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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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He had anticipated this, to a degree.
But that “degree” had been so infinitesimally small that he’d dismissed it as a possibility.
Riley.
A commoner, yet a mage of exceptional skill, invited to Luigh Kiran.
Originally a character of no consequence, nonexistent in his memories, now a prominent mage standing before him.
“That’s where I went wrong.”
Why hadn’t he considered it?
He should have realized ‘Riley’ didn’t exist, not simply that he didn’t know her.
“You’re not Riley.”
He addressed the orange-haired mage, who had introduced herself as such.
“No. You figured it out? The name Riley might be false, but… being lower class? That part’s true enough.”
The mage offered a small smile and shrugged.
“Human world or demon world, the lower class are always ostracized… disregarded… it’s no different. That’s why things like this happen.”
“Aha.”
Understanding dawned.
He grasped her identity, and her intentions.
He started towards her, intending to close the distance.
But she stood firm, her expression hardening.
“I’d prefer you stopped there. I’m not fond of close proximity.”
“Then stop me.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, a barrier shimmered into existence, blocking his path.
And that barrier was demonic, not human.
“Dark magic barrier. I’ve honed this quite a bit. Even you will struggle to break it.”
Her confidence seemed genuine.
Red barriers, layered two, then three times thick, materialized before him.
He stared at the figure beyond the shimmering, crimson energy.
“Still impressive, Ruin.”
He spoke her name, as if they were acquainted.
This was their first encounter, but discerning her identity and history hadn’t been difficult.
“Thank you for the compliment. And for remembering my name.”
“What do you plan to do now?”
“I’m going to blow up this entire gathering. If nothing remains, wouldn’t that be a peaceful resolution? I’m sick of the discrimination.”
Her eyes, as she appealed to him, were stained crimson.
Yet, the human blue remained—
She was a half-demon.
Astonishingly, a being born between human and demon.
That was Ruin.
Imprisoned in the demon realm for years simply for her mixed heritage, incarcerated even longer than Christine’s family.
Released and banished, she sought a new life in the human world, only to be met with more of the same.
Dismissed for her common birth, her abilities ignored, she endured only envy and scorn.
Originally, she would lash out, unleashing terror upon various magical academies… but he wouldn’t allow that.
“Turning commoner students into bombs to kill nobles… why endanger them?”
“Noble mages wouldn’t fall for anything less. A necessary sacrifice.”
“Sacrifice. Is it truly that significant?”
“At least they’re willing. Willing to become bombs themselves.”
Ruin gave a wry smile.
He finally understood why the branch point notification hadn’t mentioned a ‘Bad Ending.’
This act of terror, in a twisted way, would benefit the main characters.
The protagonist of this world was Charlotte Forte.
A commoner.
If the mages who would obstruct her path were eliminated…
If high-ranking mages perished, creating a need for the academies to cultivate new talent, leading them to invest in the failing class…
If he, Demeri, and even Regita died here, while the key figures survived…
That’s why the main scenario hadn’t warned him of a Bad Ending.
But he wouldn’t accept this.
She was half-human.
There was a chance she could become a valuable ally.
“Someone has to die for them to listen. It can’t be helped. Luigh Kiran ends today.”
“The lockdown, that’s your doing as well?”
“Of course. Not dark magic, though. Just… magic.”
A talent capable of wielding both human and dark magic.
Yet, she chose to become a calamity.
“If you want revenge, take it out on the demon realm. Why here?”
“I will. I’ll start with the human world.”
Luigh Kiran, a nexus of potent mana.
If this place exploded…
The consequences would be catastrophic. A true disaster.
“You might die too.”
“I’ve already made my peace with that.”
He placed his hand on the barrier, pouring his life force into it.
The barrier rippled.
“You said no one could stop you. Not quite. I’ll dispel this and subdue you.”
But with a bang, the barrier solidified.
“The demon realm’s prisons… are cold, and dark. Designed to hold any being. So cold… cold… so terribly cold… and hungry…”
Ruin’s voice was filled with bitterness, with suppressed rage.
“…This barrier is based on that design. Even a Sin won’t break it.”
He calmly spoke, striving to decipher the barrier’s circuits through his life force.
“It’s pointless. It will be remembered as a tragedy, and might even lead to more discrimination. You’ll earn the resentment of your own kind.”
“I don’t know. I don’t care.”
“You need salvation, not revenge.”
“Salvation.”
Ruin scoffed.
“Who could possibly save me? Now? I don’t need it. Even if it were possible.”
He stared at her with a serious expression, his life force draining rapidly, yet he continued to unravel the barrier.
“Yes, you do.”
He spoke with unwavering conviction.
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[La BOMBA]
