Chapter 66: Confrontation

Inside the Emperor Garden, William and Sarah were engrossed in exploring the mysterious place, unaware of the events unfolding outside. Meanwhile, Anna, Thomas, and Captain Garz waited patiently, hoping for their safe return.

As time passed, boredom began to gnaw at Anna, and she couldn't contain her restlessness any longer. She stood up and voiced her frustration, seeking some form of entertainment to pass the time. Thomas, appearing to be asleep against the wall, was actually in a half-awake state, while Captain Garz conversed with his subordinates, ensuring the perimeter of the hall remained guarded.

Ignoring Anna's complaints, they carried on with their respective activities, accustomed to her restless nature. However, Anna's persistence reached its peak, and she raised her voice, demanding attention from her companions.

Before anyone could respond, a thunderous explosion erupted at the entrance, catching them all by surprise. They turned their attention to the source of the commotion and witnessed a figure walking calmly through the wreckage. The flames of the explosion seemed to part around him, as if he were a king strolling amidst fire.

"It's you! How did you enter?" Anna pointed an accusatory finger at the intruder, shocked to see Jack Draco standing before them.

Ignoring Anna's question, Jack remained unfazed. His gaze fixated on the statue of Emperor Alexander, displaying a minimal level of respect for the legendary figure.

Being ignored, Anna wanted to rebuke the man, but he kept his sight fixed on the statue until finally shifting his gaze toward the others.

"I intended to work quietly and smoothly here, but why do all of you insist on bothering me?" Jack's words were laced with annoyance as he shifted his attention away from the statue.

Thomas, Captain Garz, and his subordinates quickly snapped out of their initial shock, encircling Young Master Jonathan. They decided to defeat and capture him before questioning his motives and how he managed to infiltrate the hall.

"Sir Jack, I don't wish for this confrontation, but you must understand that you've left us no choice. You've already harmed some of us with your earlier blast, and we cannot allow you to continue causing damage. Please surrender peacefully, and I promise to explain the situation properly to your family afterward," Captain Garz spoke with a mixture of respect and caution, well aware of Jack's reputation as a representative of the Draco family—a family not to be trifled with.

"Indeed, but why should I comply?" Jack's condescending response stirred anger within the group.

"Then you've forced our hand," Captain Garz declared resolutely.

With those words, Captain Garz unleashed a powerful spell, giving his all against the infamous Jack Draco. His true strength was revealed—an impressive six-star mage. Although not reaching the level of genius, Captain Garz had accomplished significant achievements for his age.

Simultaneously, Anna, Thomas, and the soldiers showcased their full capabilities, revealing their cultivation as four-star mages. As predicted by William, their levels had increased during the waiting period leading up to the graduation test.

A barrage of colorful spells filled the air, directed at Jack. The collective attack was a mesmerizing sight. Any ordinary mage would have succumbed to such a concentrated assault, but this time, it was Young Master Jonathan himself at the center of the storm.

Yet, Jack remained unfazed by the onslaught. Not a trace of panic marred his expression. Instead, he calmly retaliated with a simple action—snapping his fingers. Immediately, a ring of fire materialized beneath his feet, expanding outward to form an impregnable wall of flame. The wall intercepted the incoming attacks, absorbing their impact without weakening.

Without pause, Jack snapped his fingers once again. In response, the fiery wall surged forward, engulfing Anna, Thomas, Captain Garz, and the others. Caught off guard by the sudden shift from defense to offense, they were defenseless against the impending attack.

Jack stood unscathed in the midst of the spreading inferno, while his adversaries suffered the consequences of his single devastating strike.