by Zhuang Bifan
"…"
The smile froze on Cromwell's face. This was not the result he had expected after all the meticulously prepared pleas, smiles, and flattery. For a moment, Cromwell stood at a loss, staring blankly at Kevin.
He could not comprehend how things had become like this…
"…" Even Lin Li was shaking his head as he listened from the side. Circ.u.mstance was a scary factor—even an honest person like Kevin was poisoned into lying as he opened his mouth.
The smile that was meant to be a sign of resignation was deemed an ineffable sarcasm in Cromwell's eyes. Kevin's refusal had his breath stuck in his c.h.e.s.t, and he suddenly found an outlet to vent it out…
"What are you laughing at?!" Cromwell's fair face was badly contorted, and a pair of gleaming red eyes were fixed on Lin Li in a glare. That bearing and expression looked as though he was about to devour Lin Li alive.
"Mr Cromwell…" Kevin was just feeling elated earlier on, and never imagined this was how things would progress in the blink of an eye. When realization finally hit him and he was about to step in, things were already too late. Cromwell's eyes were fiendish, his expression contorted. His agitated outburst rained spittle on Lin Li's face…
This is the end… Kevin knew things were bad as he recalled the two unlucky men outside Jarrosus Exchange. He had figured out Lin Li's character after being together for a long time—his character was almost like Gerian's. As long as he wasn't provoked, everything could be talked about nicely. But once the fellow was provoked, he would not show any mercy to anyone he laid hands on. He would not move unnecessarily, but once he did move, he would definitely move in the direction of death.
Although the Guild of Magic had some frictions with the Merlin Family, they were after all the top influence in Jarrosus City. If anything happened to Cromwell here, it would not be up to Kevin to imagine the chaos that would happen in Jarrosus City.
"Do you have any manners at all? The things I've discussed with Mage Kevin were top secrets that belonged to the Merlin Family and the Guild of Magic. What's your status now? Have you forgotten your name after worming your way into the Guild of Magic, having the guts to eavesdrop on our top secrets? Won't you scram yet?" What made Kevin troubled was Cromwell not knowing what he was doing as he continued his reckless clamor.
Chapter 24 - Shot In The Face
Kevin wanted to die after hearing the malicious bawl coming from Cromwell. He wanted to slap that fool across the face and ask him whether he knew whom he was swearing at. That person was the most privileged one in the Guild of Magic, and even Gerian had to welcome him with a smiling face. But now, he was being pointed at and asked to get out. Kevin felt himself turning crazy…
It's the end… it's the end… Kevin's heart was thumping as he watched Lin Li, who was still smiling.
Amidst Cromwell's outcry, the guild hall seemed to have fallen into silence in an instant. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Cromwell.
Their expressions were full of sympathy and compassion at first. Then, they turned to one of watching an idiot with a congenital disability.
Gerian said nothing for the past few days, but in their hearts, they had already associated Lin Li with the 30 bottles of Arcane Magic Potion.
It was just too obvious. Gerian had just granted him the best privileges in the Guild of Magic, and in the twinkling of an eye news of 30 bottles of Arcane Magic Potion came out. Even the blind could see the link between them.
If there was anyone in the Guild of Magic that could never be messed with now, it would undoubtedly be the young mage wearing a worn mage robe standing in front of them.
Even Cromwell's father, Old Merlin, who was said to be on par with Gerian in terms of magic attainments, would have no other way out except to die if he messed with the young mage—let alone someone like Cromwell.
Someone who could bring out 30 bottles of Arcane Magic Potion at once would not mind having another 30 bottles out. Under this fatal temptation, who knew how many assassins would be out there, waiting for Cromwell? Yet he was still clamoring endlessly, not knowing how the word "death" was spelled.
Among all those present, perhaps it was only Cromwell who did not understand.
