As for Rogen, he’s encountered in all three of these spaces—exactly which one is the real him... or perhaps none of them are?
One Rogen is as motionless as the Animated Corpse in Little Londo Ruins, seemingly turned into a statue; another is a friendly yet exceedingly stern Magic Teacher; and the third has plunged completely into madness.
That one person can possess so many possibilities is quite extraordinary in Hades’ view.
Surprisingly, amid this wonder, he also feels confusion, along with a cryptic fear brought about by the unknown.
The spiritual power he disseminates quietly ascends to a new level.
Then, as he returns to the small room, is the Rogen before him still that stern Magic Teacher?
Stop ssing with , Sain; I’m already over a hundred years old, and my heart can’t take more of this.
With this thought in mind, Hades takes a breath and steps toward where Rogen is.
Rogen hears the footsteps, turns, and looks this way.
Upon seeing his turning motion, Hades flinches as a conditioned reflex—a lapse for soone like the Magic Professor who stays in the Magic Association, never venturing outside.
In Hades’ eyes, Rogen’s face automatically aligns with the twisted expression he had when he went crazy, making it montarily difficult to distinguish between illusion and reality.
And just at this mont, the voice of the other person reaches his ear.
"You’ve co, let see... Hmm, very well, now you possess the aptitude to learn magic. Earlier you asked to teach you magic..."
To his relief, Rogen’s words are exactly the sa as before.
Hades exhales mildly; it seems the other won’t suddenly attack or grab his head and shout.
Everything’s like a fresh start.
He’s still in the familiar-feeling Knight Armor, and Rogen still speaks of teaching him magic, specifically starting with the Soul Arrow.
Hades doesn’t imdiately act; Rogen sees him silent and makes no unnecessary move.
He vaguely senses that this place harbors a set of self-operating rules.
Now, when not replying to Rogen, the other won’t act.
While failing to successfully use the Soul Arrow up to Rogen’s standards, he can often pause to think without triggering his frenzy.
But if he pauses while using the Soul Arrow to attack the target, that pause alone causes Rogen to suddenly go mad.
In other words, if this lesson is treated as a Dungeon challenge, then casting the "correct" magic signifies the challenge’s start, failure condition being interruption of continuous magic usage.
And the punishnt for failure is to hear Rogen’s rants.
Hades’ eyes show a look of realization; if viewed this way, he understands.
Since it’s a challenge, there must be a reward, correct?
"Let’s start now, Teacher Rogen."
He gazes at the Legendary Mage, nods with a smile, eyes full of confidence.
"Good, I see you’ve suddenly gained confidence—it’s a good thing. Now, use Soul Arrow on that target over there one hundred tis."
Just as Rogen’s voice fades, Hades flicks his Magic Wand, forcefully sending a perfectly standard Soul Arrow to hit the target.
"Perfect, your magic talent exceeds my expectations—not surprising for a hero who braved Sain Ancient City."
Nearby cos Rogen’s praise; it’s Hades’ first ti hearing praise, making him unexpectedly proud.
It feels like returning to student days; back then, getting the teacher’s praise could make him happy all day, even more motivated to learn.
Hades dares not let his thoughts wander, continues shooting Soul Arrows at the distant target, every move in rhythm without pause.
Each Soul Arrow is impeccably standard, even eting Rogen’s demands without critique.
With perfect preparation this ti, Hades wouldn’t commit such low-level mistakes like stopping; his skilled magic usage lets him rapidly complete the challenge of a hundred Soul Arrows without breaking rhythm.
"I’ve completed it."
The tone carries a prideful chuckle, sounding decades younger.
Already eagerly awaiting the reward.
But in his heart, even no reward seems acceptable now; due to the previous exercise, he’s ascended a level in Soul Arrow mastery—without Rogen’s teaching, he never thought he’d need to practice such foundational magic.
Was he too arrogant before? How could he belittle basic magic?
Rogen gazes at him with comforting eyes, examining Hades with an appreciative look, saying:
"You’re more gifted than I imagined; maybe you can go further along the magical path than I."
Not at all, you’re too modest, Hades thinks with a slight smile.
Rogen also shows a pleasant expression—the gaze one holds for a favored student, saying with a smile:
"I see the yearning in your eyes—want to learn more magic? Then let’s proceed. Next is the advanced Soul Arrow, [Powerful Soul Arrow]."
"Hmm?"
Hades blinks; is the second training about to begin?
And [Powerful Soul Arrow]...
I haven’t learned this magic.
Indeed he hasn’t; to him, rely boosting the output power of Soul Arrow equals Powerful Soul Arrow, right? Is there need to waste ti learning this?
Just then, Rogen unexpectedly hands him a Magic Book Page; it records Powerful Soul Arrow.
Offering magic for to learn? Isn’t Sain Dungeon being unexpectedly generous? Wait, it’s always been quite generous.
Freebies are delightful; Hades grabs the Magic Book Page, instantly refining it, and info about Powerful Soul Arrow appears in his mind.
Wait, this differs from Soul Arrow sowhat.
"Next is to consolidate your learning results."
Before Hades can analyze deeply, Rogen raises a hand with a gesture.
A Crystal Elder suddenly appears in the small room.
"Engage in a shooting duel with him; smashing the crystals he launches equals success."
This ti, there’s no ti left to react; as soon as Rogen finishes speaking, the Crystal Elder raises a hand to shoot a crystal chunk sufficient to shatter Hades across the waist.
Despite hurried research, the Magic Book Page can enable Hades to release an incomplete Powerful Soul Arrow—thence shooting against the Crystal Elder...
He flicks the Magic Wand, yet discovers he’s fizzled out suddenly.
The next second, he’s cleaved waist by the crystal chunk, losing consciousness before Rogen’s hand captures his head, a familiar motion...
"An imperfect, unskillful Powerful Soul Arrow won’t be unleashed! You lost!"
Suddenly, frenzied rants surge again into Hades’ mind.
Hades longs to gripe but brakes upon encountering the rambles, focusing on listening closely.
In his understanding, these cryptic words are tied to Rogen’s lifeti research—such a valuable legacy.
He delves into simultaneous agony and joy.
Until this minor joy persists, hearing understandable words again in the rants:
[Tonight’s dinner should add more butter and turn up the heat until it’s cooked &#*]
Hades stops short after listening.
He perhaps realizes a terrifying truth.
"These rants aren’t all senseless words, right?"
Then what did he just jot down!?
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