Crack!

Engjell watched the growing chaos with barely contained pleasure, with a watching the show mentality. As for why the authorities were not here yet, it was because as early as she prodded the barrier, she noticed it was a double layered barrier of power negation and a domain barrier, this double layer barrier was intricate in its design in the sense that when both barriers are errected and interconnected together, it was impossible for abilities to function within the barrier and at a certain distance outside.

Making it almost impenetrable, if not impossible to —breakexcept by a higher Tier mage— But a higher Tier mage would take quite some time to recruit on Aurean soil. which is what she guessed was the reason for the delay in their rescue. Their hands were tied!

Another point was that although the negation barrier was a lower Tier 3 barrier, easily broken, but it was a bit tricky to break from the outside due to the interference of the domain barrier and needed to be broken from the inside. The domain barrier, like the name—it separates you into a different domain of the creators making—

And this domain barrier was of a higher Tier, she couldn't break it without risking exposing her position due to the inevitable fluctuations that would follow. So she had opted for bringing down the power negation barrier and Leveling the playing field.

As she watched the battle between captives and captors, she nodded in appreciation at her foresight. Otherwise she wouldn't have been able to enjoy such a wonderful show.

She didn't pay mind to the rebels that escaped, guessing they had retreated to summon backup or quite literally taken the coward's way out and had escaped—the enlightened were never really known for standing their ground— on catching a whiff of the change in the circumstances. She guessed the higher ranked ones had already escaped, leaving the lower ranked ones to hold the fort! Engjell scoffed lowly as her eyes remain trained in the battle ahead with indifference, giving away no hint at her real thoughts.

As for why she was not actively participating in this battle? The reason was simple. They were too weak, the earlier rebels she had fought had been such a letdown that she really didn't feel the enthusiasm to fight anymore, but she could change her mind if it were the main force, which were the Tier 4 water and the female fire mage. At least they looked promising, maybe she would even be able to stretch her muscles then.

But for now. She'll leave these little shrimps to be dealt with by their fellow shrimps. It was too bullying if she joined the meelee.

On a more serious note, she really would like to pay a visit to the Rebels headquarters, the more contact she had with them, the more they aroused her interest. To be able to deploy two Tier 4 mages to lead a team filled with Tier 3 mages had provoked Engjell's interest. There was definitely more to them than they had the world believe.

Although a high Tier 5 barrier was available on the market for sale at a huge fortune. But a high Tier, high level 85 barriers at the peak like this couldn't be purchased with just money. Only the Austreans had access to level 70 and above barriers. So for the Rebels to be able to use such a barrier, it either meant they were in contact with or had an Austrean working with them. She was inclined to believe the latter.

A flash of disgust darkened her expression for a split second, before returning to her usual calm look. She expected nothing less from that despicable race. The decades she had spent in that cold dark place had taught her this much. The Austreans were not to be trusted!

She sensed a familiar energy approaching, and immediately rearranged her expression to look pretentiously calm. A probe of her consciousness confirmed the familliar energy to belong to the jittery and frightened Candida who was heading to her hiding place away from the chaotic battle.

Engjell gave a sigh of regret. Vacation over, time to perform. She cowered deeper into her corner, as she waited for Candida to find her.

And soon enough she was enveloped in the warm embrace of the excited Candida. "Engjell where have you been? I and the rest have been looking all over for you. Put up your shield now! The watches are now working!" she was nagging as soon as she came, making Engjell feel irritated but like an obedient child she nodded wordlessly, her voice quivered a bit as she spoke into the watch, issuing a command while simultaneously taking advantage of the opportunity to withdraw from the suffocating hug. She wasn't in the mood for skinship of any kind.

"I forgot!" she said calmly, deliberately making it sound forced, like a scared kid trying to keep up appearances.

Candida looked at her with pity and understanding. For the first time in her life she was glad to be a commoner. It must be so smothering to have to pretend to be calm when she was clearly scared out of her mind. She thought with a hint of pleasure. So what if you are higher ranked? In such situations you are just as vulnerable and as insignificant like the rest of us! She thought darkly.

She was startled out of her thoughts by a strong pull, screaming in fear when she saw a hole blast through the floor at the position were she once stood. You must know the floors of this building was paved with the precious Millennium ice blue stone—gotten from the perilous glacier mountains—Imbued with a special water and ice attribute hereby regulating the temperature in the entire building regardless of the traffic and weather conditions.

Every one knew that ice blue stone was innately hard, typically requiring the efforts of two Tier 2 strength mutants to mine. Such a massive hole was smashed through it! If it had been her! She shivered at the thought.

"What where you thinking?! Standing there motionless like you are suddenly feeling suicidal! Remember our current situation and snap out of it." Candida nodded, suppressing the dissatisfaction within. "Where are the others?" Engjell asked, feigning imperviousness to Candida's feelings.

"Follow me!" Candida threw back, already heading in a certain direction. Now more vigilant, quickly hiding from any astray spells, she didn't want a repeat of last time, no matter how Engjell carefree conducted herself, she couldn't help but feel inferior no matter what. She abhorred her help.

Engjell raised her brows at the sudden wave of disgust she felt rolling from the other party, wondering at what she did to annoy her, but she brushed it off almost immediately. She really wouldn't bother if she weren't of some use to her. It should be time! She looked up expectanly, and sure enough, the air rippled and fluctuated as the domain was literally split apart under her impassioned gaze. She was beginning to question their strength if they had taken any longer.

Thanks for reading.