LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 17: The Endowment Wine (Part 4)
As the elements clashed, the dark room erupted into a dazzling display of flames and lightning. The air crackled with energy as Kai and the guard pulled back, each bracing for another round. The wind whipped through Kai's cloak, which swayed violently around him. He quickly pulled the hood down to shield his face, his eyes glowing as he charged forward, his body enveloped in arcs of lightning.
The guard responded, flames swirling around his sword as crimson light illuminated the shadows of the room. "Whatever you stole," he growled, the flames snaking up his body, "shall not leave here with you today."
With a fierce determination, he launched himself at Kai, the heat radiating off him as he pushed off the ground. His sword sliced through the air, the flames licking hungrily at his surroundings. But Kai was faster. His eyes kicked in, enabling him to anticipate the guard's movements.
The sword arced upward, trailing fire, but Kai dodged the strike effortlessly. The guard's momentum left him exposed, and Kai seized the opportunity. He could feel the heat from the flames around him, yet he pressed on, his dagger shimmering as he prepared to counter. The rumble of distant thunder echoed, resonating with his growing power.
In a flash, Kai vanished, reappearing beneath the guard. He thrust his dagger upward with all his strength. The guard barely managed to raise the hilt of his sword in time to block the attack.
"It's only a matter of time," the guard snarled, desperation creeping into his voice. "The other guards will be here soon. But even then, I will have defeated you. I am the most powerful one here."
"Most powerful?" Kai muttered, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "That makes things easier."
Channeling his Endowment, he felt energy surge through his dagger, sparking with electricity. This was his moment. The magical resonance of the blade enhanced his abilities, and the Endowment wine he'd planned to consume would amplify that power even further.
The guard was pushed back, struggling against Kai's newfound strength. Desperation flickered in his eyes as he fought to regain control. He parried Kai's dagger, pushing the blade closer to the boy cloaked in black. But Kai dodged again, his glowing eyes fixed on the guard, predicting his every move.
In a moment of panic, the guard swung down with his sword, but Kai blocked it with surprising ease.
"You've lost," Kai muttered, focusing his energy into his free hand. He unleashed a bolt of lightning, shooting it forward with unerring accuracy. It struck the guard, enveloping him in crackling energy and sending him crashing into a row of lockers. The sound of splintering wood and metal echoed through the room as the guard's body slammed into the storage, dust and debris swirling in the aftermath.
Kai didn't linger. He could hear the distant footsteps of reinforcements approaching. He shot upward, lightning sparking around him like a crown of power. He burst through the hole he had made and broke through a magical window on the upper floor, escaping into the afternoon.
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Meanwhile, the guards entered the now desolate ground floor, a haze of dust hanging in the air. A guard quickly flipped a switch on the wall, illuminating the room with magical lights that flickered to life, a testament to the engineering prowess of their world.
As they surveyed the wreckage, the Vice-captain stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room for clues. 'It seems there was a battle here,' he thought, dread pooling in his stomach. He had trusted the Captain to secure this area, but it was clear they faced a formidable foe.
The dust began to settle, revealing a horrific sight: the charred remains of their Captain, trapped within a locker. The stench of scorched flesh mixed with the acrid scent of burnt skin filled the air.
"Captain!" the Vice-captain cried, rushing forward, heart racing as he navigated through the wreckage. He stumbled over debris, but adrenaline propelled him forward. When he reached the Captain, his breath caught in his throat, eyes wide with disbelief.
The body lay still, burned beyond recognition, the faint smell of sizzling lightning still lingering. "Captain!" he cried again, desperation clawing at him. He fell to his knees, disbelief washing over him. This was a nightmare, and he couldn't wake up from it.
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Above, Kai floated in the afternoon sky, taking deep, measured breaths. He had successfully acquired the Endowment wine, a prize that would enhance his abilities like nothing else. Pulling the bottle from his Inventory, he raised it triumphantly into the moonlight. The rich, raw scent of mana seeped from the liquid, tantalizing and potent.
'A shame it only works once,' Kai mused, contemplating the complex alchemy of the wine. 'Even a small taste could yield great effects, but I need to be cautious.' He planned to share the wine with Emerald, knowing they would need every advantage for the challenges ahead.
With determination, he uncorked the bottle and tilted it to his lips, letting the mana-infused liquid flow into him. The taste was electrifying, flooding his senses with power. He could feel the energy coursing through him, amplifying his abilities, revitalizing his spirit.