Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 195

Episode 195: The Awakened Elf (3)

Elves react greatly to the magic of nature.

Although their body structure is different from that of humans, the process of restoring their messed-up internal structure with the magic of nature proves this.

And Verden's magic is purer than nature's magic.

That's why I used magic pressure as a sedative.

'Definitely different from human wizards.'

Verden recalled the past.

There have been several instances of subduing magicians by overwhelming them with magical power. Most of them, who encountered vast magical powers that even Verden could not understand, lost consciousness or collapsed in shock.

But the elf's reaction is similar yet different.

A trembling body.

Cold sweat dripping down without stopping.

I know that even though he has his head down, his pupils are shaking greatly.

He looks terrified in every way.

It is different from being shocked when you realize the difference in horsepower.

Yeah, like… … .

'It's similar to when I first witnessed the Transcendent.'

It was when I first entered the tower, when I was 8 years old.

Although it was just a distance that was barely within sight, I can never forget the feeling I had when I encountered the magic tower as a child. It was the presence beyond human form, beyond our perception.

Well, anyway.

'It seems to have worked out better than expected, so that's fortunate.'

So we can have a conversation more easily.

Verden sat down on the bed.

Then Blue slowly crawled onto the bed, and Edmon watched the situation with his wizardly, sparkling eyes.

“What is your name?”

“……Carans.”

“I am Asher. This is Edmon Lordliner.”

“Nice to meet you───”

Ugh.

Karans showed his hostility by biting his molars.

Then, after looking at Verden's expression, he forced himself to suppress his emotions. At that sight, Edmon smiled awkwardly.

“Hehe, it seems like you’re the only one I can talk to. I guess I’ll have to just watch from here.”

It doesn't really matter.

After all, there is only one mouth to answer the question.

Verden looked at Carans and asked.

“Let me ask you, Karans. What is the last thing you remember?”

“…….”

Karans's eyebrows shook slightly.

A calm voice came out from him as he recalled his memories.

“I remember killing a man who was completely bruised, and you knocking me out.”

Do you remember even when you lose your senses?

“You have a good memory.”

“That’s an elf.”

“Okay. Next up. Spirit Blue… No, do you remember when you were attacked in the forest with Forret?”

Karans slowly raised his head.

Although he still couldn't make eye contact with Verden, he seemed to have gotten used to it to some extent. Karans let out a small breath and turned his gaze to Blue.

“……Before I answer, I have something to ask.”

“About the spirits?”

“Why are you with Forret?”

Karans have a deep connection with spirits and magic.

Then one day, I was attacked and kidnapped by an unidentified wizard… … or to be exact, by the court wizard of the Kingdom of Estyria.

When I came to, Forret wasn't there.

The distance was so far that I couldn't even sense the slightest bit of magic. Perhaps, judging by the kidnapper's strength, it had already disappeared… … The latter was more likely.

I chewed over that fact over and over again.

But it's right before your eyes.

The green body reminiscent of a forest turned blue. Even the nature of the magic power changed completely. The sense that their magic powers were connected to each other also disappeared.

However, the fact that they are friends and compatriots who will share life and death with them does not change.

That's why you need to know.

Why is Foret here, why has Foret changed?

“…….”

Verden thought for a moment.

Certainly, this is more of a conversation and persuasion than an interrogation. Given the experience that the elves have, it would be wise to exclude force as much as possible and lead them to cooperation.

'Avoid processing information in a crude manner.'

Elves, like Verden, might also be able to glimpse into the spirits' memories.

It is difficult to obtain accurate testimony using only magical power.

So, you have to approach it more carefully. If Karans intentionally mixes in lies, you will become even more tired. If you are not careful, it may become irreversible.

Verden made his decision.

“I saw a memory from Forret.”

"memory……?"

“It’s been since you, Leonil… were kidnapped by the gray-bearded wizard. Forret chased you aimlessly until he ended up drifting into the kingdom.”

Verden spoke frankly about what he knew.

I was attacked by a spirit in the deep forest of Sloan and had no choice but to go on a mission to subdue it.

After that, the fact that the spirits were resurrected through the spirit stone and that safety measures were put in place to prevent a massacre of humans in the city.

The conversation ended with Karans' rescue.

Karans' expression, which had been listening quietly, changed from moment to moment.

It was difficult to guess what was in his mind because his emotions were so complexly mixed, but the expression that remained in the end was not anger, fear, or anything else… … it was joy.

Soon, tears began to form in Karans eyes.

"also……."

also?

“You’re an elf……!”

… … ?

* * *

The surroundings were enveloped in silence by Karans' unexpected remark.

Edmon was the first to react.

“Hey, Asher, you’re an elf…?! Your face certainly suggests that, but judging by your non-pointy ears and your magic, you’re different from the elves I know….”

“I am human.”

Verden dismissed Edmon's words in one word.

I turned my head.

The green eyes that had been looking at the floor until just now were now looking at the walls of Verden. With a face that was as excited as if they had met a fellow tribesman.

“……Why am I an elf?”

“Because only elves can restore elves.”

Karans clenched and unclenched his fist.

Although it wasn't normal yet, it was definitely a power boost. Among elves, only high-ranking elves are able to recover this much in a short period of time.

“What if you’re a high-ranking elf?”

“It’s the ‘administrator’.”

The central system of the elven race is different from that of humans.

Rather than a ruler such as a king or emperor, the 'World Tree' that the elves worship is at the center of the race, and 'managers' who look after the World Tree govern on their behalf.

The Administrator is a being who can share consciousness with other elves through the World Tree and can even determine the location of elves within a certain range.

