Pain. Excruciating pain. Physically and mentally.

As I lay here flatly with my back against the molten bedrocks, battered and bruised, bleeding from the numerous small holes all over my body, I ponder to myself when was the last time that I had been this injured.

It must have been years. Years since I have tasted such a defeat like this. Years since I have been reborn into this world.

This world of magic called Azula.

Azula is unlike the world that I have originated from. It is not quite as advanced technologically or even socially, but it does have something that my original world does not have.

Magic.

And it is magic that I have excelled greatly in, rapidly climbing the rank to become an Archmage. With just a bit more, I would have reached the fourth circle of magic. Just a bit more.

If I had managed to do so, my power would have multiplied several folds along with my magical energy and aura. It would have made me unstoppable, at least here on this continent.

Most of all, I would not have been reduced to this state. This dreadful state.

I did not expect to run into someone from my world. No. From a world similar to mine as demonstrated by the distinct weapon that he had used. A semi-automatic assault rifle.

Such a weapon does not exist on Azula, and it would not exist for thousands upon thousands of years to come. This is simply due to the non-existent scientific progress. Without any scientific progress, the state of thing will remain unchanged.

I am aware of this, as I have come from a world more advanced than this one. The person who reduced me to this state is probably from a world even more advanced than mine, considering his weapon.

There is also no need to reload after each shot with the weapon, thus making it extremely difficult to properly defend against even with magical protection.

I did manage to defend myself against several well-placed shot despite taken off guard, but the pointy bullets flying at incredible speed wear down my magical aura and protection ward rapidly.

A handful of shots would not have been something to worry about with my magic, but dozens of them fired in rapid succession is far more than I can handle. More than most Archmage can handle, really.

"I guess technology beats magic. Well. Assault rifle anyways. I thought you guys would last a bit longer, but this is probably an overkill for this kind of setting where the best range weapon is a crossbow."

The man comments, almost whimsically. He sounds like he is merely testing out his weapon. Seriously?

I am an Archmage, you know. One of the most feared people on this continent, not a guinea pig. Those days are behind me. Long behind me.

Also, the man is a human. That is strange to be because humans do not side with the dark elves.

I do not know why he would do such a thing, considering their bloody history with humanity. I do not really hate the elves like most humans on Azula, but the elves are considered an enemy of mankind.

As a human, I will do battle with them and defeat them in order to protect my kind.

It is as simple as that.

"Master?"

The dark elf struggles to say due to her grievous wounds. Wounds that I have inflicted upon her in our confrontation. It is done fair and square.

Confusions could be seen on her face as if she had never seen the man before. That is also very strange as she is the one who had summoned him here.

Reversed summoning him more precisely to say, as she calls him her master instead of the other way around. She would be the master if it is a normal summon.

Why would someone as powerful as her stoop so low to call a human master? She is also an Archmage like me. A mage of the third circle. It takes a lot of time and effort to reach that level, more so for elves due to their long lifespan even if they are gifted with magic from the moment they were born.

Furthermore, she does not appear to be enslaved or anything of the sort. She did summon him during the fight out of her own will, and I did not expect a human to be summoned. Summoning would usually bring forth monsters or demons, not another person.

I also did not expect to be shot repeatedly at point blank range with an assault rifle without warning.

It was surprising at first. Shock afterwards due to the bullets manages to wound me severely. Its pointy nature is quite effective at drilling and penetrating my magical barrier. A round metallic ball wouldn't have dealt so much damage.

How did the gun made it spin in mid-air though? Using wind magic to spin something that small is not very effective, thus without a spinning momentum, it will not have that incredible penetrating power.

"Yes, it is me, Eliana. My appearance is a very long story. One that I will tell you another time if you're curious. Not any time soon though."

The man response before looking at the ultramarine sky above. It wasn't like this a moment ago when the magical barrier was protecting his enchanted forest, reacting an eternal night sky in the process.

I have destroyed it.

It takes a lot of effort to bring down the barrier, but it is finally down, so my task is complete. Now all I have to do is wait for the army to attack. Should be any moment now.

