A simple spell distorting light protected Kairos. Right now he is like a chameleon that cannot be seen. With the help of the Assassin-type of Aura his presence became small and then disappeared altogether. Furthermore, it is the more advanced form called ‘Hidden Step’ – an Aura technique that allows movement while staying unnoticed.

The only thing that would give him away would be if he makes any sound. Fortunately, he had many experience in staying light-footed. Although he cannot claim to be an expert, it is enough to handle most instances.

Just as he seemingly faded away, the spell that the Aura Mage used landed on the ground harmlessly.

It is the Suppressive Aura magic that could turn the battle around.

Kairos analysed the mana pattern as the spell disperses after missing its target.

Using his Heavenly Sight that records every trace of mana he earned how to use that magic with a single look. It is simple but expertly useful.

To compress a large amount of Aura and stick it onto the enemy, it is definitely of the Arcane branch. So why did it lacked the homing function?

Kairos believes that if he recreates the spell, even if the target disappears he can lock on to a certain extent.

Seeing the spell fizzle out uselessly, the Aura Mage calmly gathered mana again. The three Aura Knights moved quickly and surrounded the group to protect them.

They had dealt with assassins before. Against someone who can strike from the shadows, the best moment to counter is right after the enemy strikes.

They are the best opponents that can guard against an assassin’s weak but deadly blow.

Aura attacks can go through most physical defences, but Aura Knights can parry it. And thanks to the Spellsinger’s spell which embolden one’s heart, the amount of Aura those knights can muster is increased by a-third.

At the same time, the elven representative who is their only Assault Mage smiled confidently. In the time others were fighting, she had set up deadly magic traps around that are completely invisible. Even a well-prepared enemy will fall victim. They are Circle 8 spells called Air Mine that excels in hiding and blowing up the enemy. It is a highly compressed atmospheric magic that will violently tear apart anyone that comes too close carelessly.

Faster than any person’s reaction, the spell will dismantle Kairos the moment he dared to step out of the shadows.

However, the smile on her face lasted only a mere moment.

She felt a deathly chill as a shadow appeared next to one of the Aura Knights, and before anyone could respond, his head was slowly twisted all the way around.

The magic traps she was so proud of did not activate at all and now they are down to 8.

Everyone felt their hair stood on ends as the lad disappeared back into the embrace of the shadows.

It was just in time as the Arcane Archer shot out a hail of arrows straight at his face.

The speed of her attacks shows that she has top-notched skills. When Kairos disappeared again, the arrows that should have missed suddenly detonated all at once.

A grand blast of mana caused shockwaves to the entire building like mini explosives.

Kairos who should be just next to it would be terribly wounded by the rocketing mana.

Even a Ranked A monster will die instantly if it was hit by one of those arrows directly.

Considering that such a creature is from the higher realm of Gaia, its toughness and life force will be equalled to a powerful Class 7 Beast.

Although they did not hit directly, there were enough arrows to stun and wound even a Class 9 Aura Pugilist known to be resilient to blows.

At the same time, the only gnome remaining unleashed numerous fireflies from his body. Those tiny creatures flew around searching for the lad. By now, Kairos should be bloodied while scrambling to safety.

The Aura Knights held their Spirit Weapons intensely and watched the fireflies carefully. The insects will trace his scent and collide into him, and at that moment they will strike him down.

Suddenly, the Aura Knightlord moved. A dagger flew out from nowhere at the elven representative but was deftly blocked.

“A feint! Be careful…”

He roared in alarm the moment he felt the feeble force behind the projectile that struck his blade, however it was far too late.

Kairos’ real target was the elven Arcane Archer who held her throat and collapsed in a pool of her own blood.

The archer’s versatility far outstripped what Kairos expected despite there was only one attack shown.

Indeed, as everyone expected, there was enough force behind the arrows’ chain explosions to hurt him. In fact, he was knocked around a dozen times in a single second that he felt his ears ring and his head throb violently.

However that is because despite devising countermeasures, Kairos was unable to deal with all the blasts in such a short time.

He had analysed the magic that the archer loaded into her arrows, and quickly devised countermeasures.

Avoiding it is the number one priority, followed by making basic magic barriers to protect himself.

