Chapter 177 - 173: Enemy Mage

Chapter 177: Chapter 173: Enemy Mage

As an Official Level Warrior, Paris was more than capable of reacting to a sneak attack from a monster that was once an ordinary person.

He didn’t even draw his sword, just instinctively threw a backhand punch that folded the controlled attendant in half.

However, the other nobles in the hall who lacked such strength weren’t nearly as fortunate.

Sir Green, who had just moments before enthusiastically supported Paris’s proposal, now had his chest torn open by sharp claws. Poison spread rapidly through his body; it was clear he wasn’t going to make it!

Similar tragedies unfolded in several other spots, instantly plunging the vast hall into chaos!

Who could have imagined that the attendants they saw day in and day out would suddenly turn into terrifying, mindless monsters?

"Someone’s been killed!!"

"Help!!"

Facing this situation, Xia and Xina didn’t need an order from Jon. They immediately used Divine Techniques to control the Lost Heart Attendants, calm the crowd, and heal the wounded.

Although Reya had only been studying Divine Techniques for a short time, she also stepped forward, following the two Monk sisters and doing what she could.

Rosalind’s first instinct was to look toward Jon with concern. Only after getting a nod from him did she stay by Reya’s side, on guard for any further attacks.

Meanwhile, the other nobles in the hall with power of their own who had managed to react quickly subdued the corrupted attendants. Then, as one, they all turned to face the architect of this chaos.

Adonis Gavin.

Despite the crowd’s furious glares, the man’s face still wore a compassionate smile.

"My lords and ladies, I do hope you are enjoying this festive evening—"

"The Blood Eye Association sends its regards."

Paris’s eyes were practically bursting with rage as he glared at the hidden traitor.

"Adonis Gavin! You venomous snake, betrayer of your blood and honor! Is this the ’wisdom’ you gained from your studies?!"

"Traitor! You minion of devils!"

Another middle-aged noble, who had just watched his personal attendant transform into a monster, gritted his teeth and pointed his longsword straight at Adonis.

"I swear on the name of Belmont, I will have you torn to pieces!"

Facing the torrent of rage and accusations, Adonis simply adjusted the cuffs of his dark gray Magic Robe with an elegant flourish. The corners of his mouth curved up even further, as if the blood and screams filling the hall were nothing more than insignificant background noise.

"Bloodline? Honor?"

"My lords, when you shout about ’struggle’ and ’sacrifice,’ have you ever considered the feelings of the ’ordinary people’ you drive onto the battlefield to shed their last drop of blood?"

"I am simply giving you all a taste of what it’s like to bleed."

"Enough!"

Jon stepped forward from the edge of the chaotic crowd, his tall frame exuding an oppressive aura as immovable as a mountain.

"There’s no reasoning with people like him!"

The words were barely out of his mouth when three scorching, majestic, golden-red auras erupted from beneath his feet!

Sunfire Aura, Antagonism Aura, and Impact Aura!

The powers, sharing a common source, converged and amplified each other. A warm, divine radiance instantly enveloped most of the antechamber.

His allies felt as if they had donned Battle Armor forged from light. The surrounding chill vanished, and their spirits were invigorated.

For the first time, Adonis’s elegant and composed mask began to crack. The moment the Auras’ power touched him, an invisible Divine Power seared his Protective Magic like a red-hot branding iron. It made a loud SIZZLE, and he could no longer maintain his false smile.

"You must be Mr. Jon."

The young Mage gave Jon an elegant bow, though his voice was laced with an icy malice.

"Thanks to you, our plans have failed several times. We of the Blood Eye will be sure to repay this ’kindness’ in full."

"Oh, and one more thing. Because of what happened previously, the Governor has taken a great interest in you. Before I came, he specifically instructed me to deliver a message—"

"You talk too much."

Once his Auras were active, Jon was confident that no lurking Lost Heart Attendants could harm the guests. Without a moment’s hesitation, he flicked his fingers. A volley of ethereal blue Arcane Arrows bloomed into existence. Like birds with minds of their own, they swarmed Adonis from multiple trajectories, closing in on him!

Faced with such an assault, a flicker of apprehension crossed the young Mage’s eyes. He was forced to cut himself off and prepare a countermeasure.

As an Official Level Mage, he could tell at a glance that Jon’s volley of Arcane Arrows required incredibly refined Magic Power control. He doubted even he could cast the same spell with greater skill.

But...

’In the end, he’s still just an apprentice...’

Adonis raised his hands, and a gray Aura rippled outward. Every Arcane Arrow that touched the light of the Aura vanished in an instant, like a candle flame snuffed out between two fingers.

At the same time, Jon felt his own control over Arcane Energy plummet. It became difficult to even channel the Energy, let alone cast a proper spell!

He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

’Energy Annihilation Aura and Spell Counter!’

’This guy is dressed like a Mage, but he’s actually an Enemy Mage...’

It was a class of Mage that specialized in fighting other Mages, masters of dismantling and countering Magic. They were also the most dreaded early-game opponent for any Professional with a [Heart of Balance]. The reason was simple: this class’s attacks consumed Magic Power!

For those with a [Heart of Balance], whose Life Value and Mana Value were linked, fighting an Enemy Mage was like fighting with a [Damage Taken x2] debuff. A single mistake could get them one-shotted!

And right now, Jon had no obvious way to counter it.

He was at a disadvantage in level, his Arcane Energy was useless, and switching to other elemental Energies would make no difference; they would be countered all the same.

But he had come to this banquet with a purpose, and now was the time to reveal what he’d prepared.

’I was going to ask someone for a combat demonstration, but it looks like I can skip that now...’

He took a step back and shook his wrist. Beneath his sleeve, a bracelet inlaid with a Crystal Energy Core flashed with light. A moment later, a tremendous CRASH echoed from a side door of the banquet hall, drawing a fresh wave of screams from the terrified crowd!

Two Mechanical Bodies, built like Centaurs and clad in pure black Steel Armor, smashed through the hall doors. Wielding lances and greatshields, they charged brazenly into the hall, making a beeline straight for Adonis!

The nobles in their path scrambled to get out of the way, but a few ladies weren’t fast enough. They fell to the floor and closed their eyes in despair, bracing for the crushing impact of iron hooves.

But to everyone’s surprise, the Mechanical Bodies’ charge was as agile as it was ferocious. With a minuscule adjustment to the rhythm of their four hooves, they deftly sidestepped the fallen innocents, avoiding tragedy without losing a single bit of momentum!