Mage Legend

Lynch's curiosity was instantly piqued, and he quickened his pace. Sometimes, curiosity is a luxurious right that can only be indulged in a stable environment. The mages returning from Bator Hell and the Half-plane of the Cage can finally flaunt their curiosity to their heart's content. However, for the witch demon, he had other plans.

Although the All-Knowing Tower is reputed to be a library, a sea of knowledge, a noble learning ground, it also has its dark side. Much of the seemingly sacred wisdom is actually built upon sordid facts. Beneath the white tower lies a labyrinth of underground passages, with sturdy rock walls inscribed with powerful magic runes, used to isolate the sounds and the stench of blood from spreading outward. Of course, they also have a more important mission: to imprison those pitiful test subjects. Only the clanging of the hanging shackles and chains echoed through the dungeon.

This place is much like the experiment labs of the Mage Association, but much more "blunt." Even necromancers would arrange their labs to resemble an elegant reception area, and, where guests could bear it, offer them the finest beverages. However, the passages beneath the All-Knowing Tower are without such ostentatious disguises, everything appears primitive, yet true.

The Witch Demon Heiss sat cross-legged in a cell sealed with iron bars, as quiet as a real corpse. Cold water dripped occasionally onto his bald skull, making a "thud" sound. If not for the gigantic white creature blocking his way completely, this eerie and chilling place would actually suit him quite well.

With the Eye of Insight, even before reaching the dungeon's entrance, Lynch spotted Soka's white "little" tiger. For some reason, the creature had grown from the size of a house cat to something the size of a small elephant. It lay comfortably on the ground, its slightly plump body conquering the hard stone floor, at least allowing it to sleep soundly.

Lynch tapped the wall with his magic wand. The tiger's ears flicked, and the white tiger immediately woke up. It sniffed the air vigorously and then let out a long yawn.

"Seems like you still remember me." Lynch floated to the tiger's side, intending to reach out and stroke its smooth fur. Suddenly, the mage's body sank, and if not for his immediate boost of spiritual power to maintain his levitation, Lynch would have awkwardly collapsed to the ground.

"Anti-Magic Field? Or do all abilities fail here?" Lynch ultimately decided to stand on the ground; it was much less tiring than floating. "I've never seen such a strong oppressive space. Could it be the ability of this tiger?"

"Yes! And it can also absorb magic power, growing bigger over time!" The Witch Demon Heiss stared at Lynch, his eyes showing not a hint of surprise. "If not for that, do you think I'd be at a complete loss here?"

Lynch stretched his fingers into the soft fur on the tiger's forehead, gently scratching it. The white tiger let out a contented moan and brushed its nose against the mage's red robe. It wasn't until the Eye of Insight thoroughly examined the tiger's body that Lynch turned to look at the lich demon: "Heiss, it seems I've been gone long enough for you to forget necessary respect and decorum. Yet, I'm quite curious why you aren't surprised to see me at all."

"Don't insult me, mage!" The witch demon approached the iron bars, and the white tiger immediately bared its teeth and growled threateningly. Heiss stopped and said excitedly, "This massive castle could only change direction for one reason: if this stupid round demon statue loses control. Besides your reappearance, could there be any other reason for the orb to get restless?"

A streak of red lightning suddenly formed beneath Lynch's sleeve. Initially, it wavered, but in an instant, it solidified into a hand shape. Lynch made a grabbing motion toward Heiss's body with his right hand, and the red lightning hand followed suit, violently slamming the witch demon against the wall.

The hard rock shattered inward as if struck by a heavy hammer. The incessant crackling explosions resounded on the witch demon's skeletal body, as fine cracks and indentations quickly spread over Heiss's form.