Ch. 134: The Strongest Wizard
It was at that time that Howell saw something strange.
It was because he was in a place where everything was paused.
The Spell [Ultimate Magnetic Cannon] {Coil Gun} fired a super-magnetically-charged object forward, and although Howell was able to theorize its possibilities, he absolutely lacked the Magic Power to be able to pull the Spell off.
Hence, when he swallowed the mummified fetus, he instinctively knew.
Howell: (I can do this…..)
ff
He was finally able to stand at the pinnacle of his strength.
That’s why he used it.
But at the same time, the red-haired boy, Igni’s Spellーーno, his [Magic] was initiated, he realized that the metal object he supposedly fired was stopped in mid-air right in front of him.
But it wasn’t just the piece of metal that was paused. The dust particles in the air were frozen in place. The rocks and the rubble too. Everything around him was frozen completely, and for a moment, Howell thought that at the height of his concentration, he was just seeing the world in incredible slow motion.
He has evaded death many times in his life, and this was similar to his past experiences when death confronted him.
But a second, and then two seconds passed. The paused world stood still, and seeing how it was immovable, he began to think that <time completely stopped>.
Igni: “I bet you’re wondering what’s happening.”
As soon as he tried to move his body, a boy in front of him spoke.
In the boy’s palm was a small {Fireball}.
Howell tried to speak and move his lips but………nothing moved.
It was as if all the forces in the world held his mouth in place, and he could not move an inch.
Igni: “Right now, you are in my world. I’m sure that it’ll be hard to understand, but you don’t have to understand that part.”
With absolute authority, Igni looked down upon Howell as he continued.
Igni: “What’s important is that, if this is my world, I can control time within this world freely. That’s why I accelerated you and I’s consciousness infinitely, and as a result, your surroundings will look like they have completely stopped in time.”
Howell remained still. Or rather, he could not do otherwise.
Igni: “This is [Magic].”
And Igni plainly and clearly told Howell.
Igni: “You can’t move right? Of course you can’t. Right now, only your consciousness is what is reaching me.”
Howell: “..............”
Igni: “Frankly, I don’t care about your research.”
Now that it was just the two of them, Igni decided to just speak whatever came to his mind.
Igni: “I don’t care what you do here. Do what you want. But you committed two forbidden atrocities. One, you targeted Yoori.”
Howell: “..............”
Howell could not move but looked as though he wanted to speak.
No, since Howell’s posture couldn’t have changed, Igni must have just imagined it.
Howell explained his motivations and intentions to Igni.
That’s why Igni thought it was only fair to share his.
Igni: “You tried to us my friend, that is one of the reasons.”
Howell: “.................”
Igni: “And the second, is that you raised a hand against Elina and her friends.”
Igni finished speaking and raised a palm to Howell.
Igni: “That’s why you’ll suffer as they did.”
It was Igni’s declaration.
Igni minimized the output of his [Magic] <to the lowest possible> and the energy that was fired at the speed of light vaporized Howell’s arms. With no arms, Howell continued to stand there.
Igni let out a disappointed sigh inside his mind.
Igni: (This is no good. This [Magic] is too powerful.”
Igni: “You can move your body.”
As soon as Igni finished speaking, pain erupted and burned inside Howell’s mind. But as he withstood the pain, Howell opened his mouth to speak.
Howell: “...........Igni……you…….at least, you would understand.”
Igni: “Still spewing excuses?” Igni tilted his head in amazement at Howell’s courage to continue his discussion even under these conditions.
There was nothing more to discuss. Igni and Howell would not be able to come to any compromise, and this is where their conversation ended. Then, they would just have to determine things by their Wizard’s strength.
Howell: “There’s……..there’s never going to be another opportunity like this. An opportunity where Human Stagnation concentrated this much…….a curse with a will of its own………there’s never going to be………”
Igni: “Just go to the Underground Dungeon Labyrinth then.”
Howell: “............nーno……that place……..is no good.”
The prison for all [Magicians]. That was the Underground Dungeon Labyrinth.
Although many [Extremes] are [Magicians], not all [Magicians] earn the title of [Extremes]. Even amongst the [Magicians], there are many lowlifes that murdered and tainted their hands with various crimes. Capturing them, they are then secured in the Underground Dungeon Labyrinth.
Igni: “Why?” Howell: “Human Stagnation is <too heavily concentrated> there……..the Human Stagnation of those criminals………is useless…….”
Igni: “I see.”
With that, Igni fired and vaporized Howell’s right leg. Steam arose as his right let disappeared.
Igni: “I’ll try to be as clear as possible. I have zero interest in your research. So none of that matters to me.”
Howell: “BーBut………”
Igni: “Mr. Seta asked me for help, and I cooperated with Elina to find the source of the problem that prevented work in the mines. Now that Elina passed the baton to me to finish this job, I just need to dig out the root problem.”
Howell: “.......yーyou’re going to kill me?’
Igni: “No, I won’t kill you. <You’re nowhere near strong enough> for me to bother killing you.”
Igni intended for those words to scar Howell’s pride.
Igni: “You broke Nie’s arm and leg, crushed Rania’s lungs, and hurt Elina’s arms and legs. That’s why I’ll have you suffer the same amount of injuries. That is your punishment.”
Howell: “Punishment?! What have I even done?!”
Igni: “You injured girls.”
And with one last burst of energy, light ripped across and took Howell’s left leg.
Igni: “As for your lungs……..you’ll die if I hit you with this, so I’ll have to refrain this time.”
Igni ceased his [Magic] after speaking. The next instant, Howell’s [Ultimate Magnetic Cannon] {Coil Gun} fired off a shot into the sky and disappeared.
And inside the mountain, Howell remained silent without his limbs. Igni grabbed Howell by his clothes and picked him up. Casting [Flame Engine] {Accel Boot}, he jumped into the air.
Below, he saw Elina healing the “Black and White Sisters.”
Igni: “Nie, I want to secure Howell. Can you use your Spell now?” Nie: “Yes! I can use it.”
Nie rubbed at her arm and leg that Elina healed, and confirming that there was no pain, she stood up and began her incantation. A human-restraining Spell was initiated, and in front of Igni’s feet, a muddy darkness began spreading out.
Nie: “You can put him in there.”
Igni let go of Howell’s clothes, and with a low <splash>, Howell’s body disappeared into the darkness below.
Igni thought Howell might have spoken again, but maybe it was because of the shock. Howell went in without saying a word.
Elina: “Igni, are you hurt anywhere?” Elina approached him with a worried glance.
Igni smiled as he nodded reassuringly.
Igni: “No, I’m fine. I’m not hurt anywhere.” And Elina let out a sigh of relief as she nodded back.
Elina: “I’m glad. But really…….I can’t believe you defeated my brother Howell.”
Igni: “Yeah.” Igni embraced Elina’s compliment directly andーー
Igni: “I am the [Strongest] after all.”
And smiled as he spoke.
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