Chapter 16 – Escape

“DIE!” A voice bellowed as Redius looked at the on-coming aura slash in shock. He didn’t have time to conjure a shield, nor could he escape completely in game.

With his teeth clenched, his muscle tightened, he dodged to the side and concentrated a layer of aura under his cloak to the area where the aura slash was going to hit. It was a risk he had to take, if he exposed his aura now, he would lose a trump card against this new enemy.

Even though he protected himself, the aura slash still hit him like truck and carried him for a good few metres until it stopped, but Redius didn’t. He got flung away even further until he smashed through two trees. He was in a bad condition. Several bones in his body was broken, his chest down to his thigh was cut by the aura slash, small pieces of wood pierced his skin into his body.

He sat under a tree from where he stopped, as he slowly got himself up, the people he assumed was responsible started gathering. It was 3 different groups of people, and he knew them, or at least where they were from. The 3 major families.

Redius stared them down, as did they.

“HAHA! Now you understand the consequences of going up against the Ip family!” An older middle aged man bellowed. It was the voice which called out earlier, Redius pegged him as the attacker.

‘Strange…’ Redius thought as he looked the person up and down. There were 3 initiate knights in the Ip family, the Old Head, the Head and the Assistant Head. So who’s this guy?

The only conclusion Redius could come up with was that he advanced in the 3 years that Redius was gone. But now, he had no time to think about such things.

“Now prepare to face death for defying us.” The man said, his teeth clenching in disgust.

“Young man…” A voice called out, drawing the attention of everyone. It was the leader on the group from the Losrenos family.

“Don’t get involved in this Losrenos!” The man from the Ip family shouted to the Losrenos group, only to be completely ignored by them

“We can help you.” He said to the dismay of some. “But with a price… to serve us.” The man finished and let the silence descend upon the group. All were interested to hear Redius’ answer. But no answer followed.

“HAHHAHA! Looks like he doesn’t want your help!” The man from the Ip family laughed as he walked closer and closer to 

Redius. His sword rested on his shoulder, capable of swinging at any time.

“You’re coming back with me!” he said as his hand reached out.

“Wait a second Ips…” Another voice called out stopping the man’s hand. This time, it was someone from the Plenio family.

“He needs to answer to our family too.”

“Your family?! My family is dying because of this brat!” He yelled back in anger at the other. And back forth they started arguing.

Redius quickly analysed the situation, one initate knight from each family, and the rest disciples. He could never fight his way out. He took notice of their positions and quickly planned an escape route.

Because of his strong affinity to the elements, his rate of gathering magic was higher than anyone of his class. What little time he had when they were busy arguing, allowed him to recover enough to cast one spell.

His head tilted as his eyes met with Ji’s. His eyes shone as if to say he understood. Redius never really knew the extent of Ji’s power, maybe this time, he’d find out. Everything had to be perfectly timed.

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“ENOUGH! He’s coming with the Ip family! We do not mind starting a household war!” the ip’s family man yelled in frustration. The other families furrowed their brows at the displeasure of the declaration. But they didn’t move, they would not start a household war just because of one magician.

The man from the Ip family, seeing no responses walked slowly towards Redius. One step… two steps… three steps… NOW!

Redius’ hand waved across his chest and an ice ball flew from it towards the man coming towards him. He, being an initiate knight, deflected it easily. He smirked at the lame attempt, only to see Redius was smirking too. His head quickly turned as he saw the ice ball flying in the air behind him and suddenly explode.

Hundreds of tiny icicles flew in all direction, even at the other families. As some were caught off guard and others busy defending, Ji and Redius made their move.

Redius retreated by jumping a few metres, creating a distance between him and the three groups. Ji, jumping off Redius shoulder dashed at the man from the Ip family who was deflecting the tiny icicles in frustration. With one jump off the group, a white flashed in front of the man and next, an angry scream cried.

“AHHH!” The man screamed as he held his hand to his eye. Ji had cut a deep gash just above his eye, obstructing his vision. “I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL KILL YOU!” he repeated like a mad hound.

Ji quickly jumped back and instead of going to Redius made a sudden turn, and to the shock of everyone, right into the path of the Plenio initiate who was in mid-air towards Redius. Ji smashed into the knight causing him to deviate in the air and landing at another place. Then three slashes followed causing him to dodge and leading him away from Redius. They were all alarmed at the power of Ji.

Finally after a good distance was established, Ji was back in a flash on Redius shoulder.

“Ji Ji!” as he called out to Redius who smiled and patted him lightly on the head. Redius then looked at the three groups in turn and gave a smile as if to say, I’ll be back.

A strong burst of light blue aura covered Redius’ entire body, causing everyone to look at him in shock. Redius jumped back before anyone could react and with the help of the dark elements, quickly vanished into the forest.

By the time the initiate knights came to focus, they had already lost Redius. Not that their speed was any slower, in fact, they were currently faster with his injuries. But Redius didn’t run too long, he merely ran out of sight of them and quickly activated his dark element and hid in the shadows, merging as one with the darkness.

All three families quickly reacted as they sent the huge news to their household. The young man they were finding, was both a magician and a knight. And he was proficient in both too. It was big news.

Normally it would not be advised to take on two professions at once, it was already difficult enough to advance in one, but both? It would take multiple times the work. Why become a jack of trades but master of none?

Though some people did pursue this path, rarely did they succeed much in both. But this young man obviously is a force to recon with. This news could change the attitude of the household. He was too powerful left alone.

Most likely, either Redius would join them, or they would have to rid him off his powerful future.