Chairman Siley turned around and said to Leylin and the group of acolytes, "You are all the most outstanding students of my Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, who have experienced deaths with blood and fire. You are not just a flower that is nurtured in a greenhouse, but ferocious young lions. I want you to seek your preys, stalk them, and ambush them. Finally, rip them to shreds!"
After finishing the last sentence, Chairman Siley's eyes turned a crimson red, and a blood red light was radiated, making his face seemed somewhat contorted.
Leylin's face was extremely solemn, and he did not know how to react to this anymore.
Following which, the chairman promised many different rewards. They were all involving precious resources and advanced information that would be given as a bounty whenever the opposing acolytes were slain. This made the acolytes face gleam with greed.
"As per rumours, our chairman is indeed an extremely aggressive person!" Leylin thought, "I wonder how long this group of people will last?"
On the other side, the chairman of Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle were also giving their speech. Although their acolytes were cheering loudly and nodding their heads vigorously, Leylin was in glee.
The academies in the south coast had been influenced by the styles of their respective headmasters. Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was advocating a more bloodthirsty and theory of the law of the jungle. Overall, it was leaning towards the side of Dark Magi.
As for the two opposing factions, they were obviously leaning more towards Light Magi types. Although many acolytes were already level 3 acolyte, Leylin did not see the astuteness and craftiness in their eyes. Many of them even seemed innocent, which was extremely similar to the acolytes that were in Extreme Night City.
"If it's this way, there is still a chance!"
Leylin's eyes gleamed. His target was only to gather enough contribution points in exchange for Grine Water, so he had no reason to create more trouble for himself.
As for the price of Grine Water, it was 50 contribution points. This is to say, Leylin had to kill 5 level 3 acolytes on the other side, or even more level 2 acolytes, before gathering enough points.
"The acolytes do not have the defensive force field that an official Magus has. If only I have time, I can analyse and choose my opponents, giving me enough contribution points!"
Leylin sized up the opposing acolytes and eyed some of the level 3 acolytes who obviously had low energy waves.
They will be his prey!
"Alright! This secret plane will hold on for 3 days. In these 3 days, you will all be transported to different places in the secret plane. Protect your chest badges well. They are proof of your contributions and contains information on the return route!"
Siley waved his hands, and the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolytes formed a long line, entering the entrance of the secret plane in an orderly fashion.
Under the mediation of Lighthouse of the Night, it obtained a few benefits. For example, they could enter the secret plane first, giving them a territorial advantage.
However, Leylin understood that in front of his opponents' immense force, this little benefit for Abyssal Bone Forest Academy is simply a joke!
The acolytes on both sides numbered almost the same, at 200 or so. However, the amount of level 3 acolyte on their side was at least 5 to 6 times more than what Abyssal Bone Forest Academy had.
As for the acolytes of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, not to mention that most of them perished in the war, many of them could not make it back in time. Some even betrayed the academy and were killed while escaping. Such a result made Abyssal Bone Forest Academy inferior to the enemy in terms of elite forces.
Under these circumstances, the chairman of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy still provoked the enemy in such a fashion. This made Leylin convinced of a rumour - The cause of this war was exactly the provocation by this Chairman Siley.
As Leylin pondered on, he followed the acolyte in front of him into the secret plane.
...
* Weng! *
After entering the plane, Leylin's sight turned black. When he regained his senses, he was already standing on an unfamiliar plot of land.
He felt dizzy, as it there were millions of bees flapping their wings. Leylin's face contorted, almost puking.
[A negative effect is discovered on the Host. The symptoms are dizziness and vomiting. The primary diagnosis is that it is the aftereffect from travelling through spatial areas!]
The A.I. Chip's voice intoned. Leylin slapped his forehead, and opened his water bottle, splashing the cold water on his face, which made him feel much better.
Looking the surroundings, what entered his sight were some small trees and shrubberies. There were always a few unknown fruit trees grown. On them were a type of purple-red fruit, and was slightly hairy on the surface.
"A.I. Chip, scan the surroundings!"
Leylin ordered. Immediately, a light blue 3D image was projected in front of Leylin's eyes.
"There doesn't seem to be any danger!" Leylin nodded his head and chanted an incantation.
Along with the chanting noise, Leylin's face took on a morphing process. His eyes became larger, his lips paler, his hair changed colour, as if a totally different person. Even his height was shorter by a few inches.
What was surprising was that after this rank 0 spell, the energy waves from Leylin's body gradually weakened. It regressed from a level 3 acolyte to that of a level 1 acolyte slowly.
[Shapeshifting spell (Modified), able to the change the height and appearance of a person, even the energy waves radiation! Consumption: 3 magic power, 3 spiritual force!]
Shapeshifting spell was a spell that Leylin specially chose back when he was leaving the academy.
After he advanced into a level 3 acolyte, he managed to reach the requirements for the A.I. Chip to make modifications to it. Back in Extreme Night City, he had already completed the modification for this Shapeshifting spell.
Of course, no matter how much the A.I. Chip modified it, the Shapeshifting spell was after all a rank 0 spell. It could only conceal his energy from acolytes, but not the detection from official Magi. If not, Leylin could have used the spell to make himself be a level 2 acolyte when he returned.
Moreover, the Shapeshifting spell could only slightly lower the energy waves, allowing him to pass off as a low-level acolyte. It could not be used to conceal as a regular human or official Magus.
However, the bloodbath in the secret plane was only for acolytes. So the disguise would not be found out by other acolytes.
"It's done!" Leylin looked at his reflection in a mirror.
A blonde male acolyte, with the energy wave of a level 1 acolyte. Under this state, even if it was Bicky or Merlin, they wouldn't be able to recognise him.
"However, a person's habit cannot be changed so easily. I had better avoid meeting any familiar people. "
Leylin's eyes flashed, and he disappeared into the shrubbery.
...
As for other places in the secret plane, many acolytes had already begun to face off and there were several explosive yet short-lived battles.
Beside a small pool, a black haired acolyte with a black cloak used lightning to obliterate an Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolyte into ashes.
On the other side of the plane, Jayden's expression darkened, and suddenly countless vines shot out from his body, wrapping around an opposing acolyte from Whitewoods Castle into a ball of vines. Along with the contraction of the vine, fresh blood seeped through from the gaps of the vine, falling drop by drop on the floor.
Battles like these happened constantly throughout the plane. On the whole, the level 3 acolytes from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy has an advantage in 1 versus 1 combat. As for other level 1 and 2 acolytes, if they meet with these level 3 acolytes they would be killed immediately.
A pockmarked brown haired acolyte wore the uniform of Sage Gotham's Hut. His eyes were not big, but it was filled with anxiety and wariness, as he continuously scanned the surroundings.
"Damn it! I was actually sent here. The distance from the gathering point with the academy is too far..."
The acolyte hurried his step as he berated incessantly.
* Peng! *
Suddenly, a few large holes appeared from the ground. Yellow brown mud spikes emerged from it. In that instant, it pierced through that acolyte's grey robes and inner armour, rupturing a huge hole in the stomach area.
With a look of anguish and disbelief, the acolyte's eyes were drained of life gradually with the blood and innards flowing out from his body.
A dozen minutes later, the grasses in the surrounding shook. Leylin took off his green costume and walked towards the corpse of the acolyte.
He crouched down and retrieved a red badge from the acolyte's chest.
"It's only a level 2 acolyte! Value is 3 contribution points!"
Leylin kept the red badge in his robes. The various academies had different badges. Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's was black throughout in colour, while the ones from Sage Gotham's Hut were red. Naturally, the badge from Whitewoods Castle was white. Moreover, there were different shapes for the different levels of acolytes.
"A.I. Chip! Bring forth my stats!"
[Beep! Leylin Farlier, level 3 acolyte, Knight. Strength: 3.1, Agility: 3.3, Vitality: 3.7, Spiritual force: 8(13.2), Magical Power: 8(13) - (Magical Power is in synchronisation with spiritual force). Status: Healthy]
"A Shapeshifting spell and Ground Spear has already consumed 5 points of my magic power and spiritual force. I have to conserve my spiritual force and try to use potions to battle!"
Leylin's eyes flashed.
This bloodbath between academies was not a competition or anything of that sort. According to the latest information received earlier, Leylin could already confirm that the opposing academies had chosen a few gathering points. It was for their acolytes to hurry to the area and then launch a joint attack on Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.
As for the acolytes in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, their strength was greatly diminished. They could not agree on gathering points, if not they might be eradicated in one fell swoop. They could only scatter and fight their enemies.
Leylin could already foresee that on the very first day, the level 3 acolyte in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy would be able to kill just a few acolytes of the enemy, and obtain a clear advantage. Once the enemies have gathered together, however, they would begin to hunt the acolytes from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy similar to chasing after wild ducks.
Once he thought of the scenario where the magic spell formation set by the acolytes - when completed - could cover a large area and hone in on the acolytes, Leylin's scalp tingled.
"I could only rely on now to obtain more contribution points! If not as the time passes the difficulty will increase!"
Leylin's expression turned gloomy.
