A few minutes earlier.
The moment Genichi realized he couldn't finish off that pitch-black wyrmling with the "Demon King Valion" alone, he understood he had to end it in one strike. He couldn't give it even a single breath of room.
And to do that, he had to use his strongest magic.
Within the scope of what he knew, one of the most terrifying spells in this world was the magic once wielded by "Silent" Alfia:
Genos Angelus.
He didn't hesitate. The instant he opened his mouth, his voice didn't sound like a spell incantation so much as an accusation hurled at fate itself.
Mana began to surge.
Genichi could clearly feel the power inside him draining like floodgates thrown open, being ripped out of him so violently it was about to hollow him out within a few breaths.
That emptiness came with pain, spreading through his limbs and bones, but he didn't stop and couldn't stop. Once a spell like this started, there was no reversing it.
The black wyrmling also sensed death closing in. It let out a shrill, desperate screech.
In midair, a massive "Bell of Sound" formed as tremendous mana gathered and took shape.
The next instant, the bell tolled.
A silent tremor expanded outward from the bell's center. Wherever it passed, even the space itself seemed to shiver.
The black wyrmling couldn't even finish a full cry before its body was shredded by the tearing soundwave, bursting into a sky of blood mist that drifted down like rain.
Where it had stood, only a dark violet magic stone remained, along with drops of obsidian-like dragon scales lying still on the ground, quiet proof that it had ever existed.
Genichi gasped for breath and dropped to one knee. His mana was nearly bottomed out, and his limbs shook with the weak, floating soreness of overdraw.
Even he was stunned by the power of that single strike.
Genos Angelus: one blow, and it had almost drained him dry.
But the danger wasn't over.
As he took a deep breath and prepared to stand and retrieve the stone, the corner of his eye caught movement behind a pillar on the other side of the passage.
People.
Members of Loki Familia.
At the front stood the elf royal Riveria Ljos Alf, wearing a pale green mage's robe and holding an elven staff, her usual composure notably absent.
Behind her were several female adventurers, all staring at him with wide eyes. Their faces were a mix of shock, confusion, and sheer disbelief.
Genichi's heart sank.
His luck really was the worst…
Of all moments, it had to be right after he'd cast a spell that should never be seen, and it had to be seen by the people who should never have seen it.
Silence them?
The thought flashed through his mind and was immediately discarded.
Setting aside the fact that his mana was almost empty and his body felt hollow, even at full strength there was no way he could take Riveria and her teammates at the same time.
Loki Familia was one of Orario's strongest factions. Making an enemy of them was the same as digging his own grave.
He forced himself calm, crushed the turbulence in his chest, and gave Lunoire—who stood beside him and was still stunned—an oblique look.
Lunoire had also been shaken by the spell's brutality, but she was a veteran of Demeter Familia. Experience pulled her back to herself quickly.
Seeing Genichi's signal, she understood at once and shifted silently to his side, alert for anything sudden.
Genichi rose slowly, brushing dust and dried blood from his knee. The expression on his face had already returned to blank indifference.
He walked to the magic stone, bent down, and picked it up. Even through his fingers he could still feel a faint residual warmth of mana.
He didn't turn around. He had no intention of tangling with Loki Familia at all. He pivoted and started toward another passage.
"Please. Wait."
Riveria's voice came from behind him, cool as spring water, but carrying a thread of urgency she couldn't fully hide.
Genichi stopped.
He knew that pretending not to hear would only make him look more suspicious.
He turned back, his face calm, even faintly distant.
"Is something the matter, Riveria-sama?"
Riveria stepped forward a few paces. Her gaze moved over his face, then to the magic stone still in his hand, and finally fixed on his fingertips, where the last traces of casting light hadn't fully faded.
"That magic just now…"
Her voice lowered. "That was 'Silent's' magic."
Genichi's focus tightened.
So she'd recognized it. Of course she had.
She was one of Orario's strongest mages, an elf royal who had lived in the same era and crossed paths with Alfia herself. There was no chance she wouldn't recognize the signature chant of that terminal spell.
But Genichi's expression didn't shift. His tone stayed flat and controlled.
"Riveria-sama, I don't know what you mean. The magic I used involves my familia's confidential techniques, and I can't disclose it to outsiders."
He dipped his head slightly, adopting the posture of a polite farewell.
"If there's nothing else, then I'll be on my way."
Without waiting for Riveria to speak again, Genichi turned and, with Lunoire, moved quickly into the dim tunnel, his figure swallowed by the maze's deeper shadows.
Riveria didn't stop him. She simply remained where she was, eyes distant as she watched the direction he'd gone, silent for a long time.
Behind her, Tione couldn't help murmuring, "Riveria-sama… was that really Genos Angelus? But only Alfia should've been able to use that…"
"It wasn't mistaken," Riveria cut in softly, her eyes dark with gravity.
"Then why can that boy use Silent's magic?"
"That," Riveria said, lowering her staff as she turned to her companions, "is exactly why this is worth worrying about."
"Today's matter doesn't leave this party for now. I need to tell Finn and Loki."
"Yes," the others answered quietly, but the turbulence inside them refused to settle.
By then, Genichi had already gone far through the dungeon's corridors. Only after he could no longer sense Loki Familia's presence did he slow his pace slightly.
Lunoire hesitated beside him, holding back, then finally couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Genichi… where did you learn that magic?"
Genichi glanced at her and didn't answer. He only turned his hand over once, a small, dismissive motion.
Lunoire stopped pressing. But the shock in her eyes still hadn't faded.
Genichi tightened his grip around the magic stone, feeling the massive amount of excelia contained within it, yet feeling no real joy.
Genos Angelus had been exposed.
Even if he'd brushed it off for now, Riveria clearly hadn't believed him.
If word spread, it wouldn't just draw Loki Familia's attention. It could even attract other gods, or the Guild itself.
"I have to get stronger. Fast."
The words came out like a vow, his eyes hardening with resolve.
In this world, only power was real.
(End of Chapter)
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