SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

"We are always searching for exceptional individuals to join our ranks," the Martial Blade God continued.

"And you, Neron, would be a perfect fit. This fight—" he gestured to the expanse of his Martial Realm, "—was merely a test to see if you were worthy."

Neron froze, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of the revelation.

All of this—the relentless battle, the overwhelming pressure—was nothing more than a twisted recruitment drive.

"You want me to join you?" he asked, disbelief lacing his voice. "Why the hell would you think I'd agree to that?"

The Martial Blade God's smile widened ever so slightly, as if he had been waiting for that exact reaction.

"Your potential is undeniable. With proper guidance, you could achieve far more than you've ever imagined. And while you may despise me now, hatred is often born from misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?" Neron snapped, his voice rising. "You killed Lilith! Why would I ever side with someone who murdered her?"

At that, the Martial Blade God's expression shifted—still calm, but now tinged with something deeper, almost nostalgic.

"Tell me, Neron," he said, his voice softening, "how do you think I got to know Lilith?"

Neron frowned, thrown off by the sudden change in demeanor.

"What are you talking about?"

"We were once partners," the Martial Blade God said, his gaze distant, as though recalling a long-lost memory. "Lilith and I served the Nether Cult together. She was one of our finest... until she decided to leave."

"Leave?" Neron echoed, stunned.

"Yes," the Martial Blade God continued. "She abandoned us, despite everything we had built together. I tried to stop her, but..."

He paused, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"She defeated me. Easily, I might add. But she spared my life and walked away."

The revelation hit Neron hard.

Lilith, a member of the Nether Cult? It didn't make sense. The Lilith he knew would never align herself with such an organization.

"Even if that's true," Neron said, his voice trembling with anger, "it doesn't justify what you did. Her past with you gave you no reason to end her life."

The Martial Blade God tilted his head, his smile returning.

"Who said anything about ending her life?"

Neron froze, the words striking him like a physical blow. "What are you saying?"

"Lilith," the Martial Blade God said, his tone almost playful, "isn't dead."

The world around Neron seemed to spin as the Martial Blade God's words sank in.

"Impossible," Neron muttered, shaking his head. "You're lying."

But the smile on the Martial Blade God's face said otherwise.

"Am I?"

The Martial Blade God's smile deepened as he stepped back, letting his words sink into Neron's mind.

"I'll admit, there was a sense of dissatisfaction when I struck her down. Something felt... off."

Neron's fists clenched as the Martial Blade God spoke.

The calm tone in his voice felt like a mockery, stirring anger in Neron's chest.

"Dissatisfaction?" he growled. "You killed her. How could you feel anything less than victorious?"

The Martial Blade God shook his head slowly, the nostalgic look returning to his golden eyes.

"That's the thing," he said. "Even in her final moments, something wasn't right. It was only after the battle—after I analyzed her energy and studied the remains—that I realized the truth."

Neron's breath hitched, his anger wavering as he caught the edge of something he couldn't fully comprehend.

"It wasn't her," the Martial Blade God continued. "The Lilith I fought was nothing more than a clone."

The words struck Neron like a thunderclap.

His mind reeled, searching for any indication that the Martial Blade God could be lying.

"That's impossible," he said firmly, though his voice carried an undercurrent of doubt.

"Believe what you will," the Martial Blade God said with a shrug, his tone almost dismissive. But then his gaze sharpened, and he studied Neron intently.

"Though I must admit... there's something peculiar about you."

Neron tensed under the weight of his scrutiny.

"What do you mean?"

The Martial Blade God tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as if peering beyond the surface.

"There's an imprint on you," he said quietly. "Something left behind by Lilith. I can sense it even now."

"W-what…?"

"Did she do what I think she did? I guess she couldn't resist seeing you one more time, huh?"

"What are you—?"

Before Neron could react, the Martial Blade God reached out, his hand hovering over Neron's forehead.

"Let's see what she left behind, shall we?"

"Wait—" Neron tried to step back, but the Martial Blade God's fingers grazed his skin, and a surge of energy flooded his mind.

Memories buried deep within him unraveled in an instant.

He saw Lilith—her face, her voice, her presence—as clear as if she were standing before him.

"I'm sorry, Neron," her voice echoed in his mind, tinged with regret. "I care about you too much. I can't let myself get in the way of your journey. You need to move forward, reunite with your friends, and find your path... without me."

The memory faded, leaving Neron gasping for breath.

He staggered, the weight of the revelation crushing him.

Lilith hadn't abandoned him out of malice or betrayal.

She had done it for his sake.

"So," the Martial Blade God said, pulling his hand back, "she's alive. And now you understand why."

Neron couldn't bring himself to speak.

He exhaled sharply, his anger replaced by a hollow ache.

The Martial Blade God deactivated his Martial Realm with a casual wave of his hand, and the ruined battlefield came back into view. The devastation around them was a testament to the ferocity of their fight, yet the Martial Blade God stood unbothered, as if none of it had affected him.

"Now," he said, his voice cutting through the silence, "let's return to the matter at hand. Will you accept my invitation?"

Neron's head snapped up, his resolve returning. "And if I don't?"

The Martial Blade God's smile turned cold.

"Then I'll have to kill you, take the Arcanas, and deal with your friends. Witnesses are a problem I can't afford."