"Vade!"
Reed abandoned all caution, leaving the cover of the boulder to charge toward Jehfrit.
This guy had held back earlier, but now his magic surged uncontrollably, pouring out like it was limitless.
However, his magnetic field magic wasn't as overtly powerful as gravity or attraction-based spells—it leaned more toward support.
And Jehfrit wasn't like Natsu, the type of mage who unleashed magic with reckless abandon.
The nature of Deception Magic emphasized meticulous control and refinement of magical energy.
Thus, while Reed's magnetic field magic did hinder Jehfrit somewhat, the effect was minimal.
If it had been gravity magic, Jehfrit's physical constitution would have crumbled instantly.
Of course, that was assuming the opponent could locate him first.
"Hahaha! Die, trickster mage!"
At this moment, Vade couldn't hear Reed's voice at all.
In what he saw, heard, felt, and perceived, his claw had pierced through "Jehfrit's" abdomen!
Thick, foul-smelling blood splattered across his face.
"Vade, you're incredible! Let's go get ice cream!"
"Vade, you're amazing—I'm no match for you!"
Vade heard his brother's cheers and Gad's praise.
He turned to "Reed" and said, "Brother, I want to eat him."
"Reed" smiled proudly. "Of course, my good little brother."
Vade grinned wickedly at "Jehfrit." "Big trickster, you're about to be eaten."
He sank his teeth into "Jehfrit's" palm, eliciting a scream of agony!
'THUD'
Jehfrit landed gracefully in front of Vade.
Raising Hani.
Just in time!
Reed finally sensed he was close enough. Rolling up his sleeve, a black band was visible around his wrist.
He yanked it off forcefully.
'CLANG'
Vade raised his hand, using the iron collar on his wrist to block Jehfrit's blade.
'CLICK' The collars around Vade's limbs and neck unlocked and fell away.
Danger!
Without hesitation, Jehfrit activated "Gust," retreating backward.
'WHOOSH'
Vade swung a claw instinctively, nearly causing Jehfrit to stumble.
Damn it!
I knew this kid wasn't simple!
When will it end?!
What kind of mages are these guys?
So many trump cards—could they be protagonists from some dark fantasy manga?!
Jehfrit sighed inwardly.
By this point, Reed had finally reached Vade's side.
Jehfrit had tried to stop them, but both Reed and Vade's magical power suddenly skyrocketed. Reed channeled all his magic into creating chaotic magnetic fields, temporarily preventing Jehfrit from reasserting the influence of his Deception Magic.
It seemed they were pulling out their desperate ace.
Damn it!
I've run into a real wildcard!
"Brother, I need your strength." After removing the iron collar, Vade was no longer the deranged figure he'd been before. He now appeared calm and cold.
Perhaps the collar had been a seal restraining him.
As for why he hadn't removed it earlier, Jehfrit speculated it either came with heavy limitations or carried a cost so steep it rivaled death itself.
He leaned toward the latter.
"No other choice," Reed muttered, sinking his teeth into Vade's shoulder. Compared to such a tremendous cost, defeating this formidable enemy was their only chance at survival!
"The bite marks on my body? This is how they came to be," Vade said indifferently to Jehfrit.
'THUD'
Reed collapsed, his life signs vanishing entirely—he was dead.
Vade approached Gad, extending his foot disdainfully. "If you're not dead yet, hurry up and bite."
Gad wasn't dead yet. Even after being bisected, a person could cling to life for a short time, especially a powerful mage like Gad.
Summoning his last ounce of strength, Gad opened his mouth and bit down on Vade's toe before closing his eyes.
"This is my magic."
Vade's body rapidly expanded and grew.
From a youth, he transformed into a full-grown adult with long floating hair.
Standing two meters tall with pronounced muscle contours, his presence exuded immense pressure, reminiscent of the Wizard Saint Jura Jehfrit had encountered before!
"I can imprison and absorb the souls and magic of those who bite me."
"Though for them, the price is the destruction of their souls. So a true permanent death."
"For me, the longer I use this magic, the younger and more mentally impaired my original body becomes."
"But you forced us into a corner, leaving me no choice but to resort to this method."
Vade paused, speaking slowly.
"Every bite mark on my body represents a powerful foe I've killed in this form."
"Trickster mage, feel honored. You'll die by my hands in this state."
"A weakling like you has cost me five years of my lifespan."
Vade tilted his chin slightly, closing his eyes. "Here it comes—I can feel my brother's power."
"But it'll take some time to fully grasp it."
"So let's fight like this for now. I hope you can hold on until I can see you clearly."
Eyes still closed, Vade charged his fist with fire magic transforming the cave into a firy fly tomb illuminated by fire Ethernano particules, metling the ground around him in the process.
And then Vade swung a punch guided purely by instinct.
Jehfrit hastily retreated—his opponent had found him!
'BOOM'
A six-meter-wide column of fire struck where Jehfrit had stood moments ago.
"My intuition is unparalleled. Your trickery magic is useless against me now."
Vade appeared instantly before Jehfrit. A second punch was coming.
He was fast—too fast!
Jehfrit couldn't escape!
"It seems you won't last until then. What a pity. Without your deceptive magic, you've become so weak."
Vade threw a punch.
'BOOM'
The ground shook violently as a mushroom cloud rose into the air!
"Huh?"
Vade gasped in surprise, blowing away the smoke with a gust of wind.
As the dust settled, a red thread ball blocked his fist.
The threads unraveled, revealing Jehfrit standing within.
Jehfrit's expression was grim.
He raised his left hand to chest level, the back of his hand facing outward.
The source of the threads traced back to his ring finger—the finger symbolizing marriage if adorned with a ring.
The red threads were tied to his left ring finger.
"What is this? Not even I can break it!" Vade exclaimed in astonishment.
Jehfrit remained still, and the threads surged like an ocean wave, slamming into Vade and pushing him dozens of meters away.
"I didn't want to use this..." Jehfrit's expression darkened further. "Each use tightens the threads a little more."
"Oh? So it's thread magic, huh?" Vade charged again, throwing another punch, but the shield of threads blocked him once more.
He attempted to disrupt the threads with his magnetic field magic, but it was futile. Like punching a fortress wall, the seemingly fragile threads formed an impenetrable barrier!
"I've heard that red threads represent fate. Is that true?" Vade asked curiously.
Jehfrit's fingers trembled slightly but he didn't respond. Instead, he grabbed a longsword woven from the threads with his right hand and slashed. Vade's instincts kicked in, and he quickly withdrew—but not before losing half his palm.
"How sharp these threads are."
"Unbreakable and razor-sharp."
"Is this your ultimate trump card?"
"How terrifying."
Vade chuckled lightly, unfazed despite losing half a hand and facing a torrent of threads. Still relaxed, he tapped his foot and used his incredible speed to evade the threads' deadly embrace.
Jehfrit frowned at the swirling mass of threads, muttering under his breath, "Why lend me so much? Are you trying to get yourself killed, idiot?"
"Alright, I take back what I said earlier. You're the most unique and powerful opponent I've ever faced. But that ends now." Vade stood a hundred meters away, pausing his assault.
"I've fully understood my brother's magic."
"Even with your overwhelming thread magic..."
"Unfortunately, it's over."
Vade dragged his nail across his forehead, slicing open the skin to create a third eye.
"Let me see your true face, trickster!"
"And where is your hidden assistant!"
"I've fused the magic of three people. My eyes are now infinitely stronger than my brother's!"
"Everything hidden in this world will be laid bare before me!"
"If you truly can see everything..." Jehfrit adjusted his glasses, his expression complex. "I strongly advise against doing so."