Avoiding Death in an Otome Game

Chapter 34: Chapter- 34: A Sudden Ambush

”Have you had enough? Now it’s my turn!”

I said that to the Flamedemon as I held my magic staff with both hands and hit the lower end of it on the floor.

An illusionary shadow of a white shark flashed and at the same time a storm was released from around me. It started from the floor and went upward, and its lower end settled on the head of my magic staff.

The Ozone Barrier broke and its remaining substances got sucked in the storm. I used all my mental power to compress the storm to reduce its size and increase the density.

The strands of flame that was breaking my ozone barrier also got sucked into the storm. After all, flame still uses gases to burn so it naturally gets sucked along with them.

I raised my magic staff with both hands, I had to use some strength to keep it under control.

Using all my strength, I swung it forward and the storm moved along with it, moving diagonally directly hitting my opponent.

Flamedemon tried to use ’Spiral Flame’ in desperation but it was not able to stop my attack.

”Thwack!”

With a loud sound, flamedemon is sent flying out of the ring as soon as the storm hits him.

’Storm Hammer’ an advanced version of ’Aqua Hammer’. The storm is used as the hammerhead and the staff is used as its handle.

This magic is much stronger than the Aqua Hammer as it also utilizes the power of my magic core ability but it is also more difficult to control.

”What are you doing!? Catch that evil magic user!”

Someone from the supervisor room in the back of the VIP area ordered, and several guards rushed towards flamedemon who had already collapsed out of the fighting ring.

”Evil magic user! He is an evil magic user!”

”What!? I have been watching his fights since last month and I haven’t even noticed!”

”That kid actually defeated an evil magic user!”

I can hear the shocked voices of the audiences. It’s not common to see an evil magic user, so it’s reasonable that they are completely shocked.

*But why is this happening with me?*

The last time I came to this city I almost got kidnapped and now I encountered an evil magic user. Maybe this city has something against me.

And I have to spend three years here. Will I make it alive?

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Well I was already ready to fight evil magic users so this can be counted as a decent start.

”Excuse me! The results?”

I asked the host to declare the result so I can go back. I don’t want to get more involved in this incident.

”Ah y-yes. Flamedemon cannot fight anymore, Albatross Won this battle!”

After the result got announced, I headed back to the waiting area. As soon as I got back, Elena rushed to me.

”Let’s hurry up and leave”

I suggested and took the lead. Elena and Ian naturally followed me.

”Are you alright? Did that evil magic user hurt you somewhere?”

Elena asked with some concern and also some anger, like she is ready to beat that flamedemon.

”Don’t worry, I am completely fine. But it’s better not to get too involved in this matter. Let’s leave it to the authorities”

It’s not the first evil magic user that appeared in the city anyway. There should be a proper protocol to deal with them.

After redeeming our points and rewards, we reunited with Dalas and others and decided to head back to the academy.

.....

The carriage moved steadily through the broad stone-paved streets of Lothus City, its iron-rimmed wheels producing a rhythmic clattering sound that blended with the bustling noises of the evening marketplace.

However, inside the spacious carriage, the atmosphere was far calmer than the lively streets outside.

Perhaps it was because everyone had finally relaxed after leaving the Magic Battle Arena, or perhaps the unexpected appearance of an evil magic user had drained away the excitement they originally had for today’s outing.

Even Elena, who had been celebrating her victory only an hour ago, had become unusually quiet.

”I still can’t believe we actually encountered an evil magic user in broad daylight.”

Lily finally broke the silence while absentmindedly looking outside the carriage window.

”I always thought those people hid themselves somewhere deep inside forests or abandoned ruins. I never imagined one would openly participate in battles inside the city’s largest arena.”

Ian nodded with a serious expression.

”Neither did I.” I replied subconsciously.

Looking back at it now, I could have avoided the fight by forfeiting but I don’t know what got into me so I decided to expose him even though I don’t even know who is supporting him.

*Very idiotic choice* I thought to myself as I think over my action.

Maya, who had remained silent until now, folded her hands neatly over her lap before speaking.

