Legacy of the Dark Sage

Chapter 867 Acquisition (7)

Although Gage couldn't survive an attack from a magical beast, this was only based on the assumption that he was still a Master mage.

However, considering what Cyneah said before, when beasts chased her, and Gage managed to kill one by himself, Kyran had to reassess his initial thoughts.

Cyneah might not have specifically said what type of beasts had chased her, but considering they had relentlessly pursued her, with one even going so far as coming after her when she fell down a gorge, they were all feral.

If that was the case, for Gage to have killed one meant his combat and magic prowess was already way beyond a Master.

For the record, the lowest mage level Kyran encountered in Somuli was at Grand Master. Hilam and his team were at that level. As for most of the Eidums defending the borders, they were Exalteds.

Recalling the time when Hilam and his team fought two feral beasts, it took two or three of them to handle one. Even then, they could not kill them. And when a third feral beast joined the fray, Hilam and his team got overwhelmed very quickly.

From this, Kyran more or less guessed what level Gage was already at, and it surprised him. After all, if he considered the time the latter went missing from when Cyneah left the Human plane, it was probably only a few weeks with a maximum of a month. No matter how much time difference the Human plane and the Somuli had, Gage could have only appeared a few months at most in Somuli. For his level to have improved in such a short span of time was a testament to the Somuli's ability to produce high-level mages or knights.

This was somewhat strange, given how thin the magic energy was in Somuli compared to the Human plane. With little magic energy to go around, humans would have trouble using magic and improving it over time. If this was the case, how did Gage improve so fast?

What about Malek and the others?

No matter how weak Layla was now, Malek would only have been able to overwhelm her that easily if he improved his mage level as well.

Kyran had an inkling that Malek was already an Archmagus or, at least, on the verge of becoming one when they were still in the Human plane. Even if he considered how hard it was to break through to the next level upon reaching Magus, Kyran guessed Malek was able to break through a level or two after staying in Somuli for seven years. This would also explain how Malek effortlessly subdued Layla.

"If Gage could kill a beast alone, he could also have the ability to escape a magical beast's pursuit. I'll have Gael look for him," Kyran said after a moment's pause. He gently squeezed Cyneah's hand in assurance, knowing she was worried about Gage. After all, Gage had been one of the first few she met and got to know well after being given a new lease on life.

Cyneah flushed slightly after hearing Kyran's assurance. But she was also thankful, apart from feeling overwhelmed at his apparent care over her thoughts. Honestly, she no longer held any hope of finding Gage alive. Nevertheless, with Kyran's assurance, she could not help but believe they could really find him.

"Okay," Cyneah nodded with a smile.

True Void illusory brow twitched while watching the exchange between the two. He had stayed hidden earlier because he did not want to be a third wheel! Gah! The agony and misery of watching these two... he was merely a magic weapon sentient, yet he felt frustrated.

"Oi, oi. Are you not focusing on the wrong things here? Should you not be worrying about the fact that Layla is here and even made contact with the others? Just so you know, Kesiah also said they are taking Layla back with them because she requested to talk to you, Void Halfling."

"I guess as much," Kyran replied indifferently.

True Void frowned, "That's the previous Soul Emperor, you know! The Mistress's predecessor. Are you not worried she would do something to take the... that thing and even take over the Mistress's body?"

"I'd like to see her try."

"Void is weak against Soul magic."

"Soul is weak against Draconic magic."

True Void paused and slowly replied, "Well... that is true."

He looked at Kyran skeptically, "But you have only recovered. Can you utilize Draconic magic better?"

"I was not merely unconscious these past few weeks," Kyran answered.

Although most of the things Kyran learned from Caelan were Void theories, he also managed to get a better understanding of his Draconic magic while observing his Draconic core. Besides, Caelan taught him how to draw on his predecessor's experience and knowledge hidden inside the Draconic and Void cores.

