Prologue: Celica

“《It shall return to the cycle of providence》”

The woman shouts the incantation in rapid succession. The rampant magic swirls in the air, pulsating with life.

“—Skipping the rest of the chant! Blast off!”

Modified Black Magic [Extinction Ray].

From her outstretched left palm, a shockwave of light surges forth as an overwhelming torrent.

The radiant beam, capable of breaking down and erasing all matter to its origin, races toward the vanishing point at the end of the endlessly stretching corridor before her—

Instantly annihilating the enemies in its path—a nauseatingly vast number of Guardians, ancient magical automatons arranged in a dense phalanx formation, all vaporized in a flash.

Yet, there isn’t a shred of triumph or a victor’s composure in the woman—

“…Ha… ha… Damn it…!”

The woman—Celica Arfonia—leans heavily against the corridor’s wall, her breathing labored.

This is the underground labyrinth sprawling beneath the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy—floor 44.

In the pitch-black darkness, as if painted over, the faint light of her raised lantern dimly illuminates Celica’s figure—a sight that can only be described as utterly tragic.

Her entire body is riddled with wounds of all sizes, her bloodstained clothes tattered. Exhausted and weakened, not a trace remains of the transcendent, bewitching beauty she once possessed.

“…Agh… I thought… this time for sure…!”

Exploration and investigation of the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy’s underground labyrinth.

This is the greatest purpose and reason why Celica, the continent’s most powerful mage, to remain at the academy.

For years, she has poured her heart and soul into conquering this underground labyrinth above all else.

Yet, despite her meticulous strategies and full resolve, this expedition, like always, is once again branded with the cruel mark of “failure” before Celica’s eyes.

She hadn’t let her guard down this time, not even slightly.

The pocket watch-shaped magical device tucked in her breast pocket and the bastard sword strapped to her waist—both are undeniable proof of Celica’s seriousness as a mage. She always throws everything she has as a mage into challenging this labyrinth.

But even so—it’s nowhere near enough to conquer this underground labyrinth.

Celica is a mage with inhuman power, but this labyrinth is a deadly realm that stubbornly rejects even the inhuman. Every trap within mocks her attempts to challenge it.

“Damn it… It hurts…”

Celica curses bitterly. Right now, she can’t even heal her wounds with magic. All she can do is apply medicinal herbs for disinfection, wrap bandages tightly, and stop the bleeding.

Her body has long since reached its healing limit.

The healing limit is a state where, after repeatedly using healing spells in a short time

It’s the healing limit that every soldier on the battlefield fears as “the grim reaper clutching the healer’s hand”…

Thus, the inescapable terror of death gnaws at Celica’s heart as she hangs her head.

It’s over. Retreat. Turn back—her calm rationality urges her.

But—

“…Hah! Bring it on…! I’ve been looking for a place to die all along, haven’t I…!”

Celica’s lips twist into a ferocious grimace as she lifts her face.

“Cough… Neither those so-called evil gods’ minions… nor my battles as a mage… could finish me…! This is the perfect chance…!”

What is it that drives Celica to such extremes? What clouds her rational judgment?

Even cornered like this, Celica stumbles forward on unsteady legs.

This is a march toward death… a meaningless end, and she knows it.

—Keep moving forward. Fulfill your mission.

Yet, as if possessed by the labyrinth, she staggers onward, step by step, driven by the “inner voice” echoing somewhere in her mind…

“…That’s right, I…! I have to keep going…! Otherwise… I’ll never…! So—!”

—Got it. Then at least, please… come back safe, okay?

At that moment, the words of someone dear flash unbidden across Celica’s mind.

They resonate in her heart, overpowering even her “inner voice”…

“…!?”

The reckless abandon that had nearly consumed her snaps her back to reality.

In an instant, her feverish thoughts and impulses cool.

The cursed “inner voice” luring her deeper into the labyrinth fades, if only for a moment.

Celica stands frozen, stunned for a while… and then.

“…What am I saying? I’m such an idiot… Talk about missing the point…”

Her trembling lips quiver as she turns on her heel.

“Damn it…”

Muttering weakly to no one in particular, Celica trudges back the way she came.

Another failure—her heart heavy with the humiliating, oppressive weight of defeat.

…And then.

Celica… never noticed.

‘…Celica…’

The presence watching her retreating figure from afar, steeped in disappointment.

The otherworldly being that had secretly followed her through the labyrinth, silently watching over her from the shadows.

Celica… once again, failed to notice.