Chapter 225: Break Out

Chapter 225: Break Out

Chapter 225 - Break Out

True to his prediction, he could use yellow skills, though they were still inhibited. Kai ignored the strain mounting in his head to fight the shackles with a single-minded focus. He needed to stretch Mana Engraving outside his body.

He would get out of this cell no matter the cost. If the Republic thought they could throw him away when he was no longer useful, they were delusional.

They could come up with a hundred excuses for why they were the lesser evil, how they saved the archipelago and whatnot. But the only thing that motivated Seryne was self-interest. He wasnt going to waste years of his life working for the military.

Cmon, Edgars skill cant be stopped by a mundane enchantment.

Kai had never gotten the chance to fully explore what Mana Engraving was capable of, and this was definitely an unorthodox use. The handcuffs warmed beneath his wrists. The ineffable pattern of the skill stretched and contracted between his desires and the enchanted manacles.

Break!

As if a fissure caused the whole dam to collapse, a dozen filaments breached the surface of his skin. Gritting his teeth, Kai channeled more mana to maintain the skill. ReAd latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

If he faltered for a single moment, Mana Engraving would snap back and make his efforts vain. He didnt have the Mind to break the bonds again, not if he wanted to be in shape for what came after.

Kai carefully guided the threads into the steel shackles. He had studied these runes for hours, they were elegant in their design without any obvious flaws. The original schematics must be the work of a master enchanter, the same could not be said for the person who crafted this pair.

The faulty balance and poor assimilation with the steel were too minor to exploit unless he was willing to spend months. Luckily, there was a larger defect. The link between the mana siphon the restraints it fueled wasnt properly traced or had been damaged when they were assembled.

Its time my Favor did something.

He just had to nudge the faulty link to cause a chain reaction that would render the handcuffs useless for a whilehopefully. He didnt have the time or energy to recheck his calculations.

Here goes nothing.

A tendril no wider than a hair prodded the glowing line and dissipated, blown away by the mana coursing through the runes. Kai bit down a curse.

Ive got eleven more tries. Slow and steady.

Desperation led to urgency, which led to mistakes. With sweat pouring down his head, Kai guided his treads to alter the fault line. He needed the tiniest of changes to bring the enchantment off balance.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight

Why dont you fucking work?

The brief lapse in concentration made one of his last three tendrils scatter into the ambient mana. Kai suppressed a wave of frustration and screamed with closed lips. Raw emotions could boost as much as disrupt his capabilities if he didnt channel them properly.

Calm down. Think. A mage always finds a way.

Mana Engraving was meant to forge runes from pure essence, at least ideally. Not even Edgar had reached that level, using it in conjunction with physical ink. It might be possible to create a rune without for a brief while, but not while being restricted by the manacles.

Kai didnt have enough power to overwrite the runes engraved into the steel, and he couldnt squeeze any more mana out of his restraints. He needed to use enchanting ink or a catalyst of some kind.

I should have a batch in my ring.

The tendril barely moved towards the silver band before dissipating.

Dammit. I should have known.

The filaments could only resist outside his body thanks to Mana Engraving, using them for another purpose lost the protection of the skill. He was down to one attempt. The effort of maintaining his yellow skills turned into a pulsing headache that muddled his thoughts.

Where do I find a catalyst here?

His gaze wandered over the plain walls and crates, the half-finished stew and the feeble crystal lighting his cell. Nothing he could use. His pockets were empty except for his wand and an empty vial. There was nothing else.

Hmm, maybe

In its most fundamental definition, enchanting ink was a solution that could hold and channel mana. Naturally, there were a thousand more details to consider depending on the runes someone wanted to engrave, but right now he didnt need to craft a masterpiece for the ages.

Kai? Valela gaped at him and lowered her wand. What are you doing here?

You know, Im just passing by to keep my end of the deal. He shrugged, glad Lou had withdrawn his sword with an equally surprised expression. Only Ferla didnt waver. Do you mind telling the tenebrous lady to lower her spear?

Ferla its fine. Hes not a threat.

