Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 522: Madness

While the two Rank Three black mages went out of their way to show Gypson respect, another group of onlookers was more interested in the outcome of the duel.

Among them were Leena, Zorro, Faye, and Liliana, though the affair had little to do with her.

After receiving magic letters from Zorro and Sein, Faye—who had recently ascended to Rank One—hurried to the public waters in the east, finally arriving two weeks ago.

Sein’s vengeance for Master Morsidor was an important event both Zorro and Faye had to witness in person.

Having not seen Faye in over twenty years, her appearance was strikingly younger and more radiant than before, reminiscent of her days when Sein was still an initiate.

Fortunately, her timely advancement to Rank One had allowed her appearance to rejuvenate remarkably after the promotion.

Her face regained its former youth, but more importantly, her confidence had also returned.

The stark contrast between Faye’s radiant demeanor and Daelis, who now resembled a madwoman, highlighted the divergent paths their lives had taken over the decades.

As for Liliana, the Rank One black mage, she had only followed them here out of boredom and curiosity.

Besides, Sein and Leena were also initiates from the Black Magic Academy of Mystralora City during Liliana’s time there.

Since then, both have showcased significant talent and strength, while Liliana remained at the early stages of Rank One, fueling a sense of rivalry within her.

Liliana’s mentor, Jeanne, had done great favors for Morsidor’s faction.

As Morsidor’s apprentice, Sein naturally remembered the favors his mentor owed Jeanne.

Lady Jeanne could not witness the duel because Martin needed someone trustworthy to oversee the black market he had established in the public waters.

She was undoubtedly Martin’s most capable and reliable assistant, necessitating her presence there.

Though she was not present, Lady Jeanne’s sentiments were conveyed—she, too, hoped to see Sein kill Daelis with his own hands.

If circumstances had been different, Lady Jeanne would likely have been the most passionate among the black mages seeking vengeance for Morsidor.

The confrontation between the two Rank One mages was brief and decisive.

Sein’s eyes were ablaze with hatred when he came face to face with Daelis.

While Martin was still conversing with Gypson, Sein had already made his move.

Driven by vengeance for his mentor, Sein held nothing back.

He was ready to deploy every tactic he had prepared for this fight!

Activating his verdant flame body, Sein instantly transformed into a towering, burning giant nearly ten meters tall.

The flames enveloping his body burned even more intensely than when he had defeated Bhabaluka more than twenty years ago!

A surge of pyro elemental energy even manifested behind Sein.

At that moment, Sein was definitely powerful enough to challenge a Rank Two creature head-on!

“Huh... that’s...?” Sein’s transformation above the sea interrupted Martin’s conversation with Gypson and the others.

Even Gypson, a demigod-level black mage from the Black Tower of Cinderbones, gazed into the distance in surprise.

Leena was already heralded as a genius, the likes of which had not been seen in thousands of years.

And now, another one had emerged?

What captured Gypson’s attention was not merely Sein’s demonstrated life level, but the verdant flame magic he wielded.

It was a skill not typically mastered by ordinary Rank One black mages.

Initially just a casual observer, Gypson now found himself genuinely intrigued by Sein and the unfolding battle.

Even Martin, observing from a distance, frowned slightly. The energy fluctuations emanating from Sein far exceeded his expectations.

Disliking anything beyond his control, Martin felt a surge of malice toward Sein.

This resentment was not unfounded; Sein’s display of power was proof enough that he had deliberately held back and concealed his true capabilities during their previous encounters.

With a solemn gaze, Martin watched the distant battlefield above the sea.

For some reason, he found himself hoping Sein would not emerge victorious.

However, Martin’s ill intentions had no impact on Sein, who was now fully engaged in combat.

Upon activating his verdant flame body, the disparity between his strength and that of Daelis was immediately apparent.

Daelis, at best, was merely a late-stage Rank One mage.

After decades of servitude, she had made little progress in her pursuit of truth.

Day after day, she merely concocted magic potions she could produce with high success rates, which did little to enhance her own strength.

Confronted with Sein’s sudden surge of power, Daelis froze for a moment, then screamed in disbelief, “Impossible! How can you have such power?!”

Daelis’ scream was no more than a feeble yelp, unable to stir even the slightest emotion in Sein.

At that moment, the Verdant Flame Eye Mask appeared in Sein’s hand. Intent on avenging his mentor, Sein was eager to employ his mastery of alchemy to deliver retribution to Daelis.

As he donned the mask, ablaze with intense verdant green flames, it seemed as though a giant had put on its royal crown.

Empowered by the Verdant Flame Eye Mask, the elemental storm swirling around Sein intensified, escalating by two energy levels.

The overwhelming force and the imminent threat subdued Daelis somewhat.

In desperation, she produced two magic potions, one pink and one black, and screamed hysterically, “You leave me with no choice!”

She downed the potions in quick succession.

From outside the battlefield, Gandra contemplated intervening. However, a glance at Martin and Gypson changed his mind, and he sat down, visibly frustrated.

The potions triggered a rapid transformation in Daelis.

Her aura shifted dramatically, and low growls began to escape her throat.

The old woman rapidly grew in size, reaching three meters in height. Not only that, but her mana and focus levels also surged.

After years dedicated to apothecary, it was no surprise Daelis had a few tricks up her sleeve—though these potions were a dangerous gamble.

Black, fine veins appeared on her neck, arms, and cheeks after her body expanded.

These veins, coupled with the metal mask she wore, rendered her visage even more monstrous.

From her robe, Daelis drew a brown magic rod.

Despite being enveloped by burning verdant flames, Sein’s gaze turned icy when he saw her magic rod.

He recognized the magic rod in her hands—it was the very same one Morsidor had crafted for her back then.

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