"Help me?"
Nozel's expression changed. His usually cold and handsome face became distorted and wrinkled with rage. "You bastard, what kind of joke is this?"
As a member of the Royal Family who values dignity above all else, he would never forget the humiliation of the Star Festival night.
Icy mana constructed Silver Mercury. Long threads of mercury intertwined, forming a massive silver bird of prey behind Nozel. It flapped its wings and shrieked loudly, the wind roaring and scattering papers everywhere.
"Your temper really is as bad as the rumors say."
Bai En, wearing a fox mask, sighed. He took two steps forward, his tone shifting from frivolous to steady, laced with menace: "We've fought before. You should know you can't stop me."
"Before I came up, I saw people training downstairs."
"How diligent."
"Let me guess their relationship with you? Simple squad members? It shouldn't be just that, right? They are... your siblings?" Bai En walked right up to Nozel, leaving only two meters between them.
Laughter emanated from beneath the fox mask.
Playing the role of the villain seemed much easier than being a good person; Bai En was somewhat indulging in this state.
Nozel raised his hand, and flowing Silver Mercury already encased his arm, like a specially shaped, cool-colored vambrace. The mercury at the end of his arm could be clearly seen rolling like foam.
His palm was very close to the red-striped fox mask Bai En was wearing.
But Nozel delayed his action.
Clearly, reason had gained the upper hand over anger.
"As a member of the Royal Family, both they and I are constantly ready to sacrifice ourselves for this kingdom and its people. Your threats are useless against me."
"Is that so?"
The two stood facing each other in a stalemate.
In the end, Nozel was the first to lower the arm encased in Silver Mercury. He coldly told Bai En, "State your purpose."
"Are we finally getting to tonight's main topic?"
Bai En walked forward and lightly touched the mercury bird of prey behind Nozel with his index finger. Instantly, the mercury bird of prey exploded like a water balloon, scattering countless drops of mercury everywhere. White steam rose from the wooden door and the ground where the mercury splashed.
"My apologies, my apologies."
Bai En apologized for his itchy hands.
Nozel snorted coldly.
"Considering your strength, what rank do you think you hold among the Magic Knights Squad Captains?"
The unexpected question stunned Nozel. Realizing what was asked, he immediately countered, "What do you mean?"
Bai En didn't hide anything and spoke bluntly: "You could see it clearly from the battles earlier today, couldn't you? The strength of the various Magic Knights Squad Captains."
"Fuegoleon, whom you always regarded as a rival, gained a massive increase in mana after being acknowledged by Fire Lizard, the Fire Spirit. If you fought him one-on-one, you would no longer be his match."
"Yami Sukehiro, the foreign barbarian you look down upon, simultaneously sliced through two teams' Magic Crystals with a single strike during the competition. You must have sensed it too—after numerous life-and-death battles, that guy's strength has advanced significantly without you noticing."
"Forbidden Dark Magic coupled with the ability to cleave space. According to my deduction, Yami Sukehiro, the current Black Bulls Captain, is likely the strongest Mage, second only to that female lion."
"Dorothy Unsworth, the Coral Peacock Squad Captain, is practically invincible in some respects due to the uniqueness of her Dream Magic. If you fought her, your Mercury Magic wouldn't gain any advantage whatsoever."
"William, the Golden Dawn Squad Captain, was hailed as the most likely candidate to become the next Wizard King before the Elf Tribe started their grand war. Can your Mercury Magic defeat his World Tree Magic?"
Bai En paced back and forth in front of Nozel. With every analysis, Nozel's already poor expression grew darker.
"As for the remaining Captains—Jack of The Emerald Mantis Group, Rill of Aqua Deer, and Kaiser of the Purple Orca—if categorized by tiers, you would likely be in the weakest tier among the Magic Knights Squad Captains, wouldn't you?"
"Enough!" Nozel interrupted Bai En, his voice low. "So... are you here just to humiliate me?"
"No, no, no. I'm merely stating facts." Bai En, wearing the fox mask, approached Nozel. They stared at each other's faces, separated by barely 30 centimeters. "...To make you face reality."
"You pride yourself on using precise mana control and mercury manipulation to deal with all kinds of enemies, yet even when facing a few ordinary Elf Possessed individuals, you needed your sister's strength to escape danger."
"How can someone like you protect others in future battles?"
"How can someone like you take revenge on the Devil who killed your mother?"
"Wake up, Royal Captain living in your own world."
Bai En's voice was loud and filled with pressure.
Nozel's reaction was different from what was expected. Bai En had thought he would explode from the provocation, but it seemed this guy already had some awareness of this fact, only his inherent pride and self-awareness had buried "it" deep in his heart.
No one had ever revealed the facts so bluntly.
Nozel remained silent, and only after a long time did he manage to utter, "So what?"
"What are you trying to convey?"
"Don't imagine I'm someone with nothing better to do who intentionally came here just to humiliate you." Bai En turned and spread his hands. "I stated my intentions right from the start."
"I came here to help you."
"To make you realize your shortcomings, and then grow stronger."
Bai En continued to explain the reason for his actions: "The Dark Triad of the Spade Kingdom are tough opponents, so I need sufficiently strong allies."
This reason was, of course, false.
In reality, Bai En simply hoped to gain some magical experience and inspiration from the Captains' progress, and at the same time, ensure that once they grew stronger, they could make the upcoming frontal battle smoother, allowing him to focus and more easily deal with... that guy.
"Allies to deal with the Dark Triad of the Spade Kingdom?"
"Why would you choose me?"
"The reason is simple." Bai En smiled. "Because the Devil who killed your mother is currently possessing one of the Dark Triad of the Spade Kingdom."
"Deal."
"Let's go."
"Where to?"
"You're not the only one I'm looking for. It's an old friend." Bai En paused. "I feel like dealing with him will be much easier than convincing you."
"Who is he?"
"Jack of The Emerald Mantis Group."
Bai En reached out and placed his hand on Nozel's shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"Walking or flying on a broomstick is too inefficient. I'll take you."
The moment he finished speaking, Bai En and Nozel instantly vanished. In the empty room, only the open door and scattered papers remained...
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