Quit The Hero Party

EP.63 Skebal the Ancient Lich (3)

Hundreds of years ago, there was a kingdom.

That kingdom turned to ashes overnight.

All records related to the kingdom have been erased. All that remains is the knowledge that a kingdom once existed. Very little is known about it.

There are four calamities that turned it into ashes.

The Black Storm, Belial the Black Dragon.

The Betrayer, Gletus.

Death’s Blade, Ganikalt.

And…

‘The Ancient Lich, Skebal.’

This skeleton before me.

These four wiped the kingdom off the map in a single night. All that remains is ash.

From the ashes of the kingdom, one can only assume it was not small. It was a nation worthy of being called a great power. And during my time as the next Master of the Tower, I was involved in a project to restore the magical arts of that kingdom.

‘Although we restored less than 1%…’

That alone shook the magical world.

A kingdom with such magical prowess. That nation fell, destroyed by just four calamities. It is said the Demon Lord did not intervene in its demise.

The four calamities that destroyed a nation overnight.

‘The Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lord’s Army.’

There’s no point in trying to explain their notoriety.

I have encountered them all at least once on the battlefield, experiencing firsthand that they are not mere rumors, but real nightmares.

On the day I first met Gletus the Betrayer,

I had to break all the bones in my fingers and arms. I had to mimic sorcery and sacrifice part of my body to the Balance. Only then could I stop that mad summoner.

What about the day I faced the Black Dragon?

I managed to subdue it in the end, but it took a month. I tore its wings, pulled out its claws, and drove a stake through its neck to seal its breath. And after all that, I fought the raging black dragon for three days and nights before finally achieving victory.

I nearly died multiple times.

I had to gamble my life countless times.

‘…The Death’s Blade, Ganikalt.’

That monster.

I never once won against the knight who guards the Demon Lord closely. Even the Sword Master, who taught Kyle and me martial arts, knelt before Ganikalt. He lost his life.

The Four Heavenly Kings were always like this.

They do not conform to common sense.

To face those who defy common sense, Kyle and I had to act crazy. Only then could we either stop them or at least escape.

“Well, except for one.”

I take a step forward.

Before me stands one of those four calamities.

The Ancient Lich, Skebal.

Skebal is no less daunting than the other three. In fact, his notoriety closely follows that of the Black Storm, Belial.

‘The Nightmare of the Frontline.’

That title didn’t come from nowhere.

It’s no exaggeration to say that most of the damage on the frontlines was due to Skebal.

Skebal is a magician who has lived for centuries.

He can read every spell and steal its circuit, turning it into his own.

No matter how large-scale circuits the mages prepare, Skebal easily plunders them. Spells prepared to eradicate the Demon Lord’s army would direct themselves back towards the knights instead.

Crack.

I took another step.

“Skebal, you know?”

Circuits begin to ignite on my forearm.

“I just found out recently, but apparently, I’m the founder of the Battle Mage class.”

It’s ridiculous.

Muttering like that, I snapped my fingers.

“It’s a technique created to survive on the battlefield and to combat just one mage… I never imagined it would be given a class name!”

It’s only natural I wouldn’t know.

When I considered the existence of battle magic, I felt a sense of dissonance.

-A combat system suitable for the battlefield.

-A practical magician.

-An ultimate operation covering both close and long-range.

That’s true.

But…

‘It wasn’t made with that in mind.’

What is known as battle magic in the world, that is, the origin of the battle system utilizing spell stock, is surprisingly simple.

“This was all made to catch you.”

It’s indeed a combat system aimed at surviving the battlefield.

However, more precisely, it was crafted specifically to combat the Ancient Lich, Skebal.

It was completed after adding various things later, but it wasn’t designed from the beginning with that intent.

Skebal is one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Common sense doesn’t apply to them.

To face an enemy who defies common sense, I had to first shatter my own common sense.

What were obvious to me back then.

Spells need to be prepared.

Chanting takes time.

During that time, a front line must protect the magician.

Magicians are weak in close combat.

If attribute gains favor, magicians become ineffective.

Magicians have poor efficiency.

That…

I will store the spells in advance (stock).

I will shorten the chant and etch the circuits into my body.

I will take the front line.

I will learn martial arts to engage in close combat.

I will mainly use impact-type magic to disregard attribute advantage.

I will structure it to catch every last drop of mana.

I will stand at the forefront.

I overturned everything.

And thus, the battle magic system known as the Battle Mage was born.

‘Because that was the only way I knew.’

If it couldn’t be done, I fixed it.

If it didn’t work, I overturned it all until it did.

‘A magician must be that way.’

I take another step forward.

