Above her head, a palm-sized bird ceaselessly fluttered its wings.
With every flap of its wings, Amy's speed increased a bit, yet her face was still covered in panic.
"Little girl, you can't escape!"
From behind, Kroening's voice echoed distantly.
As tree branches snapped, a bare-chested Kroening with a cruel smile erupted forward as if shot from a cannon. He leaped tens of meters in one bound.
Behind him, there was another person. That person moved on all fours, like a hound, agilely weaving through the dense forest terrain.
The two were rapidly closing in on Amy.
Kroening grinned, watching the fleeing figure ahead. "Heh heh... You've already come, so why the rush to leave? Are you saying my hospitality isn't to your liking?"
"You..." Amy screamed, "I should never have trusted you!"
Initially, she had been fond of Kroening because of his handsome appearance and gentle demeanor, and had sought him out after the auction to get acquainted.
Unexpectedly, the man turned out to be a Black Wizard!
He had lured her to a secluded spot to make his move, and his once sunny smile had turned hideous and frightening.
If Amy hadn't had some tricks up her sleeve, she would have lost her life much earlier.
"HAHA..." Kroening laughed loudly. "You came to me on your own; this isn't my fault. Who would have thought you had a Magic Creature with you."
"Looks like today is my lucky day!"
Although he didn't recognize the Magic Creature, even in its juvenile state, it could provide support for his magic. Its Tier was definitely not low. It could absolutely fetch a high price!
Moreover, Amy possessed many valuable items. If he could capture her, he wouldn't have to worry about Magic Stones for years.
As the distance closed, Kroening stretched out his hand and suddenly pressed forward.
Earth-elemental Zero-Circle Magic—Earth Cage!
The ground trembled, and numerous earthen bars sprouted from below, forming a cage that trapped Amy inside. With the enhancement of magical power, the soft soil instantly turned into solid rock.
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The man behind let out a low howl, his body lunging and diving like a leopard charging forward.
No! It wasn't *like* a leopard. It *was* a leopard!
Mid-air, his hairy flesh burst through his clothes, and his physique had grown by more than a little. The five-colored fur indicated that the leopard's Bloodline was quite unique; it was probably a Magic Creature as well.
Not every Wizard Apprentice dreams of becoming an Official Wizard. On the contrary, the vast majority of Wizard Apprentices, well aware of their own potential, give up the endeavor early on. This was the case for Bloodline Wizards. Without deciphering a Legendary Creature, there is no hope for advancement. Since they couldn't become Official Wizards, they might as well assimilate the Bloodlines of ordinary Magic Creatures. This would enhance their strength and abilities.
'Leopard' was just like that.
Trapped in a cage with a leopard attacking, Amy couldn't help but scream. Wind Blades erupted from her body, instantly transforming into a tornado that rushed in all directions.
Zero-Circle Magic—Secondary Storm!
The furious Wind Blades tore through everything in their path, shattering the sturdy cage in an instant. The attacking leopard was also forced to temporarily retreat.
"HUMPH!" Kroening snorted coldly. "That move again!"
A normal Secondary Storm lacked such power. Amy had clearly drawn upon the strength of her Magic Creature.
Kroening charged on through the storm, his skin now unknowingly encased in rock. The Wind Blades slashed, cracking the rock with ferocious fissures, but they could not stop his movements.
Taking two steps in one, he dashed close to Amy and threw a punch.
Amy's head snapped back, her vision blurring as she collapsed heavily to the ground. The shrieking Magic Creature beside her was also sent flying.
Kroening dispelled the rocks from his body and reached out, grabbing Amy by the throat. "Still worried about your pet? So tender-hearted. I almost feel reluctant to make my move."
"Too bad. If I don't kill you, revenge will surely follow. That woman Alesya alone is not easy to deal with."
"So... you'd better die!"
As he spoke, the force in his hand gradually increased.
Amy struggled to breathe, her desperate efforts futile. Gradually, her face turned blue, and her eyes started to whiten.
I shouldn't have disobeyed you. If only I had listened to you, if only I hadn't gone...
As hypoxia set in, her consciousness became increasingly blurred, her struggles grew weaker, and darkness started to encroach on her vision.
Suddenly, a dull thud came from not far away.
Kroening whirled around, only to see a burly figure holding his companion's forelimbs and hind limbs, lifting him high.
The figure's muscular arms bulged, then he tore fiercely.
The 'Leopard' in his hands was brutally torn in half, its blood mixed with viscera pouring downward. The screams stopped abruptly.
How is this possible?
This scene made Kroening's eyes bulge.
His companion, 'Leopard,' was an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice who practiced Bloodline Magic. After merging with the Bloodline of a Magic Creature, his physique was strong enough to tear through steel. Even when facing a peak-level Knight, he could firmly hold the upper hand.
Now, he had been torn apart as easily as a rag doll.
Having killed 'Leopard,' the figure flickered and appeared beside Kroening, his fingers clenched into a fist that thundered out.
The summoned Earth Wall instantly shattered, and the figure appeared before Kroening.
Chaotic features, pitch-black and profound, like a bottomless Black Hole, devouring everything.