Legacy of the Dark Sage

Nolan's expression went blank as he heard Ruin's explanation because that was not what he was wondering about. He was not asking what 'invitation' meant but the meaning behind the Soul Emperor's action in providing one to Obstruction.

Of course Nolan already guessed the Soul Emperor needed Obstruction's help. But even if she invited the latter into the Human plane without triggering the Sovereign's Cradle, his mage level would still be restrained.

If Layla's purpose was for Obstruction to subdue White Lily so she could do what she had to, Obstruction and White Lily would only be on par with each other.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Nolan's mind and his expression turned grim.

'Obstruction's Space magic is far more powerful than any of the Space mages I've met before,' Nolan thought, recalling his training in the Tower of Tribulations. 'There are limitations to a mage's manipulation of Space. At most, they can only manipulate the distance of a space. However, Obstruction did not seem to be manipulating distance but something… entirely different.'

Nolan did not want to admit it but so far, he felt Obstruction's Space magic had similarity to the Void's 'warp' nature.

He did not know how to explain it, but he felt that Obstruction was not simply manipulating a space's distance but was 'reconstructing' it.

Nolan guessed that the reason Kyran could warp between two locations without having to consider the distance between them was because Void magic could easily 'change' the concept of distance between the two.

To simplify this, Void destroys the distance of these two location, or simply creates a new path to connect the two.

The first probability was likely the cause when the distortion and fluctuation in space before and after Kyran warped was far denser than when a Space mage 'teleported.' However, there were also instances when there was no distortion and fluctuation at all, and this was because of the second probability.

All of these were only Nolan's guesses about the Void's 'warping' ability. But because of this, he could not help but think that Obstruction's Space magic was definitely not that simple.

Ruin saw how Nolan's blank expression turned grim in a matter of seconds. He let out a chuckle after guessing what the latter might be thinking.

"There is no point trying to guess why that woman invited Obstruction. But you are right, that annoying prick's magic is not simple. One thing you have to keep in mind, when he was still learning and improving his magic, he looked up to the Dark Sage."

Ruin paused and his expression distorted slightly as if he thought of something.

"I'm not talking about that ancient guy but the inheritor of that guy's title," he clarified to ensure Nolan would not mistake who he was referring to when he talked about the Dark Sage.

Ruin knew that Layla's family manipulated the truth about the Dark Sage in the Human plane. But now that Nolan became its new Sovereign, he already inherited some of his predecessor's memories, as well as the plane's. This meant that Nolan knew there was another mage who had the title of a Dark Sage before Caelan.

Hearing Ruin's explanation, Nolan could not help but frown. He obviously understood what Ruin did not say.

Two mages with the same magic might not necessarily produce the same 'attack.' It was because a time will come when a mage will have to develop his or her magic based on his own understanding and idea.

Since Obstruction looked up to the Dark Sage— in this case, Caelan— there was a possibility that he developed his Space magic to become similar to the Void's warp ability.

Seeing the look of understanding in Nolan's face, Ruin turned his attention back in front.

At the moment, the three newcomers had not made any move. Whether it was because they were trying to grasp the current situation or was simply waiting for others to make the first move, Ruin was not about to complain.

In the first place, Ruin did not have to help Nolan defend the Human plane anymore. With the latter as its new Sovereign, other Sovereigns would have a hard time invading it from now on. After all, Nolan's magic was too perverse that even Ruin admitted he would have a hard time defeating him if they went all out.

Yes, they already fought in the Human plane, but that could not even be considered going all out because Ruin's level was restrained, while Nolan was simply trying to keep him busy.

Nolan also looked in front, trying to assess the other two newcomers' intentions. He did not need to guess the intention of the founder of Obstruction's faction. It was obviously not good because their faction was willing to work with the Soul Emperor.

What about the two newcomers?

Who were they? Why would they come here?

They were not here to congratulate Nolan for becoming the Human plane's new Sovereign, right?

Obviously not.

Did they come here after noticing the battle between Ruin and Obstruction and wanted to 'watch'?

Nolan did not think that Sovereigns were that free, especially at the time like this when the War of the Sovereigns were just around the corner.

Nolan's eyes narrowed as he thought of a possibility, 'They did not come here to scout me, or did they?'

Back in the Human plane.

After the distortion in the sky and the magic fluctuation stabilized, a three meter high and one meter wide fissure tore through the space. After that, a figure in a black and white robe, with a rotating rune-engraved diamond disc hovering vertically on its back stepped out.

In an instant, the magic fluctuation in the air that had already gone crazy intensified further.

White Lily's beautiful face distorted slightly after seeing the figure. After staying in the Human plane for so long, she no longer receive news of what was happening outside. However, she was still familiar with the characteristics of natives from other planes.

Judging by the rotating disc behind the figure, White Lily guessed it was a native of the Nuom plane. Not just any native, though. Since the disc on its back was full of rune writings and it was made of diamond, then the figure was the Nuom plane's Sovereign.

In that moment, White Lily's mind told her to attack the figure at once and not let it step out completely. However, her body would not budge. It was not because she was scared of the figure but because its magic pressure seemed to increase and encompass the whole surroundings as it slowly stepped out of the fissure.

Layla smiled as she looked at Obstruction come out of the fissure.

Going back a few hours ago, when she was trying to find Ruin, Layla instead discovered that the latter actually left the Human plane and was engaged with the other Sovereigns who were in the same faction as Deception.

Not long after that, she tried to establish a connection with Deception since she was the one who invited the latter when she first came to the Human plane.

In the end, Layla did not manage to contact Deception and understand why she was suddenly at odds with Ruin. Then the event where a new Sovereign appeared in the Human plane right after the Sovereigns she had been waiting for descended happened, foiling her plans.

Layla almost despaired at this turn of events, but it was then that she sensed Deception's connection and received the latter's message.

At first, Layla did not understand what the message meant because it was conveyed in a coded message. Thus, she did not know how to respond. However, while evading White Lily's attacks, Layla took that moment to decipher the message. Finally, just a moment ago, she was able to decipher it and immediately send out an invitation.

That had been Deception's message. She asked Layla to provide an invitation to enter the Human plane because one of their leaders wanted to 'help' her settle her affairs.

Obstruction finally emerged completely from the fissure and his magic aura and pressure exploded.

Others would have keeled over from the immense pressure coming from him, but Layla did not appear to be affected.

On the other hand, White Lily roused all the remaining magic energy she could muster and feed it to the huge diamond lily on her feet.

The diamond lily grew further and it emitted a dazzling golden light that enveloped her body. The light lessened the pressure coming from the newcomer and gave White Lily enough berth to breathe.

"Invited outsiders normally have their levels restrained," Layla started while observing Obstruction. "But you don't seem to be affected."

Obstruction turned his head toward Layla. He already knew she was the Soul Emperor the moment he sensed her powerful, yet strange aura. Not to mention, his magic aura and pressure did not affect her.

"You're body… is strange."

Layla's brow twitched slightly at Obstruction's greeting. Her incomplete body was her sore spot, after all.

"Deception said you are here to help me settle my affairs," she chose to change the subject.

"That's right," Obstruction said and turned in White Lily's direction. "We can start off by killing her."