Reincarnated as an Elf Prince-Chapter 42: Serious Talk With Magnus

Magnus’s gaze held the quiet pride of a father, though Lindarion was far from being his son.

"Step out. We need to discuss the things that happened inside of the dungeon."

His voice, as always, was authoritative—yet there was an unusual softness laced within it.

The trainees exchanged glances, then nodded. Numbers Eight and Twelve lingered a moment longer, their eyes briefly meeting Lindarion’s. Once he gave them a slight nod, they exited.

As soon as the door closed, a circular barrier materialized around them.

"A soundproofing barrier?" Lindarion asked with a faint smirk. "The topic’s that serious, huh?"

Magnus simply shook his head.

"Of course it is, kid. You must’ve realized it—the dungeon wasn’t normal. It was far stronger than it should’ve been."

Lindarion exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples.

"Then why send us?" His emerald gaze sharpened, piercing into Magnus’s like a blade. "Why not a professional team?"

"That…" Magnus sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I can’t tell you."

Silence stretched between them before he finally added, "But I want to hear your side first. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up."

’Fine. Let’s begin.’

Lindarion leaned back, collecting his thoughts.

"We encountered some fog creatures first, they were humanoids. They exuded mist—thick enough to try and drown our senses."

He recounted the first battle, how Number 42 fell, how 112 tried everything to save him, and how it was all in vain.

Magnus listened without interruption, his expression darkening. His brows furrowed as he processed the details, but he didn’t speak.

"The second fight was a Lich." Lindarion’s voice was even. "Summoned multiple armies of skeletons. He was an annoying fucking bastard."

He explained how they won. But when it came to his affinity, he kept it vague. Just a passing mention.

Magnus narrowed his eyes.

Lindarion wasn’t stupid. He wasn’t about to reveal how he devoured the Lich with his darkness.

Magnus studied him for a long moment before motioning for him to continue.

"The third one…" Lindarion exhaled, brows knitting together. "I don’t even know what it was. Black armor. A crown. It moved like a sovereign of the abyss. It was like a King Of Darkness."

Magnus’s posture stiffened.

"…A Black Crown?"

The reaction was immediate. A flicker of recognition.

Lindarion noticed his reaction instantly even though Magnus tried to mask it a second later.

’So, he knows something about it.’

"Yes. It felt like the crown itself was darkness."

He continued, describing the fight. The deaths of 112, 198, and 5. This time, his voice carried weight—not just the recounting of a battle, but the loss that came with it. The loss of his teammates.

Guilt settled in his chest. If he had gone all out from the start—if he hadn’t been so hesitant to use Sovereign’s Dominion—maybe they’d still be alive. Maybe he could have saved them all.

’It’s my fault partly that they died.’

Again, he left out the finer details. Again, he simply said he used his affinity.

Magnus shook his head slightly.

’What is his affinity…?’

The unspoken question hung between them.

"After that, everything went black. Then I woke up here."

Lindarion finished his report, scanning the small, sterile room. White walls. A black-tiled floor. A simple bed and a cabinet—nothing more.

"…I see."

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Magnus propped his elbow on the armrest, resting his chin on his hand. With a flick of his fingers, the barrier dissolved.

"Rest up." His tone returned to its usual strictness. "Training resumes soon. Everyone gets a short break, that’s all."

Just before leaving, Magnus glanced back over his shoulder.

"Don’t worry. The ones who didn’t go into that dungeon? They’re suffering through hellish training as we speak."

Lindarion smirked, nodding slightly.

’Good. They should be.’

As the door shut behind Magnus, he was finally alone.

[Quest Completed!]

Quest: Dungeon Clearer – Completed!

Rewards:

+2 Strength

+2 Dexterity

+2 Intelligence

+1 Selectable Active Skill

[Hidden Quest Completed! – Slay the fragment of The King of Darkness!]

Bonus Reward:

+1 Passive Skill

Lindarion froze.

’Just a fragment? You’re joking.’

He recalled the King’s movements—fluid, precise, like a predator beyond human comprehension.

’Was it a skill? A technique?’

He shook the thought away. Focus.

Time to check the skills.

Opening the system menu, three glowing options appeared before him.

[Active Skill Selection]

[1. Eclipse Fang]

• The User’s weapon becomes coated in shadow energy, extending its range slightly and allowing it to phase through non-living matter (armor, shields, walls). It lasts 3 seconds or until the user lands a hit.

’…This is insane.’

A grin spread across his face. This skill was ridiculously good. He could already picture the ways he’d use it—armor meant nothing if his strikes phased through it.

Still, he knew better than to celebrate too soon. The stronger the skill, the harsher the mana cost.

His gaze moved to the second skill.

[2. Phantom Edge]

• Creates an illusory afterimage of the User’s last attack, which appears 0.5 seconds later in the same spot. The illusion does not deal real damage but can deceive enemies into dodging the wrong attack.

’Deception… Not bad.’

A well-placed feint could be the difference between victory and death.

[3. Useful Presence]

• For 8 seconds, the User’s aura sharpens, making his allies within 5 meters feel more focused and resistant to fear effects. In this state, his attacks leave behind faint aftershocks that slightly disrupt an opponent’s balance. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)

’A solid support ability. If my teammates are weak, this would help.’

But there were only three choices.

[Yes, Host.]

’…Great.’ Lindarion exhaled through his nose, eyes flickering over the options once more.

He made his decision.

’Eclipse Fang.’

[Eclipse Fang selected!]

As the skill was added, Lindarion stretched, testing his limbs. His muscles felt stiff, as if he had been lying there for far too long.

’Must’ve taken the healers a while.’

But there was one more reward to claim.

He clasped his hands together, murmuring a mock prayer to the system.

’Give me something good. Please.’

Four glowing panels appeared before him.

Lindarion’s grin widened.

"Not bad. Not bad at all."