Although this was a city known for its merchants and businesses, there were no clubs in this era . The brightest area in the middle of the city had nothing to do with business . In addition to the domain of the City Lord, there were still places like City Hall, City Guard's Barracks, Magic Guild, Swordmaster Guild, and the Hall of Knights . No one would hesitate using money from the king, and this city was no different . Whether it was necessary or not, there was a large chandelier glowing next to every building .
The door of the City Lord's domain suddenly opened, and a group of knights in black armor rode out onto the streets . The black clad ones were common, but the ones in the back were truly shocking . They were more advanced than the knights in front by several levels, although wearing the same silvery armor and riding the same colored stallions . They each held a large shield in their hands, and their lances shone a terrible light under the moon .
The knights tended to focus on their armor, which rarely matched their horses . The colored horses made the knights even more intimidating .
The knights rounded the corner . Those in front were in a loose formation, but those in back kept in tight step: clearly they were extremely well trained . Their shields were adorned with a red cross and a ball of white flame, indicating their identity as the empire's famous Knights of Holy Flame .
They rode through the streets and arrived at the market . In the morning, the market would be bustling with people, even walking would take a great deal of time, let alone passing through on horseback . But during the night it was empty, the ground strewn with garbage and waste . It wouldn't be until dawn that cleaners would arrive to prepare the place for the next day .
The silver-armored knights halted their horses in the middle of the market, while the black clad ones were still advancing .
A shadow came out from their right side and threw something into the air . The night suddenly came alive with the surge of magic, and the thing became millions of icy blades raining down on the knights .
In all of high level magic, ice magic had mid-level strength at best, but it had a large range and could create freezing cold temperatures within its range, containing lethal ice blades and snowflakes . Natural snowflakes were beautiful, but the ones from mages were dangerously sharp and rotating at a high speed, enough to cut through skin and armor alike . If it came in contact with human eyes, no combat power could protect the victim .
The magic turned the market into a frozen hell . The black clad knights in front let out a wave of agonizing screams . Bursts of blood froze as soon as it left their bodies, falling onto the ground like small beads .
The knights in silver armor were alive, but no better off than their inferiors . They were protected by their combat power, but could not protect their horses . They were on the ground, their eyes shut .
A shadow appeared on the left, and with another wave of a hand, the air surged with magic once more . The sky lit up, and a large lightning bolt flashed across the frozen market .
For a spell that was very intense even among high-level spells, serial lightning was absolutely deadly . The lightning attacks every living thing within its perimeter, right down to ants . The more targets, the weirder the shape of the lightning becomes .
The still squirming knights all fell silent on the ground . Under the attack of a spell this powerful, only senior swordmasters and knights could survive, and even the intermediates would be severely injured .
Pure ice does not conduct electricity, so normal lightning's power would be moderately affected in an environment like this . However, this lightning would attack everything alive, and unless the knights were completely frozen, they could not escape the lightning .
The lightning flash was gone as soon as it had appeared, the icy blades and snowflakes soon dispersed as well . As soon as the magic disappeared, a bloated figure appeared from the darkness, dashing towards the market .
Anfey was a very cautious man, and after deciding what two magic scrolls to use, he had studied carefully the effects of the magic . For people like Christian and Zubin, things like the time and temperature effects of ice magic and how long the lightning bolts would last were immaterial . However, they weren't for Anfey .
The lightning's aftereffects could be ignored, but Anfey would never run without protection into a frozen environment like this . Even after the magic dispersed, the temperature would still require time to return to normal . So Anfey bundled himself up carefully and made a simple mask using crystals, making sure that not an inch of his skin was exposed .
The clothing, however, only slowed down Anfey's speed a bit: his movement was still fast as lightning . He didn't care about the black armored knights; he only cared about the Knights of Holy Flame .
He dashed through the empty market . He had given up the faster spin slash and chose stabbing . In this cold environment, it was hard to make his enemies lose blood fast, so stabbing was more appropriate under these conditions . Even if some did survive this, no one could save them from their fatal injuries .
"Let's go!" Anfey called after finishing off all the survivors .
Christian used a levitation spell and floated towards the right side of the market, holding Zubin . "You alright?"
"Alive," Zubin said, shaking his head .
Christian had used the more exhausting lightning magic, and Zubin was responsible for the ice magic . Christian could still use levitation, but Zubin already felt drained . This was the difference between a junior magister and a senior mage . Even though only one level separated them, there were major differences in their abilities . Many people could become senior mages, but only a few could become magisters .
