Chương 170: Chapter 158-Chosen Mana Bomb

My greatsword slams into the back of the Purist, sending him flying into the wall. That's six. By Relat's light, where did they all come from? Pulling the dagger out of my shoulder, I look around for the mana bomb. This should be the third one, and if my calculations are right. With a stomp, I destroy the floorboard to reveal a hidden bomb. Exactly where I thought it would be. Still, why in the basement of Azalea Hall? With graceful movements, I magnify the magic circle on it.

Pulling at the various symbols and runes, I find the one that initiates detonation. Pouring my mana into it, the symbol burns away, leaving the bomb inert. Good, three down, only one more to go. Where could it be, though? I was following the flow of mana, but something seems to be obscuring the last one. Pulling up a mental map of the University, I look over the locations of where I've been. The first one was behind Plumeria Hall. The second one was all the way over at Iris Hall. Then this one was over at…

Azalea Hall. Wait a minute. With my greatsword, I trace the path I took, then I add one more line to form an hourglass with the top side missing. The symbol of the Prideborn. Then that must be where the last bomb is. Of course it's there. Where else would it be? A knife stabs into my shoulder. Looking over, I see one of the Purists, whom I promptly slam into the ground. Without even flinching, I pull the knife out again and place it in the ground. The clock tower rings eleven times. Only one hour left.

I took too long searching for the other ones. I need to- The door to the basement swings open as a group of eight Purists walks in, weapons in hand. Soaked in blood, I walk through the hedge. The gazebo stares back as I crack my neck. Those Purists were more tenacious than I thought. It's honestly frightening to see such zeal for hatred. To think it has gotten this bad, but considering what he told me about Ashfall… I just don't understand. How could someone do that? Better yet, how could we have let that happen?

If it wasn't for Ilota, I wouldn't have even heard about Ashfall. There's something going on here, and once tonight is over, I'm going to figure out exactly how this all could have happened. Walking up to the familiar gazebo, I carefully pop up one of the floorboards. The sight of the last mana bomb greets me. Thank the Gods. Looking up at the clock tower, I see that there's still ten minutes until midnight. I spent too long dealing with those Purists, but I still have time to defuse it.

"Interesting. To think you would be the one to come here and alone as well. I did not expect that," Mita says as she walks up the path.

"You're the Purist who's working for the Prideborn," I say as I remember the taste of defeat.

"That would be correct. I do wonder what The Chosen One was thinking, sending only you. If all three of you were here, you might have had a chance to defuse the bomb. It seems that greed will be his downfall. How interesting," she says, holding her magic staff. A magic staff from the Riche Kingdom. That version increases her mana capacity, while focusing the direction of her [Skills]. That's certainly an expensive piece. 18 Platinum at minimum. Even I don't carry that much on me.

"I don't have time to talk," I say as I draw my greatsword across my forearm.

"Efficient. I respect that. From one mage to another. I would recommend you leave. You know that in a battle against mages, the one to run out of mana first loses," she says, pointing out my ragged state. She's right. I've already used a substantial amount of my mana in defusing the mana bombs. Not to mention the multiple fights I had with the Purists getting here. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I'm severely disadvantaged. Using [Imbue], my greatsword crackles to life.

"I said I don't have time to talk."

"So be it." The moment I take a step forward, the gem on Mita's staff sparkles. Pivoting, I barely dodge as the area in front of me sinks a quarter inch. Enhanced gravity. If I get caught in that, it'll be another repeat of last time. Based on the displaced earth, the area is a circle with a 4-foot diameter. Based on my own abilities, she can make that large if needed, but not after she's cast it.

I'm unsure about the range, but based on the fact she didn't immediately squash me, it has to have a maximum of 30 feet. That could also change, but mages are creatures of habit. They use the most efficient form of their magic. Just like the range of my [Step]. Could I go farther than what I usually use? Of course, but it wouldn't be mana-efficient. Which means I can use [Predict] to win. Standing right at the edge of her range, I use [Predict]. Everything in my sight dulls as the color is sapped away.

Then one by one, multiple circles appear on the ground with a variety of percentages. Running forward, I enter her range. Her gaze lands on me, and I stop right as another patch of dirt sinks. Pivoting, I beeline it for her. Five circles sink into the ground, forming an invisible wall of gravity between us. Sprinting at the edge of the wall, I narrowly avoid the circles that are being placed right behind me. Damn, she's fast.

