Chapter 159
Analyzing magic power was practically Franz’s specialty.
He boasted superior skills in other areas as well, but they couldn’t quite match his ability to analyze magic power.
However, even for Franz, analyzing the magic of the Mythical Era was no easy task.
'It’s absurdly complex…?'
Modern magic had a fairly concise and simple structure so that the majority could use it.
In contrast, the ancient magic used by the Ice Dragon, one of the Seven Great Evils, had quite a complex structure.
Yet, the Mythical Era magic used by Leviathan possessed a structure several times more complex than that ancient magic.
It was to the point where an average mage wouldn’t be able to decipher it even if they dedicated their entire life to it.
'But this is the only option.'
Because the Mythical Era magic imbued in the creature’s scales completely blocked Yuna and Hera’s attacks, defeating it would be impossible without deciphering the magic.
“Yuna, Hera, buy me some time. I’ll keep deploying the footholds, so don’t worry about that.”
“Got it. I’ll try.”
“I’ll make an effort.”
Franz spoke as if it were nothing, but in truth, that wasn’t an easy task either.
Straining every nerve to decipher the magic wasn’t enough, yet he had to create footholds in the midst of it to match their movements.
BOOM-!
Yuna’s body shot forward at an incredible speed.
Hera also gave up on supporting from a distance and charged at Leviathan.
If the goal was to buy time rather than finish the creature off, she must have judged that two would be easier than one.
The sword strikes that Yuna created and the beams of light Hera shot out headed toward the creature.
[Are you still unable to admit your arrogance?]
Leviathan opened its mouth and activated its magic once again.
magic circles of various shapes formed layer upon layer, and soon after, a beam of light with tremendous destructive power was fired.
“Hiyah-!”
Yuna tilted her holy sword at an angle, twisting the direction of the beam.
Franz had shown her this once before, so she was copying it.
BOOM-!
The beam plunged into the sea, and at the same time, the arrow Hera shot caused an explosion inside the creature’s mouth.
While they were struggling like that, Franz was analyzing Leviathan’s magic.
'In the end, the origin of all magic is the Mythical Era.'
The magic of the Mythical Era was simplified and passed down to the ancient era, and the magic of the ancient era was simplified to become modern magic.
In other words, by tracing it backward, he could grasp the background of the puzzle to some extent.
Fitting the scattered puzzle pieces together was a separate matter, but as long as he knew the background, it wouldn’t take too long.
'If I compare the way the text and shapes are formed…'
Thanks to the Ice Dragon, ancient magic was already in Franz’s head.
It was the same as being able to skip the process of comparing modern magic and ancient magic, so the analysis time would be drastically reduced.
The visual information, which had been a noisy jumble of pixels, gradually blurred and soon began to form a clear picture.
The shape of the magic circle, the text and shapes, each component interlocked like cogwheels.
'One, I just need to figure out one more thing…!'
He had figured out all the important parts. All that was left was one very trivial thing. But if that one trivial thing was missing, the cogwheels couldn’t turn.
Magic required all its components to be perfect.
In the end, there was only one option Franz could choose.
'I have no choice but to face it directly.'
Snap-.
Franz snapped his fingers.
Light flashed, and his figure arrived right in front of Leviathan.
[Mage, have you chosen self-destruction? How fitting for the wisest one here.]
Leviathan said so and opened its mouth.
Blue dots became lines, and lines met lines to form shapes. magic script was engraved inside those shapes, determining the nature and form of the magic.
The magic circles completed in this way stacked layer upon layer, increasing in power.
'Where on earth did I miss it…?'
Even though he was analyzing the magic from a stone’s throw away, he couldn’t figure out what part was wrong.
While Franz continued to ponder, a cluster of light began to gather in Leviathan’s mouth.
It wasn’t simply a mass of light, but highly concentrated magic power taking on color.
“Franz-!”
“You idiot-!”
Yuna and Hera, who had been watching the situation, hurriedly rushed in, but Franz stopped them with telekinesis.
He was in the middle of concentrating, and they would only be a hindrance.
[Mage, you were quite an excellent human.]
At the same time Leviathan’s voice echoed through the world, a blue beam of light was fired at Franz.
