The alley reeked of burnt air, mixed with the usual stench of the narrow passage, making the smell even more unbearable.
Yuuki ignored it, his eyes fixed on the entrance of the alley while he slowly restored his mana.
Using the Tower of Storm spell to deal with the four mages was already the most mana-efficient method he could think of.
Now, the real challenge was about to begin.
"Come out. I know you're there."
"If these four are all you've got, then I'd say you've overestimated yourself, noble Meath."
Yuuki said lightly, his voice calm and deliberate.
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a figure appeared at the entrance of the alley.
Meath stepped in, his upper body clad in a finely tailored short shirt inlaid with silver patterns, his lower body wearing white noble trousers, and his boots lined with pristine fur. His expression was dark.
Yuuki was momentarily stunned. He had expected Meath to hesitate, giving him more time to restore his mana.
He had misjudged.
In this world, commoners were nothing but ants to the nobility. A commoner shouting at him was reason enough for Meath to step forward, if only to maintain his pride.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Meath sniffed the burnt air, furrowed his brow, and slapped his hands together several times.
"I suspected these four idiots might not take you down, but I didn't expect them to be this pathetic. Truly disgusting."
He glanced at the four nearly charred bodies, a twisted look of revulsion flashing across his face.
Then he forced a smile and said, "Yuuki, such talent and strength wasted outside the Magic Knights… follow me. I can give you wealth, prestige, and even a path to joining the Magic Knights."
The tempting words echoed through the alley.
Yuuki found it amusing.
"The noble Meath's attitude is… truly unpredictable," he muttered inwardly.
"To be honest, I am a little tempted. But perhaps your offer is too distant for me; the sincerity feels lacking."
Yuuki welcomed the delay. The more Meath spoke, the more time he gained to restore his mana.
There was only one of him.
Someone else must still be hiding in the shadows—that would be Meath's real trump card.
Yuuki had already analyzed last night's events: Meath was likely a minor noble, not a citywide power. His entourage was limited.
This gave Yuuki confidence in turning the tables.
Of course, his true advantage lay in his Magic Binding Iron Chain Formation!
Even a minor noble would have a capable mage guarding them. Once that mage was dealt with, victory would be Yuuki's.
He had even prepared a safe retreat, just in case.
Too far away?
Meath's face darkened at Yuuki's taunt.
He knew he wasn't Yuuki's match and deliberately kept his distance. Seeing the towering pillar of flame outside the alley, he had unconsciously begun to fear Yuuki.
'Pathetic, pathetic… all of them! Why hasn't the butler moved yet?!'
Yuuki knew Meath's words were genuine temptations, but what Meath really wanted to see was Yuuki kneeling, begging for mercy.
Yuuki was stalling to recover his mana.
Meath was stalling too, hoping his butler would strike from the shadows.
Why hadn't he acted?
Was he waiting for orders?
"You filthy insect! I was generous enough to give you face and you refuse! Now kill him!"
Meath's forced smile vanished, replaced by a ferocious glare at Yuuki.
Yuuki was already prepared. His eyes swept the surroundings, mana surging, ready to unleash a spell at any moment.
One second…
Two seconds…
Three seconds…
The alley was silent, not a sound stirred.
Meath froze, bewildered.
Yuuki remained focused, wary of any trick.
He waited a little longer. Nothing happened.
"BUTLER!!" Meath shouted, his face red with anger and frustration.
Still, no one appeared.
Yuuki realized it wasn't a trick—something had gone wrong on Meath's side.
A cold glint flashed in Yuuki's eyes. Whatever had happened, now was the perfect moment to strike at Meath.
Step—!
Step—!
At that moment, a quiet set of footsteps echoed, soft but unmistakably clear.
They didn't sound like steps on the ground, but on Yuuki's very heart.
Each step made his chest tighten, his body stiffen, and an indescribable presence fill the alley.
Yuuki suddenly felt breathless, unable to lift his head—a soul-shaking fear, like facing a top-tier predator.
A captain-level figure.
The thought flashed immediately in his mind.
Suddenly, the oppressive presence vanished, replaced by a warm, calm, comforting magical aura.
It was like standing under gentle sunlight.
The terrifying sensation that had made him tremble felt like a mere illusion.
Yuuki regained control of his body and hurriedly looked toward the alley entrance.
A young man, smiling softly, walked calmly from outside. His hair pure white, tied in thin braids at the sides, with a magical eye emblem on his forehead.
He wore simple clothing, a white robe overlaid with three golden eye-shaped patterns on the chest.
He seemed remarkably gentle.
But in his hands, he carried a middle-aged mage with blood on his chest.
"Master… run… escape…" the mage's weak voice barely reached Meath, who froze in place.
Behind him,
Yuuki's pupils constricted in shock and coldness.
How did this person appear here?!
The leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun—Licht!
⭐ Enjoying the story?You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon!Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects.Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
PS: Even if you don't intend to pay for advance chapters you can join as a free member to get access to updates and any news on current and future translations (Please join guys I really enjoy seeing those numbers go up.)🙏