Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Chapter 1055: A Hidden Threat (Bailey)

Dark League:

Old Witch Arikaʼs heart pounded like a drum. The Meteor Supreme had summoned her, and that meant trouble. The ancient device on her desk flickered to life, projecting the hologram of the imposing figure. His gaze, cold and calculating, seemed to pierce through her very soul.

Arikaʼs palms were clammy. The Meteor Supremeʼs tone was laced with contempt. The other two academies, she knew, had failed miserably. Their hidden agents had been exposed, their plans foiled. The Meteor Supreme was growing impatient, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

The target, Vincent Carey, a wizard of immense potential, had proven to be a thorn in their side. The Meteor Supremeʼs animosity towards him had grown exponentially since his victory in the Wizard Heart Competition. Now, with word of their failures spreading, the Mage Union might intervene to protect Carey.

Arika was terrified. The Meteor Supremeʼs calm demeanor was even more unsettling than his outbursts. She sensed a growing sense of crisis. He was no longer content to delegate tasks; he was taking matters into his own hands.

”I will deal with Carey myself,” he declared. ”But your days are numbered. I have released secrets about your organizations. The White Faction will hunt you down.”

With those chilling words, the hologram faded, leaving Arika alone with her fear. The weight of the Meteor Supremeʼs words hung heavy in the air. Her future, and the future of her organization, was now uncertain.

Arikaʼs body felt heavy, as if her soul had been ripped from her. The weight of the Meteor Supremeʼs words pressed down on her, crushing her spirit. ”Itʼs over,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

The Meteor Supreme had exposed their secrets, perhaps even revealing their current location. Fear gnawed at her as she hastily left her dwelling, determined to contact the remaining Dark Magic Lords. Only they could make the crucial decision: relocation.

Relocation was no easy feat. They would need to move swiftly and silently, avoiding detection. The thought of leaving behind their base, a place they had called home for so long, filled her with a pang of sadness.

Meanwhile, a bitter resentment towards the other two academies, the Royal Force Hall Academy and the Weapon Palace Academy, simmered within her. Their defiance of the Dark Leagueʼs advice had led to their downfall and would now have devastating consequences for them all.

Arika decided to keep the news of the Meteor Supremeʼs words from the other academies. Let them suffer the consequences of their own folly. Her heart hardened as she imagined their shock and despair when the news finally reached them.

....

From MCʼs Perspective:

Inside the Sub-Taboo Hall:

The recent events had left me reeling. I hadnʼt anticipated that the academy would deploy the Elite Squad on my behalf. I had heard rumors that they were reserved for only the most dire of emergencies. Yet, here they were, risking their lives to protect me.

I shook my head in disbelief. There had to be more to this than met the eye. The Steel Family had a long history of misdeeds, and perhaps this was their chance to right some wrongs.

”Iʼm going to head back to my room,” I told Sister Carolina. ”I donʼt think itʼs wise to return to the library right now.”

”Thatʼs a good idea,” she replied. ”I need to get back to my potion-making. Iʼm close to finishing the final potion.”

After a few more minutes of conversation, we left the Sub-Taboo Hall.

Some of the group stalking outside had already dispersed, but the Transformation Wizards remained, their eyes fixed on us. However, they didnʼt dare to attack us while we were still within the academyʼs walls.

As soon as we were out of sight, the Transformation Wizards hurried to inform their elders of the recent developments. The news of the Elite Squadʼs deployment had undoubtedly caused a stir within their ranks.

As I stepped out of the main building, I was intercepted by a group of Wizards. Their emblems on their chests clearly identified them as members of the Transformation Hall.

”So, are you guys going to do something right now?” I asked them, my voice laced with a hint of defiance.

The group that had assembled before me was no ordinary bunch of Wizards. They were level-5 and level-6 Wizards from the Core House and True House, the most powerful factions within the Transformation Hall.

My question seemed to strike a nerve. The crowdʼs expressions darkened with anger. They perceived my words as sarcastic, a challenge to their authority.

”Vincent Carey, do you think youʼre invincible?” a level-6 Wizard demanded.

