Scientific Wizard

What kind of magic is this?

Ebury had never dealt with Illusion/visual magic before. Seeing his most potent spell rendered useless, panic set in. Without hesitation, he unleashed a "Flame Burst" spell, but the target wasn't Lynn; it was the alleys on either side.

An intense explosion followed, crumbling the already weak walls, and burying the path. Covered by the smoke and dust, Ebury fled without looking back.

Lynn remained composed, his right index finger lightly trembling, emitting a strange wave of magical power in a circular motion.

Ebury dashed to the end of the alley, where hope seemed alive. But just as he was about to step out, his heart violently thumped. He stumbled forward, tumbling on the ground in disarray.

Fear painted Ebury's face. The violent magic mirror and the heart's intense palpitations were unprecedented, eerie enough to suggest an assailant associated with some dark deity.

Before Ebury could gather his thoughts, a dark red figure pounced, a lion-like head with crimson eyes. Though its wounds had healed, it swung its claws violently, pounding against Ebury's magical shield.

"Get away from me, you monster... Get away." Ebury screamed in terror, inches away from the creature's huge claws. Meanwhile, arcs of electricity surrounded him, quickly spreading onto the half-lion, half-human creature.

It was the second-tier magic - the [Lightning Barrier]

However, the creature endured the pain and numbness from the electric shock, surrounded by red flames. With a fist the size of a sandbag, it smashed through the protective shield.

"Owen, ease up. Don't beat him to a pulp."

Suddenly, a voice echoed from afar. The creature hesitated momentarily, retracting its claws, and knocking Ebury unconscious with a punch.

Approaching, Lynn found Ebury lying unconscious, a mix of fear and surprise on the wizard's face, evidently rattled.

The creature's body rapidly transformed, within moments, revealing a teenager of fifteen or sixteen, pale-faced, hair standing on end from the shock, trembling slightly.

"Lord Lynn..."

"How are you feeling? Any injuries?" Lynn inquired with concern. Even with enhanced physique after transformation, enduring electrical shocks would inevitably take a toll.

"I'm okay, just... a bit numb," the teenager shivered, experiencing the sensation of being struck by lightning for the first time.

"Next time, don't be so reckless," Lynn sighed, then asked again, "What about the 'Mage Shield' and 'Flame Burst' I taught you?"

"Those spells are too complicated..." the young lad muttered somewhat sheepishly.

"Complex or not, you need to learn. You've got to have a few spells in your repertoire. Otherwise, facing formidable wizards and bishops, relying only on transformation spells will get you beaten up. You'll be at a disadvantage," Lynn reminded.

This lad, named Owen, was the experimental subject number 22 Lynn had encountered in Radak's laboratory months ago. A fortunate one who'd fused the bloodlines of two magical beasts.

Due to the estate's peripheral location in the southern district of Radak, it hadn't fallen victim to the Soul-Devouring Array's outbreak.

Following the catastrophe in the southern district, these magical experimental subjects were rescued by the search and rescue team. Owen was one of them, nearly recovered after a month of treatment.

These modified magic wielders had considerable strength, enough to rival some established wizards. Lynn, therefore, took charge, providing psychological therapy for those unstable and enlisting the stable ones into the newly formed security force, bidding farewell to their troubled pasts with legitimate employment.

Owen, the most powerful among them, was tasked by Lynn to protect Lame Laut and others. After all, his age provided a decent cover; few would suspect a teenager to unleash such terrifying power.

However, the flaw lay in these magic wielders; despite their immense magical potential, they struggled to form spells. Their resistance to mental spells was also weak.

After calming Owen, Lynn turned his attention to Lame Laut, who had just crawled out from under the collapsed wall.

"Lord Lynn, this was my mistake in the operation. It almost caused severe consequences. I ask for your punishment," Lame Laut wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, deeply remorseful.

Previously, he assumed that with Owen's help and his covert actions, dealing with someone tailing him would be a walk in the park. He didn't expect the pursuer to be a wizard of considerable rank. If Lynn hadn't arrived in time, they'd be in grave danger.

"Take the man and leave. We'll discuss this in a safer place..." Lynn stated nonchalantly, using a "Flame Touch" to clear the traces of the battle before disappearing from their sight.

"Lord Lynn?" Lame Laut scanned the surroundings, calling out, but received no response.

This was strange. Shouldn't Lynn be in Iyeta at this time?

Lame Laut pondered silently, feeling an added layer of reverence.

Meanwhile, the teenager lifted Ebury, urging Lame Laut to run together.

A minute after their departure, a group of priests in white robes, adorned with sacred emblems, arrived at the scene.

"There are traces of fire magic on the ground. It must have been a formal wizard to cause such destructive force," the leading Archbishop assessed, glancing at the collapsed wall and the darkened ground. "We're a step late; it seems the culprit has fled."

"Let's hope no innocent souls were hurt."

"These cursed devil worshippers..."

Several priests expressed either pity or anger. These darn wizards were like mice, always hiding in crevices and corners they couldn't find, causing trouble when they popped out.

"Report this incident to Lord Losak; these wizards seem to be getting more active lately," the leading Archbishop expressed concern.