“Hmm… this is a very dangerous mission,” said Professor Elbert as he read Rinoa's proposal, sipping from his favorite century-old wine. He claimed that just a drop could put a mammoth to sleep, considering that mammoths are large, dangerous, and powerful creatures.

  “I hope Rinoa will fulfill my request to study Dark Magic, a mysterious and intricate art that has become a hot topic among wizards,” he continued.

  After savoring every last drop, he tossed the bottle towards Lenz.

  “Bring me another one,” he said.

  “Lenz quickly caught it. “Professor, please don’t throw this bottle carelessly; although it looks ordinary, this bottle is made from the hide of the very rare ice dragon. Recently, it has been extremely difficult to find, and we don't even know if the species is extinct or not,” Lenz said, carefully wiping the bottle.

  “Hahahaha... I'm just an enthusiast, not a creator. However, diving into the uniqueness of each blend is an invaluable experience,” Elbert continued, his voice hoarse and warm, filled with excitement reflected in his bright eyes. He explained with a hushed tone, “If everyone agrees to Rinoa's proposal, we might get to witness rare supernatural beings that only appear in places like this.”

  Lenz seemed oblivious to Elbert's last words, instead lost in his own ramblings, like a child entranced by an endless world of imagination. His voice flowed with enthusiasm, disregarding the tremor in Elbert's voice as he shared knowledge about mysterious supernatural creatures, signaling their differing perspectives.

  “As a true connoisseur, you must master the art of making Rosetta wine, crafted from the unique rosberry fruit that radiates beauty like a blooming rose. Despite its deadly poison, the taste of this wine is incredibly tempting, and its existence is rare, flourishing only in the misty highlands of Skypia. The bottle is made from ice dragon skin, perfectly stabilizing the temperature and preserving the quality of this wine, making each drop seem to tell a story. A final touch of a hint of snow flower adds a special magical nuance; only the Smith family, recognized as leading wine experts, possesses the skill and privilege to produce this extraordinary wine,” Lenz declared proudly. However, Elbert appeared to be somewhat inattentive.

  “Sure... sure... could you repeat that?” Elbert replied, his voice hesitant and weighed down.

  “Although this wine could be fatal for some, one of its unique advantages is its ability to enhance the drinker's magical power,” Lenz stated confidently, perfect for a wizard like you. “After all, the grandmaster is a great wizard, one of the six great wizards in the history of magic. That's why this wine won't endanger you,” he continued, praising Elbert's vast experience.

  "Exactly," Elbert said, his gaze piercing like shadows creeping in the night. His eyes shimmered with intensity, creating an aura that made the entire room feel colder.

  Suddenly, a thick aura of dark magic flowed from Elbert's body, enveloping the room in darkness, as if swallowing every bit of light present. The darkness crept and gnawed at everything in its path, crafting a chilling, silent atmosphere. Lenz could only stare blankly, cold sweat trickling down his temples, while his mind felt as though it was perched on a fragile ledge above an endless abyss. The longer he gazed into the darkness, the deeper he was drawn into it, as if ensnared in an invisible web. Though his heart screamed to shout with all his might, his voice was locked in his throat, waiting to be unleashed. On the walls, the paintings began to come alive in the terrifying gloom; an elegant princess instantly transformed into a frightening old witch. The witch’s hands fluttered with trembling movements, a chilling grip that deafened Lenz, as if disturbing his peace. Similarly, the paintings of children that once appeared joyful now morphed into horrifying zombies, trying to crawl out from the canvas with ghastly faces and outstretched hands, as if begging for help, yet evoking a profound terror.

  "You know, Lenz," Elbert's voice was heavy, filled with suppressed bitterness, "humans are never satisfied. They will continue to yearn for more, even until their last breath. Whatever appears before them, they will strive to seize it—in any form. This could be through asking, begging, or even hurting and robbing one another. Betrayal and murder often become choices," he said, emphasizing the dark side of humanity that is often hidden. He directed his sharp gaze at Lenz, challenging his understanding and beliefs.

  Lenz merely nodded at his words. He wasn't foolish; a slip of the tongue or a wrong movement could cost him his life. The atmosphere was thick with hostility. He didn't know how long he could endure this horror while remaining conscious.

  "Is this dark magic?" Lenz said, awestruck, even though his fear was evident. His voice trembled along with his uncertainty, as his wide eyes stared in terror at the power enveloping the room.

  "Alright, it seems you're not ready yet," Elbert said calmly, observing Lenz who appeared still trapped in fear. His voice was like a gentle breeze amidst the clamor of the magical whispers surrounding them, offering a hint of relief amid the prevailing terror, as if trying to restore tranquility within him.

  Slowly, Elbert diminished his magical aura, and the room returned to its original state. Despite that, beads of sweat continued to pour down Lenz's forehead, a clear sign of how tense the atmosphere had been. However, the paintings remained animated and moved like human beings, despite their grotesque appearance, as if under the influence of dark magic. They continued to watch Lenz like prey, drooling incessantly like a hungry predator.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Now, let’s take a moment to relax,” he said in a firm yet soothing voice, enhancing the atmosphere with a more comfortable tone. “I have halted my magic. Unfortunately, some remnants of it may be hard to erase from your memory.”

  “…. ”

  “Am I being too excessive?” Elbert asked, scratching his head as if searching for an answer among his hair. “Let me explain,” he continued, sitting up straight, his hands patting his legs as if inviting them to dance. “Honestly, if my magic were a threat to my life, I could probably sell tickets for the most epic adventure show!”

  “G… g… guru,” Lenz stammered, his voice trembling and fractured, revealing the deep anxiety within him. His wide eyes appeared to shake, as if unable to contain the tension that enveloped the room.

