Keeping the Status Quo

Despite the recent expansion to my Mana Sea, the new Magic Array still takes a while to form.

It is not simply because the spell within the array is more advanced and complicated than Mana Drain previously, as the casting speed of any spell has nothing to do with the vastness and depth of my Mana Sea.

Casting speed has to do with Layers, and that is why Sorcerers are graded in the number of Layers that their Mana Sea has. The more Layers their Mana Sea has, the faster they can cast magic, thus the more powerful they are in battle.

And in the end, speed is all that matter, as one is invincible if one is untouchable.

Speaking of untouchable, Ingrain Hallow notices that the new Magic Array is being formulated on the ceiling of the room rather than in front of me like the last array. And that is because I am not targeting him, and some of the guards have a working brain.

They drop to their knees and prostrate. "Seventh Master! Please don't kill me. I will not say anything! I will serve you for the rest of my life! Please!"

As soon as one guard started, the rest beg for their lives. The girls would have done the same too once they finally get over their shock.

"The rest of your life?" I question as I eye the guards briefly. "Death cannot free you from… my master, and you will serve him one way or another."

Everything has its use, including corpses. It is the reason to why I am stashing corpses away within my inventory for later. It also removes any evidences that might cause unwanted problems in the future.

I am, after all, suppose to be the power in the shadow.

Due to our agreement, Alex is the power in the light this time around, and therefore, attention should be focused on him instead of me. But of course, that does not mean I cannot exercise my power when I need to – as long as I can maintain the status quo.

"Everything…" Ingrain Hallow speaks up. His eyes sharpen, and that alone makes me interested. He is no doubt a special existence. "I will give you everything, including my life. In exchange, allow me time to have my revenge."

How cliché. I should have known, considering that his current power level far exceeds the normal. He would be considered a genius due to his age, but if he truly is a genius then why would he be wandering around without the support and protection of his family.

Not only that, the Azure Magic Academy should also have supported him just from being a Hallow.

I smile and keep up appearance. "It is not me that you should be asking, Ingrain Hallow, but my master has seen your potential. When he desires it so, he will appear before you. You may leave now… junior brother."

That widens his eyes, as he immediately understands. "Thank you, senior brother."

With that, Ingrain Hallow heads out of the window. The barrier allows him to pass and only him since I need to deal with the rest, and I will as soon as the Magic Array is complete.

Once it is, I simply activate it verbally. "Mind Eater: Memory Manipulation!"