Those wind sprites, endowed with a modicum of intelligence, ceased emerging from the mountain upon sensing the impending peril.

The remaining ones were entirely sucked into the enchantment.

The wizard with flowing, wavy hair deftly retracted the enchantment, and in his hand materialized a colossal two - meter - long oil painting. The vividly depicted world within the painting was frozen, with numerous wind sprites captured in its frame.

He let out a triumphant guffaw, a glistening golden tooth visible in his mouth.

"Daof, you've toiled arduously. My sincere apologies for not notifying you in advance. However, I'm in desperate need of a copious quantity of wind sprites as materials. With today's opportune weather, I hastened here post - haste. You surely don't harbor any ill - feelings, do you?"

The man addressed Daof with a smile, yet his countenance betrayed little remorse, as if he held Daof's opinion in scant regard.

"Prince Morogen, I do not take umbrage at such a trifling matter. Nevertheless, there were innocent commoners ensnared within your enchantment just now. I beseech you to release them."

As a fifth - level wizard, Daof dared not act rashly in the presence of this individual. This was due to both the hierarchical suppression and the disparity in their powers.

The man before him was a sixth - level wizard. Although his advancement was facilitated by the royal resources, his innate talent was in no way inferior to Daof's.

Mako glided from the periphery to Daof's side. Upon beholding Morogen, she furrowed her brow and cast an inquisitive glance at Daof.

The latter responded with a reassuring look, signaling her to remain calm.

Upon hearing Daof's words, Morogen waved his hand dismissively."Out of the question. If I were to open the world within the painting again, everything within would escape. They're merely commoners. Their absence is of little consequence. Why so concerned? You're far too benevolent, Daof. Hahaha..."

Having spoken, he turned to depart.

"You'd be well - advised to release them. Otherwise, I shall claim your life this instant."

Glen's frigid voice rang out with crystal clarity, causing Morogen to halt mid - step.

He looked down at the apprentice who dared to defy him.

"Daof, how could you have tutored such an impudent apprentice? He serves no purpose. Allow me to rid you of him."

Morogen casually hurled a black sphere towards Glen.

"Cease!" Daof and Mako exclaimed in fury. Simultaneously, they cast a teleportation spell, diverting the black sphere elsewhere.

It was not that they were apprehensive for Glen's safety; such an attack was incapable of harming him. Rather, they were concerned about the potential ramifications of a confrontation between the two.

Although the attack missed its mark, Glen had already passed a death sentence on this wizard named Morogen.

Boom!

Centered around Glen's position, a vast expanse of black smoke billowed forth, roiling and nearly enveloping all the surrounding flora.

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The potent curse energy permeated the air, sending a chill down the spines of the three senior wizards.

"A werewolf? Such a powerful werewolf? Daof! So you are the mentor of that seventh - level werewolf? You shall face the kingdom's retribution!"

Morogen was aware of the recent incident involving the seventh - level werewolf during the demon invasion. As the matter was still fresh in the minds of the populace, the high - ranking officials had been engaged in ongoing discussions.

He almost instantaneously deduced Glen's identity.

Before Daof could respond, Morogen promptly discarded the oil painting and, without hesitation, employed the swiftest flight magic to flee.

Survival was his immediate priority, for he believed that with it, he could reclaim all that he had lost.

But Glen was not about to let him escape.

A dark shadow, accompanied by billowing black smoke of curses, closed the distance to the fleeing Morogen in an instant, the sound of rending air echoing through the vicinity.

Sensing the impending danger, the sixth - level wizard prince immediately took evasive action and rapidly completed a spell.

Just as Glen's hand was about to grasp him, Morogen suddenly burst into a multitude of flies. This escape method bore some resemblance to that of the short - statured dark wizard.

However, Morogen's technique was far more sophisticated. These flies were incredibly swift and dispersed in all directions, presenting a seemingly insurmountable challenge.

But Glen had a stratagem.

He opened his mouth and expelled a copious amount of cursed black smoke, which almost instantaneously filled the area within a hundred - meter radius.

Although the flies were fast, they were unable to outpace the spreading smoke.

As his vision was plunged into darkness, Morogen was seized by panic. But this was merely the beginning.

Perhaps due to Glen's ability to manipulate the werewolf venom at will, the black smoke responded to his commands with ease.

The highly destructive curse contained within would typically be uncontrollable, capable of laying waste to anything it touched.

Yet, Glen could ensure that every blade of grass and every flower within the smoke remained unscathed, directing the curse solely towards his intended target.

Morogen felt the terrifying curse energy corroding his body, plunging him into excruciating pain.

He had no choice but to assume his human form and activate defensive magic to fend off the onslaught.

But this was precisely what Glen desired.

Two luminous orbs materialized in the inky blackness, directly in front of Morogen.

"No! If you dare to lay a hand on me, the high - ranking officials of the Zeon Kingdom will tear you asunder!"

His threat fell on deaf ears.

A steel - like claw effortlessly breached the advanced defensive magic, seizing Morogen in its grasp. The overwhelming hierarchical suppression rendered the magic power within his body unable to flow freely.

A grating sound of bones grinding together resonated, and Morogen instinctively emitted a pain - filled shriek.

The moment he opened his mouth, a torrent of cursed black smoke surged into his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears.

An even more intolerable pain engulfed the sixth - level wizard's entire being, and the dense curse energy even seeped into his very soul.

In a mere instant, Morogen's body shriveled like liquid, and thick, black mucus oozed from his orifices. His death was a ghastly spectacle.

Daof and Mako had been pacing restlessly outside the black smoke. They knew that Glen had killing intent burning in his heart, and the Prince Morogen was likely doomed.

Now, Daof was pondering how to conceal this incident.

Suddenly, the black smoke before them began to dissipate, vanishing rapidly.

Glen stood before a shriveled corpse, his feet planted on the repulsive, viscous substance.

Daof and Mako alighted beside him in quick succession.

Daof spoke in a hushed tone."We must clean this place thoroughly. Although Prince Morogen is a member of the royal family, he was deeply engrossed in his magical studies, often disappearing for extended periods without disclosing his whereabouts. We should be able to keep this hidden for quite some time."

Glen turned, a hint of remorse in his expression."I deeply regret involving you in this, teacher and madam. However, if there are any subsequent repercussions, you may lay the blame at my feet. I simply could not abide that individual. His death was inevitable."

Daof waved his hand dismissively."Since you are my student, how could I engage in such a treacherous act? I shall handle this matter."

"No, teacher," Glen said, his expression solemn."Consider this: you have Lucas and the others to care for. Shifting the blame to me is entirely justifiable, for I possess the means to withstand the consequences. This is not betrayal; it is a prudent choice."

"Let us defer this discussion for now. First, let us clear away the evidence," Mako interjected, noticing the distress on Daof's face.