"My... What?" She said, lightning flashing inside her purple eyes, her presence magnifying and mana encompassing the entire floating island.
Adam's eyes widened as Julius spasmed in his hand before losing all strength. The boy limply fell on his knees, bent over and puked in fright.
"Julius! What's wrong?" He yelled in panic, placing his hands on the boy's back to massage him gently.
"R... Run. She is a monster!" Julius answered, the repulsive taste of gastric acid filling his mouth and his face livid. If he was afraid of Vivian before, he was now utterly mortified after being overwhelmed by the life force she emanated before falling unconscious.
Adam's eyes narrowed in understanding. He felt a slight shift in mana a few seconds ago but quickly dismissed it because nothing happened. However, he trusted Julius' keen senses. Vivian must have done something.
He raised his guard, gazing at the archmage, and said, "We came to negotiate in peace. If you are not interested, please let us leave."
"Trust me, you'll leave this place." She answered, standing up and extending her right hand. Suddenly, a terrifying spear materialized in it, its shaft adorned with glowing purple and gold mana gems. The blade, far from conventional, bore a menacing design with pointed ends protruding in all directions, promising devastation to anyone who dared to oppose her.
Then she added ominously, "Dead or alive."
A mixture of gold and purple electric arcs manifested around her body, echoing her words with their loud crackling. Then, they condensed into two mighty knights who reverently stood at her sides.
"..." Adam lost his voice. How did things spiral out of control so fast? He didn't even provoke or insult her yet!
"Who sent you?" She asked, her voice booming like a thunder strike in the entire island.
He stared at her angrily in response, controlling his mouth so as not to commit a fatal mistake. "No one! I need the sigil for personal reasons. I'll return it a day later, intact." He answered, forcing his tone to stay calm.
As his words reached her, Vivan glared at him doubtfully, her mind racing in every direction. Was he just a fool who didn't cherish his life? Or was her loyalty being tested?
Upon reaching this thought, an icy shiver ran down her spine.
But why would that individual send such a peculiar duo to test her? Incertitude gnawed at her as she pointed her spear towards Adam.
"Last chance. Who sent you, and why do you need my sigil?" She said, her eyes sparkling with electricity as the two knights moved with assured steps towards him.
Instead of trembling in fear, Adam glared at her angrily as he slowly opened his mouth. "You think I'm afraid of you? Strike true, or be ready for the consequences! It'll be your only chance," He roared, unable to contain his anger anymore as mana softly enveloped his body like a mantle. After all, when did intimidation ever work on him?
Upon witnessing the peculiar occurrence and the unscared response of the ghost, her eyes widened as she hurriedly halted her knights.
Her gaze lingered on him for thirty long seconds before she struck the ground with the shaft of her spear after seeing his immovable determination.
The condensed lightning forming her knights crackled in the air before slowly dissipating as her weapon suddenly vanished.
"You can't have my sigil." She declared before swiping her hand in the duo's direction, creating a blast of mana that projected them outside the luxurious building.
As they flew out, Vivian sat back on her throne, holding her sigil with a deep frown.
"What a cunning test. I hope you are satisfied with my performance." She muttered. She was convinced she was being observed through the sigil.
How could it not be a test? The ghost appeared unfazed by the power difference between them, even going as far as to threaten her. He assuredly had something or someone stronger to rely on.
Additionally, the ambient mana's reaction to his presence alarmed her. It wasn't unusual for it to react to powerful emotions by manifesting the elemental affinities around the eyes and then the body in higher tiers. So, why did it react that actively to an affinity-less, lowly acolyte?
Pondering those questions, hints of relief illuminated her purple eyes. Those stupid tests occurred occasionally and took various forms. However, this time, it was so blunt and straightforward that she almost missed the clues.
She sighed as she closed her eyes on her throne, as unmoving as a statue.
Meanwhile, the duo crashed into the island's lake several hundred meters away.
Adam swiftly grabbed Julius' hand and floated to the shore, dragging the boy.
His gaze burned in defiance, unaware that his unyielding and confident stance caused a bizarre misunderstanding with Vivian, saving their lives.
His gaze lingered in the building's direction for a few seconds before saying, "Let's head back."
However, only silence echoed his words.
He turned to gaze at the lying boy in confusion, finally discovering he had lost consciousness.
"That's why he was so silent." He smiled wryly as he carried the boy before adding, "You need to train your resolve, kid," unaware the pressure Julius felt was thousands of times heavier than Shepard's.
Luckily, it was only her life force. If she consciously used her mana to pressure them, they would have been crushed under it in mere seconds.
After floating for a moment, he swiftly passed through the Gate, reappearing in the safe academy.
He instantly noticed the nervous Shepard, who swiftly manipulated the Gate's commands to cut the power supply.
As the veil of mana dimmed, the college's dean said with bulging eyes, "I can't believe you survived."
When Adam spoke about the sigil, he anticipated his demise in attempting to acquire it. Initially, he planned to delay the meeting infinitely to protect the ghost. Yet, after receiving the teleportation circle model, he had to deliver on his promise.
Unperturbed by Shepard's words, Adam replied without hesitation. "She refused. When can you take us to meet the second archmage?"