Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Chapter 1084: Part 1: Zero Puppet in action again

From MCʼs Perspective:

Inside the Gregor Mansion, I heaved a huge sigh of relief, feeling the tension in my muscles ease. The thick, oppressive mana concentration outside was suffocating, pressing down on me like an invisible weight.

It was always a strain to remain in that environment for long. Here, inside the mansionʼs protective barrier, the air felt lighter, more breathable.

I reached into my Storage bracelet and retrieved a few gleaming mana stones. Their faint glow pulsed in rhythm with the flow of energy inside them. I closed my eyes, letting the ambient mana from the stones seep into my body.

With every breath, I felt the fresh, revitalizing energy course through my veins. The dull ache in my limbs began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of calm. The draining exhaustion from being outside was dissipating, and I could finally think clearly again.

After a few minutes, once my energy was restored, I made my way to the control room. The atmosphere in the mansion was still and quiet, the distant hum of ancient mechanisms the only sound echoing in the vast halls.

I entered the room, and as I sat on the cushioned chair, I found my gaze drawn instinctively to the control mirror that dominated the wall.

The image of the outside world materialized before me. The barren land stretched endlessly in all directions, a bleak wasteland of cracked earth and twisted rock. The air shimmered with heat, and a hot, dry wind blew ceaselessly, stirring up dust and whispering through the desolation.

It touched everything, unrelenting in its harshness. My chest tightened at the sight, a deep frown forming on my brow. I had never felt at home in this land—no one could. My heart yearned to flee, to escape the lifeless void that surrounded us.

Yet, even as that desire tugged at me, my mind remained sharp, anchored by reason. Elder Galvin had assured me this was the safest place, that we were out of sight, away from any threats.

I respected him deeply and trusted his judgment. But my instincts wouldnʼt let go of the nagging doubt. I needed to see for myself, to confirm that no one had followed us, that no unseen eyes were watching from the distance.

I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing as I scanned the barren horizon.

...

Time passed slowly.

It had been several hours, and the barren landscape outside remained unchanged. The scorching wind still howled through the wasteland, but nothing out of the ordinary had appeared on the control mirror. No movements, no signs of danger.

I leaned back in my chair, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. If there was no activity soon, I could safely set out tomorrow morning. For now, though, I decided to wait, my instincts telling me to remain vigilant until the last possible moment.

As night fell, the atmosphere shifted. The oppressive heat of the day gave way to a biting cold, and the landscape outside the mansion took on an eerie quality under the dim light of the twin moons.

Shadows stretched across the ground like dark fingers reaching for something unseen. I kept my gaze fixed on the control mirror, the flickering light of the ancient runes reflecting in my eyes.

Then, finally, I saw something. My pulse quickened.

Figures appeared on the mirror—cloaked individuals moving silently across the desolate plain. Their dark robes billowed slightly in the wind, and the faint glow of mana emanated from their hands.

Wizards. A group of them, casting spells toward the ground, their faces obscured by the deep hoods of their enchanted robes. They were searching for something, their movements precise, methodical. My eyes narrowed, studying them closely.

But it wasnʼt just the fact that they were there that set off alarms in my mind. It was their location.

They were searching right in the area where Elder Galvin had dropped me off earlier. My breath caught for a moment, the realization hitting me hard. Our whereabouts had been exposed. Whether they had followed us here or simply sensed our presence, it didnʼt matter. They were far too close for comfort.

I leaned forward, my jaw tightening. Had they seen us arrive? Or worse—had they somehow detected the Gregor Mansion itself? The mansionʼs presence was supposed to be undetectable, hidden by layers of ancient wards and powerful concealment spells.

If they had discovered its location, that meant only one thing: they were either extraordinarily skilled, or something had gone wrong with the mansionʼs spatial defenses.

My mind raced with possibilities, but my course of action was clear. If they had seen us, if they knew about the Gregor Mansion... then there could be no witnesses. My gaze darkened, my heartbeat steadying as the familiar coldness of resolve washed over me. If it came to that, I would have to eliminate them all.

My eyes flashed with a murderous glint as I watched them continue their search. They had no idea how close they were to their deaths.

They were crouching low, carefully observing the ground. The stillness of the night wrapped around them like a cloak, offering the perfect cover for their intentions. Under the blanket of darkness, countless opportunities for elimination presented themselves.

If my assumptions were correct, they wouldnʼt be leaving this area anytime soon. The aura of their persistent but futile attempts at spellcasting lingered in the air, which meant they were as stuck here as I had anticipated.

I bided my time, silently waiting for the right moment. The seconds dragged into minutes, and nearly an hour passed.

Finally, the group began to disperse, frustrated and empty-handed. It seemed that whatever spell they had been trying to wield had failed miserably. No results, no breakthroughs—just wasted effort on their part.

After ensuring the coast was clear, I stepped out from my hiding place, appearing in the very spot I had observed from earlier.

Thanks to the System, I was a phantom—undetectable by any of them. My presence erased, my footsteps silent, I could vanish or meld into the shadows at will. Escape or confrontation, it was all my choice.