WCMBI - Chapter 237: Surprising Magic Talent (Patreon)

As the gust of wind swept through the workshop, all the wizards within hastened to step outside. However, their immediate urge to attack the intruder was restrained by the Tower's master, Sara.

"Who goes there?" inquired one.

"Oh my, whoever it may be, I seem to recognize the face," remarked another.

"Where, where?"

The wizards exchanged glances after scrutinizing Ian's visage. Sara intervened, speaking from the midst of the gathering.

"Let's leave it to Melissa."

"Exactly. The concerned parties should resolve this."

"Oh, truly! Fellow magicians, we must promptly expel that alpha exuding his nauseating pheromones. Dela, I shall watch over you, fear not."

As Pedro firmly embraced Adella, he grumbled and shook his head, prompting the other omega wizards to respond with laughter.

"That's right, with Pedro as the alpha in the Tower, we're covered."

"We'll just drive him away when the time comes, no worries."

"Will it be that simple?"

While they engaged in friendly banter, Melissa and Ian were locked in sharp confrontation. Melissa attempted to teleport him away by drawing a dual-layered magic circle, but Ian repeatedly shattered the circles.

With each disruption, the Tower quivered, yet the wizards within remained nonchalant, knowing that everything would be resolved once the Tower's mistress returned.

Melissa was furious with him for having affronted her child by releasing those pheromones. Now unable to smell any more of those pheromones, she knew there could be only one reason for the sudden change in her well-behaved child.

Thus, growing increasingly exasperated by Ian's continuous destruction of the magic circles, she set a triple trap and lured him with an offensive spell. She had to expel him from the Tower before he discovered Adella's presence.

Meanwhile, Ian couldn't help but be captivated by Melissa's skillful command of magic. Unaware of her magical talents, he felt a mix of bewilderment and pride.

However, he believed the battle was futile and quickly evaded the newly forming magic circle, calling out, "Mel, please, cease this."

His plea was met with Melissa's retaliatory attack, a swiftly soaring ice arrow. Ian landed just as an ice-made tree coiled around his ankle and began to grow.

Completely entangled, he realized too late and was then confronted with yet another magic circle forming beneath his feet, emitting a violet light.

Sensing it to be the same magic circle Pedro had encountered when he arrived, Ian knew he had to escape this place. To do so, he drew his sword, intending to shatter the ice constricting his ankle. However, before he could execute his plan, a stern voice resounded in his ear.

"Why is the Tower not moving and standing still?"

Lucia, who had come from the palace, briefly stopped at the communication magic device on her way up. She believed that kindness should always be repaid, and that was why she handed a purse of gold coins to the Tower's steward. She advised him to consider relocating the office to prevent future incidents and proceeded to witness the halted Tower, where she discovered Melissa and Ian in confrontation.

"Seriously, what is going on here? How dare you engage in a fight inside the Tower without my consent?" Lucia expressed her irritation, brushing away the hair that had fallen in annoyance.

When Sara interceded, saying, "As the Tower's master, I allowed it," Lucia retorted, "But was that really the right decision?"

"Still, Melissa can hardly be blamed. The issue lies with the alpha who barged in without permission."

Wiping away the hair that fell again with an exasperated gesture, Lucia looked down at the magic circle forming beneath Ian's feet and then turned her gaze toward Melissa.

"What will you do? Activate the magic circle."

"Yes, of course," Melissa replied.

Pausing her reprimand for a moment, Melissa activated the magic circle, and a bright light streamed forth. Realizing he couldn't retreat in time, Ian broke free from the ice, but in the rush, he cut his ankle, and blood began to flow. Clenching the injured limb, he cursed, "Why is everything happening so quickly?"

Not only Lucía, but also the sorcerers present there, looked at Ian with astonishment and curiosity in their eyes.

Ian gazed up at the woman known as the "Mataju" and recognized who she was—an Omega he had encountered in the emperor's palace long ago.

"Matapju."

Furthermore, he had just learned from Lucía and Sara's conversation that she was indeed the Mataju. The fact that the owner of Mataju was not Pedro was an astonishing revelation, but it was not a relevant detail at the moment.

"Please, allow me a moment's stay."

Lucía couldn't help but sigh inwardly as she stared into Ian's eyes. In that brief moment, she compared the genuine Mataju she now recognized with the foolish Adrian.

Though it was evident that Sara had blatantly called her the Mataju, understanding the surrounding conversations amid the overwhelming situation was no easy task. Especially when one hadn't spoken loudly.