Don't Want to Kill Him, Then There's No Need to Offend Him

"Alright, alright, I know what you're here for."

In the distance, Log, a Second-Rank Apprentice, planted his hands on his hips and said brazenly:

"I only have one request. The three of you attack together and help me test the Defensive Sorcery I've been researching."

"Even if you can tear off a corner of my clothes, I'll give each of you a piece of Vampire King's Nail."

At that, Ahab and Vivian exchanged a glance.

Since each of them could get a piece of the nail,

this was the time to temporarily set aside their personal grudges and join forces!

Both were outstanding individuals. With just one look, they understood each other's thoughts.

"Ready? Then come on!"

Log, the Second-Rank Apprentice, led the three of them several dozen steps away and stopped in a relatively open area.

"Come!"

Log spread his legs wide and lowered himself slightly, assuming a horse stance.

As he activated his magic power, ripples spread through the air half a meter around him.

Blue water ripples formed a flawless, three-hundred-and-sixty-degree defense.

I remember Future Diary saying that Second-Rank Apprentice spells were basically at 0.6 rings, more than three times stronger than Third-Rank Apprentice spells...

Even with Vivian's highly explosive lightning-element spells, the three of us will have a hard time breaking this water barrier.

I'll have to use my wis—cunning—and think of another way...

As Ahab pondered, the impatient Vivian could no longer hold herself back.

"Lightning Strike, come!"

Ignoring her left arm, which was still in a cast, Vivian leaped high. Purple light flashed in midair as a bolt of lightning descended, caught firmly in her right hand.

"Boom!"

The raging lightning slammed into the water barrier ahead, but only caused a few ripples.

I remember that Vivian's lightning that night could turn solid stone slabs into charred rubble. If someone like me took a hit, I'd be on the brink of death immediately.

Even a Second-Rank Apprentice would probably be killed after taking three or four hits without any defense.

Yet it didn't even get a reaction from this water barrier?

Thoughts raced through Ahab's mind, but his hands were no slower.

Before the water ripples had fully settled, he pushed both hands forward. Moisture condensed into three ice spikes and shot out.

Future Diary had repeatedly hinted that Ahab should prioritize high-explosive spells.

Thus, instead of the ordinary Ice Crystal Spell, Ahab had chosen the Thunderbolt Ice Spell.

Though its straight-line piercing power was greatly reduced, the ice spikes exploded upon impact. Their explosive force was weaker than lightning-element spells, but not by much.

The ice spikes struck the water barrier and accomplished nothing.

"Tolia!"

At Ahab's reminder, Tolia swung both hands back and hurled three wind wheels forward. Wrapped in dust from the ground, they struck the water barrier.

Ripples spread across the water barrier, and the wind blades were blocked.

Yet the pebbles and sand swept up by the gale seemed to have been violently shoved, flying three or four hundred meters away.

It was as if a miniature sandstorm had been suspended in the air.

"Hm? The stones bounced back much faster than they flew in. That doesn't fit the laws of physics."

Ahab quickly figured out the answer.

That water barrier could reflect physical attacks—and with double the force.

In that case—

Ahab raised an eyebrow and decided to throw away a bit of his dignity.

"Ahhh, what a hard turtle shell. No, I have to get that material today no matter what!"

"I don't believe it! If spells can't break it, then fists will!"

Ahab suddenly started shouting wildly, startling Tolia and Vivian beside him.

But the two quickly understood—

Ahab Gul was plotting something nasty again.

"Take my punch!"

Like an unthinking child, Ahab swung his arms and charged forward.

"Hey, kid, wait, my Defensive Sorcery—"

Before Log could finish, Ahab's fist smashed viciously into the water barrier.

As ripples flashed across the barrier, Ahab was sent flying backward, spitting blood as he flew.

He was blasted more than ten meters away before finally hitting the ground.

He twitched for a while, then his head lolled sharply to one side.

Bright blood stretched across the sandy ground from beneath Log's feet all the way to Ahab's body.

"Damn it, where did this blockhead come from?!"

Now Loghart was truly panicking.

His Defensive Sorcery had a three-hundred-percent physical recoil effect attached to it.

He had assumed these Third-Rank Apprentices would bombard it with spells, so he had not paid much attention.

Who would have thought that this blockhead would rush in and throw a punch?

Are you an idiot? If spells can't break it, can a fist?

With that much blood sprayed out, he was probably in real danger.

If this blockhead died or was seriously injured, Loghart would be in trouble!

Black lines appeared across Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice Loghart's face.

Killing a Third-Rank Apprentice was not much of a problem. As long as preparations were made beforehand and the aftermath was handled properly, there would not be any major consequences.

But the killing had to be worth something.

The problem was that, in broad daylight, he had injured or killed an apprentice through recoil and gained nothing from it.

If the Enforcement Squad came, he would have to pay a fine!

A fine in Magic Stones—the most terrifying punishment in the academy.

If one's finances became precarious, even Second-Rank Apprentices could be killed. Formal Wizards sometimes specifically used Second-Rank Apprentices for experiments!

Loghart hurriedly dispelled the defensive water barrier and stepped forward to inspect Ahab's condition.

"Don't die. If he's seriously injured, I'll heal him. At most, I'll be fined one Magic Stone."

"Third-Rank Apprentices are recruited and ferried here by the academy. They're academy resources. If he dies, the fine is thirty Magic Stones!"

Log squatted down beside him, lifted Ahab's neck, and reached out to check his breathing.

At that very instant, Ahab's eyes snapped open.

His right hand shot precisely into the linen lapel of Log's wizard robe.

With a ripping sound, Ahab tore off a large piece of Log's lapel.

Then Ahab Gul smoothly rose to his feet and raised the torn cloth in his hand.

"You said it yourself. Even if I tore off a corner of your clothes, you'd give me Vampire King's Nail!"

Loghart stood there dumbfounded.

But soon, Log noticed the condition inside Ahab Gul's mouth.

There were already two large wounds on his tongue, which had previously been stitched up.

Now, it seemed that they had been bitten open again. That was why Ahab had spat out so much blood.

Loghart began weighing the pros and cons.

What was a verbal promise worth? Even if the three of them had broken his Defensive Sorcery, they would have had no recourse if he reneged.

But this Ahab Gul had actually chosen to bite open his still-unhealed tongue just to trick him.

How cunning and ruthless was he?

If he still refused to give Ahab Vampire King's Nail after Ahab had bitten open his tongue, Ahab would undoubtedly hold a grudge.

Being resented by someone so cunning and vicious was no small matter, even if the other party was only a Third-Rank Apprentice.

Of course, there was another option: kill Ahab directly.

But was that worth it? All for one piece of Vampire King's Nail? He still had a whole bag of them.

At last, the Second-Rank Apprentice Log finished weighing the pros and cons.

Since he did not intend to kill Ahab, there was absolutely no need to offend him.