Activate, Kalatu's Magic Eye

Things were progressing quite smoothly up to this point. Once Li Lin helped the three old mages resolve the issues with the Red Robe Mage, they agreed to entrust the future of City of a Thousand Towers to the still-unknown new Magic Empire. Li Lin didn't expect it to be as simple as immediately raising a flag and declaring the establishment of a new nation. As Arcane Mage, he knew very well what a nation needed: population, commerce, agriculture, diplomacy, military, education... These were still far too few for a city like City of a Thousand Towers. Moreover, City of a Thousand Towers's military strength was definitely insufficient to support a nation. If Li Lin hadn't promised to provide them with sufficient military strength for self-defense when the time was right, the three old mages would probably have needed much more time to consider his proposal.

Of course, since an agreement had been reached, there was a need to express one's opinion, and Li Lin also put forward his own suggestions.

"I heard from Nia that the Eye of Kalatu is in this city, and that's why I'm here... I think you all know very well that it's a relic from the era of the Magic Empire, and I need to use it to achieve certain goals."

The old mages readily agreed to Li Lin's suggestion. In fact, although they had obtained the magical item long ago, not a single one of them knew how to use it. Even as they aged and became powerful mages, the magical item remained an untouchable secret, like the stars in the sky. Moreover, it was weakening day by day; perhaps soon, this crystallization of the old mages' time and effort would have to report to some corner of a warehouse.

However, Angela was greatly disappointed when she saw the legendary demon eye with her own eyes.

"Master, I thought it would be beautiful, but now it looks like nothing more than a piece of junk, a stone you can find anywhere on the street. I could even find one rounder than this."

She pointed disapprovingly at the dark sphere floating in the air on the magic stand. It must be said that, setting aside those biased subjective reasons, Angela's description was basically close to the truth.

"Li Lin, it doesn't have much energy left."

Nia frowned.

"It will probably only be able to start once."

"But, Master..."

Fina hesitantly raised her hand, trying to offer her different opinion.

"Didn't you say that magical items can be recharged with energy? Then why can't you recharge it before activating it?"

"Because this was created by other Arcane Mage."

Li Lin explained.

"Things created by Arcane Mage bear their unique mark, which others cannot interfere with. Therefore, even if I can activate it, I can only use it once. Because this is not originally mine. Although it might sense that I am also Arcane Mage and thus be less wary, but..."

"Would you be willing to do things with a man other than your lover that only your lover would do with you?"

Angela's sharp and sarcastic words immediately silenced Fina's questions.

Since Angela had made herself clear, Li Lin didn't say anything more. He turned his head and stared at the black stone floating in front of him, remaining silent for a moment. This was the uppermost level of the mage quarters where the old mages resided. The old mages had left on their own after bringing them here. After all, while observing from the sidelines could answer their questions that had lingered for years, it was not in accordance with the etiquette of mages.

However, as Li Lin gazed at the black stone, he seemed to have gleaned some even more important information from it.

"Excuse me, could you please leave for a moment?"

Li Lin said.

I want to start it separately.

"Of course, Master."

Angela glanced at the black stone. Perhaps she had never really been interested in or had any opinions about this strange object or their next goal (for Angela, who was new to this world, everything was a fresh experience). So she quickly grabbed the two sisters, one in each hand, and pulled them away, who were still trying to grasp the situation. Nia paused, then placed her slender, soft hand on Li Lin's shoulder, as if conveying some kind of will. Then, she also withdrew her hand, stepped back, and turned to leave.

Li Lin didn't say a word until everyone left the room. Only then did he sigh and walk towards the black stone before him. Magical radiance began to appear around him, and the magical power of the entire room and even the entire city began to converge on Li Lin's body. However, this massive energy transfer showed no physical manifestation whatsoever, which was truly perplexing. Li Lin remained silent, walked to the black stone, and then reached out and patted it.

"I never imagined we'd meet again under these circumstances."

He gazed at the black stone before him, a hint of bitterness in his voice.

The black stone floated up and down along his hand, then came to rest in its original position without any response.

"... You're still the same."

Li Lin remained oblivious, continuing to talk to himself.

"It seems like nothing in the world escapes your eyes. You're always like a mute, never uttering a single word. And what has your so-called fate brought us? I don't want to condemn you now, I'm just a little dissatisfied. If you really could see the future so accurately, why would we have ended up like this?"

Because fate always has its twists and turns.

A young, deep male voice suddenly appeared in the empty room.

The black stone began to emit a melodious, gentle white light, gradually transforming into a human face.

"You're late, Luoxia."

"If you can be considered a prophetic mentor, then you should say that this was within your expectations, Kalatu."

Li Lin stared at the face before him, a sorrowful, bitter smile appearing on his face.