Her magical capacity is comparable to Professor Stargazer, but her casting time is on a whole other level. This is the difference between an academic and a killer. [Predict] outlines multiple circles in front of my path. Stabbing into the ground, I stop myself right as they appear. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"Most people are unable to see my [Skill]. I imagine it's a [Skill] of yours. Either way, it won't save you. Perhaps if you had more time you might be able to reach me, but time is something you severely lack," she says, gesturing towards the clock tower.

"You're fast. I'll give you that, but your creativity is lacking," I say as I rip my greatsword out of the ground, along with a spray of dirt. The dirt collapses to the ground the moment it reaches the gravity wall.

"Did you really think that would work? I thought you were smarter than that."

"I am." Calculating the rate at which the dirt fell, I determined the strength of the gravity. More specifically that the one on the far right is weaker than the rest. She's putting up a good front, but not even she can cast this many times without having to conserve some of her mana. Which means gaps. Pushing forward, I run straight into the gravity wall.

"Are you dense? What don't you understand about gravity?" she asks as I sink to the floor. My face sinks into the dirt as the force of gravity crushes me. It's so great that it's impossible for me to breathe, let alone stand, or at least it would be. The sound of my muscles straining and bones creaking fills my mind along with the pain that comes with it. [Pain Res.] has dulled most of it, but it's still enough that it feels like it's screaming through my head.

"How are you doing that?" she asks as blood drips down my nose, ears, and mouth.

"I've been training under high gravity ever since I lost to you," I say as I step out of the circle.

"You're insane."

"I'm prepared," I say as I [Step] right to her. With my crackling greatsword, I swing to cut, but right as she blocks it with her staff, I go flying sky high.

"Did you think I could only enhance gravity in one direction?" she asks. Weightless in the air, I'm suddenly sent flying back at the gazebo. Right before I crash through the gazebo roof, I create a [Shield]. The [Shield] shatters as the floorboards crack below me. Pulling myself up I- The gravity around me increases, sending me back down into the floor. This is more than last time. At this rate, my heart will give out before my body.

"I was hoping not to kill you, but you've proved to be far more of a threat than expected. Don't worry. It'll be over quick. The blood in your body will pool, causing a lack of oxygenation to your brain. It'll be like going to sleep. Except you won't wake up," Mita explains as I slowly lift my hand up.

"..." The words won't come out as darkness starts to form at the edges of my vision. Light is bent by gravity. So, if I want to… My thoughts begin to muddle as I try to reach the position where [Predict] is telling me to place my hand.

"The more you struggle, the worse your death-" A beam of light shoots out of my hand, bending under the force of gravity. Mita, in her surprise, isn't fast enough to fully block the [Light Beam] as it scorches her stomach. The gravity suddenly lessens. With no time to waste, I rush forward, grab her by the collar, and slam my head straight into her face. The sound of her nose breaking ripples through the clearing. She goes to swing her staff at me, but I catch it.

Both of us go flying up to the roof of the gazebo as the gravity suddenly switches. Holding onto her, I grip her wrist and squeeze. My muscles tighten as her bones crack. We fall back down to the ground, but not for long. She points, and another sudden shift sends us sliding across the gazebo floor. Grabbing onto a railing, I stop us from going up into open air.

"No, we're staying in here," I grunt as I grab her by the throat and slam her back into the gazebo floorboards. The gravity suddenly drops as she coughs up blood. Mita goes to point downwards, but I snap her finger before she can. Without a staff, she's limited in how she can cast. Which means I don't have to predict where she'll put her gravity circles. Taking my foot, I crush her hand. Mita screams in pain as she looks up at me.

"For a mage, close combat is their greatest weakness, but not for me," I say as I knock her out. Ugh. I drop to one knee as the damage from the day catches up to me. Still have to defuse the bomb. Stumbling over, I look at the mana bomb. Oh, this isn't good. I've used up all my mana. How am I going to… The hourly chime begins. Twenty-five seconds. That's how long I have until the first bell rings. Twenty-two. No mana. Nineteen. I need mana. Fifteen. Where is there mana? Ten. Water! Water is rich in mana!

Grabbing the mana bomb, I throw it into the nearby stream. Three. Come on. Two. I brace myself for impact. One. The clock tower chimes twelve times, marking midnight. A wave of relief washes over me as I look at the stream. By Relat's light! Thank the Gods that mana bombs are susceptible to ambient mana. Leaning back, I look up at the blue moon through the hole in the gazebo. I hope the others are okay. +2 CON +2 INT +1 LCK Skill <Predict> has Leveled Up