Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 125 (Part 2)

Suddenly, a cloud of dust rose ahead. Upon closer inspection, someone was galloping toward them on horseback.

“Eagle Eye.”

Kendrick cast a 2-circle spell to enhance his vision. He spotted a young boy and a man in his thirties riding horses, both dressed in simple clothing.

“Stop them.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Kendrick, already irritated, decided to vent his frustration on the riders.

Several mages stepped forward, casting spells. One of them used Shout, a 1-circle spell that amplified sound, and the booming voice carried across the road.

“Stop right there!”

The horses, startled by the sudden noise, neighed and reared up, their riders tugging on the reins to bring them to a halt a short distance from the mages.

“How dare you gallop so recklessly on a public road! What if someone had been hurt?”

“My apologies. We were in a hurry and acted disrespectfully—Oh?”

The older man dismounted and immediately froze when he saw the mages’ faces. The young boy riding behind him also stiffened, his gaze darting around in search of an escape route, though it was clear there was none.

“Well, if it isn’t the brat who was with that insolent boy earlier.”

“Yes, Elder. These are the ones I saw.”

The riders were none other than Larry, Matthew, and Bianca.

After Rodin’s warning, they had fled at full speed. However, the aftershocks of Rodin’s battle with the massive monster—explosions, tremors, and earth-shaking impacts—had reached them, further spurring their desperate escape.

Larry pushed their horses to their limits, while Matthew, frightened out of his wits, repeatedly lashed his horse to move faster.

In their frantic escape, they had encountered a group of people. Initially, they had hoped for salvation, but their relief turned to dread when they realized it was the mages from the Sedria Tower.

“Perfect. Take them.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Several mages stepped forward. Some had malicious expressions, while others appeared confused, still unsure of the situation.

Kendrick’s group of fifty mages included a few who had been present during Rodin’s previous altercation with the tower, but the majority were unaware of the context.

“Elder, what’s going on here?”

“That boy and his companions disrespected our tower,” Kendrick sneered. “I tried reasoning with them, but they were rude and insolent. It’s only right that I teach them some respect—and extract any useful information they might be hiding.”

Kendrick’s real intentions, of course, were not so noble. He was after the secrets of the young mage who had been with Larry and Bianca.

Before setting out on this mission, the Tower Lord of the Cedria Tower had mentioned that someone in the region was crafting remarkable activation-type artifacts. Kendrick interpreted this as an implicit command to neutralize the competition.

Upon investigating further, Kendrick had discovered that the young mage’s skills were far from ordinary. Unlike the Cedria Tower, which could only produce basic artifacts like Magic Arrow tools, the boy’s artifacts were far more advanced. In addition, mercenaries who had used both had overwhelmingly praised the boy’s creations.

‘If I can force him to reveal the Clean-Up spell’s rune sequence and the secrets behind his artifact crafting, it’ll be a huge gain for the tower—and for me.’

Kendrick’s greed only grew.

“Just bring me the brats. That man is probably just a servant.”

“Yes, Elder.”

The mages moved forward to capture Larry and Bianca.

“Bianca, get behind me!” Larry shouted.

“Okay!” Bianca obeyed, her small frame trembling as she stepped back.

Matthew moved alongside Larry, forming a protective stance behind him.

‘This is hopeless,’ Larry thought grimly.

At best, Larry could hold off a single 3-circle mage, a remarkable feat for a first-class swordsman. But their opponents were far too powerful.

Kendrick’s detachment consisted of one 5-circle mage, four 4-circle mages, and forty-six 3-circle mages. For Larry, the gap in strength was insurmountable.

“Don’t resist. Come quietly.”

“Like hell I will!” Larry spat.

“Why make this harder on yourself? Fireball!”

One of the mages chanted, unleashing a 3-circle Fireball spell.

Larry raised his shield at an angle, bracing for the impact. As the fireball struck the shield, he shifted his weight backward to absorb the shock.

“Strength!”

Bianca quickly cast a reinforcement spell on Larry. While it didn’t make a significant difference against weaker opponents, it could offer a critical edge against stronger foes.

“Oho, the little girl knows her spells. But can you handle this? Flare!”

The mage chanted a longer spell, releasing a 4-circle Flare spell. A massive fireball hurtled toward Larry.

Boom! Clang!

“Ugh!”

“Larry!” Bianca cried out.

Larry barely managed to block the attack, but the heat forced him to drop his shield. The edges of the shield glowed red-hot, partially melted from the spell’s intensity.

“Tch. You’ve got some skill, kid. But didn’t anyone teach you to respect your elders?”

“Strangers like you? Never!” Larry retorted.

“You’ve got the same insolence as that brat you’re protecting. I don’t like it. What are you waiting for? Subdue them and bring them here!”

“Yes, Elder!”

This time, multiple mages stepped forward. Without a shield, Larry had no way to defend himself.

Hyung_Otaku2

•