"A poison that neutralizes Mana in the blood vessels," spoke the blonde, middle-aged Emperor 'Ragnar Greenriver.' He was the first Emperor in history to unite the Continent under his rule.
"The poison's effect lasts for a few minutes at most. For you, that is."
He was a close friend to Humanity's first 8th Class Mage, 'Ian Page.' Together, the marks of the two childhood friends on the world created many songs, planted many poems, and a number of written epics.
Although that was still true, at least until today.
"Still, if I try to destroy the other poisons..."
"Uh, for what reason...?"
The 8th Class Mage, Ian, who had returned to his hometown to spend the rest of his life in quiet solitude, spoke while swallowing the thick blood in his mouth.
"Do you not know yet?"
The Emperor's voice was surprisingly unconcerned, even though he had just fed a lethal poison to his friend of several decades.
"Your power, that power is of no help for the days after Unification. In times of war it might be different, but right now, it is something that causes unrest. The words you spoke back then."
Without a doubt, it was all true.
An unfathomable power that could easily wipe out a small nation single-handedly. That was the power of an 8th Circle Mage.
"As long as Ian Page lives as an ally of the Empire, that fact alone is enough to ignite the flames of rebellion. Therefore, I will return to my hometown and live the rest of my life in repentance. I believe you said it like that."
Fear entered the Emperor's eyes.
Of all things, why fear? The one who swallowed the poison was Ian.
"Do you know, Ian? I am not afraid of rebellion. Whatever it is, rebellion is the work of humans. It is within the scope of human understanding."
"·······."
"But you, what about the power you possess? Is this the work of a human? Do you truly see this power as something within human capabilities?"
Ian desperately wanted to respond.
This power is what made you the Emperor.
That this power brought about the Unification of the entire Continent.
The power that maintains the current peace.
"Cough!"
Ian could no longer project his voice.
It was in stark contrast to the blood that was hard to suppress.
"I am afraid. Afraid of Ian Page. Afraid of the 8th Class Mage. My old friend... Damn it! Yes, I am angry because I am afraid of my old friend! Me, my empire, you are a monstrous beast who could take it all away from me! How could I let such a monster live?"
The Emperor, revealing his madness to the world, stopped his soliloquy and looked at his dying friend, Ian Page. With a sad but satisfied expression, the Emperor's face was hard to read.
"Regardless, please do not... do not forgive my actions."
Those were the Emperor's final words. As he left the cabin, flames erupted all around. Did he think the poison wasn't enough?
'Bastard.'
Ian wandered in his thoughts.
The Emperor. The transformation of his old friend Ragnar Greenriver. His decision to retire to the countryside. He thought if he was out of sight, the situation would improve.
'It seems I was too complacent.'
Ian could never have imagined this would happen. He could never have fathomed the depth of madness the Emperor harbored.
'But.'
From his chest, Ian pulled out an object. At first glance, it looked like an ornate dirk. Decorated from the tip of the blade to the hilt with jewels and engravings. Rather than a bladed tool, it looked more like a decorative piece.
Surururung...
Even so, the sound it made when drawn said otherwise. It was a sound that told of its sharpness alone.
'It seems I wasn't the only complacent one, Ragnar.'
Engraved letters covered the dirk's blade completely. The letters were so small they couldn't be read with the naked eye.
'This is the repentance I wanted.'
With blood on his hands, he wanted to wash away what little he could with this.
'For the many people who died by my magic, for them, I will live my life in repentance.'
All of that was true. Only the method was different.
Surpassing Humanity's first 6th Class, 7th Class, and even reaching the 8th Class, the unprecedented Arch Mage Ian. Wasting years praying was something that couldn't fill Ian's bowl.
'Reset everything to the way it was.'
The moment he decided to retire to the countryside, Ian decided to research 'Time Magic' with all his might. If it were possible to turn back time, it might be possible to reset everything.
'And make better choices.'
Of course, it wasn't easy. On the contrary, it was almost impossible. There was only an unproven and unfinished theory.
'This will probably be the first test.'
The time to suffer for perfection and refinement had long passed. Even if there were adverse reactions, what could be worse than waiting for death? No, in the end, he was going to die anyway.
'To save what little Mana I have left, there is no other way.'
There was only one place the poison hadn't affected yet. The place that regulated all the Mana in the body, a small core within his heart.
'Mana Heart.'
Puuuuk!
In that place, he pierced through the formula, to drain every possible resource that could be called Mana.
Uuuuuung!
Shortly after, a brilliant blue light engulfed Ian.
[Ra.... Husu...... Ekiro....]
Simultaneously, Ian began his chant. One by one, the words spilled out painfully. This did not sound like his voice at all. This was also not a common incantation.
[Ro... Kuberugato....]
Dragons, commonly known as the 'Initiators of Magic.' They had created the ancient language, the 'Dragon Chant.'
[Zen... Shenigas...!]
In the heart of the mountain, as the echoes of the Dragon chant were about to end. The dirk crumbled into dust and scattered. The intense blue light gradually hid the last remaining traces. Of the Great Arch Mage Ian Page.