”The Church has recorded that people contaminated by evil essence gradually become stronger than ordinary magic users at the cost of their sanity.”

”They usually hide their identities for as long as possible because once exposed, every kingdom considers them enemies.”

Her words caused everyone inside the carriage to become thoughtful.

Elena quietly turned her head toward me.

”You noticed something was wrong almost immediately, didn’t you?”

”I did, I know that I should have avoided the fight but maybe I just wanted to win against him.” I answered honestly.

”I understand what you mean” Elena gave me an unexpected reply.

Honestly if mother has heard us right now then she would have given both of us a long lecture over it.

”Lord Kai.”

Dalas, who was sitting outside on the front box of the carriage beside the coachman, suddenly spoke without turning around.

”I think we should avoid the quieter roads and return through the main district.”

I nodded lightly. ”That should be for the best.”

Although the evil magic user inside the arena had already been captured, my instincts refused to calm down.

Ever since sensing the evil essence inside Flamedemon’s flames, an uneasy feeling had remained lingering in the back of my mind.

It was the same unpleasant feeling I had during the circus event and honestly it saved my skin.

*Maybe I’m simply overthinking... But I would rather be safe than sorry. *

That simple rule had saved me from trouble more than once.

The carriage continued advancing through one busy street after another.

Pedestrians walked in groups carrying shopping bags, children ran around laughing while chasing each other, and merchants loudly advertised their products to passing customers. Everything is looking completely normal.

After a while the carriage entered one of the wide commercial avenues leading toward the academy district.

Unlike the previous roads, this one was crowded with transport carriages coming from both directions. Several merchant wagons loaded with crates occupied almost the entire road.

”Whoa!”

The horses slowed to a stop.

Outside, the sound of confused shouting immediately reached everyone’s ears.

”What happened?” Elena asked.

Before anyone inside could answer, Dalas’s calm voice came from outside.

”There seems to be some disturbance ahead. It appears two cargo wagons collided while turning. It may take several minutes before the road is cleared.”

The carriage stopped completely. Lily slightly lifted the curtain beside the window.

”Oh... It really is blocked.”

Several merchants were arguing loudly while workers attempted to move heavy wooden crates that had fallen across the road. While other carriages had also stopped one after another behind ours.

From the outside, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary traffic accident.

Yet...

Every hair on my body suddenly stood on end and a cold sensation ran down my spine.

Without even thinking, I immediately activated Horizon Eye and the scenery around me instantly became clearer as my vision expanded far beyond the crowded streets.

Looking around both sides I quickly spotted something suspicious.

Across several rooftops, nearly three hundred meters away...

A hooded figure was kneeling atop a warehouse with a large bow in his hands and the arrow which was not made of wood or metal but it was entirely constructed from compressed mana.

The amount of magical energy concentrated within that single arrow was horrifying.

And its target was our carriage.

”Dalas!! Barrier! Right now!” I shouted immediately, there was no time to waste.

The instant my voice reached him, Dalas turned around and cast a spell as an overwhelming amount of mana was released and a gigantic illusion of a deep blue sea turtle appeared behind him.

The phantom possessed an enormous shell covered with ancient patterns resembling layers of coral and ocean currents.

Immediately afterward, an enormous translucent barrier resembling countless layers of compressed seawater expanded around the carriage. It was his magic core ability ’deepsea shield’.

Almost at that exact same moment..

”FWOOOSH!!”

A magic arrow shining in deem white light of mana crossed hundreds of meters in an instant. Its speed was so terrifying that most ordinary people on the street didn’t even notice something had been fired.

”BOOOOOOM!!”

A deafening explosion echoed throughout the avenue as the magic arrow struck the Deepsea Shield head-on.

Violent magical shockwaves erupted outward as the barrier wavered but luckily didn’t break and successfully blocked the attack.

Several nearby horses neighed in panic while pedestrians screamed hurriedly took over the street.

”...”

Inside the carriage, complete silence filled the air, even Maya’s composed expression had turned pale.

Elena subconsciously grabbed my sleeve ”...Someone attacked us? Let’s fight them.”

*My bad for even assuming that she might be scared*