Chapter 58: Encounter with the Wizards?!

In the cemetery, as the armor took its final shape, a Death Knight was born. Vasilian, once a devoted priest, had been transformed from a mere spirit into a formidable Death Knight.

Encased in black, icy armor, Vasilian's new body was draped with a black cape formed from concentrated death magic—a simulated energy shell derived from magical constructs.

The black plate armor, though hollow, was animated by magic. From the eye sockets of his helmet, crimson lights glowed menacingly, like piercing beams from the depths of darkness, invoking fear in all who dared to meet his gaze.

This was the work of the Lesser Fear Curse, permanently embedded in his being.

In his hands, Vasilian wielded a dark, one-and-a-half-handed knight sword. The blade was simple yet radiated an icy coldness, its surface reflecting an eerie black sheen.

When he swung the blade, ripples of frost spread through the air. This sword was a masterpiece of necromantic magic combined with wind and ice magic derived from cultist studies—a culmination of Su Nan's magical innovation.

Kneeling before Su Nan, the newly reborn Vasilian spoke, his voice resonating with both reverence and resolve.

"Thank you, my new master.

"You have freed me from the cold and damp confines of the earth.

"I pledge my eternal loyalty to you, even if the heavens collapse and the earth crumbles.

"Vasilian shall be your sharpest blade."

Su Nan raised a hand, signaling Vasilian to stand, and connected him to the New Wolf Pack Effect, enabling intelligence and power sharing.

The Death Knight Potion was far more complex to craft than the Super Werewolf Potion or the Sacrificial Stone Potions, but the result justified the effort.

With a Death Knight at his side, Su Nan felt more confident in dealing with the mysterious intruders in his territory, as well as the lurking cultists and sorcerers.

"AI," Su Nan commanded, "scan the Death Knight's stats."

> [Scanning complete. Status is highly promising and aligns with the intended design, but field testing will be necessary for refinement.]

[Name]: Vasilian

[Age at Death]: 61

[Stats]:

Strength: 5

Speed: 5

Constitution: N/A (Death Knights lack physical bodies; constitution is derived from Mental Power)

Mental Power: 10

Necromantic Magic: 10

[Abilities]:

Death Transmutation Body: As a non-living, non-dead entity, the Death Knight can regenerate as long as magical energy remains, even if its physical form is destroyed.

Death Barrier: The cape formed by the energy shell acts as a magical barrier. As long as the barrier remains intact, the Death Knight sustains no damage. (Barrier Strength: 10, tied to magical energy).

Black Blade: A weapon imbued with necromantic, wind, and ice magic. Enemies struck suffer a combination of physical, wind, and ice damage.

Death Contract Conversion: The Black Blade can pierce an enemy's heart to drain their life force, converting it into replenished magical power for the Death Knight.

Ghoulish Pact: Enemies slain by the Black Blade can be resurrected as mindless ghouls at the cost of 1 point of magical energy per ghoul. (Ghoul Stats: Strength: 0.5, Speed: 0.5, Constitution: 0.5).

[Weaknesses]:

Vulnerability to genuine faith-based powers.

Weakness to potent life energy.

[Drawbacks]: Death Knights are bound to fear, emanating an aura of dread through the Lesser Fear Curse, affecting all except those with Mental Power equal to or greater than their own.

Su Nan nodded with satisfaction. Vasilian, even in this "basic" state, was a formidable asset with five innate abilities, nearly qualifying him as a magical knight.

With future enhancements through additional potions, Su Nan could potentially elevate the Death Knight to rival even full-fledged wizards.

However, the Ghoulish Pact seemed underwhelming at its current strength. While it might prove useful in the future with improvements, for now, summoning weak ghouls at the cost of magical energy felt inefficient.

Despite these minor limitations, the Death Knight's innate Mental Power of 10 meant it already matched a second-tier wizard apprentice. Coupled with its semi-spell-like abilities, it could channel this Mental Power directly into combat magic.

The identified weaknesses were expected. During potion crafting, Su Nan had used two key ingredients: oak leaves and Storm Church holy water.

The former granted mobility and vitality, while the latter enhanced offensive capabilities. However, these ingredients also introduced vulnerabilities to faith-based powers and potent, positive life energy.

Su Nan, unperturbed, dismissed these concerns. Few in this era wielded such forces, and even if they did, his werewolves and Sacrificial Stone constructs could handle them.

Turning to Vasilian, Su Nan reassured him. "Remain loyal to me, and as my magic grows stronger, I promise to one day restore your humanity."

Vasilian shook his head. "Thank you, my master.

"But I have no desire to return to life.

"My human existence was filled with lies and disillusionment. This new form, suspended between life and death, brings me peace—free from sorrow, suffering, or deceit. I am content."

Su Nan did not press further. His expression shifted subtly as Orr contacted him through the Wolf Pack Effect.

After successfully integrating the gargoyles into the network, Su Nan had added Orr for mutual protection within the secret realm. This ensured Su Nan would be alerted if Orr encountered danger.

Now, Orr conveyed urgent news:

> "A foreign wizard has entered the secret realm through the material plane, launching an attack on me."

Su Nan paused, then broke into a grin.

So those mysterious intruders were wizards after all. Finally, I've found them.

This means access to true wizard inheritance—perhaps even more.

Suppressing his excitement, Su Nan considered the situation. The wizards likely harbored hostility toward him, and their presence near his territory suggested they were searching for the rumored wizard relic.

Had Su Nan not been a wizard himself, with access to the secret realm and knowledge of its existence, he might never have realized their intrusion.

Opportunity always favors the prepared.

Turning to Vasilian, Su Nan ordered, "Follow me. This will be your first battle in my service. Let me see your strength."

"Unleash your full Mental Power. With 10 Mental Power, you should be able to perceive the hidden world the Church and kings have kept from us."

Vasilian hesitated briefly, then concentrated. Upon sensing the unseen summons, his voice grew cold and grave.

"So it's true. Life has deceived me so completely."

"I have lived my entire existence within a web of lies."

Drawing his blade, Vasilian growled, "Master, my sword burns with fury. I will destroy your enemies without hesitation!"

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