Bang!!!
They barely had time to react to the sudden blockage of mana in the hall when the ceiling suddenly exploded as several figures crashed into the meeting room.
Thud!
They landed in different locations around the room that allowed them to surround everyone while two of these figures landed in front of the door, directly blocking off anyone's thought of exiting.
The members of the Castellan family were shocked by this sudden change of events and stared at the new figures in dismay. Intruders had invaded their home and without mana, they were powerless to do anything.
Ethan's face wore a deep frown as he tried to use his element, but the mana around him wouldn't respond. The others were in a similar situation.
Charles still had a crazed smile on his face, clearly indicating that he was with these new figures that just crashed into the meeting.
Even in this situation, Christopher was still calm as he stared at the intruders. A total of five people were currently surrounding them. These people wore black robes and their faces were covered with masks, probably to keep their identities hidden.
Two blocked the door behind him while the other three took a triangle formation around the hall that allowed them to surround everyone.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked in a powerful voice, not showing any fear at all.
"Hahaha, what do you think of this, dear brother? I knew you would be difficult, that's why I invited these distinguished gentlemen to come lend me a hand.
These five are all warriors with weapon classes, they should be more than enough to take care of you and the others under the effect of the mana blocking formation." Charles laughed wildly.
"Charles, have you gone crazy? What were you thinking, inviting weapon ability users to our home when we're defenceless?!" Some shouted from the side while pointing at Charles. Their voice was shaky, they were obviously trying to hide the fact that they were afraid.
"I hate to agree, but this isn't a good idea. Without mana, these people can easily wipe us all out. What will become of the Castellan family then?! Even if we have issues within the family, it isn't enough to invite outsiders to settle things for us." Another person added.
Christopher and Ethan continued to watch in silence, they didn't make a move yet.
"Us? And who are you, weak-minded fools, to lecture me?" Charles said while glaring at the other members of the family, their necks instantly shrank under Charles' gaze and they broke out in cold sweat.
"You all never had the guts to go against him even if he did something wrong, just because he's stronger and you're powerful. Now you dare oppose me for taking a necessary step?
Do you all not understand the situation you're in? What makes you think that you have the right to speak?!" Charles bellowed in rage, scaring the crap out of the others.
"Calm down, Charles. We can still resolve this peacefully."
"Yes, at least remember that we always supported you. No need to drag us down with him."
Ethan and Christopher watched as the other members of the family tried to save their skin, being on Charles' side was the only obvious way that they could survive this situation.
Charles looked at them and chuckled before saying.
"A new era will open for the Castellan family, a new era headed by me. I don't need any weakling or half-hearted loyalties, you all disgust me." He then looked at one of the masked figures and said calmly "Kill them,"
Upon receiving Charles' command, two of the figures on the side dashed toward the people still at the table.
A long sword appeared in the hands of one while two curved daggers appeared in the hands of the second figure.
Swoosh!!
They dashed toward the seven people at the table without saying a word, their speed easily surpassing those at the level 3 warrior rank.
"Stop!"
The seven mages were going to stand and wait to be killed, they reacted instinctively to the attackers.
One jumped a few meters into the air while trying to draw mana. Even though the mana had been cut off from the place, they were all still mages at the 4th level, their physical strength wasn't something to laugh at.
Unfortunately, without their magic, physical strength alone wasn't enough.
The figure with the dagger stepped on the table and launched himself into the air while spinning at a fast speed.
Slash!
The sound of the blade ripping through flesh followed as the mage who had jumped into the air was cut in half, and blood poured down as the two halves dropped to the ground.
The second figure was only a second behind. He arrived in front of another mage and slashed out with his sword.
Kshh!
The tip of his sword slashed the other party's throat before they could react and sent their head flying through the air.
Everything had happened so fast, in just three seconds, two powerful mages of the Castellan family were quietly murdered.
Charles watched without a change of expression, and the other figures got to work as well.
While three figures murdered the rest of the people around the table, the two who were blocking the door manifested their weapons and faced Christopher and Ethan.
"Christopher Castellan, it's an honour to finally meet the legendary head of the great Castellan family. It'll be my pleasure to take your life." One of the figures said. This one was holding a great sword and radiated the aura of a level 4 warrior.
From his attitude, Christopher guessed that he was probably the leader of these people whom Charles had requested help from.
"Since you know me, you should know that you're throwing your lives away.
Even without mana around, a level 5 warrior mage can produce their own mana." Christopher said calmly, the temperature around him gradually rising.
The other party paused for a bit before lifting his great sword and pointing it at Christopher.
"I'm aware of that, but there's a limit to how much mana a level 5 warrior mage can produce. I doubt it'll be enough for you to handle things here before your second son dies!" The man said.
Upon hearing his words, the eyes of Christopher and Ethan flashed with strong killing intent. These people were trying to kill Ivan as well?!
"Which family are you from? What did Charles promise you? Stop this right now and I'll double whatever he promised you." Christopher said slowly. He was already enraged but didn't want to let the other party know that he was panicking.
"Hohoho, I doubt that, not after we already killed some of your family members. Enough talk, time to die!" The figure snarled and suddenly lunged at Christopher while swinging his great sword.
At the same time, the other three had finished killing off the other mages and came to help. Christopher and Ethan were now facing five people.
Christopher grabbed Ethan's shoulder and pulled him close before stomping hard on the floor.
Bang!
A ring of blazing flames exploded from his feet and spread out, creating a wall of scorching flames five meters around them. The shockwave knocked back the five figures that were charging at them and even burned their clothes a bit.
"Impressive, no wonder they said that level 5 warriors were gods on earth." The figure with the great sword remarked.
The heat from Christopher's flame wall was so strong that he didn't dare to get close despite being just one level weaker.
"Hiding won't save you; your son will die, and you'll eventually run out of mana. Then, it'll be our chance to slaughter you."
Ethan was boiling with rage as he listened to the words of the other party. He wanted to go out and smash them with lightning, but he was helpless without mana.
His fist clenched by his side while he gritted his teeth. His little brother was in danger yet he was too helpless to do anything about it, Ethan hated this feeling.
"Ethan, listen carefully." Christopher suddenly mumbled at this moment.
Ethan turned and looked at his father.
"I'll clear a path for you, go out and make sure nothing happens to Ivan. Protect him at all costs," the man whispered.
"I swear it, father," Ethan replied with a determined gaze.
Christopher said nothing else and slowly walked forward. He kept going until he left the five-meter-wide ring of flames. He did not undo the spell and left it to protect Ethan.
"This is the consequence of trying to harm my family!" Christopher roared after coming out of the ring of fire.
Mana exploded from his body and transformed into flames that covered his entire body, making him look like a fire spirit.
"Everyone, be careful!" Charles shouted a warning to his accomplices upon seeing Christopher's move.
The five weapon users were already on guard after seeing this and took formation, they spread out in a way that would prevent Christopher from focusing on one person and at the same time, force him to constantly split his attention.
Christopher's eyes darted around, and he suddenly raised a right hand, a large ball of flame similar to a small sun quickly formed, and he threw it at one of the figures. It was the one with two daggers.
"Dodge it!" The figure with the great sword shouted. The dagger user quickly reacted and got out of the way, letting the fireball crash into the wall.
BOOM!
The wall exploded and a large opening appeared.
"Ethan, now!" Christopher shouted. At the same time, the ring of fire vanished, and Ethan's figure was revealed.
Only at this moment did Charles and the five people realise that Christopher's target was the dagger user but the wall.
He was trying to help Ethan escape!