Extremely weakened, on the verge of death.
In less than an hourglass, this Magic Cloud creature—once one of the largest and most powerful beings in the Underground World—had been reduced to a mass no bigger than a cotton ball, after being scorched by sunlight and swarmed by everyone.
It was simply too weak.
So weak that one couldn't help wondering whether even a slightly stronger breeze might blow it away.
Under the fervent, reverent gazes of dozens of elite scholars from the academy, Reilo, transformed into a swirling vortex of distorted light and darkness, drifted down from the sky, illuminated by the night's radiant sun. He slowly floated toward the trembling underground demon king.
A pale gray barrier.
Two Extraordinary Scholars expended their energy to activate the magical barrier, trapping the remaining cotton-ball-sized mass of Magic Cloud.
No.
Perhaps this wasn't a prison so much as protection, keeping its feeble body from collapsing before Reilo could pass judgment on it.
"Kyahahahaha..."
Looking down at it from on high, Reilo let out the low chuckle that had once made countless experimental specimens tremble.
It sprang from the excitement a scholar who had spent years in solitude felt while pursuing the truth, and from the faint, deranged arrogance of one who had risen above the food chain and could freely probe the mysteries of lesser creatures.
From within the swirling vortex of light and darkness, a long, pale hand slowly reached out.
The pale hand silently pierced the barrier and stroked the trembling mass of Magic Cloud as though petting a kitten.
"What are you in the Underground World? From the aura and life traits about you, you seem quite extraordinary. There's a faint, ancient purity to you—the same scent I've encountered on the bodies of only a few peerless, great beings.