Chapter 95: Genius Lost in Light (4)
wP1b5Arcane was aware that someone had infiltrated his dungeon the previous night. However, he didn’t care. Countless people had tried to invade the dungeon of an archmage like him, only to end up as corpses, victims of monsters or traps.rMco
bfN0vPutting aside his fleeting thoughts, Arcane refocused on his research. Recently, he had been delving into the effects of dark magic on memory. Suddenly, his writing stopped. He took off his glasses and looked towards the door as the mechanisms were being rapidly disabled. This was no ordinary intruder.MgW
cW7“Seems like a big catch this time.”XNKaoVd
uPIwoA5For Arcane, who could stay holed up in his dungeon for years, intruders served as a form of entertainment. And today, it seemed like a rather interesting individual had taken the bait.Chd4fw
tXgOPrGThe sound of a heavy door opening echoed as Arcane glanced at his clock. Exactly 32 hours, 28 minutes, and 5 seconds. That was the time taken to dismantle the traps and reach him from the entrance.EzlWBB
fBbtS“Are you the archmage, Viltor Arcane?”IeOuzED
yK0uA bloodied man stood before him. Handsome and with eyes sparkling with resolve.7gXr
07v“You don’t seem like someone after wealth. Who are you?”UHTlX
ZlmI“I am Alpheas Myrhe. I had to come personally since there was no other way to meet you.”LenGWz
PGb“Ah?”aqy
k7JuHArcane’s eyebrows raised in interest. Even secluded in his dungeon, he was not ignorant of the world’s affairs. He had already come across Alpheas’s theory of Photonics through covert channels.4R9ed
o1w“A mage of light seeking a mage of darkness. Quite an unusual event. Sit down. I’ll heal you.”EcZpC6
qPSL4Arcane activated a life-sustaining device. Alpheas, submerged in a tank filled with a green liquid, quickly fell into a deep sleep.VkMLZp4
R93HYyjThree hours later.apZiVX
WznLoGS“Puhah! Haak!”CLyL
jXu8Alpheas jerked upright out of the liquid. It was a close call to suffocation. How could he have fallen asleep under these circumstances? As he turned his head, he saw Arcane writing at his desk, looking more like a scholarly academic than the continent-tormenting archmage.e50
1xJUDP“Thank you for the treatment. It’s an impressive device. I’m curious about its principle.”7oqM
WqI0C“No need to beat around the bush. It doesn’t change the fact you’re an uninvited guest. Tell me why you’re here.”lhzLhji
Ka0If someone was driven by curiosity and interest, there was no need to prolong the conversation.CpVRpr
877Alpheas got straight to the point.oMArvsU
9697Vhp“I want to learn dark magic. Please accept me as your disciple.”LgVMzG5
TjZ“Ah?”iqLFlN6
zYIdUThe idea of Alpheas, the hottest topic in the world of magic, asking to be his disciple intrigued Arcane, even with his status.XBHbC
7PAPns“Do you have a special reason?”lCZ4ju
o5ysQtY“I have a wife, but she has intellectual disabilities. I’ve heard about your research on embedding memories using dark magic, and I want to give her my memories.”7BRCEaE
g9776Arcane’s eyes twinkled. They both thoroughly understood each other’s expertise, so no extended explanations were needed.QIKkPF
tuNK“I’ve done considerable research on memory manipulation. But what you’re asking for is a different dimension. There’s the issue of personality, and above all, it’s about transferring an entire life’s memories.”rmL18
cfR“I believe it’s possible. Combining the absorptive nature of dark magic with the information-transmitting capabilities of photons, couldn’t we create a virtual intelligence?”iFgVL
KfwK“Hmm, constructing the neural network with photon magic and then infusing it with memories?”KZpBi
m30grIt was indeed a novel idea. Until now, photon magic had been as limited as time magic, but with the revelation of Photonics, Arcane anticipated it would soon excel in the field of information.dchTm
q713sa“Before examining the theory, one question. Has your wife consented to this experiment?”YOcj
ncy“Not yet. But I’m sure she will agree.”swPvpc
NS01“A story behind it, I presume.”Dg7
UIWFnjAlpheas shared his story, leading up to why he sought out Arcane. Understanding his situation, Arcane found the proposal intriguing and genuinely brilliant. After a day of discussion and theoretical examination, they both agreed on the feasibility of the idea.zqiNCVy
mlsDj8“Very well. If you’re truly prepared to bet your life on this, I’ll accept you as my disciple. But convincing your family won’t be easy.”HjV
ctnKzBecoming the disciple of an archmage, yet Alpheas was also from a prestigious family. It seemed unlikely he would abandon a guaranteed future at the Department of Thunder Magic and enter a dimly lit research lab.gn9ji
sHngBHowever, Alpheas had no alternative plans. If Erina was unhappy, so was he. All he wanted was her happiness.D3MB
AglrJp“Thank you. I’ll bring my family here soon.”QrYBY
hUURJVAfter returning home, Alpheas consulted with Erina, with Klumph also present. Alpheas emphasized the potential to treat Erina’s intellectual future. Klumph immediately objected.qlbocF
3U7XT“Alpheas, what are you saying? Why would you go to such a person? He’s a criminal!”MlMx
T52ImB“Such things don’t matter to a mage. What’s important is that he has the deepest understanding of dark magic on the continent. He’s also well-versed in human memory and brain structure. It won’t be a loss.”cR8
6CH4l“No, it will be. You’re bewitched. Implanting memories in the human brain? Impossible!”rxFYNyY
QAW“Klumph, your thoughts…”8inB
