Leveling up the World

Chapter 722: Realm Escape

There was no rationale for pain. Dallion was fully aware that Nil had been manipulating him for centuries and more, and yet refusing to his face made him feel as if hed lost a friend. It was easy to claim that it was the lingering effects of emotional blackmail, the overall stress he was subjected to, or some other rational reason. At the same time, Dallion knew all that to be a bunch of crap. The reason Dallion was feeling what he was had nothing to do with the echo or even the mage behind him; the pain came because in a way Dallion couldnt honestly say he was any different. Several of his main skills were based on manipulation. Every time he used music skills or engaged the abilities of his empathy trait, he was making people, animals, and guardians do what he wanted. The degree varied, but there was never any doubt what he was doing. And the most absurd thing of itfor the most part, no one seemed to care all that much. It was the fight with the Star that had changed everything.

Hes gone, one of Dallions echoes approached him. Back to your realm, if I had to guess.

Dallion didnt respond.

We all know its messed up, but you know such things happened in this world. Even before you learned, he was the archmage you had your suspicions. Did you think hed be any different from the other beings of power youd come across? Two of them tried to take over the world in the past.

No, I suppose not, Dallion said to himself.

He was right about one thing, though. You need to rest. We can pause for a few hours so you can take a nap.

No. Dallion briskly turned around. No naps. Ill just sit down for a bit.

Right. Better than nothing, I guess. Dallions echo shrugged. Just set your thoughts in order. Would be annoying if Nil ended up being right.

Dallion sat on the floor and drew a light symbol. It wasnt strong, just enough to provide a calming blue glow.

Oh, and Im sure Eury doesnt see you that way, the echo added.

What way? Dallion instinctively asked.

Like Adzorg.

While it was nice to be reassured by someone, it would have been better if that someone wasnt an identical copy of himself. Distance was starting to play a part to the point that he considered her a memory. Sometimes the memories would stir him to action, but all it took was another event to make him forget just as much.

Guess you were right about that as well, Nil, Dallion thought. If he wanted his relationship to last, he was going to have to work on it, and that meant leaving the Academy. Either that or

REALM COLLAPSED

A green rectangle appeared.

REALM BREAKER

(+5 MIND)

You have successfully destroyed a prison realm from within. Just be mindful that doesnt make you unstoppable, just persistently annoying.

The suddenness kept Dallion from focusing on the unexpected achievement. Instead, he mentally prepared to return to a fight he had started weeks ago.

Less than a second had passed in the real world; Phoilor rather the symbiotic echo within himhad started the final attack, though he hadnt had enough time to complete it.

Splitting into dozens of instances, Dallion leapt back. Not the best move, considering his enemy had an advantage at a distance. In a sword versus dagger fight, it was always better to remain as close as possible. However, Nils persistent warnings in the prison realm had managed to cause enough self-doubt for him to err on the side of caution.

Crystal fragments fell to the ground. The rectangles of moments ago hadnt exaggerated.

Both sides instantly realized what had happened, then reacted appropriately: Phoil spun around, doing multiple circular arcs with his sword. Meanwhile, Dallion pulled off the blocker ring from his finger.

Ruby, Gem, attack from a distance! he ordered. Just then, Phoil burst into instances. No longer was it the meager three copies he used in the past. Over fifty instances of the boy appeared in the room, filling it completely.

Caught by surprise, Dallion tried to force split the situation, but his opponent countered. The mental force was far greater than Dallion had felt so far, almost as if he were facing a dragon. Someone with greater ability was attempting to force their version of reality. The tug of war continued for half a second, resulting in a stalemate. When reality hit, Phoil and Dallion were at different ends of the room, neither gaining the upper hand.

So, the hunter knows tricks, Phoil said. I knew I should have gone for you first.

You arent a mage, Dallion said, keeping six instances at the ready. Who are you?

The large boy just smiled, then burst into instances again and charged forward.

Ruby attempted a wave of wing slashes, but all of them were easily evaded. The echo controlling Phoil was exceptional at acrobatics as well as attack. Based on his movements, Dallion estimated him to be in his seventies, at least, possibly more.

Blades clashed. The Nox dagger, usually capable of shattering objects on touch, failed to cause even a crack on the shimmering surface of the sword. It seemed that the material had a few other added bonuses, which both Nil and Onda had neglected to mention.

Parrying the first attack, Dallion twisted his body, attempting a high kick at the side of the others face. The attack didnt land. With lightning reflexes, Phoil let go of the sword, blocking the kick. Immediately after, he grabbed hold of Dallions ankle and took a step back.

The approach was both clever and perfectly executed. Even experienced fighters would have lost their footing, which was why Dallion didnt even bother to do anything about it. Rather, he twisted his entire body, kicking Phoil in a series of different spots in five separate instances. In three of the cases, the results were less than desirable. In the remaining two, he managed to force his opponent to let go.