Previously, Kyran was not confident enough to use the full extent of his Draconic magic because his body could not take the strain. But that was no longer the case now that his body had improved— or, as Caelan put it, experienced its second evolution.

Upon hearing Kyran's answer, True Void got excited. He more or less understood the meaning behind Kyran's words. But when he was about to ask if his previous master asked about him, he paused before closing his mouth again.

True Void was suddenly overcome with fear. He was a magic weapon sentient, for crying out loud. He should not feel genuine fear. Even at times when he acted scared whenever Kyran did something reckless, he was not truly afraid. But now, True Void was scared to hear anything about his previous master. He could not put it into words, only that he was really very, very scared.

Sensing True Void's conflicting emotions, Kyran chose not to speak of Caelan. He obviously understood True Void's fear— or, to be precise— apprehension.

Caelan was only a remnant consciousness, and no matter how much he seemed to be alive, he was already dead. True Void might not openly say how much he cherished Caelan, but the fact that he had yet to accept Kyran as his new master spoke volumes.

This was Kyran's thoughts given how True Void kept calling him Void Halfling, or when he mentioned Caelan; he still addressed him as 'my master.'

Little did Kyran know that recently, True Void had started openly addressing Kyran as his new master. Nevertheless, Kyran's guess was still on point. True Void felt a little sentimental about Caelan; thus, hearing something about him as if he was still alive made him feel apprehensive.

"Fine," True Void shrugged after a short pause. "I should have known you would never let anything or anyone harm the Mistress on your watch. Gah, you two drive me insane."

Cyneah remained silent. Initially, she felt scared at the thought of meeting Layla so soon.

Although Cyneah now had the ability to fend for herself, she only had the Macabre Glacier acting as a pseudo-Soul core, while Layla had the real one. If a fight broke out between them, Cyneah could only resist for a few hours before Layla overwhelmed her.

But after hearing Kyran's response to True Void's questions, Cyneah felt more at ease.

That was right. She was no longer alone. She did not have to bear everything alone because Kyran was with her.

"And? Do you have any idea why she wanted to speak with you?" True Void asked Kyran.

"More or less."

"Care to elaborate?"

"I need to see the tablets with Axil first. Then I also need to talk to Lady Ames."

"That sounds too formal. Just call her Great x50 Granny Ames."

"..."

"..."

"Tsk," True Void snorted at Kyran's lack of humor. "She is your great-grandmother, you know."

When Kyran did not respond and simply looked at him with a deadpan expression, True Void got the message and shrugged, "Fine. Fine, I'll tell them you're finally awake. We have to discuss our next course of action."

"There is no need to discuss," Kyran replied.

True Void looked at him incredulously, "What? You already have a plan?"

"I can guess what the Armakea King's next move would be after his aide failed to destroy Achim's side. Me and my Servants will deal with this. Meanwhile, I have to trouble you and Lady Ames in convincing the old man to ascend and also help him go through it."

"Oh, that? He has already agreed and has made enough preparations."

"That's good then. That only leaves the Array Creation and then guarding the old man during the whole process."

"But Ames sucks in Array Creation," True Void complained. "Even if I can help create the materials, with her sloppy work, the formation will likely not be as effective when you're making it."

Kyran raised his brows, "Who says she's making it?"

"No?"

"We only need her to provide the magic energy."

"Then who will make it?"

Kyran smiled, "Did you forget? We have the most talented disciple of Master Noir."

True Void rolled his eyes, "What? What? Now you're boasting? If you're the one making the array, say so. Why boast like that?"

It was Kyran's turn to roll his eyes at True Void. Instead of explaining, he said, "Come."

The space at the foot of the bed crackled as a distortion appeared.

Cyneah and True Void were shocked at the amount of energy, not to mention the magic fluctuation involved as a silhouette came forth from within.

Neo, bearing Tyr's appearance, stepped out of the fissure and knelt on one knee. He smiled at Kyran and said, "You called, Master?"