Ever since returning from the Sunset Mountains, Cromwell had not felt this joyful before. The resentment that had been amassed for a long time exploded today, and the fury he had held in his c.h.e.s.t finally found an outlet to vent it. Every word was vicious to the core and full of sarcasm, from the worn mage robe Lin Li was wearing to his inability to afford even a magic staff, his unawareness of his own status yet participating in such an important conversation…
Satisfying! Cromwell had never felt this satisfied in a long time!
But satisfaction was intriguing. It was like that very thing, coming when the satisfaction was to the fullest…
Cromwell was as such.
He was satisfied, but just as his satisfaction reached the fullest, he saw Lin Li lifting his right hand.
There were no other gestures, and no complex spells.
There was only an intense magical wave and a muffled thud.
Immediately, Cromwell felt as if he had been hit in the face with a hammer. In that moment, Cromwell even felt like his whole face was shattered; it was an incomparable force, bursting on his face all at once.
The force was extremely powerful. Cromwell hardly had the time to let out a cry before being knocked off. He flew a whole dozen meters like a kite with broken strings; at last, he landed heavily on the steps of the door, with all eyes on him.
Cromwell felt nothing except coldness and dampness. His head was heavy and spinning, as if someone had just clamped the door on him. His nose seemed to be broken as well, a gush of warmth flowing out from his nostrils. It mingled with the water stains on his face, with him not knowing if it was blood or water…
He clearly saw what struck him was a waterspout.
It would indeed come for those who were satisfied to the fullest. But Cromwell was unlucky; it came for him, but it came on his face…
The hall hushed all of a sudden. The dozens of mages present, including Kevin, had been studying magic for at least 20 years. They could easily see that the magic Lin Li used was a level-two Waterfall Strike.
A level-two Waterfall Strike wasn't intimidating at all; what was intimidating was the way Lin Li had used it.
There was no redundant gesture nor sound of chanting at all.
It was merely a lift of the hand, and the Waterfall Strike was unleashed. This was a genuine instantaneous burst of power!
Even a mage apprentice knew that it was not the mental strength or the mana that limited a mage's ability to fight—it was the time taken to prepare. Complex hand gestures and lengthy spells kept the mage in a battle walking a tightrope. Most of the mages in the world were studying the same question—how to unleash magic in the quickest way.
As for the interpretation of "quick", it would no doubt be the instantaneous outburst.
But it was just too difficult…
Absolute control of the mental strength, accurate allocation of the mana, and the complete breakdown of the elemental structures…
It had gone beyond the scope of knowledge and technology, and belonged entirely to another level.
Perhaps some mages above the level ten could unleash two level-one and one level-two spell in an instant with their decades of acc.u.mulated experience, but for many mages, instantaneous outburst was nothing but a distant dream.
But everyone had witnessed how a level-two spell was unleashed instantly today.
Furthermore, the one who had used this level-two spell was a young mage not over the age of 20.
All these had exceeded their imagination…
"Demon, demon…" A grey-bearded mage in the crowd looked on with a glazed expression.
His words were a complete representation of the crowd's thoughts. Other than a demon, no one could come up with another word to describe the young
mage.
For a moment, the hall was alarmingly quiet. Except for the sounds of rapid breathing, only Lin Li's light footsteps could be heard coming from the steps.
Lin Li kept the smile on his face. He even greeted Cromwell politely as he approached. "Long time no see, Mage Cromwell."
"Long… long time no see…" Cromwell backed down subconsciously. Due to his wounded nose, there was a faint twang in the broken voice.
Lin Li had killed a Wyvern right before his eyes back when they were in the Sunset Mountains.
But Cromwell had always thought that this low-life mage was never his rival.
It was only luck that he'd managed to kill the Wyvern with that shot of icicle piercing right into the Wyvern's wound. If not for that, he'd long be torn to pieces by the Wyvern.
Chapter 25 - Old Merlin
Cromwell had always believed that Kevin was the only young man in the Guild of Magic worthy enough to be mentioned in the same breath as him. He had believed that the mage—three years older than him and three years ahead of him to be certified level-eight—was his only rival in Jarrosus City.
