"Whoa… This city looks awesome from above… It looks completely different from the previous places I've been before… Didn't Master Ignacy say that it was only built about two years ago?"
"Hmmm… I remember that he mentioned that… But you shouldn't be surprised since this person defeated that blind Magnus. There's no way he's a simple magician. He's probably being helped by a few factions within the organization."
Two men can be seen floating above Vera City as they discussed the magnificent view of the walled city. They weren't using flying ships or Mana Art to do this but instead, they are using a Magic Artifact on their bodies…
These artifacts were things that can no longer be replicated as their blueprint was already lost in time. Not even the best magicians can reverse-engineer them since they seem to be missing some ancient knowledge regarding the manufacturing process of these artifacts.
Currently, these two guys who appear to be in their thirties have unkempt hair. They didn't shave their beards and mustache as well as they look quite older than their age.
If they were seen on the streets instead of the sky, they can probably be mistaken as homeless people since they are wearing what seems like rags instead of elegant magician robes that people of their status would normally wear.
"Should we really secretly enter and inspect the city?" The man with long black hair asked while holding the black orb that is allowing him to float above the city.
Beside him is a man wearing a tattered cloak that seems to be about to get torn because of the wind. However, this is actually the Magic Artifact allowing him to fly.
This man has bright blue eyes and he was observing the city very carefully. He already noticed the laid-out defenses so he didn't answer immediately.
"We should. We need to confirm the situation of the city with our own eyes. If Vincent learned of our presence, it would be difficult to do that. But can't you feel the dangerous Formation Art surrounding the city?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I can feel it… But it can probably be fooled by our stealth ability right?" The man with long black hair said as he activated his Ethereal Phase Shift…
His body started rippling like water before disappearing from the sky… After a few moments, he reappeared behind his companion.
"How's that?" He asked smugly.
"You've improved… However, you were still caught by the celestials we bumped into…"
"Ugh… Don't make me remember that… Those Celestials are too freaky… I've met several Celestials in the Martial Arts Alliance as well but they aren't as aggressive and unpredictable as they were."
"Well… I can agree with that, the Celestials at Solomon's Pillar were completely different from them."
The man with the tattered cloak said as he recalled his experience with those Celestials. They seem to have mistaken the two as their attackers and they almost died as a result. Luckily, the misunderstanding was easily cleared after the real attackers revealed themselves.
Anyway, the two of them weren't normally helpless against a Celestial. Furthermore, they have received several contractual offers from other Celestials as well but they have all declined them since they don't feel comfortable providing them with their Blood Essence.
As Mana Practitioners who heavily rely on their own skills, they couldn't imagine weakening themselves to strengthen another.
It wasn't their style so there was no way they would think of contracting with a Celestial.
"I finished my scan… There is no Celestial below…" The cloaked man announced,
"Great! As long as there is no Numbered Celestial down there, we can enter this city without being detected."
The two immediately felt confident as soon as they confirmed that there is no Celestial Being within the city.
With their current level, they believed that aside from those highly-rated Numbered Celestials and a few Tower Masters, no one could stop them if they wanted to do something… They don't only have Epic grade Magic Artifacts but also skills to back up this claim. They were both Aura Knight and Penta-Caster Grand Magus…
Soon, both of them rush toward the city barriers and activated their defenses including their stealth ability.
They know that even if they managed to break the barrier, the disturbance can be felt by the magicians maintaining it.
However, if they used their Ethereal Phase Shift, no one would sense their presence and the magicians from the city might just think that it was some kind of malfunction and ignore it.
Of course, it wouldn't be this complicated if Vera City's gate was actually open.
Unfortunately, because of the current situation of the city that could be attacked by the Black Magic Organization at any time, only those who can show a permit will be allowed to enter…
They waited for three hours for people who can enter the city, unfortunately, no one arrived after waiting for so long and they decided to do this instead.
As they reached the barrier, they immediately felt a strong force blocking them but they didn't give up.
"It's bearable! We can do this…"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLuckily, although the barrier was durable, it wasn't to the point of becoming helpless against it. They know that with enough strength, they will be able to pass through the mana barrier… It's just a matter of time…
"More… More…" The two muttered in unison as they can feel that the barrier is starting to create a small hole for them.
Clank!
It took them seven seconds to do this and they can maintain their Ethereal Phase Shift for 20 seconds. It was enough to drop to the ground and use a disguise technique.
However, something unexpected happened…
Bam!
Another Mana Barrier blocked them!
They had shocked faces as they didn't think that a second barrier would activate this fast!
A Layered Barrier isn't a new thing but it normally takes quite some time to activate.
"Hey… Should we stop or use Master Ignacy's Void Phase?" The cloaked man asked as he was already preparing to use their finest movement technique to pass through this barrier.
"Alright, let's use Void Phase… Let's surprise Vincent…"
As soon as they made up their mind, their presence suddenly disappeared and reappeared within the airspace of the city…
They succeeded!
However, before they could celebrate, several artillery shells welcomed them!