I turned to face him. The man stood at least six feet tall, his hair a mix of brown and gold. His skin was tanned, and his physique was undeniably impressive. He was a formidable opponent, that was for sure.

A spark of curiosity ignited within me. I used the system to check his status panel.

”Damon Burkey, a Brown Wolf Transformation Wizard,” I read silently.

No wonder he was so confident. Damon possessed powerful transformation magic, capable of turning him into a fearsome beast. Unfortunately for him, it would be of little use against me.

Damon stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Vincent, who remained silent. ”Vincent Carey,” he began, his voice dripping with contempt, ”you must release our Senior Craig. Both of you used magic within the library, yet only Craig was punished. Itʼs unfair.”

A chorus of agreement erupted from the crowd. ”Release Senior Craig!” they chanted. ”You should face the same punishment!”

I remained unmoved, my face a mask of indifference. ”The Sub-Taboo Hall canʼt protect you forever,” Damon threatened.

I turned and began to walk away, ignoring their demands. The Transformation Wizards were furious. The level-6 Wizard from the True House felt his pride wounded. How dare a level-5 Wizard from the Core House disregard them so blatantly?

Several Wizards attempted to use coercion magic on Vincent, but to their astonishment, it had no effect. Vincent continued on his way, completely unaffected by their threats.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted.

[Ding! Spying is detected.]

[Host is advised to stay alert.]

A mechanical voice sounded in his mind. My mouth twitched. When would this constant surveillance end?

From his hidden vantage point, the Guardian Wizard watched the unfolding drama with a mixture of amusement and concern. The behavior of the Transformation Wizards was nothing more than a farce, a petty display of power.

He knew the truth, a truth that had been obscured by the Mage Union Messengerʼs visit. The Wizards and students had misinterpreted the situation, believing that Vincent Carey was somehow responsible for the incident in the library.

The Guardian was confident that the dean would address the matter in a way that would clear up any misunderstandings. But first, he would need to eliminate the rotten roots within the Yellow River Academy.

The Guardianʼs primary duty was to watch over Vincent Carey, and he would not interfere in the studentʼs affairs. However, he hoped that the council elders of the Transformation Hall would not be foolish enough to listen to their studentsʼ accusations. To do so would be to anger the dean, and the consequences would be dire.

Meanwhile,

Bailey, the Beast Hall Wizard, was gripped by fear. The tragic fate of the Steel Family had left him reeling. He had witnessed the entire incident in the library, and had initially believed that Craig Steelʼs attack on Vincent Carey was a personal vendetta.

However, after receiving a message from his family, he learned the truth. Craig Steel had been tasked with the same mission as him, but had acted prematurely, leading to his downfall and the destruction of his family.

The Steel Family, once a powerful force, had been decimated. Their powerful wizards were imprisoned, leaving behind the vulnerable – the sick, the children, and the elderly.

Bailey shuddered at the thought. He had been so close to attacking Vincent Carey himself. If he failed, he and his family could have suffered the same fate.

Now, his face was etched with concern. He had expected his family to abandon their plan after witnessing the Steel Familyʼs demise. Instead, they were urging him to carry it out. A cold shiver ran down his spine. What had happened to his family?

Like Craig Steel, Bailey was privy to the familyʼs deep secrets. He knew that they were not loyal to the Yellow River Academy. Their true allegiance lay with the Weapon Palace Academy.

He had believed that the familyʼs secrets would not affect him. But now, he was being forced to carry out a dangerous mission.

Bailey was torn. He didnʼt know what to do. Little did he realize, he was already under the watchful eye of the Elite Squadʼs Special Unit. His every move was being monitored.

The Special Unit, having received orders from the Dean, had begun monitoring Bailey immediately after the interrogation. To their surprise, they quickly discovered that something was amiss with the Beast Hall Wizard.

Baileyʼs conversation with his family revealed the truth. The Beast Hall Wizard was not loyal to the Yellow River Academy. His true allegiance lay with the Weapon Palace Academy. And he was being pressured to carry out a dangerous mission.

The Special Unit had uncovered a hidden threat within the academyʼs ranks.