Ruby quickly intervened again, sending out a wing slash between the two. The attack hid Enroys dead body, while at the same time preventing Phoil from charging forward again.

Youre a noble, Dallion said, using his music skills to affect his enemy with as much slowness and weight as possible. Are you a count? A countess?

Youre so full of yourself. The other smirked. You think a count would waste his time on you?

Wouldnt be the first time.

Dozens of Dallions instances attempted to attack from different sides. All of them were constantly pushed back by Phoils own.

I dont have to kill you, the large boy said. Just to keep you here.

The words sounded almost exactly like the platypain Dallion had faced recently.

So, I can still ruin your plans? Dallion took a step forward with his anchor instance.

Some think that. Phoil slashed the air with his sword. As he did, Dallion felt a slight tingling in his ears. Music only when no one knows youre using it. More instances of the boy emerged, rushing forward.

Line attack! Dallion thought, doing a horizontal slice.

Any reasonable person knew that performing such an attack indoors was a terrible idea. The entire structure risked crumbling, say nothing of the dozens if not hundreds of casualties on the outside. Being in a mages room changed things. For a split second, purple symbols appeared as they shined through the surface illusions that covered every part of the building. Before the line of destruction had a chance to form, a loud bang erupted, everyone was tossed right at the walls behind them. Even Ruby was thrust up, drilling into the ceiling like a razor blade into cheese.

The air was knocked out of Dallions lungs as his back slammed against the hard surface. Waves of pain and suffocation swept through him, almost making him black out. The force disappeared, letting him peel onto the floor, gasping for air.

At the other side of the room, Phoil hadnt been so lucky. His awakened nature had let him survive the encounter with the wall, though unconscious. Only the faint noise coming from him told Dallion that the boy remained alive.

Gem, can you heal him?

Err, okay, the aetherfish replied. Unlike Ruby, the familiar hadnt been particularly useful during the fight, spending most of the time observing in utter confusion. Fortunately, healing magic was something it was fully capable of.

Dallion forced himself up. He was in considerable pain, though nothing he couldnt handle thanks to his high body trait. Limping slightly, he made his way to Enroys body. There was no question that the man was dead, pierced through the torso, then suffering additional wounds during the fight between Phoil and Dallion.

Sorry about this, Dallion whispered. Barely knew the man, and definitely didnt like him, but didnt want such an outcome.

Casting a spell to summon a blanket, Dallion covered the body, then went to the unconscious Phoil. With him rendered unconscious, he posed no threat. The echo controlling him had been formidable indeed, but all the skill couldnt compensate for low traits.

Bending down, Dallion took the Vermillion ring off the boys finger, then retrieved the silver glass sword. The weapon felt like a natural fit, as if it belonged to him.

Whats the way out? Dallion asked as he used his own Vermillion ring to transport the sword to his realm. Nil? he added.

There are emergency exits scattered throughout the building. All you need to do is find one and use a specific unlock spell. Alternatively, you can use a Vermillion ring to pass through.

That was interesting. So, Phoil had come prepared in more ways than one. His goal had been to kill Enroy and Dallion, then leave. That was reassuringit meant that there was a way to avoid the shardflies outside.

You alright, Ruby? Dallion glanced at the ceiling. The shardfly was trembling with such speed that it was outright vibrating. Gradually, its winds moved back out of the ceiling, allowing the creature to re-emerge.

Anything broken?

No, the insect said, even if it were plainly visible that his wings were chipped in several places. Flying along a spiral, it made its way to Dallions shoulder.

Lux will take care of you. Dallion then retrieved his blocker ring from the floor. Gem, keep him alive. If he or anyone tries to attack you, vanish.

Okay, boss, the aetherfish replied.

Gritting his teeth to best ignore the pain that came with every step, Dallion left the room, then the building altogether. The situation in the corridor was just as bad as he remembered it. A few elder mages were making an attempt to forcefully impose order, but even they found it difficult with the number of panicking apprentices. This complicated things somewhat. If Dallion tried to run, there was every chance hed be spotted and stopped. To avoid this, he calmly made his way towards the staircase section, keeping as closely as possible to the nearby buildings.

His effort paid off. Although slow and painful, the trip off the floor wasnt interrupted. Once on the first floor, things went a lot more smoothly. At one point, he even had an apprentice shout at him to hurry up and get back to his room. Since that was Dallions intention, he complied, forcing himself to run as quickly as possible.

If you keep this up, youll faint in a minute, Nil said.

A minute is all I need, Dallion hissed through his teeth. He was almost at his door. His vision had gotten slightly blurry, and yet he pushed on. Collapsing in the corridor was out of the question. A concerned mage, or apprentice, or even a well-meaning fellow novice was enough to end his chance of leaving the Learning Hall.

Gripping the handle, Dallion opened the door and stumbled inside.

Lux, he managed to say. Heal me.

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