Thus, I halt before the defensive barrier set up by Skebal. He glares at me from within the barrier.

The black gaze sparkles.

His bones weave a spell.

Looking at that, I say,

“If the opponent is a knight, a summoner, or even an ancient dragon… then I can’t win.”

I can’t win alone.

I need Kyle and those two damned women beside me.

But…

“However.”

If the opponent is…

“A magician like me, if it’s a Wizard.”

If it’s Skebal…

“I can’t lose.”

I will win.

I must win.

“This is a matter of pride, right?”

I lift the corners of my mouth.

Then, I stretch out my hand.

The spells on my forearm start to ignite one by one.

‘Thinking about it, it’s amusing.’

The battle system I created to beat Skebal.

This class, which the world calls Battle Mage, I can confidently say is misunderstood.

‘How can you complete something with one piece missing?’

The reason Battle Mages can stand on the frontline with warriors is not due to their utility. Originally, battle magic was a combat system created to overwhelm Skebal.

Skebal is a magician who surpasses common sense. However, he still remains within the domain of a Wizard.

Wizards have shortcomings.

Assuming all spells are penetrable, a Wizard can never defeat a close-combat warrior.

‘Thinking that, the solution was simple.’

They can use magic on the level of Skebal.

Yet, they also have the physique of a warrior.

That’s the condition to defeat Skebal.

Once I knew the conditions, there was only one thing left.

“Balance.”

I fulfill the conditions.

And I know how to.

—

“I heard there’s a class that mimics that guy.”

“Yes, apparently. I’m not sure if you’ve been following the battlefield, but there’s a class called Battle Mage.”

“…You can mimic that guy?”

Gail nodded.

“Yes, it’s trendy nowadays. A magician standing on the frontline with warriors, they call it Battle Mage…”

At those words, Kyle made a sour face.

Gail, observing Kyle’s expression, continued speaking.

“You know, there’s a Master of the Tower renowned for their mastery in battle magic among the Masters.”

“…I know. I’ve met them many times.”

“Oh, really?”

For a moment, a flash of intensity lost kindle in Kyle’s eyes, but Gail kept speaking regardless.

“I heard that person is training a child with the qualities of a hero. What was their name? Chloe, right? Another hero aside from you was supposed to come out, wasn’t there?”

“…I think I heard something like that on the battlefield.”

“Yes, although she’s still being trained… She seems to have more talent in magic than swords. So, it seems like they’re planning to raise her as a Battle Mage.”

“…Is that necessary?”

“Yes?”

Gail tilted his head in confusion.

“If a hero-level Battle Mage were to emerge, wouldn’t it help you, Kyle? They might fill the void left by the Ashen Mage…”

“That’s not the case.”

Kyle cut him off decisively.

“It seems like you’re mistaken about something.”

“…Mistaken?”

“I’ve seen the books related to Battle Mage. However, the most important thing was missing.”

His voice bore no particular emotion.

“No matter how much a magician boosts their physique, they can’t exceed a certain level. Many attempted to follow that guy on the battlefield without realizing that.”

Kyle stated nonchalantly.

“But the only one who could keep up with me was that guy.”

No other knight, no other warrior could stand beside Kyle. Not to mention mages. Kyle’s physique was different from others. He had a body blessed by the stars.

His movements, which burned with starlight, belonged to another dimension. Knights trying to follow him ended up isolated. Thus, Kyle was always alone on the battlefield.

Until Raniel could match that movement.

‘It only took less than a year.’

While Kyle took years to train his body and learn how to burn starlight, Raniel imitated it in just a year.

“When I burned starlight and ran…”

The starlight belonged to Kyle alone.

However, Raniel also possessed something similar to starlight.

“That kid ran while burning his mana.”

Kyle closed his eyes.

He envisioned that scene.

Raniel, who dashed next to him on the battlefield, scattered ashen mana. He did not know the principle. However, the drifting ashen mana resembled fine ash.

“The reason he could maintain the front line, the reason he could follow me…”

Kyle opened his eyes.

Looking at Gail.

“Was due to that unique combat style. However, that explanation was missing from the Battle Mage textbooks.”

Kyle asserted.

“Just because he learned battle magic, doesn’t mean he can replace that guy.”

“…Is that so?”

Behind those words, Kyle remained silent.

Gail tilted his head, continuing to guide the way.

‘…Running while burning mana?’

Now that he thought about it, he recalled what his senior had told him. Gail suddenly remembered that statement.

-Many get mistaken.

It was Kalt’s words, who had assisted the Ashen Mage, Raniel.

-The reason my superior, Raniel, is called the Ashen Mage isn’t because he’s the next master of the Ashen Tower.

