A Heartfelt Choice

Clump sighed deeply and spoke.

"I just don't get it. What's the problem? You have a kid and live happily together, that should be enough."

"It's about Erina... I'm not sure if she can have a child."

"Why? Is there something wrong with her health?"

"No. But think about it. Giving birth is excruciating pain and fear. I'm not sure if Erina can handle it. And there's the issue of raising the child too."

Clump fell silent for a long moment. The question was whether a woman with the intelligence of a ten-year-old could handle both the pains of childbirth and raising a child.

"Alpheas, it's a bit awkward to say this, but you've known this, haven't you? From the moment you decided to marry her…"

"Yes, I know. I'm not regretting it. No, I truly don't regret it. I can't live without Erina. Without her, no glory matters."

Clump downed two glasses of alcohol one after another. He was frustrated, but how much more so must the person involved be?

"So what are you going to do? Complaining isn't like you. Why are you, a smart guy, acting like this?"

Alpheas spun his glass around.

In that moment, a fleeting gleam of intellectual resistance crossed his eyes, fighting against the effects of alcohol.

The Light of a Genius Lost

'Not bad.'

Arcane knew that someone had broken into his dungeon last night.

Of course, it wasn't unusual for thieves to come looking for treasure in the grand wizard's dungeon, but the fact that this intruder had lasted more than 24 hours was rare.

'Well, that won't last long anyway.'

The dungeon was filled with many monsters and traps that Arcane himself had designed.

He cleared his mind and returned to his research.

Recently, he had been focusing on the effects of dark magic on human memory.

How much time had passed?

As he was furiously writing his paper, he suddenly stopped, turning his head.

The mechanisms in the dungeon were being deactivated at a rapid pace. This wasn't an ordinary person.

"Has a big fish finally taken the bait?"

For Arcane, who would often isolate himself for years at a time, an intruder was a good diversion. And today, it seemed like a rather capable one had taken the bait.

With a loud bang, the iron gate opened, and Arcane checked the time.

Precisely 32 hours, 28 minutes, and 5 seconds. That's how long it had taken the intruder to get from the entrance to this point.

"Grand Wizard… Are you Viktor Arcane?"

The man was covered in blood. He was of handsome appearance, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"You don't look like the kind of person who comes for money. Who are you?"

"My name is Mirhi Alpheas. I couldn't find another way to meet you, so I came directly."

"Oh?"

Arcane raised an eyebrow.

He wasn't ignorant of the world outside, even though he had been holed up in his dungeon. Through various channels, he had already heard of Alpheas' theories on quantum light.

"A light mage seeking out a dark mage... that's a rather unusual thing. Alright, take a seat. I'll treat you."

Arcane activated a bio-maintenance device.

Alpheas, placed in a semi-spherical chamber filled with green liquid, fell into a deep sleep as soon as he was submerged.

Three hours later.

"Phew! Haah!"

Alpheas rose from the liquid.

How did he fall asleep without suffocating? He wondered as he turned his head, only to find Arcane engrossed in writing his paper.

It was hard to imagine the grand wizard, who had disturbed the continent, looking so scholarly.

"Thank you for the treatment. This is a good device. I'm curious about the principle behind it."

"No need to dance around. That won't change the fact that you're an unwelcome guest. So, tell me why you're here."

Alpheas, understanding that a magician driven by curiosity would waste no time, spoke directly.

"I wish to learn dark magic. Please take me on as an apprentice."

"Oh?"

It was astonishing to hear Alpheas, the hottest topic in the magic community, begging to be an apprentice.

"Do you have a special reason?"

"I have a wife. But her intellectual abilities are lacking. I've heard rumors that you are conducting research on storing memories with dark magic. I want to give my memories to her."

Arcane's eyes narrowed.

Since they were both well-versed in their fields, there was no need for further explanation.

"I've done quite a bit of research on memory manipulation. But what you're asking is on a whole different level. It involves issues of personality, and above all, it's a task that involves transferring an entire person's life."

"I believe it's possible. If we combine the absorbent qualities of dark magic with the data transfer ability of photons, we might be able to create a virtual intelligence."

Arcane propped his chin in thought.

"Virtual intelligence, huh? Using photon magic to build a nervous system and then implanting memories?"

It was certainly an innovative idea.

So far, photon magic had been limited to time magic, but with the discovery of quantum light theory, Arcane anticipated it would soon make waves in the field of information.

