7: Chapter 0007 Night Raid

The next day, the night was still bitterly cold. The anti-freeze runes carved on the Wizarding Road lamps faintly glowed, casting a pale blue halo that swayed at the street corners. The temperature was dropping lower and lower; the day of snowfall was approaching.

Felina wore a light green, waist-cinching, long dress. Her figure was well-proportioned, and her fingers unconsciously stroked the pale gold runes on her cuffs. The two walked side-by-side on the street.

A carriage drove by on the side of the road, stirring up a gust of cold wind. Based on their height and appearance, the two looked like a couple taking a stroll after dinner—a perfect match that made others envious.

As they gradually moved further from the school, the atmosphere grew increasingly silent. Li Size clenched his fists tightly, his feet unconsciously kicking at the broken wizarding stones by the roadside; he felt somewhat nervous.

A faint, sweet fragrance mixed with the scent of wizarding incense drifted into his lungs, bringing a strange sense of excitement to his heart...

Suddenly, Felina sighed with a hint of sadness:

"Student Li Size, I apologize."

Hearing this, Li Size stopped walking and turned to look at Felina:

"Teacher, why do you say that?"

Felina silently looked at Li Size for about a minute, her expression suggesting she wanted to speak but hesitated. She unconsciously scraped her foot against the ground:

"Forget it, what use is an explanation?"

She formed her left hand into a claw. As her fingertips sliced through the void, they pulled forth a faint purple wizarding light. The copper buckle on the deerskin pouch at her waist automatically sprang open.

An unknown beast tendon, shimmering with a faint gleam of Demonic Energy, wriggled like a living thing and floated out.

The pale gold runes carved on its surface lit up sequentially, like the scales of a sleeping snake. Every single line exhaled an almost imperceptible, chilling aura...

The invisible field of the Wizards Hand enveloped the beast tendon like a viscous black mist. The frequency of the rune's flickering suddenly accelerated.

The end of the beast tendon split into three thin strands, which, like a viper flicking its tongue, hissed as they coiled directly toward Li Size's wrist, ankle, and neck.

She felt that for an ordinary person without magical protection, these beast tendons, capable of snapping refined iron, were certainly enough.

Caught completely by surprise, the young man before her showed no panic, which secretly astonished her.

Whether forewarned or simply quick to react, Li Size exerted force with his ankle and dodged the beast tendon's first strike, shouting:

"Help me quickly!"

Felina frowned, about to continue controlling the spell, when another unexpected event occurred on the scene.

With two dull thuds, two silver-plated bullets accurately struck the rune nodes in the middle section of the beast tendon—that was the energy nexus of the Wizards Hand spell.

The pale gold runes instantly dimmed, like bubbles being popped. The invisible force field suddenly dissipated.

The beast tendon went limp and dropped to the ground without control. The runes on its surface were still flickering faintly, as if unwilling to accept defeat.

Li Size's body suddenly felt hot...

A warm aura of Demonic Energy rapidly spread from his spine throughout his entire body. Every pore instantly opened, as if countless tiny light needles were piercing his skin.

This was Gelia's Resistance Enhancement spell. The mysterious power surged into every part of his limbs and bones under the guidance of the wizardry.

He could clearly feel the Demonic Energy seeping into the stratum corneum of his skin like scalding wax oil. Every cell emitted a subtle hum, and a dense temporary structure gradually formed on his body surface.

This structure was sufficient to effectively resist ordinary blade thrusts, but facing a firearm—a hot weapon containing Demonic Energy gunpowder—he felt uncertain.

This was Gelia's rescue; her Resistance Enhancement spell was indeed reliable.

This defensive spell originated from the ancient Legacy of the Luminary Sect:

The caster must use their own Demonic Energy as a guide to cast it, forming a Demonic Energy film that can not only resist physical attacks but also neutralize the erosion of some low-tier spells.

The magical proficiency and reaction speed of this flower of the police department were indeed trustworthy.

Li Size calmed down, watching Felina slowly retreat towards the source of the gunshots. As Li Size expected, she had stopped the attack.

Before the action, Gelia had explicitly stated that Li Size using himself as bait was too risky, but he knew very well that danger could not be avoided.

