Chapter 59: Historical Projection
“Attack!”
Drawing upon the accumulated experience from multiple secret realm explorations, Soro Flare didn’t hesitate for even a moment.
With just a glance exchanged with Richard Eva, he raised his wand and launched an attack.
“Zzz——”
A wave of scorching heat burst forth as a blazing high-temperature flame line shot out. Caught off guard, the projection dummy “Lo Silverfox” standing at the edge was instantly scorched on one side, reduced to charcoal.
“Bang——Bang——Bang——”
At the same time, Richard Eva also unleashed his sorcery.
The sound of intense blood explosions erupted repeatedly on the opposing projection dummies.
In a mere moment, the projected “Richard Eva” at the front was severely injured before he could react.
“So that’s all they’ve got...”
Seeing the disheveled state of their opponents, Soro Flare, whose spellcasting had not ceased, let out a contemptuous chuckle.
“La——La la——”
Suddenly, a chant echoed.
The enchanting melody transformed into rippling soundwaves, causing those within the [Guardian’s Veil] to lapse into a brief daze.
“It’s [Siren Chanting]. Take out that fake ‘Janna’ first...”
Before Richard Eva could finish, the projection of “Soro Flare,” now transformed into the “Lava Dragon Lizard” form, his body covered in fiery scales and trailing a dragon’s tail, lunged toward Janna and Lo Silverfox who were hiding behind a large tree.
A claw covered in flames slashed toward them.
“Clang——”
Like metal clashing, the real Soro Flare, having partially transformed into the same “Lava Dragon Lizard” form, blocked the attack just in time. His heavy punch forced the enemy’s claw away before it could pierce the [Guardian’s Veil].
“Hiss hiss——”
Before they could catch their breath, on the other side, a serpent formed from blood bared its venomous fangs and lunged savagely at Janna and Lo Silverfox.
A shimmering veil swayed.
Just as the blood serpent struck, the [Guardian’s Veil] isolated the attack completely, leaving only a blood-scented mist lingering in the air.
“They really do know to pick the softest targets.”
Lo Silverfox couldn’t help but mutter a jab while adjusting his breath. Then, extending his right hand, he exhaled gently.
Silvery petals fluttered through the air, forming a screen that draped over Janna and himself.
“True Form Illusion——”
Next, Lo Silverfox lightly tossed out two grass dolls, each no larger than a finger.
After chanting the spell, the dolls rapidly swelled in size.
In an instant, they morphed into perfect copies of Janna and Lo Silverfox, standing in their stead.
“Laura!”
As soon as Lo Silverfox finished casting, Janna issued a command to the Thornflower Sprite.
With pink blossoms blooming layer upon layer, within a few breaths, the petals of the Thornflower Sprite wrapped around Janna and Lo Silverfox, drawing them into the ground and vanishing from sight.
“That’s a clever move. If combined with illusion magic, it would be perfect for assassination.”
Within the blossom, Lo Silverfox sincerely marveled at the tightly enclosed pink petals around them.
“Can it move?”
“No, we can only hide in place. And staying too deep underground for long risks suffocation from lack of oxygen.”
“That is indeed a drawback of plant-type creatures.”
Bang bang bang bang——
Fierce fighting echoed from above.
The grass dolls mimicking the two had collapsed in pools of blood, convincingly faking death.
Freed from defensive concerns, Richard Eva and Soro Flare had already leapt out of the [Guardian’s Veil] range.
Blood shadows and firelight bloomed without pause.
Under their intense assault, only third-level apprentices from both sides remained locked in combat.
“Splurt——”
A sharp dragon claw pierced through a chest, grasping a beating heart before crushing it into a bloody pulp.
“This fake wasn’t too bad, but still just a soulless puppet.”
As the projection dummy fell, Soro Flare withdrew his hand and kicked the corpse aside.
“How about you?”
“All done.”
Glancing at the dried corpse at his feet, Richard Eva elegantly wiped his hand with a handkerchief. Then, with a light flick, it transformed into flames, incinerating the four corpses.
“So the Source Energy Fragments were hidden inside these projection dummies.”
A blood-colored hand formed out of thin air.
Under Richard Eva’s control, it grasped the four Source Energy Fragments.
“Crack——”
A deep pink bud slowly emerged from the ground.
After confirming the enemies were gone, it blossomed, and Janna and Lo Silverfox leapt out from either side of the Thornflower Sprite.
“You two hid pretty well. Didn’t expect that plant-type spirit to bury people underground.”
Though only a first-level apprentice, Janna’s dazzling array of sorceries always brought unexpected surprises.
“Once we return, the club members will probably be lining up to get you on their expedition teams… especially that guy Hugh Stone. He’s always fretting that his mercenary squad lacks a pure white wizard apprentice like you… Of course, my team would also be happy to have you, if you’re willing...”
Although White Coral Academy emphasized white wizard studies, most apprentices focused on cultivating dark particles.
Among the remaining white wizard apprentices, most practiced elemental magic of fire, water, wind, and earth, or belonged to the bloodline path, with only a few from the mystical path.
Very few among them could wield healing sorcery, and even fewer knew purifying spells.
Janna, already a well-known apprentice at White Coral Academy, was frequently tasked with purifying contamination for upper-year students — not only due to her skills, but also her kind demeanor and proactive network-building.
“Awooo——”
Before Janna could respond, a wolf’s howl abruptly shattered the silence.
In a blink, dawn’s light gave way to pitch-black night.
The scenery changed from a valley to a deep forest.
Awooo——
“It’s the Howling Moon Alpha from last night!”
Dragon scales spread instantly across Soro Flare’s body, covering more than just his arms.
Flames blazed, illuminating the scene—over twenty Howling Moon Wolves had surrounded the four.
Their eyes glowed eerily, ready to devour.
“Seal your hearing!”
The blossom unfurled, and they dove underground.
As the Thornflower Sprite once again wrapped Janna and Lo Silverfox in deep pink petals, an ethereal voice carrying boundless allure rippled outward from the forest’s darkness.