Supreme Magus novel Chapter 546

"...and if they stall us long enough, reinforcements could destroy the bodies we left behind. If that happens, we’d end up surrounded and killed in no time. Luckily for me, I’ve got a better idea" Lith said.

He was so used to relying on Solus’s mana sense and on Life Vision that using Fire Vision felt wrong. It was one of Lith’s oldest skills, that he now used mostly to cook since Life Vision had proved to be superior in combat.

Fire vision granted him the magical equivalent of thermal goggles, allowing him to see in the dark in a scale of colors according to the temperature of his surroundings. The lab was lit by light crystals that didn’t emit heat, otherwise he would have been blinded.

Fire Vision provided no information about the strength of the enemy, but still could identify their position and size. Lith stood still for a while, studying the patrols’ timing and routes.

’I can’t afford to make mistakes. One false step and we’ll be swarmed. Meeting Ratpack was a blessing in disguise. Without his information, I would have taken my sweet time opening the doors and who knows what could have happened.’ Lith thought.

He worried more about the orc shaman than the Balor. As far as he knew, only the former could block his dimensional magic thanks to orcs’ innate ability to manipulate mana crystals.

Dimensional magic was a powerful tool. Lith relied on it for both offense and defense. Most of his contingency plans were impossible without it. After he was sure that he had a clear understanding of their situation, Lith went upstairs and followed one of the patrols.

He cursed when he saw that they were all orcs reverted to their elven state. They moved lithe as cats, with lean limbs more fitting for a professional dancer than the brutes they were.

The enemies would have spotted Lith’s group immediately if not for the Hush zone and the smell canceling spell he had enveloped them with. Lith kept several spells at the ready while intently following the patrol movements with Fire Vision.

The moment the orcs met a patrol of reverted ogres, Lith unleashed the spirit magic tendrils he had prepared and snapped their necks. Then, he waved his hand, making a Warp Steps appear below their feet.

It moved the corpses into one of the cells on the seventh floor, of which Lith had memorized the coordinates and closed the door before leaving.

Ten elite enemies were swallowed by the dimensional corridor and locked away in one fell swoop. No one could destroy their bodies now.

"Quick! We must move before the other patrols notice their disappearance." Lith said. Zolgrish nodded at what’s-his-name ingenuity and followed his lead.

Together they quickly cleaned the external corridors of patrols. Even in his weakened state, Zolgrish had no problems using water magic to freeze his opponents and dimensional magic to lock them away.

Once they reached the lab’s nearest door, Lith made way for the lich. He didn’t need Life Vision to know the door was enchanted. The many mana crystals fused into its surface couldn’t be just for decoration.

Zolgrish raised his skeletal right hand in front of the solid silver door, making a holographic spiral made of runes appear.

"Interesting." He said after the door refused to open.

"They have managed to tamper with my code. I wonder if their newfound intelligence comes from reverting the effects of the falling or from mastering the connection with my essence now inhabiting their bodies. _{fɾēewebnσveℓ.com}

"The latter possibility is kind of disturbing."

The tinge of worry in the lich’s voice made Lith even more paranoid than usual. While Zolgrish worked the door’s command panel, he checked their surroundings again and prepared a few extra spells.

’My preparation was meticulous and the execution of my plan flawless, yet I can’t help being worried. If Dann’Kah and Yozmogh really are this smart, then they’re bound to be close.’ He thought.