Sante appeared from a small gully behind the market and handed something to Anfey . The latter placed the item into his ring and hurried to Christian and Zubin's side . "Hurry," he said . "We need to find Blavi and leave the city . We eliminated the Knights' squad, so they can't tell just how powerful we are . They will come again . We have to leave now . "
"I know," Christian said . "Come, Sante, help me with Zubin . "
Christian and Sante used levitation to carry Zubin, and Anfey followed the trio on the ground . After a few moments, the four reached a crossroads . Anfey stopped, and Christian and Sante landed as well .
"Where's Blavi?" Zubin asked .
"They are farther away," Anfey said . "Give them a few moments . "
"Anfey," Christian suddenly said, "you're crazy! My heart's still pounding . "
"Anfey," Christian suddenly said, "you're crazy! My heart's still pounding . "
"You'd be dead if it wasn't . "
"Anfey, aren't you scared? If Phillip comes over now, we will all be dead . "
"Unlikely," Anfey said flatly .
"Why?"
"Because what Zubin said reminded me . "
"What did I say?" Zubin asked curiously .
"You said that the mages' guilds wouldn't do anything because of Master Saul . Delivering 'Wanted' notices is required of them, but they would delay our arrest as long as they can . "
"So what?"
"Let's think: Had I known Zeda was Phillip's grandson, would I have killed him? No . I would have knocked him unconscious at best . Now, everyone knows we are Master Saul's students . If it were you, would you do anything?"
"Let's think: Had I known Zeda was Phillip's grandson, would I have killed him? No . I would have knocked him unconscious at best . Now, everyone knows we are Master Saul's students . If it were you, would you do anything?"
"Unlikely," Christian said . He had understood some of what Anfey meant, but not everything . "But Phillip?"
"I said, that man had realized who Niya was . He had two choices . Reporting to the prince, or reporting to Phillip . Which one would he choose? Phillip is easy to anger: if he were here we would all be dead . Do you think he has the courage to report to Phillip? He fears Master Saul as well . Reporting to the prince, though, would be his duty . Reporting to Phillip would be personal vengeance at best . "
"Got it," Zubin said . "If the prince kills us, he could find an excuse . After all, he was serving the emperor . If he had reported to Phillip, his goal would clearly be the money . Master would never have let him go . "
"He had calmed the clash, so clearly he was a man with a brain . A smart man would not do stupid things, unless he really needed that money . "
"But what if Phillip does come?"
"I have a plan as well," Anfey said .
"Really?" Christian asked .
Sante glanced at Anfey, but didn't say anything after seeing his smile . Although Christian didn't say anything, he was the most excited one there, because only he knew that Anfey was not boasting .
The watery moonlight shone on the deserted, desolate cobblestone road . The wind howled, carrying away everything in sight . It was already well past midnight, and, except for a few special shops and the dock, Lagan City was completely dark and silent . Although this was a city known for its merchants and businesses, there were no clubs in this era . The brightest area in the middle of the city had nothing to do with business . In addition to the domain of the City Lord, there were still places like City Hall, City Guard's Barracks, Magic Guild, Swordmaster Guild, and the Hall of Knights . No one would hesitate using money from the king, and this city was no different . Whether it was necessary or not, there was a large chandelier glowing next to every building . The door of the City Lord's domain suddenly opened, and a group of knights in black armor rode out onto the streets . The black clad ones were common, but the ones in the back were truly shocking . They were more advanced than the knights in front by several levels, although wearing the same silvery armor and riding the same colored stallions . They each held a large shield in their hands, and their lances shone a terrible light under the moon . The knights tended to focus on their armor, which rarely matched their horses . The colored horses made the knights even more intimidating The knights rounded the corner . Those in front were in a loose formation, but those in back kept in tight step: clearly they were extremely well trained . Their shields were adorned with a red cross and a ball of white flame, indicating their identity as the empire's famous Knights of Holy Flame . They rode through the streets and arrived at the market . In the morning, the market would be bustling with people, even walking would take a great deal of time, let alone passing through on horseback . But during the night it was empty, the ground strewn with garbage and waste . It wouldn't be until dawn that cleaners would arrive to prepare the place for the next day . The silver-armored knights halted their horses in the middle of the market, while the black clad ones were still advancing . A shadow came out from their right side and threw something into the air . The night suddenly came alive with the surge of magic, and the thing became millions of icy blades raining down on the knights . In all of high level magic, ice magic had mid-level strength at best, but it had a large range and could create freezing cold temperatures within its range, containing lethal ice blades and snowflakes . Natural snowflakes were beautiful, but the ones from mages were dangerously sharp and rotating at a high speed, enough to cut through skin and armor alike . If it came in contact with human eyes, no combat power could protect the victim . The magic turned the market into a frozen hell . The black clad knights in front let out a wave of agonizing screams . Bursts of