As for Lin Li… he was nothing but a low-level mage.
But now, he crumbled with a bang before such a low-level mage.
There were no explanations and no reasons. It was merely a simple yet brutal Waterfall Strike, and it thoroughly shattered the pride Cromwell held for over 20 years.
While on the floor, Cromwell suddenly realized just how frail he was.
Lin Li bent over Cromwell, the smile never leaving his face. Only his eyes revealed a menacing light, such that Cromwell never doubted he'd kill him with a lift of his hand.
Endless fear welled up from the bottom of his heart, as if he was back in the Sunset Mountains in an instant, faced with the terrifying Thunder Gorilla. He shrank back involuntarily once more.
"Enough!" Just then, a voice came from below the steps.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Cromwell, who was just sinking into fear, was like a drowning man clutching at a life-saving straw. "Father!"
"Shut up! Don't you find yourself embarrassing enough?" Old Merlin emerged from the crowd. He wore a black mage robe, his right hand clutching a green staff. He exuded an aura so powerful that even on the steps a distance away, Lin Li could sense an irresistible pressure.
"Mage Felic, thanks for disciplining my child on my behalf." Old Merlin looked sincere and bowed slightly at Lin Li. But when he looked up, his eyes divulged a hint of murderous intent. "But some things should be left to me, the father. Young man, it never hurts to be a little kinder."
As Old Merlin's voice settled, the magical elements in the surroundings turned into a violent wave, like a giant vortex spreading across the area. Lin Li felt an unprecedented pressure standing in the center of this vortex. He had to clench his teeth tightly to ensure he wouldn't bend under this immense pressure.
At the same time, Old Merlin's mental strength was surging like torrential tide, dealing an impact with every wave to the center of the vortex where Lin Li stood.
"You're too polite." Lin Li clenched his jaws, sparking an abnormal mental strength all of a sudden, barely enduring the battle with Old Merlin where he faced too huge a gap in the first place.
But between a level-fifteen archmage and a level-eight mage, mental strength alone would be far from enough to compensate for the huge disparity in power.
It was an all-dimensional disparity, not only in power and experience, but also in the comprehension of rules.
At this moment, Old Merlin seemed like a veteran who had mastered the rules of the game bullying a newcomer who had just entered the gaming circle.
Once you surpassed level-fifteen to reach the realm of an archmage, your understanding of the entire world of magic would be on completely another level. No matter how strong Lin Li's mental strength was, or how near-infinite his mana was, he could never overcome such disparity in level.
What he could do now was to hang on and persevere.
But even so, he could not hold on for too long.
For Lin Li could clearly feel the giant vortex spinning at a crazier speed…
After waves and waves of mental strikes, he was on the brink of collapse.
It was a feeling of desperation. In the midst of the huge vortex, Lin Li felt that he had no room to fight back.
An archmage is indeed impressive… It was the first time Lin Li had met an adversary impossible to overcome ever since he had transmigrated. A profound sense of frustration sprung from his heart.
In fact, at this time, Old Merlin was feeling no more peaceful than Lin Li.
The young mage before him was no more than 20 years of age, much younger than Cromwell. But in the control of power, he was several times stronger than Cromwell, who had displayed an outstanding talent from a young age. Old Merlin had also observed in the probe earlier on how horribly strong this young man's mental strength was. He had given it his all, yet he couldn't figure out where his limit actually was.
Old Merlin knew very well it was all because of his deeper understanding of the rules that he was able to dominate the battle.
There was a difference of ten levels between both sides, and in the end this would be the way to decide the winner in this battle.
Mage was a highly hierarchical profession, and each level implied a great progress in power. The gap between an archmage and a mage was vaster than the sea of darkness. It was only in levelled battles, such as those between Old Merlin and Gerian, that competition was the rule.
An archmage oppressing a mage was an absolute crush…
But the crush that was expected eventually came to such a situation at present. Even Old Merlin could not help but be startled.