If Felina was indeed the culprit, she would likely continue the assassination attempt soon. Rather than waiting for the unknown, it was better to set up the battlefield in advance.

On the other hand, Gelia had created a psychological profile of Felina, concluding that she was not a bloodthirsty person. Her motive for assassinating Li Size was to protect that 'secret'.

If she confirmed that the secret could no longer be kept, she was unlikely to resort to the desperate act of mutual destruction.

As for why he suspected Felina was the culprit?

The suspicious points were:

First, given Li Size's past performance, seeking him out to discuss procurement was inherently abnormal. Such matters should have been directed straight to Pativ.

Her goal was to intentionally prolong the conversation time to facilitate observation and probing; moreover, her urging Li Size to leave the academy last night clearly indicated her intention to strike again!

Second, she deliberately inquired about and focused on the situation Li Size experienced that night, and she seemed quite concerned about matters concerning the police department. This immediately drew Li Size's attention at the time.

Third, the sensing rune on the energy detector's dial flickered twice, showing 'No Attribute.' Li Size had specifically asked Gelia about this and received an explanation:

If the opponent was prepared, potions or wizardry methods could eliminate the residual aura of Necromantic Demonic Energy.

If Felina could find a wizarding item that purified Necromantic energy residue, she could mask the necromantic aura.

For example, the 'Exorcism Potion' Li Size consumed could expel minor evil residue, including Necromantic energy, from the body.

Or, Alchemy Runes like the Luminary Rune, which possess purification effects, could conceal or eliminate related auras.

If it were just this, it wouldn't be much; instead, the somewhat unreasonable undead auras emanating from Snape and Mary seemed intentionally misleading.

If one thought in reverse, the instructors who showed no undead aura were even more suspicious!

Most importantly, based on Li Size's observation of Felina combined with the knowledge of human anatomy and action psychology from his Pay-to-Win records--

Based on the width of Felina's pelvis, the shape of her hips, and whether her gait was light or her limbs were stiff under specific contextual cues—micro-movements and micro-expressions—

Li Size could conclude:

Felina was still a novice and couldn't possibly have a boyfriend!

With this deep thought, her awkwardness when Li Size mentioned a boyfriend became highly suspicious...

This caused Li Size to recall the first night he was nearly murdered in detail...

Li Size recalled seeing Felina meeting that man:

Walking toward the plaza on the night of the murder, he hid behind a wizarding trash can. The cleaning rune on the trash can was slowly rotating.

He happened to witness Felina talking closely with a strange middle-aged man in a dark alley.

Out of jealousy, he watched for a moment too long and was discovered by the man. The man tilted his head and said something to Felina...

She immediately spotted Li Size, who was secretly peeking, her eyes showing hesitation, guilt, and apprehension...

Based on the memory image and the pre-life knowledge from his Pay-to-Win records, he could be certain:

That was not her boyfriend!

When Li Size thought of this last night, doubts suddenly arose, and he made an excuse to decline Felina's request to leave the academy that night.

After leaving her office, he hastily described the appearance and build of that man and asked Gelia to investigate—the Crimson Soul Duchy did maintain citizen records.

However, that man had no record in the official System; he was suspected of being an undocumented person.

According to Gelia's official explanation, undocumented persons were generally criminals, assassins, illegal immigrants, retainers of the powerful, and a few special individuals.

Although the underlying reason was still unclear, this was enough to deduce the cause and effect of the murder.

Therefore, Li Size arranged this return home today under the protection of the Wizard Apprentice, Gelia.

He didn't expect Felina to indeed be unable to restrain herself and make a move.

Perhaps fueled by her past unrequited crush, Li Size still harbored some doubts:

The first assassination attempt seemed decided on the spot, yet she struck again the very next day. Such decisiveness and ruthlessness did not seem like Felina.

Li Size bit his lip, looking at the pitiful Felina, wondering inwardly: What secret required such a high price?

Li Size looked at the desolate Felina with a complex expression. Her face seemed sorrowful, relieved, yet also helpless and despairing:

"You were born a beauty, why become a thief?"