-x-X-x-
The bloodbath situation was forced on Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, which meant that the acolytes of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy were in a disadvantageous situation.
And the acolytes belonging to the two enemy camps would certainly chase them as if they were hunting and killing their prey.
"Anyway, even if it was an astute hunter, if he left behind a single prey, then it is possible for the situation to be reversed - where the hunter becomes the hunted!"
Leylin licked his chapped lips, exposing a malevolent grin.
Now, the three academies' acolytes were scattered within the secret plane and the two enemy groups' acolytes had also not gathered. This was certainly a fortunate timing for Leylin to gather sufficient contribution points!
Once the enemy group gathered, then Leylin would not have any more chances.
"Let's do this! Today, I must defeat and kill as many of the enemy's acolytes as possible and scrape together enough of contribution points. After that, depending on AI Chip's guidance, I will stand aside and avoid the majority of the enemy..."
After deciding on his strategy, Leylin hurriedly looted the magic crystals and resources on the acolyte's body, leaving the scene.
Two hours later after Leylin left, another acolyte came to the scene.
"It's Greg!" After seeing the corpse on the floor, the acolyte's pupils shrank.
He came from the same academy as Greg. Seeing his comrade lying on the ground, this acolyte's expression turned pale white, as if wanting to puke.
He muttered, "Too dangerous! This mission is too dangerous. Greg and I are only level 2 acolytes, we have come to this secret plane purely to die! If I knew earlier, I wouldn't have taken up this mission!"
Regrets filled the face of this acolyte.
"Looking at this wound, it should be a heavy physical attack with an Earth element spell. The caster should be a level 3 acolyte! To deal with a level 2 acolyte, he actually used such a despicable method. What a low-life...."
It was not scary if the enemy was strong, but what was scary is if the enemy was strong and shameless!
After understanding this reasoning the acolyte felt his scalp tingle. He felt as if a pair of bloodthirsty and greedy eyes was eyeing him from the shrubbery, locking down on its prey.
"No way, I have to leave now!"
He then bowed towards the corpse on the floor, "I'm sorry. Although we used to be good friends, I am unable to give you a proper burial.... Or it may be that the destiny of magicians was to die along the path to the pursuit of truth!"
The acolyte made a prayer for his friend and prepared to leave.
"Je je! What a cold-blooded person, not even caring about his comrade's corpse!"
A female voice sounded from the air above.
"Who. . . who is that?" The acolyte jumped back several metres like a rabbit, and in his hands, there was a black scroll tightly gripped.
"Haha! Look at him, like a pathetic bunny that has nowhere to escape in front of a predator!"
The girl's voice sounded again. The crown of a nearby treetop shuddered, and a grey robed girl appeared in front of the acolyte.
This female acolyte wore the uniform of Whitewoods Castle, and the acolyte who was prepared to fight for his life heaved a sigh of relief.
"Hng! Trash!"
Another male voice appeared from the surrounding, and a young man walked out from the shadows. He wore the insignia from Sage Gotham's Hut, and his right hand was silver in colour throughout. It radiated a mellow yet suave colour and reflected the shadows of the nearby shrubbery.
"This appearance?"
The acolyte's hand trembled, and the scroll dropped on the ground. "Silver-Claw Saurun! You are Silver-Claw Saurun!"
Silver-Claw Saurun was considered one of the most vicious existence in the circle of Sage Gotham's Hut's acolytes. Rumours have it that for a piece of ingredient needed for an experiment, he had massacred a whole village of regular humans !
Although this was only a rumour, but this acolyte did witness the way Saurun treated his enemies - That was a devilish existence!
Although Sage Gotham's Hut was a Light Magi faction, but there were bound to be some talented acolyte with outstanding abilities in battle. Evidently, this Saurun was one of them.
Saurun did not bother about his junior who was frightened off his wits, and immediately walked to the corpse to inspect it.
"A very shrewd and ruthless method! Looking at the distance, the enemy should have activated the spell 20 metres away. This distance is the limit of Ground Spear! The enemy possesses an extremely high talent in his ability to use and calculate his rank 0 spells from it."
Saurun licked his silver right hand, giving off a sinister grin.
"He is mine! I will hunt and kill him personally, and let the world know the consequences of incurring the wrath of Sage Gotham's Hut!"
"As for you!" Saurun looked at the trembling junior distastefully.
"Scram!"
"Yes! Yes, sir!" The acolyte nodded his head and hurriedly scampered away like a frightened little deer. In the blink of an eye, he traversed over several hundred metres, and even used a hastening spell on his body.
Seeing the figure of the leaving acolyte, the girl smirked, "What a useless trash! If not for the agreement between our academies, I would have killed him long ago!"
"Compared to him, I have a high interest in this acolyte from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy!"
Saurun licked his lips, and the crimson red tongue seemed to be like that of a snake's, twisting and writhing. "I am already anxious to know how the fresh blood of that acolyte tastes like!"
...
"A.I. Chip! Maximise the detection area!"
Leylin gives his command as he followed and ran along a white cobblestone path.
In the secret plane, the A.I. Chip's ability was also affected. Although the detection area has become smaller, it was still extremely handy for warning and scouting the way ahead.
A light blue 3D image appeared in front of Leylin's eyes.
In the map, the white cobblestone path seemed to be paved in the shape of a rune, winding its way through a circular garden in the middle of it.
Moreover, the A.I. Chip caught traces of mild radiation on the ground here. This means that the magicians who had used this place before had operated it well, and even the soil had gotten affected.
However, there was obviously nothing of value. It was evident that before this secret plane was activated; all the resources had already been ferreted out.
"It seems like it is rather difficult to get lucky by stumbling over some magician's inheritance!"
Leylin shrugged his shoulders and continued walking.
[Beep! Human creatures ahead, determined as acolytes. Numbers: 3!]
The A.I. Chip's voice intoned. Leylin's eyes flashed, and he secretly tailed them.
This trio was formed by 2 male and 1 female acolyte. The male acolyte in the centre had obviously reached the cultivation of a level 3 acolyte.
At this moment, this small group was heading towards the garden.
"Do we really have to take such a risk?" The male acolyte who was behind began to grumble. "We had better still gather with the other acolytes! As long as we activate that spell formation, then there is nothing to be fearful of...."
"Shut up!" The male acolyte in the middle did not turn his head, "If you go together with the main body, how much contribution points can you get? I have made enquiries about this place before. This was a deserted secret plane of magicians before! Secret plane! If we are able to dig up any remnants, then our lives in future would be without a worry. Also, we might even be able to advance into official Magi!"
After saying the last line, the acolyte in the middle show signs of longing and jealousy.
"If you are unwilling to, then you can very well return! Look at Marie, she hasn't said a word!"
"Alright! Alright!"
The acolyte behind stopped talking, seemingly agreeing with the logic of the acolyte in the middle.
Afterall, he and Marie were level 2 acolytes. Their standing was below that of the level 3 acolyte in the middle.
"That's right, we also need to...." The acolyte in the middle suddenly pointed ahead without finishing his sentence, "Look quickly! What's that?"
On a patch of empty ground in front of them, a grey robed Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolyte was looking back at them with frightened eyes. In his eyes, there was even a purple flower with spikes. From the centre of the flower, there were several strands of feelers which extended to the ground.
Seeing the group of three come over, this Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolyte was obviously frightened as he ran away quickly.
"An Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolyte! A level 1 acolyte at that! He's carrying a... Wolf Whisker Flower?"
The acolyte's mouth in the middle gaped open and it seemed like several eggs could be stuffed in it.
"Kill it! The Wolf Whisker Flower's is a valuable ingredient worth close to 1000 magic crystals!"
The level 3 acolyte roared and gave chase directly.
* Xiu Xiu! * The level 2 acolyte behind him was even quicker. A gust of green whirlwind appeared around his body, increasing his speed by multiple folds as he rushed towards the direction of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolyte.
"Argh! Damn it! Did I not say not to use it until the most critical moment?"
The level 3 acolyte slapped his forehead, and then he hugged Marie with an arm, "Hold tight, I'm increasing my speed!"
"Put down the Wolf Whisker Flower!" The level 2 acolyte spared no effort in chasing and shouting until his throat turned hoarse from the excitement.
"This is only a level 1 acolyte. I will definitely be able to kill him. The Wolf Whisker Flower!"
At this moment, a seed of insatiable greed and longing sprouted in the young acolyte's heart.
"What do you want to do?"
Just when the young acolyte's thoughts went astray, the leader brought Marie and caught up to him.
"No! Nothing!" Seeing the cold gaze in the leader's eyes, the young acolyte seemed to have his face splashed by cold water. All the desires disappeared in a flash.
"Don't let him hide inside the shrubberies!" The level 3 acolyte commanded.
"Alright!"
The young acolyte steadied his heart and chased the acolyte in front of them.
100 metres!
50 metres!
30 metres!
20 metres!
10 metres!
The distance between both parties got smaller, until the point where the young acolyte could see his enemy's frightened face.
"Wolf Whisker Flower! The Wolf Whisker Flower is ours now! Even if we divide it by 3, there are at least several hundreds of magic crystals each!