The only thing that pleased Old Merlin was that this unequal yet ridiculous battle was at last coming to an end…
Thinking it over, Old Merlin felt pathetic. He was an archmage, yet he was taking pride in defeating a mage.
The giant vortex spun insanely, and the waves of mental strikes were each one wave higher than another.
Just as Lin Li thought he would be swallowed by the giant vortex, a familiar voice rang from within the Emerald Tower. "Matthew, I see you're really getting out of it."
The next moment, Lin Li felt the weight lifted off his body. The giant vortex seemed to vanish without a trace in an instant, as if it had never been there before. Old Merlin still stood at the bottom of the steps a distance away; his eyes shifted from Lin Li to the depths of the Emerald Tower.
Gerian came out of the tower, looking as clumsy as ever. His round figure was moving rather than walking.
"Cut the crap, Gerian. You've got to give me an explanation for what happened today."
"Give you a f*ck…" Gerian retorted with a glare. "I say, Matthew, you're old enough now, shouldn't you be more sensible? Demanding an explanation when you bullied someone from my guild, do you really think I'm easy to bully now that I've gained weight in these two years?"
"…"
As Gerian's voice fell, the atmosphere outside Emerald Tower turned intense. All hearts were lifted to their owners' mouths. This was not a battle between Lin Li and Old Merlin like the one before—that was merely payback from a father for beating up his son. Now, both men standing there were archmages over level-fifteen, and were likewise two of the top powers leading Jarrosus.
Once the two powers turned against each other, the whole of Jarrosus would fall into turmoil.
Chapter 26 - Helpless
"You sure?" Old Merlin placed a foot on the step. Cromwell lay not far from where he stood, but Old Merlin did not even look at him. He pointed his green staff at Gerian, the huge magical crystal that was embedded at the tip of the staff emitting a misty green flame.
The violent magic wave seemed to bring along a gust of strong wind outside the Emerald Tower. Dust and scraps of paper on the ground were picked up and swirled like little dancers in the sky.
A compelling aura was felt from Old Merlin. It was dif
ferent from the confrontation with Lin Li earlier on; this time, the aura was even more violent and powerful.
Only then did Lin Li know how lucky he was as he felt the power contained in the aura. If Old Merlin had not suppressed him with his mental strength and attacked directly instead, Lin Li would probably have ended up lying flat on the steps long before Gerian came to his rescue.
It was totally two different worlds for a level-eight mage and a level-fifteen archmage.
Old Merlin was wrong for choosing a field Lin Li was best at. That was an abnormal mental strength that even a legendary mage would be jealous of.
But even in this field, Old Merlin, with his understanding of the rules, had won without a doubt.
Lin Li stood watching Old Merlin from afar. He could only see one word from him: difference.
As Old Merlin walked up the steps, Gerian tightened his grip on the staff.
A powerful aura—as powerful as that of Old Merlin—radiated from Gerian.
His body, originally overstuffed, was as imposing as a mountain in that instant.
It would only take a moment for two of the most powerful mages in Jarrosus to collide with a dazzling spark.
"You had long wanted to teach me a lesson after putting up with me for so many years, right?" Gerian's manner was as calm as before even in the midst of immense pressure.
"Cut the crap, Gerian!"
Old Merlin's expression was firm, but in his heart, he let out a sigh.
If Cromwell hadn't failed him, he wouldn't have challenged Gerian, who was an archmage just like him, with no assurance of winning.
Those 30 bottles of Arcane Magic Potion were important, but what Old Merlin was more interested in was the Guild of Magic that had its own pharmacist. After all, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. The Guild of Magic, which had been down and out for decades, could still stand against the Merlin Family in Jarrosus City. How would it look if they were to have a pharmacist of their own?
For an archmage like Old Merlin, he had sent Cromwell to convey their good intentions, and had even presented four level-fourteen spells that had been in their family hoard.
