"You want me to put an illusion that can fool someone who can affect your future?" Alexia asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Leo smiled, the determination in his eyes unwavering. "Yes."
For a long moment, their gazes locked, the weight of the request hanging in the air. Finally, Alexia sighed, resigned. "Keep still."
At her command, a massive wave of mana surged from her body, cascading through the room. The very air seemed to hum in response, and Leo could feel the tremor of power ripple through the space.
"This must be a Real Illusion," Alexia muttered, her voice steady despite the effort it took to control the mana. "Not a mere trick, this spell has to fool the world itself."
A Real Illusion was a rare and complex art, even for high-ranking illusionists. It could distort perception so thoroughly that the target could be convinced that the illusion was reality itself. However, against someone who could affect the future, it was a risk. They might see through such an illusion.
Alexia whispered a few words under her breath, her focus deepening. The space around the phantom cracked like shattered glass, the air rippling as the illusion took form. A wave of mana swept out in all directions, vanishing into the horizon.
Leo watched intently. "What happened?"
"I put an illusion on the world," Alexia replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Leo's eyes widened. Creating a Real Illusion was one thing, but to alter the very fabric of reality itself was a feat only a handful of beings could accomplish.
"No one, not even she would know that she is not the real Elna." Alexia added, her gaze steely as she looked at the illusion now standing before them.
Leo's heart skipped a beat as he turned to look at the phantom, now clutching her head in confusion. The illusion's face, Elna's face, looked up at him. "Leo, what happened?"
Leo blinked, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. The illusion felt so real, so true to Elna, that even he could almost believe it.
He smiled, though it was laced with a tinge of uncertainty. "Nothing, just a protection spell."
The phantom tilted her head, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Shall we go now?"
Leo's gaze softened, but he nodded. "Let's go."
They made their way back to the ground where the messenger had been anxiously pacing. As soon as he saw them, a relieved smile spread across his face.
"You're back. Are you ready?" he asked, his tone frantic.
Leo's instincts flared, sensing something was off. There was a subtle shift in the messenger's demeanor, something clouding his judgment. He couldn't afford to overlook it. The spell might be affecting him as well.
Leo gave a curt nod, pushing his concerns aside for the moment. "We're ready."
He raised his hand, focusing on the creation spell he'd been perfecting. Slowly, three massive dragons began to take form, summoned from the recesses of his imagination, inspired by tales and movies from his past life. Their bodies rippled with ethereal power as they emerged from his mana.
"Get on," Leo said, gesturing toward the dragons.
The messenger hesitated, his eyes locked on the creatures with a mixture of awe and fear. It took a moment before he seemed to gather himself, and with a tentative step forward, he climbed onto one of the dragons. Leo and Elna followed suit, mounting their respective beasts.
With a mighty roar, the three dragons rose into the air, their wings beating the air with a powerful force. They took off, heading toward Raiwood, the wind whistling around them as they soared.
The journey had begun, but Leo couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him. Whatever spell was at play, it was getting harder to distinguish what was real and what was not.
…
Above Leo's domain, Elna opened her eyes. She blinked against the soft, filtered light, and slowly took in her surroundings. The space around her was filled with flowers of every kind, some delicate and pale, others vibrant and almost impossibly bright. The air carried a faint, sweet fragrance that made her head clear as she sat up.
Ilandra was sitting nearby, smiling gently. "You're awake," she said.
Elna's gaze swept across the colorful field, then returned to Ilandra. "What… happened?"
"You were under a spell," Ilandra explained. "It was affecting your thoughts, twisting them."
Elna's memories flickered, her sudden, irresistible desire to go to Raiwood, the way she couldn't explain why she felt that pull no matter how much she questioned herself. She swallowed hard and looked up again. "Why… why am I not affected now?"
"The person who did this must follow the Divination Path," Ilandra said. "This domain, it's built on it. It's the safest place in the world against that kind of power."
Elna's brow rose, a spark of realization in her eyes. "What about Leo?"
"He's going to Raiwood," Ilandra replied calmly.
Elna's stomach twisted. "What? Isn't that exactly what the enemy wants?"
"It is," Ilandra admitted, "but there's no other way. If there's a hidden enemy, they have to be confronted."
Elna frowned. "But an enemy who can affect me from anywhere… isn't that an S-rank?"
"An S2 at least," Ilandra said, worry threading her tone.
"Can't we help him?" Elna asked, urgency in her voice.
"For now, we can only wait," Ilandra replied. She studied Elna, her expression tight. She understood this power better than anyone. It was a lighter version of what Selvanna had used, the very same ability that had kept the God of War at bay.
The reason this enemy was after Leo was clear: he possessed the domain of the Divination Path. Anyone seeking to reach the top of their own path would have to confront, or overpower, the domain of the previous god.
Ilandra sighed, a shadow crossing her face. Leo had a dangerous enemy ahead, one capable of bending fate itself. And Elna could only hope he would survive what was coming.
…
Leo's group flew toward the teleportation tower, and from there, they vanished in a flash of light, reappearing at the nearest tower to Raiwood. Without hesitation, they mounted the dragons again and soared toward the city.