JeO“Yes! I’m dumb! Not as smart or genius as you! But even I know this: you’re throwing away a stroke of luck. Associating with him might even cancel your entry into Thunder. What about your family? They’ll surely disown you!”45tk
ww5X3txAlpheas was aware of these risks but had already made his decision.FxB
CTs“It doesn’t matter. Those things can’t determine my life. Thunder, family, I don’t need them. As long as Erina is happy, I can be much happier than now.”5WuK
5YzRSBErina pondered. But Alpheas’s final words had essentially made the decision. If her husband was happy, so was she.trvj
1XJ“Honey, I’ll do it.”BAOZMa
rjeAD“Missus! This is something that needs careful consideration.”aIdv
suCfF“I will do it because I trust my husband. Alpheas will make me happy.”Nup
1HamH“Of course! Who am I? A mage who won the Gold Circle. And my master is an archmage. Together, we can easily fix any weakness of yours.”Xfhu
y9YW6cDespite Klumph’s daily attempts to persuade Alpheas, the couple’s determination was unshakable. Eventually, Alpheas settled all his affairs and entered Arcane’s dungeon with Erina.GXRgqe
1t9“Pleased to meet you. I am Viltor Arcane.”xdA2e
reMa4Z“Hello, my husband has been indebted to you.”Ihqolzg
uIfajErina greeted him politely. Now that her husband’s mentor was here, she couldn’t afford to act carelessly.iTRILc
iKnArcane, however, reassured her in a nonchalant manner.rcZ9
i6uqQr1“Don’t worry too much. I’ve been delving into this field for decades. You’ve made a big decision. If successful, many with mental illnesses can be cured. Your husband will gain a reputation unparalleled by his work in Thunder.”k54Wry
YIAEItYBecoming the disciple of an archmage meant regaining everything Alpheas had sacrificed. Erina considered it worthwhile, seeing the potential reward.5jMp
QGVXFor two years, Alpheas stayed in the dungeon, working on transferring memories to Erina. Arcane, adept at experimental work, provided rational care, allowing Erina to stay in the dungeon without significant discomfort.5J7DD
2iYu9D“Hey, Missus. How are you feeling?”zRZlyBH
jPFKlumph visited weekly, bringing food. The busy couple, especially Erina, couldn’t be expected to endure poor meals.iSGm
k7b“I’m fine. The experiment is almost over. Soon, my husband can return to the world.”ZaY
NDNsKlumph laughed heartily. Despite the hardship of the past two years, Erina had borne it well. Yet, it was bittersweet; her lower intelligence didn’t diminish the value of her heart, which sacrificed for her husband.nQmFLzd
3bUlG8Hearing of Klumph’s arrival, Alpheas joined them, looking increasingly gaunt each visit.eJkDtG
hTphK“Thanks for coming every time.”vfk6
dSQ0g“How’s the experiment? Any progress?”OYYnc
kAIO“Nearly complete. Clinical trials were a success. Next month, Erina can finally escape the disdainful glares.”o3JEc
kew“Next month? That quick?”CoFjVuU
brZ6“What are you saying? It’s been two long years. We’ve been working day and night with the master. You must come on that day. Bring plenty of booze instead of food.”1FpyGE
S1dqv2As the month passed, everyone anxiously awaited the day of the experiment.wlFm
nfEErina lay on the bed, waiting. With Arcane and Alpheas busy checking equipment, Klumph kept her company, easing her tension.CKpadi
27Q“Missus, how do you feel? After today, you’ll have Alpheas’s memories. Even those embarrassing moments from his childhood. Be sure to check if he ever had a roving eye. Hahaha!”tw7vhm
v2raadSErina burst into laughter at Klumph’s joke. The atmosphere was tense but positive. A day that felt like everything would go right, and the equipment was all set.YVzEHMw
FNgmm66“Let’s start, Erina.”VMv
uNKYgKoAlpheas lay beside Erina, stroking her hair. He could give her his memories because he loved her. Embarrassing or shameful, it didn’t matter to her.4CY8h
wF56“Thank you, honey.”Rq7W
nYxjwo“Don’t mention it. I should be the one thanking you. You’ve been so strong. Let’s be happy. Have kids too.”gP3DQ71
Bv6YAlpheas wondered if his smile looked forced. Truthfully, he was incredibly nervous. Arcane approached, attaching a device to their heads. The experiment was a culmination of various fields: magical engineering, magical biology, alchemy, photonics, and human biology.xfZ5Hlt
ydUG“Starting now. Relax. It will be over soon.”EfLbFAm
ZdS5H4As Arcane activated the machine, Klumph walked to a corner, anxiously rubbing his hands. The clanking of mechanical parts filled the room, with dozens of components working and crystals lighting up chaotically.Hz5TC
crkLAlpheas willingly accepted the dark magic infiltrating his mind.lU0D3p8
JOe5AuThe principle was simple: Alpheas’s memories were absorbed through dark magic and then transmitted to Erina’s memory using photon output.4TRr
jNGi8W“Ugh!”lwN
sKrvErina’s eyes widened. The influx of massive information made her eyes spark. From Alpheas’s earliest memory to their recent conversation, all his life’s moments were being transmitted at the speed of light.80BKK
72ssrjErina faintly smiled. It felt like truly becoming one with Alpheas.trgTAPM
1vNo‘Thank you, honey. And I love you.’SNm
mBlShe closed her eyes, content. There were no regrets. Born into the world, she had received more love than deserved.s5xdpkJ
SSDX8ziMeeting Alpheas… was a blessing.EU5kJC3
8rx2The light faded, signaling the experiment’s end. Arcane checked the panel. A 100% transfer rate. All memories had been perfectly conveyed.EM2d2LU
fpMpPI“Honey! Honey!”NV1
GBNHcp3Alpheas turned to Erina. She looked pale and sweaty.oT1Vypg
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