In the first place, Kalt continued.

-In the frontline, one’s background is meaningless. We didn’t even know he was the next master of the Ashen Tower at first. Yet, he earned the nickname ‘Ashen Mage.’

Why was that?

-It’s simply because ashen dust scattered around.

The Ashen-Haired Man’s hair swayed.

Trailing behind that hair was ashen mana. The magician traversing the battlefield was ashen.

-Battle magic, they say, it’s funny.

No one can imitate him.

The voice of Kalt, which he heard at some point, lingered in Gail’s ears.

—

3.

With the Balance set up, I extend both arms forward.

Slap!

My palms clash together. Circuits rub against one another. They fuse. The enhanced spells anchor to my body.

Spell-nesting.

Accel.

Muscular.

Enhance-Strength.

These are basic physical enhancement spells.

I layer them over my already enhanced body. My skeleton creaks. My body bears a load.

This is why magicians cannot become warriors.

Magical enhancements on the body place stress in any direction. Depending on the magician’s skill, limits vary, but… it means one cannot possess the same physique as a warrior of the same rank.

‘That’s why I couldn’t catch up to Kyle.’

Initially, that is.

So I thought of something.

Accel.

Muscular.

Enhance-Strength.

Once more, I cast the spells while raising my creaking arms. Then, I flick my fingers. The Balance approaches me.

“Balance, I request a deal.”

-State what you desire.

Ultimately, this is also a price.

I merely pay the physical price for the spell.

And wizards are beings who trade with the stars.

What to do is set.

“I will exchange the burden on my body.”

-Pay the price.

“My mana.”

Chiieeeing!

As if vaporizing, ashen smoke wafts up from my body. The rising smoke is entirely composed of mana particles. The burden on my body is replaced by mana consumption.

“ASHEN!!!!!!!”

Skebal bellows, extending an arm.

Spells pour forth from the interior of the barrier. A multitude of spells targets me.

The amount of spells is immense. They come swiftly and precisely.

However, just like any ordinary magician…

“Your weakness in close combat applies to you too.”

There’s no way to beat a warrior charging straight forward.

I plunge into Skebal’s embrace in one stride. Dodging spells as I run. Each spot where my feet touch scorches the ground.

Enhancing spells overcome their limits, making my physique akin to a top-tier warrior. In a moment, I closed the distance much like Kyle did.

Skebal’s black eyes are visible right in front of me.

I gazed into those eyes, lifting my arm.

“Your Life Vessel can’t hold out?”

“…!”

I clenched my fist. Skebal hurriedly starts weaving a spell, but my fist is faster.

“Let’s take one more today.”

Swinging it.

Boom!

The barrier surrounding Skebal’s body shatters.

—

4.

“This is Apuria.”

Gail guides the hero through the back roads of Apuria.

‘…It seems things have begun.’

The black barrier comes into view. And I can feel the magic rising from the ground.

“Soon, the summoning of lower to middle-level monsters, an initial stage of the altar, will begin. Hurry…”

Before he finished speaking, skeletons started emerging from the ground. The white-skinned skeletons are influenced by the dark magic spreading from the barrier.

-Goooor…

The white skeletons turn black.

Thus transformed into Black Bone Soldiers, they charge towards the academy of Apuria.

“Ah, aaah!”

“Monsters, monsters!”

“Quickly, take cover!”

While hastily gathering the students, someone dashed amongst the professors reciting spells.

Boom!

He trampled the Black Bone Soldiers underfoot. With a powerful swing of his sheathed sword, he crushed two more of the Black Bone Soldiers. Every movement he made sent the soldiers flying.

Rushing towards him, Gail spoke the man’s name.

“Senior Kalt!”

“Gail, you made it?”

Kalt turned his gaze to gaze upon Gail.

There stood the hero. He opened his mouth.

“Sara. Protect the students. Remia. Engage the Black Bone Soldiers from elevated positions to support the knights.”

He issues terse commands. The Archery Master and the Saint nod silently and leave their positions.

Swish.

Kyle grips the hilt of the Holy Sword.

Starlight shines brilliantly. The movements of the Black Bone Soldiers momentarily freeze.

-Goooorr…

Their gazes focus on Kyle.

Kyle draws the Holy Sword, then swings it. The two actions merge into one. The smoothly drawn blade bursts forth with a light slash.

Swish!

“I…”

With the sword poised, Kyle points it towards the barrier.

“Shall take care of the altar.”

—

Author’s Note

Talking about Battle Mage ended up making it lengthy.

But with the portion I added, I managed to make it total 7,700 characters including spaces

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