"Yes… Master. Thank you for saving me."

Eliana groans as the wounds I had inflicted on her is quite severe. She also did a number on me in the exchange, but I was not as fatally injured as I am currently is thanks to those metal slugs.

A lot of them are still stuck in my body, inhibiting my healing magic.

I cannot heal while they are stuck inside me, and they are too small to dig out with my fingers. I would need the assistant of my apprentices back at my tower.

"It is fine, Eliana, as I would not want anything to happen to my favourite elf. You should tell me what happen, so I am up to date with this. Honestly, I usually do not shoot first and ask question later. This is an exception because you were going to die, my dear. Only I have the right to kill you."

The man states before casting a glance at me. The last remark seems to be directed at me. A threat.

I am in no position to retort. I am also defenceless due to the injuries I have suffered. How many more bullets can be fired from the weapon? I count about 30. My eyes are looking at the muzzle pointing in my direction.

The man chuckles before looking at the sky. He is looking for something up there. Something that I am unable to see. What is it?

"Legion. Supreme Commander requesting authentication."

He states simply before returning his attention to me and to the dark elf. Who is Legion?

I am somewhat confused, but perhaps, it is due to the blood loss. I need to stop the bleeding before I become delirious.

"Master, a human contingent manages to penetrate the barrier and… ugh…"

Eliana winces in pain. Her magic is severely depleted hence she is unable to heal herself like I am trying to do. It will take her a long time to heal naturally. At least that is what I had believed.

I did not expect her to heal instantly right before my eyes.

No magical energy or residue could be sensed either. What is this? An ability? Impossible.

Even with an ability, some magical energies could still be sensed at my level. This is something else.

Something else entirely. What is it!? I need to know. The pain comes again when I try to move myself.

"Thank you for healing me, Master. Is it possible for you to restore the barrier? Without the Goddess divine protection, the elves are defenceless."

Eliana beseeches. The wound on her body is completely gone. Even her clothes have been restored to their pristine condition. She did not seem to be surprised by any of it, thus this is not her first time.

How is that possible? I am full of questions. Questions that I have very little answers to.

Healing is one thing but restoring everything to it original was is another. This is the level of time-space magic. Is he an inheritor to the Black Mage!? Or he is the Black Mage himself?

No. The Black Mage is stated to be female. The one and only true Mage of Time in recent history. Not very recent, but at least it is part of the current era.

Much of the records of the previous era has been destroyed due to infightings and wars.

"Maybe that is not a bad thing, Eliana. Have you convinced the others to migrate from this world yet? Or they are still self-centred, believing that they could stop the human advancement?"

The man questions, causing Eliana to tense up.

I also tense up. Not about the human advancement as that is inevitable, but the migration part. To be able to do something like that he has to also be a space-time mage. A very powerful one to migrate to another world.

Unlike most people, I am aware that Azula is just one world amongst many in the universe.

"The others require more time, Master. Please be patience and allow me time. I am sure that they will see my ways soon and serve you like I have."

Eliana beseeches, but the man simply frowns.

"Enemy is already at the gate, Eliana. More time would not change anything, but I will give you it since I am currently busy with something else at the moment. It is the reason that I take on this appearance instead of my actual one."

The man responses before turning towards me again while Eliana thanks him repeatedly.

She is acting truly like a servant despite her status as an Archmage.

In his eyes, Archmage means nothing? Could he be of the fourth-circle or higher? Higher. He must be higher. Fifth circle? Sixth circle. It cannot be.

"While I cannot sense or use any magical energy at the moment, I assume that you are an Archmage from the surrounding human Kingdoms. Or Queendoms. One of the third circle. You should be around there since you are able to defeat Eliana. Not instantly defeat her like a mage of a fourth circle would."

The man states, making me blink.

"That is not possible. If that wasn't magic, what was that then? How did you manage to heal someone without using magic? Is it through science?"

I question, making the man blinks this time around. A smile appears on his face.