Kairos also wanted to use higher level protective spells, but unfortunately he only managed to master Circle 1 spells during his research in the cave.

The amount of explosions was terrible enough, however, it was the resonance that came after that was truly devastating.

Even the multiple barriers could not keep him safe.

Those explosions were not volatile forces but even and calculated detonations set in oscillating frequencies. In other words, the rapid concussions stacked upon Kairos like perfect-pitch soundwaves used to break glass.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

What happened inside his body after such an attack is anyone’s guess.

The archer had known from the start that her target could avoid her arrows and thus planned all this in an instant. Even a Grand Cross Knight have to yield to her in this situation.

Her abilities as a ranged attacker is exceptional. So much so that Kairos had to prioritise on eliminating her.

To take her out, Kairos was forced to make a large sacrifice as well. More than what he had expected.

The wounds he had been suppressing are running wild again. Blood trickled down his lips as he focused on maintaining his consciousness.

The fireflies had already detected the scent of his blood and are flying faster now.

The assassin aura had become terribly unstable, so much so that Kairos can no longer move without hiding his presence.

Fortunately, the spell that distorted light is still active on his body, allowing him to catch his breath in the corner.

If the assault mage unleashes a wide area spell right now, he will be dead.

The True Heavenly Armour that could guard his life from fatal blows three times had not replenished since the final battle against the White Emperor on Gaia.

Unfortunately, the worse situation still happened.

It wasn’t the Assault Mage, but the Aura Mage that unleashed an attack.

Just as he spotted the swarm of fireflies turning towards the same direction, he threw a spell over.

“Aura Magic: Hyena’s Aura – Pack hunt, Arcane magic – Chaos movement!”

This roar was like a bolt of thunder. His companions paled from realising what was unleashed and quickly scurried back.

Shouting the name of one’s spell is usually considered folly. It reveals your card and lengthens the spell activation. It is why great mages of the past devised the Chantless Spellcasting method.

But it’s the opposite when fighting in a group. This is why certain magic are exceptionally famous. The moment the Aura Mage used his spell, the rest scurried away at top speed.

Unfortunately, what’s famous doesn’t mean it will be properly recorded. At least Kairos had never seen it in the books he borrowed.

He wanted to avoid the attack but, warning shout or not, the magic was thrown in his direction and engulfed everything.

A strange laughter rang in his ears.

Quickly, more laughter came and from all directions. They were taunting and wild. Snarling and howling with bloodlust.

Each voice is the manifestation of a wild beast’s frenzied hunger.

And then, the biting came.

Fangs made from pure aura sprang forth from nothingness.

Like rabid beasts, they had a feverish excitement to kill.

Those creatures ran towards him with anger and madness filled with abandon.

However, Kairos immediately noticed that most of them are running in random directions.

This magic cannot detect him through his camouflage and presence hidden but if he stays in one spot, he will soon be torn to pieces.

Forcefully suppressing his internal injuries, Kairos took a step to the side. Though attacks are coming from all around, if he catches the timing, there are a few safe spots that he could hide in.

But just as he moved, his face paled in fright, because instead of one single step he started sliding with acceleration.

The incoming fangs, the frictionless grounds. This is like playing bumper car in a giant iron maiden.

Only now did Kairos noticed his Heavenly Sight showing him a great red arrow pointing downwards. Maybe he should have shaded the entire danger area as indicator next time.

The whole floor had been rigged by the chaos movement magic.

He should’ve noticed. In fact, the Aura Mage had shouted out the spell.

Only, he didn’t.

His wounds distracted him and his thoughts are disarrayed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be dealing with maintaining his Assassin Aura.

It’s unrealistic to expect him to make the best move when he is about to lose consciousness.

However, the years he spent surviving deadly situation wasn’t pointless.

As he hurled towards danger, he quickly calculated the path he is taking. There will be a few close shaves, and he will only need to defend against two attacks before he can readjust his route.

Not only did he take into consideration his acceleration, he also noted the force behind each attack that would change the direction he slides.

Suddenly his eyes glowed brightly without his intervention. The Heavenly Sight combines three things: The Veritable Sight that sees the truth of the world, Kairos’ brilliance, and indicators that classifies everything he sees.

