The two froze for a moment, then quickly reacted.
"Lord Ruger, perhaps I can try something," Mahama said, turning toward Ruger and extending his enormous palm. With his other hand, he took out a small object and gripped it tightly. "My teacher gave me this, but I don't know whether I can take you along. You look to be in terrible shape. I'll use some extra magic stones. Try to suppress the fluctuations of your mental power as much as possible."
Delight crossed Ruger's face, and he threw his arms around that huge hand.
The big fellow had clearly noticed something as well. As a Wizard Apprentice who was very likely to be affected, he was bringing out the lifesaving item his teacher had given him, just to be safe. Getting far away from here was naturally the best option.
Although he seemed fine for now, this was a gradual process. From the middle-aged apprentice who had knelt and shouted in a frenzy to Ruger, an apprentice who had only had slight exposure to the knowledge the other party had spread, no one dared say what would happen next. Wizard Apprentices were simply too easily influenced.
Ruger thought of Stray Hair One and the Blood Curse Doll. After Stray Hair One became the God of Spirit Fur, the Blood Curse Doll had immediately gone from wanting to eat him to feeling close to him. Although their shared origin played a part, that change was still an indisputable fact.
Mahama wasted no more time. Once he had a firm grip on Ruger, he crushed the object in his hand in an instant, and his broad shoulders vanished along with him.
Rolling waves broke against the shore.
Ruger looked around.
The riot of colors on the horizon came from the falling worlds.