The young acolyte held a fervent gaze, and looking at the escaping acolyte in front of him, in the same way as he would to innumerable magic crystals.
Just as the trio caught up with the escaping acolyte, an explosion occurred.
* Boom!!! *
-x-X-x-
A violent explosion sounded, and the bright yellow tongue of the flames spread in all directions, burning the nearby ground to scorch dark.
At the middle of the explosion, at this moment, there was a pit which was 1 metre deep and several metres wide.
Dust and mud flew up, and the surrounding earth had black smears of blood, broken limbs and internal organs were strewn across which had lost most of its original appearance. After costing Leylin some effort, he finally managed to rummage through them and picked up a few badges.
"A level 3 acolyte and two level 2 acolyte! A pretty good reward! Using an explosive potion as a triggering trap is indeed useful!"
Leylin was rather satisfied with his battle results. This was one of his few plans - using the Shapeshifting spell to pass off as a level 1 acolyte, baiting and luring enemy acolytes into a trap.
With the detection of the A.I. Chip, several times Leylin's 'hunt' was flawless, and did not suffer from any interference.
"Almost there!" Leylin kept the badges well.
He had to collect enough badges before the enemy united as a whole, and then hide until the battle was over.
For this goal, after Leylin used the Shapeshifting spell and Ground Spear once to kill an acolyte, he began to avoid using his own spiritual force and magic power. Instead, he relied on potions and scrolls to battle, preserving his condition to the fullest in times of need.
After cleaning up the area slightly, Leylin hurriedly left the place.
Not long later, a male and female acolyte appeared in the vicinity.
Looking at the obvious traces of an explosion, and the bits and remains of the Whitewoods Castle uniform, this time, the female acolyte's face darkened.
"I want to kill him! Then hang his head on my horse carriage for 100 days!"
The female acolyte clenched her teeth.
"You will have this chance very soon! We are getting closer and closer to this conniving acolyte…."
Silver-Clawed Saurun half knelt on the ground, and picked up a stalk of grass with sludge on it, before placing it into his mouth.
"However, I admire his courage. He actually dares to obstruct our acolytes!"
"Enough of the nonsense! Have you found him?"
The female acolyte asked.
"Over there!" Saurun chewed on the blade of grass and closed his eyes for a moment. He then pointed to a direction and the both of them immediately headed in that direction.
In a dense forest, on a withered tree with three branches sat a grey robed figure. His stature was rather short, as he looked up at the sky.
"Dusk is coming!" Leylin muttered.
In the secret plane, there was neither the sun nor the moon, and not even any stars. However, the peculiar thing was that the bright sky would be strewn with white rays of light. At night, these rays of light would disappear, which distinguished between morning and night.
It seems like there was a layer of a barrier which blocked the sun and moon at the same time.
"After a whole day, I have only received these much!"
Leylin counted the contribution points he had gotten.
In his hands rested 6 badges. Amongst these, 5 of them were from level 2 acolytes, and 1 from a level 3 acolyte, which was the contribution of the trio's leader from before.
It was extremely easy to distinguish between a level 2 acolyte and level 3 acolyte due the shape.
"According to the academy rules, an enemy level 2 acolyte is worth 3 contribution points while a level 3 acolyte is worth 10 contribution points. Those famous acolytes are separately categorised. Right now, I have at most 25 contribution points, just half of what I need to exchange for the Grine Water."
Leylin's face was rather solemn.
Although Leylin had gotten 25 contribution points in a day, it was because that the enemy acolytes were scattered across the secret plane and have not yet gathered.
After a day and night, the acolytes in the other two factions would have definitely gathered. After forming a large army they would surround the acolytes of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.
Under those circumstances, Leylin could barely protect his life, let alone obtain more badges from them.
Under the ordeal from the war previously, Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's casualty was extremely disastrous. They simply did not have time to nurture a new batch of elite forces to go against the opposing two factions.
Moreover, if one walks the dark path often they will meet a ghost someday.[1. Refers to people who, when they do bad things often, will definitely have a bad ending.] Leylin did not believe that his simple trap could always work.
"If it really isn't plausible, I might have to give up!"
Leylin's expression was determined. He was not someone to throw away his life for a little benefit.
Even if his will was to become the king in the Magus World, which was with the prerequisite of preserving his life. If not, even if he had everything but lost his life, what was the purpose of it?
"A.I. Chip! Maintain detection area! Report immediately if there are any problems!"
After issuing the A.I. Chip the role of a sentry, he dug a hole in the ground behind the tree for disguise purposes, before sleeping inside the hollow of the tree.
The acolytes of the 3 academies had to stay inside the secret plane for 3 days and 2 nights. Although the physical weariness can be overcome by various potions and methods, the mental fortitude was not that simple to replenish.
Thankfully, Leylin had the A.I. Chip, and could let it act as a sentry. It would do a great job with its ability.
Darkness blanketed the trees, time to time there were the cries of little worms.
In the hollow of the tree, Leylin shut his eyes. First, he meditated, before falling into deep slumber.
This was not a silent night. In the secret plane, various battles unfolded. Many colourful and enrapturing rank 0 spells were cast by the acolytes. Ambushes, reverse traps, beauty traps and the shrewd plotting were endless. Many young acolytes left their lives in this secret plane.
Of course, all these had nothing to do with Leylin.
The second day, when the sky was filled with radiant light, the hollow of a tree shook, and a huge hole appeared. Within it, Leylin walked out.
The power of nature was immense. After a night, many traces of blood diminished, and the various plants and animal tracks covered a huge amount of the intense battle marks left on the ground.
Leylin casually stretched and looked at the hollow of the large tree.
Leylin remembered clearly that he only made this opening last night. However, it was gradually mending back into whole. Leylin even discovered a few green coloured sprouts nearby the opening.
"It seems like the flora and fauna in this magical plane has vitality much higher than the physical world!"
Leylin stroked his chin and stretched his hand to pick a budding sprout with morning dew on it. "A.I. Chip! Scan the composition and record!"
[Beep! Comparing to the plant database. An abnormality is found!]
The A.I. Chip's voice intoned. In front of Leylin was a green and light blue image overlapping. Moreover, in the centre of the image, was a red area that seemed like an octopus which was spreading its tentacles.
"Record composition!" Leylin ordered.
"Who knows if there'll be a use in future?" Leylin comforted himself, and then began to pick a few more plants and herbs for recording purposes.
[Warning! Warning! There is an extremely strong radiation coming from 523m in the Southeast. Primarily determined as acolytes using rank 0 spells!]
Just when Leylin was picking out a green leaf with red veins, the alert from the A.I. Chip sounded.
"A chance!" Leylin's eyes flashed.
Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle were allies. Their acolytes wouldn't fight with the other, so if there was any battle, it definitely involved Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolytes!
"With the A.I. Chip detection, I'm not afraid of being cornered if I am more cautious!"
Leylin patted his chest. Under the grey robes inner layer, a solid pendant lay against his chest.
"Or maybe, it's time to test the might of the Fallen Star Pendant!"
Leylin whipped his grey robes up and concealed himself as he headed towards where the battle was.
* Boom! *
As he got closer, Leylin could feel the intensity of the radiation from the spells. This degree could only be produced by a level 3 acolyte. Moreover, it belonged to one of the stronger acolytes.
Towards the enemy level 3 acolyte which had a chance of advancing into a Magus before 20, Abyssal Bone Forest Academy opened a sky-high reward for it. They bumped the value up from 20 to 100 contribution points.
This is to say, if Leylin managed to pull this feat off, not only could he exchange it for Grine Water, he might even be able to exchange for a rank 1 defensive spell model.
However, Leylin's legs halted, having a strong desire suddenly to leave.
To him, one Grine Water was enough for him to use in his experiments. The rest were just unnecessary, and it was not worth it to fight against these level 3 acolytes.
Moreover, there was another concern on his mind
Although the bounties of those popular level 3 acolyte were high, there were always professors behind them. Moreover, their respective professors would have definitely spent countless efforts on them.
Even if Leylin used his toe to think, he could definitely ascertain that the Magi have laid spells on their apprentices. The moment he kills one of them, his appearance and other information would be known by the Magus.
In front of an official Magus, the Shapeshifting spell was obsolete!
Even if Chairmen Siley protected Leylin after the bloodbath, he did not want to be drawing all the unwanted attentions to him and even be marked by an official Magus.
All in all, the risk was too great, yet the benefit was too little. Leylin would rather look for some level 2 acolyte or weary level 3 acolyte to kill than to invoke the wrath of those geniuses.
He did not hesitate to turn around.
Suddenly, a male voice sounded, "Haha! Jayden! You have finally landed in my hands!"
"Jayden?!" Leylin's footsteps halted, and turned back.
The location of the battle was in the middle of some trees. And the trees right now have already been destroyed, showing a large clearing.
Leylin stealthily hid to watch the battle.
In the centre of the clearing, Jayden who wore a hunter's attire was half kneeling on the ground. There were even vines coiling around him, acting as armour.
In front of him, a black-robed, male figure let out a maniacal laughter.