Even though it was clear that not even a trace of him would remain if he took a direct hit, Franz just stayed in place with a narrowed brow.
“W-why…”
Yuna slumped her shoulders, and Hera silently turned her head away.
It seemed they thought it was already too late.
Of course, it was a desperate situation. It wouldn’t even take a split second for the beam to vaporize his body.
But at that moment, Franz realized.
'It’s assisting the flow of magic power…!'
Something that didn’t exist in modern magic, nor in ancient magic, was none other than something that assisted the irregular flow of magic power to remain constant.
Maintaining pure magic power within the body started in the ancient era, so mages from the era before that must have used raw magic power.
If the magic power was irregular, the power of the magic would fluctuate, so an element was added to the magic formula to keep it constant.
Finally, all the cogwheels interlocked and began to turn.
The puzzle pieces quickly found their places over the clearly drawn landscape.
Snap-.
Franz snapped his fingers.
If he had finished analyzing the magic Leviathan used, it would also have been possible to dismantle it in reverse.
Anti-magic.
Right before the blue beam of light touched Franz, it turned into a cluster of light and scattered into the air.
“Franz…?”
“How on earth…?”
Yuna and Hera stared at Franz with wide eyes.
He wanted to explain the situation to them, but unfortunately, it seemed he wouldn’t be given the luxury to do so.
[W-what on earth did you do…!]
The flustered Leviathan simultaneously deployed dozens of magic circles.
Each one was magic of a level that could easily blow away a single nation.
However, now that Franz had finished analyzing the Mythical Era magic, the analysis was a meaningless act.
Snap-.
With the simple act of snapping his fingers, he simultaneously erased the magic circles that had densely filled the sky.
[This makes no sense…! How dare a mere human…!]
“It’s possible because I’m a human. You arrogant earthworm.”
Franz raised the corner of his mouth into a crooked smirk and drew up his magic power.
The gemstone attached to his staff began to be dyed in a red light, and subsequently, a massive magic circle was drawn in the sky.
“Then let’s compare. Which one is stronger, between the mages of the past and me?”
The foundation of all magic is mythical magic.
Franz’s magic power, having realized its essence, manifested the miracle called magic into the world.
[Don’t spout such nonsense-! human-!]
Leviathan, looking up at the magic circle drawn in the sky, likewise deployed a magic circle.
Complex magic circles were drawn layer upon layer, adding to their power.
However, from the moment Leviathan - the Calamity born of the Demon God, who commanded the sky - looked up, the outcome was already decided.
Swish-.
Franz lowered his hand from top to bottom.
At the same time, a five-colored beam of light was fired from the magic circle.
It was a magic that gathered the strengths of the Mythical Era, ancient magic, and modern magic all in one place - a magic that was no different from the history of magic itself.
Furthermore, this was a unique magic created by Franz. There was no one else who could use it, and there probably never would be.
Franz’s mighty magic power was amplified even further through the World Tree Staff, and the magic harbored a power comparable to the 10th circle.
[Don’t make me laugh! I am the Calamity that will lead the world to ruin, Leviathan!]
The creature’s magic activated. Dark lights tangled together and shot forth, as if symbolizing that it was a servant of the Demon God.
KABOOM-!
Franz’s magic and Leviathan’s magic clashed in the air.
The charge of the two mighty energies created the illusion that the space-time of the area was distorting.
The churning waves had already grown in size and were heading toward the land.
It was then.
“Franz, you’d better be prepared for a scolding later.”
“I agree. My heart nearly dropped.”
Yuna, adjusting her grip on her sword, charged at Leviathan, and Hera pulled her bowstring taut.
The massive shield that had been wrapping around the creature’s entire body was gone due to Franz’s anti-magic.
As Yuna swung her sword, a slash tore through the air.
As Hera released her bowstring, a streak of light shot out.
BOOM-!
Their attacks accurately struck Leviathan, and the momentum of the creature’s intense magic was also dampened.
To withstand their attacks with its bare body, it truly lived up to being a Calamity directly born of the Demon God.
But merely enduring wasn’t enough to win.
Franz didn’t miss the opening and raised the momentum of his magic even further.
[T-this can’t be-!]
That was the creature’s death throe.
The brilliant five-colored streak of light pierced straight through its body.