The Intruder (First Update)

A dark shadow suddenly flashed past Svin's eyes, along with a wisp of blue magic.

That was the "fur" on Svin's body. It's hard to imagine that this fur, formed with dense magic and as hard as steel needles, could be torn apart so easily.

If it weren't for the warning that had just reached my ears, then perhaps...

This feeling of being on the brink of life and death caused a fine layer of cold sweat to instinctively rise on Svin's back.

Fortunately, after successfully launching this sneak attack, the dark figure landed nimbly in front of Svin and made no further move for the time being.

"Lu Xi'an, are you alright? I brought the professor with me!"

Just then, a loud shouting voice came from behind Svin. Without a doubt, only that idiot Flat Escardos could make such a noise.

"Professor!"

Having no time to worry about the unfamiliar voice or the issue of Flat Escardos addressed him, Svin instinctively breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing of the Lord El-Melloi II's arrival, as if he had found a pillar of support.

However, his gaze remained fixed on the front, not daring to relax for even a moment.

"Wow, what is this?!"

Flat Escardos arrived at Svin's side even earlier than the Lord El-Melloi II, also saw the "thing" in front of Svin. However, unlike Svin, Flat Escardos exclaimed in surprise as if he had seen something interesting.

It's no wonder Flat Escardos reacted this way, because what he saw was truly bizarre.

Standing atop the doll that had been destroyed by Svin was a flat "cat" that was completely blackened, so thin that its shape was imperceptible.

And now, the cat is silently staring at the two young men in front of it with its pupil-less eyes.

"I see, it must be borrowing the 'cat's shell.' Even if it's for the sake of mystery, a form that resembles reality is necessary."

The Lord El-Melloi II, who arrived late along with Gray, saw through [the cat's] true nature at a glance. Turning to his student, he said in a deep voice:

"Go all out; this enemy is not easy to deal with."

Meanwhile, not far from the battlefield, on the side of a certain "behind-the-scenes manipulator"—

"So, don't underestimate those kids. That broken doll is probably worth a lot of money, right?"

Holding his phone, Wang Xiaoming observed the battlefield while speaking jokingly into the phone.

In the territories of those old-school Magecraft, the Magecraft used for communication is basically shielded by the barriers surrounding the territory, but usually these barriers are completely ineffective against modern science. In this respect, [Iselma] is no exception.

"..."

"There's nothing I can do about reminding him; your familiar doesn't know its own strength."

After the indignant voice on the phone faded, Wang Xiaoming's tone turned helpless:

"But don't go too far. If a few people get hurt, Kayneth will definitely come after me."

"..."

"Interested in the dress Gray is holding?"

Having already gathered some information about the [formal costume] in Gray's possession from Kayneth, Wang Xiaoming naturally knew what it was. However, given Touko Aozaki's enthusiastic tone on the other end of the phone, Wang Xiaoming suddenly had the urge to dampen her spirits.

"That's a hot potato... huh?"

Wang Xiaoming's gaze suddenly shifted to the exact opposite direction from the battlefield, towards the outer lake of Iselma.

"I'm going over there. Keep an eye on things here yourself."

After a brief silence, Wang Xiaoming spoke.

"Sigh, men..."

Looking at the disconnected phone, Touko Aozaki, in another direction, shook her head and sighed. Then she turned her gaze back to the battlefield not far away.

"This is bad..."

Looking at the situation on the battlefield, the Lord El-Melloi II subconsciously frowned.

Currently, the only creature that can rival the speed of "Black Cat" is the wolf-transformed Svin.

In the high-speed clash, the two sides engaged in a fierce struggle.

The black cat's claws grazed Svin's fur, while Svin's wolf claws pierced through the black cat's body. Judging solely from the outcome, the black cat was undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

In reality, Svin's wolf claws didn't feel the impact; it was as if they were hitting water. The "black cat's" body, though pierced, showed no signs of injury, and its movements didn't even pause for a moment.

However, for Svin, the opponent's attack was not so easy to withstand. The illusion that originally enveloped his body was torn open, and the azure fur reverted to its original magical power, scattering everywhere.

Although the main body hasn't been harmed yet, if this continues, it won't be long before the phantom wolf's mimicry is completely stripped away, and then--

"Hahaha, the wolf cub is about to lose!"

A loud laugh came from behind, not from a human, but from the weapon in Gray's hand that resembled the Grim Reaper's scythe.

"Add!"

After whispering a name to the ceremonial dress called [Add], Gray gripped the "Grim Reaper" and was about to go to help, but was pulled back by the Lord El-Melloi II beside her.

"Not that one, it's on top."

Following the direction her teacher was pointing, the girl looked, but under the clear sky, she found nothing. However, Add understood the Lord El-Melloi II's intentions even before his master did—

"Jump up, Gray!"

As if pulled up by Add's shout, the girl leaped into the air.