Leo did not approach from above. Instead, he angled to the side, bringing the city into full view. Flames licked the skyline, smoke curling into the clouds. Near the outskirts, they spotted a camp where a large number of soldiers had gathered, their banners fluttering in the heat of the fire.
When they landed, the soldiers quickly encircled them, tension and relief mingling in their faces. At the front stood a man whose posture carried authority.
"Thank God the reinforcements are here," he said.
Leo leapt from the dragon, which vanished behind him in a shimmer of light. The soldiers froze, blinking at the sudden disappearance.
"I am Victor Black, Grandmagister Lady Alexia Clayden's student. What happened here? Report," Leo commanded.
The man bowed sharply before speaking. "Sir, when we arrived, the city was already destroyed. There are numerous traps surrounding the area, we cannot enter."
"Has anyone come out from the city?" Leo asked.
"No, sir."
Leo's mind raced. This city should have had one of the world's most powerful warriors, Mr. Elric Bourne.
"Not even Mr. Elric Bourne?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"No, sir."
"Alright. I'll go and survey the area. You stay here." He turned to Elna. "Let's go."
Elna and the messenger fell into step beside him.
Leo paused after a few steps. He already suspected that the messenger, and perhaps everyone here, was under a spell, but he had to act as if he didn't know.
"Why are you following?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"I have to be there so I know what to report back," the messenger replied.
"You'll know what to say when I return," Leo answered firmly.
"But…"
Before the messenger could finish, a wave of mana surged from Leo, freezing him in place. His body stiffened, obedient. "Yes, sir," he said quietly.
Leo and the phantom who now mirrored Elna pressed onward toward the city. The closer they got, the more the devastation became visible, groups of soldiers lay dead, some bodies torn to pieces, scattered across the ground.
Leo raised his hand, summoning a sphere of creation. In an instant, a sound like fire rushing downward filled the air. One by one, the traps surrounding the city dissolved, leaving the path ahead clear.
"It seems there is only one survivor," Leo said, his voice tight with restrained anger and grief.
Through his creation spell, he could sense everything within the area. Life, death, lingering mana, nothing escaped him.
They passed through the burned gate and into the city.
Corpses covered the streets. Charred buildings leaned inward like broken ribs. The air stank of ash and blood. Leo walked with grim focus toward the Adventurers' Guild, each step heavier than the last.
Even there, bodies lay scattered across the floor.
Near the doorway, a small red-haired girl lay in a pool of blood. Her red eyes were half-open, unfocused. Leo recognized her instantly.
Katrine.
The receptionist who handed out quests. The younger sister of Emily, one of his companions.
She was still breathing.
Leo dropped to one knee beside her. Even without magic, it was obvious she was dying. Blood soaked through her clothes, and her pulse fluttered weakly beneath his fingers. White and red light flared around him as a small, portal-like formation of living energy rose beneath her body.
"Katrine…" he said quietly.
Her eyes shifted, struggling to focus. When she saw him, tears slid down her cheeks.
"Victor… you're back?" she whispered. "They came out of nowhere… from inside the jungle. We were ambushed." Her breathing hitched. "My sister… everyone… they all—" She coughed violently, blood spilling from her lips. "They all died…"
Leo clenched his fist. "Who attacked the city, Katrine?"
"Orcs… and…" she coughed again, her voice weakening. "Men…"
"What happened to Mr. Elric Bourne?" Leo asked urgently.
"He went to the mountain… there was a… there was…"
Her eyes closed before she could finish.
Elna stepped closer. "Is she… dead?"
Leo shook his head. "No. She's unconscious."
A large portal opened beneath Katrine, enveloping her gently in light. A moment later, she vanished, sent somewhere safe.
Leo rose slowly and looked around the guild hall.
Henry. Emily. Betty.
They lay near the desk where they always stood. Their blood stained the floor. Not a single body in the city showed signs of life.
Everyone was dead.
"What should we do now?" Elna asked quietly.
Leo's voice was cold, heavy with contained fury. "First, I find the army that attacked this city and kill every last one of them." He turned slightly, his eyes burning. "Then I find the one who helped them reach this place. And I kill them too."
The sphere of creation formed in his hand again and expanded beyond the sight of normal eyes, spreading across the land like an invisible tide. Leo closed his eyes.
Seconds passed.
When he opened them, his gaze sharpened.
"Found them."
…
Back at the camp, Leo appeared out of thin air before the commander.
The man jolted in shock, nearly drawing his sword before he realized who stood in front of him.
Leo ignored the reaction. "All the traps are gone. You can move into the city." His voice was hard and controlled. "Send a messenger to the capital. Tell them Raiwood has been destroyed. Everyone is dead."
The color drained from the commander's face. The soldiers nearby froze, staring in disbelief. Raiwood was no minor city. The idea that its entire population had been wiped out in a single strike was unthinkable.
"What about the ones who did this?" the commander asked, fear creeping into his voice. "If they're still nearby…"
"Leave them to me," Leo said.
Before the commander could respond, he vanished, leaving only disturbed air where he had stood.