Interlude: The Magician of Melgalius V

A dream—unfolds.

It is a tale from a distant past, a story from long ago.

The story of a certain magician—

——

“—Gah! Cough—”

Sora, spitting blood, collapses to her knees.

“Foolish, aren’t you, Sora?”

The Demon King smirks.

The battle between Sora and the Demon King has finally begun.

At the cost of countless sacrifices, Sora has at last reached this point.

But—the Demon King was overwhelmingly powerful.

Though she put up a decent fight, Sora was ultimately driven to the brink of death, utterly powerless.

Sora had no choice but to grovel pathetically before the Demon King.

“Why… why, damn it…! How many years do you think I’ve spent trying to kill you…?!”

Filled with resentment and cursing through bitter tears, Sora pounds the floor.

“Damn it! Give me back my sister… give her back! Just let me kill you already…!”

“Hahaha, I’d rather not.”

The Demon King laughs mockingly.

“Honestly… I was a bit nervous, wondering what kind of incredible magician you must be, having defeated so many of my Demon Generals. But, frankly? You’re nothing special.”

“…Tch…!”

“In the end, you’re just an ‘exceptional magician.’ You can’t even come close to my level.”

The Demon King spreads his arms wide as he speaks.

“I have a purpose, a mission I must fulfill. All of it to save this world the right way… I have an unshakable conviction.”

“…!”

“And what about you? You want to defeat me just because you hate me? And with such reluctance? Hahaha, your petty resolve doesn’t even come close to the conviction and determination I’ve poured into sacrificing everything for the sake of all.”

“‘If thou wouldst desire, cast the desires of others into the furnace.’… That’s the fundamental principle of magic, far beyond any grandiose magical theory. Magic is about seeking the truth of the world, manipulating its laws, but above all, it’s about honing your own heart. The difference in our resolve is what creates the gap between us.”

“…Spouting… such pompous nonsense…!”

“You’re weak, Sora. Far too weak.”

“Shut up… give me back my sister… give her back…!”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

The Demon King smiles cruelly.

“She’s long dead… You already knew that, didn’t you?”

“Damn it… damn you…! Aaaah…!”

“But your sister was a magnificent test subject for magical experiments. Thanks to her, I completed the contingency plan… [Magdalia’s Conception Ritual]. Her physical body may be long gone, but her genetic code and the Sefirot Map of her soul are perfectly preserved.”

“So, at the 《Temple of Revival》, I can easily bring her back. I can ‘use’ her whenever I need.”

“With this, my defeat is impossible… and soon, the 《Akashic Records》 will be mine… I’ve finally won…!”

“What… are you babbling about…?! All I know is you’re still a filthy, despicable worm…!”

“Oh dear, Your ambitions are so small. That’s why you’re nothing more than this.”

With that,

The Demon King swings his arm in front of Sora.

Space tears apart. Dimensions rupture.

The entire world transforms into infinite void.

“Killing a magician of your caliber outright leaves me a bit uneasy. After all, there are countless ways to revive or resurrect. So, this is the best solution.”

Sora is drawn into that void, pulled toward the beyond.

To the beyond, the beyond, the beyond—she is cast away…

“Farewell, Sora. I’m banishing you to another dimension. We’ll never meet again.”

“Damn it… DAMN IT…!”

And then.

Sora—

…