Magus Supremacy-Chapter 858: Escape (1)

Chapter 858

’Damn it! Nothing is working at all. Even his breakthrough—as impressive as it is—couldn’t even do anything to Orion. That is the kind of monster we are up against. Is there even any hope left?’ Fenrir wondered inwardly as he stared down at his trembling hands.

Throughout the time he had spent watching the cataclysmic clash, he had regained a tiny bit of his mana.

It was a minuscule amount, a mere pittance that couldn’t even aid him in serving as a momentary distraction against Orion.

If he attempted to join the fray right now, he would be obliterated within a fraction of a second.

The killing blow might not even come from Orion, but rather from a residual attack launched by Grey.

At this moment, it seemed like the Supreme Magus was entirely in the zone, a whirlwind of arcane fury that could accidentally harm anyone who wasn’t strong enough to protect themselves.

... Besides, what could he even do to help?

Thalos was a legendary powerhouse with the raw strength to battle Rowen to the death.

He was a gargoyle who had gone toe-to-toe with Orion from the very beginning of this mess, dealing the man heavy blows that actually inflicted damage.

Yet, even that same Thalos was finding it difficult to accomplish anything tangible in this current phase of the battle.

Against an evolved Orion, the gargoyle seemed almost weak.

His most potent punch barely moved the hybrid more than an inch.

The entire situation looked ridiculous—like a toddler trying to strike a seasoned adult.

But even with that disparity, he still appeared far more useful compared to Fenrir at the moment.

The only way Fenrir could hope to contribute something significant was if he also achieved a breakthrough.

Unfortunately, he lacked the necessary mana to trigger such an evolution.

Even if he possessed the energy, his stamina was completely spent.

At his current level of power, he couldn’t undergo a breakthrough more than once.

If he attempted a second, the strain would leave him bedridden for days.

Fenrir wasn’t the only one who was feeling weak and utterly useless at the moment.

All those spectating from the ruins shared the same grim sentiments.

The Crimson Lotus Clan, Leo, Sera, Mada, Gunther, Ray, Liam, and Rivock—every one of them felt like they were insignificant in the face of such divinity.

Although, Rivock was feeling somber for an entirely different reason.

’Fuck! If only my Ki was totally restored, I would love to join in on this fun.’

... That was right. The battle-hungry descendant simply wanted to fight for the sheer thrill of it.

He desired to experience firsthand exactly how powerful Orion truly was.

Though he could see the devastation from afar, he yearned to flex his own muscles in the thick of it.

But unfortunately, he lacked the strength to do so.

’... If only my Dantian was restored right now. While I might not be able to cause him much damage, I would still be able to perform something. Maybe serve as a distraction or something of the sort.’

****

While Grey’s allies were brooding over their perceived helplessness, others were desperately trying to escape the coliseum while they still possessed the chance.

Glancing back at the wide tunnel, most of the students had already made it through the entrance.

They were still encountering issues because the violent shockwaves from the clash were hitting them.

Even though the students could withstand the pressure waves, it was still a nuisance to manage; the force kept scattering jagged rubble their way and occasionally blocked the path to the tunnel below.

"Are we even doing the right thing? The Umbrafell faction is known as the most righteous group. We can’t just abandon these people to their deaths," Beatrix voiced her complaint, her tone laced with guilt.

Ken didn’t offer a reply whatsoever, his focus entirely on coordinating the children to get down to safety.

It was Elder Ron who instead answered the young woman.

"Look there," he said, pointing toward the titanic clash raging on the arena floor.

".... You don’t know what that kid is, but I do. He is a mage—a truly powerful one. He could give the mages of this entire generation a run for their money. You can see that he has been going all out from the get-go, yet he still hasn’t been able to do anything to that monster."

The old man paused for a moment as the usual round of shockwaves blasted across the coliseum, the force of the air rattling his aged bones.

Licking his dry, parched lips, he continued with a grim rasp:

"Forget the mages of this generation; he could give even you—and perhaps even me—a run for our money. And still, despite that power, he is struggling against Orion, barely surviving against the onslaught."

Shaking his head slowly, his old eyes twinkled with a haunting light as a distant memory surfaced in his mind.

"I was very young at that time, could have passed for a mere child when that corrupted beast first attacked this world. It took the collective force of all the then-current leaders of every faction and clan just to push it back.

Not kill it, mind you; they merely sent it away with grave injuries. That same monster is here now, but much stronger. Do you truly think we stand a chance against it? Hell no."

Leader Ken listened to their words silently, his eyes narrowed as he watched the final student vanish into the safety of the dark passage.

Turning back around to stare at the blazing battle, a deep frown etched itself onto his face.

’... That kid will cause problems for this world if he is left alive. Hopefully, they kill one another in this place today.’

Looking at a conflicted Beatrix, he finally spoke:

"The kids are out safely. That’s what you wanted, right? Now we need to depart before the window closes. I am the leader of the Umbrafell faction; if I fall, our organization will be in shambles, and our enemies will seize the opportunity to strike."

"So we are being selfish now?" Beatrix asked, her brow raised in a sharp arc.

A disdainful look appeared on her face, her disappointment palpable. "This is not the way of the Umbrafell faction!"

Ken stared at the woman with a stoic, unyielding expression.

He gazed into her eyes for several long seconds, searching for something, before ultimately shaking his head.

"Do whatever you so please. I’m really not in the mood to engage in an argument with you."

Without further hesitation, the man jumped into the tunnel, his form disappearing into the earth.

Elder Ron followed immediately after him. Beatrix hesitated for a few agonizing seconds, her conscience warring with her survival instinct as she wondered if their actions were truly just.

But at the end of the day, she succumbed to the pressure and proceeded to jump into the wide hole.

Simultaneously, Pluck, who was positioned a great distance away from where the North booth had once stood, suddenly frowned.

’Huh? Why have their signatures suddenly vanished?’

Turning his head sharply in the direction of the ruined North booth, he finally realized the truth.

"Those sneaky bastards have escaped!"