This person's talent wasn't particularly bad, but it wasn't top-tier either. His biggest flaw was that his ambitions far outstripped his abilities.
Sending him up—if he accidentally got hurt, there would be no way to explain it to the Great Sage.
But if he simply kept him back in the ranks and didn't let him do anything, with the boy's temperament, who knew what he would say to the Great Sage once they returned.
He rolled his eyes, a very subtle movement that only the other red-robed mage beside him noticed.
Then, he casually pointed to another blue-robed mage at the very end of the line. “You, go up and test them. Don't rush into a fight; feel them out first.”
The blue-robed mage respectfully complied.
He looked much more composed than the Great Sage's grandson, slightly older, with dark circles under his eyes from chronic sleep deprivation.
He raised his staff, pointing the tip at Darian, who was still wildly provoking them. His lips moved as he began to chant the incantation for a binding spell.
A pale blue magical glow condensed at the tip of his staff, tracing the outline of a hexagonal rune.
Binding Spell—this was a common capture spell used by the Mage Association. It formed a magical cage around the target, restricting movement without being lethal.
Darian was in the middle of a roll, her mouth still open to spit out more cheeky remarks, when she suddenly found her arms enveloped in a pale blue film of light.
The film of light tightened rapidly, pinning her hands to her sides and anchoring her feet firmly to the floor. Even her tongue began to grow stiff.
She rolled her eyes frantically, casting a pleading look toward Wu Yao.
There was thirty percent panic and seventy percent plea in that gaze, her expression changing faster than the turning of a page.
Wu Yao stood beside her with arms crossed, head tilted as she watched her with great interest. Unhurried and calm, she looked like she was enjoying a free show.
“I never promised to save you,” Wu Yao said in a light, cheerful tone, her voice rising slightly at the end.
Darian's expression at that moment was absolutely priceless.
The moment Wu Yao's gaze landed on her face, she quickly switched back to helpless and pitiful, repeatedly mouthing the words, “I'm going to die.” Seeing that Wu Yao remained entirely unmoved, she changed it to, “You won't get the goods.”
Wu Yao looked at her. The smile on her face showed no sign of fading, but she didn't turn to leave either.
“My mother told me not to play with dishonest people,” Wu Yao shrugged, her tone casual.
Darian's face finally changed. Pushed to this point, she had no choice but to show her cards.
The binding spell sealed her movement and voice, but she mouthed the words slowly and deliberately: “Kill them. The things are yours. Now.”
Wu Yao's eyebrows twitched, and she cast a slightly surprised glance at her.
Seriously? This NPC just spins one lie after another.
The stories she makes up have a beginning and an end, rich details, and full emotions. Every plot twist perfectly pokes at one's soft spots.
If it weren't for the fact that not a single quest completion notification had popped up on her quest panel, she might have actually believed her.
As it turned out, even her claim about hiding the items at home just now was a lie. No wonder her Deception skill was at Level 12.
The leading red-robed mage took all of this in, finally confirming that the woman in front of him was not in league with Darian.
This realization allowed his suspended heart to ease slightly.
He took a step forward, lowering the tip of his staff slightly out of an offensive stance, and his tone softened considerably.
“Your Excellency,” he said, bowing slightly and placing his left hand over his chest in a standard mage's salute.
“I am Ester Maro, the Master of the Tower of Stars of the Mage Association stationed in the Plains of Truth. These are my colleagues, and we have come under the orders of Sage Orphee to capture this individual.”
His gaze passed over Wu Yao's shoulder, landing on Darian, who was locked in place and unable to move by the binding spell.
“This person is named Darian Ken. She was originally a registered apprentice of the Tower of Stars in the Plains of Truth, and was later taken in as a disciple by Sage Orphee, the Master of the Beacon Tower in the Holy City, due to her outstanding talent. However, she betrayed the Sage's cultivation, stealing the Sage's private treasures and confidential official documents, forging transfer orders, and fleeing the Holy City under a false identity.
“During her flight, she also injured two Official Mages who attempted to intercept her, and repeatedly used forged documents to swindle various mage stations out of lodging, food, and travel expenses. Any single one of these crimes is enough to make her spend the rest of her life in the Mana-Suppressing Prison.”
He paused, withdrawing his gaze from Darian and letting it rest on Wu Yao's face once more.
“For Your Excellency to be traveling with a major criminal in the dead of night, you must have been deceived by her. This person is extremely skilled in disguise and rhetoric, and was well-known in the Holy City for her silver tongue. I do not know what she told Your Excellency, but the Mage Association does not wish to have any friction with you over a misunderstanding.”
His phrasing was polite, and his attitude was quite humble, but his tone carried a subtle implication: We don't want trouble, but please do not interfere.
Wu Yao's eyes darted.
Last time, when she was with Sylvia, she had asked for the location of the Mage Association, but the elf had stubbornly refused to tell her.
Now, look at this. A guide had delivered himself right to her doorstep. Furthermore, someone like a Tower Master sounded like a high-ranking official. As long as he was willing to lead the way, wouldn't finding the Mage Association be a matter of minutes?
Wu Yao clasped her hands in front of her and spoke in what she believed to be her friendliest tone.
“I've always greatly admired the Mage Association. I heard that the Association is full of talents and boasts tens of thousands of books, and I've always wanted to pay a visit. Since you are capturing this Darian, why don't you take me along to have a look? I'd also like to see what kind of place the Mage Association is.”
Her tone was just the right amount of sincere, making her sound exactly like a traveler who genuinely admired the Mage Association and had stumbled upon a chance to fulfill her dream.
The expressions of several mages relaxed almost in unison. Their tight grips on their staves loosened slightly, and their tense shoulders slumped.
The leading red-robed mage's face also softened noticeably. He lowered his staff by a few more inches, and a faint, barely discernible smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Excellent. This person says she admires the Mage Association, which proves she is indeed not a sorceress.
He chuckled and agreed, then cautiously added another question, “Since Your Excellency has such an intention, the Association naturally welcomes you. However, may I ask what your identity is?”
He pompously added, “Lest we neglect an honored guest.”
Wu Yao nearly rolled her eyes.
Why do these mages love prying so much? Can't I enter without declaring my identity? Are they running a background check?
A witch definitely won't work, nor will a commoner. It has to be an identity that can cast spells and isn't to be trifled with.
Sylvia's face flashed through her mind.
She straightened her back and raised her chin slightly. “I am a wandering elf.”
Who would have thought that the moment she said this, the atmosphere on the opposite side shifted abruptly.
The blue-robed mages who had just relaxed froze their shoulders at the same time, their lips twitching as if trying to confirm whether they had misheard.
The smile on Ester Maro's face froze, and all warmth drained from his eyes.
Before Wu Yao could even figure out what kind of landmine the identity of an “elf” had stepped on, she saw HP bars light up above the heads of all eight people opposite her in unison.
Rate on N.U.
