"No, that's not it," the person began sweating. "Something… has happened to our first target."
Seeing the hesitation, the captain grew displeased. "Spit it out! What happened?"
The person awkwardly explained the circumstances behind Freon's fight, including how he managed to kill one, injure three, and almost kill himself in the process. It was so humiliating and shocking that the two leaders only had slacked jaws. Once the messenger finished the recollection, it took a minute for the captain and vice-captain to regain their senses. When they did though, the vice-captain raised his fist and smashed the table into smithereens. Not simply in half, but into shrapnel! The solid wooden table disintegrated under his attack, drowning the atmosphere colder by a dozen degrees.
"What did you say? You failed to capture a single kid?" the vice-captain roared.
His aura exploded out like a volcano, far stronger than the leader who nearly beat Freon to death. Unlike that man, Vice-captain Uldat was a true Perception Realm! He had exceeded human limits! The bartender and waitresses quivered in fear, not daring to breath. They even hoped to slink away and disappear, washing their hands from this place entirely. After all, it was obvious that they landed in deep trouble by just hearing… Captain Murvin was similarly simmering but remembered to keep calm headed. Despite his overly muscular features, he had a surprisingly sensible head on his shoulders. He flashed his vice-captain a glare, gesturing for the man to calm down, before addressing the messenger.
"…There's no further movements from the Arkfell estate, right?"
"No, we haven't noticed any other movements from the Arkfell Family or our target."
"In that case, then we'll head back and inspect this kid's condition ourselves. If something happens to him, I won't be able to explain myself to the Third Shadow," Captain Murvin sighed.
The night was beginning to peak, and midnight was approaching. According to their information, Protector Avin was highly likely to be injured, if not battle-incapable. Moreover, he might be an Arcanist, but how powerful could he be? Other people might be afraid of the Arcellius Family, but not them. The Second Hand under Lord Wenmord was gutsy enough to fight the Royal Family and go toe-to-toe with the strongest knight in the kingdom, Sir Winstin. Granted, the circumstances were complicated. Nevertheless, Sir Winstin stood at the peak of Perception Realm Master remember!
In comparison, the strongest Arcanist was Medium Condensed Drop, the Conquestian… Roughly speaking, Medium Condensed Drop was equivalent to Perception Realm Adept. Although it was inappropriate to equate them, it did expose the truth of the matter. Captain Murvin and Vice-captain Uldat were both Perception Realm Adepts as well except they boasted extremely potent fighting power and experience! Protector Avin was nothing in their eyes, and they gave enough respect by sitting around, waiting for him to move. Yet, the man did not do a thing. If Avin did not make a move now, he was unlikely to do anything. Therefore, the two men decided enough was enough and called it a night.
The Third Hand gradually retreated from the Arkfell estate, and those tailing servants left as well. Despite what Freon's enemy once suggested, there was no unnecessary bloodshed. The servants merely travelled around the city, feeling baffled at their guests' strange requests and nothing more. As for Shirley's case, the Third Hand had yet to realize that no one reported back. After all, thanks to Inari and his partner, they snuffed out that chance. While their forces were busy assembling back at their base, a man slowly woke up from his slumber in the Arkfell estate. That man was none other than Protector Avin Arcellius!
He opened his eyes at the unfamiliar room and instantly formed a sour face. How long was he asleep for? Avin had no idea. His last memories were of protecting Freon, Shirley, and Yuna from the spell, Thirty-Six Meteors, and the collapsing building. Because of it, he received a severe backlash and fell unconscious. The man took a deep breath and inspected his body. Aside from his Core, there were no physical injuries. He was completely unharmed! Thinking that this place was likely the home of their benefactor, Avin was in no hurry to get up. Unlike Nassandra, Freon did not bother to place a letter explaining the circumstances to him. Perhaps, he still felt his uncle was untrustworthy or unreliable. Perhaps, he thought his uncle would not recover so quickly. It was unknown what Freon had in mind.
However, a strange feeling caressed his heart, a very bad feeling. Trusting his instincts, he hurried to his feet while releasing his Magic Perception! Even weakened, the range of his perception was beyond what normal Condensed Drop Arcanists could achieve. In an instant, he engulfed the entire Arkfell estate and Engelsheft district in his senses. An Arcanist's perception was an innate sense, much like sight. The state of his weakened Core had no bearing on his ability to use it. That said, he could not exert it to his maximum potential. As a Blue Depth Core Level Arcanist, his Magic Perception could encompass the entire capital city and more! Now, it was barely a fraction of what it normally was.
Avin coughed many times from the exertion. His brow was laced with sweat. He looked wryly at his hands while sighing. Since he purposefully restrained his World Energy consumption, he remained in a perpetual state of weakness. This allowed him to pass off as any regular person on the streets and evade detection. Until he discovered Freon and Nassandra and ensured their safety, he was willing to bear this humiliation. Of course, if he released his current strength, it would fall somewhere in Condensed Drop. That was why Yuna gauged him in that realm. To return to his true strength, he would have to siphon the World Energy across Firecast!
When he walked out his room, he ran into a servant who bowed. Avin asked, "Where is Freon Adnire?"
His tone was hard, as he inadvertently released his aura. Despite currently possessing the power of Condensed Drop, Avin was a genuine Blue Depth Arcanist! It was not something a regular person could withstand. The pressure knocked the servant out cold. Avin was speechless. Groaning with helplessness, he gave a quiet apology before moving to his next victim. This time, he restrained his pressure and learned that Freon left a while ago and Nassandra Adnire was resting here as well! Arriving at her bedside in a flash, the man saw the letter from Freon. Without caring about formalities, he sifted through the contents and his face darkened like night.
"Idiot! Absolute idiot!" he cursed.
Avin was extremely old and extremely experienced in all walks of life. He knew firsthand that falling prey to demands was a slippery slope. It was impossible to escape! Freon was blinded by his emotions and tied by his connections. The boy could not make the correct decision. That said, that was Avin's viewpoint. Who knew what the correct decision was? Nevertheless, after learning everything, the man snarled. This was why he could not detect Freon nearby! Once Avin considered the remote possibility that his former enemies were behind this… His killing intent emerged in full force. Maybe it was finally time for him to declare his return!
A few minutes later, Avin stood in the gardens, facing the brisk rain head-on. Now that he confirmed both Nassandra and Freon's magical signatures, he could track them with his Magic Perception with pinpoint accuracy. As long as they were near the capital city, he could find them! And on the off chance that they were somewhere else, Avin was prepared to turn the kingdom upside-down to find them. He did not give a damn about formalities or authority. Losing the Arcellius Family once was enough. If he lost them again, right when they were at his fingertips, he might go mad! Whether it was the Zino Kingdom, the Alzar Kingdom, or the Xingyuu Empire, Avin was prepared to fight against the world! That was the pride and dignity of the Protector of the Arcellius Family, Avin Arcellius!