SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

Never before had I seen such cruelty.

Even though her son screamed while being drowned by the purple mist, his mother didn't move an inch. Rather, she seemed to be enjoying every second of it—her eyes even gleaming with anticipation.

It soon made me realize what kind of person Ciel was… and why the Apostles warned us so much of her return.

"Yes… just like that…" She whispered, all her focus on the Nether's convergence on the boy.

"No way! She's going to use the boy as a vessel for the Nether! If she does that, then—" Kazen's eyes bulged, and her body trembled.

It seemed like she was once again reminded of her past—or perhaps something awful that happened back then.

"We have to stop i—"

"TOO LATE!" Ciel grinned widely—her face becoming uglier with how twisted her smile had become.

She stood right in front of the mist, almost as if defending it so the process wouldn't get interrupted by any of us.

"You can't stop it. Why should you even dream of it?"

"You're terrible. Using your own child like that… I knew he was another expendable pawn to you." Kazen growled, her eyes narrowing in hatred.

As much as I despised the Cult Leader, and would definitely kill him if I could, I had to agree with Kazen. Ciel's actions didn't belong to a mother, but rather a monster.

"What are you talking about? My son is not an expendable tool. He's special. He always has been. He always will be. Who else can take in all of the Nether's power and it would stabilize?"

"You… monster!"

"Unlike that last time, he will be completely at home in this vessel. I ensured it would be that way."

'Using your own son like that… Merlin was right about you!" I added.

While I didn't know of the past of the Apostles, or of Ciel, it was obvious who the evil person was—though I couldn't say Kazen wasn't too far off. She did steal Aloe's body and put all of us in danger.

'She's a momentary ally, but I can't say it'll remain that way forever…' As much as I would do my best to cooperate with her to take down Ciel and the Nether, I couldn't trust her.

"You misunderstand. I only gave my son his rightful inheritance—the indwelling of his father."

'Twisted!' My thoughts echoed.

"He was born of the union between his father and me. No one is worth more, and no one is better suited than he is. That's why he's so special. Because he's his father's son." Ciel grinned.

I couldn't tell if I was the only one thinking it, but this woman was definitely crazy. She was the worst!

"Haha… you do not need to give explanations to fools." A deep, terrible voice suddenly emerged from the darkness.

My eyes bulged, and my body nearly jumped in fright. I also felt paralyzed.

"A-ah, Master!" Ciel frantically turned back to respond to the voice.

Before all of us could even react, all the Nether converged in the Cult Leader, and his body underwent a drastic change.

Suddenly, black and purple armor emerged from his body, and a thick cloud of Nether swirled around him. He looked like a warlord far more deadly than even the most grotesque demons. Purple and black flashes of lightning spread across his body, and he appeared to be the very embodiment of everything evil in life.

"Haaa… I am finally back into this realm." The Nether spoke, his dark tone warbling with each syllable.

"Master!" Ciel bowed to this monster, even though they both floated in the air.

Merely watching this scene play out above me nearly caused my head to cry out in pain.

"My darling, it's been too long. I have missed you greatly." The Nether beckoned on Ciel to approach him, which she did.

"You look different from before…"

He took her hand and drew her close to him. Wrapping its armor-coated arms around her, he stared deeply into her eyes.

I wondered how Ciel was able to endure contact with so much Nether, but after seeing her facial expression, I abandoned the thought.

'Is she… moaning?!' Disgust spread all over me.

"D-do you like it? My new look? Master…" Ciel smiled as she enjoyed the embrace he gave her in her twisted, perverted way.

I bet she was a masochist, and she was simply enjoying the pain caused by being exposed to so much Nether. I couldn't even imagine if I was going to survive beyond the shield I generated around me and my friends.

The atmosphere was just too thick with Nether.

"I love it! Haha!" The Nether's voice seemed to bring her satisfaction, causing her to squeal in delight.

Both of them seemed to be in an exquisite mood. I could only hope they chose to spare this world as a result. Or, was it too late…?

The corrosive effect of Nether was already consuming everything around this being. All the sky turned purple, and dark clouds enveloped everywhere. Even the ground darkened, wholly being enveloped by Nether essence.

"Once the world is covered in darkness, he will consume everything," Kazen answered my inner inquiry.

"But, then what? After this world, what next?" It seemed too much of a waste that they would choose to destroy all of civilization rather than rule it, or something.

"There are many worlds, Jared. With the Arcanas under the control, they were able to release the Nether from his world. With the same set of Arcanas, they can gain access to other worlds."

My eyes widened at this discovery.

I always knew there was more to explore beyond the lands spread out before me, but I could not have imagined that things had become so dangerous with such stakes of this scale.

"The Nether will not stop until everything is destroyed. And Ciel, as the only Apostle of Nether, will do everything to support it."

I gulped, my body shuddered, and I slowly realized how despairing the situation was.

"Is there really… nothing we can do?"

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[A/N]

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