When Bernardino turned to leave and was about to look for the tower master, a twisted âhumanoidâ suddenly appeared in front of him like a ghost.
However, describing the monster with the word [humanoid] was not quite befitting.
He had no hair and not even hands. His âcharacteristicâ could only be roughly estimated through the legs that allowed him to âstandâ.
He wore a faceless black mask with a shimmering red âÎąâ symbol. He had a jet-black cloak, and his overly slender body resembled a ghostly figure. His frame was hidden in the tightly retracted cloak.
It was like a living column rising from the silt over the Black Tower.
Seeing this human figure, Young Bernardino raised the corner of his mouth.
He narrowed his eyes and bowed deeply to the man. Then, he spoke in a slow, polite, and artificial voice, âLord Hugo⌠long time no see.â
âLong time no see, Bernard.â
It was somewhat unexpected.
After a moment of silence, a young voice came out from under the black mask, âI havenât seen you for about ten years.â
âAfter all, you have cultivated many amazing young people.â Bernardino narrowed his eyes and said calmly in a mellifluous voice.
Due to the tan curly hair draped to his shoulders, he looked like a noble man after ignoring the horrific tattoos on his skin, composed of countless alchemy runes.
Who would have known he was the son of a fisherman?
He was a humble, lowly man who would do anything to achieve his goals.
An idiot who lost the token and all the money Father Ludwig had accumulated over the years to give him as travel expenses and tuition fees.
A person who could not do anything well and could only sell his soul in exchange for a chance to change his fate⌠a futile wastrel. He was an undoubted âlaggardâ who finally began to explore the path of transcendence after 100 years old.
Standing before him was the young and promising son of the tower, who was less than half his age back then and had lost his physical body.
The talent that everyone was looking forward to.
A genius wizard who successfully advanced to Silver Rank at seventeen.
The one who saved himself from the unfortunate hell⌠his only friend.
Of course, since Bernardino, who was forty-three years old, met Hugo, who was seventeen years old⌠He had been unable to look directly at Hugoâs brilliance.
Hugo was his only friend.
But he was not Hugoâs only friend, and he did not even know if he was considered a friend. Or was it just pity? Or a charity to the pitiful?
But now, everything had been reversed.
What kind of creature was the âTower Masterâ? He had long understood.
He was a pitiful fellow like a hermit crab.
[Tower] continued to exist after losing its tower master. But, how long could a tower master stay alive after leaving the tower?
In Bernardinoâs view, freedom was undoubtedly taken away.
It was worse than losing freedom.
The tower master was a voluntary sacrifice.
The mission of each generation of tower masters was to cultivate the next heir. It was also a contract formed between the tower master and the tower. After the heir was qualified to inherit the [Tower], the tower master would put all his soul and curse into the heirâs body and become one with the candidateâs soul.
It was not so much a person but a âgroupâ.
The twenty-four wizard towers brought from the East by the Mysterious Lady had always been like this. This system was passed down from generation to generation.
It was like the monsterâs lair.
Bernardino would be breaking this cycle.
He wanted to split and kidnap the soul belonging to Hugo and end the wizard towerâs inheritance ritual!
Hugo could not do anything about it.
Have I really escaped from hell?
Maybe not.
âThatâs because he is hell itself.
The corners of Bernardinoâs mouth rose, âHow do you feel when you see me here?â
âTo be honest, itâs not good.â Under the mask, Hugo replied in a young, cheerful and gentle voice like a young poet.
âI feel it. This is Sir Issacâs [Inertia Refinement]. Have you dug up his grave too?â
âI prepared it just for you, Hugo.â Bernardino said plainly, âYou told me yourself back then. Issac is the founder of the Alteration School, the greatest Alteration Wizard, and the last alchemist.
âAll alteration magic operates on Issacâs model, using the concept of âconvertingâ, âchangingâ, and other concepts as the underlying framework. They are all extensions of Issacâs elements, and they cannot escape the fate he denied. At least 90% of Alteration spells come from his inventions in the current state.
âEven if you are now a Firestealer of the Prometheus school, you will start as an Alteration Wizard after all.
âGive it up, Hugo. You have no chance of winning. If you are willing to surrender, I will stop attacking your students. Even if I donât take the initiative to attack them, the other creatures in the tower will die here as long as we fight.â
He did not come here to bring destruction to the pillars of the wizard tower.
Certainly, he would not mind replenishing his arsenal at this place if too many of his souls were consumed.
However, things went out of Bernardinoâs expectations.
After a brief silence, Hugo suddenly asked, âAre you in a hurry?
âAre you fleeing from the Bell Ringer Oik? Or the Silver Sire?â Hearing this, Bernardinoâs face immediately turned gloomy.
He took a deep look at Hugo and then took a long breath.
Unexpectedly, he replied, âSilver Sire canât attack me. He will even help me stop Bell Ringer Oikâs pursuit because I canât die at their hands.â
âWhy?â
âThatâs because Iâm [Mirror].â Bernardino replied slowly, âI am the fifth hatching egg of the [Rays of Seven Luminaries].â
Hugo paused for a moment.
The red symbol on his face flashed suddenly.
âSo, the Rays of Seven Luminaries are coming? Is the immaterial world about to invade?â
âHe has descended, but the mirror has not broken, so he has not awakened.â
The corners of Bernardinoâs mouth slowly rose, but the smile on his face began to dissipate.
â[Fate is the Wheel of Divine Transporter]. The Divine Transporter has not arrived on his track, and my destiny has not yet been sealed. Then why canât I fight for my future?
âIâve been following the worldâs trends for 40 years, but a nightmare woke me up. I know this is a fate that should not be confronted. The Rays of Seven Luminaries are the Divine Transporter. But I still want to do it. I donât care if I lose my chance for ascension.
âIf I can accomplish the ascension before the Fourth Mirror shatters, my fate can be changed.
âI want to fight against my destiny. Even if it might implicate the whole world this time, it doesnât matter to me.â
He looked at the monster with the voice of âHugoâ and said slowly, âItâs not the âSpiritual Monkâ Bernardino standing in front of you. Itâs the future Deity of Death, Bernardino.
âIâm a Deity and the Worldâs Undertaker. Thereâs no other choice.â
I am different from my past self.
I am a big shot.
I am a person of greatness.
The man who decides the fate of the world.
At the same time, He was also a rebellious pawn.
Bernardino looked at Hugo and declared, âTo accomplish my great work, I must attain your flame.