Lupe Defects

Chapter 25: Lupe's Defection

When the villagers spoke these words, Yuan Chen knew he had succeeded.

Just as Yuan Chen had thought, looking at Yuan Chen before her, Lupe clearly understood the terror of the Elemental Dragon, but she didn't immediately state her position. After a moment of silent eye contact with Yuan Chen, she said:

"This is feasible... but I need to confirm it."

Hearing this, the villagers nodded in understanding--

Elder Lupe was knowledgeable and experienced. If she confirmed the plan, it would be foolproof.

Conversely, Mordas and the others grew tense. They knew that even with the blessing of the Azure Starfire, a rampaging Elemental Dragon could still cause terrifying destruction.

After all, even if Nedeli used the Azure Starfire, she only inherited the legacy of the Dawn Bringer, not immediately become one. In this situation, the only thing they could truly rely on was the Heavenly Power of the Azure Starfire to suppress it.

In response, Yuan Chen patted Mordas's shoulder, giving him a "don't worry" expression.

Then, Yuan Chen, carrying the wastewater, entered Lupe's large house.

As soon as he entered, before Yuan Chen could even sit down, Lupe angrily questioned him:

"What are you doing? You only needed to drive out those Meat-toothed Beasts to join us! Why are you getting involved in hunting dragons?"

Lupe's face showed dissatisfaction and annoyance:

"Don't think I can't tell, that test tube is just a pool of wastewater! You can't fool me! There isn't even a trace of magical energy in it!"

"Your courage has been scared out of you by the Elemental Dragon. I can hardly imagine you were once a member of Elder Yuentar."

Yuan Chen no longer showed the usual respect when facing Lupe, but treated her as an equal--Lupe didn't seem to mind much.

Perhaps it was because they both knew that after Yuan Chen's identity as a Prophet was confirmed, the rules that had bound them were gradually losing their effect.

And now that Milio's talent had been discovered, Yuan Chen was even more of a hope for the family's revival in Lupe's eyes--Yuan Chen was no longer the one asking for favors.

"We are conducting a transaction now! Don't lecture me with a condescending tone, you remind me of those old fossils in the Eternal Hall!" Yuan Chen said impolitely.

But after hearing Yuan Chen's words, Lupe also suppressed the feigned anger on her face after a moment of silence--

She was trying to gauge whether Yuan Chen was truly confident of victory, whether he was truly the legendary Prophet.

And now, although she still couldn't be sure, in Yuan Chen's words, Lupe sensed his confidence in victory...

Her probing was exposed, but Lupe didn't feel the slightest bit awkward about the answer. Even Yuan Chen seemed unconcerned, as if it were a harmless joke.

Nodding, Lupe sat down and said:

"Then what is your trump card?"

The power of an Elemental Dragon is beyond your imagination. Don't forget, I told you, she's in heat. Both her destructive power and ferocity will skyrocket. Even the road guardians of Yishuaoken will reduce their outings during this period."

Yuan Chen took out the jar that truly contained the Azure Starfire.

The moment the Azure Starfire was brought out, its azure flames permeated the entire large room through the impure glass jar, bathing it in a dreamlike hue.

The churning flames were interspersed with the trails of stardust. Gazing at the flames, Lupe's mind went blank. As a true Elementalist, she saw the formation of the universe, the birth of stars, the evolution of elements, and even the rise and fall of life within these flames...

Just by looking, she felt the door to the elemental domain was within reach. The flowing colors represented the wisdom flowing from the peak of the stars. She subconsciously reached out to grasp it—

But in the very next moment, Yuan Chen put it away, and the grand room, which had been filled with a dreamlike atmosphere, instantly returned to darkness.

"Your old eyes are about to grow cobwebs."

"What was that?!"

Lupe asked with some urgency. Even with just a fleeting glimpse, she could feel the boundless mysteries contained within.

It was like... like a key to the door of elemental truth!

