“Why so? Didn’t you win?”
Grisha, who found herself constrained by chains, raised her head and offered a smile, yet Lennok’s countenance remained unmoved.
“Let’s stop it already. Isn’t it a waste of your mana?”
“Damn, I was planning to tease you more, but you’re no fun since you catch on so quickly.”
In that instant, Grisha, who had been shackled, saw her form crumble, and she stepped out from right behind it, her visage unharmed.
Observing this, Lennok calmly produced a fresh cigarette.
It’s not particularly astonishing.
Even when he had chained her ankle and initiated the first attack, Grisha had completely broken free from the gravitational pull and appeared from a completely different location.
He had been skeptical when he first saw it, but after a second observation, he could clearly understand.
‘She’s bending perception by channeling a tremendous amount of mana into space… This isn’t something I can replicate.’
An extraordinarily powerful amount of mana, and a blunt method that couldn’t even be attempted without an equally powerful output.
It might not be without skill, but it far exceeds the cost-effectiveness of any spellcraft Lennok had considered.
“Shall we start the second round then? This time, let’s keep hitting each other until one of us passes out.”
Lennok responded sarcastically as she stepped forward, boosting her mana.
“Why should I?”
“What?”
“You think I’ll get angry or flustered if you keep provoking me like this? When you’re this blatant, it actually makes me less likely to get upset.”
At that moment, Grisha closed her mouth for the first time.
Lennok looked down at her and spoke calmly.
“The first time could have been a coincidence, but when several signs overlap, it’s close to inevitable. Amon’s subtle attitude was probably part of it too.”
There had been many indicators.
In the first few days after arriving in the autonomous region, the elemental Davi had continuously felt someone’s gaze on him.
Even after finding out Lennok’s true identity, Amon, who had been following Lennok, continued to test him.
And the mysterious attitude of Lapis, who never got to the point until Lennok himself arrived in the autonomous region.
Even Grisha’s actions, which seemed as if she was deliberately picking a fight with Lennok.
It was clear.
They were wary of Lennok accepting the proposal to join them, the very reason they had called him to the autonomous region in the first place.
Pieces fit together in Lennok’s mind, accelerating his thoughts.
‘Probably, the lighthouse keeper’s story about battle with the Pandemonium isn’t a lie. But the attitude of standing by while a spell caster initiates the first attack feels awkward. As if they’re constantly checking my reaction… I see.’
Lennok nodded.
“You were worried that I might have already made contact with the Pandemonium.”
A chilling silence followed.
Grisha’s overpowering mana that had filled the room also dwindled, and Lapis’s eyes widened.
Amon, who had been tagging along with Byzen, also stood up quietly and looked at Lennok.
“I assume you have some method to determine whether I’m in contact with the Pandemonium by shaking my emotions. And that method… is undoubtedly utilizing the ability of The Great Seer.”
Were Lennok’s casually spoken words a baseless bluff?
Or were they the blade probing the truth?
Judging by the reactions of the onlookers, the answer seemed clear.
“Hmm…”
At that moment, the enthusiasm that had filled Grisha’s face washed away like a lie, and she took a step back.
Grisha shrugged her shoulders, casting a glance at Lapis.
“So it’s come to this. Shall we continue?”
“…No, that’s enough. The result won’t be different anyway.”
Lapis, who replied with a composed expression, slowly rose from her seat.
Her eyes still radiated a profound intensity.
Lapis descended from the communal altar and approached Lennok.
A petite stature that barely reached Lennok’s chest, suggesting her youth.
Lapis looked up at Lennok, hesitated for a moment, and then lowered her head.
“I apologize. I had intended to explain everything after all this is over, but it’s not going so smoothly.”
“Go on.”
“I agree with what Evan said. Originally, I was planning to shake Evan with Grisha’s help and confirm the truth with my own eyes during the commotion.”
“…”
“Under this lighthouse, the ability of the Celestial Sight becomes stronger. Nevertheless, I found nothing inside you, Evan.”
Without any excuses, Lapis candidly admitted all of this.
Grisha and Amon silently accepted her decision from the side.
A complete change of attitude compared to earlier when they had disregarded Lapis, a sign that at least the chaotic spellcaster acknowledged her as a supervisor of the lighthouse.
While Lennok was gauging the reactions around him, Lapis continued.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but recently, the momentum of the Pandemonium has been unusual. Especially, there are rumors that they’re secretly approaching talented wizards like Evan.”
“So you needed to hastily verify my trustworthiness?”
Lennok tilted his head and replied. Smoke billowed from his mouth, dissipating into the cold air of the hall.
“That’s not a convincing excuse. If you want to persuade me, you’ll need a better reason.”
“…”
“As it stands, I don’t see a significant difference between you and the Pandemonium.”
“It’s not different.”
Lapis calmly acknowledged that blunt fact.
Now it was Lennok’s turn to fall silent.
“…”
“Not different. In an age where even the Ascendants have given up on Ascending… how can we guarantee that what we’re doing is right, that we’re carrying out a perfect mission?”
“Lapis, that’s…”
Grisha attempted to interject from the side, but Lapis ignored her and continued.
“However, although we worry and suffer, we won’t leave any room for error when we take action. Because standing against the Pandemonium means that.”
“Are you saying you’ll leave no room for doubt among your two subordinates?”
“Yes. I’ll accept the result of that choice as well.”
Lapis said so and closed her eyes, as if awaiting Lennok’s decision.
“…”
Lennok stood there, arms crossed, deep in contemplation.
