Witness My Masterful Magic Power Control

He was a white-haired pretty boy.

He certainly looked like a high-level character, but I had no idea how he’d just appeared. Space itself had seemed to warp, yet I hadn’t felt even a lick of magic power.

“I believe you already know who I am. I am Mordred.”

The pretty boy introduced himself with a flourish.

“—I’ve heard the name.”

I wasn't about to tell him who I’d heard it from. Mostly because I hadn’t heard it from anyone.

“Out of curiosity, may I ask how you found this place?”

I flashed a thin, enigmatic smile, letting the silence linger for dramatic effect.

“—The past guided me.”

“I see. The past...”

Mordred turned his gaze toward Freya-san.

“Indeed, a mere remnant of the past. A pitiful woman...”

Freya-san glared at him. Are they acquaintances or something?

“The Black Rose was observed, and a remnant of the past appeared. This is no coincidence. This is your handiwork, isn't it, Shadow?”

If you’re asking if it’s my fault, then yeah, I guess it is.

But based on his vibe, this Mordred guy was clearly a VIP in this high-tech research facility. Plus, with a pinkie finger and a ghost for an audience, this was the perfect stage to drop a deep, brooding response befitting an Eminence in Shadow.

“The finale is nigh—the time has come to settle all scores.”

Letting my voice resonate with gravitas, I released a Magic Power Wave.

My bluish-purple magic power flickered around my body like a crown of flames, the resulting wind pressure sending my jet-black longcoat fluttering dramatically.

Man, I’m cool.

“That magic power... is it the real thing?”

I used the wind generated by my magic to ruffle Mordred’s hair.

This is actually surprisingly difficult.

Doing it for a split second is easy, but sustaining it for a long period consumes a massive amount of magic and makes the control incredibly complex. To keep the pressure high while minimizing consumption, I had to cycle through high-speed compression and release while maintaining a perfectly uniform output.

My wind pressure remained rock-steady.

In other words, my control was flawless. Mordred was probably shaking in his boots right about now.

“Your magic and its density are indeed staggering... but strength is not determined by magic power alone.”

No, that’s not it.

I intentionally fine-tuned the wind pressure to give it a subtle pulse. Look! Witness my masterful magic power control!

“I wouldn’t mind dealing with you here and now, but... the time for our final settlement is still a ways off.”

As Mordred spoke, space began to distort again. Cracks spread through the air like digital noise.

“You should come through the front door next time—you uninvited guests.”

Ah, I see. This is one of those "you can't fight the boss yet" scripted events.

“Is that so... Very well.”

I felt a sensation like being ejected from the dimension by a force that wasn't magic power at all. It felt just like the power I’d encountered in the Sanctuary—which meant...

“I... am... Atomic.”

I unleashed it with the simple philosophy that if I just blew everything up, it’d probably work out.

“This is...”

Mordred shuddered.

The parting shot Shadow had unleashed had dealt catastrophic damage to the very fabric of the dimension.

The experimental subject pods had collapsed, and a literal hole had been punched into the space. If he had been even a second slower, this entire realm likely would have been consumed.

It was a black void, looking as though it were ready to swallow the world whole. It would take a significant amount of time to repair.

“Are you telling me his magic power can influence space itself? No... he gathered that much magic power specifically for that purpose.”

It was the only logical conclusion.

“In other words, he knew from the very beginning. He knew exactly where this space was located and what it truly meant...”

Cold sweat rolled down Mordred’s cheek.

“‘The finale is nigh. The time has come to settle all scores.’”

Mordred whispered the words Shadow had left behind.

The finale was indeed near. That was exactly why the Cult had begun to move.

And as for settling all scores...

“Does he intend to make us pay for our sins?”

There was no doubt about it. Shadow knew. He knew absolutely everything.

“We have no choice but to accelerate the plan. He... he knows of the existence of the ‘Demon Realm.’”

The moment he turned on his heel...

Drip.

Something hit the floor.

“What...?”

It was blood.

Brilliant red blood began to spread across the white floor.

It was only then that Mordred realized he had no sensation in his right arm. His arm was hanging there, nearly severed from the shoulder down.

“Shadow—is this how far your reach extends?”

Mordred stared into the void where Shadow had vanished, his eyes cold and hollow.