Quite unlike the thunderous explosions of other magical elements, the eruption of dark magic was silent, yet it harbored a chilling lethality.
In the core of the explosion, everything within a hundred-meter radius was completely corroded within a few breaths, transformed into lifeless, greyish-white dust.
If Starlight had not quickly released several layers of shields as a barrier in that critical moment, the two of them would likely not have been spared; they would have vanished into nothingness as well.
The eruption of this dark tide lasted for dozens of seconds before it gradually subsided.
During this time, the shields Starlight had set up shattered layer by layer. In the end, only one layer remained, saving their lives by a hair’s breadth.
When they looked up at their surroundings again, they saw only a scene of absolute desolation. The once vibrant forest had been turned into a barren wasteland.
Starlight and Po Kong supported each other as they stumbled to their feet. The greyish-white plants they touched crumbled into drifting ash at the slightest contact.
“Holy crap, are Saint Archmage spells always this terrifying? We actually survived? We didn’t even lose an arm or a leg?”
After seeing the devastation around them, Po Kong couldn't help but swear in amazement, his tone a mix of relief and shock.
“Indeed. And this was only after we used our own power to offset a portion of it. If the full spell had detonated here, the damage and range would likely have been twice as large,” Starlight replied after a brief evaluation.
“Looking at it that way, while Saint Rank power is scary, it’s not completely impossible to withstand! With this experience, maybe it’ll come in handy later!” Po Kong had already recovered from his fear, and his voice even carried a hint of excitement.
He bent down and picked up his dust-covered shield. With a gentle tap, the shield transformed back into two streaks of light, returning to the form of bracelets wrapped around his wrists.
However, Noah’s voice fell like a bucket of cold water over his head, interrupting his excitement. “What are you thinking? The caster of that spell can’t be considered a true Saint Rank. If you keep that mindset, I bet you’ll die a very ugly death. Starlight, tell him your thoughts. Let this fool listen and learn.”
“That guy wasn’t a Saint Rank? Uh... wait! What exactly are you? How can a book talk?”
Po Kong wanted to argue, but then he suddenly realized something was off. He stepped quickly to Starlight’s side, squatting down to stare directly at the book hanging from his waist.
Noah ignored Po Kong’s question and drifted to the side. Starlight, meanwhile, was immersed in reflecting on the battle, murmuring to himself.
“It is indeed a bit strange... how should I put it? Though that Shadow Sphere was powerful, it seemed a bit too crude. Did the caster go through all that effort just to cast this one spell? Since he didn’t pursue us... does it mean he only had the strength for a single strike?”
After hearing his analysis, a look of satisfaction appeared on the face formed by the paper. Noah floated into the air and turned around, looking down at Po Kong.
“See that, boy? Analyzing the battle is just as important! While the quality of that magic was high, the technique was exceptionally crude and ancient. It didn’t feel like a product of this era at all. If it were a true Saint Archmage, they could have created at least three or four spells of the same level with the energy used for that one Shadow Sphere.”
“Huh? There’s such a thing? ...No, wait! Why am I being lectured by you? And who exactly are you?”
Po Kong listened to Noah’s explanation with a look of realization, but he quickly noticed something was wrong—he seemed to be getting led by the nose.
At that moment, Starlight suddenly realized that Noah had exposed himself to an outsider in the heat of the moment. He felt a surge of anxiety: how was he supposed to explain this to Po Kong?
While he was racking his brain for a way to bluff past it, Noah suddenly let out a cold snort. The rose-red gem on his cover flashed with light, startling both of them.
“Who am I? I am a projection of the great mage Noah from the Age of Gods! Watch your words and attitude, boy! If you anger me, there will be consequences! Do you want to taste a Forbidden Spell?”
Hearing Noah’s clumsy self-introduction, Starlight’s face twitched. What kind of explanation was that? Would anyone actually believe such a story?
He knew that Noah was currently nothing more than a soul attached to a book, possessing no combat power to speak of. And yet he called himself a great mage from the Age of Gods? Come to think of it, was there actually an Archmage named Noah in history?
Po Kong, however, widened his eyes and stared at the floating Noah, the shock in his gaze beyond words.
“No way, man... You actually believed that so easily?” Starlight thought to himself, speechless at Po Kong’s expression.
“The great mage Noah...? No! Lord Noah! Please, have mercy on my ignorance and forgive my earlier rudeness!” Po Kong pressed his hands together and bowed to Noah. His respectful manner didn't look like an act at all.
“Fine, there’s no need for such formality. I’m not a petty person. I only want to ask—why didn’t you use your full strength just now?” Noah lightly shook the cover of the book, indicating he didn't mind, before shifting the topic to a question.
“Huh? ...I did use my full strength!” Po Kong replied immediately.
But at the moment he answered, his body trembled slightly. Although this subtle change escaped Starlight’s notice, it did not hide from Noah’s sharp insight.
“Oh? Is that so? ...Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’m not particularly concerned with that anyway.”
Noah intentionally elongated his words while narrowing his eyes, giving Po Kong a deep look. Then, he leisurely drifted back to Starlight’s side, returning to the appearance of an ordinary book.
Po Kong felt a bit uncomfortable under Noah’s piercing gaze. Seeing that the other party didn't press further, he secretly let out a sigh of relief.
“By the way, Starlight, what are you doing? Why haven't you said anything? Are you still thinking about the battle?”
Seeing that Noah had gone silent, Po Kong felt a bit awkward and turned his attention to the silent Starlight.
At that moment, Starlight suddenly reached out a hand, hovering it in mid-air.
Then, under Po Kong’s stunned gaze, a high-speed rotating black sphere rapidly condensed in the center of his palm.
Although this black sphere was far inferior in size and power to the terrifying spell that had turned everything within a hundred meters to ash, it was undoubtedly a miniature version of that Shadow Sphere.
“You... you learned that spell just like that?!” Po Kong’s eyes bulged as he stared at the apple-sized black sphere and cried out in surprise.
He was certain he wouldn't misidentify the magic that had nearly killed them. But this guy could actually learn it in such a short time? Even though he knew nothing about magic, was this speed really normal?
The black sphere only lasted in Starlight’s hand for a few seconds before he dispersed it. He took a deep breath and spoke.
“I’ve figured out the general principle. Noah was right; this magic is indeed very crude and consumes a massive amount of energy. However, it’s decent enough to use as a temporary trump card, though it’s still a bit unsatisfying.”
“I say... is learning magic really that simple? Why do I feel like you’re actually looking down on it? Are you humble-bragging right now?!” Po Kong rubbed his blond hair, sounding somewhat uncertain.
“Hmm? I’m just telling the truth. I didn’t have time to analyze it during the fight. If I had learned it then, we could have saved a lot of effort.”
Starlight didn't seem to realize the surprise in Po Kong’s words at all. Instead, he shook his head, appearing somewhat dissatisfied with his own speed.
“You... if I were a mage, I’d probably be fuming right now. Fine, let’s end this topic here. By the way, did you find the people who were kidnapped? I was so busy being shocked that I almost forgot about that bit.”
After complaining, Po Kong looked around at the wasteland-like area and suddenly asked.
Rate on N.U.
