Elite Mages' Academy

“Are you trying to provoke me?”

Valen focused his attention on Xiao Lin, slowly walking forward. As he walked past others, even if Valen looked like he was full of holes, no one dared to touch him at that moment. Everyone was waiting to see how Xiao Lin would react.

“You seem very comfortable.” Xiao Lin could not see any rage coming from Valen’s face.

“Aren’t you the same? You’ve been observing me the whole time. It seems like you’ve already figured out how to deal with me?”

“No, no, I’ve seen many like you. I’m not exaggerating when I say it would not be a problem for me to kill two of you with one hand.”

“Oh, you’re quite a jokester, but I can’t seem to understand the jokes from your world.” Valen did not bother hiding anything, revealing that he knew who Xiao Lin was.

Xiao Lin understood why Valen did that. The others did not know Xiao Lin was a colonist. Colonists still held a very special and high position in most of the dark races’ eyes, but if Valen killed Xiao Lin easily, then Valen’s power in the royal city would be solidified.

“Right, have you fixed up your home?”

“Yes?”

“I heard that your house got thoroughly ransacked by some intruders. The safety in the royal city has really been a mess lately, but don’t you worry; I’ve already relayed the message to Dawn City, and they’ll send a big troop over later.” Xiao Lin retorted, not showing any weakness.

The crowd stirred. Xiao Lin’s status as a colonist was already enough to astonish them, and the news Xiao Lin had just revealed was even more of a blow. First was Xiao Lin’s status, next was the troops Dawn Academy was sending over. What were they for? To fight the rebels? Or just to ensure the safety of the colonists in the city? Or is it to fight against the dark powers?

“Ah, why is it different from what I’ve heard? Dawn City has already sent someone to talk to me, and even asked for me to be in charge of the city in the future.”

“Huh, the dean did not mention that the last time we ate together.”

…

The scene was very strange; neither of them made a move, and instead seemed to be chatting like friends, puzzling everyone. Yet, the venom in their words got thicker.

After a moment, they seemed to have run out of things to say. After a brief silence, Valen suddenly laughed, “Are you stalling for time? Did that little Ibeiya run off to get help?”

“You’re stalling for time too.” Xiao Lin answered the question with another, “Are you gathering your strength? Even though you’ve revived yourself after a few fatal blows, the timing of your resurrections has been getting longer. Your resurrections are probably quite taxing to you.”

Valen’s expression changed for the first time, and the others who were on the verge of giving up suddenly had a look of realization, and started to look at Valen differently. That mysterious resurrection skill originally had them stumped and near giving up, but if it was like Xiao Lin said, then the resurrection was not absolute.

“Haha, you look so nervous. I was just joking with you.” Xiao Lin saw that Valen’s expression was starting to get dangerous, and immediately switched the topic. He only wanted to stall for time and buy enough time for Ibeiya; only then, would he guarantee his victory.

However, Valen started to seem impatient, especially with the unkind gazes that were being shot at him, waiting for someone to make the first move.

“You’re right, but wrong at the same time. I am gathering up my energy, but not in preparation of reviving, since there’s already no way you can kill me!” Valen once again spoke.

His voice suddenly turned raspy, and his robes seemed to be fluttering in the wind. Xiao Lin felt like something was off, and did not hesitate as he charged forward. The weapon the old man prepared for him was of Bronze rank, and was said to be a treasure of the St. Claude clan. The black tip of the sword hid a strong poison.

Swish!

The tip of the sword pierced right into Valen’s body. Valen did not even make a move to dodge, but he did not die immediately that time. Instead, he held onto the blade, smiling coldly as he said, “How amusing; that sword must be the one that the St. Claude clan stole from us a century ago. You’re actually using something like that against me!”

Pang!

The sword had been snapped by Valen in a flash. Xiao Lin looked back and glared at the old man, whose face was full of shock, but it was not the time to blame anyone.

Xiao Lin did not have any intentions of retreating with only half a blade in hand. Instead, he did not hesitate to activate the Ruin state. Since he was already at Bronze rank, he got an even bigger surge of power entering Ruin.

Flame Sword Aura!

Xiao Lin channelled intense flames into the sword. The broken tip could no longer withstand such a strong surge of power, and the blade quickly turned bright red. Xiao Lin then immediately withdrew, heading to a corner to hide.

Boom!

An intense explosion was seen; the sword that could not contain the flame energy exploded as shards shot out in all directions, completely mutilating Valen’s body. Even the ones around who could not put up a defense in time were harmed.

However, no one planned on doing anything to Xiao Lin at that time, everyone’s gazes were fixed on the chunks of flesh on the ground. After a few seconds, the flesh started to slowly move and gather together.

“It’s slower! The speed really got slower!” someone shouted. Xiao Lin’s earlier statement was confirmed.

Facing Valen, who resurrected again, they no longer had the same fear as earlier. The lack of knowledge was the scariest thing. They might still not understand the reason behind it, but being able to counter it meant there was nothing to be afraid of.

Only Xiao Lin sighed in a corner. That was not the result he wanted. Valen’s resurrection speed did decrease each time he died, but at the rate it was decreasing, Xiao Lin did not know how long it would take until Valen no longer had the strength to resurrect. Xiao Lin knew it clearly, having already experienced it once, but he was not going to say it out loud.

“Everyone, charge!”

“Kill him!”

“Valen has exhausted all his strength!”

…

The situation that was already settled once again erupted into chaos. Valen’s smile finally disappeared from his face. He did not attack right after resurrecting, instead floating in mid-air. He had actually been gathering his energy. Even if it was interrupted by Xiao Lin, he decided to not wait any longer.