Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 37: 1 vs. 70,000, part 1
GALLAHAD never thought he would be defeated so easily. But that's the truth. The magic that made him feel like he could defeat anyone (as long as he could use magic) had been rendered useless. Gallahad could do nothing more now—besides trying to destroy this dimensional space following himself and the commander.
He loves women, especially his wife. But Gallahad is not a restraint. If any of his wives wanted a divorce to marry another man, he would divorce. Thus, Gallahad did not worry that his wives would remarry after he died. If remarrying makes them happy, it is Gallahad's blessing to be with his wives. He's a guy like that. Gallahad's wish is to make women happy.
Therefore, Gillahad is not afraid to use the ability that seems suicidal. And that's what the saint did. The process of destruction he began, and instantly Gallahad's body was filled with bloodless cracks—as well as the dimensional space of his creation.
“Ah, so that's your choice? If that were the case, I wouldn't have stopped him. But I have a question, how can you still do something about this place even though our position has changed?”
Gallahad did not immediately give an answer, he first forced his cracked body to stand.
“[Soul Incarnate]. That's my magic name.” Gallahad decided to reveal everything. Since he was going to die, it was fine to tell Xavier. “However, I'm not strong enough to use it to its full potential. I'm not talented enough to really understand this magic. I'm just bi—”
“No need for you to continue,” cut Xavier. “I'll find out after taking that magic from you.”
Gallahad raised his eyebrows. “That's impossible,” the rebuttal. “You don't have time to start the ritual. Unlike the Supreme Magic in legends, every magic was a part of one's soul. Taking out someone else's magic will automatically make that person die. Therefore magic cannot be taken without performing the ritual.”
“Rituals? I don't know how to perform the ritual you mean.” Xavier began to step up shortening the distance between them. “I don't need a ritual to take other people's magic. I've taken sensory magic, divisors, teleportation, space, wind, water, earth, as well as lightning from a number of people. And now I'll take your [Soul Incarnate].”
“...Taking magic without ritual?” Gallahad has trouble believing. “How are you going to do it?”
That has not been heard in history. There is no such thing as magic that can take other magic. Even [Soul Absorption] could not absorb magic even though it could absorb souls. Absorbing the soul will only prolong the life-life and capacity of the perpetrator; there is no other excess. When a person is born, at least one magic will be inherent in their soul. By the time a person dies, his magic will vanish from the soul. That's how it really is.
“How do I do it?”
Just as the rhetorical question came out of Xavier's mouth, just then the commander disappeared from Gallahad's sight. Then the rift on Gallahad's body and the dimensions of his creation instantly stopped widening. As soon as a hand touched his back, the saint suddenly could no longer move his body.
“I just need to grab your soul and take that magic. And I will also take your soul to increase my mana capacity. Although my potential is higher than Luciel, I am only human now. Increase capacity where will help.”
Gallahad tried to let go, but that was impossible. Even when the pain gnawed his body to the crown, no sound managed to escape from his mouth. Gallahad seemed to be struggling, he was like seeing his own soul struggling to come out. His life seemed to be spinning before his eyes. The faces of his daughters were the last thing seen before he was swallowed in the darkness.
“...So so. [Soul Incarnate] is a magic that embodies soul power. Or you could say, it's magic that turns the innermost desires of its owner into abilities. Gallahad was a lazy man who wanted everything to be easy, so his magic embodiment was a space that made him seem to be a god. And my strength—”
“I.”
Xavier immediately turned around, and at once he fell silent with widened eyes. The owner of the voice was himself when he was twelve years old. Xavier didn't see wrong. He was looking at a version of himself as a child who is now sitting with both legs folded and one hand holding his face.
“You're surprised?” The little Xavier's lips curled amusedly.
Seeing that smile made Xavier frown. That smile was not the smile he had as a child.
“...Who are you?” Xavier couldn't help but ask that question.
“The one you want the most is power, right?” Little Xavier did not wait for an answer. “That's why I exist. Ah, but, Edenia said in the world nothing is really free. So, if you want to be extraordinarily strong, you have to give me your body. From the beginning, this body should have been mine!”
Xavier, for the first time in a long time, was struck by a great shock. Little Xavier had been by his side without him noticing. He was in a hovering position while inspecting Xavier's body. Xavier saw no movement, nor did he sense any fluctuations in mana. Little Xavier was on his left side when he had been there since.
“All this is because of Luciel,” Little Xavier grumbled with an annoyed expression. “If he doesn't force himself to be in this body, you won't exist. Ckckck. If he's still in you, I'm gonna kick his ass right now. Because of him I was confined to my own soul. Ah, I'm sorry for the origin of the digress, but I can't help this great enthusiasm after finally being released. So, how?”
“...I don't understand. What are you talking about?” Xavier can't keep up with what this thing is saying. “Why are you carrying Edenia around? Why did you say my body should be yours? …Do you imply I shouldn't exist?”
Xavier tries to attack Little Xavier. Seeing him made Xavier upset. However, before Xavier's fist hit Little Xavier's face, Little Xavier had first withstood Xavier's punch with only his left index finger. Xavier deployed the [Reverse Law], but nothing happened. It was as if her magic had become useless.
“So Edenia hasn't seen you?” little Xavier asked with a serious expression—he ignored Xavier's overwhelming shock. “...Do you hate Edenia? Want to antagonize it?”
Xavier tried to move away, trying to widen the distance between them. But he couldn't move. And before he knew it, they had been on the snowy plains as far as the eye could see.
“So apparently. You don't acknowledge Edenia, and you'd rather kill her than accept it. You have grown into a different individual from me.”
Little Xavier closed both eyes and removed his index finger from holding Xavier's punch, allowing the commander to move again.
“I had from the beginning assumed that Edenia had other plans,” said Little Xavier as he turned around and walked away. “But Edenia is the only one I can trust. I need some time to think. If you need my strength, just call me. We are a soul divided into two. But, if you come to use my powers, there's a chance that your consciousness will change into restrained. Think carefully before calling me.”
Xavier didn't open his mouth to throw a question. Little Xavier has disappeared. The snowy plains have vanished. Likewise with the special space created by Gallahad. Xavier finds himself surrounded by tens of thousands of soldiers. They looked angrily at him and asked that he not destroy the body of Gallahad lying beside Xavier's feet.
But Xavier's mind paid no attention to the soldiers present; his head was still busy processing what happened after he absorbed [Soul Incarnate] following Gallahad's soul.