Chapter 778: Atrum's Unfortunate Fate (Bonus) (Patreon)

Magecraft, as it’s commonly understood, is an extraordinary phenomenon simulated through the use of mana and a magic foundation.

In conventional terms, a magic foundation refers to specific forms solidified by belief and unconscious thought—it is the very root of magecraft. Without it, both the magcraft and the magi relying on that foundation would decline, much like the ancient Rune system did.

Theoretically, even a temporarily prepared magic foundation could work. However, in such cases, the foundation is influenced by a variety of factors: the spiritual energy of the land, the movement of celestial bodies, even a gust of wind, or a handful of sand, not to mention the myriad thoughts of those present. All these factors must be accounted for when constructing a magical formula.

Given so many influences, a magical formula that succeeds once might lose its effectiveness the next day—or even within seconds. An unfixed magic foundation is inherently unstable and significantly weaker than a permanent one.

It’s easy to imagine how troublesome and inefficient it is to create a temporary magic foundation. Those who can do it are geniuses, but those who attempt it are often considered fools.

Flat is the embodiment of both a genius and a fool, and the main reason others can’t replicate his chaotic magecraft is due to the need to construct a temporary magic foundation.

However, whether genius or fool, it doesn’t change the fact that Atrum’s lightning magecraft was nullified.

“Is that all you’ve got? Now I understand why people say knowledge is power. Playing with lightning without understanding science will keep you forever third-rate.”

Reines' taunts drove Atrum into further madness. He howled and screamed hysterically.

“Gush Out! Gush Out! Gush Out! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!”

Now, not only was lightning coming from the sky, but Atrum was generating it from his own body, forming an all-encompassing web of lightning.

However, a Faraday cage provides absolute defense against direct lightning strikes, no matter how much lightning comes.

Finally, even the usually carefree Flat couldn’t help but offer some advice.

“Uh, you know, a Faraday cage isn’t flawless. It can’t shield against static electricity or low-frequency magnetic fields, and the structure itself is quite fragile—it's easy to break. Why insist on using lightning?”

Unfortunately, Atrum was completely deranged and could only keep repeating—

“Are you still mocking me? Gush Out! Gush Out! Gush Out!”

“It’s no use; he’s gone mad. Let’s end this quickly,” Reines sighed, showing no awareness that she had driven her enemy to such despair.

Flat didn’t dwell on it either. He skillfully deployed his chaotic magecraft, intervening in Atrum’s magical formula.

With his customary chant of Playball, one of the lightning bolts curved in mid-air, returning to strike Atrum, leaving him convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and finally collapsing unconscious.

This is another drawback of lightning magecraft: its power is so intense that it can easily backfire.

“Great, that takes care of one. Now, onto the next—”

After confirming Atrum's unconsciousness, Flat excitedly flashed a victory sign, but before he could dismantle the Faraday cage, he heard Touko say,

“I’ve finished over here as well. It’s just you and me now.”

“Wha-wha-wha-wha-what?!”

Flat was dumbfounded. Turning his head, he saw that both Gray and Svin, just like Reines beside him, were standing motionless, as if in a daze.

“Did your Mystic Eyes capture them too? But you didn’t even look at them. Did you use some kind of light reflection technique?”

Hearing his words, Touko’s expression grew increasingly strange.

“First a Faraday cage, then light reflection, and on top of that, temporarily constructing a magic foundation just to make the magic work—you really are a magus?”

Flat nodded seriously. “Of course, I am. I’m the strongest magus trained by Master V. But I still don’t understand how you did it.”

“What’s going on with the Clock Tower these days? Well, it’s better than the old stagnant atmosphere. You don’t need to worry about them, young genius. I just used something inside here to intimidate them a little. Sometimes, being too perceptive isn’t a good thing. But to push me into using this, you’re quite something. You might become a great magus someday.”

As she explained, Touko casually shook the bag in her hand.

This was her most powerful familiar, with which she had devoured Louvre the Lake Apostle, a candidate for the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, and once caused Executors to shudder in fear. Unless she faced a mortal enemy or had no other choice, Touko would never use this trump card.

But this time, it was neither; it was simply the easiest way to handle the situation.

Although Touko’s Primordial Rune is an extremely ancient mystery, fully unleashed it could reach the level of authority. However, compared to an anchor born from the planet itself, it was still insufficient. And with Katou taken away by Shinji and no guard left, she couldn’t afford to let these two get close.

She had once, out of curiosity, learned a bit of women's self-defense from Sakura, but it was only effective against a few street thugs. If Svin or Gray got close, she’d be down in an instant.

The coordinated pair, constantly disrupting the magical formulas and closing in, thought the same. But as they approached the final strike, their decisive blow froze at the critical moment—halted byTouko, who slightly opened her bag, revealing a narrow slit.

Within the slit was a darkness impenetrable by light, as though a tangible darkness was trapped inside.

Within that darkness, two glowing eyes stared out.

In an instant, all movement ceased, as if absolute zero had descended, halting all motion.

It’s worth noting that these eyes were not Mystic Eyes, nor did they possess any power to bind others. What immobilized the two was their fear.

In their minds, countless tentacles, thorny and unbreakable even by Death Scythe, extended from the slit, wrapping around their arms, legs, and finally, their bodies, pulling them into eternal darkness, devouring them completely, leaving no trace.

In reality, the bag hadn’t truly opened, and its contents hadn’t entered the physical world. Touko merely used a special technique to let a bit of the scent escape. It was this indescribable scent that made Gray and Svin see the additional scenes.

As Touko had said, one of their senses was too sharp. Spirit Vision, which sees souls more clearly than the living, and a sense of smell that detects the color of magic, were extraordinary traits. Because of this, they could better perceive the essence of what was inside the bag and the despairing difference in power.