"Because, according to the divination, the young man fated to overthrow my authority is—none other than you, Roel Lionis!"
His words were like thunder—a shocking revelation that left Roel stunned to death.
"What do you mean—" Before he could complete his sentence and articulate his shock, Roel sensed an overwhelming danger, triggering his survival instincts in an instant.
"Not good!" He was about to rise and summon his magic staff when he suddenly felt an immense pressure that instantly rooted him in place.
"Boom!"
The pressure was so formidable that even as a level 10 mage, he couldn't resist it at all!
('F***! What the hell! The pressure of the Arcana Mage!') Roel cursed inwardly, astonished, his face turning pale as if he were enduring the agony of this intense force.
With difficulty, he lifted his head and saw Julius standing with a cold smile, the source of the pressure he felt.
His gaze directed towards him harbored an intensity he had never witnessed before, containing a formidable killing intent.
"Roel Lionis, do you know why, despite my knowledge that you would take everything away from me according to the divination, I've kept you here and even assigned you palace missions directly?" Julius inquired in a condescending tone, wielding a gleaming golden magic staff.
Upon hearing the question, Roel lapsed into silence, the oppressive force not only subduing his body but also stifling any attempt to respond.
Under the pressure of Julius, an exceedingly powerful Arcana Mage, every ounce of his movement was constrained.
Observing Roel, who remained silent due to the overwhelming pressure, Julius smiled faintly and shook his head.
"It's all because I desire to alter that fate..." He paused, his gaze narrowing and the grip on his magic staff tightening.
"I want to change that fate! I want to alter the one where you, fated to overthrow and seize everything from me, will be under my control so that I can wield you as my personal weapon! Your talents and abilities are unparalleled in the history of mankind—no, not just within the human race but in the entire world! You, reaching your current level at only 25 years old, the only one." The tone of his words carried envy, ambition, and a myriad of complex emotions.
His original intent in holding Roel back was for personal gain, driven by a desire to prove the so-called future fate wrong!
Even though he was aware that it was likely impossible, he persisted in trying to alter Roel's trajectory in contrast to the divination.
In the meantime, Roel, now aware of this damn emperor's hidden agenda, couldn't help but inwardly curse with newfound hatred.
('Asshole! Damn it! No wonder I've felt like I've been targeted by this smelly old emperor all this time! It turns out that I'm a threat to him, and he wants to control me to become a cow and horse for him!') Roel exclaimed with hatred.
If it weren't for the Arcana Mage pressure he received from Julius, preventing him from fighting back, he might have launched a suicide attack against him.
Indeed, from the beginning, he had been suspicious of Julius, who inexplicably tasked him with assignments such as border issues and others.
However, he did not anticipate the intricacies behind it, learning that in the future he would be compelled to face and potentially eliminate this damn old man!
('Don't even wait for the future; even now, I'd kill you if I were relieved of this pressure, you damn old man!') Roel gritted his teeth as if he genuinely wanted to bite Julius to death.
Truthfully, he could have rejected all the tasks given by Julius and the palace because, as mentioned earlier, he was not a palace mage.
Moreover, he held a special identity as the main disciple of the headmaster of the Saint Heines Magic Academy
The Saint Heines Magic Academy was the most renowned mage academy on the entire continental mainland and also the most powerful force in the world!
Even the Arcadia Empire could not afford to be lax when it came to the Saint Heines Magic Academy.
Yet, because he was born in the Arcadia Empire, after the massive invasion of the Demon Emperor, the Empire asked all of its students to assist their homeland.
Consequently, this became the mission that he must fulfill as a student of the Magic Academy.
So, this turn of events and the revelation of Julius' ulterior motives were beyond his expectations.
On the other hand, Julius regained his composure slowly, fixing an indifferent gaze upon Roel.
"Roel Lionis, I have extended numerous offers for you to serve under Arcadia's imperial palace, yet you consistently declined. This refusal foreshadows a future where you inevitably emerge as my adversary, aiming to seize everything from me as per your intentions. Therefore, forgive my ruthlessness, but I am compelled to end your life," Julius declared emotionlessly, resolved to carry out Roel's demise regardless.
His words caused Roel's eyes to widen, a sense of wonder transforming swiftly into a chilling killing intent as he gazed at Julius.
"Kill me? Hehehe... Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the Saint Heines Magic Academy, Julius?" Roel's voice sounded hoarse, blood oozing from his mouth as he strained to respond while resisting the pressure imposed by Julius, an Arcana mage!
If Julius dared to kill him, he would undoubtedly face the retaliation of the Saint Heines Academy of Magic.
Nevertheless, without intending to boast, he held a revered status as the most beloved individual by the headmaster of the Saint Heines Academy of Magic, owing to his exceptionally formidable talent.
In conjunction with his diligent efforts, he managed to harness his talent to its full potential, and his humble demeanor endeared him to every student, earning him the utmost respect throughout the entire academy.
The title of the most talented human in the world wasn't just empty talk.
Therefore, despite Julius exerting pressure as an Arcana Mage, he managed to regain his composure through thoughtful consideration of the various possibilities.
Unfortunately, his calmness was fleeting, dissipating as soon as he heard Julius' subsequent words.
"Hehehe, indeed, it would be troublesome if those accursed mages from the academy discovered this, but did you ever consider that I haven't prepared for such a situation?" His words left Roel stunned, unable to comprehend their meaning, but suddenly, a dizzying sensation overwhelmed his head.
His body weakened, and the magical energy within him became instantly disarrayed, as if chaos had erupted within the flow of mana in his body.
This terrified him to the core, and he stared at Julius with a horrified gaze.
"You... you ashole! What are you doing!?" Blood continued to drip from the corner of his mouth as he shouted vehemently at Julius, who looked at him playfully while slowly settling back into his throne chair.
A mocking smile played on his lips as he observed the horrifying turn of events unfolding for Roel.
Gradually, he took a breath and said, "Alright, I'll be merciful since you're on the brink of death. However, before that, allow me to share a tale with you. Did you know that thousands of years ago, there was a mage who crafted the world's deadliest poison, known as the 'Poison of the King of Hell'?"