Rising to Power with Void Magic ~An Exiled Genius Magician Decides To Take Revenge With His New Friends and Create a Utopia~ - Episode 4

It was a hopeless situation.

However, Allen’s spirit had not yet been broken. His burning hatred for the traitors forced what little strength he had left back into motion.

(I won’t die…! Not until I get my revenge…! I swear it!)

He couldn’t use magic. His body was battered and barely holding on. But Allen still had knowledge, experience—and most of all, an unbreakable will.

The Mana-Draining Beast came closer, drooling as it moved. Allen stayed calm and looked around. This wide hall looked like a ritual chamber. Cracks ran across the ceiling, and strange symbols were carved into the floor. Along the walls, broken statues and rubble were scattered everywhere.

(I’ll use anything I can…!)

Summoning the last of his strength, Allen put some distance between him and the beast. Then, he ran toward one of the unstable statues near the wall. The beast shook the ground as it chased him. Watching carefully for the right moment, Allen drove the tip of his short sword into a gap at the statue’s base and used it like a lever.

With a loud creak, the huge statue started to tilt.

Just as the Mana-Draining Beast lunged at Allen, the statue came crashing down with a thunderous roar, crushing the beast under its massive weight.

“GYAAAAAARGH!!”

The monster screamed in pain. Allen hadn’t completely finished it off, but he had successfully pinned it down and stopped its movements.

Breathing hard, Allen stumbled out of the hall. Once he stepped beyond the range of the barrier stone, he felt a tiny bit of his magic returning. But at the same time, he realized something terrible—his mana circuits, the pathways for his magic, were torn and badly damaged. If he tried to use magic now, he could burn them out completely and become a broken shell of a man.

(I have to escape… I have to get out of here…!)

Thankfully, the path Gilbert and the others used to flee was one Allen had cleared of traps beforehand. Leaning against the wall, he dragged himself forward. Several times, he nearly collapsed. But each time, he kept going by thinking of the traitors and using his hatred as fuel to stay conscious.

How much time had passed?

Finally, he saw light from the outside shining through the ruins’ entrance. As soon as he reached it, Allen collapsed onto the ground.

A few days later.

Dragging his broken body, Allen made his way down the Dragoncry Mountains and finally reached the royal capital.

He needed to report to the guild immediately and expose Gilbert and the others for their betrayal. He also had to heal his wounded body.

But the moment he passed through the city gates, Allen noticed something strange—people were staring at him.

As he walked by, townspeople whispered behind his back and pointed at him. Their gazes weren’t just curious—they were filled with disgust and open hostility.

(What…? What is this…?)

Confused, Allen headed toward the guild branch. But just as he approached the entrance, a guard from the guild grabbed his arm and blocked his way.

“Hey, Allen! How dare you show your face here! ”

“What’s a traitor doing back here?! Get lost already! ”

“W-What are you talking about? Gilbert and the others betrayed me! I was set up!”

Allen tried desperately to explain, but no one would listen.

“Hah! Still trying to lie? Gilbert told us everything! You tried to steal the treasure for yourself, abandoned your teammates, and ran off in fear when the monsters came!”

“That’s not true! He’s lying!”

“Shut it! Cause any more trouble and we’ll call the city guards!”

Allen had no choice but to leave, pushed away from the guild’s front door.

Shocked and disbelieving, he walked toward a familiar inn. The innkeeper had always welcomed him warmly—surely he would listen.

But when Allen opened the door, the look he received was colder than anything he’d ever seen.

“…Allen. What do you want?”

“Please… Just hear me out—”

“There’s nothing to talk about! We don’t take cowards like you here anymore! Get out!”

“Coward…? When was I ever—?! ”

“Gilbert told me everything! You left your friends behind and ran to save your own skin! I’m disappointed in you!”

With those bitter words, the innkeeper pushed Allen out into the street.

After that, Allen tried speaking to others he knew.

A merchant he once saved from a monster attack. An informant who’d worked with him on many jobs. A weapons shop owner he’d often chatted with.

But they all spat insults. Called him a traitor, a coward. Some even threw things at him—some even tried to hurt him.

“You jinx! Stay away from us!”

“You got what you deserve, traitor!”

“Get lost! Never show your face here again!”

Children joined in too, mocking him and throwing stones.

“Traitor!”

“Coward!”

Gilbert’s lies had spread far and deep—far more than Allen had imagined. The trust and good reputation he had built over the years crumbled overnight, replaced by hatred and contempt.

In the pouring, freezing rain, Allen collapsed in a lonely alley.

His body was wounded and exhausted. But even worse—his heart was completely shattered.

(Why…? What did I ever do wrong…?)

His sense of justice, his trust in others, and his kindness to the people—everything he believed in was falling apart.

He had risked his life taking on quests, protecting the city, and helping people. And this… this was the reward?

(Gilbert… Dario… Lilia…)

He saw the faces of the companions who betrayed him.

And then the faces of the townspeople—how quickly they had turned on him.

Despair swallowed his heart, and then… it turned into something darker.

Hatred.

(I won’t forgive them…)

(Never… I’ll never forgive them!)

Soaked by the rain, Allen looked up at the sky with empty eyes. But deep within, a fire of revenge burned hot and fierce.

“I’ll get my revenge… no matter what it takes…! ”

The words fell from his dry lips like a curse.

This was his first vow—his only vow—against this cruel and unjust world.

Then, at the entrance of the alley, Allen saw the guards approaching. They must have come to capture him after hearing the rumors.

(…!)

Allen forced himself to his feet and began to run along the wall.

His wounded body felt like lead. Every breath was painful. But the fire of revenge kept him going.

He kept running, away from the noise and cruelty of the city.

And when he finally came to his senses, he found himself standing beyond the city walls—at the entrance of a vast forest no one dared to enter.

The Forbidden Forest.

It is said to be filled with ancient curses and ferocious beasts; it was a place feared by all.

But for Allen, who had lost everything, the forest looked like a mirror—reflecting his despair and rage.

Drawn in as if by fate, he stepped into the shadows of the forest.

Whether ruin awaited him… or something else entirely—

He no longer cared.

All he had now was the fire of revenge burning inside him, guiding his steps deeper and deeper into the dark forest.