Legend of the Supreme Archmage

"Kill that traitor!"

"Kill him!"

Those shouts came from the mouths of the members of the Order of Rosethorn, one of the four great Orders in the Eldoria Region. Their anger was directed at a figure kneeling on the execution platform at the Order's headquarters with both legs and hands bound by iron chains.

"My brothers!" A large and sturdy figure with a sword at his waist shouted loudly, diverting everyone's focus. With a stern expression, he gave the order, "According to Order law, today Logan, the practitioner of forbidden magic and murderer of our brother, will be executed!"

Cheers followed the announcement, everyone satisfied because the justice they wanted would soon be obtained.

The large and sturdy man then turned to face the figure he was about to judge. When his face could not be seen by the other members, he wore a victorious smile in front of his opponent.

"Lucan, Lucan, who could have guessed that the day would come when you would be forced to kneel before everyone?" the large man mocked with a sneering expression. "A Grandmaster judged by his own troops, perhaps only you will bear that despicable status in this world."

The large man's words made Lucan raise his head. His eyes radiated an aura of deep hatred.

"Logan," he growled in a hoarse voice. "If I have to die today, I will make sure to take you with me!"

BAM!

"Urgh!"

A hard fist directed at his face made Lucan's head jerk to the side, blood flowing from his lips. His entire body had now run out of energy, due to the poison spreading inside him.

CRACK!

The agonizing sound of breaking bones was heard as Logan stepped on Lucan's leg. Satisfaction appeared on Logan's face when an expression of torment appeared on the face of his former Grandmaster as well as his cousin!

"Arrogant and insolent. Do you think you are still the honorable Grandmaster?" Logan mocked before finally grabbing Lucan's hair, forcing his brother to return the hateful gazes of all the Order members below the platform.

"Look, the honor they once showed you has completely vanished," Logan said before continuing to whisper, "and all of that ... because of my interference."

Lucan's hands clenched tightly, causing blood to flow from his palms. He, who was an honorable Grandmaster, as well as the highest-level Mage in the Eldoria Region, ended up bearing the status of a murderer and traitor, all because of the slander and trap of his own cousin.

That rotten, cunning traitor!

However, one question still lingered in Lucan's mind, managing to break through the feeling of betrayal that made him regain consciousness.

With red eyes, Lucan asked, "Why ... are you doing all this?"

Blood flowed down from the corner of his lips, Logan's previous attack had disrupted his energy core. "As a brother, friend, and also companion ... I trusted and loved you ... what exactly was my mistake?!"

"What did you say your mistake was?" Logan repeated with a wicked smile. "Blame yourself for coming to this place and taking everything that should have been mine." His gaze turned dark, shrouded in hatred that had taken such deep root. "An ungrateful orphan boy who came with disgusting sorrow over the death of his foolish parents, then was chosen to be the successor to the position of Grandmaster by Grandfather. I did not accept this foolish decision!"

Every word was spoken in an increasingly loud tone, showing deep anger and envy toward his cousin.

"But enough, it's fine. All the resentment and hatred I have felt have been repaid one by one. Starting with the death of your beloved grandfather!"

THUMP!

Lucan's body froze. "What do you mean?"

Logan then whispered in a voice that could only be heard by Lucan. "I ... was the one who poisoned and killed that old bastard."

Instantly, Lucan's eyes opened wide, revealing reddened veins in his eyes. His hands clenched tightly and his body trembled violently.

"Logan!!! You bastard!!!" he shouted in anger. "He is our biological grandfather!"

Lucan's loud voice made the Order members frown, beginning to wonder what was happening. This made one figure step forward toward Logan.

"Carry out the execution immediately. Don't waste any more time, Logan," said a beautiful-faced woman with a graceful body while touching Logan's hand. "Don't let our plan fail."

The soft and melodious voice made Lucan shift his gaze, staring hatefully at the figure now standing beside Logan. "Vivian ...," he called out with a half-growl.

Vivian was a fellow Mage of Lucan and Logan. Not only that, she was also Lucan's fiancée.

"Don't say my name, I am not willing to be called by you," Vivian replied with a disgusted look.

Although she had once been Lucan's fiancée, Vivian ... was the person who worked together with Logan to bring Lucan down. She was willing to force-feed her own fiancé poison so that his body would be devoured from within.

"The heavens see what you have done!" Lucan shouted, startling Vivian. "The two of you are– Ack!"

Lucan's words were cut off by Logan's hand choking his neck. A cruel smile spread across his lips. "Sorry, okay? My beloved is already impatient to end your life, just like the other members!"

"I ... will ... kil ... kill you!" Lucan tried to use the strength he had left to free himself. However, it was futile.

Logan laughed. He tightened his grip. "You should be grateful to die by my hand. At least, that magic core of yours will not go to waste," he hissed in a low voice, making Lucan's eyes widen.

Logan intended to use this execution to absorb his magic core!

No! Lucan was unwilling! If he had to die, then he had to die without benefiting the bastard before him!

There was no other way, Lucan had to use that forbidden magic.

With one hand that managed to break free, Lucan placed his palm on his chest. This made Logan frown.

"What are you doing?" Logan asked worriedly.

Lucan curved a crooked smile at Logan. "Destroying your plan ...."

When the energy pathways in Lucan's body began to shine, everyone was immediately shocked, especially Logan, who instantly realized his brother's plan.

"T-this magic?! You–!"

However, he was too late to act.

"See you in hell, Logan ...."

The next second, Lucan's Mana Core was completely destroyed, causing a terrifying loud explosion. The energy wave destroyed the surrounding buildings into rubble and threw everyone away from the center of the explosion.

That ... was the end of Lucan's story, the Grandmaster of the Order of Rosethorn who was accused of practicing forbidden magic.

Or at least ... that was what everyone thought.

One hundred years later.

A teenage boy dressed entirely in black suddenly opened his eyes. Staring directly at the clear, cloudless sky.

The sound of flowing water near where he lay made him certain that he was now at the foot of the mountain. Perhaps more precisely, near a river with a strong current.

He was still alive.

Realizing that, he immediately sat up with his eyes wide open. "How can I still be alive?!"