms, his father had made plans to continue waging war against the non-human races but had paused the war. Letting the newly made Virex Empire recoup its losses, deal with its internal troubles and accumulate strength.
Now, after nearly three and a half centuries. His father had deemed it time to restart the war.
And Rayleigh was expected to participate. Even if he was unwilling.
His father’s overbearing attitude still remained as consistent as ever, like a mountain. Despite the weather or the countless natural disasters, it stood still.
Remembering all those years he had tried so hard to impress his father soured his mood. He trained so hard, trying to meet his expectations with his talent. Trying to get approval he knew he would never receive.
But choosing to become a mage had thrown it all down the drain. What a waste of effort he had put into his training.
He teleported outside the tower. Meeting them there. His gaze softening briefly as he made eye contact with his treasured disciple. Before quickly hardening again.
One of the knights stepped forward, pulling out a scroll from his satchel and unfurling it. Loudly declaring:
"Prince Rayleigh Von Mez. You have been deemed guilty by the Virex Empire’s Court of Law for the crimes listed below."
"One. Harbouring a member of a non-human race, knowingly concealing the existence of the fugitive from the Virex Empire."
"Two. Assisting and providing support to members of non-human races, helping to evade detection and providing resources such as food, water, and others."
"Three. Illegally studying magic without gaining permission from the Virex Empire’s Ministry of Magic Security. Performing dangerous spells which may have endangered the lives of others."
"In total, you have been sentenced to face 150 years in prison. On account of your royal bloodline however. His Imperial Majesty has decided to present a separate option for prince Rayleigh. You are to join the Ministry of Magic Security as a temporary Magic Marshal. You are to share your knowledge on magic to others and follow any orders from the Director of the Ministry of Magic Security. The duration for said punishment will be 150 years."
He clenched his fists, his rage building up inside of him as the knight listed out each of his crimes and his sentence.
What a damn joke. Especially the last ’crime’ of his.
The Ministry of Magic Security was just a fancy term, they were the overlords. Essentially acting out his father’s will to control mages within the empire. His father despised mages down to the core, but even he knew he couldn’t fully stop them from popping up, so he settled for controlling them.
Endangered? There was no one around him for miles! How could he possibly have endangered anyone?
He could see Anna’s face in shock at the revelation of him being a prince. Something he had hid from her all this time. Not that it mattered much, he was a prince in name only.
Rayleigh felt tempted to just refuse, say no. Tell them to go die, or better yet. Just kill them himself, he didn’t mind killing. He had done it plenty of times already for irredeemable scum.
But he couldn’t. Anna’s life was in their hands. He didn’t have proof but he was sure the several non-human races settlements were in the same situation. He was being held hostage.
He laughed to himself, a small chuckle a first. Before devolving into a crazed laughter. Causing a few concerned gazes from the knights and Anna.
"Fine then! I’ll become a Magic Marshal! I’ll share my magic! I’ll fight in the damn war!"
He put away his wand, hearing a few sighs or relief from the knights. If he wanted to, he could absolutely obliterate each one here with a single spell and he wouldn’t even sweat at all.
Despite each knight there having undergone five temperings at the very least. Making them part of the upper echelons in strength. Rayleigh had massively improved over the last three centuries. Becoming the youngest mage in the world to form thirteen circles.
Compared to these knights, Rayleigh held enough power to destroy them and more if he wanted to. Adding on his system, he had strength equivalent to that of a mage with fourteen circles. At this level there were only around a dozen or so foes that could be evenly matched against him.
"All of you, leave now. I’ll come find you once I’m done preparing, and leave her behind."
They knew better then to provoke a mage of his caliber, quickly leaving the moment he told them to.
Anna rushed over to him, hugging him as tears flowed down her cheek. The years had treated her well. The young child was long gone, replaced by a graceful and beautiful woman. With long glossy hair, and her beastkin traits. Despite being over three centuries old like himself, the natural lifespans of beastkins plus her current level of eight circles had increased her lifespan massively.
As for himself, he looked like he was only in his late twenties at most. Compared to the average human lifespan of about 120 years. Rayleigh had long since surpassed that.
She trembled, her ears and tail drooping downwards. Only apologizing continuously.
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry."
He quietly patted her back, letting her cry in his arms as he comforted her.
"It’s all my fault. Now because of me...you have to-
"It’s fine Anna, the empire would have come for me anyways. With or without you. What matters is that you’re safe now."
She sniffled, the tears soaking through his clothes.
"It’s going to be alright. I’m strong. I won’t die so easily."
***
"Amazing! To be able to meet the creator of Dimension and Time magic myself! It is truly my honour!"
Rayleigh gave a polite smile, shaking the wrinkled hand of the man who had come to greet him. Internally scoffing at his sycophant attitude.
Only someone with such an attitude could become the Director of the Ministry of Magic Security. Now, Rayleigh’s boss while he worked as a temporary Magic Marshal.
"Nice to meet you as well. I’m very tired from my travel. I heard that there is an empty magic tower prepared for me yes? I would like to go there and rest now."
"Of course! Please follow me!"
As the director led him towards his new tower and residence. He tried to make small talk with him, asking about his magics in particular.
"We have many mages who also study your two magic disciplines, I wonder whether you may provide some help to guide them on their path?"
Learning other branches of magic that didn’t match your attunement was possible, but it was very inefficient. Whenever Rayleigh tried to cast a spell that wasn’t of the dimensional or time discipline, it would simply be the most basic weakest version of the spell. The only enhancements being from his purity and the amount of mana.
But if someone with a fire-attunement cast a fire spell, the spell would be massively improved. These mages trying to learn his two magic disciplines were essentially locking themselves down to being only mediocre.
But he knew why they learned it, either the empire had made them do it. Either by persuasion or forcing them. Or they had a reason to learn it.
Rayleigh could determine it easily. Wasn’t his first thought with time magic to turn back time? Fix his mistakes and change his past?
Many naturally wanted to do the same. Unaware of the difficulty of such an action.
"I’ll try. I’m not a very good teacher unfortunately."
"That’s fine! You just need to answer a few questions they may have."
He sighed internally. When they reached the empty tower, Rayleigh had ignored all pretenses and simply just told the man to stop bothering him. He had thankfully gotten the message and left him alone.
He collapsed onto the bed, a faint smell still lingered in the air. Signs that the place was only recently cleaned.
The war hadn’t yet started. But everyone could tell, it was coming. The price of metal had gone up, along with foods that stored well. Magical components were being bought off the market the moment they appeared. Many deciding to migrate to bigger cities for the safety its walls brought.
As for Rayleigh, he was to join the upcoming war. Fighting for the empire that he absolutely despised with all his being.
"System."
Name:
Rayleigh Von Mez (LV 805)
Race:
Ultimate Human
Classes:
-Prodigy Mage(LV MAX)
-Starter Dimension Magic Mage (LV MAX)
-Starter Time Magic Mage (LV MAX)
-Dimension Magic Savant(LV MAX)
-Time Magic Genius(LV MAX)
-Archmage of Dimension Magic(LV 240/250)
-Archmage of Time Magic(LV 240/250)
Title:
[Duality Archmage]
Stats:
[press here to show]
Skills:
[press here to show]
Status:
[press here to show]
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He would have to level up a bit more, he still had a few more years at the very least to max out his two Archmage classes and evolve once more.
Then only, would he become a true powerhouse in the world of Erde.
