Chapter 534: Death Wish
Chapter 534: Death Wish
He was present when Adam had magically snatched that item from Gore near the northern gate. Moreover, he had also shattered the orb in front of everyone there.
So he couldn\'t help but become dumbfounded seeing the same orb now in Art\'s posession
now.
"What do you mean?" Art asked in confusion.
Eleiney then gave him the gist of all that had transpired. After listening to her, even Art felt puzzled. "I... don\'t know? Perhaps Professor found another orb?"
"That\'s not it."
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded from behind the group. Everyone turned around and saw that it was an enormous black panther!
"Lord Valerian!" Adam\'s students were elated to see the young dragon.
Kenley, on the other hand, asked immediately, "What did you mean?"
Valerian looked at the man with his piercing topaz eyes and explained, "My brother is a
master of illusion. That should answer your question."
Kenley and Wagner suddenly felt that it made sense. The latter asked, "Are you coming with us?"
Valerian\'s ears drooped and he nodded ever so slightly.
He had strength merely equivalent to a Rank 1 Magus. Thus, there was nothing he could do in the battle against Stratford, who was a Mana Vortex Magus.
So Adam had instructed him to help escort the townsfolk through the Weeping Woods. Furthermore, he had also said that if things got too burdensome, then he was to take the three kids, the two Acolytes, and fly away.
He glanced at them and spoke in a solemn tone, "We need to leave. I\'ll take the lead."
Art then activated the black orb, causing it to release a strange magical energy. The weeping trees in the vicinity instantly quieted down, almost as if they had gone to sleep.
Seeing this, the townsfolk were shocked and soon erupted in cheers.
However, Kenley reprimanded them, "Now is not the time for celebration. Everyone get in the middle, while us Magi guard you."
Valerian turned around and cast one final glance in the direction of the town square.
"Brother... please be safe," he mumbled.
Soon, under the effects of the black orb, the weeping trees parted and created a passageway for the townsfolk to go through.
Thus, began the mass evacuation.
...
"Aghhh..." Adam lay weakly amidst the rubble, bruised and battered.
Although he had managed to deflect Stratford\'s attack, it wasn\'t without consequences. His whole body was injured and there was severe internal bleeding.
His robes were bloodied and reduced to tatters, revealing his heavily wounded upper body.
Suddenly, a green light enveloped him, rapidly healing all his wounds and restoring his health.
"Adam..." Yavia hovered above the youth\'s face, speaking with tearful eyes. "After a certain point, my healing magic will have no effect on you. Your body\'s beginning to build resistance already."
She paused for a moment and added hesitantly, "Why don\'t we escape?"
Adam slowly got to his feet, cracking his knuckles. "I would have fled long back if I wanted to."
"Then..." Yavia looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Can you beat him?"
Adam\'s lip slowly curled up into a grin. He conjured a pair of black, metallic gauntlets from his earring. These gauntlets had a purple sheen to them that made one\'s heart skip a beat.
"What\'s that?" Yavia asked with fearful eyes.
The purple light emitting from the tip of the claws caused her to involuntarily shudder. She could feel a very deadly force radiating from them.
"Heh!" Adam chuckled as he put on the gauntlets. "A friend gave it to me. It has the miraculous ability to generate a highly lethal poison from the tip of its claws."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Gazing at the faint purple miasma emanating from the claws, Adam couldn\'t help but nervously gulp.
Hehe, Blackie, you son of a bitch! Just where did you get these gauntlets? They...
They are perfect!
...
As the explosion from the fire engulfed Stratford, Gore seemingly snapped out of his daze, thinking to himself, What?! Why... Why did I do that?!
I must have gone crazy to attack a Rank 3 Magus!
Suddenly, his body trembled involuntarily as the air turned cold. The fire from his spell instantly dissipated, turning into a blizzard.
Stratford proudly stood in the area where the Fireball had gone off. Needless to say, he wasn\'t harmed in the least.
He gazed at Gore with cold, murderous eyes. "You must have a death wish, Magus."
Then, he weaved a series of hand signs and clasped his palms, resounding in a loud clap. He then seperated his palms, creating a thick and long shaft made of pure ice.
Rank 3 Spell: Ice Lance!
The atmosphere turned even colder when the spear made purely of ice was suddenly created. Stratford grabbed it from the center and positioned himself before hurling it at the man.
"Die!"
Seeing the spear enlarging in his vision, Gore had lost all will to live. He froze in his movements. No matter what he tried, he knew he would fail.
Moreover, the spear was flying at him with such speed that it barely gave him any time to block or dodge.
Suddenly!
Gray smoke materialized out of thin air in front of him, and from the smoke, Adam appeared. He used his Sphere of Resonance at maximum capacity, making it seem like everything in his surroundings had slowed down to a snail\'s pace.
I see it!
Adam raised his right hand just as the Ice Spear was inches away from piercing his head. He then positioned his palm right beside the spearhead.
Rank 2 Spell: Gravity Repulsion!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Ice Spear\'s trajectory was altered at the last moment. It whizzed past Adam\'s face and
flew into the Weeping Woods, destroying dozens upon dozens of trees.
Without turning back, Adam flatly stated, "We\'re even, Darkmore."
Then, his body was enveloped in gray smoke and he teleported away, leaving Gore to stand
there in a daze.
"He... saved me?" Gore muttered incredulously.
"But what did he mean by being even..."
...
Adam appeared in front of Stratford, his eyes flashing with deep focus and determination.
His gauntlets were covered in a deathly purple aura which intensified even more as he
channeled mana into his palm.
Seeing the youth recklessly appear before him, Stratford scoffed. "Useless!"
He wanted to punch Adam away, but suddenly found that the gravity around him had
increased.
Rank 2 Spell: Amplify Gravity!
This caused him to be slightly taken aback and falter in his actions. But this was all the time
Adam needed.
Hand of Doom: Poison Style!
COILING PALM STRIKE!!
BOOOM!!
The attack landed squarely on Stratford\'s chest, and a visible whirlwind of purple energy
emerged from his back.
But...
"Hehe," Stratford chuckled coldly. "I told you it was useless."
Adam\'s attack had only barely managed to inflict a minor wound on the werewolf\'s furry
chest. Stratford was still standing as proud as ever.
The werewolf raised his claw and growled, "My turn-"
Suddenly, his crimson pupils narrowed and blood seeped out of his maw. He retreated a few
steps, glancing at the wound on his chest in sheer disbelief.
"This... this is impossible! A mere poison can make me bleed?"
Suddenly, his body trembled and fear flashed in his eyes. "This poison... This... It can\'t be!"
He glanced at Adam\'s black gauntlets that were enveloped in a dark purple aura.
"Wolfsbane!"