Add's body, synchronized with his own, automatically determined direction and distance. Reaching the highest point, the Grim Reaper gently swung through the air.

[Click!]

Although I didn't see it, I did cut something.

After being slashed by the scythe, the invisibility Magecraft applied to it immediately failed, allowing the thing to reveal its physical form after hitting the ground.

It is a bird-shaped familiar. Its body and wings are woven from brass wire, and its eyes are Ruby. Inside its eyes, there is something that looks like a tiny old-fashioned film reel spinning around, projecting a certain light through the rubies in its eyes.

As the light faded, the flat cat also vanished without a trace.

"So it was just a reflection," Flat Escardos muttered to himself, who was also observing the black cat.

That's why it can't be cut open.

After his illusionary form was mostly destroyed, Svin collapsed to the ground after dispelling his Magecraft.

"It's not that it can't be cut open--"

The Lord El-Melloi II king picked up the familiar that had fallen to the ground, and after examining it carefully, he came to a conclusion:

"Instead, no matter how many times it's shattered, as long as the projector is still running, it will continuously absorb magical energy from the 'Great Source' to regenerate itself. This is a technology ahead of its time, Mystic Code that only a [Grand Magecraft could create."

"A [Grand]... Magecraft?"

After hearing the Lord El-Melloi II's conclusion, everyone present couldn't help but gasp.

Even in the El-Melloi Classroom, a place teeming with eccentric geniuses, the Grand remains an unattainable level for these students.

"Currently, the only Grand Caster present in [Iselma] are --"

After a brief silence, the Lord El-Melloi II whispered the name of that person.

"Aozaki... Touko Aozaki..."

"Ah, as expected of [Lord], I thought I could hide a little longer."

As the Lord El-Melloi II Prince finished speaking, a cheerful voice rang out from the woods. Looking in the direction of the voice, everyone saw a woman without glasses appear in their line of sight from under the shade of the trees.

"However, since you've already discovered it, there's nothing we can do about it. El-Melloi's— "

The Magecraft named [Aozaki Touko] said this after a cold smile played on her lips:

"Because of someone else's request, I am now going to be your enemy."

Chapter 333. The Intruders (First Update)

"El-Melloi, I have been commissioned to become your enemy."

Touko Aozaki's straightforward words caused the atmosphere on the battlefield to freeze.

"You... you're kidding, right..."

"This is just too much!!"

After a brief silence, the members of El-Melloi all showed expressions of horror, even the naturally optimistic Flat Escardos let out a cry of disbelief.

There's no other reason than that the title of "Grand" is simply too terrifying.

"So, be serious, El-Melloi— "

Touko Aozaki flicked her right hand, casually drawing a rune in the air:

"Otherwise, you might die!"

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Iselma's territory—

A young man with brown skin was quietly observing the two strangely shaped towers standing in front of the lake.

"Ah, the Twin Towers-- "

Judging from the young man's tone, it seemed as if he disregarded the landmark buildings of Iselma.

Ding-a-ling~~

The untimely ringtone seemed to deliberately disrupt the young man's thoughts.

"Hello, Lord Baruereta."

The young man, who had taken the phone from his attendant, spoke in a lazy tone to the person on the other end.

"..."

"Yes, please don't worry--"

Upon hearing the reply, the young man seemed to perk up and made a formal promise to the other party:

"My involvement this time is only directed at that person and will absolutely not cause you any obstacles."

"..."

After a series of polite exchanges, the young man who hung up the phone looked at the Twin Towers again with eager eyes.

"Finally, it's here--"

The young man quietly clenched his fist.

For him, the only opponent worthy of fear was Lord Baruereta. The other minor figures were insignificant; even facing one of the three great noble families, he still had to yield. Although he was an immortal being with no other merits besides his age, in Magecraft, time had its value.

However, this obstacle no longer exists. In this Twin Towers, there is no one left for me to fear.

"How dare you snatch your prey from my hands, Adram Galliasta..."

So now--"

His gaze swept over the attendant beside him, and the young man curled his lips into a smug smile, declaring:

"Let Iselma regret for the sin of taking my valuable prey from me."

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!"

Having expended too much energy on the "black cat," the group in El-Melloi Classroom were quickly defeated by Touko Aozaki's attacks.

Flat Escardos had intended to dodge Touko Aozaki's attack with agile movement, was quickly sent flying into the air by the opponent's attack.

Along with Flat Escardos, Svin was also thrown into the air by the shockwave. When he got up from the ground covered in dust, the first thing he did was look behind him.

"Professor!"

Fortunately, thanks to Gray's protection, the Lord El-Melloi II was not harmed.

But how long can this situation last...?

"Add."

Gray, who had also noticed this, whispered the name of her formal attire, seemingly preparing to reveal her [true name]. However, before Gray could make a further move, she was stopped by the Lord El-Melloi II Prince behind her, who pressed down on her shoulder.