214 The Cycle of Reincarnation POV (1/2)

Pain. Excruciating pain. Physically and mentally.

As I lay here flatly with my back against the molten bedrocks, battered and bruised, bleeding from the numerous small holes all over my body, I ponder to myself when was the last time that I had been this injured.

It must have been years. Years since I have tasted such a defeat like this. Years since I have been reborn into this world.

This world of magic called Azula.

Azula is unlike the world that I have originated from. It is not quite as advanced technologically or even socially, but it does have something that my original world does not have.

Magic.

And it is magic that I have excelled greatly in, rapidly climbing the rank to become an Archmage. With just a bit more, I would have reached the fourth circle of magic. Just a bit more.

If I had managed to do so, my power would have multiplied several folds along with my magical energy and aura. It would have made me unstoppable, at least here on this continent.

Most of all, I would not have been reduced to this state. This dreadful state.

I did not expect to run into someone from my world. No. From a world similar to mine as demonstrated by the distinct weapon that he had used. A semi-automatic assault rifle.

Such a weapon does not exist on Azula, and it would not exist for thousands upon thousands of years to come. This is simply due to the non-existent scientific progress. Without any scientific progress, the state of thing will remain unchanged.

I am aware of this, as I have come from a world more advanced than this one. The person who reduced me to this state is probably from a world even more advanced than mine, considering his weapon.

There is also no need to reload after each shot with the weapon, thus making it extremely difficult to properly defend against even with magical protection.

I did manage to defend myself against several well-placed shot despite taken off guard, but the pointy bullets flying at incredible speed wear down my magical aura and protection ward rapidly.

A handful of shots would not have been something to worry about with my magic, but dozens of them fired in rapid succession is far more than I can handle. More than most Archmage can handle, really.

”I guess technology beats magic. Well. Assault rifle anyways. I thought you guys would last a bit longer, but this is probably an overkill for this kind of setting where the best range weapon is a crossbow.”

The man comments, almost whimsically. He sounds like he is merely testing out his weapon. Seriously?

I am an Archmage, you know. One of the most feared people on this continent, not a guinea pig. Those days are behind me. Long behind me.

Also, the man is a human. That is strange to be because humans do not side with the dark elves.

I do not know why he would do such a thing, considering their bloody history with humanity. I do not really hate the elves like most humans on Azula, but the elves are considered an enemy of mankind.

As a human, I will do battle with them and defeat them in order to protect my kind.

It is as simple as that.

”Master?”

The dark elf struggles to say due to her grievous wounds. Wounds that I have inflicted upon her in our confrontation. It is done fair and square.

Confusions could be seen on her face as if she had never seen the man before. That is also very strange as she is the one who had summoned him here.

Reversed summoning him more precisely to say, as she calls him her master instead of the other way around. She would be the master if it is a normal summon.

Why would someone as powerful as her stoop so low to call a human master? She is also an Archmage like me. A mage of the third circle. It takes a lot of time and effort to reach that level, more so for elves due to their long lifespan even if they are gifted with magic from the moment they were born.

Furthermore, she does not appear to be enslaved or anything of the sort. She did summon him during the fight out of her own will, and I did not expect a human to be summoned. Summoning would usually bring forth monsters or demons, not another person.

I also did not expect to be shot repeatedly at point blank range with an assault rifle without warning.

It was surprising at first. Shock afterwards due to the bullets manages to wound me severely. Its pointy nature is quite effective at drilling and penetrating my magical barrier. A round metallic ball wouldn't have dealt so much damage.

How did the gun made it spin in mid-air though? Using wind magic to spin something that small is not very effective, thus without a spinning momentum, it will not have that incredible penetrating power.

”Yes, it is me, Eliana. My appearance is a very long story. One that I will tell you another time if you're curious. Not any time soon though.”

The man response before looking at the ultramarine sky above. It wasn't like this a moment ago when the magical barrier was protecting his enchanted forest, reacting an eternal night sky in the process.

I have destroyed it.

It takes a lot of effort to bring down the barrier, but it is finally down, so my task is complete. Now all I have to do is wait for the army to attack. Should be any moment now.

”Yes… Master. Thank you for saving me.”

Eliana groans as the wounds I had inflicted on her is quite severe. She also did a number on me in the exchange, but I was not as fatally injured as I am currently is thanks to those metal slugs.

A lot of them are still stuck in my body, inhibiting my healing magic.

I cannot heal while they are stuck inside me, and they are too small to dig out with my fingers. I would need the assistant of my apprentices back at my tower.

”It is fine, Eliana, as I would not want anything to happen to my favourite elf. You should tell me what happen, so I am up to date with this. Honestly, I usually do not shoot first and ask question later. This is an exception because you were going to die, my dear. Only I have the right to kill you.”

The man states before casting a glance at me. The last remark seems to be directed at me. A threat.

I am in no position to retort. I am also defenceless due to the injuries I have suffered. How many more bullets can be fired from the weapon? I count about 30. My eyes are looking at the muzzle pointing in my direction.

The man chuckles before looking at the sky. He is looking for something up there. Something that I am unable to see. What is it?

”Legion. Supreme Commander requesting authentication.”

He states simply before returning his attention to me and to the dark elf. Who is Legion?

I am somewhat confused, but perhaps, it is due to the blood loss. I need to stop the bleeding before I become delirious.

”Master, a human contingent manages to penetrate the barrier and… ugh…”

Eliana winces in pain. Her magic is severely depleted hence she is unable to heal herself like I am trying to do. It will take her a long time to heal naturally. At least that is what I had believed.

I did not expect her to heal instantly right before my eyes.

No magical energy or residue could be sensed either. What is this? An ability? Impossible.

Even with an ability, some magical energies could still be sensed at my level. This is something else.

Something else entirely. What is it!? I need to know. The pain comes again when I try to move myself.

”Thank you for healing me, Master. Is it possible for you to restore the barrier? Without the Goddess divine protection, the elves are defenceless.”

Eliana beseeches. The wound on her body is completely gone. Even her clothes have been restored to their pristine condition. She did not seem to be surprised by any of it, thus this is not her first time.

How is that possible? I am full of questions. Questions that I have very little answers to.

Healing is one thing but restoring everything to it original was is another. This is the level of time-space magic. Is he an inheritor to the Black Mage!? Or he is the Black Mage himself?