Dragonkin traces appeared in the Forest of Perpetual Dusk, and Archbishop of the Light God Cyril also emerged there.
The forest seemed to harbor unspeakable secrets.
Logan remained utterly indifferent to these matters.
He was diligently meditating to enhance his soul strength, having become a genuine first-tier Mage capable of smoothly casting first-tier magic.
Only his limited soul strength prevented him from studying second-tier spells.
"Aqua Bolt!"
Logan uttered in a low voice. Instantly, a shimmering Aqua Bolt coalesced mid-air and shot forward, impacting the magical barrier with a splash.
"Over two seconds from formation to target impact. That's the fastest it can be. Further acceleration would require spell modifications,"
Logan concluded.
Beyond meditation, practicing casting speed became his sole diversion. Unbeknownst to Logan, ordinary Mages required incantations before spellcasting.
Even the swiftest preparation took seven or eight seconds—explaining why Mages excelled only in ranged combat.
Reducing casting time to two seconds made Logan unparalleled among Mages.
Watching Logan practice through the enchantment room's window, Aris's eyes flickered with resolve. He dropped his broom and strode toward the first floor.
Though now a qualified Mage apprentice, Aris spent his days either meditating or scrubbing the Arcane Spire's floors. He believed nobility shouldn't perform such labor.
He ought to study magic like a scholar, not sweep dust with a broom!
"Finally come to your senses?"
Marcus rasped, his gaze approving as if acknowledging a wise choice.
"You'll make me a true Brother in the church if I help you, yes?"
Aris confirmed nervously.
This was Marcus's promise—the sole reason for his betrayal.
"Naturally. I shall guide you to become a follower of the great Radiant God. Walk with me in divine radiance—your only path to righteousness."
Marcus spoke softly, his face feigning solemn piety as though bathed in holy light.
"Done! I act tonight. Honor your word!"
Declared Aris, pulling his black hooded robe tight before vanishing into the alley. Marcus watched his departure with darkened eyes.
"The Radiant God despises traitors. So does Lord Elias. Your sole purpose is dying for the god's descent—like that wretched brat!"
Marcus muttered venomously. Even if Aris delivered the girl, his fate would be surrender to the Mage Association to appease their wrath.
Night fell. Silvermoon City's enchanted streetlamps flickered to life, their feeble glow illuminating isolated patches while darkness shrouded everything beyond.
In the enchantment room on the second floor of the Arcane Spire, Logan, who was engrossed in studying magic, abruptly ceased his movements.
His gaze suddenly snapped towards the outside of the Arcane Spire, and the next moment, Logan swiftly rose and chased out of the Arcane Spire.
Logan had placed a first-tier spatial magic mark on Lena. The mark had remained stationary in a room on the first floor, but just moments ago, it had suddenly begun moving away from the Arcane Spire.
This caused Logan's expression to darken drastically, and he hurriedly pursued in the direction of the mark.
He knew Lena would never leave on her own accord. This meant someone from the Church of the Radiant God had infiltrated the Arcane Spire and taken Lena. At this thought, his heart clenched with anxiety.
If Lena were truly taken into the territory of the Church of the Radiant God, any chance of rescuing her would likely vanish.
Logan chased urgently in the direction of the mark, quickly pursuing it beyond the city walls. Logan then spotted the figure on a carriage ahead.
It was Aris!
Fury burned in Logan's eyes. He had never considered Aris a threat, yet he never expected Aris would betray the Mages and join the Church of the Radiant God!
Without hesitation, Logan summoned an Aqua Bolt and shot it directly in front of the carriage.
The Aqua Bolt pierced straight through the front carriage shaft. Aris was flung out by the impact, and Lena tumbled out from within the carriage. Fortunately, Logan arrived just in time, preventing Lena from being injured.
"Aris, you deserve death!"
Logan spat through gritted teeth. As the words left his mouth, a fireball coalesced and shot towards Aris. Scorching flames pierced the darkness beyond the city walls.
A figure suddenly appeared, shielding Aris.
"Truly astonishing. In barely over ten days, a lowly wretch from a destitute slum has advanced to become a first-tier Mage," Marcus remarked, his expression one of surprise. The fireball was effortlessly cleaved apart by the broadsword in his hand; stray sparks spattered harmlessly against his armor.
"No wonder that Gareth fellow fought so desperately to protect you. Though it seems he's not in Silvermoon City tonight," Marcus said with a mocking lilt, his gaze towards Logan now tinged with derision. The scene resembled a cat toying with a mouse – he was the cat, Logan the mouse.
"Damn filth! Don't think your luck changes what you are! Filth will always be filth!" Aris shrieked hysterically, the near-death experience and the intense sensation of burning heat still vivid. He completely forgot his noble decorum, consumed only by hatred for Logan.
"Paladin of the Church of the Radiant God, is it divine guidance that tells you to raise your blades against the common folk? Hah! If so, this god of yours is truly vile," Logan sneered. His words struck Marcus's soul like a sharp blade.
The mocking smile on Marcus's face faded, replaced by cruelty and fury.
"Little mouse, you've succeeded in angering me," Marcus said, his face dark. "I will show you what divine guidance truly is. More than that, I will make you understand true despair!"
After speaking, Marcus raised his broadsword, spurred his armored steed, and charged towards Logan.
He would make this filth understand that deities are not to be defiled! Defilers of the Divine would face the harshest punishment!
But he had barely begun his charge when scorching flares of light suddenly ignited. Three blazing fireballs, each the size of a human head, materialized before Logan and hurtled toward Marcus.
Marcus cleaved through one, but the remaining two exploded beneath his steed's hooves.
The charging horse reared violently, whinnying as it halted abruptly, nearly throwing Marcus from the saddle.
Seizing the opening, Logan summoned another Aqua Bolt and launched it at Marcus. Though it veered slightly off-course, the bolt struck Marcus's right shoulder with brutal force, knocking him from his mount.
"Damnable rat! I'll carve your flesh slice by slice!"
Marcus roared in fury, teetering on the edge of reason. His sole desire was to seize Logan and make him suffer an agonizing death!
Yet before he could close the distance, another Aqua Bolt shot toward him.
"Spellscrolls! Damnation! It must be that bastard Gareth!"
Marcus bellowed. The impact jolted him back to clarity—no matter how prodigious, Logan couldn't possibly cast so many first-tier spells consecutively.
Under Logan's relentless barrage, his armor had deformed. A few more strikes, and he might truly perish here.
"Correct guess. No reward though. Let us leave now, and perhaps the Radiant God's dignity remains intact,"
Logan retorted with feigned nonchalance, though tension coiled tight within him.
Gareth's first-tier Spellscrolls were nearly depleted. Prolonging this fight risked disaster; his priority was escorting his sister back to the Arcane Spire, not trading blows with this Radiant God Paladin.
"Logan, you won't escape! You die tonight! Your sister becomes the church's sacrifice! I'll savor her agonized expression for you!"
Aris interjected, voice trembling with perverse excitement.
The instant he finished speaking, an Earth Spike erupted from beneath him, impaling him like a skewered offering.
Logan's gaze turned glacial. If I can't finish the Paladin, you think I'll spare you? Leap to your death, and I'll oblige.
The gruesome sight successfully cowed Marcus. He watched Logan warily, no longer daring to advance.