Lin Rongfu's expression changed dramatically. He grabbed Lin En and dashed to the side in a blur.
"Boom!"
A massive explosion followed the falling fireball. Flames erupted over a several-meter radius, and the shockwave tore through the surroundings, leaving a pit more than half a meter deep and several meters wide in the ground.
Although Lin Rongfu had dodged in time and avoided the direct hit, the blast's shockwave still sent both him and Lin En flying several meters back, forcing them to stop fleeing.
A mage—specifically, a fire-type mage known for powerful attacks.
Lin En felt his chest tighten as if he might cough up blood. Staring at the crater on the ground, he was stunned. That explosion... it's almost as powerful as a grenade. So this is the might of a mage? Incredibly strong!
Lin Rongfu steadied himself, shielding Lin En behind him with sword in hand, glaring at the rooftop figure ahead. It was a man with a staff, face twisted in disdain.
He was Schroeder, a senior fire-element mage, and a retainer of the Earl's estate.
"So in the end, I had to make a move," Schroeder said coldly, standing arrogantly atop the rooftop. "Lin Rongfu, I'm acting under Madam's orders. You and the young master are to be detained."
Lin Rongfu's expression turned even darker. A high-level mage was dangerous, yes—but he normally wouldn't fear one. Unfortunately, he was heavily injured and had Lin En in tow. Escaping a long-range caster like Schroeder in this condition? Nearly impossible.
"You take the Earl's salary, Schroeder, and now you attack his son?" Lin En shouted in frustration, feeling a creeping despair. He knew just how powerful mages were—and in Lin Rongfu's current state, escape seemed hopeless. His only chance was to stall Schroeder through words.
"The Earl is not here," Schroeder replied coolly. "The Madam's word is law for now."
Lin En clenched his fists. Just you wait, Schroeder. Once I gain power, you'll regret today.
"I'd like to see just what a so-called high-level mage can do to stop us!" Lin Rongfu growled, raising his sword toward Schroeder.
[World Context – God's Grace Continent]
On the God's Grace Continent, mages are held in far higher regard than warriors. Their rarity and overwhelming combat power, not to mention their practical abilities, make them elite. Even basic mages (Tier 3) have ranged attack spells—something only Tier 7 warriors can match with their battle aura.
This power gap is exactly why a senior mage like Schroeder dares to act superior even before a battle master like Lin Rongfu.
"Only a senior mage?" Schroeder sneered. "Then let me show you what one can do."
The red gem atop his staff glowed brightly. He pointed it toward Lin Rongfu and Lin En.
"Fireball Spell—Triple Shot!"
Three fireballs, each the size of a basketball, materialized and shot toward the pair at high speed.
"Mountain River Sword—River-Splitting Slash!"
Lin Rongfu shouted, swinging his sword. A powerful arc of battle aura sliced through the air, heading straight for the fireballs.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three massive explosions lit up the night. The fireballs burst mid-air under the pressure of the slash, erupting into flames that lit the entire street like daylight. The blast drew attention across the city—but no one dared approach. The presence of a high-level mage was obvious, and nobody wanted to get involved.
Lin Rongfu had managed to destroy the fireballs, but the shockwaves knocked him back several steps. His pale face flushed red, and a mouthful of blood burst from his lips.
"Grandpa Fu!" Lin En rushed to support him, glaring hatefully at Schroeder on the rooftop. So what if you're a mage? I have a system. I'll get a Devil Fruit. As long as I survive today, I'll repay this grudge a hundredfold!
"A battle master? That's rare," Schroeder said with cold amusement. "But today is your last day."
He wasn't surprised his fireballs had been blocked—any decent battle master could do that. But Lin Rongfu was clearly at his limit. How many more spells can he take? Schroeder's staff began to glow again.
Suddenly—
A cold, pitch-black dagger touched Schroeder's throat.
The chill and killing intent made cold sweat drip down his spine.
An assassin?!
Without him noticing, someone had crept up behind him. Mages were strong, but physically fragile. Getting caught in close combat was dangerous, especially against assassins who specialized in silent, deadly strikes. Normally, mages kept warriors as bodyguards—but today Schroeder had let his guard down, assuming no one would dare interfere.
"Dear Mage," a voice whispered icily in his ear, "don't move. My blade might slip."
The speaker, cloaked entirely in black, appeared like a ghost behind Schroeder. Assassins were technically warriors, but their methods were silent and lethal—walking shadows that few could defend against.
"Alright, alright, no need to be rash..." Schroeder stammered, sweat pouring down as he let the glow on his staff fade.
At that moment, the Earl's guards finally caught up. Among them was Teddy, badly wounded but still standing. Though Lin Rongfu had seriously injured him, Teddy's armor had absorbed most of the impact. After a quick dressing of wounds, he still had enough fight left to pursue.
But as Teddy arrived, a dozen masked, black-clad warriors stepped out of the shadows, surrounding him and his men.
"Who are you? How dare you interfere in the Earl's affairs?!" Teddy barked, voice weakened by injury.
"Stand down," the lead black-clad man growled, showing a long spear in warning.
Teddy's face turned ashen. He seethed in rage. Even in Kerry City, someone dares defy the Earl's house?!
Lin En and Lin Rongfu were stunned by the sudden appearance of the masked warriors. Friend or foe?
"Grandpa Fu, are they your men?" Lin En asked, hopeful.
"No," Lin Rongfu shook his head. He was just as confused—but they were clearly on Lin En's side. "Still, we're grateful for the help," he said loudly. "You have our deepest thanks."
"No need. We're just following orders," the masked leader said coolly, clearly uninterested in gratitude. "Hurry and go."
Lin Rongfu gave a respectful nod, then pulled Lin En along.
"Stop them! Don't let them escape!" Teddy yelled.
"Step over this line—and die."
With a cold glare, the masked leader slashed his spear, carving a deep mark in the ground. His killing intent surged.
He was a peak-level battle master. In his current condition, Teddy was no match.
Furious and helpless, Teddy roared, "You interfere in the Earl's affairs. Dare to leave your name?!"
The masked man gave him a look like he was staring at a fool. Leave a name? Why would I be wearing a mask if I intended to tell you?
Teddy nearly coughed up blood from the sheer indignation.
Meanwhile, Lin Rongfu and Lin En sprinted toward the city gates. Only by escaping Kerry City would they find safety. Though the masked men were holding off the pursuers, Lin Rongfu dared not slow down.
Suddenly, they halted at a street corner.
A carriage was parked silently ahead.
Lin Rongfu instinctively stepped in front of Lin En, gripping his sword. The driver gave off a subtle but threatening aura.
"Grandpa Fu, what's wrong? Are you out of strength?" Lin En asked nervously.
The carriage curtain lifted.
A graceful hand parted the fabric, revealing a girl whose beauty seemed almost unreal. Lin En and Lin Rongfu both froze.
It was her. And she seemed to be waiting for them.
"Lin En, get in. I'll take you out of the city," the girl said softly, her voice like chimes of jade and pearl.
Lin En knew this girl well.
His fiancée—Evel, the genius mage girl.
She had always been a source of deep insecurity for him. A brilliant mage, matched with a "waste" like him? Once considered a promising match, the engagement became the city's joke.
Their fathers had arranged the marriage early on. But as they grew up, Lin En was found to have no talent, while Evel became a prodigy. Though she never openly looked down on him, it was clear she didn't accept the engagement in her heart.
Lin En never expected that at this moment, Evel would come to his rescue.