Rising to Power with Void Magic ~An Exiled Genius Magician Decides To Take Revenge With His New Friends and Create a Utopia~ - Episode 8

Several months had passed since Allen began his solitary training in the ancient ruins.

Allen had nearly mastered the basics of Void Magic, and this foreign power had begun to deeply merge with his body and mind. He had also become accustomed to survival in the Forbidden Forest, and the sense of urgency that once weighed heavily on him had faded. However, the flames of vengeance that occupied his heart never died out.

On this particular day, Allen ventured deep into the forest, a little farther from the ruins, to gather food.

His spatial awareness, thanks to Void Magic, made hunting in the forest far easier. He could accurately pinpoint the position of his prey and use teleportation to swiftly take them from behind. Alternatively, he would lay invisible traps with the Dimensional Shield and herd his prey into them. His hunting had evolved from mere survival to a training ground for applying Void Magic in real-world combat.

At that moment, Allen sensed the presence of several powerful magical beasts and the magic of a human, who seemed to be engaged in battle with them.

It was rare for a human to venture so deep into the Forbidden Forest, especially to face multiple magical beasts.

(…There are some curious people out there.)

At first, Allen had no intention of getting involved. He had no obligation or benefit in meddling with others’ affairs.

However, he noticed that the magic of the human was gradually weakening. Moreover, the nature of this magic was different from typical elemental magic—it was a form of wind magic.

(A wind user… could be useful, depending on how they use it.)

A small thought of calculation crossed Allen’s mind.

To carry out his revenge, he needed information and sometimes manpower too.

Silently, Allen leapt from tree to tree, heading in the direction of the magic he had sensed.

When he reached an open area, the scene before him unfolded as he had expected.

Three giant Shadow Wolves—magical beasts with black fur that moved swiftly through the shadows—were surrounding a girl.

The girl appeared to be about the same age as Allen, or perhaps slightly younger. She wore light, flexible clothing suited for movement, and a dagger was sheathed at her waist. In her hands, wind swirled.

“Wind Cutter! ”

The girl—Elena—shouted, releasing a blade of wind that pushed back one of the Shadow Wolves attempting to pounce on her. At the same time, another Shadow Wolf crept up silently from behind, but Elena seemed to anticipate it, spinning around and leaping out of the way with the help of wind magic.

Her movements were agile, and her control of wind magic was impressive. But she was up against three foes, and the Shadow Wolves excelled at coordination. Sweat beaded on Elena’s forehead, and her breathing grew labored. She was clearly exhausted and cornered.

Still, there was a determined light in her eyes. She was desperately searching for a way out, unwilling to give up.

(I see… she’s tough.)

Allen analyzed the situation calmly from the treetops.

Elena’s wind magic lacked direct destructive power but excelled in reconnaissance, evasion, and disruption. Though it was different from Void Magic, combining their powers could create a potent fighting force.

In the next instant, one of the Shadow Wolves made a feint, barking loudly from the front, while the other two rushed to attack from both sides. This was an unavoidable assault.

(…She could be of use.)

Allen made his decision.

The moment Elena’s eyes widened in despair, Allen appeared in front of her, silently, using teleportation.

“Eh…?!”

Elena gasped as the figure suddenly appeared before her.

Ignoring her shock, Allen raised his hands toward the claws and fangs of the Shadow Wolves closing in from both sides.

“Dimensional Shield!”

An invisible wall of dimension appeared instantly around Allen and Elena.

With a harsh clanging sound, the Shadow Wolves’ claws collided with the shield, sparking as they were blocked.

“Grrr…!?”

The wolves hesitated at the unexpected resistance.

Allen didn’t let this opportunity slip by.

“Space Crush!”

With a swing of his right hand, the space beneath the feet of the Shadow Wolf in front was locally compressed and then released. An invisible shockwave slammed into the wolf, sending it tumbling.

Allen then teleported behind the creature, retrieved a black blade—likely an ancient alloy dagger he had found in the ruins—from his Imaginal Space, and struck the wolf’s neck in one swift motion. Before it could even scream, the first wolf fell.

“!?”

Elena gasped in disbelief at the scene unfolding before her.

Teleportation. Invisible barriers. Attacks that distorted space. And a battle style that was ruthlessly efficient.

None of this was like any magic or swordsmanship she had ever known.

Allen showed no mercy to the remaining two wolves.

He used teleportation to confuse them, neutralized their attacks with Dimensional Shield, halted their movements with Space Crush, and then precisely struck their vital points.

A few moments later, the area was left with the lifeless bodies of the three Shadow Wolves and Allen, standing quietly, covered in bl00d.

As the battle’s aftereffects faded, silence returned to the forest.

Allen turned to face Elena. His expression was as impassive as a mask, and a cold light shone in his eyes.

“…”

“…”

A brief silence.

Elena spoke first, her voice betraying wariness and doubt more than gratitude.

“…Who are you? What kind of magic was that…?”

Her voice trembled slightly with tension.

Allen didn’t answer right away. Instead, he observed Elena, assessing her.

A wind mage. She wasn’t bad in terms of agility. And she had the courage to venture so deep into the Forbidden Forest alone—she must have a purpose.

“…Just a passerby.”

Finally, Allen spoke in a curt tone.

“A passerby…? In a place like this? That’s a lie.”

Elena didn’t buy it. She, too, was scrutinizing him. His strange presence, his inhuman fighting abilities, and the cold air he exuded—all of it made it clear that he was no ordinary human.

“…I’m Elena. And you are?”

Though wary, Elena introduced herself, hoping to gather information.

Allen fell silent for a moment, considering using a false name, but decided against it. It would be a short-term relationship anyway.

“…Allen.”

“Allen… Do you also want to get out of this forest? ”

“Yeah.”

“Then…”

Elena hesitated, then swallowed her words. Traveling with this mysterious man was too dangerous. However, his abilities were undeniable. With him, her chances of safely getting out of the forest would increase significantly.

Whether she went alone or with him, both options had risks. Elena was conflicted.

Allen seemed to see right through her inner turmoil.

“Your wind magic should be useful for reconnaissance. If we combine our strengths, our chances of getting out of this forest increase. Let’s cooperate temporarily. Our interests align.”

His words weren’t so much a suggestion as a statement of fact, delivered with an undeniable force.

Elena bit her lip. What Allen said was true. She didn’t fully trust him, but at least he wasn’t a greater threat than the magical beasts… she hoped. And she had a pressing need to escape this forest.

“…Fine. But only temporarily. And no unnecessary probing. Also, no acting on your own without consulting me.”

Elena added the conditions with as much bravado as she could muster.

“That works.”

Allen nodded curtly.

And so, the strange and dangerous partnership between Allen, the vengeful user of Void Magic, and Elena, the wind mage, began.

Cautious of each other and with their own agendas, the two began to walk deeper into the Forbidden Forest together.