Sovereign of the Ashes

A series of agonized screams pierced the air from the deck.

Amidst his battle with Thatch and the others, the Rank Two black mage had not overlooked the “worms” on deck.

Several magic initiates were mercilessly slaughtered by the black crows, their bodies disintegrated, leaving behind only traces of corrosive, dark liquid that emitted a pungent odor.

This gruesome scene severely tested the resolve of the remaining initiates and ordinary crew members.

Unlike Sein in his early days, not all initiates were hardened to such brutality.

The deck quickly descended into chaos, with horrific images of carnage spreading panic among the crew.

Simultaneously, the two magic cannons, which had been charging, dimmed and lost their power.

The black crows and the corrosive element had injured not just the initiates but also the damaged alchemical energy circuits of the cannons on the deck.

As an adept alchemist, the Rank Two black mage knew precisely the vulnerabilities of the magic cannons and had dismissed them as a threat from the outset.

The cries and disarray among the magic initiates highlighted the helplessness of lower life forms in the face of superior entities.

In contrast, the numerous knight squires on the deck were undaunted. Rallying with a low cry, they charged toward the circling black crows.

Mages’ strength lay in wisdom and knowledge, whereas knights wielded power through courage and physical strength.

The squires employed by the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce were far from slackers.

Attaining the rank of intermediate squire or above was proof of the extensive effort and dedication they had invested.

Unlike mages, who often spent their days secluded in laboratories, knights regularly faced dangers and trials to hone their strength.

This exposure might explain their boldness in the face of overwhelming odds, but it could also be from a lack of awareness of the power gap between them and a Rank Two black mage.

While most of the squires charged at the black crows, a brave few attempted to assault the dense black clouds.

Lacking the ability to fly, they could not reach the Rank Two mage in mid-air. Yet, they did not hesitate to use whatever was at hand.

The deck of the cargo ship was filled with items from House Guilleman’s extensive ore business.

Heaps of red iron ore, each piece as large as a human head and remarkably dense, provided them with ammunition.

If hurled accurately, these could deal fatal damage upon impact.

The air was soon filled with the sound of these massive ores slicing through it, aimed at the black mage above.

But the only response was the derisive laughter of the Rank Two black mage, echoing from within the clouds, mocking the knights’ efforts as futile and naive.

Such physical attacks were virtually ineffective for a Magus World’s Rank Two mage who had mastered the ability to elementalize their body.

A fierce barrage of black flames shot out from the swirling black clouds.

The deadly barrage from the Rank Two black mage instantly engulfed several squires on the deck.

Two at the center were killed on the spot, while others, not directly in the flame’s path, sustained severe injuries.

One of them was severely burned, with half of his body almost completely charred. He collapsed on the deck, writhing for a long time before finally succumbing to his grave injuries.

Sometimes, the robust physique and vitality of these knights was a curse that prolonged their suffering in death.

The Rank Two black mage could effortlessly eliminate these lesser beings below Rank One if he wanted.

Sein realized that the black mage had only tolerated the futile resistance of these “worms” because he enjoyed watching their desperation.

It was a rather disturbing obsession, albeit not surprising given that none of the black mages from Blackhaven were sane—they were all thoroughly unhinged.

The relentless flames not only decimated the squires on the deck but also exerted immense psychological pressure on them.

The fire quickly spread, engulfing the rest of the deck.

The Guilleman Chamber of Commerce’s alchemy ship was equipped with advanced fire prevention and water sprinkler systems—features essential for cargo transport rather than warfare.

Nevertheless, the supposedly fireproof deck and the metal plating along the ship’s edges succumbed to the strange black flames, corroding into blackened residue.

It appeared to be a special form of the pyro elemental energy! Sein could not help but wonder what other tricks the black mage had up his sleeve.

***

The cries of despair from those below were distant echoes to Sein and his group, who were high above in the sky.

The formidable presence of the Rank Two black mage was so overwhelming that it left them with no capacity to attend to the plight of the magic initiates and squires.

With a single devastating blast, the black beam that shot out from the clouds shattered the three layers of magic shields Sein had cast on himself for protection.

In response, Sein took out his Verdant Flame Heart Rod to amplify his capabilities and summoned a dozen verdant green elemental eyes that floated ominously before him.

The rod was his finest creation since advancing to Rank One. He had devoted considerable effort to its creation and used the finest materials in his possession—including the rare Verdant Flame Crystal at its tip.

According to Master Lorianne, it was the byproduct of a Rank Five mage’s body tempering process.

A magic rod of such caliber would serve even a Rank Three mage well, let alone a Rank One mage like Sein.

When Sein was at the Black Magic Academy in Mystralora City, he had learned from Master Morsidor that equipment was an integral part of a mage’s strength!

The Verdant Flame Heart Rod boosted Sein’s focus and mana to over 270 and nearly 300 points respectively.

Additionally, the magic rod also significantly enhanced his constitution. With the power of its verdant flame magic, Sein’s constitution surged, breaking past 200 points!

However, Sein had yet to fully tap into the Verdant Flame Heart Rod’s potential due to his current level.

Sein was akin to a child attempting to wield a sword far too heavy for him; only with time and increased strength would he be able to truly harness the full capabilities of the Verdant Flame Heart Rod.

“Hehehe, I didn’t expect you to have such good stuff in your possession apart from that mask! The craftsmanship might be crude, but that thing at its tip is undoubtedly a treasure! It shall be mine!”

From the billowing clouds, the sinister laughter of the Rack Two black mage rang out.

An elemental arm suddenly shot out from the clouds, reaching greedily toward Sein.

It was at this moment, Sein’s Verdant Flame Eye spell was finally ready to be unleashed!