CHAPTER 95: THE AWAITED DELIVERY (2)

Their fusion compatibility is within 20-40 per cent.

They were all learning rapidly from CR1 and the others, causing their fusion compatibility to surge significantly whenever we interacted.

I had been preoccupied with other matters and wanted to test if the upgrades would work first, before officially integrating them into Felix’s Cybernetic Swift Horned Full-body Armour form.

Felix helped me climb onto his back.

I summoned a bottle containing mana recovery pills, and after a moment’s hesitation, I opened its cap and immediately gulped one down.

I felt a strain as I channelled mana through my Spirit Veins.

Suddenly, a soothing sensation spread through them.

I eventually discovered that the nanites were reversing the damage caused by consuming mana-recovery pills too frequently. But there were still limits to what they could endure.

Limits that I dare to risk uncovering myself.

Felix transformed into his jet mode and soared into the sky, returning to his teleportation platform.

I exited the Dungeon Hall and headed towards the designated area, located in one of the parks in the Magical Swordsman Department.

I arrived around a particular bushy area and noticed a dug-up area covered with leaves and sticks.

I bent down and dug it open with my hands.

In a few seconds, I grabbed the handle of a bag.

Without even fully looking at the bag, I activated my storage ring. The space around the bag and a portion of the surrounding soil warped and shone with a flash of light before vanishing into my storage ring.

I covered the soil with branches and leaves before scattering them on top. This way, it would appear as if a bird or some wild animal had been here.

I stood up and dusted the dirt from my hands.

"Are you done?" A voice resonated behind me.

I froze.

I leapt into the air, attempting to step on a branch.

Crack!!

The branch, which had appeared firm, suddenly broke apart as though sliced in half.

I was stunned

I didn’t know who it was. I wasn’t aware that I was being followed.

And it was precisely because I hadn’t sensed them that I was frightened.

Sky Dash!

An invisible wind platform manifested beneath my feet, propelling me upward. Several more manifested beneath my feet until I landed on another branch.

Instantly, the winds wrapped around me, enhancing my speed to a terrifying level as I swiftly vanished into the distance.

The park’s exit quickly came into view.

Suddenly, a shadow blocked my path forward.

BAM!!

I felt as though I had crashed into an immovable wall.

A hand seized my neck.

A heavy scent of blood drifted into my nose.

My mind went blank.

I saw who the attacker was.

Sarafina!

"I have never seen a student... much less a First Year student, use a skill like that? You are truly full of surprises. Ezekiel Zahara.. the Worst One.. Show me what else you’re hiding," Sarafina said with a lazy smile.

Her scarf was slightly loose, with a portion of it billowing in the wind.

Secrets?

Was she talking about Sky Dash?

If I had known that I was fleeing from an Instructor, I wouldn’t have used that spell.

I knew it was risky using that kind of skill in public, especially since I had no talent for the Wind attribute. Yet, I couldn’t gamble with my life when it was at stake.

Nevertheless, that wasn’t the smile a student should receive from their Instructor.

Before I could respond, she released her grip on my neck.

I fell.

Before I crashed onto the ground, she caught me again and gently placed me on the earth.

I remained lying on the earth as though I had lost consciousness.

My mind raced.

Why did Sarafina follow me here?

How long has she been following me?

Did I mistake her identity? Was she a double agent working for the Descendants of the Zahara Clan, trying to deceive me while also pretending she wasn’t?

Have the Descendants of the Zahara Clan finally given up on playing it safe and decided to cripple me without regard for the consequences?

"Hey, I know that you are awake! Stop pretending and get up," Sarafina said, her voice filled with a mix of annoyance and irritation as she used her boot to poke my body.

Sky Dash!

The Wind wrapped around my body as I somersaulted backwards and landed on my feet.

I took advantage of the surprise escape and attempted to flee once more.

Sarafina materialised in front of me.

I halted abruptly and leapt back. The increasing momentum caused me to back a few meters before I came to a halt.

She vanished.

No! She moved so fast that it appeared as though she had vanished into thin air.

I looked around in panic, attempting to sense her while trying to control my emotions.

"I’m right behind you."

Sarafina’s voice resonated in my ears from behind me. Her breathe tingled against my skin, causing my hair to stand on end.

I leapt forward..

"Arcgjh!!"

A sudden force yanked me back.

Sarafina tightly held onto my combat uniform’s collar, holding me in the air from behind.

"I came to discuss something important with you, but I never expected to find you doing something so suspicious," she said.

"I’m going to give you two choices. First, show me what’s in the bag you’ve just collected. As an instructor, I have the right to seize any contraband that has been brought onto the Academy premises."

"Second, stop hiding and show me your true strength. What you revealed three days ago can’t be all you have. If you do, I’ll turn a blind eye, as though none of this ever happened."

"You have ten seconds to make a decision or else I’ll be forced to choose one for you."

She released my collar.

I crashed to the ground.

I swiftly retreated, putting distance between the two of us before gasping for breath.

I gently massaged my neck.

From her words, I realised that she wasn’t sent by the Descendants of the Windcrest Clan.