Counterattack

In the woods outside the manor, two figures in hooded cloaks were hidden.

The one leaning against a tree trunk was only about a meter tall, while the other sat on a rock nearby.

The one sitting on the rock said, "The employer said the target is only a Level One Wizard Apprentice. I don't think it's necessary to waste a Witchcraft Trap."

The short wizard leaning against the trunk replied, "This employer is very generous. The target might be hiding his true strength. It's safer to use the Witchcraft Trap. He'll have to pass this road to return to Whitestone Town. As long as he falls into the trap, even if he's hiding his strength, he won't be able to escape."

After waiting a while, the one sitting on the rock spoke again, "The banquet ended an hour ago, and he still hasn't come out. Our target might be with Lady Alsha..."

At that moment, the short wizard suddenly interrupted, "He's out!"

He saw a black-haired youth with natural curls walking out of the manor.

The one sitting on the rock stood up abruptly. He was very tall, over two meters, but as thin as a bamboo pole.

He looked toward the manor gate. "Really. I thought he'd stay in the manor all night..."

The short wizard said, "Shut up. The target is coming."

But after a moment, something unexpected happened.

He saw the target turn into the woods across the road. His expression darkened, and he said anxiously, "Why is he heading into the woods! There's no way he could have detected us from this distance. He's not a Formal Wizard!"

The tall, thin wizard turned his head and asked, "What now? Do we keep waiting?"

The short wizard thought of the generous reward the employer had promised, gritted his teeth, and said, "No more waiting! We'll attack together. Even if he's a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, he won't survive tonight."

Matthew adjusted his collar and walked out from the back garden.

The hall was now empty, and the long tables laden with Gourmet Food and Fine Wine had been cleared away.

Just now, in the back garden, Lady Alsha had chatted with him for a long time, even giving him the illusion that he was on a date with her.

Afterward, Lady Alsha invited Matthew to join her Exchange Meeting.

Since arriving in Whitestone Town, Lady Alsha had organized an Exchange Meeting, inviting only wizards.

The theme of the meeting was to provide a platform for wizards to exchange information and trade.

It was held once a month.

But Lady Alsha's way of inviting was truly unique. It almost made Matthew wonder if he had Veela blood in him. It was far too easy to misunderstand.

After leaving the manor, Matthew planned to find a nearby patch of woods to Apparate away. Over the past few days, he had tested it and confirmed that both Apparition and the Portkey-making spell worked in this world.

He hadn't gone far when his eyes sharpened. Within his Magic Sense, two wizards were in the woods to the right.

The road to Whitestone Town split the woods on both sides, so there was also a forest on the left. Not wanting trouble, he chose to enter the left woods to avoid the two wizards.

But as soon as he entered the left woods, he sensed that the two wizards had followed him.

Matthew frowned. He realized their intentions were hostile—they were here to cause him trouble!

Matthew's right hand moved slightly, and the wand hidden in his sleeve slid quickly into his palm. He first cast an Illusionary Body Spell on himself, concealing his form.

Behind him, a tall and a short figure stopped in their tracks.

The tall, thin wizard exclaimed in shock, "Damn it! He disappeared!"

A sharp sound of breaking air rang out. The short wizard's expression changed, and he rolled on the spot to dodge a translucent, crescent-shaped Wind Blade.

The short wizard was shaken. He had nearly been cut by that Wind Blade.

His expression turned serious. "So he did detect us. How? Magic Sense is a Formal Wizard's ability!"

The tall, thin wizard said, "He's young. There's no way he's a Formal Wizard. He must have a magic-detecting Wizard Tool."

A glint of greed flashed in his eyes. Tonight's haul would be good. A magic-detecting Wizard Tool was a hot commodity.

He pulled out a fist-sized eyeball. "Disillusionment Charm!"

After activating it, the eyeball floated in his hand. This eyeball could nullify nearby Invisibility Abilities.

The eyeball floating in the tall, thin wizard's hand faintly glowed red.

Matthew felt a strange ripple of magical energy sweep over him, forcibly canceling the effect of his Illusionary Body Spell.

Matthew was forced to reveal himself.

The short wizard had already begun preparing a spell the moment his companion took out the Eyeball Wizard Tool. A translucent blue arrow materialized in the air before him.

"Ice Crystal Burst Arrow" was his best First-Circle Spell. As Matthew appeared, he completed the spell model's guidance, swung both hands, and an arm-thick arrow shot toward Matthew at high speed.

Matthew quickly raised a Shield Charm, and a translucent circular barrier appeared before him.

But then Matthew's expression changed drastically. The blue arrow before him was extremely penetrating. The Shield Charm didn't hold for long before being shattered by the short wizard's "Ice Arrow Technique"!

Matthew rolled forward quickly. The blue arrow grazed past the top of his head and exploded behind him.

After the arrow exploded, countless Ice Cones shot out in all directions.

Matthew held a Sapphire in his left hand. This was a Wizard Tool Link had given him. When activated, it could instantly release one "Mage Armor."

The Sapphire faintly glowed as he activated the Wizard Tool Link had given him.

"Mage Armor" took effect. A shield composed of many Translucent Polygons surrounded Matthew, blocking all the Ice Cones flying toward him.

After the sapphire's glow faded, it turned into a colorless, transparent gem.

Matthew saw that the opponent's magic was extremely powerful and didn't want to drag things out any longer.

This kind of forest was actually the perfect terrain for his Shapeshifting Technique. He chose a tree as thick as four men could wrap their arms around, waved his wand, and the tree beside him twisted and writhed instantly.

The branches of this tree split into two directions, intertwining and condensing to form two massive arms.

The "Treant Guardian" was inspired by a game from Matthew's Previous Life; its attack methods were throwing rocks and smashing with enormous hands.

However, because it was winter at the time, this "Treant Guardian" was completely bare.

Matthew made some modifications. He waved his wand again, Transforming another nearby tree into a Broad Greatsword.

The Treant Guardian grabbed the greatsword and smashed it down toward the two wizards.

Watching the descending greatsword, the two men's faces were filled with shock. Was this really something a wizard apprentice could do?!

They had been set up. The Short Wizard now hated the Employer to the bone—the target absolutely could not be a Level One Wizard Apprentice!

He no longer wanted the generous bounty and shouted loudly, "Run!"

But he immediately discovered something utterly despairing: their feet had somehow become entangled by tree branches.

They could only frantically raise their Shield Spell.

The Treant Guardian's massive frame carried tremendous kinetic energy as the greatsword, howling through the air, crashed down onto their position.

With a thunderous boom, the accumulated snow on the ground was sent flying.

Snowflakes drifted through the air.