And the ones who protect the administrators are 'guardian' elves like Karans.

This is information obtained from Drebus's experimental journal.

“I think it would be premature to consider me your manager just because I restored you.”

“There are other reasons as well.”

The administrator's power is to resurrect spirits at will.

In order to secure that amount of natural magic power, it would be necessary to borrow some of the magic power from the World Tree, not from individual elves.

“Of course, Forret’s resurrection is different from the usual one I know. However, that doesn’t mean that his memories and identity have been distorted. And above all…….”

A strange light appeared in Karans' eyes.

“Your magic feels as pure as that of the World Tree, brother.”

For these reasons, Carans changed his attitude.

A racial characteristic of elves, who hate other races but are full of trust and warmth towards their own kind. This is a display of their unique group consciousness.

Verden is speechless.

He pointed to his own appearance.

“Even though my ears aren’t pointy?”

“Elfs are different from humans. They don’t get caught up in appearances.”

“What if I claim to be human?”

“That doesn’t mean your magical powers are corrupted. From an elven perspective, you are a noble elf.”

Carans seemed unwilling to back down from his stance, no matter what Verden said.

'And it's from an elven perspective.'

This is the first time I've heard of it.

Verden closed his eyes as the situation flowed in a completely unexpected direction.

“Asher, are you okay?”

“Don’t you dare speak to my brother, human wizard, before I tear out your beard.”

“……Hehe, this elf friend is quite verbally abusive.”

“Friend? I’m not your friend.”

Edmon and Karans engaged in a war of nerves.

Verden, who had just come to his senses, sorted out the situation.

"stop."

“Understood, brother.”

“Asher really listens well.”

“Anyway, Karans, I understand what you’re saying. If you really think I’m an elf… can you tell me what you saw when you were taken away by the kidnappers?”

Verden decided to accept Carans' idea.

It would be easier that way. In the first place, it wasn't Verden who deceived him, it was just Karans' own misunderstanding.

It's not too late to correct it later.

Karans nodded.

“Of course. But I think it would be faster to just see it.”

“If you look at it… do you remember?”

“Elf cannot share memories without the World Tree. However, with the spirit, Foret, it is possible.”

Twinkle!

The spirit flying through the air landed on Karans' shoulder.

It seemed like he was glad to have his name called after having been unable to join the conversation.

“How?”

“It’s simple. Just use Forret as a medium to channel magical power between you.”

It certainly wasn't difficult.

It's not the first or second time I've seen other people's memories, but this is the first time I've directly shared a memory. I don't know what variables might come into play.

Verden did not let his guard down.

On one hand, I still had a wary feeling toward the elves.

It was at that time.

Karans hesitated and then staggered.

Are you still injured? When I asked that, Karans lowered his head and spoke quietly.

“Brother… can I get you something to eat?”

It had been several weeks since Karans had starved.

No matter how much natural magic sustains your life, if you continue fasting you will not be able to exert any strength.

Such an obvious fact.

Verden stood up from his seat.

“Please put off looking at the memories for a moment. I will come to your rescue soon, so just wait a moment.”

“Thank you, brother.”

* * *

Karans' side was left to Blue.

And the entrance to the prison was left to another knight in the safe house. Verden and Edmon, who had come up to the surface, had a conversation.

“Oh, Asher, I never thought you’d be an elf. I’ve never seen an elf so kind to a human. You see all sorts of strange things in life.”

“Me too.”

“Let me tell you privately. Are you perhaps of elven blood?”

Verden is an orphan.

I have never seen my parents' faces, let alone their names. Of course, I had no way of knowing whose blood it was. Honestly, I didn't even want to know.

Verden chuckled.

“Is it even possible for elves and humans to reproduce in the first place?”

“Of course… it’s impossible. Even though their overall appearances are similar, they are completely different races. It’s absolutely impossible. But if anything, they could be called half-elves.”

Half-elf. Half-elf.

Edmon repeated it several times, liking the feel of it.

“By the way, what are we going to do with that elf?”

“What does that mean?”

“To be honest, elves are dangerous just by their very existence. Don’t you know? I’m talking about a country that was destroyed after messing with an elf.”

Elves do not abandon their own kind and do not forget grudges.

If the news spreads to the Great Forest that Karans was taken to the Kingdom and tortured, a war between the Kingdom and the Elves may break out.

If that happens, there will be victims that are incomparable to the undead incident.

“So, are you telling me to kill Karans?”

“As a member of the Marquis family… I believe that it is safe. With one life, I can save countless lives. However, if there is another way, I would choose that. Taking innocent lives is not a pleasant thing.”

Edmon's expression became complicated.

Verden, who had been looking at him, turned his gaze.

“It won’t be too late to think about that after I check my memory. I’ll try to think of a way for Karans to survive if possible.”

“……Thank you.”

* * *

Wow wow.

Karans swallowed his food hastily.

It was a barbaric act without any manners or anything, but thanks to his handsome appearance, even that seemed noble. He filled his stomach with steak, pasta, and bread, and quenched his thirst with a fruit drink.

“Are you not an elf, but an orc in elf clothing? How much did you eat by yourself?”

Dozens of plates were emptied cleanly.

Karans glanced at Edmon and bowed his head to Verden.

“Thank you for the meal, brother.”

“I paid for the food with my own money?

“Thank you for the meal, brother.”

Karans was consistently ignorant.

Verden stepped forward after seeing Edmon's eyes twitching.

“Are you ready to show your memories now?”

“Yes.”

The elf nodded vigorously.