-x-X-x-
The black-haired acolyte had a silver chain coiled around his waist, and from time to time there were blue lightning sparks igniting between his hands, making a crackling noise.
"Haha… Jayden, I mentioned it before. One day you will land in my hands!"
The black-haired acolyte laughed wildly. With the wave of his hand, a blue streak of lightning faster than supersonic directly landed on Jayden's armour of vines.
* Sssii! *
Jayden was sent flying, as if a train had knocked into him, and crashed onto the ground forming a large hole.
"How is it? Where is the arrogance back then when you stole my piece of lightning core?"
The black-haired acolyte taunted, before casting another spell at Jayden. It opened a gap on Jayden's body.
The green vines had a huge opening now, revealing Jayden's skin. A large patch of his skin was charred, and Leylin could faintly catch a whiff of barbeque smell.
"Don't think a broken magic artifact can save you!"
It seemed like the hatred the black-haired acolyte had for Jayden was not small, as his glee in seeking revenge was shown on his face.
"A.I. Chip! Inspect Jayden!"
Leylin did not dare to scan the black-haired acolyte and chose the severely injured Jayden as his target.
[Beep! Jayden. Strength: 1.9, Agility: 2.7, Vitality: 2.1 (3.5), Spiritual force: 3 (10.8). Status: Mild injury. Paralysis!]
No matter how much the opponent taunted him, Jayden did not speak a single word. He only used an icy gaze to stare at his enemy.
"Not good! Jayden is also a level 3 acolyte now with a magic artifact, but he actually could not beat the opponent!"
Leylin's thoughts quickly surmised.
Leylin was attracted by Jayden's name to this place out of curiosity but did not intend to risk his life for him.
To tell the truth, if Jayden's enemy was not strong, Leylin would have struck as Jayden had disclosed information to him previously. But now the enemy's strength seemed to be extremely strong, and Leylin was somewhat hesitant.
"A.I. Chip! Inspect the target's data and calculate the winning rate in a battle!"
Leylin ordered.
[Beep! Mission establishing, beginning fight simulation….]
The A.I. Chip calculated rapidly and came to a conclusion. [Host's winning rate is 77%. Possible scenario: Death of the target, light damage to the host!]
"This probability is rather low!" Leylin's brows furrowed.
"Look! There are really people there!"
Just was Leylin was hesitant, the voice of a female travelled over. It was extremely familiar, and Leylin even heard the alluring pants of its owner not too long ago.
On the other side of the battlefield, Bicky and another female acolyte came over.
"It's Bicky! Why would she come here?"
Leylin inhaled deeply. He suddenly felt that things were going to be extremely troublesome.
"There is someone fighting. Ah! Senior Jayden!"
The female acolyte with Bicky recognised Jayden, and she seemed to have some affection for him. Once she saw him injured, she hurried over.
"A girl? Your friend?"
The black-haired acolyte's brows furrowed and suddenly clapped. "You brought me shame by stealing my possession. Today I will return it in multiple folds to you. For instance, claiming this woman right before your eyes…."
The black-haired acolyte sniggered lecherously, and his hands moved and fluttered like a butterfly.
* Sssii! *
The blue lightning of snake continuously formed on his hands and transformed into a metal chain.It pierced the fireball casted hurriedly by the female acolyte, and knocked her to the ground.
"Molly!" Bicky was frightened, and she hurried over too.
"This idiot!"
Leylin helplessly shook his hand as he got up.
He still harboured some feelings for Bicky, and would take a risk for her under the circumstances that his life was not threatened.
Of course, his largest assurance was the winning rate that the A.I. Chip provided him!
If the A.I. Chip's calculation did not give him such a winning rate, he might have chosen to leave. After advancing into a rank 1 Magus he would then return and seek revenge for Bicky.
Furthermore, Leylin was completely unwilling to help if he had to pay the price of being critically injured or even death to win.
On the other hand, if it were only some mild injuries, Leylin felt that Bicky deserved his help.
"Actually, deep down I am an extremely rational, not to mention unfeeling and apathetic person!"
Leylin scoffed at himself and hurriedly moved, closing the distance of a dozen metres and held onto Bicky.
"Don't go over!"
"Who… Are you?" Bicky gave a puzzled stare to the guy in front of her.
Leylin's Shapeshifting spell was still in effect and even his voice was altered through potions. Therefore, Bicky did not recognise Leylin at all.
"A person who has come to save you!" Leylin's voice was hoarse, and directly locked gazes with the black-haired acolyte.
"An interesting insect. It was you who was hiding in the corner earlier, huh?"
The black-haired acolyte clenched his fist, as blue lightning coiled around it, emitting sparks every now and then.
A few bolts of electricity were shot into the ground, and each exploded, creating many small holes. The shattered stones and mud flew up beside Leylin, and were blocked by his acolyte's robes and soon fell back to the ground.
"An electric element acolyte and it also seems like his affinity towards it is rather high!"
Leylin gradually withdrew the cross blade hung on his waist, "This will be a tough battle that I never had before!"
To prevent Bicky from recognising him, he could not use some common methods used by Potion Masters. He could only use those that he learnt when he left the academy.
"However, this is also the best chance to test my abilities! Back then in Extreme Night City, Murphy and the rest were all people who had retired, and their battle abilities were rubbish! As for the acolytes in the market, I could not strike, if not I would have become their sworn enemy!"
And this acolyte in front of his was obviously strong in his academy.
Leylin licked his lips and suddenly felt a strong battle desire surging from his chest and spreading to his four limbs. He could even hear the blood which was rapidly coursing, and made his eyes a little bloodshot.
This was a man's hot bloodedness and desire for battle!
"Haha… Look what I found? Merely a level 1 acolyte who dares to draw a sword against me?"
The black-haired acolyte sneered and his expression became colder and more resolute, "Kiddo! I will give you one last chance. Hurry and kneel to the revered Lord Torash and admit your wrongdoing, and beg for my magnanimity! On account of my good mood, I may even pardon your sins…."
* Shing! *
In an instant, a silver arc of light flashed. It crossed the distance of a dozen metres and struck at the black haired Torash.
The silver arc of light materialised into a cross blade which brought on a heavy killing intent. The aura emitted from it even pressed down on the grasses.
The black-haired Torash had a startled expression. Suddenly, several green runes formed by lightning appeared underneath his leather shoes and crept to his thighs.
As if under some stimulation, Torash jumped backed several metres and avoided the attack.
* Bang! * The cross blade landed and slashed a cross shape hole on the ground.
The grey shadow flashed, and Leylin appeared at the original position of the black-haired acolyte. He gripped the cross blade in his hands and put on a regretful expression.
With some lingering fear, Torash touched his face and felt a gash, which was several centimetres deep, on it.
Although Leylin's attack earlier did not strike the opponent directly, the force it brought already caused a gash on his face.
"So fast! If not for the hastening lightning rune my professor gave me, I might have been a corpse already!"
Very soon the fear subsided from Torash's face and it turned into a contorted expression of rage.
"You… You actually dare to harm the mighty Lord Torash, I'm going to kill you!"
However, his rage did not muddle his mind. Although Torash's expression showed that he couldn't wait to kill Leylin, he retrieved a scroll from his waist sack.
"I admit that your speed is extremely fast. You should, at least, have the physical ability of a Knight, right? But so what? Although a Knight's body is stronger than a regular human and is not afraid of steel swords and large axes, it is just meaningless under a magician's spell!"
* Sssii! * Torash pulled the scroll open, and an icy cold spell was activated, covering the whole of the battlefield.
Countless white mist condensed in the air, turning into ice and spread across the land.
The surrounding temperature decreased by dozens of degrees. Bicky pulled the friend on the ground to the back of Leylin. Her body shivered as she looked at Leylin's back, obviously grateful and puzzled at the same time.
Although she had no memory of this person, Bicky had a strong feeling that she knew this strong person who had suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Who exactly, are you?" Bicky looked at Leylin's figure, her expression complicated.
At this moment, Torash's scroll had finished its activation. With him at the heart of it, the domain of several hundred metres was covered by frost. There were even a layer of snow and ice on the trees and plants as if it was the coldest period of winter.
[Beep! Host is affected by frost. Speed is estimated to decrease by 43%] The unfeeling A.I. Chip's voice intoned.
"No matter how fast a Knight is, as long as his speed is rendered useless, then it would just be a sitting duck, waiting on a dining table to be feasted on!"
Looking at Leylin's figure whose hair and brows have already been frozen in ice, Torash smirked. "I can slightly alter this spell. The frost on you is definitely more at a lower temperature than the two girls. How is it?"
"A pity!"
Leylin felt rather regretful in his heart. Looking at the spell formation of this acolyte's shoes and the scroll, he knew that Torash had a high attainment in spell formation. If not, it would mean that his professor was an expert in this area, to be able to customise this spell for Torash.
Leylin really wanted to sit down and discuss alchemy and runes with him, but alas, he was just being delusional.
-x-X-x-
Leylin clenched his fist tightly — the hand grasping the sword hilt was clearly somewhat stiff.
His face appeared pale and petrified as if he had gotten frostbite.
One must know that Leylin had a vitality of 3.7. If it was any regular human, they would have long since frozen to death!
