Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Slumber of the Dead, Unmatched Power!

Dean Bruce never would have imagined that in just half a month, he could achieve such terrifying improvements.

He had mastered six high-level spells, countless low-level and intermediate spells, and had acquired a collection of special items!

Even though Dean Bruce was currently only a sixth-tier mage, most regular magi wouldn't stand a chance against him. Even a grand magus would have a hard time defeating him quickly.

In the right conditions, there was even a chance that a grand magus could lose to him!

[My attributes have increased, I've learned plenty of spells, but my level still feels lacking. I need to find a way to raise my mana quickly!]

With narrowed eyes, Dean Bruce glanced toward Herbert Jones, his curiosity piqued by the pool of water Herbert had mentioned.

Unfortunately, Herbert was still deep in concentration, so there was no way to ask him more questions now. Besides, they had to attend the banquet at the lord's manor tonight, so the earliest they could explore the pool would be tomorrow.

Composing himself, Dean Bruce pulled out a Red Sun Fruit·Saint and swallowed it whole.

Ding!

"System notification: Congratulations, Host! You have consumed Red Sun Fruit·Saint. Your affinity with fire elements has permanently increased by 3 points. Your fire elemental magic effectiveness has permanently increased by 0.12%, and your fire elemental damage immunity has permanently increased by 0.16%.

For the next 24 hours, the host is in the digestion period of Red Sun Fruit·Saint and cannot consume another."

"..."

Still, it didn't trigger the effect of stepping into the saint tier.

[If I eat more Red Sun Fruit·Saint, my fire elemental magic will become even stronger. Looks like it's time to start practicing some fire-related spells—those would make me even more powerful.]

[Saint Laurent City is the heart of this region, full of powerful individuals. I need to be well-prepared!]

With that thought, Dean Bruce began to ponder whether there were any famous quotes or phrases from his studies that were related to fire.

While he was lost in thought, a ripple of energy stirred the room, and Dana Jones's voice echoed through the chamber: "Dean, Herbert, time to end your training and prepare to leave for the lord's manor."

Hearing this, Herbert Jones immediately jumped up and ran over to Dean Bruce, smiling as he said, "Dean, we've got to head out now. After the banquet, tonight I'll take you to that place I told you about."

Surprised by his eagerness, Dean Bruce couldn't help but be taken aback. He hadn't expected Herbert Jones to be more enthusiastic than himself!

Since Dean Bruce wasn't really training, he simply opened his eyes, stood up, and smiled as he left the training room with Herbert Jones, ready to head to the banquet.

Once outside, Dean Bruce realized that the sky had already darkened.

This surprised him. In his mind, he had only consumed the Ginseng Fruit and Red Sun Fruit·Saint in the training room and spent the rest of the time checking the system rewards. How had time passed so quickly?

The Jones family, including Lina, was already prepared. The group boarded an extravagant carriage and headed grandly towards the lord's manor.

The inside of the carriage was spacious, large enough to seat nine people without feeling cramped.

"Take action!"

As soon as Obona Jones stepped out, he began channeling his magic. His furious shout was imbued with a powerful magic wave that caused everyone nearby to feel dizzy and disoriented. Even the soldiers couldn't hold onto their weapons, which clattered to the ground with crisp, echoing sounds.

Nicholas William, however, had Shelly William's spiritual support within him, and thanks to learning two powerful soul-related spells from Dean Bruce, his soul strength was far higher than most.

Not only did he keep a firm grip on his staff, but after shaking his head a little to clear the dizziness, he shouted back angrily, "Is this how the families of Stanlow City behave? The small fry are rude and unreasonable, and the moment the big ones step out, they try to crush us with brute force?"

"Does the William family look like it's short on people?"

His words left everyone stunned. Even Obona Jones gave Nicholas William a surprised look.

Obona hadn't held back at all in his effort to resolve the conflict quickly, fully channeling his magic into his voice.

Aside from Dean Bruce and Lina Jones, everyone else had been dazed and overwhelmed by the magic. The fact that Nicholas William recovered so quickly showed that he was no ordinary opponent.

With his eyes narrowing slightly, Obona Jones asked in a low voice, "Who exactly are you?"

"You think you're above me? I'm the young lord of Notting City!" Nicholas William, utterly enraged, spat coldly. "Old man, how dare you attack me?"

"..."

Obona Jones had originally intended to de-escalate the situation, but the moment Nicholas William called him "old man," his anger surged like wildfire.

Ever since Dean Bruce had arrived, Obona had been swallowing his frustration. Now, being insulted by someone from another city was the final straw.

Young lord or not, he didn't care—Nicholas could have been the ruler of Notting City, and Obona wouldn't have hesitated.

"You dare insult my father?!" Herbert Jones's eyes reddened with fury. Roaring with anger, he leaped forward, his fist aiming straight at Nicholas William.

"Hmph!"

"What a fool! Who even fights hand-to-hand these days?"

Nicholas William wasn't stupid. With a single glance, he saw the fierce power emanating from Herbert's glowing fist. Not wanting to engage in close combat, he raised his staff high and chanted softly, "Sleep is a loan from death—the longer you sleep, the longer your debt!"

A soft purple glow burst from his staff, and almost as soon as the incantation was finished, Herbert Jones's body froze midair. With a heavy thud, he crashed onto the ground.

"Herbert!"

The Jones family cried out in shock and rushed forward. Obona Jones and Lina Jones, the highest-level mages in the family, quickly sensed that Herbert's life force was rapidly draining away, their faces instantly paling in horror.

Dean Bruce, on the other hand, nodded with approval. Nicholas William had clearly grasped the essence of the spell—perhaps a bit too well.

Or, more accurately, he had been cleverly misled into turning it into a dual-effect spell.

Not only did the spell force its target into a deep sleep, but it also drained their life force continuously during the state.

If someone wasn't careful and fell victim to this spell, even if they were more powerful than Nicholas William, they could be trapped in the sleep state, their life force siphoned away until they met their demise!