I'm harmless. Kai bobbed his head in agreement.

The bodyguard scowled. Miss, he could be conspiring with the military.

Valela considered the notion for an instant before shaking her head. Theyre already winning. This would be too convoluted to be worth it.

She held Ferlas gaze till the woman reluctantly lowered her spear, still watching him with suspicion. Why would he break into your room at this hour if he didnt have nefarious intentions?

That's not fair. Just because something looks bad, smells of wet tunnels and comes in through a wall, it doesnt mean you shouldnt trust it.

Id have sent a notice if I could. Kai accepted Lous hand to stand up with a grateful smile. Ive been kept busy.

Are you okay? The teen watched him with a worried frown. His eyes lingered on the wound closing on his lip and his shiny steel bracelets. I was worried something happened, but the soldiers refused to let me see you.

Valela offered him a chair and a glass of berry juice, which Kai gratefully accepted. They told us you were too scared by what happened in the summoning chamber and refused to leave your room.

Those damn fuckers.

Is it safe to talk here? There were no windows, and the makeshift door was barred, but what he was about to reveal was already considered a state secret.

The room is warded. She took out her enchanted cube. Just for caution, no one can hear us. Why did you come here? This could land you in serious trouble if the military finds out.

Oh, I think were well beyond that.

Kai took a sip of the sweet berry juice to wash the taste of blood from his mouth. He tapped his fingers on the glass to cool it. Revenge was best served cold, and he was about to make Seryne very mad.

Remember how I agreed to keep you updated on my research? Ive been arrested for finding out whats going on. Kai stopped their exclamation by raising a hand. The beasts are arriving through spatial gates connected to a hidden dimension.

The room fell silent as they elaborated the meaning of his words. Then Valela and Ferla started talking at once while Lou just looked at him, searching for the truth on his face.

Thats ridiculous! They must have sent him here to trick us.

Are you sure you didnt misunderstand something?

Kai finished his drink as he waited for the clamor to die down. Ive seen through the portal with my eyes, but you dont need to believe me. Captain Seryne has contacted the military on the mainland. Thats why she decided to retreat. Theyll be arriving soon, you can probably estimate the timeline better than me.

I thought she chose to retreat not to lose more people. Valela looked thoughtful. But this does make more sense than her suddenly growing a conscience. Can you tell me exactly what happened? Its not that I dont believe you, but I need some proof to present to the council.

Its fine, just dont tell them it was me who provided the intel. Kai spent the next half an hour going through every detail and clue. The strangeness of the teleportations, the rare species and the Vastaire glyphs. Ferla asked questions to poke holes in his story that ended up reinforcing it.

Excuse me, I need to send a message. With a pale face, Valela left the room with her bodyguard.

Lou sat beside him, a dark expression and fist clenched. Kai, he pronounced his name like a curse. Then he deflated leaving only worry behind. You shouldnt have broken out from the militarys custody. Valela is well-intentioned, but she cant protect you if they want to take revenge on you for this. Theyll know it was you who told us.

I dont plan to stick around and find out.

The words refused to come out, choked in his throat. Amidst all the revelations, Lou was focused on what was best for him. They had discovered a hidden realm that would forever change the archipelago and the boy was thinking about him.

What had he done to deserve it?

Thank you. Kai managed to squeeze out. Because what else could he say? He didnt trust his voice to say more. His conviction and crazy plan shuddered in his mind.

I must have done an amazing job at raising you.

Kai wanted to tell him there was nothing to worry about, but he also didnt want to lie with a half-truth or worry him about the extent of the danger. So they just sat in silence till Valela burst into the room.

Im sorry, time was of the essence. She froze upon noticing them. Is there anything I can do for you? This went well beyond our deal. You can hide until were back in Higharbor. I know a lawyer that can help your case.

I can cross the jungle on my own. Kai tried to sound nonchalant. But if you want to help, I could use a little distraction in lets say twenty minutes. Something to get the officers away from their quarters.

His path had already been set. He needed to get his sword to mug a big evil lizard.