e-booksonline Chapter 24 Ambush
Chapter 24 Ambush
The name Clara Layton became famous overnight among the low-ranking apprentices in the Wizarding Tower.
Being accepted as a disciple by the notoriously strict and unapproachable Kairon Mossad was an enviable honor in itself, especially considering he was a newcomer.
Various speculations and discussions fermented in the cafeteria, corridors, and common lounges, with envious, jealous, and curious glances following closely behind.
Clara ignored this.
He was like a stone thrown into deep water, quickly sinking into the daily rhythm of the Gray Tower.
He did not move to the tower area reserved for mentor Chiron—which was usually reserved for close disciples—but remained in the dormitory area for junior apprentices.
After announcing that he was accepting a disciple, Master Kairon only told him to come back to him after he had completed the third level of apprenticeship, and gave him no further instructions.
This means that Clara will be treated the same as other ordinary apprentices before reaching the third level of apprenticeship.
They studied basic courses in large public classrooms and consulted materials in public libraries.
Kayron's attitude was less about accepting a disciple and more about...
mark.
A seed that awaits observation and testing.
Clara, however, was clearly not dissatisfied. He was simply quietly accumulating power, waiting for the right moment to retaliate!
This news quickly reached Hick's ears.
"Hmph, just as I expected."
Hick put down the test tube bubbling with eerie bubbles, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"So you didn't bring it with you after all? Well then, 'protagonist,' this little boss, is about to make my move!"
In the Wizard's Tower, knowledge is not free.
Outside of general education courses, even accessing the most basic information in the public library requires paying with Magic Crystals.
With Belon as her tightly controlled "purse," Clara has no worries about these necessities.
However, Perón's life became increasingly difficult.
"nice one!"
At the edge of a forest filled with the scent of humus, Belon looked up at a towering tree that required several people to encircle.
His gaze was fixed on the high canopy of the tree, where several vines shimmered with a faint magical glow, and a long-lost look of joy finally appeared on his face.
"Demon Shadow Vine!"
This relatively rare enchanted plant can be exchanged for a full 200 magic crystals when brought back to the Wizard Tower!
And this time, the commission he received for bringing back new apprentices from the Wizard Tower was only 500 magic crystals.
Since becoming Krall's servant, almost all of his hard-earned magic crystals have been looted.
Nowadays, he can only earn a meager income by taking on these dangerous or tedious tasks, most of which he has to hand over to the government.
To say that Perón harbored no resentment would be a lie. But what could he do?
Whenever I think of that curse mark branded deep in my spirit, like a leech, all my resentment and bitterness can only turn into a heavy and desperate sigh.
Normally, as a third-level apprentice, he should have had several first- or second-level apprentices accompanying him on missions to look after each other. But now, he is all alone.
Peron knew in his heart that he was being isolated and targeted.
Just like that unfortunate Lor, who went mad out of fear of Heath's revenge and ultimately destroyed himself.
And he, Perón...
Thinking of the friends who used to call him brothers but now avoid him like the plague, and the former subordinates who have all left, he was absolutely certain that it was all orchestrated by Hick behind the scenes!
Hick is now considered the number one apprentice among the third-level students in the Gray Tower, enjoying unparalleled prestige.
Even some formal wizards would nod to him or exchange a few words with him.
It would be incredibly easy for him to target himself, or rather, to strike at Krall through himself!
Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on Belon's lips. He shook his head, dispelling useless thoughts, and prepared to climb the giant tree to pluck the valuable Shadow Vine.
Just as his fingers were about to touch the rough bark—
"Sizzle—!!!"
Several long-planned, ear-piercing shrieks that tore through the air suddenly rang out!
The scorching beams of light, the corrosive acid, and the invisible mental impact, from three tricky angles, struck Belon with the precision of a venomous snake at his back, abdomen, and head!
In the face of life and death, Belon's instincts, honed in the wild, erupted instantly!
Almost subconsciously and frantically, he extracted magic power, creating a thin shield of elemental light on his body!
however--
"BOOM!!!"
Several powerful streams of magical energy slammed into the shield! A deafening explosion reverberated through the forest, and the violent shockwave snapped the surrounding bushes, sending leaves flying everywhere!
The hastily formed shield lasted for less than half a breath before shattering with a mournful cry!
"puff--!"
Belon was struck as if by a heavy hammer, his body crashing against the cold trunk of the giant tree behind him like a kite with a broken string!
His internal organs seemed to shift instantly, and a mouthful of scalding blood gushed out uncontrollably, staining the moss and exposed tree roots beneath him!
"Tsk tsk tsk..."
A voice, full of mockery and malice, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, rang out in the forest filled with the smell of blood and burnt flesh.
"Isn't this our respected senior, Belon? Look at you now... this is really not a good look."
Peron struggled to slowly raise his head, inch by inch, the excruciating pain blurring his vision.
But when he clearly saw the figure leisurely strolling out from behind a thick, ancient tree in front of him, his pupils suddenly shrank to pinpoints.
"K...Kurt!"
His hoarse voice, like a broken bellows, was filled with unbelievable fear.
With a blatantly feigned concern, Kurt approached slowly, each step feeling like it was treading on Peron's heart.
"Oh dear, you're so badly injured? How could you be so careless?"
He shook his head dramatically, his schadenfreude almost overflowing.
"Where is your master? Lord Klar...didn't he spare you even a life-saving magical artifact or two?"
He paused deliberately, a cruel and gleeful smile spreading across his lips, a smile filled with the sweet taste of revenge and undisguised contempt:
"Oh! Look at my memory! I almost forgot—"
Kurt's voice suddenly rose, filled with mocking sarcasm.
"It's just a dog... why would it need witchcraft props?! Hahahaha!"
Accompanied by his piercing laughter, three undisguised fluctuations of third-level apprentice mental energy from three other directions, like cold chains, firmly locked onto the heavily injured Belon.
Three figures dressed in Grey Tower apprentice robes, like death itself emerging from the shadows, slowly appeared from behind the tree, expressionlessly blocking all his possible escape routes.
Their eyes were cold; they had clearly been waiting for a long time.
Seeing this desperate situation that completely cut off all avenues of survival, the last trace of color drained from Belon's face, leaving only ashen despair.
The extreme fear instantly overwhelmed the excruciating physical pain!
His survival instinct drove him to struggle desperately, enduring excruciating pain that felt like his lungs were being torn apart, and with all his might he let out a humble moan:
"Kurt! Please...please!"
Blood kept gushing from the corners of his mouth as he pleaded, staining his teeth red.
"Have mercy! Spare me! I... I'm still useful! I really am! I can be your informant! Pass on messages! I know about Klar! Please... let... let me go!"
His voice was broken and intermittent, filled with a longing for life.