Crimson-Gold Orb

Carl Paul flew slowly past several floating islands, then stopped before the barrier surrounding the sixth. He approached with caution.

The barrier soon split open, and a figure shot out. A low, raspy voice suddenly sounded beside him.

"Well? Did your plan work?"

Carl narrowed his eyes. He could barely make out a tall figure in a short tunic, standing in the air and looking down at him.

He shook his head. "That kid is more talented than Bernal, and much smarter, too. I couldn't fool him."

"So there's someone even you, Carl Paul, can't deceive."

A cold laugh came from the green sky, sounding either impressed or mocking.

Carl showed no concern. "What are you going to do now? Deal with him yourself?"

"Have you lost your mind?"

The raspy voice above turned icy. "You want someone who lives on Spiral Tower's sixth Sky Floating Island to challenge a wizard down below?"

"Then you'll just wait for him to challenge you?"

Carl frowned. "He's only a First Circle Wizard. He'd never make such a stupid decision. By the time he has the nerve to challenge you, he'll be hard to deal with. Don't forget what happened with Bernal!"

"Which is why you're the best choice, Carl," the figure in the sky said flatly.

"Impossible."

Carl shook his head without hesitation. "I have no reason to make an enemy of him. Besides, I'm not sure I could cripple him in a duel. He really is strong. He has Dual-Domain Stacking, and he's mastered a powerful city-level fire spell that can even tear through a domain force field with ease."

"You don't even have that much confidence. No wonder you'll spend your whole life hiding at the bottom of a well, staring up at the sky!"

The figure's voice was cold