The Heavenly Sight sensed danger and automatically activated a higher level of release.

As the strength of his eyes approaches their maximum capacity, it turned from red to orange, and the true nature of the battlefield is revealed.

Everything he saw previously was a lie.

No, the crazed hyenas made of pure aura truly exists, and Kairos is really sliding helplessly to the side.

However, there are many more attacks than he saw. Moreover, he isn’t sliding sideways but backwards and the attacks also are coming at directions different from what he saw previously.

The Chaos Movement spell isn’t simply removing friction but it also applies a wide area illusion that confuses all senses. This spell isn’t Aura Art and Magic separately, but having spells to support the Aura Art.

The Aura Mage foresee people would try to avoid his attacks and left nothing to chance.

There is no escape. Every victim of this spell will be torn to pieces by his aura.

It won’t be two attacks, but more than a dozen before he could regain control. Who knows if by that time will he still be alive?

Kairos knew that he must act immediately. Many things happened in his mind, but time had barely passed.

0.3 seconds.

Magic weaved around his fingers.

0.7 seconds.

He unleashed a Circle 1 spell. Of all the things he had gained from his study, the only things usable right now are Circle 1 magic and basic Aura Arts… because they are easy to use.

If he was truly talented, he would’ve blasted them all away – injured or not -, after all, he is actually a Class 9 Aura Master with Circle 9 Magic capacity.

1.1 seconds.

The first attack came.

1.3 seconds.

Kairos suddenly stumbled on flat frictionless ground and dodged the hyena’s fangs. In fact, he fell so badly that he wildly bounced over the attack.

1.7 seconds.

He landed and skidded off a strange direction. A hyena that was about to rip into him missed and dashed away.

2.3 seconds.

Kairos spun on the ground and knocked over other hyenas on the hunt. Auras can bypass armour, but not a person.

More hyenas crushed into each other and dissipated as the auras clashed into each other with violent speed.

3 seconds.

Kairos slowly skidded to a stop and stood up unharmed. There is very little friction, but enough.

“D-did he dodge everything by luck?”

“What the heck? How can this be possible?”

Everyone else stared at him in shock and confusion.

The moment Kairos moved he was already visible. His unstable Assassin Aura could no longer maintain stealth except by staying still. Because of that, there was no point in maintaining his light distortion magic either.

Again, it is magic that no one expected – not because of how strong the spell was but quite the opposite.

Pulling out clamps of hair, they cannot understand how he managed to survive, but it wasn’t perchance but because the spell he used was Greater Luck Blessing – a magic once used against him when betting magic eggs.

Although it is a rare and potent magic, it is merely Circle 1. What makes a spell belong to a higher Circle is determined by its strength.

Magic is the alteration of the physical realm using mana. A spell like Fireball causes violent physical reactions that sharply changes the environment. The more changes are made in scale and degree, the higher level of the Circle.

Enhancing a person’s physical strength will be a pretty strong magic, but enhancing a person’s luck – something that is intangible and hardly affects the surrounding – wouldn’t take much mana.

Kairos applied such a spell on himself and nudges probability to favour him. The changes made to the surrounding was less than the Octopid Coil spell he used for reading books.

On the other hand, the concept behind it was incredibly complex. In fact, the person who made it attributed it to the will of divine forces and didn’t understand its workings.

Kairos who could decipher even the true name of the stars, easily picked apart the original spell and refashioned it. Now, it is hard to claim this to be a ‘Greater Luck Blessing’, but more like a ‘plot armour blessing’.

Of course, all that happened is forcing probability to favour him a little more. It cannot alter the direction of the enemy’s attack nor enhance his defences but it can encourage Kairos to trip over the danger.

If the Aura Mage found out about this, he would likely bash his head in frustration. Nothing much is worse than being defeated so soundly by something called luck.

Kairos panted but not forgetting to give the Aura Mage a smile.

He had earned himself several seconds more before he needs to move again.

He knows he cannot trust his feet on the slippery floor even if he can see past the illusions. He do not have that level of control yet.

In that case he must destroy this cage without moving.

It’d be different if he can use his Ki.

Nevertheless, he has plenty of Circle 1 spells left.