"You don't need to know. You just need to know that this can help us kill the dragon, this can integrate this village into the county, and this can allow your family to return to its former glory!" Yuan Chen didn't want to show the Azure Starfire to someone who understood it—

But he had no choice. During the hunt, even though Yuan Chen could fool the villagers who knew nothing of the outside world with his murky words, he couldn't fool this true Elemental Master. Secrets had to be preserved, and it just so happened that Lupe had an unresolved knot in her heart and an obsession...

Just like now, hearing Yuan Chen's words and sensing the profound mystery within the flames.

Lupe now had two choices. One was to snatch the flames, but she had only caught a fleeting glimpse. Yuan Chen hadn't given her any opportunity to examine, appraise, or study them.

And Yuan Chen himself was a powerful Ionian dancer. Coupled with his effortless control over Water Element, any conflict in this coastal village...

Whether successful or not, she would be making an enemy of a monster who was suspected to be a Prophet.

The other was to cooperate with Yuan Chen... At least for now, Yuan Chen's identity as a Prophet seemed extremely reliable. And Lupe could clearly feel that Milio's Elemental Magic had improved. Although not obvious, he had already embarked on the right path.

Thinking this, Lupe's expression turned somewhat gloomy, but she still asked, "How much confidence do you have... in killing an Elemental Dragon?"

"Right now... fifty percent," Yuan Chen said.

"Let me see your true power, and I'll give you the final answer." —The percentage was bullshit. It all depended on how Yuan Chen spun it. When he had fooled Mordas before, Yuan Chen had even said there was an eighty percent chance with Nedeli's arrival.

Hearing this, Lupe nodded and then signaled Yuan Chen to use the Scout Skill he had used on Audan and Milio on her.

A Scout Skill was cast, and Lupe felt a strong sense of malicious intrusion.

At the same time, within Yuan Chen's line of sight, Lupe's attributes were fully displayed.

Name: Lupe

Race: Human (Ixialia)

Status: Alert, Vigilant, Aged, Mana-Saturated

Class: Elementalist Lv7

Equipment: Vydalian Robe (Epic Set) / Skarner's Wheel (Epic) / Earth Vein Blade (Excellent)

Skills: Earth Axiom Lv7 / Fire Axiom Lv4 / Water Axiom Lv4 / Wind Axiom Lv3...

Equipment Skills:

Vydalian Robe (Epic Set): Embodied Mana:

An embodied magic artifact woven from ancient Ixialian relics, it can transform into various forms according to the user's will. As the weaving material originates from the user's own mana, it accelerates mana circulation during spellcasting, enhances magical effects, improves magical stability, and rapidly replenishes mana.

Note: Due to the weaving material, this set is bound to "Lupe." Others cannot activate the set's effects even if they wear it.

Skarner's Wheel (Epic): Earth Vein Pressure:

An Axiom Wheel blessed by Ixialia's earth elemental sacred beast, Skarner. When infused with mana, it greatly increases its own weight through earth elemental reinforcement (the user is unaffected). Each attack will be imbued with "Earthquake," inflicting negative status effects such as stun, disarm, daze, and heavy pressure.

Success probability is determined by the target's magic resistance, vitality, and luck.

Earth Vein Blade (Excellent) / Earth Vein Enhancement:

An exquisite weapon crafted by Ixialia's elemental artisans, modeled after Skarner's Wheel. When infused with mana, it greatly enhances the weight of the blade itself (the user is unaffected).

Trait: Earth Aura (Excellent):

An acquired trait developed through deepening understanding of the Earth Axiom. When fighting on the ground, the spirit of the earth will strengthen the holder's physical fitness, mana recovery, reduce mana consumption, and increase the destructive power of earth-related magic.

Aged (No Grade):

As a human, even with extraordinary talent, she is ultimately limited by lifespan. Her powerful elemental talent sustains her strength, but with declining energy, she can fight high-intensity battles by reducing her remaining maximum vitality after exhausting her energy.

Seeing Lupe's status panel, a hint of surprise flashed in Yuan Chen's eyes. From any angle, Lupe's strength was terrifying. A Lv7 Elementalist was rare even in Ionia.

More importantly, her weapon, 'Skarner's Wheel.' Although it looked like a mere precious Epic-grade weapon, its true significance was far beyond its appearance.

