Chapter7-Mid-Tier Magic · Fallen Thunder

Joad frowned, his mind filled with doubt.

According to the treaty between Ilan Principality and Mington Principality, any elite-rank power entering the other's territory required official approval.

Yet these two individuals had not reported their presence.

Could it be… they had sneaked in?

Countless thoughts flashed through Joad's mind.

"Beautiful Mary, I have some business to attend to—I'll be leaving now."

"Huh? Oh… alright…"

Mary the Blond nodded absently, still not fully recovered from the shock of earlier events.

Joad turned and left Twisting Bird Tavern.

However, instead of heading directly back to Royal Academy, he circled around to the back of the tavern.

With his powerful mind power, these two elite mages had nowhere to hide!

Joad silently trailed behind them, his eyes flashing with a sharp gleam.

This world was full of dangers.

If Ilan Principality fell into chaos, then who would shield him in the future?

…

Twisting Bird Tavern

Mary the Blond stared blankly at the door, deep in thought.

Just then, a shadowy figure in a black robe appeared.

"Honorable lady, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking about Joad."

Mary the Blond arched an eyebrow and gathered her wavy locks.

"Steward Dulin, don't you think Joad is… a little special?"

The elderly steward named Dulin rubbed his beard in frustration.

"My lady, I swear upon the heavens—Joad is just another idle noble brat!"

"Did you forget? I followed your orders and watched him for half a month—day and night!"

"But all he does is eat, drink, sleep, and wander around. He didn't even meditate once in two weeks!"

"My lady, do you really think someone like that could be hiding his strength?"

Mary the Blond shook her head, relying on a woman's sixth sense.

"No… I still feel like he's hiding something."

Steward Dulin froze, his mind blanking out.

He had watched Joad for so long, yet she still didn't believe him?!

Holding back the urge to cough up blood, he tried to reason with her.

"My lady, if you're that interested in Joad, why not just take him with you? But don't forget—we still have a mission to complete!"

"No matter what, we must obtain the Ilan Manuscript!"

"I know that!"

…

Meanwhile…

Joad was already tailing the two beginner elite mages, quietly observing.

The two were silent, speaking only when Archido was carried into the courtyard.

"Get that fool Archido treated first!"

"Sigh… Joad is slippery as a damn eel—he won't give us a single opening!"

The two exchanged glances before sighing in unison.

Even they hadn't expected things to play out like this.

What was supposed to be a simple jealousy-fueled dispute—

—was meant to lure Leit out and test his strength.

Instead, Joad had completely disregarded any chivalry and got the sheriffs to beat Archido senseless!

"Sigh, we really underestimated things!"

"Joad isn't stupid—he's just a mid apprentice mage. He had no reason to fight Archido head-on!"

"Exactly. That guy only takes advantage of situations—he never suffers losses. He's not that dumb."

"Forget it. Let's just move on with our main mission. Leit is just a side concern—we can probe him later."

Their voices grew lower as they spoke.

"I found a loophole in Midwinter Keep's patrol routes. We have a one-hour window to kill House Rima's young lady."

"House Rima sent an elite mage this time, but as long as we lure him away, the remaining guards won't be a problem."

Joad's expression turned curious.

So… Archido and these guys were actually on the same team?

Did this mean they were acting under secret orders from the Grand Duke of Mington?

But why… was Mington Principality targeting House Rima?

"Once we kill Ivy of House Rima, their family will be furious."

"And their rage will turn toward Ilan Principality."

"At that point, Mington Principality can ally with House Rima, leaving Ilan Principality defenseless!"

So that was it…

They were trying to turn House Rima against Ilan Principality!

Joad furrowed his brows.

Normally, he wouldn't care who killed whom.

But they just had to target Ilan Principality.

If Ilan Principality fell into chaos, how was he supposed to keep enjoying his peaceful life?

Damn these Mington bastards—they were making trouble for him personally!

"Clever plan. But tell me—"

"Why are you targeting Ilan Principality?"

"Did Ilan Principality ever offend you?"

Joad's voice suddenly echoed between them.

The two froze in terror, instinctively preparing to flee—

But when they saw who it was, they stiffened.

Wait—it's Joad?!

And there was no one else around?!

After spreading out their mind power to check, the two men relaxed.

After all—he was just an apprentice mage.

What kind of threat could he possibly be?

"Joad, this has nothing to do with you. You'd be wise to stay out of it."

"If you pretend you heard nothing, we guarantee you won't be harmed."

Joad found this statement hilarious.

"You're scheming to overthrow Ilan Principality while standing on its soil—and you dare say it has nothing to do with me?"

"I can't tell if you're foolish or just arrogant."

The two black-robed mages turned pale.

They knew—there was no talking their way out of this now.

If that was the case, then they had only one option—

Eliminate Joad!

"Heh… Joad, if you're so eager to die, we'll grant your wish!"

"We are elite mages!"

They had expected Joad to tremble in fear at their revelation.

But instead, his gaze turned mocking.

"Elite mage?"

"So what?"

He slowly raised his right hand—

At his palm, blinding arcs of electricity began to crackle and surge.

"Mid-Tier Magic · Fallen Thunder."

"You two wouldn't happen to know how to use this, would you?"

Lightning flickered, crackling with an ominous hum.

The two black-robed figures felt the powerful mana fluctuations, and their faces instantly drained of color.

"That… that's elite mage-level mana?!"

"Impossible! He's just an apprentice mage!"

"Dear Goddess… Joad is the real genius! Leit of Ilan? Shadia of Mington? They're all jokes compared to him!"

Joad didn't bother answering.

Instead, he smiled faintly.

"Now… do you still think you're a match for me?"

The two panicked completely.

They had never imagined that Joad was hiding this much power!

"Run! We have to run!"

One of them shouted, instantly activating an escape spell—

The other followed suit, fleeing without hesitation.

They knew—against a mage who could cast Mid-Tier Magic, they had no chance.

But Joad merely smirked coldly.

"Run? Too late."

He snapped his hand forward—

The crackling lightning shot out, splitting into two thunderbolts, striking both men instantly.

Boom!

The two black-robed mages didn't even have time to scream—

They were incinerated into charred corpses.

Joad raised his right hand once more—

Summoning wind and fire to obliterate all traces.

Once everything was erased, he finally turned around, activating a Royal Academy distress scroll.

In the sky—

A brilliant magic signal burst forth!

…