บท 2: The Youngest Level 10 Mage in Human History— Roel Lionis
Magic is a profoundly mysterious concept, and its existence, along with its origin, remains entirely unknown to all.
Some records suggest that magic has been present since the inception of the world.
There are also records stating that magic surfaced after the birth of the most illustrious and renowned figure in the world, known as the Emperor of Magic and the progenitor of mages—Magic Emperor Zarkiel.
He is acknowledged for establishing the order of magic in the world of Artaria.
His distinguished presence echoed throughout five thousand years, bringing peace to a world shrouded in darkness during that era, a bleak age for all living beings.
Nevertheless, all records chronicling the comprehensive history are intertwined, and the truth itself remains veiled in shades of gray, remaining unknown.
In an opulent and grand throne room, a young man with jet-black hair knelt respectfully at the center, facing a man seated on a large throne before him.
"I have returned, Your Majesty the Emperor," the young man said calmly, bowing his head slightly with an air of respect and devoid of any arrogance.
This young man possessed a remarkably handsome and flawless appearance.
In particular, his face was exquisitely sculpted, as if it held the power to captivate any woman who gazed upon him.
His golden-colored pupils were irresistibly captivating, making it impossible to avert one's gaze from his eyes.
His short, jet-black hair resembled the depth of the night.
Furthermore, the black mage cloak with the moon pattern behind it enveloped him in an aura akin to that of a prince of darkness, complementing his appearance flawlessly!
Undeniably, he stood as the most gifted mage in the world, the sole mage able to ascend to level 10 of magehood at the age of 25—Roel Leonis!
Indeed, his figure, talent, appearance, and numerous other heaven-defying advantages resemble the template of a protagonist in a novel!
There is no room for doubt, for he, Roel Leonis, is a transmigrant from Earth who found himself thrown into this fantasy world.
However, unlike the senior transmigrants thrown into the fantasy world armed with a system, he had absolutely no such damn advantages!
Instead, he found himself hurled into this world, entering the body of the baby Roel Leonis without any aid or the usual perks protagonists typically enjoy!
Fortunately, armed with the knowledge acquired from the fantasy novels he avidly read and the innate talent within him, he ascended to become the youngest level 10 mage in history!
('Sure enough, even without something like a system, I can still survive and become a glorious figure in this world...') Roel sighed inwardly, and relief flooded over him.
He took great pride in his tireless efforts and hard work since arriving in this world.
Given the fantasy world's adherence to the law of the jungle, he was undoubtedly in a secure position, with only a handful of figures posing a legitimate threat to him.
In this fantasy world called Artaria, mage levels were categorized into 12 stages, with level 1 being the lowest and level 12 the highest.
At the age of 25, he achieved the level of a 10th-grade mage, just one level below level 11, which was considered the highest limit for mages in this era!
One could only imagine the extraordinary talent he possessed.
Moreover, the 12th level of mage, referred to as the Celestial Lord stage, was a mythical stage.
For 5,000 years, no one had touched it except for the first magic emperor, Emperor Zarkiel!
Certainly, even with his strength, which could already be considered at the pinnacle of this world's hierarchy, many individuals surpassed him.
One such majestic figure was now seated on the throne before him—the current Emperor of mankind, Emperor Julius.
"Thank you for your dedication and willingness to guard the border against the incursion of the Demon Emperor's army, young Mage Roel. I, Emperor Julius, am profoundly grateful to you," spoke Emperor Julius from his throne, expressing his gratitude with a light.
However, the tone in his words sounded indifferent, as if he regarded Roel's recent efforts lightly.
"You're welcome, Your Majesty the Emperor. Serving the Arcadia Empire and defending humanity is my duty," Roel replied politely, while secretly harboring a sneer for this damn emperor.
It could be said that if there were a list of people he loathed the most and desired to strike, the first entry would undoubtedly be this emperor before him, who consistently treated him arbitrarily.
His hatred for Emperor Julius was not unfounded, as the latter consistently wielded his power capriciously.
As the saying goes, 'Power that is too strong and concentrated in one individual will make that individual arbitrary.'
This saying fittingly describes the man seated on the throne before him.
Corruption, malice, envy, narcissism, and many other vices clung to Julius.
The Arcadia Empire, recognized as one of the three empires of mankind, boasted an incredible power that spanned 5,000 years.
The empire's founder was none other than the first human and a legendary figure in the world of Artaria thousands of years ago—Magic Emperor Zakriel.
Regrettably, the governance of this empire had become severely dilapidated, with its crimes not much different from the corruption seen in countries of his previous world.
Certainly, as reprehensible as Emperor Julius was, he remained a formidable figure and one of the strongest mages of mankind, having reached level 11, known as an Arcana mage.
His moniker, the Fire Demon, originated from his extraordinarily terrifying fire magic and had already become legendary throughout the continent.
('Damn! If only I could attain the Arcana level and ascend to the stage of a level 11 mage, I would not harbor apprehension toward this shit old man. Roel grumbled inwardly, annoyance coursing through him.
On the other hand, upon hearing Roel's self-effacing tone, Julius nodded with indifference.
"By the way, I heard that the attack on the border before was led by the Demon Emperor directly. Is that true?" Julius asked calmly, with a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Demon Emperor personally led the recent attack, catching us off guard," Roel replied slowly, detailing the events in an organized manner.
Julius, on the throne, nodded in understanding.
"I see. I acknowledge your exceptional achievements, and you are deserving of a special reward this time. So, tell me, what is it that you wish for?" Julius leaned in, resting his head on his palms, as he quietly posed the question.
His gaze bore an indescribable intensity, prompting an immediate furrow in Roel's brow.
"A reward?" he asked involuntarily, a profound sense of skepticism settling in.
Throughout his missions assigned by this shit old man, the concept of receiving any form of reward had been strange to him.
At best, he received a fee for aiding the empire in overcoming border challenges, a right accorded to those summoned to assist the empire.
Moreover, this vexing old man consistently espoused the slogan, "Humanity must be united, and the imperial order is an absolute decree that every mage in the empire must adhere to without exception."
Consequently, he wielded influence over all non-palace-bound mages in the empire, compelling their obedience under the looming threat of perilous consequences.
"That's correct; I'll grant you a reward. Just let me know, young mage Roel," Julius stated in a casual tone once again, and Roel, who was initially hesitant, also found a sense of calm.
He couldn't fathom what had prompted the emperor to change his entire demeanor today, but given this golden opportunity, why wouldn't he seize it?
With a slow sigh, he regarded Julius with indifference.
"The reward I desire is a year-long sabbatical, during which I won't be obliged to undertake any mandatory palace missions," Roel calmly asserted.
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