In the background story of League of Legends, Skarner's lore has undergone multiple revisions. Previously, Skarner's title was "The Crystal Vanguard," and he was the last of the Shell People, closely tied to the prosperity of Piltover.

It could be said that Piltover's prosperity was entirely built upon the blood and tears of the Shell People.

With the IP development of the War of the Two Cities, Piltover's dark side was greatly reduced. Coupled with outdated mechanics, Skarner naturally underwent a rework.

And the most recent background, not yet implemented, is that of the elemental sacred beast who taught the people of Ixialia the Earth Axiom...

Previously, Yuan Chen had been thinking about how to understand whether this world's Piltover background was the old version or the new one, but now it seemed that it was at least unrelated to the Shell People.

Aside from the background information, Lupe's strength was beyond doubt--

Through diligent practice and hard work, she had even acquired an excellent quality trait. Coupled with the elemental robes from Vydalia, Skarner's Wheel, as long as her feet touched the ground, her casting speed and spell power would far surpass her peers.

The only thing to worry about was the trait of aging...

An undeniable DEBUFF, and the unavoidable fate of short-lived humans...

Although a mage's casting ability would continuously improve with their study of spells, their energy would decline year by year with age. By now, even a moderately intense battle would likely leave Lupe breathless and sweating profusely...

And, she was safe.

Even if Lupe could threaten him, it was impossible for her to truly kill him. Under the limitation of lifespan, as long as he was shameless enough, a counter-kill was not entirely impossible--

Oshirresh, love me again.jpg

Sensing the thoughts in Yuan Chen's gaze, Lupe simply waited.

A moment later, Yuan Chen said, "If you are willing to assist us, our chances are sixty-five percent. If you go all out without regard for the cost, this probability can rise to eighty-five percent."

"...What does 'without regard for the cost' mean?"

Lupe inquired, "Explain it clearly. You know this information."

"Vydalian Robe, Skarner's Wheel, Earth Vein Blade, Earth Aura... and the state of continuing to fight even at the cost of life force after energy consumption reaches its limit."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Lupe's eyes narrowed--

Scouting magic was not uncommon in Runeterra, nor was it some reclusive secret art. However, most scouting magic would have extremely obvious yet massive magical fluctuations. Even so, the information that scouting magic could obtain was merely the target's general physical condition, mana level, and the like.

Among these, as long as the target's mana was twenty percent stronger than the caster of the Scout Skill, the target could forcibly retrieve all their information through reverse magic.

Even if the levels were equal or slightly stronger than the target of the Scout Skill, there was a high probability that the target would be counter-attacked with reverse casting, thus temporarily losing their casting ability.

It could be said that unless one was certain that the opponent's magical level was at least half of their own, the negative effects of the Scout Skill far outweighed the positive ones.

And just now, besides feeling that she was being spied upon, Lupe had not felt the slightest trace of casting... And the information Yuan Chen had obtained far exceeded Lupe's previous understanding of all scouting-type magic!

Was this the talent of a "Prophet" for perception and precognition magic?

Lupe had once read books and notes describing the characteristics of the extraordinary profession of Prophet. One point was their sensitivity to precognition and perception magic, far exceeding that of ordinary people.

Prophets could easily perceive fluctuations from the Thread of Fate that others could not, and use the Thread of Fate to foresee and predict the future.

The same talent could be applied to scouting magic, because scouting magic was essentially infinitely reduced, degraded, and simplified precognition magic...

Thinking this, Lupe couldn't help but sigh. While envious, she also said, "Then what's in it for me?"

"This is a great merit and achievement."

Yuan Chen knew Lupe had agreed, and only the final push was needed:

"You're old... you've been confined to this remote frontier of civilization, perhaps you'll die here, buried as an exile, a political prisoner. And now, your family will, under your watch..."

Yuan Chen's words made Lupe's eyes narrow. Yuan Chen then reached out in front of Lupe and clenched his fist tightly.

"Welcome a revival."

A hint of determination appeared in Lupe's gaze.