"I don't have any intention to go against you. As long as you let go of those two girls, I will leave immediately!"
Leylin used the cross blade and pointed at Bicky's direction, in return for her grateful gaze.
"No! Get him to release senior Jayden, if not I'm not leaving!"
The girl beside Bicky, who was saved, still maintained her resolve.
Leylin rolled his eyes, if not for Bicky; did she really think that he would appear in the name of justice? Moreover, looking at the situation again, Jayden had apparently deeply offended the other party previously, so why would he let go of Jayden so easily?
As expected, after listening to the female acolyte, Torash's gaze turned frostier, and immediately he waved his hand. A thick and long lightning streaked across the sky, directly landing onto Jayden.
* Bang! * The vines on Jayden's body fell and he fainted. Moreover, his whole body turned into a black colour, as if like a pile of scorched rubble.
"My apologies, I don't wish to let anyone present go today!"
Torash waved his hands.
According to the A.I. Chip's detection, although Jayden's outer appearance seemed to be terrifying, there was still a life force pulsating in him. Therefore, Leylin did not bother anymore about him. Instead, Leylin was more cautious about this acolyte in front of him.
"A Lightning element is indeed one of the stronger powers. Although Jayden's magic artifact belongs to an attack type with minimal defense, he was still defeated so quickly! No, it could be that the other party had been toying with him the same way a cat would with a mouse!"
"Now, it is my turn!"
Torash, who was on the other side charged directly at him and brandished a short black staff in his hand.
"Hng! Trying to be mystifying!" Leylin snorted and used the cross blade to slash at him.
* Peng! * The two weapons clashed. Under the frost effect, Leylin speed unavoidably took a slower turn. The original mirage effect could now not be used by him, where Torash caught dozens of his sword slashes.
Leylin's strength was obviously higher than his opponent, and his cross blade was of superior quality to his opponent's short metal staff.
After the two weapons clanged, Leylin used the force in both his arms and pressed the sword down on his opponent.
"Hehe… Your strength isn't too bad!"
Although the blade was just centimetres away from his face, there was no fear on Torash face. Looking at Leylin, his gaze held some ridicule and… the savage thrill of retaliation?
Leylin felt something was amiss, and hurriedly let go of the cross blade as he jumped away.
In that very moment when he released his hands, several bolts of lightning extended from Torash's arms and shot at the cross blade, even up to Leylin's hands!
In the moment when the lightning current was about to hit him, Leylin forwent his sword and evaded the attack.
"Too late! Torash looked at Leylin's figure and chanted an incantation.
The current from the staff directly bore through the mud and extended like the root of a tree. In the blink of an eye, it caught up to Leylin.
* Zzzii! "Once the black lightning landed on the ground, it reappeared from the ground right in front of Leylin.
As if a poisonous snake, the blue lightning charged at Leylin.
"Ah!" Bicky who was on the other side involuntarily screamed and she clasped her mouth.
* Ping! * Suddenly, a layer of silver membrane appeared on Leylin's body.
This layer of membrane immediately draped over Leylin's whole body covering every inch, even his orifices were not left out.
On the silvery membrane, there were several pale reflections of flickering red jewels, giving off a mystical lustre.
The blue lightning took on the shape of a python with a crazed leer and opened its jaws. Lightning-made razor-sharp teeth directly bit on the membrane.
* Sssii Sssii! *
A similar sound to metal smashing porcelain was heard, and the ear piercing noise travelled across the whole battlefield. Bicky involuntarily covered her ears, to let her nerves calm down.
The lightning on Leylin's body exploded, and from time to time a few poisonous-snake-like lightning currents converged and let off an explosive noise.
Looking on, Leylin seemed to be a silver statue, who was receiving the blessings of lightning bolts.
The lightning attack lasted for close to thirty seconds before it dissipated.
There was a shocked expression on Leylin's face as he looked at the indication given by the A.I. Chip.
[... Host is subjected to Lightning-based attacks. Degree of power: 9! Fallen Star Pendant has automatically activated, energy consumed: 23.99%. Host has successfully blocked the attack and sustains no injuries!]
"Too careless!" The opponent's lightning could actually pass through normal physical materials. Moreover, it could use the layer of frost on the ground as a conductor to initiate the attacks!
Leylin looked at his hands. Knowing that his opponent excelled in the Lightning element, Leylin had already put on leather gloves before the battle.
However, the hands that gripped the cross blade earlier were still rather numb.
There was also a precursive condition for the Fallen Star Pendant to be activated. Leylin had customised it to activate only when his life was in peril. Otherwise, any raindrop from the sky would activate the Fallen Star Pendant and finish the consumption of energy in the magic artifact.
Previously, because Leylin had let go of his sword early on, the damage from the electric current to his body was extremely little. It was not enough to achieve the criteria to activate the Fallen Star Pendant.
Of course, due to the conductivity, the lightning was too fast, and Leylin still received an attack from it in his hands.
At last, Leylin backed away and under his opponent's chase, he suffered a 9 degree lightning attack. If he did not defend further, his life would be in peril. Hence, the criterion for the activation of Fallen Star Pendant was achieved, where a layer of membrane immediately appeared from his body.
The Fallen Star Pendant's defense could negate attacks up to 15 degrees. This is to say, if Torash attack could not exceed this degree, Leylin's body was like a turtle shell until the energy of the Fallen Star Pendant was depleted.
"How is this possible?" Gazing at Leylin who seemed injured, Torash's mouth was opened widely, enough to fit several duck eggs in it.
"This is an attack my professor has personalised for me. It complements with my affinity and my degree of attack is at least 9! How could you be fine?"
"I understand now! You definitely must have a defensive magic artifact on your body!" Black-haired Torash pondered and quickly understood the truth.
"Although it is only a low-grade defence magic artifact, there will definitely be many official Magi who will be interested in it…."
Torash licked his lips and a fervent greed appeared on his face.
For this bloodbath, both sides signed an agreement not to use any strength that was above an acolyte!
Any person, scroll of magic artifact which exceeded this criterion would be teleported out in a flash and had no chance of getting in the secret plane.
Although Leylin's magic artifact was precious, it still belonged to the low-grade series.
In Leylin's eyes, these low-grade magic artifacts had might below that of official Magi.
Any rank 1 spell's degree of attack was 20 and above. If Leylin used the Fallen Star Pendant to block against them, he would definitely be slain immediately, not leaving a trace behind.
However, amongst the acolytes, the Fallen Star Pendant was a divine item!
Furthermore, even an official Magus would not mind having an extra layer of defense, no matter how small it was. However, the defence from Fallen Star Pendant was activated from the pendant and did not affect the owner in one bit.
The value of a low-grade defence magic artifact was at least 5 times that of Jayden's attack type magic artifact!
Which is to say, right now, besides the A.I. Chip, the most valuable thing that Leylin had was this magic artifact!
"Kill him! Kill him! Then that magic artifact is mine!"
Torash's eyes turned bloodshot, "Even if it is a magic artifact, there is a limitation. Once it's depleted of energy, before the next recharge, it would be a piece of trash! However, could I last until that long?"
"Even if I'm unable to keep him here today, I can gather other students to chase after him… Wait a minute, maybe there is a better idea?"
After seeing the Fallen Star Pendant, Torash did not harbour any hopes of holding Leylin here today. However, the flames of desire slowly invaded his logic.
Suddenly, Torash saw Bicky who was behind Leylin and his eyes flashed as he made a proposition.
"You! You are very concerned with the green-haired girl behind right?" Torash questioned, "Don't deny it; jumping out to save her is the best proof!"
"So what?" Leylin's brows furrowed.
"Give me your magic artifact, and I'll let her go. Not only that, even Jayden and the other girl, I'll let them go too!" Torash licked his lips.
"Haha…." After hearing that unexpected speech, Leylin shook his head.
"Yes! I can't keep you here today as you have the magic artifact. However, I can definitely retain the green haired girl, and even kill her…."
Torash changed his words to a threat.
"Please do!" Leylin stretched his hands and gestured.
"You… Why would you…." This reply made Torash extremely shock.
"I only have some involvement with her, which is why I wanted to rescue her. If the loss is too great, however, then it wouldn't be worth it! Furthermore, after I lose this defensive magic artifact, how can I still be able to haggle with you?"
Leylin looked at Torash with ridicule in his eyes.
He deeply understood that towards people making threats, you must never show that you are extremely mindful of the thing in their hands. If not, you would be baited into more and more demands.
Even if Torash really killed Bicky today, Leylin would only seek revenge for her another day. Therefore, if he wanted to use Bicky to threaten Leylin, there were only two words for it: dream on!
-x-X-x-
"I don't believe you. You must have said it on purpose, didn't you?"
Torash's pair of cunning eyes flitted to the back of Leylin.
"Did you see that, after listening to your words, your little girlfriend is extremely heartbroken!"
"How lame!" Leylin did not even turn back.
"However, it's time to end this!" Leylin looked up the sky, and the light rays were even brighter than dawn.