Felina revealed a desolate smile and gave up resisting, then closed her eyes. A tear quietly slipped from the corner of her eye...

It dripped onto the cold, hard stone pavement. The anti-slip runes on the stone slabs darkened slightly where the tear dampened them, seeming to fall upon the hearts of the few people present, making her appear even more pitiable:

"I'm sorry! It's all my fault as a teacher.

If it weren't for my sister, alas... everything would be over! I'm sorry!"

Li Size's heart stirred. It was indeed related to her sister. He could roughly guess some things, but many more questions and uncertainties remained.

This beautiful woman, who looked so vulnerable now, how could she be the ruthless and resolute person who wanted to kill him?

Was she acting, or had he gone soft?

Forget it!

If you wish to destroy me, then be an enemy!

If you are an enemy, you cannot be forgiven!

Li Size closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and clenched his fists tightly, no longer looking at her.

He slowly walked toward Deputy Director Gelia, the beautiful woman holding a golden revolver, and quietly asked, "Deputy Director, Felina attempted murder. How is she handled according to Duchy law?"

Gelia stared intently as Perisman and a few others apprehended Felina, unconsciously tapping the pistol with carved runes at her waist.

Although she was confident in her psychological profile of Felina, she still feared Felina might make a desperate move—

After all, she wasn't a truly weak woman, but a Wizard Apprentice at the transcendent level, capable of killing with a mere gesture.

She continued to lightly tap the rune-engraved pistol at her waist. The runes glowed faintly with each tap. After a moment of thought, she sighed:

"According to the law, attempted intentional homicide is punishable by life imprisonment.

Because she is a Wizard Apprentice, she will likely be able to apply for a Wizard Amnesty, but twenty years in prison is unavoidable."

Li Size raised an eyebrow. Did Wizards have such privileges?

He clenched his fists, scraped his foot on the ground, feeling somewhat unwilling and worried:

"What if she comes after me again after she gets out of prison?"

Gelia glanced at him humorously, tapped the pistol engraved with defensive runes at her waist, and shook her head:

"I didn't realize you were so ruthless, boy, wanting to cut the weeds and dig up the roots, huh?

You yourself said she was protecting a secret. Now that the secret is exposed, she has no reason to kill you.

Don't be unwilling to accept it; this world is fundamentally ruled by power.

The Duchy's law sentencing her to 20 years is already quite fair—during the Dark Ages, Wizards could kill people with spells and runes without justification.

You should be grateful for the Duchy's strong protection of ordinary people!"

She paused, feeling that she was being too harsh on the youth. She placed her hand over the pistol engraved with offensive runes at her waist; the runes heated up slightly. She patted it reassuringly:

"If you're worried, come to the police department after graduation, and your big sister will cover you!"

Li Size glanced at the fiery beautiful Director, scratched his head, his eyes flicking toward the runes on the pistol at her waist, and smiled:

"I'm not easy to support, so I'll pass, okay?"

Gelia slapped Li Size on the shoulder. The force from her palm made him stumble—the effect of her Resistance Enhancement hadn't worn off yet!

She raised her eyebrows, and the pale gold rune tattoo at the corner of her eye glowed faintly. She sneered:

"Don't try to be clever in front of me, kid!

I see you're sharp. If the path of a Wizard doesn't work out, joining the police department is also a Righteous Path. Think about it carefully!"

Li Size rubbed his aching shoulder. The Resistance Enhancement runes on his skin hadn't fully dissipated, yet that slap hurt so much. Were the magical powers of Wizards this intense?

He sighed, rubbing the pattern of the silver coin in his pocket, and said somewhat unconvinced:

"Director Gelia, don't underestimate me. Why are you so sure my path as a Wizard won't work out?"

Gelia glanced at him and shook the wrist wearing the watch engraved with pale gold timing runes. The runes flickered as she shook it and said:

"I understand youthful arrogance. Time will make you face reality."

Li Size gave a mysterious smile and made an obscure gesture with his fingers. He didn't dislike her attitude and said confidently:

"Let's wait and see! If I have the chance in the future, I'll ask for Deputy Director Gelia's support for this younger brother!"