blood froze as soon as it left their bodies, falling onto the ground like small beads . The knights in silver armor were alive, but no better off than their inferiors . They were protected by their combat power, but could not protect their horses . They were on the ground, their eyes shut A shadow appeared on the left, and with another wave of a hand, the air surged with magic once more . The sky lit up, and a large lightning bolt flashed across the frozen market . For a spell that was very intense even among high-level spells, serial lightning was absolutely deadly . The lightning attacks every living thing within its perimeter, right down to ants . The more targets, the weirder the shape of the lightning becomes . The still squirming knights all fell silent on the ground . Under the attack of a spell this powerful, only senior swordmasters and knights could survive, and even the intermediates would be severely injured . Pure ice does not conduct electricity, so normal lightning's power would be moderately affected in an environment like this . However, this lightning would attack everything alive, and unless the knights were completely frozen, they could not escape the lightning . The lightning flash was gone as soon as it had appeared, the icy blades and snowflakes soon dispersed as well . As soon as the magic disappeared, a bloated figure appeared from the darkness, dashing towards the market . Anfey was a very cautious man, and after deciding what two magic scrolls to use, he had studied carefully the effects of the magic . For people like Christian and Zubin, things like the time and temperature effects of ice magic and how long the lightning bolts would last were immaterial . However, they weren't for Anfey . The lightning's aftereffects could be ignored, but Anfey would never run without protection into a frozen environment like this . Even after the magic dispersed, the temperature would still require time to return to normal . So Anfey bundled himself up carefully and made a simple mask using crystals, making sure that not an inch of his skin was exposed . The clothing, however, only slowed down Anfey's speed a bit: his movement was still fast as lightning . He didn't care about the black armored knights; he only cared about the Knights of Holy Flame He dashed through the empty market . He had given up the faster spin slash and chose stabbing . In this cold environment, it was hard to make his enemies lose blood fast, so stabbing was more appropriate under these conditions . Even if some did survive this, no one could save them from their fatal injuries . Let's go! Anfey called after finishing off all the survivors . Christian used a levitation spell and floated towards the right side of the market, holding Zubin . You alright? Alive, Zubin said, shaking his head . Christian had used the more exhausting lightning magic, and Zubin was responsible for the ice magic . Christian could still use levitation, but Zubin already felt drained . This was the difference between a junior magister and a senior mage . Even though only one level separated them, there were major differences in their abilities . Many people could become senior mages, but only a few could become magisters . Sante appeared from a small gully behind the market and handed something to Anfey . The latter placed the item into his ring and hurried to Christian and Zubin's side . Hurry, he said . We need to find Blavi and leave the city . We eliminated the Knights' squad, so they can't tell just how powerful we are . They will come again . We have to leave now . I know, Christian said . Come, Sante, help me with Zubin . Christian and Sante used levitation to carry Zubin, and Anfey followed the trio on the ground . After a few moments, the four reached a crossroads . Anfey stopped, and Christian and Sante landed as well . Where's Blavi? Zubin asked . They are farther away, Anfey said . Give them a few moments . Anfey, Christian suddenly said, you're crazy! My heart's still pounding . You'd be dead if it wasn't . Anfey, aren't you scared? If Phillip comes over now, we will all be dead . Unlikely, Anfey said flatly . Why? Because what Zubin said reminded me . What did I say? Zubin asked curiously . You said that the mages' guilds wouldn't do anything because of Master Saul . Delivering 'Wanted' notices is required of them, but they would delay our arrest as long as they can . So what? Let's think: Had I known Zeda was Phillip's grandson, would I have killed him? No . I would have knocked him unconscious at best . Now, everyone knows we are Master Saul's students . If it were you, would you do anything? Unlikely, Christian said . He had understood some of what Anfey meant, but not everything . But Phillip? I said, that man had realized who Niya was . He had two choices . Reporting to the prince, or reporting to Phillip . Which one would he choose? Phillip is easy to anger: if he were here we would all be dead . Do you think he has the courage to report to Phillip? He fears Master Saul as well . Reporting to the prince, though, would be his duty . Reporting to Phillip would be personal vengeance at best . Got it, Zubin said . If the prince kills us, he could find an excuse . After all, he was serving the emperor . If he had reported to Phillip, his goal would clearly be the money . Master would never have let him go . He had calmed the clash, so clearly he was a man with a brain . A smart man would not do stupid things, unless he really needed that money . But what if Phillip does come? I have a plan as well, Anfey said . Really? Christian asked . Sante glanced at Anfey, but didn't say anything after seeing his smile . Although Christian didn't say anything, he was the most excited one there, because only he knew that Anfey was not boasting
Chapter end
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