Meeting I

"Huff… Huff… Huff…"

Luxia breathed heavily as she looked at the aftermath of the explosion.

"W-What kind of magic was that…?

The area that was once a forest was replaced by a giant crater that was tens of kilometers wide.

She looked at the four paladins of light that accompanied her and was shocked to find out that they were severely injured.

The four paladins of light were all either missing a limb or had a massive injury that covered almost half their body.

'If we hadn't used all our power in order to stop the explosion, then this crater would have been much, much bigger.'

And their casualties would also be a hundred times more severe.

Although not severe, she also sustained injuries herself. Though one must remember that she was someone who broke through level 100.

In other words, a human at the Legendary Realm who broke through her racial limit.

"There's no record of that kind of magic even within the temple's library… Is it a new kind of magic? But isn't that impossible!?"

As someone from the Temple of Light, her shock could be understood.

After all, as the most powerful organization in the whole of the Free World, it had records of countless skills and magic.

As such, Luxia was really dumbfounded at encountering such abnormal magic.

"Who was that mage? I need to report this to the higher ups…" She muttered to herself as she helped the other paladins of light recover.

Unbeknownst to Zen, the very first magic he had casted as a level 1 brought trauma to one who broke through level one 100.

***

In the backyard of the dilapidated building…

Zen was currently sitting on a handmade hammock as he continuously tried to gather mana at his fingertips.

Wung—

"A little more… a little more…"

Dazed whispers could be heard from him as his focus peaked.

Wang!

"Argh! I was so close!!"

His frustrated shout echoes around the backyard.

He was currently trying to complete the task of replicating his teacher's magic. With his greatest motivation the rewards promised to him.

"If only Teacher didn't say that he would take back my other rewards if I didn't complete this… Then I wouldn't be under this much pressure…"

Zen muttered to himself, feeling frustrated at Arthur's unfair terms.

"Well, it's not like I can't do it…"

Currently, he was about 50% done with replicating his teacher's magic.

If Arthur were to know this, then he would have been surely flabbergasted. After all, it had only been a few hours since he showed Zen his magic.

"Argh! I'll just need to complete this, then I'll get even more rewards!" Zen gritted his teeth as his eyes shone with determination.

***

Two figures suddenly appeared in the desert…

"Phew. To think that Luxia had already broken through the racial limit…"

"Don't be upset, it's already been years after all. If she still wasn't able to break through during those years, then she better hide herself in a hole."

Arthur said in an attempt to comfort Adara, "Besides, she also had the support from the Temple of Light…"

Adara looked at him with a sad expression before leaning for a hug.

Thud—

"Ow! Why didn't you catch me!? Weren't you comforting me???"

She protested while rubbing her head.

Arthur only looked at her in disgust, "I saw the slight smirk on your lips."

"B-B-But… Hmph!"

Adara pouted cutely as she tried to gain Arthur's sympathy.

However, it clearly backfired when he looked at her and said, "You're way too old to be making such expressions."

"You're mean!"

"Anyways…" Adara stopped with her antics as a curious expression appeared on her face.

Her eyes were filled with admiration, "But I didn't know that you were able to create new magic, I wonder how strong you have gotten!"

"Were you able to reach an even higher realm of magic!?" 

Hearing her words, Arthur smiled before shaking his head, "No."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"It's not my magic."

"What!? But who could've casted such powerful magic besides you!?" Adara's face was quite silly at this moment.

Chuckling a little, Arthur replied, "It's the magic of my apprentice."

"Apprentice!? You took on an apprentice!?!?"

"What's with the overreaction?" Seeing her exaggerated shock, disgust appeared on his face again.

"What do you mean by overreaction!? Don't you remember hundreds of years ago when yo-"

"Shut up. No need to mention how old I am."

"Heh, you're still like this. Sensitive about your old ag- Ow! I'll stop, just don't flick my forehead again…"

Adara had teary eyes as she caressed the three bumps that formed a tower on her forehead.

"But my point still stands! Countless individuals of every species, each with heaven-defying talents applied to be your apprentice back then, but even then, you didn't even spare them a glance. What's different now?"

Adara thought for a moment and added, "Could it be that you lowered your standards to save the Temple of Fire from disappearing?"

"No." Arthur shook his head, "You know I wouldn't do that. Besides, there's no need for me to do so."

"After all, the Temple of Fire won't disappear for as long as I'm here. They would need to kill me first, which is very impossible…"

"Oho, still as arrogant as ever~ Reminds me of the good ol' days."

"But still, this apprentice of yours– How is he?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I want to know how talented he is. Also, I'm curious as to how someone could satisfy that standard of yours."

Arthur only smiled, "I can't describe him. Anyways, it won't be long before you meet him."

"I avoided directly teleporting to my current hideout for safety measures but we'll be there before the day ends."

Arthur spoke as he stood up and raised his hands, mana waves after mana waves surging in the surroundings.

"For now, I'll focus on erasing our traces. Then after this, we'll teleport a few more times before going to my hideout. Would that be fine?"

"Of course! I'm always fine as long as I'm with you!" Adara gave two thumbs ups as she replied.