Rising to Power with Void Magic ~An Exiled Genius Magician Decides To Take Revenge With His New Friends and Create a Utopia~ - Episode 3

A few days had passed since the wyvern hunt. The mood in the party was still tense, but Gilbert acted like nothing was wrong. He brought up a new request that paid a lot.

“Look at this, everyone! It’s a rare chance!”

He showed them a piece of parchment he had taken from the guild board. It said, “Investigate ancient ruins in the Ryukoku Mountains (Ancient Ruins in the Dragoncry Mountains) and defeat any special monsters living there.” The client was a rich person who didn’t want to give their name. The reward was very high.

“The ruins in the Ryukoku Mountains… Is it the same place as last time? ” Dario leaned forward.

“No,” Gilbert answered. “It’s another ruin, deeper in the mountains. People say there could be lost treasures from an old civilization. But—”

He stopped talking for a moment, then added with a serious tone:

“—The inside of the ruins is under a strong magic field. The flow of magic is very unstable. It will be hard to use high-level spells or control magic exactly.”

Allen frowned. That information seemed too perfect, almost like someone knew about the magic he used in the wyvern battle.

(…Something feels wrong.)

Doubt grew in his mind, but Gilbert didn’t wait for his reply.

“It’s dangerous, but the reward is worth it. If we succeed, our name will become famous. What do you think? Should we do it?”

“This sounds exciting! Let’s do it, Gilbert!” Dario agreed right away.

“I understand the danger… but I still want to try,” Lilia said, nervous but willing.

Allen stayed quiet, thinking. Something felt strange about the request. But if he refused, his relationship with Gilbert would be ruined. And if there really was an ancient treasure, it could be interesting.

(…Maybe I’m overthinking. I should be able to handle any situation.)

He didn’t think he was invincible, but he did trust his experience.

“…Alright. I’ll go. But we shouldn’t believe everything. Let’s be careful.”

When Allen agreed, Gilbert gave a satisfied smile.

The group, known as “Blades of Dawn,” returned to the Ryukoku Mountains.

This time, they traveled even deeper. After crossing steep paths, they reached the ruins. A huge stone building covered in moss stood half-buried in the mountainside. There was no barrier at the entrance, but a foul, heavy magic flowed from inside.

“So this is it… Just like the information said, the magic flow is strange,” Allen said.

He used his Mana Sense to scan the inside, but the flow of magic was too chaotic to see clearly.

“Alright, we’re going in. Allen, you go first. Watch for traps and monsters. Dario, cover Allen. Lilia, stay behind with me.”

Gilbert gave the same orders as last time. Allen nodded and stepped into the dark ruin.

The inside was bigger and more complex than expected. The air was damp and smelled like mold. The unstable magic in the air made Allen feel uneasy.

Still, he moved forward carefully, disarming traps and fighting weak monsters with Dario’s help.

Gilbert followed behind, giving random orders or strange warnings. It felt like he was guiding Allen toward a specific direction.

(…He really is planning something…)

Allen’s suspicion grew, but he had no choice except to keep going.

Soon, they reached a large, round chamber. A big crack in the ceiling let a little sunlight in. The floor was covered in strange symbols. The room felt like a place for rituals.

Then, just as Allen stepped into the center of the symbol—

Gilbert threw a black stone onto the floor.

The stone glowed with an evil light and reacted with the symbols. A dome of invisible force covered the entire room.

“What?!”

Allen felt something was wrong right away.

The magic inside his body became heavy. It felt like it was fading away. His magic circuits stopped working. He couldn’t form spells. It was like the time in the other ruins, but worse—and full of malice.

“Guh…! Gilbert, you—! ”

Allen turned around and saw Gilbert with a twisted smile.

“Heh heh heh… Got you, Allen! This is the Magic Disruption Barrier Stone! Your annoying magic is now completely sealed! ”

“Gilbert?! What is this?! ” Dario shouted.

“Gilbert… no way…” Lilia gasped.

“It’s simple,” Gilbert said. “He’s too strong. We don’t need someone like that anymore.”

Just then, a monster appeared from the shadows of the chamber. Its eyes glowed. It was a strange, terrifying beast called a Mana Drain Beast.

A heavy pressure came from its body as it sucked in all the surrounding magic. With both the barrier and the beast’s power, Allen had no magic left.

“GRUOOOO!!”

The Mana Drain Beast saw Allen, the only one with any trace of magic left, and charged at him, drooling.

“Damn it…!”

Allen drew his short sword. He used his body and a bit of physical strength to fight.

But without magic, it is his strongest weapon, but the beast was too powerful. Its claws cut his body, and its slime melted his armor. His attacks didn’t work because the monster’s body was too tough.

“Allen! ” Lilia cried. She tried to cast healing magic, but the spell failed.

“I’ll help you! ” Dario shouted and ran forward with his sword. But Gilbert grabbed his shoulder.

“Stop, Dario! Allen rushed ahead and messed up the team’s formation! Do you want to risk all our lives?! ”

“But—!”

“Are you ignoring your leader?! ”

Dario froze. He couldn’t move.

“What’s wrong, Allen?! Is that all you’ve got?! Without magic, you’re just weak! ” Gilbert laughed from behind. He even shot small fireballs—not to help, but to block Allen’s path and trap him further.

Allen was wounded badly, but he kept fighting.

His strength was running out. He was slowing down.

(If this continues… I’ll die…)

Then Gilbert shouted:

“This is no good! Allen went in too far and made the monster angry! It’s too dangerous—we’re retreating! ”

It was a lie. So obvious. But Dario and Lilia didn’t have the energy or courage to argue.

“Gilbert! Dario! Lilia! Don’t leave me! ” Allen’s desperate voice echoed in the chamber.

Gilbert didn’t look back. He ran to the only exit in the barrier.

Dario looked at Allen for a second. Pain and fear were in his eyes.

“…Sorry,” he whispered. Then he followed Gilbert.

Lilia cried. She said “I’m sorry” over and over. Then she ran after them.

“…Ah…”

Allen watched their backs disappear into the dark tunnel.

He had been betrayed.

By the people he trusted.

At the worst possible time.

He had no magic, and his body was broken.

And the monster in front of him was still hungry.

Allen’s heart burned with despair—and deep hatred for the ones who left him behind.