"Science. You know of science? Now I am curious of who you are. More correctly, where you are from. You are obviously not of this world, as no one on Azula should have any knowledge about science. Not even the term itself. They believe that everything happen is because of the natural laws and magic."

The man points out.

And I pause.

I wonder if I should tell him or not. I am leaning towards yes. If he actually wanted to kill me, he would have already done so instead of letting me bleed out like this.

The bleeding has already stopped thanks to my effort, so I would not die any time soon.

Mage is quite powerful. Even fatal injuries would not end their life, at least not immediately. With this much damages to my internal organs, I would require a long time to heal myself.

Or instantly through his power. No. He is an enemy, but he is not acting like one. He is indifference to the whole thing. Perhaps this is all below him. Powerful mages are too interested in conflicts like this, and I would not too if I was of the fourth circle.

If I get some help soon, I would live to fight another day. What are those guys doing? They should have stomped the forest by now. The barrier has been down for a while.

Maybe something has happened to them. That is a possibly. How power someone has to be to in order to wipe out an army without making a sound? The thought alone frightens me.

"Please heal and I will tell you everything that you want to know."

I request.

"Oh? Alright, but if you try anything afterwards or even attempting to run away, I will wipe your crappy Kingdom from the map."

The man threatens, and I do not think he is bluffing. He might actually have the power to do so, but it will be one hell of a battle. The Academy is located in town, so there are plenty of Archmage there.

A Grand Archmage too.

Before I can ponder further, the pain goes away. All of the pain. I have healed completely in an instant, to the point that I cannot feel those metal slugs inside my body.

My magic power is also restored too. Fully. Incredible. What is this magic? I want to learn it, as it could solve so many of my problems. Problems that I am facing.

"How are you able to do this?"

I question, unable to contain the excitement in my voice. Ever since I have been reincarnated into this world, I have been in love with magic. I want to become as powerful as I can.

"I will be the one asking the question, thank you very much."

The man points out as strange silvery mists descend from the sky and surround him. Is it some kind of insects? I cannot see them clearly and I cannot sense them either.

It is as if they are inanimate objects.

"By the way, my name is Maximilien Maxwell. You may call me Max. And if you are curious about why your army is taking so long to get here, you do not need to worry too much. Everything outside of here is frozen in time."

Max introduces himself and also gives hint about the extend of his power. It is the same reason to why the Black Mage of time cannot be defeated during her era.

With time at her command, nothing moves without her say so. The same with this person, and that is enough for me to be fearful of his power. I can see why Eliana is subservient.

An Archmage is not someone who can stand up him. I guess I should be humble then. I will do whatever I need to stay alive, as there are things I haven't done yet.

"Are you a reincarnation of the Black Mage?"

I question out of curiosity, forgetting that I am not supposed to ask questions. Still, I am very curious, as no one has been noted to have the power to command time other than the Black Mage. Therefore, it is assumed to be a power unique to her.

Since the Black Mage did not have children, her power is considered to be lost.

Of course, it would be another matter if she was to be reincarnated. Like me. Reincarnation is possible thanks to the Karmic Cycle. But I am unique due to my gift. I have the Power to Reincarnate as long as my soul is not destroyed.

"Reincarnation? Is that a thing? If so, how do I know if I am reincarnated or not?"

Max questions after a moment. He seems to be unaware of it himself, which is strange given his power.

"I can teach you a spell, allowing you to relive your past life as if it happens right in front of your eyes, but in exchange, please allow me to leave unharmed and unmolested."

I bargain.

Max narrows his eyes slightly as the silvery mists enter his body. He seems to be thinking, and a smile eventually forms on his face.

"Very well, I will let you leave unharmed and unmolested as long as it works like you advertise. Please show me the spell, and I will judge for myself the merit of what you claim."

Max questions and gestures his hands to stop Eliana to speaking.

She immediately becomes silence.

"The spell is very complicated, and it requires you to fall into a deep state of sleep, Master Maxwell."

I point out, deciding it is best to address him who he is.

"Master Maxwell, huh? I like that. I do want a demonstration first, so why don't you cast it upon yourself and let me see how it works."