Chương 81: Chapter 51:”Two Lost Magics: Spacetime and Light”

First, I turned into a man and started treating everyone's injuries. Since Sensei had her hands full treating her own injuries, I ended up doing almost all of it. Compared to Sensei, I was still quite unskilled and it took time, but I managed to treat them so as not to leave any noticeable scars. Once the treatment was done, it was time for an important talk. First was Karla-senpai. She told everyone the reason why she had been acting as the masked woman.

And along with apologizing deeply, she vowed to turn herself in. Milia seemed to have understood the circumstances quite well, and readily forgave what was done to her. I think her feelings are probably the same as mine. As for Argus, who originally hated her like a snake or scorpion, he kept a grim face the whole time, but listened to her story in silence. Only at the end, he said just one thing:"It's not like I don't understand at all.

But it's absolutely not something that can be forgiven, and I don't intend to forgive you for the rest of my life." He didn't pursue it any further. Senpai accepted his words humbly. Well, we know that me, Alice, and Milia are just soft. Because what she did is something that can never be forgiven in the eyes of society. Harsh words like this are only appropriate. I heard from Alice during treatment that his precious family was killed by the masked group. They weren't strangers to me either.

They took care of me several times during training. Even with that level of relationship, my heart aches, so how much heartache must Argus be feeling? For him, this must have been the maximum compassionate decision. I think he dared to say just one word, as a stance, saying only the words that someone had to say. In such a place, I felt Argus's kindness that couldn't be hidden, and also his greatness as a person. Next was the treatment of the survivors of the masked group.

After having Karla-senpai confirm their identities, it was decided to restrain them for the time being. They seemed grateful just to have their lives saved, and obediently followed without resisting. As for Karla-senpai herself, believing in her conscience, we dared not restrain her. Instead, she is supposed to lend us her strength against the unprecedented crisis that will likely hit Sacris soon. Since she served as a leader in the girls' dormitory, she has quite a lot of influence at school.

She agreed to use those connections to call for cooperation from her juniors at school. Furthermore, she will also utilize her hidden face as a top executive of the masked group. She promised to talk to the other remaining members of the group and bring them to our side. She was terrifying as an enemy, but there are few people as reliable as her if she becomes an ally. Then, the six of us exchanged information and held a strategy meeting. First, I talked about the ambition that Tor Guief himself blabbered about.

The resurrection of the floating city Edel and world domination. That he is trying to destroy Sacris. Reactions varied, but generally, we agreed on the point that he is unforgivable and we will protect this town. From Argus, we heard detailed stories about the masked group. We learned the detailed backgrounds of Clam Celenberg and Tor Guief. It was so detailed that Karla-senpai also marveled, "You researched that far well."

"That's why I was erased though," he concluded self-mockingly while oozing anger. And this time, the one who risked her life to obtain valuable important information worth a thousand gold was none other than Inea-sensei.

"Clam Celenberg. I found out the true identity of the ability he possesses."

"Is that true!?"

"What!? Please tell us!" Argus and I, who had experienced his terror firsthand, involuntarily leaned forward.

"Well, calm down." Sensei restrained us and then said plainly.

"It's Time Manipulation Magic. He can do Time Stop and Time Erasure."

"Time Stop, and Time Erasure you say!?"

"What!? Is such a thing possible!?" Time Manipulation. I have seen it in games and manga as a classic strong ability, but... To think there really is a guy who can do such a thing...! But then it makes sense. The fact that he moved in an instant that couldn't be perceived at all. Even the knife passing through him as if slipping through! Whether it's Time Stop or Time Erasure, it shouldn't be recognizable at all while it's being used. I thought Sensei was amazing for seeing through that.

At the same time, I realized once again the greatness of the enemy we are trying to fight. How on earth are we supposed to win against something like that? Ignoring our astonishment, Sensei continues. It was content that showed Sensei's terrifying further observational eye.

"The effect time is about 2. 1 seconds. This is the same for both Time Stop and Erasure."

"That's amazing. You even pinpointed the effect time?" I completely agree with Argus. How can she understand that much?