"When did you manage to do that? I heard you were chopped into mincemeat by those barbarians outside, not even a trace was left."

"It's just my gut feeling, Luoxia."

Kalatu —one of the thirteen Arcane Mage from back then—still wore that same expression of complete control. Years of peering into the future had made him indifferent, almost like a traveler focused on the world itself, as if everything happening in this world had nothing to do with him. Even after all these years, he hadn't changed at all.

"Before the battle, I had a bad feeling, so I used this magical item you gave me... I must say, it's not very comfortable to live in inside."

"Because it was originally used to imprison souls."

Li Lin shrugged.

"Do you really expect a soft, comfortable bed in prison?"

"If it were Catherine, you'd probably include a prison with a soft bed and a pet, right?"

Kalatu's expression remained unchanged, but what he said made Li Lin somewhat embarrassed.

"How can you say that... after all, she's also our enemy."

"We all know you've never been one for restraint with women."

Ignoring Li Lin's explanation, Kalatu continued speaking to himself.

"At the time, we were quite relieved that there were no women among the Arcane Mage... In fact, even I only realized what you truly wanted after you learned about them... Luoxia, have you found what you were looking for?"

"Yes."

Li Lin glanced at the door and then nodded.

"However, the price is far too high."

"To gain something, you must give something."

Kalatu's image began to blur.

"My strength is dwindling... If you have something to do, hurry up. Let me guess, you're planning to find your seven adorable kittens? I'm sorry, my strength is limited, and besides, they are your creations, making them very difficult for me to control... I can only foresee the location of one of them."

One is enough.

"So, who do you intend to find? The 'Eternal Library' has returned to your side. Next, will your target be the 'Tear of the Meteor,' the 'Fate's Protection,' or the 'Hymn of Destruction'?"

"In fact, I intend to use your power to find the 'Infinite Corridor'."

The silence reigned for a moment, then was broken by Kalatu's laughter.

"I see, I see. I'm really quite stupid. It seems that in the future—if there is a future—I should cast a divination spell to see you clearly before we meet, so you won't keep surprising and astonishing me every few days. The power of 'Infinite Corridor' is second only to 'Eternal Library,' and even I can't locate it well; its position might even become very vague... Is that alright? Maybe you'll need to cut a mountain open or turn some stinking swamp upside down."

"I trust your abilities as a prophetic mentor, Kalatu."

Li Lin gazed at Kalatu's eyes and spoke, word by word.

"We all trust you, you know that."

"... yes."

Kalatu's expression became much more serious.

"So when those damned barbarians attacked the Empire, you didn't complain to me at all, which only made me feel worse. I even wondered if I could be omniscient and omnipotent, could I have prevented this attack?"

"Looking back on the past is a virtue, but indulging in hypotheticals is weakness. This is something you often said when you were teaching your disciples."

Li Lin interrupted Kalatu, understanding that time was running out. While catching up with friends was certainly worthwhile, they had more important things to do right now. Kalatu nodded, clearly sharing the same view.

"Yes, perhaps I've stayed here too long... But soon, I too will disappear. That's how we mages are; our souls don't go anywhere, they simply vanish from this world... Nothing can leave a trace of our existence."

As he spoke, he began to chant incantations in a low voice, as if inquiring about the river of fate. The black stone became increasingly commanding, and countless magical runes emerged, automatically arranging themselves to form the most powerful force. Then, unparalleled light burst forth from the black stone, and Kalatu's chanting reached an unprecedented height. This was perhaps the first time in his life that he had used his own life to burn, to ignite the power of magic, in order to achieve the greatest success.

The white light suddenly contracted, then burst forth again, converging into a thin beam of white light that shot into Li Lin's forehead. Li Lin then stared at the black stone before him, its light fading, and stepped forward to hold it in his hands.

"This is my... final... prophecy... of... Loshia..."

Even at this point, Kalatu maintained the same expression. The magical runes on the black stone dimmed, and the prison that held the soul began to crack as it could not withstand such powerful magical energy.

"Remember... I'm sorry... on our behalf... on behalf of the Empire..."

"Revenge."

Li Lin quietly accepted Kalatu's final whispered words.

"Rest assured, my companions. I will leave the Five-Nation Alliance littered with corpses, where only the flames of destruction and death will rule the land. I will use their bones and blood to build your tombstones, letting their souls suffer eternal sins in wailing and pain until they are utterly annihilated. Men, women, young and old, all must pay for the crimes committed by their ancestors with their deaths. No one can stop me, no one."

"You will always be... one of us... remember... they possess... great power... I didn't... foresee... discover..."

Kalatu's voice was broken and intermittent; he used his last strength to give Li Lin one last helping hand.

The black stone suddenly shattered, turning into specks of dust.