Magicians were intelligent beings. By threatening Leylin, Torash only harboured a negligible hope. His main purpose was most likely to stall for time until other acolytes could support him.
The Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolytes in the secret plane were at an extreme disadvantage. Now it was also the second day, and the enemy acolytes would have already gathered. Once Leylin was discovered, a scene of calling and shouting for him to be killed would happen.
At that time, the innumerable spells which could cover the sky and earth would rain upon him. Even if Leylin had the Fallen Star Pendant, its energy was limited.
"What end?"
A few ingredients appeared in Torash's hands, as he stepped several steps backwards.
"Of course, it is to end this silly game!"
Leylin's eyes flashed and chanted an incantation.
* Sssii! * A reddish-green gas spread across upon the icy ground.
When the frost and a thin layer of mist came in contact with the red gas, the temperature of the battlefield rose immediately by a few degrees.
As for the green mist, it continued to spread across the field. The visibility lowered immediately, and one could not see beyond a 3 metres radius.
"This is a spell I specially prepared for you, Flaming Cloud of Afterlife!"
Leylin spoke softly. Earlier when he exchanged senseless sentences with the opponent, he was actually wildly using the A.I. Chip for calculations. Furthermore, he set up the field, planting various types of ingredients in it.
"Just a mere corroding gas!"
Torash disdained it. On his whole body, there raged a blue current. If one described the current on his body as just a thin layer before, now it could be said to have already expanded to be 1 centimetre thick.
"Go!" Torash pointed, and the blue current directly charged into the reddish-green mist.
* Sssii! *
Where the electricity went, the reddish green gas evaporated, revealing the area around it.
However, Torash's smug face was not maintained for more than a moment before it changed.
"This energy wave! You! You are not some level 1 acolyte, but a level 3 acolyte!"
From the centre of the reddish-green gas, energy fluctuations could be blatantly felt. His own electric snake was immediately corroded by the green mist. Furthermore, a trace of green colour continuously extended along the trajectory of the lightning towards Torash.
"No!" Torash gave a profound look to Leylin who was in the midst of clouds and mist and then simply broke into a run.
Leylin swung his arms and a green magic ring entirely enveloped Torash and he slowed down as if he was bound by chains.
*Sssii!!* A red-green smoky cloud spread close to Torash and it wrapped itself around his body.
The smoke grew denser and soon, Leylin could not even see Torash.
* Crackle! * Under the Flaming Cloud of Afterlife came the sounded of lightning and thunder sounds, along with Torash's cries of anguish.
Leylin smiled coldly. This Cloud of Afterlife had been modified by Leylin, and was specially inserted with the most conducive energy particles for the Lightning element. It could be said that it was the bane of all Lightning element acolytes!
After hearing the wails within the Cloud of Afterlife, and the noises of flesh corroding, a disturbed expression appear on Bicky's face.
"Argh! I'm going to kill you!"
A dozen seconds later, Torash charged out of the Cloud of Afterlife at Leylin, bringing a ball of cloud that clung to his body.
"Ah!" After seeing Torash's appearance, Bicky and the other acolyte let out a terrified scream.
At this moment, Torash was half-naked, with his clothing almost dissolved. On his body were many abscesses which were leaking with thick yellow pus.
One of his eyeballs had fallen out of its socket, held hanging there by a few bloody tissues still attached to it.
Along with a few missing pieces of flesh on his face, right now Torash looked like an imitation of Leylin's corpse from the previous world.
"Although acolytes can use energy particles to strengthen their vitality, such a strong life force is still extremely rare!"
Leylin stretched his hands, and a black wrist guard automatically extended its reach, finally turning into a black bow where a sharp arrow with a reverse spike was notched on it.
[Wind speed and humidity in calculation, adjusting trajectory!]
Under the aid of the A.I. Chip, right now Leylin's archery skills were that of a bow master.
* Chi Xiu Xiu!* Four arrows were shot from the bow and like black rays of light, streaked across the sky, directly penetrated through Torash's 4 limbs, nailing him to the ground.
"Urgh Urgh!" Torash struggled. The flesh on his body continuously fell to the ground, and it seemed that even his voice was now affected. Right now, he could not even voice a single word.
"We... Won?" Looking at this scene, Bicky's eyes looked somewhat bewildered.
"En! It's us who won, but there are still some things to do!"
Leylin notched his bow again and pointed to the girl beside Bicky, "What's your name?"
"Mo...Molly! Sir!" Witnessing Leylin using the Cloud of Afterlife to torture Torash in such an unthinkable manner, the female acolyte yielded very quickly.
"Very good! Molly! Go up there and take down the severed head of the enemy who tried to murder your friend!"
"No! You can't do this! Molly is still a kid! I! I will be able to do it for her…."
Bicky stood up.
* Xiu! * At the same time, an arrow shot past the fine hair beside her ears, flying to a distance behind.
"Do not countermand my orders. If not, the next arrow will be through your brain!" Leylin's eye flashed coldly, seemingly fiendish.
"I will go!" That female acolyte called Molly spoke up and Bicky turned silent.
"I like girls who are obedient!" Leylin nodded his head and used an arrow to point at Torash who was thrashing on the ground. "So then! Hurry and do it!"
The female acolyte gritted her teeth. She took out a knife which was embedded in jewels from her robes and walked forward. Looking on at Torash who was pinned to the ground on his four limbs by four arrows, her expression was extremely complicated.
It was this person, who was deemed as a potential Magus, a genius acolyte who possessed a magic artifact. However, right now his four limbs were pinned to the ground as if a dog that was waiting to be slaughtered.
This feeling extended like vines, spreading its reach in her heart. "Is this the taste of power? How great!"
Looking at the female acolyte raising her dagger, Leylin moved quickly and grabbed Bicky, retreating dozens of metres behind.
"Let me go, you sick pervert!" Bicky continuously thrashed.
From her aspect, this acolyte that Leylin shapeshifted into was a stranger to her. Yet he had an unthinkable power and he was extremely emotionless.
Earlier he said that he was rescuing her, yet in the blink of an eye he pointed an arrow at her and even fired it!
In Bicky's heart, right now Leylin was now a somewhat powerful madman.
Moreover, in the Magus World, due to problems occurring from experiment and meditations, it was likely possible that their mental state was affected.
Leylin shrugged his shoulders. After maintaining a distance away, he let go of Bicky.
At this moment, both their eyes were shining bright and staring at the female acolyte who was holding a dagger before Torash.
"Too rash! Too rash! The winning rate that the A.I. Chip provided earlier was not considered high. Moreover, it said that I could only kill this acolyte after paying the price of sustaining light injuries. However, right now he is just a piece of flesh on a chopping board! For me to butcher!"
"Unless… There are some unknown trump cards on his body!" Leylin's intelligent eyes gazed.
After holding the dagger, Molly looked in Leylin's direction again. Right now the arrow notched in his bow was still aimed towards her. She could only despair as she closed her eyes and pierced the dagger downwards!
"What a pity!" At this moment, Torash suddenly opened his eyes, revealing death and unresolved regrets in his eyes.
"I never thought that I would really use this move one day, much less to deal with a mere level 2 acolyte!"
* Boom! *
In his voice, countless lightning appeared from Torash's body. These lightning were extremely violent, and spread through Torash's body in an instant, even converging inward.
After the lightning had reached an extremely small dot, Torash's body suddenly exploded, with the noise of the huge boom reverberating throughout the area.
The sound wave continuously swept past everything, uprooting plants and sending pebbles flying.
"Be careful!" In the moment when the explosion occurred, Leylin immediately pulled Bicky to his side and smashed a potion on the ground - Trevor's Revolving Shield Potion!
At the same time, the Fallen Star Pendant on his neck also emitted a dusky glow.
Under the protection of the potion and the layer of light, the ground under Leylin and Bicky was not touched the slightest. It was even taller than the surrounding area of a certain length.
[Estimated target's degree of power: 16! spell type - Corpse Combustion: 45.7%, Electric Field: 34.5%]
Looking at the data from the A.I. Chip, Leylin finally understood how did the A.I. Chip come up with the winning rate.
Although he had the Fallen Star Pendant, it could only resist spells which were 15 degrees or lower. As for Torash's final self-destruct explosion, it was obviously at 16 degrees, which could break the defence of the Fallen Star Pendant and cause harm to Leylin.
However, the last hit was done by Molly, while Leylin distanced himself dozens of metres behind. Not only did he suffer little collateral damage from the explosion, there was even time to put up his defenses.
"However, a degree of 16 huh? It is already close to that of a Magus value, he is indeed a top acolyte from a large faction!"
Towards his dead enemies, Leylin never spared his praises for them.
"You murderer! Executioner! You knew long ago that the opponent would self-destruct, didn't you?"
Bicky who was in Leylin's embrace pushed him away, her pair of pretty eyes filled with tears.
The ground where Torash self-destructed turned into a large pit now; together with bits and pieces of clothing and charred flesh. In the explosion earlier, Torash and that female acolyte, Molly, naturally had died together. Even the remnants of their corpses were mixed together.
-x-X-x-
Hearing Bicky's accusation, Leylin only rubbed his nose, without saying anything.
