There were ten Primordial Forbidden Spells in existence across this world.
And now, Kanzaki Rei had already mastered three of them.
Even setting everything else aside, solely on the path of a Mage, he had already advanced farther than anyone could imagine.
"Young one… you seem different somehow."
Even the Fishman Sage himself couldn't understand it. From the very beginning, Kanzaki Rei had already been an existence impossible to see through.
Kanzaki Rei looked into the future once more.
This time, what he saw was different from before.
He could see a long, slender thread piercing straight through the future. A jade-green line was connected to him.
And at the other end of that line—
Kumironi.
Ever since he had entered the Dao through the path of the Warrior, his talents were no longer rigid, fixed abilities.
Not only could he utilize the original effects of his talents—
he could also synchronize them with his own abilities and combat techniques, deriving entirely new applications and variations.
At this moment, as Kanzaki Rei gazed into fate itself, he simultaneously triggered Hidden Origin.
Like tracing a thread backward, he followed fate to its opposite end.
If he accepted it, then in the near future, he would become entangled in destiny with these individuals.
Their fates would intersect with his.
Among them were Roya, Kumironi, Elthemis, Shinka Mugen, and Lottie…
These were people he already knew.
There were others as well—people he didn't recognize. Kanzaki Rei could only see the threads and vague silhouettes at the ends of them, but he had no idea who they actually were.
But among all those silhouettes, one in particular caught his attention.
Even though it was only a shadowy outline, his heart still began pounding violently. An indescribable emotion coiled around his chest.
Excitement?
Longing?
Love?
Anticipation?
Even Kanzaki Rei himself couldn't distinguish exactly what he was feeling.
And it was only a silhouette—why was it stirring so many emotions inside him?
Was it simply because that blurred outline looked especially alluring?
Did it awaken his desire?
How could that be?
I'm not some lust-crazed idiot who sees a silhouette and immediately starts imagining naked skin and sex.
Kanzaki Rei calmed his thoughts.
He stopped dwelling on the matter.
He still had considerable confidence in his current mental defenses.
"…Alright. After thinking it over, I can accept your request."
"I'll enter the Abyssfall and bring back the people you mentioned."
"But as for the Eighth Forbidden Spell you talked about…"
Kanzaki Rei smiled faintly.
"Forget it. I've already mastered that spell."
"I'll handle the matter for you, but what exactly you intend to offer me in return—I hope you'll think that through carefully."
"Helping you with this is my attitude toward the matter. After all, I'm also part of humanity. If humanity is in trouble, I'm willing to help to some extent."
"But I'm not particularly fond of being an unpaid laborer forever."
"You understand as well as I do—we're all walking our own paths in pursuit of the Dao. The road of seeking truth is difficult enough already. If I spend all my time working for free, I won't have time left to pursue my own path."
Kanzaki Rei's tone was relaxed and casual, yet beneath it lay an unmistakable firmness that tolerated no refusal.
You want my help?
Fine.
The Fishman Sage's bulging eyes revealed confusion and disbelief.
"You've… already mastered it?"
"Yes."
As Kanzaki Rei answered, ripples spread through his eyes like concentric waves.
"Attack me."
The moment those words left his mouth—
the Fishman Sage suddenly felt his body begin moving beyond his control.
Its eyes widened violently.
In an instant, countless hidden restraints throughout the room activated simultaneously.
The Fishman Sage…
was the strategist and decision-maker of the Moonsea squad.
Its specialty was calculation—using known information to determine the optimal course of action for maximum benefit.
It was not personally skilled in combat.
The only reason it could attack at all was because it was utilizing the restraints already arranged within this place.
Swish!
The restraints of the cramped room instantly wrapped around Kanzaki Rei.
Phase distortions began to overlap.
In almost the same instant, they attempted to tear Kanzaki Rei apart at the phase level itself.
Phase-type magical restraints…
As expected.
This was Izparut's handiwork.
The Expeditionary Army possessed phase-transfer magic arrays.
Through those arrays, the Expeditionary Army could travel between the various seas.
This was undoubtedly a strategic-level movement method.
At the very least, before coming into contact with the Expeditionary Army, Kanzaki Rei had never heard of humanity possessing ultra-long-distance teleportation technology.
And besides phase transfer—
there were others as well…
Clang!
The entire space exploded with violent resonance.
Kanzaki Rei merely lifted one hand horizontally.
Every restraint in the room froze instantly.
Swish swish swish swish swish—
At the same time, several figures appeared in different corners of the room.
Four Level 8 class-holders stood at the four corners, completely surrounding him.
"Komo, did he attack you? I saw the restraints activate."
The blindfolded swordsman stepped in front of the Fishman Sage protectively.
The Fishman Sage, addressed as Komo, spoke in its strange, garbled tone.
"I… was controlled."
"It's fine. We were having a good conversation."
The blindfolded swordsman still looked suspicious.
"Really fine?"
At the same time, the other three Level 8 class-holders in the remaining corners also raised their weapons.
Surrounded from all sides, Kanzaki Rei remained perfectly calm, as though drifting clouds and gentle wind could never disturb him.
"I said I'm fine."
"Don't make trouble."
The Fishman Sage coughed lightly.
"Alright, alright. Go back."
After repeated persuasion, the experts who had rushed over finally withdrew awkwardly.
The blindfolded swordsman also let out a sigh of relief.
After all, he had been the one who brought Kanzaki Rei here.
If Kanzaki Rei truly turned out to be an enemy, then he himself would become the greatest culprit for leading him straight into their headquarters.
"I understand now. I believe that you truly have mastered the Eighth Forbidden Spell."
"At present, our internal resources are limited. As for what else we can offer you… I may need further discussion before making a decision."
"But if you really can bring them back…"
"The Expeditionary Army will absolutely not treat you unfairly."
Kanzaki Rei smiled lightly.
"I hope so."
"As for entering the Abyssfall and locating them, I have my own methods."
"I still have some other matters to deal with first, but I'll depart soon enough."
"Just wait for my message."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kanzaki Rei raised his hand and tore open a narrow spatial rift.
Stepping through it, he vanished from before the Fishman Sage's eyes.
Swish!
One step later, he had returned to the Land of Moonwatch.
Matsunari was still waiting for him at the training grounds.
In reality, not much time had passed at all.
Only the duration of a brief conversation.
To Matsunari, his master had merely stepped out for less than half an hour before returning.
"Master, where did you go just now?"
Matsunari had been waiting there the entire time.
But he hadn't simply stood around idly.
He had continuously replayed the battle he had just fought against Kanzaki Rei.
The residual traces of magic lingering in the air revealed that he had been recreating the combat scene over and over again.
…He really did resemble Kanzaki Rei's younger self.
"A few friends wanted to see me. Nothing important."
"Come on. I'll take you to advance your class."
"Level 2 Mage is the single most important level in a Mage's entire career. You'd better take this advancement seriously."
"Once you reach Level 2, I'll teach you several of the most important spells for a Level 2 Mage. That alone should keep you occupied with research for quite a while."
"After that, your master may need to leave on a long journey."
"I probably won't be returning nearly as often anymore."