"Now then…" he finally turned his attention to Freon.
In truth, from the very start of the battle, he had already begun the healing process on the boy. One magic to attack, one to defend, and one to heal! Avin had been using three spells simultaneously the entire time and hid the presence of the latter two using his free-casting. Now that the dust finally settled, although it lasted a minute at most, Avin could not help but look deeply at Freon. His spell was infiltrating Freon's body, tending to his many injures, and repairing the tremendous damage from the backlash. Avin's skill might be notch below Ten Dawn Iris, the White Healer, but he compensated with his vast storage of Magic Energy. He could sustain healing spells far stronger and far longer than she could! And Freon's body was visibly healing as white energy started to close his many wounds.
Yet, the main concern was not there. Rather than the visible, it was the invisible Channels and Core that became a concern! Healing those were at least ten times more complicated than normal injures. It required extremely delicate care and skill to attempt it. At the very least, Avin was not willing to try. He might be a Blue Depth Core Arcanist, but he was not omnipotent. There were things he could not solve with brute force alone.
And more importantly… Avin revealed a troubled expression because Freon was now a Medium Gaseous Fog Arcanist! What should have elected joy instead gained worry. Avin's perception was strong, and there was no way he could be mistaken. A few hours ago, when he first reunited with Freon, the boy was barely considered an Arcanist, hovering at the precipice of Low Gaseous Fog. He was nowhere near the Medium standard! Now, he directly managed to jump a level. Worse yet, he was not far from the High Gaseous Fog Level! To suffer a backlash as severe as this, yet still progress through the Core Levels… Avin was stunned. This was outside of his knowledge! Unless…
No way. Is it possible that you have inherited… If that's true, then… Avin wondered quietly.
Just then, he sensed a familiar presence headed in his direction. He sharpened his Magic Perception and recognized it was the Conquestian. The man was undoubtedly looking to investigate the heavenly phenomenon that Avin triggered. As the leader of the Zino Kingdom, that was his responsibility! However, Avin was not interested in meeting the man. Using a spell, Avin levitated Freon's body behind him before travelling back to the Arkfell estate. His highspeed reduced, due to the expenditure from his brief battle, but not by much. Within a few minutes, the man took the sleeping Nassandra with him and disappeared. If he wanted to hide, then unless the kingdom was turned upside down, no one could find him! The danger of the Whispering Shadow… Avin would not let this disgrace pass.
At the same time, the Conquestian was travelling in his personal carriage. Unlike Avin, capable of enhancing his body while reducing its weight to achieve pseudo-flight, the Conquestian was far more normal. Or you could say, human-like. Taking time to travel from the Celestial Court to Avin's position was expected. Next to him were a few of his trusted subordinates from the Ten Auroras, the governing half of the Celestial Council of Magic. They were regular folk without a lick of magic in their bodies. Like the sword, there was no need for them to wield magic! Outside, his convoy was flanked by guards and some soldiers, but the bare minimum. Facing against a Blue Depth Core Arcanist, without an enormous advantage, their small numbers amounted to nothing. It was mostly for show.
The Conquestian's face was clouded in thought as he ignored the railings of his fellow companions. Since Avin's suppression over the city faded, people began waking up again. Although the damage varied, both the people and the city were okay. It was entirely different from the massive explosion that rocked the Lannisail Household. Because of that, rather than fear, the leaders were feeling angry. The Conquestian's subordinates were the same way. They wanted the person or organization behind this to pay. They were too used to the arrogance and privilege that came with being one of the three great civilizations of humanity! But the Conquestian thought differently. While a Blue Depth Arcanist was far from invincible, they could still reap huge amounts of damage through guerilla warfare. They could haunt the kingdom for years. It was clearly not the right decision to take.
Just then, he felt someone rapidly approaching the Arkfell estate. He was not like Protector Avin. His Magic Perception was far weaker and smaller, allowing him detection of a few city streets at most. He sensed Avin briefly enter and exit his perception with breakneck speed. The Conquestian frowned and called out to the carriage driver to change directions again. However, by then, it was already too late. Avin had taken the Adnire siblings and disappeared into the bustling capital! The Conquestian had no choice but to smile wryly. This reaction was enough for him to decipher Avin's attitude. He sighed. He could not do anything until the man showed up again!
Hours passed and despite the nightly hour, no one could fall asleep. The effects of that pressure and heavenly phenomenon were too impactful. People were afraid, curious, angry, sad… All sorts of emotions swirled through the city! But it was gradually improving. The Second Sage, Ten Dawn Rosemary, the other Ten Dawns and the Ten Auroras worked with the military and the city guard to calm the people down. Besides a handful of people, no one knew about the Arcellius Family's return or Protector Avin reaching Blue Depth Core Level. It was pointless if the populace knew anyways. Hence, the soldiers went around trying to explain the earlier bell, signaling that a great crisis had arrived, was a mistake and that everything was okay. It was a long road ahead before normalcy returns.
in the household of a particular Hochlaegen family, a young man was hurling insults and profanities nonstop while beating a woman senselessly with a whip. Two other naked women were watching in fear, their normal beauty was drenched in tears. The man did not hold back at all. Every flick of his whip left deep scars across the woman's white skin. They would likely never fade with time. Every flick disfigured her more and more! When the woman's features were ruined beyond recognition, when he beat her until he was out of breath, did he stop for a moment. His mad eyes swerved to his other two targets, causing them to beg for mercy. However, he only grunted and was about to continue when…
"How awful," a man clicked his tongue. "That's not the way to treat a lady."
"You!" the violent man shouted in surprise.
This young scion was obviously the Third Shadow of the Whispering Shadow, the one who sent the Third Hand to kidnap Freon and Avin. After he sent his order, he went back to enjoying the company of these beautiful women. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Avin��s awakening sent a massive whirlwind across the city, shaking it to its foundation. The Third Shadow was no exception. Under Avin's monstrous aura and pressure, the man squealed like a girl and pissed himself. This unsightly appearance was seen by the women, which both embarrassed and infuriated him. He tried recalling the Third Hand to his side in case things took a turn for the worse and the city went under attack. However, how could they return? They were annihilated by Avin! Therefore, under these gnawing emotions, the Third Shadow resorted to violence and the current scene was the result.
Being interrupted, the Third Shadow became enraged. He had specifically ordered his servants to either return with the Third Hand or get lost. Since neither happened, and he was being reprimanded as well, how could he tolerate it? Without a word, the man twirled his whip and lashed out at incredible speeds towards the source of the voice. How fast was a whip? It was fast! Really fast! In a fraction of a second, it had already reached its target. Snap! Thinking that his target was likely reeling in pain, the man was about to turn around when he froze. A dagger rested on his throat! His anger was gradually overshadowed by a mounting sense of crisis and fear.
A cold voice whispered into his ear. "It's pointless to scream for help. We've already dealt with everyone else in the mansion."