As the souls emerged, the figures of the enemies froze in place, unable to move.
Not only that, but as the magic took effect, their souls lost all capacity for thought, becoming like savage beasts, tearing and attacking each other within the black waters.
And with every injury their souls sustained, corresponding wounds appeared on their bodies, causing their skin to gradually break apart.
Seeing this, both Dean Bruce and Nicholas William couldn't help but smile.
It worked!
[That kid's something else, he really is the protagonist. His talent is impressive—just a few words from me, and he's already mastered a spell that targets both body and soul, with both offensive and control capabilities. Tsk tsk, I'll definitely need to give him more profound incantations to study in the future.] Dean Bruce thought he must teach more spell to Nicholas.
With Nicholas William's protagonist status, he'd surely grasp those spells quickly, allowing Dean Bruce to become a master of many high-level spells himself.
As for mana reserves?
He would have to rely on the system and the Dragonheart Pendant to slowly increase those.
There was no other way—Dean Bruce, as a transmigrator, couldn't increase his mana through traditional cultivation. It was already fortunate that he could use the energy of this world to replenish his mana.
Refocusing his mind, The Interrogation of the Soul fully activated, trapping all the enemies in place.
However, Nicholas William's level was still too low, and his limited mana couldn't fully unleash the spell's potential. Before long, one of the enemies regained consciousness and roared in anger, "Damn it! What kind of twisted magic is this? How does the son of a city lord possess such a spell?"
"Flames, ignite with scorching heat, and drive back all foes! Blazing Fire Ring, erupt!"
With the shout, a ring of fire burst forth from a magician, sweeping outwards in all directions.
Boom, boom, boom!
The intense flames instantly burned away the black water, and the fiery ring, packed with power like a steel blade, shot toward Nicholas William.
Anything in its path—whether it be figures or trees—was either sliced through or sent flying.
Seeing this, several cavalrymen quickly wheeled around, raising their shields and placing themselves between Nicholas William and the incoming attack.
Clang, clang, clang!
The sharp sound of impact rang out as the shields absorbed the fiery assault, the magic embedded within them neutralizing the flames.
Nicholas William smirked, "Uncle Noel, go ahead and take care of these guys. I've already tested the power of my new magic; there's no need for them to stay alive."
Upon hearing this, the cavalrymen no longer held back, shouting in unison as their weapons began to glow.
"Hehe..."
"Ha! You think you can take us down with just your ragtag bunch?"
Not far away, another figure emerged, completely shrouded in a black robe, making it impossible to see clearly. But that laughter caught Dean Bruce's attention, and his eyes lit up in recognition.
No one else could have that laugh—it had to be Alita Miller!
Focusing on her, Dean Bruce saw Alita's black-gloved hands weaving through the air, her fingers splayed wide. Instantly, countless black threads streamed from her hands, forming massive webs that enveloped the charging cavalry, Nicholas William, and even the group from the Temple of Wisdom, binding them all in place, unable to move.
Even the glowing weapons couldn't cut through the black threads that formed the webs.
As for the magicians, without the ability to move their wands, they couldn't successfully cast their spells, even if they chanted the incantations.
"Hurry up and take down Lina Jones! I can only hold them for a short time!"
Alita Miller shouted at the figure who had previously cast the Blazing Fire Ring spell. The person trembled, then with a roar, leaped into the air, brandishing a longsword and taking advantage of the others being immobilized to strike at the designated saintess, Lina Jones.
At the same time, their soldiers turned to attack Nicholas William and his group.
Seeing this, Dean Bruce couldn't hold back any longer!
Nicholas William had immense potential—he was one of Dean Bruce's key players in growing stronger. How could he just stand by and watch him die?
Besides, Dean Bruce had realized this was all just an act.
Alita Miller certainly wouldn't target him, so since he was already here, why not play along and be the hero who saves the day?
If he could forge a good relationship with the designated saintess of the Temple of Wisdom, it would definitely be advantageous, making it easier to acquire resources.
With this thought in mind, Dean Bruce decided to stop hiding. He leaped out from the shadows, landing directly in front of everyone, shocking them all.
"Teacher!" Nicholas William's face lit up with joy as he shouted excitedly, "Teacher, you're here! Hahaha, with you around, these scoundrels are nothing!"
"Teacher?"
Hearing this, even the person charging at Lina Jones hesitated for a moment.
If Nicholas William's magic had already posed a significant threat, then his teacher must be even more powerful.
In contrast, the group from the Temple of Wisdom couldn't hide their delight, their hearts filled with hope.
Another ally had arrived!
"You dare to try and kill my student? You truly are... reckless beyond belief!"
Dean Bruce's voice grew colder as he spoke. Suddenly, he stomped his foot, activating The Interrogation of the Soul spell. With ten times the understanding and power of Nicholas William, the spell was unleashed instantly.
The black water was no longer the thin stream it had been before; within a single breath, it surged like a tidal wave, engulfing everyone nearby and rising up to their waists.
The force of the water was so intense that they struggled to stay on their feet.
"So powerful! Instant casting without the need to chant! And this water… it's much stronger than what Nicholas William had summoned earlier!"
Everyone was stunned by the sight.
Nicholas William himself was utterly astonished, murmuring to himself, "So the water created by this spell can be this overwhelming, like the ocean itself! It seems my understanding of this magic is still very shallow. I need to delve deeper into it!"
Splash!
The black water surged furiously, and apart from Alita Miller, who floated above the scene, everyone else was submerged, unable to move.
Their bodies stiffened in place, their expressions dazed as ghostly images of their souls emerged and began to turn on each other in vicious combat—even the one who had cast the Blazing Fire Ring was not spared.
What's more, the soul formed by this person was incredibly savage, quickly destroying several other soul forms. The corresponding individuals coughed up large amounts of blood and collapsed into the black water, their fate uncertain.
"This is bad!"
"Another powerful enemy has appeared!"
Hovering above, Alita Miller gritted her teeth and demanded, "Who are you? How dare you interfere with our plans? State your name if you have the courage!"
Hearing this, Dean Bruce almost couldn't contain his laughter.
Is this her idea of acting?
Wasn't this just an attempt to get me to reveal my identity so the people from the Temple of Wisdom would remember me and offer rewards later?
But since he had already decided to play along, Dean Bruce wasn't going to ruin the act—after all, he stood to gain from it.
Even though he didn't fully trust Alita Miller, knowing she likely had her own agenda, it didn't hurt to reap the benefits now.
With this in mind, Dean Bruce let out a cold snort and declared, "I am Dean Bruce, a tutor at Notting City's Junior Magic Academy. You dare act so recklessly near Notting City and even lay a hand on my student? Today, none of you will leave here alive!"
"How arrogant!"
Alita Miller hissed sinisterly, "Just a tutor? Watch my magic!"
"Oh, radiant moonlight, unleash your brilliance and transform into sharp blades that will tear through all darkness! Moonlight Sword Dance!"
As she waved her staff, dark clouds gathered overhead, blotting out the sun and plunging the already dim forest into deep darkness.
White moonlight fell from the sky, condensing into sword-like energy that danced like butterflies, slashing in all directions.
Slash, slash, slash—
When the sword energy touched someone, it unleashed incredible power, tearing through flesh and even slicing through armor, which couldn't withstand the fiery bursts that followed.