"Before we examine the theory, I have one question. Has your wife consented to this experiment?"

"I don't know yet. But I'm sure she will agree."

"I see. There's a story behind this, I gather."

Alpheas explained the circumstances that led him to this point.

Arcane understood his feelings. Above all, Alpheas' proposal was undeniably genius.

"Let's move to a different location."

The two spent the next day discussing the possibilities.

Once they reached an agreement on the theoretical foundation, Arcane finally acknowledged that this wasn't just a wild fantasy.

"Alright. If you're truly willing to gamble your life on this, I'll take you on as an apprentice. But convincing your family won't be easy."

Even though Alpheas was from a prestigious family, Arcane knew it was unlikely he'd give up a guaranteed position in the Empire for a dreary research lab.

But Alpheas had no intention of following a different path.

If Erina was unhappy, he couldn't be happy either. His only wish was for her to be happy.

"Thank you. I'll bring my family soon."

When Alpheas arrived home, he discussed it with Erina.

Since their lives were at stake, Clump was also present at the discussion.

The key point that Alpheas emphasized was that Erina's intellectual disability could be treated.

And as soon as he finished speaking, Clump immediately opposed.

"Alpheas, what are you talking about? Why would you go to someone like that? That man's a criminal!"

"Such things don't matter to a wizard. What truly matters is that he understands dark magic better than anyone else on this continent. He's also knowledgeable about human memory and brain structure. It won't be a loss academically."

"No, it's a loss. You're being swayed by something. Implanting memories into the human brain? That's impossible!"

"Clump, the reason you think that…"

"Yes! I'm an idiot! I'm not as smart as you, nor am I a genius! But even I know one thing. You're throwing away your luck! If you associate with someone like him, your future at the empire is as good as gone. What about your family? Your family will surely abandon you!"

Alpheas knew this, but after much thought, he had come to his decision.

"I don't care. Those things can't determine my life. The Empire, my family—none of it matters. If Erina can be happy, I can be far happier than I am now."

With Alpheas' final words, Erina's decision was already made.

If her husband could smile, she could endure anything.

"Honey, I'll do it."

"Sister-in-law! This is something you need to think about carefully!"

"I'll do it. Because I trust my husband. Alpheas will make me happy."

"Of course! Who am I? A wizard who's received the Gold Circle. And my mentor is a grand wizard. If we work together, we can fix any weaknesses you have."

Despite Clump's frequent visits to try and persuade them, the couple stood firm in their decision.

Eventually, Alpheas packed up his belongings, and with Erina, entered Arcane's dungeon.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Viktor Arcane."

"Hello. My husband owes you a great deal."

Erina greeted Arcane politely, but he paid no attention to the formalities.

"Don't worry too much. I've been immersed in this field for decades. You've made a big decision. If you succeed, you can cure numerous mental illnesses. Your husband will gain fame far greater than what he would have in the Empire."

Erina believed it was worth a try, as long as it could bring back everything her husband had given up.

For the next two years, Alpheas lived in the dungeon, conducting research on memory transfer.

Arcane, an expert in operating personal dungeons, made sure the experiment proceeded smoothly, and Erina lived there without any discomfort under reasonable care.

"Hey, sister-in-law. How are you doing?"

Clump came once a week, bringing food.

Though the two were busy with their experiments, they could hardly let Erina eat food made by Clump alone.

"I'm fine. The experiment will end soon. Then my husband will be able to return to the outside world."

Clump laughed heartily.

Even though it had been a hard two years filled with tests, Erina had endured well. Part of him felt bittersweet about it.

So what if her intelligence was a bit lacking? The love and patience she had for her husband were anything but inferior.

One day, as Clump arrived, Alpheas came into the room.

Erina was more tired than usual, her face paler and her body thinner from the stress of the research.

"You're here? Thanks as always."

"How's the experiment going? Any progress?"

"It's almost finished. We've had success with the clinical tests. By next month, Erina will finally be free from the disdainful looks."

"Next month? That fast?"

"What do you mean? It's been two years. We've been working day and night with my mentor. Anyway, you'll have to come. When it happens, bring more than just food—bring alcohol!"

A month passed.

The waiting was long, but the moment it arrived felt sudden.

While Arcane and Alpheas made final adjustments, Erina lay on the experiment table