Chapter 118: Subversion of Belief

“…”

Although Lin Li had seen many who decided to betray their own team at the very last minute, it was the first time that he witnessed such extremity. The thought of how harmonious the trio had been when they sneered and taunted contemptuously just then juxtaposed with how swiftly they turned against each other was so appalling.

“Scram!” Lin Li waved his hands impatiently, not knowing how to deal with such incorrigible and selfish beings.

“We will leave immediately, immediately…” said both men in relief. The order for them to leave was such a solace to them.

“Thank God, our lives are spared…”

What seemed like a level-seven Mage was actually a freak. The sight of Matthias lying gruesomely on the ground made both men question if he was even human. He was not only extremely powerful, but also vicious and ruthless. To the two men, these types of people were the most terrifying—nobody knew the triggers that would provoke them, nor the reasons behind their desire to kill…

No one would ever want to be mutilated or roll in excruciating pain, then lie lifelessly on the ground like dried shrimps.

In the face of such a monster, who would not want to escape if they could?

Both men scurried away.

“Wait…” The voice of the pestilence sounded behind the duo.

At this moment, fear weakened the legs of both men.

“W-what?” muttered the two anxiously.

Did… that freak change his mind?

The thought of the current state of Matthias caused them to tremble in fear. What if this freak, Lin Li, changed his mind? Were they going to be treated like Matthias?

“Take this man away,” Lin Li ordered.

“Alright…” replied both men as they heaved a sigh of relief. The feeling of having survived a catastrophe caused cold sweat to trickle down their spines…

After that, Lin Li bent down and lifted Orrin up. He looked back, and urged the shocked Mason, “Brother Mason, come over quickly. He is too heavy…”

“Oh!” replied Mason as he was snapped back to reality. Yet, while carrying Orrin, his expression remained odd.

The parties who had partaken in the battle left, leaving behind dumbfounded audience.

Everyone was stupefied, and their gazes towards Lin Li’s gang showed hints of fear.

They always thought that Gryffindor would emerge as the victor. Yet, the emergence of Lin Li, the self-proclaimed level-seven Mage, in this fight inevitably undermined their confidence.

Could Gryffindor exert the power of the Fireball so instantaneously? Not to mention him, the mentors themselves would not have the ability to perform such an impossible feat.

Almost everyone was praying not to meet any of these three people in the finals. If this were to be inevitable… they silently hoped that he’d suffer a calamity…

This fellow was a total pestilence! Anyone who needed to confront him would be wretched, landing in a situation worse than contracting a plague!

Lin Li was oblivious about himself being cursed. After carrying Orrin back into the room, he went back to his room alone.

It was indeed difficult to deal with fractured bones. One bottle of the Recovery Potion might not be sufficient. For a full recovery, one might need additional supplements…

After watching Lin Li enter his room, Mason could not help but continue to mutter, “Damnnn… Why am I the weaker one despite being a level-nine Mage?”

Having clearly heard what was under Mason’s breath, Orrin put his uninjured arm over Mason’s shoulders, and snapped, “Idiot!” Yet, he was at a loss for words, and did not know how to comfort Mason.

How could a level-seven Mage have the outstanding ability displayed by that fella?

… Not to mention the two suspicious Fireballs—the matter was definitely unfathomable for Orrin as it subverted the common knowledge of Magic.

Just the four Arcane Missiles were sufficient for Orrin to renew his judgment towards this strange teammate.

The Arcane Missile was an authentic level-two magical skill. Under the Magic Shooter-level, it was impossible for the Arcane Missile to be launched at an instantaneous speed. This meant that this self-proclaimed level-seven Mage owned at least the powers of a level-10 Mage.

And this was only ‘at least’…

Orrin had to admit that he lacked the skill to judge Lin Li’s true capability. He could only base his entire deduction on that single battle. This implied that Lin Li’s real ability might either be at the peak of level-12, or at the beginner stage of level-13…

Definitely not what he claimed to be.

Right after helping him to get onto the bed, Mason got scolded without any reason. This provoked all his rage he’d just suppressed. Mason grumbled, “Goddammit. Even though you are injured, don’t assume that I wouldn’t beat you up…”

“You can try.”

“Damn you…” replied Mason as he glared hard at Orrin, yet ultimately had to admit, “I don’t dare to beat a patient…”

“So, you still don’t believe that you are an idiot…” Orrin said as a smile came across his poker face. He asked, “Can’t you tell that my injuries are recovering swiftly?”

“What?” said Mason in shock as he glanced involuntarily at Orrin’s fractured arm.

It was then that he realized how Orrin tried to raise his arm, albeit with a pained expression. Yet, it was a fact that the broken arm had already received treatment.

“W-wait… how is this possible?” Mason gasped, his eyes open as wide as a bull’s.

The sight before him seemed as though it was an illusion.

It was only just then that he’d witnessed the agony Orrin was in while he was helping him return to his room–the pain reflected through his facial features, and the awkward angle his arm was positioned at—which could not be falsified! Mason dared to bet his life on this—Orrin’s right arm had indeed been broken!

Only a few minutes had passed. How could the recovery be so speedy?

Mason got confused. He really hoped to ask Orrin, “Brat, are you made of slime?”

“That’s why I said, you are an idiot.”

“Hey…”

“If you are not an idiot, how are you still treating Felic as a level-7 Mage?”

“Isn’t he one?” Mason exclaimed in much disbelief.

“What crap…”

Orrin had changed a lot ever since he’d been injured. He started to show more feelings on his face, and became more talkative. It was rare that Orrin did not scold Mason for such a foolish question. While he just rolled his eyes, he asked, “Have you ever seen a level-7 Mage defeating and crippling a level-12 Magic Shooter?”

“Level-12 Magic Shooter!” Mason cried out in surprise, and his expression became extremely odd. “You mean, Matthias is…”

“What else do you think…”

“If Matthias was a level-12 Magic Shooter, then isn’t Felic a…”

Mason felt that he was on the verge of turning crazy. He’d always thought that since he was a level-nine Mage, he would be one of the strongest, and thus have an edge over the others with his powers. Never had he expected that only on the first day he’d meet a level-nine Magic Shooter. And it was this Magic Shooter who crippled his teammate without using much force…

“Should be the 13th level.”

“…” Upon hearing such an almighty and terrifying status, Mason was beyond speechless, and was on the verge of a breakdown.

“Goddammit… Is there still justice? Since we are all mages, why do we differ so much from each other? Come to think of it, this fella does seem younger than me.”

Mason was not alone.

Compared to him, Orrin was no better.

His nature had made him more composed than usual.

It was no exaggeration to claim that Orrin was a true genius.

He was acknowledged to be the ‘Most Outstanding Mage’ (across three hundred years) at the Guild of Magic in Rotterdam.

When he became an official Mage when he was 12 years old, it alarmed the Supreme Council. They even sent an Archmage to congratulate Rotterdam’s Guild of Magic for their achievement in raising a prodigy.

In the next 10 years, never had Orrin ever slacked off. At the age of 21, his extreme talent, together with his hard work, allowed him to attain the status of the Magic Shooter.

Orrin had always thought that without Gryffindor (who had once defeated him), he would be the top Mage of the Felan Kingdom…

Yet just today, this ‘top Mage’ had already suffered a series of disappointment.

First, being defeated by Matthias. Then, witnessing Felic’s outstanding performance…

Since Matthias was older than him by three years, and the ability of both men only differed slightly, the first case of his defeat due to a minor mistake was still tolerable.

However, the freakish act by Felic had totally subverted his initial perception.

A level-13 Magic Shooter at the age of 20… Would there be anybody else more terrifying than this?