"In the case of Time Stop, the range he can move during the stop is about 11 meters. Judging from the fact that he didn't do any flying attacks that should be advantageous during that time, it's safe to assume that only he himself and what he possesses can move during the stop." This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work. Goosebumps don't stop. To read that much in just one battle. I absolutely couldn't have understood this far.

"After using it once, an interval of several seconds is needed. However, only once a day, he can use it twice in a row without a gap. I was caught off guard by that and got beaten." Tracing the mark where her shoulder was cut (though it was only a tear in her clothes since Sensei's own treatment was perfect), Sensei oozes frustration. This person hates losing too. But she immediately pulled herself together and supplemented.

"Well, the second time in that case seems to have a shorter effect time though. In fact, even for me who was closest, the effect of Time Stop ran out just before the attack reached. So I pulled back instantly, so it didn't become a fatal wound." I was completely wide-eyed with admiration, my mouth gaping open. Too amazing. Isn't the ability almost laid bare! Not just combat ability. Excellent insight. Adaptability to attacks seen for the first time.

It is a feat achieved precisely because everything is equipped at a high standard. How much experience and training must one accumulate to reach this level? Can I imitate it someday? I realized again that I still have a long way to go and need to do my best. On the other hand, Argus, who digested the important information of his enemy, clicked his tongue bitterly.

"No wonder I couldn't do anything. If time is stopped, there's no way to do anything." However, there is no sign of despair anywhere. Rather, his eyes seem to be burning with passion for revenge.

"But if we know the trick, we can devise countermeasures. I owe you one."

"Ah." Inea-sensei summarizes her view.

"As I told you, he manipulates time. Centered on him, an instant death area with a radius of about 11 meters exists. For me, whose main style is Qi Sword Art which cannot demonstrate power unless I approach, the compatibility was hopelessly bad. Unfortunately, I cannot win against him." That was the moment when Sensei, who is a "superhuman," clearly admitted her limits for the first time in front of me. In other words, he was that much of an opponent.

While having a good fight head-on enough to lay his ability bare. Bad compatibility. How much regret must she have for not being able to win because of that single point?

"That's why. I want you guys who can use magic to defeat him somehow. I believe that you guys, who didn't give up in the face of any difficulties, can surely do it." That thought and the task of defeating him were now entrusted to us along with Sensei's expectations. Clam Celenberg. The enemy is mighty, but we must win. We have to find a way to conquer him somehow. I replied powerfully.

"Yes! We will do it!"

"Umu. That's the spirit." So. Glancing at my partner, Argus was twisting his neck with a difficult face.

"However. I've never even heard of it. Magic that manipulates time. Was there such a thing?"

"Heeh. So there is magic that even Argus doesn't know."

"Even I don't know everything."

"I have heard of it." There, a person who seemed unexpected but not unexpected raised her hand. Actually, it was Milia who had deep knowledge of Lost Magic.

"Only one. There was a magic that fits the explanation just now."

"Really?"

"Seriously?" She nodded firmly and continued.

"Spacetime Super-Tier Magic [Chrolwillm]. One of the Lost Magics said to rule time—praised as the strongest among all Spacetime Magics."

"Hoh. The strongest, huh!"

"Do you know anything?" To my question, she nodded reliably again.

"Yes. There is nothing we can do about Time Erasure. But for Time Stop, although not complete, there is a countermeasure of sorts. It's a magic you all know well." She floated her specialty mischievous smile.

"Eeh? What is it?"

"I don't know." I really couldn't think of it. Alice was also twisting her neck together with me.

"Oi. Don't put on airs, tell us." When Argus rushed her, Milia said the answer with a slightly proud face.

"It is Light Magic [Arlcumber]."

"Eh? Isn't that the magic to improve visibility when vision is bad?" Alice's question is reasonable. Even I recognized it as such magic. However, Milia is a noble from a distinguished family where Light Magic has been passed down for generations. There is no one here who surpasses her in detailed knowledge. She explained in a polite tone.

"Didn't I tell you before? Generally, Dark Magic is considered the pair of Light Magic, but actually Dark Magic is a subspecies of Light Magic, and the true pair is Spacetime Magic."

"No, I hadn't heard that far. I heard that darkness is just a subspecies of light though." Speaking in this world, it might be surprising, but it is common sense for Earthlings. Because darkness is just a state without light.

