The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Meanwhile, near Desmond's house, the old man, a venerable figure with wisps of gray hair framing his weathered face, swiftly gathered the guards, urgency etched into every line on his forehead, as they hastened their return to the residence.

As the deafening energy blast reverberated through the air, it struck the old man to his core, leaving him utterly astonished. Despite the maids who had come to aid him in his gathering, the guards lay strewn about the ground, their bodies limp and unconscious. A few of them emitted feeble groans of pain before succumbing to an unfortunate fate.

His rage ignited like a wildfire, the old man's voice trembled with fury as he thundered, "Who could dare commit such an audacious act!" But before his anger could fully consume him, one of the guards interjected, informing him that they had merely fallen into unconsciousness.

A flush of embarrassment stained the old man's cheeks as he swiftly commanded the guards to turn around, their gazes redirected.

Taking several moments to regain his composure, the old man's gaze swept over the surroundings, his eyes desperately seeking out the source of the disturbance. However, to his bewilderment, he found no trace of the elusive husband and wife duo he expected.

"Quickly, let us hasten our pace," he urged with a tinge of anxiety, recognizing the magnitude of the energy blast's impact on every denizen of the city. His concern for his young master, who remained inside the house, gnawed at his every thought.

...

On the other hand, Desmond, the very source of this unfolding chaos, slumped wearily in his chair. Exhausted breaths escaped his lips as he fought to maintain focus, his eyes narrowing in concentration.

[The scan successfully encompassed all beings within the city.]

[System conclusion: Host has detected numerous malicious intentions, predominantly emanating from the Market District in the far reaches of the academy, with the nearest threat currently approaching.]

Reading the notification, Desmond's reaction was one of momentary paralysis. A sudden surge of danger seemed to loom ominously above him, yet his muscles refused to respond, rendering him motionless and vulnerable.

Simultaneously, a foreign presence attempted to infiltrate his body, its insidious influence dulling his senses.

[WARNING!! Host has detected a killing intent in close proximity.]

[WARNING!! Unknown energy seeks control over the host's body.]

[Activating Defense mode....]

[While in this mode, the host will be unable to access spells, maps, and task lists. However, the system will safeguard against any harmful energies that threaten the host's well-being.]

Time seemed to stretch out, elongating each agonizing second. Helpless and unable to act, Desmond could only bear witness as a darkened figure, shrouded in mystery, descended upon him, targeting his vulnerable crown.

However, instead of anxiety or fear, an unexpected tranquility settled upon his countenance, for his sacrifice merely shaved six precious months off his lifespan. Desmond strained to lift his head, his gaze fixated on the enigmatic object before him.

Yet, to his astonishment, his body suddenly lurched to the side, his arm brushing against something soft. In that fleeting moment, his eyes caught sight of Laura, her silhouette emerging like a guardian angel, thrusting him away from harm's reach while placing herself in the path of destruction.

A soft smile adorned her face as she attempted to shield herself, crossing her arms in a feeble attempt to ward off the impending assault. Caught off guard, she had no opportunity to recite an incantation or employ her concealed weapons. After all, she was a witch, not a skilled swordsman—only one course of action remained.

"Dodge!" Desmond bellowed, his voice strained and hoarse, yet his plea fell short. Wide-eyed, he watched as the peculiar object unveiled its true form.

A formidable great axe was gripped by a young man descending from above, his hands firmly grasping the weapon as he delivered a merciless downward strike aimed directly at Laura's exposed head.

Amidst the chaos of the battle, the unknown assailant found himself caught off guard by the sudden change in his target. However, far from retreating, he continued to press his weapon downward, a twisted smile of malevolence adorning his face.

In the midst of this flurry of emotions and action, Desmond, trapped in his time-slowed state, could only watch helplessly. Instead of concern for Laura's safety, a seething anger and resentment surged within him. How dare she act on her own and defy his command! Now her life hung in the balance, and he felt powerless to intervene.

"What a mess! Stupid woman!" Desmond couldn't help but curse under his breath, his frustration mounting as he struggled to muster his strength. But in the next moment, his eyes caught sight of a shadow, a pair of daggers entering the range of the great axe.

*Clang!*

The resounding clash of steel reverberated through the air as Annie, wielding her additional weapon, intercepted the attacker's strike. Seizing the opportunity as soon as he regained control over his body, Desmond charged forward and swiftly clasped his hand around the attacker's neck.

*Thump!*

The assailant was finally brought to his knees, held captive by Desmond's firm grip. Meanwhile, Annie swiftly retrieved her daggers, assuming a defensive stance. As for Laura, her initial shock gave way to swift recovery as she chanted an incantation, aiming to bind the attacker.

"Hehehe," a disturbingly eerie laughter escaped the attacker's lips, causing the onlookers in the room to furrow their brows. His body began to transform, turning into a dark, viscous liquid that slowly seeped into the ground, an attempt to escape their grasp.

Laura and Annie moved with haste, intent on stopping him, but they were abruptly halted by the dark expression that overtook their young master's face.

"Let me handle this," Desmond's voice resonated with a chilling resolve. His hand, still clutching a portion of the attacker's dissolving form, emanated a blinding white light, drawing in the surrounding energy.

Absorb, Desmond whispered inwardly, his eyes icy as he coldly observed the struggling assailant in his grasp.

Powerless to resist, the attacker could do nothing as his liquefied form gradually dried up, resembling a withered tree deprived of water. After a few tense minutes, all signs of life vanished, leaving behind a lifeless ragdoll of a body that Desmond carelessly tossed aside.

Rising to his feet, Desmond cast a penetrating gaze around the room, his focus settling particularly on Laura. "You dared to defy my command. You will face punishment later," he declared sternly before resuming his seat on the chair he had occupied moments before.

Simultaneously, a loud bang reverberated through the room as the door was forcefully flung open, revealing the visibly worried old man accompanied by a group of heavily muscled guards.

Upon seeing Desmond still alive and seated, relief washed over the old man, though his brow furrowed upon noticing a strange liquid staining the floor not far from his young master's position.

"Pay no mind to it. I have dealt with the situation. Let us focus on the matter at hand," Desmond spoke dismissively, addressing the old man's lingering gaze.