  “Calm down,” the mentor's voice was gentle yet firm, trying to soothe the restlessness that had a grip on Lenz.

  “Yes,” he replied, his voice trembling, reflecting the uncertainty and fear that enveloped him.

  “I apologize for what just happened. I didn't mean to scare you. The magic you saw earlier is a type of dark magic known as black mist. This magic was created by a mad sorcerer named Entrople from the Gaia race, who possessed great power but also led to emptiness. Entrople was my close friend; we were always together until the day his lover died. After that, he became withdrawn and lost, as if he could no longer find his way back. One day, I found him trying to resurrect the dead, aware that his actions defied the laws of nature. At that moment, I felt he was no longer the Entrople I once knew. Unfortunately, at that time, he ended his life with his own magic in a failed pursuit. Black mist can only function fully if there is a sacrifice. When that occurred, I chose to take that power instead of saving my close friend.”

  Elbert concentrated the abundant energy within him, flowing through his arms and centering in his palms. With intense focus, he shaped a shimmering sphere tightly infused with magic. The dark light surrounding the sphere pulsed, signaling the power ready to be unleashed. In a swift movement, he hurled the sphere toward the enticing moving painting, leaving a trail of sparkle in the air.

  “Boom!! A thunderous sound filled the room, causing the entire walls to tremble violently; this tremendous explosion shattered the moving painting into flying fragments, akin to broken glass pieces, creating an eerie silence in its wake.”

  “Black mist is a form of dark magic that emanates a mysterious aura, resembling a thick black fog. This mist serves as a conduit for malevolent spirits to possess various objects it encounters, including inanimate items such as paintings, statues, and dolls, or anything susceptible to the presence of supernatural beings. Even the corpses of animals, plants, and humans can be revived by this curse's touch. However, due to its dangerous nature, it is clear that any object affected will transform into a terrifying creature. The more beautiful and alluring an object is, the more horrific the form of the creature birthed from it becomes,” Elbert explained, stressing the urgency of understanding the qualities of this magic, given its impact on the surrounding world.

  “Master, why are we suddenly discussing this?” Lenz asked, his expression filled with curiosity. In his sparkling eyes, there was a strong urge to delve deeper into the mysteries of dark magic. Lenz's fascination was evident, as if he could hardly wait to learn more about the darkness that enveloped this world of magic.

  “When Rinoa arrives later, I hope she agrees with the concept of dark magic. Although she has expressed interest in studying the practice, it seems that Rinoa is still tied to her hopes of an expedition in Gamma,” Elbert said with a frown, his face reflecting deep uncertainty.

  “Rinoa still desires that expedition,” Lenz remarked, furrowing his brow as he deciphered the hidden meaning behind those words. He could sense the depth of Rinoa’s aspirations, as if she stood on the brink of an adventure filled with mystery and wonder, waiting eagerly to explore the land rich with magical potential that had long been her dream.

  “Honestly, the true wielders of the greatest magical powers are actually the Gamma people, not the Gaia or Earth nations, which pose a threat and challenge to many other sorcerers. In the regions located at the boundaries between these worlds, a variety of incredible magical forces lie hidden. Rumors suggest that there exists a magic capable of bringing the dead back to life, concealed within dark and mysterious caves. However, it is important to note that this magic is not of the dark variety; rather, it is a grand white magic, radiant with pure beauty and the purity of intention. In other words, this magic can revive a person without any flaws, as if resurrecting a lost soul and bringing new hope to a harsh and challenging world.” Elbert said, expressing his deep belief in the possibilities of such magic.

  “Actually, I also have a deep interest in going there,” Elbert said in a soft voice full of hope. “Unfortunately, I haven’t received the approval from the five high-ranking officials of Atlantis who hold power.”

  “I am also unable to access the forbidden library located on the 50th floor,” Elbert lamented, his face clouded with gloom, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. His voice was laced with frustration, filled with disappointment, while his thoughts drifted to the ancient books that remained out of reach, hidden behind tall walls and tightly locked doors.

  “Can you help me?” Elbert asked, his voice full of hope despite his still somber expression, indicating the heavy burden he carried. With his hands clasped in front of his chest, he looked at Lenz, his eyes reflecting a sense of obstruction and a longing for knowledge. A feeling of despair shadowed his steps, as if the weight of the world still pressed upon him, waiting for a response that could change everything.

  “Help with what? The access directory for the library?” Lenz replied, clearly confused. His eyebrows raised slightly, and he stared at Elbert with eyes that mirrored the uncertainty of this unusual situation.

  Elbert firmly placed the glimmering black stone on Lenz's chest. As this happened, a terrifying dark aura began to seep into Lenz’s body. Suddenly, a scream of pain erupted from Lenz, shattering the silence as his body convulsed with each wave of torment washing over him, a stark reminder of the powerful force that could not be ignored. Gaping wounds appeared on his skin, resembling horrific lacerations, marking an unexpected sacrifice. In an instant, his face paled, and slowly, his body began to resemble that of a living corpse, like a zombie staggering through the haunting shadows of the night.

  Raarrgh, Lenz’s groan echoed through the darkness, resonating like a death knell. From that moment on, all traces of his humanity vanished, and he fully transformed into an undead, his body moving with slow, faltering motions, as if the last remnants of his energy were being drained by the night’s darkness.

  "Thank you for helping me, Lenz," Elbert said, his voice filled with gratitude and a joy that touched deeply. His expression shone brightly, as if the warm light of the morning sun enveloped his heart, bringing new hope amidst the surrounding darkness.