Meanwhile, he was rejoicing from the bottom of his heart. He was fortunate that he had altered his appearance beforehand, if not, it would have been hard to face Bicky.
However, he could only do this much.
Leylin came and stood next to the large pit formed by the explosion, and a round badge fell near his foot. The originally bright and beautiful badge was now covered with dust and it also had some residual flesh upon it.
"Just from a look, it seems that this acolyte must be a genius in his academy! His badge, at the very least, would be worth 50 contribution points!"
Leylin was still contemplating the badge lying beside his feet, with some hesitation.
Now, this badge was under his foot; if he stooped down, he could then get it into his hand.
With it, Leylin's contribution points would be enough to exchange for one portion of Grine Water when the bloodbath was over.
He heard about the information regarding advancement into an official Magus from the vengeful spirit Roman and was rather hesitant in using such a method to breakthrough. However, the Grine Water was extremely valuable, and even if he did not use it, obtaining it and using the A.I. Chip to research on its composition was also a good idea.
However, the badges of a few extraordinary acolytes from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy and the opposing academies have been specially marked. As long as Leylin handed over the badge, it would be equivalent to admitting that he was the murderer of Torash!
Leylin would never forget that there is a professor standing behind Torash!
"Maybe, giving this badge to Jayden or Merlin is a good idea!"
Leylin stepped on the badge below his feet and smiled.
He had had a quick look earlier; Jayden had been knocked out at the border of the battlefield. Although he seemed to be in a miserable state, he managed to preserve his life, and there did not seem to be any life-threatening injuries.
"However, there are still two worms that I have to deal with!"
Leylin looked at the shrubbery at the side and suddenly flung two fiery red explosive potions at it.
* Boom! * The two test tubes collided in midair, creating a large flame which seemed to blanket over the shrubbery.
* Xiu Xiu! * In the moment when the flame engulfed the shrubbery, two black figures flew out from it, landing on an empty patch of ground.
Silver-Claw Saurun and another blonde acolyte looked at the pit where Torash self-destructed, their expressions grim.
"Torash, that lightning wielder, actually died by this fellow's hands. Oh god, this fellow is a monster!"
Saurun looked at the expressionless Leylin, his heart roaring wildly. Lightning wielder Torash, that was a monster whose reputation was not beneath that of his silver claw! Yet today he actually died by Leylin's hands, so what kind of strength did Leylin wield?
"If I knew he was that powerful, I wouldn't be this foolish to chase after him!"
At this moment, the feeling of regret slowly engulfed Saurun's heart.
"What should be done?" The blonde female acolyte looked at Saurun and cursed him inwardly when she saw that he was already of a mind to retreat.
"What else? We have to see if the opponent will let us go!"
Saurun waved his hands and bowed slightly to Leylin. "Respected acolyte who hails from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, your strength has convinced me, and I, Saurun, will never hold any ill intents towards you in future…."
Towards Saurun's gesture of succumbing, the female blond acolyte pursed her lips but never spoke a word.
After seeing Leylin's might and brutality, even she was somewhat afraid!
As for the revenge of his fellow acolytes? Although the death rate of Whitewoods Castle and Sage Gotham's Hut was not as high as Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, but there were a few unlucky ones dying each month.
If Saurun and the blonde acolyte were to avenge every dead fellow acolyte, then they would definitely have to first massacre the acolytes within their academy.
The reason for following Leylin before was because they thought of him as a prey, and was prepared to play a good game with him.
But now, Leylin's ability had far exceeded their expectations, and his actions were extremely meticulous, yet brutal, which made them rather fearful of him.
"Is that so?"
Leylin did not agree nor deny, and kept the black bow in his hands. He also picked up the cross blade which he had thrown on the ground earlier.
"A pity! You should not have followed me!"
Leylin growled softly, at the same time chanting an incantation, and gave his cross blade a smear with his hand.
* Sssii! * The temperature suddenly dropped by a few degrees, and the frost continued to spread on the sword. In an instant, Leylin's cross blade turned into a transparent icy greatsword.
He managed to obtain this set of frost alchemy runes from the corpse of the half beastman previously, who was the close associate of Extreme Night City Lord. After storing it into the A.I. Chip, he also did an analysis on it.
At this moment, under the effect of the frost alchemy runes, the effect of the icy greatsword did not pale in comparison to a low-grade magic artifact!
"Light of the fallen!" After brandishing his greatsword in satisfaction, Leylin activated another magic artifact on his body.
* Peng! * A streak of an illusory glow was emitted from the Fallen Star Pendant, which engulfed Leylin's whole body. The silver-grey light slowly transformed into illusory armour, which protected Leylin.
At this moment, Leylin, in his silver armour of light, with a transparent greatsword, looked just like a Knight from the fables!
The A.I. Chip's reminder continuously sounded in Leylin's head, [Under the effect of the frost runes, estimated degree of attack with the cross blade is 3 to 5, also carrying the side effect of an ice attack! The entire defense in the Fallen Star Pendant is activated, energy consumed is depleting, estimated to be fully depleted in 15 minutes!]
"We have no choice but to fight!"
Saurun and the other female acolyte looked at each other in the eye and saw the viciousness reflected in their expressions.
From Leylin's performance, it was clear that he was not inclined to let them go, so no matter how they pleaded it would be meaningless.
Moreover, they were also geniuses with their own pride. They may not fare better in a 1-on-1 fight against Torash, but in a 2 against 1 situation, even Torash would have had a headache from fighting them.
"I'll stall him first; you prepare your formidable spell!"
Saurun said to the female acolyte and immediately reached out with his right hand.
At this moment, the silver skin on his right hand shimmered and transformed into scales. His fingernails extended and curved downwards, the sharpness bringing a cold glint. His whole silvery human palm turned into silvery beast claw!
A bloodthirsty tint emerged in Saurun's eyes as he stepped forward to shield the female blonde acolyte behind him.
As for the female blonde acolyte, she continuously drew out ingredients from her robes as she chanted, from time to time using a dagger to cut her skin, dripping her fresh blood on the magic ingredients.
A strong magical energy wave gradually formed around the female blonde acolyte.
"How interesting. A close combat with a far cast, this is indeed a good combination!"
Leylin laughed manically and charged forward.
* Bang! * With the effect of Leylin's Knight qualities, Saurun only saw a grey blur and could only instinctively reach out with his razor claw.
* Peng! * The frost greatsword and the silver claw clashed. An icy, bone-chilling cold permeated to the silver claw, extending onto Saurun's body.
"So fast!" Saurun retreated several steps and hid the silver claw behind his back.
Borrowing the concealment of his sleeves, there was a layer of frost which slowly climbed up his arm, until the point of his elbow.
"Haha…. Great! Again!"
Leylin roared wildly, once again brandishing the greatsword and charged forward. Sensing the faint aura about him, Saurun couldn't help but close his eyes, with a notion of wanting to submit to Leylin.
"Cross Blade Slash!"
Leylin hollered, the frost greatsword drew a beautiful cross. What was different from the previous energy wave was that the Cross Blade Slash now had formed a layer of ice which was sent chopping towards Saurun.
"Argh!" Saurun's eyes were bloodshot as he gritted his teeth and raised the silver claw before his body. The scales on the silvery claw quickly extended and took on the form of a small shield to block the attack.
* Chi! * The greatsword made a huge dent in Saurun's silver defense. Not only were there white ice forming, the chilliness also permeated the area.
* Pu! * Saurun revoked his silver shield, but now, upon his silvery right hand, there were two deep wounds through which bones could be seen and a sheet of cold ice blocked this wound from bleeding.
An icy-cold sensation continuously spread within his body and Saurun was aghast upon having discovered that already his right hand was feeling numb as if it had lost all sensation and that his body movement had also become more and more restricted.
"Die!"
Leylin unhesitatingly brought the sword to Saurun's neck in order to behead him.
"No!" bellowed Saurun, waving the stub of his left hand. His left hand had by now turned silver and the fingertips had a faint blackish tinge and he aimed a stab at Leylin's abdomen.
Within the academy, all the apprentices knew that Saurun's achievements in Transfiguration far exceeded that of other similar disciples and that his right hand could transform and become a sharp, incomparable killing machine.
However, all of the acolytes were deceived by Saurun. His left hand was the real trump card!
Not only could he use beast transfiguration for his silver-claw attack, it even had a Shadow and Toxic element that Saurun had paid a high price for. As long as the poison were to be smeared onto the opponent's skin, even an official Magus would be in trouble!
On the brink of death, Saurun adopted a fighting method that would result in both parties being severely injured, for the sliver of a chance at survival!
* Peng! *
Leylin's expression was grim as he allowed the razor sharp claw to scratch his body. At the same time, the frost greatsword swung down mercilessly as it severed Saurun's head from his neck.
-x-X-x-
* Peng! *
Saurun's head, an unresigned expression upon the face, flew several metres far in the air, and finally fell to the ground. His both eyes were opened wide; he was no longer able to close them.
His headless corpse was still kneeling in front of Leylin and blood poured out from it continuously.
The corpse's left hand was still extended — it was his misfortune that it was blocked by grey radiant armour, a few inches away from Leylin's body.
