In an empty neighborhood of the city of Graena, Azzy and Avia were surrounded by a group of 12 of which 10 of them collectively created a barrier, trapping the both of them inside.
According to the Reaper, the barrier can only be destroyed in three ways. One is to release an attack that surpasses Exalt Realm. Two is to slowly corrupt with his death energy. Three is to kill or knock out those rank-6 Arcana Masters but since they were standing outside, it must be done by someone else.
The remaining two stood before him.
In Azzy's eyes, they were a bit threatening as they are in Exalt realm. He can recognize one person. He is the King of Northern Qudour. The other one's identity is a mystery. So far, he looks like a healthy-looking old man.
"During the past year, I lost my son, I lost my ancestor, my father is in prison, our royal family has lost the reputation, the throne has lost the loyal subordinate clans, the dream of my ancestor to unite the Northern and Southern nations remained unfulfilled, all because of you." Brian Light roared at him with full of rage. "Prepare to die, Azrael."
Azzy clenched his fist, feeling ridiculous about these allegations. If he was alone, it would have been alright but with Avia behind him, he had to be smart about his movements.
If Aria was protecting him as usual, there won't be an issue but before he traveled to the city, he received a message from Aegis that they can't send Aria due to the possible presence of the Supreme Realm experts at the wedding.
Azzy didn't think much about the security issue back then because he thought he would be safe here whether he manages to keep his identity a secret or not but who could have expected that a giant spaceship would visit here of all the times.
He thought for a bit and decided to stall them as much as he can, "I understand your hatred for me. After all, you lost everything but the position of king and I was growing stronger each day. You must be anxious about the possible revenge from me.
But, I didn't understand one thing. What do you have against a nine-year-old girl who was just a 2-circle Arcana Master? She wasn't even some daughter of heaven that you need to be wary of."
An overconfident King Brian answered, "Since you won't be able to escape here alive, I might as well fulfill your last request. Ragron Jerome Eranyl, the king of Rivendell wanted the girl, not me."
Suddenly, everything became clear.
"An enemy of an enemy is a friend, eh," Azzy commented as soon as he realized the truth. He shifted his attention towards the man standing beside King Brian.
Remembering the invasion of the academy by Aethon Light and his aides, Azzy realized that this man is indeed didn't appear then. He thought of the leader of the ambush party.
Looking at him, Azzy then asked to confirm his suspicions, "So, I guess this man is Ragron's subordinate and so was that peak-rank-6 expert who tried to ambush me earlier?"
The old mage's facial expression changed when he heard that. Soul energy escaped from him and was consumed by the staff. "King Brian, we can't want to waste the time, here. If those people can't hold off the outsiders, soon, the entire city will be razed to the ground."
"Alright, but let me remind you of our agreement, Mage Mason, the boy's head is mine to take." King Brian replied to him while summoning a giant Mantis, which is almost as big as 2 m.
"Indeed, Leonard Light is your son, probably your favorite. Both of you have the same Arcana." Azzy gave another comment casually while absorbing the natural energy.
After absorbing enough energy, he added a statement, "You aren't the only ones who know how to create a barrier."
He stretched his arms above his head, pushing out the natural energy gradually. "Sage skill: The Dome of Fearlessness."
Meanwhile, Mage Mason pointed the staff at Azzy. The soul energy absorbed by the staff was released in the form of flame daggers and flew towards the target. Although they were high in number, the power behind them is only about low-rank-5. He only wanted to separate the both of them so that he can capture the little girl and leave.
However, Azzy turned out to be faster. When the foremost flame dagger was just two feet away from Azzy, they saw a translucent barrier appear over Azzy and Avia in the form of a dome.
The flame daggers continuously hit it but not even a crack appeared on it. The Dome of Fearlessness is the greatest defensive skill of Azzy during the state of Sage.
The only issue is that just like the mages on the outside who were constantly supplying energy to keep the barrier intact, Azzy too can't move from the spot. He can only defend.
Avia looked around in a daze. This foster brother of hers is really surprising her again and again.
"Just use a strong move, Mage Mason." King Brian got annoyed as this partner failed. He added, "If you don't want to, then, move aside. I will take care of him on my own."
"No." The mage shouted. "Avia cannot be harmed. My master needs her alive and well. I will separate them using a spell. Meanwhile, you can support by making your Arcana casually attack the barrier at close range."
"Alright, fine." King Brian nodded and looked at the giant mantis, "Ronnie, attack that dome but only with claws. No soul skill."
The giant mantis took a giant leap landed before the barrier and started to attack with its claws.
Being a rank-7 beast of gold grade, its attacks are indeed strong.
Just the normal attack itself caused a crack on the barrier. It attacked two more times.
"Kid, you might have defeated a peak-rank-6 somehow but the difference between a rank-5 and rank-7 isn't something talent can cover." King Brian sneered at him. He was sure that the barrier will break up for sure.
In the meantime, Mage Mason was preparing a sealing technique. Since he wasn't a sealing master, it looked like it will take a while. As for what the technique is, it is a mystery.
Just then, Azzy made his next move. He poured his soul energy into the barrier along with the natural energy. Soon, the barrier turned pitch black. Azzy and Avia could no longer be seen by the enemies.
And the mantis could no longer damage it.
Brian furrowed his brows, "the barrier became powerful. I might need to use my strongest attack to break it."
He glanced at the mage and the barrier. "Ronnie, use soul skill: tornado slash."
The giant mantis stretched its front limbs wide and started to rotate at a terrifying speed before it clashed with the Upgraded Dome of Fearlessness. Cracks started to appear on the barrier but Azzy was pouring soul energy into it and repairing it continuously.
"Let's see how long you can hold for," Brian mumbled to himself with a serious expression. He might be able to see Azzy but as the higher realm expert, he could still sense Azzy's remaining SP (soul power) roughly.
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