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Chapter 398: Incoming Attack

Sein’s constitution had surpassed 100 points, positioning him alongside newly promoted Rank One knights.

However, this comparison pertained only to his physical resilience; it did not imply that his muscle power and physical strength matched theirs.

Furthermore, Sein could not harness battle qi like knights. It was inaccurate to call him a knight armed with a magic rod.

His constitution merely granted him superior resilience and vitality compared to other mages, improving his chances of survival in the perilous conditions of an interplanar war.

Sein believed that once his constitution reached or exceeded 200 points, he could harness his full physical potential and potentially explore a combat style reliant solely on brute strength, just like Master Gregory.

Then again, this was the simplest and crudest approach to utilizing his strength.

As a scholarly mage, he preferred to combine his burgeoning physical capabilities with his magic prowess, leveraging both to unleash devastating forces far beyond his apparent limits.

Sein could actually start experimenting with the explosive power of the Verdant Flame magic.

Although his focus and constitution had yet to reach ideal levels, he possessed the Verdant Flame Heart Rod. It could significantly amplify his combat abilities, allowing Sein to unleash an extreme burst of power for a short period during a battle.

***

Sein was preoccupied with academic concerns when he noticed a peculiar black cloud approaching in the distance.

A mage’s sensitivity to abnormal elemental energies allowed him and two other Rank One mages to detect the anomaly immediately.

At Thatch’s warning, the other two Rank One knights promptly took up defensive positions on the deck.

This immense cargo ship, stretching over a thousand meters in length, carried more than just four knights and mages.

Sein had secured passage by paying a substantial fare, successfully persuading Thatch and the others to let him hitch a ride.

Beyond the four Rank One beings, the ship was manned by over three hundred individuals responsible for its navigation and maintenance.

This crew included fifty magic initiates and squires from the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce, with the remaining members consisting of ordinary people and seasoned sailors.

The opponent’s boldness and aggression made Sein’s heart sink.

The sense of crisis and underlying anxiety that had plagued him had diminished significantly a few days ago, to the point where he wondered if it had been merely his imagination.

However, the sudden emergence of dark, thick clouds reignited that familiar sense of impending danger.

It was at this moment that Sein truly recognized that the source of his earlier unease was indeed this threatening figure.

“Is it that black mage from the Monique Black Market? How did he track me here?” Sein wondered silently.

He had disposed of the three soul slaves he purchased half a year ago, so he was baffled by the methods the black mage might have used to track him down.

This situation highlighted the inherent dangers of dealing with black mages.

Despite not having benefited from any dealings with the black mage, Sein found himself being targeted instead.

In the Magus World, black mages were regarded as malignant forces and major villains. It was indeed wiser for most to steer clear of such dangerous individuals.

“Hehehe, just four Rank One? Looks like four more Rank One biological specimens will be added to my collection soon. No... make that five... Which plane is that creature from? It seems it could fetch a good price.”

The black cloud quickly positioned itself right above the ship.

The figure hidden inside made no effort to conceal his disdain and predatory interest in Sein and the others.

Sein also became acutely aware of the black mage’s focus on Yuri, who had just emerged from the cabin.

Standing next to Sein, Yuri could also sense the looming threat.

She showed no fear though. Gripping Sein’s arm with one hand and clutching her space necklace with the other, she was ready to summon her mecha at a moment’s notice.

Thatch, the Rank One mage, also appeared on deck with a grim expression.

The aggression and malevolence of the figure in the black clouds left no doubt about his identity—he was a black mage, and not just any, but a formidable Rank two!

On the southern coast, black mages were not uncommon.

This region was notorious in the Magus World for rampant black mage activities, second only to the notorious Blackhaven.

The eastern coast, to the east of the Western Archipelago, also frequently saw black mage activities.

In contrast, the western coast was relatively tranquil due to the presence of the Dragon Warlock Clan, a dominant force that kept black mages at bay.

Typically, regions plagued by black mages shared two characteristics—proximity to the sea and a lack of powerful forces to maintain order.

Thatch had joined House Guilleman for over three hundred years.

In all his voyages, he had encountered a black mage only once, thirty years ago.

It was an injured Rank One mage, so he was not aggressive to Thatch.

However, today’s situation was drastically different.

The ominous laughter of the black mage heralded a dire situation.

The black mage made his presence known but also showed no intention of wasting his time with a bunch of worms.

As he loomed overhead, swaths of fish and marine creatures floated belly-up to the surface, lifeless.

The humpback whales on both sides of the alchemy ship emitted mournful cries while thrashing wildly in the water. The four-armed nagas who handled them struggled futilely to regain control amidst the chaos.

Each slap of the whale’s tail against the choppy water sent monstrous waves crashing around, while the black mage’s hoarse laughter echoed ominously, creating an apocalyptic scene.

The ordinary humans and magic initiates on the ship were paralyzed by fear in the overwhelming aura of a Rank Two being.

Despite his experiences in interplanar wars, Sein felt a deep unease in the presence of the Rank Two black mage. However, he maintained his composure, unlike others who were visibly shaken.

Thatch, although pale, managed to make a decisive call to action.

Recognizing the severity of the threat, he ordered, “Activate the ship’s magic cannons! Call for help to the nearest ships in the sea, the aquatic races, and the orders of the knights!”