Lapis’ words were impactful, but Lennok had no intention of being swayed by needless sentiment.
After all, what Lennok desired was not to become a member of the Watchers, but to achieve his own objectives.
However, he also recognized the reason behind their earlier brash behavior and Lapis’ unwavering determination.
Lapis had left no room for excuses in all her actions.
“Let’s start over.”
Lennok, who had been chewing on his cigar, spoke.
“To be honest, I find it hard to be attracted to an organization called Eyes of Blue. All the Pandemonium I’ve seen were monsters… and I’m not convinced you have the power to counter them.”
“…”
“But if we exchange deals and look forward to the future, that’s fine. If it’s okay with you, as I said before, I would like to find the Drug Lord’s vault in exchange by borrowing the power of the Celestial Sight.”
Let’s simplify all the various processes and focus on the results.
Lapis was concerned that Lennok might align with the Pandemonium, so she tested him before attempting to persuade him, and her attempt failed.
The issue wasn’t whether or not she made excuses while apologizing for it.
The only thing to determine was whether the power held by the Eyes of Blue could systematically, or at least competently, counter the Pandemonium?
The spellcaster Grisha might be a stronger sorcerer than Lennok had anticipated, but he had no intention of making a decision solely based on that.
It was time to carefully observe whether they truly possessed the qualifications matching their words.
Lennok also believed that rather than getting involved with those uncontrollable monsters, this side would be relatively easier to manage.
If handled properly, they might become a valuable shield in the unpredictable battle against the Pandemonium.
Lapis nodded firmly.
“Understood. I can’t say it’s an apology for this matter, but I will grant Evan’s request without a reward this time.”
“Good. The conversation is over.”
Only then did Lennok bite down on his cigarette and grin.
“Shall we go and see the abilities of the lighthouse keeper now?”
***
Lennok and Lapis briefly discussed the Drug Lord’s vault and decided to start working after taking a day’s time.
It was a result of their fatigue coinciding, as Lennok had come straight to the lighthouse after facing Byzen and Lapis, who had excessively used the ability of foresight.
As he was about to follow Amon, who was nervously leading him to his lodging, Grisha called Lennok over.
“Hey.”
“…What is it?”
Before responding, Grisha signaled to Amon.
He quickly understood the signal and hastened to make Byzen disappear behind the community.
With Lapis, who had already left, also gone, only the two sorcerers remained inside the community.
Grisha, who had been staring intently at Lennok’s slightly tense face, spoke with a wry smile.
“I felt it when we briefly fought earlier. You’re level 6, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Well, there’s no reason to hide it. I can feel that you’re inclined towards a battle utilizing property changes, irrespective of your talent.”
Lennok sighed, as he had nothing to hide.
Although he hadn’t overtly used property change in his fight with Grisha, Lennok knew what that felt like.
From the perspective of a sorcerer who had reached a similar level, the fact that such property changes didn’t unsettle him spoke to his skill.
“So.”
“I’m not the type to gloss things over with words.” Grisha said, grinning. “I’ll show you something that could be really helpful. Isn’t that enough?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You said earlier that we were lacking compared to the guys from Pandemonium. This could be the answer to that.”
With that, Grisha took a step forward.
Immediately, an overwhelming surge of mana emanated from her entire being.
Kwaaaaaaa!!!
Such density of mana.
This was not simply about casting a powerful spell.
It was a force that occupied and altered space itself.
For Lennok, it was a sorcerer’s ritual that felt eerily familiar yet undeniably potent and perilous.
Could it be that Grisha possessed the ability to wield magic through spellcasting?
“Well, it’s faster to show you than to explain.”
Woojik!
For the first time, Grisha triggered a spell. Using her pinky, she made a shallow cut on her forehead, allowing blood to trickle down.
The blood flowed down her chin, and she scattered it at her feet while muttering, “Deploy the Domain.”
Engraving the image.
Paaaaaaa!!!
A colorless wave resonated with tremendous force, instantly enveloping and altering the very essence of the surrounding space.
As soon as he stepped into another sorcerer’s domain, Lennok felt an overwhelming pressure that made it difficult to breathe properly.
However, even more imposing than the overpowering mana was Grisha’s domain itself. It not only corroded the common space but transformed it into an entirely new landscape.
It’s shifting.
Thickets of dense bushes sprouted beneath their feet, and numerous trees grew around Grisha and Lennok.
The ceiling that had previously enclosed them now resembled a sky filled with searing heat.
The intense heat scorched his skin, and the humidity saturated his entire body in an instant.
The constant rush of wind from all directions ceased, and a tranquil, windless zone enveloped them.
A landscape unfolded before Lennok’s eyes, one he had never experienced even on Earth.
“…”
An unbelievable miracle that defied sober comprehension.
But Lennok kept his mouth tightly shut, his expression unwaveringly composed.
If this had happened when he knew nothing about domains, he might have simply believed that Grisha had truly transported him to another realm.
However, Lennok keenly sensed that this landscape, crafted by her, was a marvel surpassing even that.
‘Embedding an image in the territory to create a landscape…’
He had gained this knowledge during a conversation with Aris on their journey back to the academy.
The terrain he now witnessed before him had once been discussed by Aris, a prodigious individual who had achieved level 6 at the young age of twenty and was considering further ascension.
The implication was straightforward.
A high-level spellcaster, having reached level 7, was now unveiling her secret technique to Lennok.
Grisha wore a confident grin.
“It’s called ‘South Mando Coast Guard’. Isn’t it cool?”
