NOVEL NEXT Chapter 119: Hayden's Capture
Sheena and Helcurt arrived at the Mage Tower, and immediately, they noticed Hayden's presence nearby.
"Get him quickly." Prince Helcurt ordered as he decided to stay at the back.
"Yes, Your Highness." Magister Sheena replied as she disappeared and reappeared behind Hayden and grabbed his neck…
"Caught you…"
As soon as Hayden felt the cold and soft hand behind his neck, he knew that he had made a mistake…
It seemed that the Magicians were actually so adamant about capturing him! They actually decided to leave the arena where they prepared the ambush and chase after him.
'It's all or nothing…'
Hayden's body moved before his mind could process the danger of moving while being grabbed. His instincts honed through years of survival screamed at him to fight.
He won't go down without a fight!
He twisted violently in Sheena's grip, driving his elbow backward toward her ribs.
It was a textbook-perfect strike, aimed at the Qihu acupoint—a nerve cluster that could paralyze even seasoned warriors.
CLANG.
His arm recoiled as if he'd struck solid iron. Sheena's Mana Barrier shimmered faintly around her, without any signs of cracks.
[ Barrier Density—Third-Circle Tier. Physical penetration is impossible. ]
At the very least, it was impossible at the moment.
Gritting his teeth, Hayden unleashed his Mind Sword, the invisible blade slashing at Sheena's consciousness—
"Tch." Sheena's free hand flicked upward.
A Soulward Charm on her bracelet activated, deflecting the mental assault like a pebble bouncing off armor.
"Cute trick."
Hayden's boots scraped against the floor as he tried to pivot, to yank free—but Sheena's fingers tightened like steel shackles. Her nails dug into his neck, Mana Suppression flooding his body…
His physique couldn't handle Mana and with it entering his body was like a poison already. His muscles locked as he realized that he was getting weak…
[ Warning: Aura circulation disrupted. Physical capabilities reduced by 87%. ]
'So this is it, huh…' Hayden thought as he knew that he was simply too weak right now.
The old scribe, however, realized the situation after watching what was going on. Without any more hesitation, he took out his magic staff and was about to release a powerful spell to blow them away…
However, the old man was only a second-circle Mage and he was already too slow.
Sheena didn't even look at him.
She simply used a first-circle spell, Mana Chains, binding the old man in glowing blue chains that pinned him to the wall.
His spell fizzled into nothing, completely hopeless against a third-circle Mage.
"Enough games," Sheena said as she realized that their actions here might call the attention of the magicians.
The Crimson Shackle appeared in her palm as she pressed it against Hayden's wrist. The moment the metal touched his skin, the jagged inner thorns sank in, not piercing flesh—but the soul of their target.
This was the highest level of shackle they could give and this item's worth could probably purchase a living first-level Aura Knight.
***
Hayden's vision whited out as the shackles seared through his aura pathways, locking them away one by one.
At this point, Sheena released her hold on Hayden.
Thud!
His knees hit the floor. His Ocularis Lens flickered wildly, throwing error messages:
[ Aura Suppression Detected. Combat Functions Disabled. ]
[ Emergency Protocols Unavailable. ]
[ Warning: Hostile Mana Signature—Possible Third-Circle Binding. ]
He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think of a plan as he felt helpless right now. The shackle wasn't just restraining him—it was blocking his connection to his own power or Aura… It was like he had returned to his previous condition that blocked his meridians!
This time, it was something that not even his knowledge of Acupuncture Points could deal with.
At this time, boots clicked against stone as Prince Helcurt finally stepped into view… He was now filled with satisfaction, seeing how Hayden was finally captured.
Although several first-circle Mages died, he knew that Hayden's capture would compensate for that.
'Unfortunately, because of the deaths that we have, he'll probably be assigned to someone else…' Prince Helcurt thought.
After all, Hayden's potential as a Sword Slave was incredible. He was only nine years old and he was able to kill two first-circle Mages, something not even many official Aura Knights could do.
"You made it more interesting, Hayden," Prince Helcurt murmured as he crouched to grip Hayden's chin.
"Most of the students in the competition barely resisted. But you? You killed our mages… That's why you'll be the best Sword Slave Phyrexia's ever seen."
Hayden glared at the person in front of him while his Ocularis Lens tried to identify him. Thankfully, the Lens could still function despite being shackled…
Unfortunately, the Lens couldn't give him information about this person as well.
'Phyrexia, huh…' Hayden thought as he at least got some information.
Helcurt straightened and brushed the imaginary dust from his sleeves. "Magister Sheena. Prepare a Teleportation Array. We're leaving."
Sheena bowed. "And the old man?"
A dismissive wave. "Leave him. By the time he breaks free, we'll be long gone."
The scribe thrashed against his bonds, his muffled shouts echoed uselessly as Sheena traced a glowing circle on the floor.
Just like that, the air warped, and reality itself bent toward a predetermined exit point—likely the same portal where the other kidnapped students had been taken.
It wasn't actually a huge long-distance teleportation, and it could only travel a few kilometers away. Nonetheless, it was more than enough to escape from their possible pursuers. The moment they realized the coordinates of the array, they would be long gone.
Nonetheless, Hayden immediately used his Ocularis Lens as he tried to analyze the array even for a little…
Then the world shattered into light as the array was activated.
***
Whoosh~
The teleportation array sent them in a secluded clearing…
To any passerby, it would appear as nothing more than an unremarkable patch of wilderness—but Hayden's Ocularis Lens detected the anomaly immediately.
[ Visual Discrepancy Detected: 93.7% Illusory Overlay. ]
Soon, Hayden was dragged forward by Sheena, and as Helcurt moved forward, the trees ahead rippled…
Then, as if a curtain had been torn aside, the illusion ruptured—revealing the Phyrexian Skyship!