NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60: Threat
Eve wasn't moving aimlessly. In just a few moments, she already formulated a plan.
She couldn't afford to draw too much attention to herself.
Since the old Magicians would probably not act if she didn't cause too much commotion, she needed to take the Aura Crystal as quickly as possible from the retired Aura Knights. As long as she didn't cast high-tier Spells that could cause huge disturbances, he should be just fine.
"I'll start with the academy," she muttered. "If the Aura Knights took the crystal, it's likely there. And if not… well, the academy is full of secrets. Perhaps I'll find something else of value."
There was only a small chance that the Aura Crystal was sold to someone else. It would be more reasonable that the Aura Knights were holding this crystal for future use, maybe for their disciple or perhaps, their best student in the Academy.
After all, she believed that the retired Aura Knights would have no use for this crystal. Of course, this was all just her guess since the two might actually be so poor right now and had to sell the Aura Crystal.
A faint smile played on her lips as she thought of the possibilities.
"Either way, this city won't know what hit it."
As Sorcerer Eve moved through the shadows, she was getting closer and closer to the Academy and realized that it didn't have any defensive formations against Magicians.
Well, it wasn't surprising since it also costs a lot of money to maintain any formation arrays that target specific infiltrators, or magicians in her case.
***
Sorcerer Eve materialized in the courtyard of Headmaster Mensa's quarters, her presence was subtle as if she was one with the darkness itself...
However, the air grew cold for a brief moment because of the Mana she released to inspect the surroundings for any traps.
Mensa, who had been meditating in his study, felt the coldness of mana immediately.
Indeed, in his senses, Aura was hot while Mana was cold.
His eyes snapped open, and his hand instinctively reached for the sword resting beside him.
"Who's there?" He called out calmly, not showing his hostility.
Soon, Eve stepped into view, as if she had just materialized out of the shadows.
Eve's appearance was also subtle but Mensa didn't miss anything as soon as she removed the magic cloaking her appearance.
Mensa held his sword tightly as a hint of Aura protected his whole body. He knew that the woman was dangerous and he couldn't be careless at all.
"Relax, old man," Eve said. Her tone was also filled with mockery as if she wasn't in front of a respected Aura Knight.
"I'm not here to kill a lowly knight. Just give me the Aura Crystal, and I'll leave."
Hearing this, Mensa's grip tightened on his sword as he rose to his feet.
His gray Aura thickened and continued to envelop his body like a storm.
"The crystal isn't here," Mensa said in a low voice. "And even if it were, I wouldn't hand it over to someone like you."
Eve's smirk faded seeing that the retired Aura Knight didn't seem to care for his life.
"You're making a mistake, Knight. I'm not here to play games."
Mensa stepped forward as he calmed his breath… "Just from your smell, I can tell you're not from the Righteous Path… You're an Evil Magician. Whatever you plan to do with that crystal, I won't allow it."
At this point, Eve's eyes narrowed as she realized that she actually had to kill this Aura Knight…
"You're out of your mind, old man. You may have been a great Aura Knight once, but age has dulled your senses. Don't make me destroy you."
Mensa's expression hardened. "And I'm not afraid to die."
Before Eve could respond, another gray Aura erupted from the nearby building. In just a blink of an eye, Vice Headmaster Sabin landed beside Mensa, his sword was already drawn.
"You didn't think you'd take on him alone, did you?" Sabin said, his tone calm but his eyes were deadly serious.
Eve sighed as she saw the old man. It was starting to get annoying for her.
"Two retired Aura Knights. It's not funny anymore. You know you're going to get killed at this rate. Just give the Aura Crystal to me and you can still live for the rest of your limited days…"
Unfortunately for her, these two may be old but they were still proud Knights. They may be wandering Knights and didn't pledge loyalty to a single noble, but they still pledged to eliminate all Evil Magicians.
Just like that, the two Aura Knights didn't wait for Eve to make the first move.
They charged simultaneously and they certainly attacked to kill the woman!
"Haa!"
Mensa's gray Aura surged as he swung his sword, aiming to at least force Eve back. He knew that this attack would only break Eve's barrier at most, so he had to coordinate with Sabin if he wanted to kill this Magician…
If Eve decided to block his attack, it would be even better.
Although he had never killed a Magician, he could certainly send them fleeing after giving them some heavy injuries.
Indeed, Eve didn't dodge at all!
Thanks to that, Mensa was able to shake up Eve's Mana Barrier… The most basic defense that Magicians could have. It wasn't destroyed but it was definitely weakened now.
Sabin then followed up with a thrust and his gray Aura concentrated into a needle-like point aimed at Eve's chest.
This time, Eve smiled as she knew that the attack was actually quite good.
"Not bad…"
She then raised a hand, and a barrier of dark energy materialized in front of her, deflecting the last attack…
"Is that all you've got?" She taunted.
Since the two were not telling where the Aura Crystal was, she decided not to kill them immediately. She could try to punish them by cutting their limbs and continue with the interrogation.
If they were still planning to be tough, then she would have no choice but to kill these two…
'Or perhaps… Threatening them would be the best?' Eve smiled at this thought.
"Alright… If you still don't plan to give the Aura Crystal to me, I'll be taking the lives of all the students here."