"I see. So the pair of Light Magic is Spacetime Magic."

"Yes. Both possess contrasting complexity as Lost Magic for some reason. Therefore, they have been considered the two major systems of Lost Magic." Come to think of it. During the first class, I wondered why Light Magic, which seemed simpler compared to Spacetime Magic, was Lost Magic. I recall thinking such a thing. Heeh. So they are similar. That's why it's difficult. —Hmm!? Similar? There was something that caught my attention there. Wait. I've heard such a story somewhere. Ah! The pair of Light is Spacetime!?

Don't tell me!

"If you use [Arlcumber], even if you cannot move during Time Stop, you should be able to see the user's movements. Wouldn't that alone make quite a difference?"

"It's not just a matter of difference! It's a huge difference!" Argus's eyes were shining. I think so too. Not being able to even recognize and just being able to recognize makes a huge difference. But. That is certainly important too. But I realized something more than that, and I couldn't help but say it.

"I feel like I understand. Why the pair of Light Magic is Spacetime Magic."

"Is that true?" To Milia who asked with great interest, I answered while organizing ideas in my head." Theory of Relativity."

"So-tai-sei Theory?" No doubt. I couldn't think of any other reason. If this theory holds true in this world as well. Here lies the hint to break Spacetime Magic.

"A great scholar on Earth said it. Light and Spacetime have an inseparable, close relationship."

"Hey! Doesn't that connect with Milia's story! Oi!" Ignoring Argus whose eyes were shining more and more brilliantly from his natural curiosity, I continue.

"With the speed of light as an absolute standard, the concept of time is determined relatively by the observer. The theory that stated that is called the Theory of Relativity."

"Yu sometimes says things I really don't understand."

"Haa. That is hearing it for the first time again." When I talk about difficult things from Earth like this, Alice gives up early with a look of total incomprehension, and Milia shows interest while doubting slightly, which was the standard reaction.

"It's truly interesting! Tell me la—""Okay, got it." And sealing Argus's mouth for once, who as usual couldn't bear his interest and said to tell him in detail. I explained by cutting out only the parts that seemed important for this story. Setting aside Special Relativity, if I talked seriously about General Relativity, the sun would set.

"Well, skipping difficult logic, when a certain object approaches the speed of light, the time flowing for that object gradually becomes slower compared to the surroundings." Likening my clenched fist to a ball, I speak the core while mixing gestures of gradually decelerating it.

"And when the object finally reaches the speed of light. Theoretically, time stops."

"Time Stop! That means!" To Alice who showed an ideal reaction to my stopped fist, I nodded powerfully.

"Yes. One of the effects of Time Manipulation Magic. Light speed equals Time Stop. In other words, if there is one thing that can oppose time— it is Light." And from here on, it's a story of the magic world beyond Earth's physics theory. If there is a certain correlation between light and spacetime in the magic of this world as well. It's not logic, but I had a certain premonition somehow.

"So, this is just a guess, but. Could it be that a powerful Light Attack Magic would reach even within stopped time or blown-away time?" Others fell silent without being able to answer anything, but only Milia agreed clearly.

"Certainly. It is said that some Light Magic has a special effect against Spacetime Magic."

"See, as I thought!" However, her expression was gloomy.

"But... That is only up to Time Dilation. When it comes to magic that can oppose even Time Stop or Erasure..." I see... This is trouble. Middle-Tier Light Bullet Magic [Arllit] or High-Tier Magic [Arllion] probably won't work. However, when it comes to something above that, I haven't heard of it as expected.

"Ah!" Milia raised a voice as if she suddenly thought of something.

"What's wrong?"

"Come to think of it, there was only one in my house. A magic recorded in legends to pierce time."

"Really!?"

"Yes. I recall it was terrifyingly difficult to activate. In the history of my family, no one was able to learn it, but..." She stared at me and nodded as if acknowledging.

"Yu. You might be able to learn it."

"What kind of thing is it?" Milia swallowed her saliva gokuri and announced the name of that magic.

"The arrow of light that pierces time. Light Arrow Super-Tier Magic [Arllivine]."