Leveling up the World

Chapter 989: Spells in a Multi-Million Dollar Mansion

Chapter 989: Spells in a Multi-Million Dollar Mansion

Over a dozen watchers were placed at key spots at the airport. Some of them would blend in while others deliberately attracted attention. Whether they were meant as a deterrent defeated the purpose, for it had quickly provided Dallion with a way to identify everyone else.

All he had to do was split into instances and cast a spell to make everyone else react. At that point, Dallion would quickly fade his more extreme instances and repeat the process until he was certain that he’d caught everyone out. From there, it was only a matter of sneaking by.

The watchers had adapted from their previous mistakes. At this point it was risky gambling on the luggage trick, or attempting to convince any of them to escort Dallion to a private jet. If he were in their place, he’d react to any anomaly, especially those performed by one of their members.

“If you’re there, Gleam, I could really use some help,” Dallion whispered as he stood by a cab stand near the entrance, pretending to be waiting for someone.

Unfortunately, the shardfly didn’t react, cutting off Dallion’s easiest approach. The option of creating the illusion of a fly, or even a bird, was out of the question. A forceful approach wouldn’t work, either. It would be easy creating chaos at the airport, or even a fake scare. Yet, while Dallion could make sure that no one got hurt, he’d gain nothing. The watchers were unlikely to fall for the same trick twice.

What do you think? Dallion asked his hidden familiars. Think I should make myself into a tire?

The option had its lighthearted charm, but was unlikely to work. For ten more minutes, Dallion went through various approaches. Then, finally, everything clicked in place. Common logic suggested that the simplest solution often was the best. Politics in the awakened world had taught Dallion differently. Waiting a bit longer for the perfect victim, he approached a rather well-off couple making their way towards the airport entrance.

“Let me help with that,” he offered, even if the pair didn’t have any luggage.

“Err, why thank you,” the woman was faster to react, while her husband remained in a mild state of confusion.

“You’re the ambassador of Morocco and his wife,” Dallion whispered, using his music skills. “On your way to Los Angeles.”

Immediately, the couple’s attitude changed. An air of authority emanated from them, suggesting to everyone around that they were beyond V.I.P. status.

“And who are you?” the man asked, glancing at Dallion.

“I’m your diplomatic pouch.” Dallion reached into his pocket, where he drained enough energy from several shrunken car batteries, to cast the illusion onto himself. From this moment on, everyone would see a large bag marked diplomatic mail carried by the new “ambassador.”

Skipping the standard queue, the pair went straight to the specialized fast que, where they showed their international passports.

“There’s no need to look closely,” Dallion whispered. “Who will impersonate an ambassador?”

“Your excellency.” The airport employee waved them through. Dallion, of course, followed. After all, the pouch couldn’t be separated from the ambassador.

The screening device didn’t find anything wrong, and neither did all the people checking the boarding pass. It hardly mattered that the couple were heading to the Alps for their holiday. According to everything in existence, they were on a first-class trip to Los Angeles on the very next flight. Their diplomatic and V.I.P. status quickly let them skip all queues and checks, straight to the luxurious section of the airplane. Once inside, Dallion cast another illusion on himself and sat in one of the free seats.

“Hello,” the man nodded with a polite smile. “I’m the Ambassador of Morocco and this is my wife.” He introduced them.

“Charming.” Dallion nodded in turn. “I’m into show business.”

The chitchat ended there as a stewardess approached and offered them champagne. Dallion refused, of course, preferring to go with a soft drink.

Thirty agonizing minutes he sat at the ready should something go wrong. All the time, Nox was ready to cause an entire section of the plane to fall off should Dallion need a quick escape. Then, finally, the plane went onto the runway and into the air.

I hope I never see you again. Dallion looked through the thick glass of the airplane window. He was referring to the watchers, but it could also stand true for the world itself. Sadly, he had to wait a bit longer.

Unwilling to give up, Dallion continued forward, striking the aether surface with his fist.

A spiderweb of cracks emerged on the flowing aether, making it shatter almost as fast as the windows.

“Been a while!” Dallion spun in the air, attempting to strike the shoulder of the emperor with an upper sweeping kick.

Jeremy successfully managed to block it again with his left arm, but as he did, a series of bloody scars emerged over his flesh, as if a particularly vicious cat had clawed him.

“Crackling claws?” The man leaped back, mildly surprised. “Guess you learned new tricks after taking over the world.”

Pitch black liquid oozed through Jeremy’s pores, covering the entire surface of his arms with a black, plastic-looking layer.

“So have I!” Jeremy used music skills of his own, while also engaging in a physical multi-attack.

Music clashed with music, while the two simultaneously exchanged punches. No one had managed to get any weapon, not that there were any that could give them nearly as big an advantage as the ones back in the awakened world.

No matter how many times Dallion landed a bow, the attack was entirely absorbed by the layer of void. Fortunately, Jeremy didn’t seem to be able to fully take advantage of the fact, since he seemed to lack guard skills.

Lux, let’s pick it up a notch. Dallion punched the emperor in the chest.

The shirt was instantly shredded thanks to Nox’s ability. Then, something different occurred. When Dallion followed up with another punch in the same area, the void pulled to the side, as if he had hit a layer of water.

You still can’t stand healing, can you? Dallion grinned.

He would have preferred to use spark point attacks, but one couldn’t always have everything in life.

Yet another punch followed, once again scarring Jeremy’s chest before the void could seep back in.

“Not bad.” The void peeled off Jeremy’s left hand, allowing his fingers to pull magic from the floor again.

Noticing it, Dallion pulled away and did the same. Since entering the premises, he had noticed the continuous current running beneath the walls and floorboards. The emperor had gone through a lot of trouble to ensure himself a permanent source of magic. Anyone unsuspecting would probably have been killed within moments without even knowing why. Yet, that only worked on non-mages.

Both sides focused on the most efficient spells they could muster. Jeremy cast a circle that poured aether needles at his enemy, like a high velocity machine gun.

Dallion, on his part, took an entirely different approach, forming a portal. It wasn’t guaranteed he’d succeed, but if he did, this action alone would negate Jeremy’s greatest advantage.

Aether projectiles drilled through his left arm and shoulder. The pain was intense, but less than he had become used to. No longer having to focus on battle, Lux focused on healing the wounds as fast as he could.

“Nice try,” Jeremy smirked as he focused on casting a second spell-circle. “You lose.”

Before he could complete it, Dallion managed to finish his portal spell. As he did, water poured out of it right onto the floor.

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