"With the defense of the Fallen Star Pendant, I don't have to fear most of the acolytes' attacks. Along with the frost runes' enhancement of a greatsword, combined with my Knight's abilities, it is one of the top strengths amongst acolytes!"
Leylin was very satisfied with this battle's outcome.
Saurun was only an acolyte who was slightly less inferior than Torash. When Leylin, however, used his techniques, he could not withstand even a few rounds before being completely defeated, even with his head being chopped off.
"It's your turn now!" Leylin kicked Saurun's corpse away and charged towards the female blond acolyte.
"It's completed!"
At the same time, the female blond acolyte exhaled, as if shouldering a huge burden.
A bright red flower unfolded its petals and revealed a green rock the size of a fist. It had a dazzling gleam, with the female blond acolyte's fresh blood that was sprayed on it. There was also a broken half of a dagger, which was thrown on the floor.
These 3 items faintly resembled a triangular formation, with many greyish power runes surrounding them.
As Leylin's charged forward fiercely, the female blond acolyte smirked and pointed at Leylin, "By the name of Memphis Rofar Maginent, of the Gigantic Binding Sprite from the abyss, the person that I point to will lose all ability of motion!"
* Weng Weng! *
Light began to shine from the triangular formation, and Leylin suddenly felt a huge binding strength engulfing him, which made him rooted to the spot.
"A spell like this? A human customised spell?"
Leylin continuously writhed and the sounds of shackles sounded from the void.
"There is no cause for you to resist further. These are the chains of the Gigantic Binding Abyss Sprite. No matter how many of them you break, the remaining amount would not only regrow, but the binding power will also be doubled!"
As the female acolyte spoke, Leylin felt the chain getting tighter and tighter around his body.
* Chi! * The silver glow from the Fallen Star Pendant continuously clashed against strength from the void, time to time producing white mist.
"You despicable maggot, the shameless murderer, you dared to killed the acolytes from two of our great academies, so I will grant you death to redeem your sins!"
The thrill of revenge and smugness filled the face of the female acolyte. The muscles on her face contorted, turning the once-beautiful face into an extremely loathsome one.
"You dared to kill Saurun; I will make you pay the price of blood!"
The female acolyte pointed at Leylin, "Strength deprivation!"
As she spoke, Leylin felt the strength in his body dispersing. In an instant, it was as if he changed from a Knight into a regular human infant.
"This feeling, have I been cursed?"
Leylin continuously struggled, "Such a measly curse, how can it make me bow my head!"
"It all has ended!" The female acolyte chanted in an incantation, "Flames of the abyss, cremate this sinner into ashes!"
As soon as the Byron language incantation had been uttered, a black fire suddenly blazed from below Leylin's body.
The flame continuously spread, engulfing Leylin's whole body in an instant.
* Peng! * The frost greatsword on Leylin's hands fell onto the floor. The icy shards shattered and broke into many pieces. Finally, even the refined metal blade of the cross blade melted under the black red flames, turning into a puddle of liquid metal.
* Chi Chi! *
The grey armour on Leylin's body started to give in, and the A.I. Chip wildly flashed its alert in front of Leylin's eyes, [Warning! Warning! The energy from the Fallen Star Pendant is rapidly decreasing. Currently left with: 45%. Estimated to be fully depleted in 34 seconds!]
"Ignore it and release all the energy within the Fallen Star Pendant in one go!" Leylin ordered.
"Weng Weng!" In that moment, the silver-grey light increased its radiance by a dozen times. Behind his back, there was an indistinct huge cross phantom. On the upper area of the phantom cross, a few jewels continuously gave off multi-coloured light as a wave of energy extended to Leylin's limbs.
"Break...for me!"
Leylin struggled with all his might, and suddenly, crackling and rattling sounds could he heard from his body, and the countless black-rune-inscribed chains became visible and broke from all the struggling done by Leylin. They then fell to the ground and vanished.
"It's your turn now, you disgusting whore!"
Leylin's figure flew like a gust of wind and appeared directly in front of the female acolyte.
"Im...Impossible, how did you manage to counter it?" shrieked the female blonde acolyte and she pointed her finger at Leylin. Then several basin- sized fireballs directly struck Leylin's body.
* Boom! * The flames exploded, burning with the previous black fire, as it extinguished very soon.
Behind the silver grey transparent armour, Leylin was unscathed.
"No! No!" The female acolyte fell onto the ground and crawled backwards.
Leylin kicked the green rock and dagger on the ground, breaking the spell formation.
Two streams of red fluid trickled down from the female acolyte's nose, even her tears were falling.
"No! Don't kill me! My mentor is…."
The female acolyte snivelled continuously as she crawled and spoke.
"I don't care who you are!" Leylin's expression appeared indifferent as he embraced this blonde woman.
The Fallen Star Pendant kept defending his body from the abyss black fire that was still burning on his body, but this female acolyte obviously did not have a similar layer of defense. Upon being the barbecued by the flames, she gave an ear-piercing shriek.
* Sssii! * The flesh of the girl dropped, chunk by chunk, onto the floor, turning into a pile of charred mess.
Finally, the originally beautiful female acolyte turned into a blood red skeleton. Moreover, the set of bones slowly melted, turning into a white liquid which dripped onto the floor
Leylin grimaced and with his hand, he swept away the remainder of the white bone liquid that were on him.
After which, as if he were changing his clothes, he 'took off' the grey armour.
As for the black red abyss flame on the grey armour, it was also removed.
"In the legends and tales told by the bards, the abyss fire is something which can burn the void. An existence that all children of the earth cannot resist! This is most likely just a projection of the true abyss fire— it does not have even one zillionth of the original's might. If not, I would have long turned into ashes!"
Leylin thought for a while, before returning to the original place. He then recorded all of the ingredients and the spell formation that the female acolyte used before roaming the battlefield to collect his spoils of war.
* Peng! * The unconscious Jayden was tossed before Bicky.
Although the battle earlier was extremely intense, the time that had passed was extremely short — so much so that Bicky was still in shock.
"Hurry and leave this place. The energy waves from earlier would attract many acolytes over. If you don't wish to die, hurry and leave now!"
Leylin cleared his throat and looked at Bicky who nodded her head before he left the place.
Looking at the back of Leylin, Bicky's expression was extremely complicated.
This person was here to save her. Moreover, the strength that he possessed was far above that which Bicky could imagine.
Lightning Wielder, Silver Claw, they were all impressive and notable acolytes from the opposing academies. However in front of that person earlier, they were as weak as a sponge when they pleaded and was slaughtered mercilessly.
"But. . . exactly who is he?"
Bicky blinked her eyes. Merlin, Leylin, Fayle and the others, all of the acolytes' images flashed past from her memory, yet she felt helpless as there was no such person in all of the acolytes that she recalled that resembled her savior.
However, her instincts told her that she definitely knew this person and that they had an extremely intimate relationship!
"Magi are reputed for their rationality. Such a thing like instinct will lower our judgement. Everything has to be proved beyond refutation…."
The sayings of an elder surfaced in her mind.
Bicky's expression was seemingly vacant as she gritted her teeth and poured a potion on Jayden's face, before she,too, left that place.
Although Jayden was Molly's idol, she was now dead. Naturally Bicky wouldn't risk anymore for Jayden.
Minutes later, Jayden opened his eyes and got up.
"What happened to me? Where is Torash?"
Jayden was at a loss, before the colours on his face changed. Touching his chest, he felt for the magic artifact which was still resting in his arms. Moreover, when he ensured that his sack was present, only then did he heave a sigh of relief.
"This is the aftermath of an intense battle! Who is it that saved me?"
Jayden scratched his forehead, before thinking of a girl's figure who had dashed towards him, "Was it Molly? Such a terrifying battle, I wonder how she is…."
"Here!" Footsteps sounds drew closer and very soon 2 acolytes appeared within Jayden's vision.
"An acolyte from Abyssal Bone Forest Academy! Kill him!"
After seeing Jayden, the two acolytes let off an excited howl and began to prepare their rank 0 spells.
Jayden sighed, before bringing out his magic artifact once again...
Leylin was, by now, dozens of miles away from this battlefield. He was settled in a cave, checking his spoils.
Those 3 acolytes were well known for their strengths. Furthermore, the ingredients and magic crystals that they carried with them were plentiful. They gave Leylin a total of tens of thousands of magic crystals and other valuable resources.
Leylin felt the surface of a black red diary cover, and he exclaimed in glee, "This aura is rather similar to the female acolyte's abyss fire!"
Leylin flipped open the diary and a mysterious rune appeared, "A.I. Chip, compare to database!"
[Beep! Mission establishing, comparison in progress! Similarity level to Abyss script: 98.7%, Purgatory script: 45.3%....]
"Abyss script?" Leylin had a headache. Characters and knowledge from these mysterious planes were top-secrets and the knowledge was not passed around. He only managed to understand a few runes from derelict pages of a book in the library and stored them into the A.I. Chip database.
"No matter what, it is a good spoil!"
Satisfied, Leylin kept the black red diary in his possession.