Chapter 9 (1/2)
Chapter 9: The Dark Elf Magician – Holmes
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Hiding in the shadow of a tree, Link did his best to steady his breath. He wondered how he could possibly escape from the Dark Elves.
20 Omni Points. I’ll spend 9 of them on Mana Speed Recovery first, Link said to himself.
If all went well, he would be able to just avoid them. If he could replenish his Mana quickly, the longer he dodged them, the more Mana he would recover and the safer he would be.
His Mana Recovery Speed became 9.2 Points per hour with the 9 Omni Points he had spent on Mana Speed Recovery. He now had a Maximum Mana of 91 Points, and 23 Mana Points. If only he could hide from the Dark Elves for seven more hours, then his Mana would be refilled completely.
With his Mana full, he could easily use the six Level-0 Spells and two Level-1 Spells he knew. Even if something were to happen, leaving him with no choice other than to fight, with those spells he was confident that he would be able to escape.
He heard voices coming from the ruins of the tower. The Dark Elves were engaged in a heated discussion.
Everyone from the Magic Academy had been wiped out by now, leaving most of the Dark Elves free to gather around the Portal Tower. This would be the best time to escape from the academy.
Link thought about it and came to a decision.
Purchase Spell: Silence.
Silence
Level-0 Spell
Effect: Reduces the noise emitted by the bearer, including footsteps, breathing and speaking. The spell’s effect lasts for 20 minutes each time it’s cast.
After purchasing it, Link felt the familiar haziness wash over him. When it was gone, he had mastered the Level-0 Spell.
Link recited the Spell of Silence in his mind, using it right away.
At this time, the Mana around the Portal Tower had already settled down and the flashes of light had died out. The Magic Academy once again sank into darkness.
With the spells of Lesser Invincibility and Silence cloaking him, Link moved as discreetly as a shadow. He stood up, avoiding the streetlights and followed the path back by memory. He walked towards the back door of the Magic Academy.
The Dark Elf Assassins hadn’t noticed anything as he slipped past them. Link managed to escape the Academy.
The Magic Academy had been built in Gladstone City’s Flower District. It was a gathering point for the city’s upper-class citizens—most of them even lived there.
That was the reason why so many Dark Elf Assassins assembled throughout this area.
But in contrast to the Assassins in the Magic Academy, the Dark Elves here had specific targets: the prominent figures of the Flower District. Their mission was clear, and so they wouldn’t go around just killing every person they saw.
As long as Link didn’t get exposed as a Magician, he would probably be safe even if he was discovered.
In that moment, Link felt extremely grateful that he was wearing a normal, gray robe. With his average features, and as long as he kept his wand hidden, he would look as common as common could be.
I should be safe before the news gets out about the Magic Academy. But I should be careful and get as far away from the academy as I can. No matter what, I need to leave this place before the Dark Elf Army arrives.
Link walked quickly, his luck seeming to be in his favor. Along with the help of the two spells he wore, he flitted through the shadows without running into any obstacles.
The Magic Academy, at the Portal Tower.
When Link left the Magic Academy, a crowd of Dark Elf Assassins stood around the ruins of the tower, unable to believe their eyes.
Commander Jiggs had died, and the Portal Tower had been destroyed. The prime location for their ambush on the Magic Academy had disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“Terry, what do we do now?” a Dark Elf Assassin looked at Terry and asked, his voice raw.
Even though Terry had chosen to run rather than fight Link, with the death of Commander Jiggs, he was now the only highest ranking Dark Elf among those present.
Terry’s heart was heavy. The Portal Tower had been crucial in their ambush of Gladstone City. If news of the successful assassination did not reach Marshal Lorde outside of the city, he would not dispatch his troops.
In addition, there was a possibility of the attack on Gladstone City being abandoned. If that happened, every single Dark Elf involved in the ambush would be severely punished according to military law. There might even be a mass execution by the furious Marshal.
“I think, that the only thing we can do now, is to avenge the Commander. Find that young, human Magician!” Terry sighed.
The Dark Elves exchanged looks with one another. The same Dark Elf asked again, “Could he have used the portal to get away?”
Terry shook his head. “Impossible. No one can use a portal on the verge of collapse. Not unless he has a deathwish. He must have escaped after destroying the Portal Tower. If I’m not mistaken, he should be hiding in some dark corner of the Magic Academy.”
“We’ll find him!”
The Dark Elf Assassins scattered in all directions, determined to search each and every nook and cranny of the academy.
The academy wasn’t large. Its circumference was only about 1000 feet. There weren’t many places one could hide in such a place. There were at least 200 Dark Elf Assassins searching for Link. Within less than half an hour, they had torn through each and every corner of the school, to no avail.
Half an hour later, the Assassins gathered around the Portal Tower once again.