Mage Adam

The assistants gathered at the entrance of the laboratory, not daring to enter.

Adam walked out after a few minutes, as if nothing had happened.

"Lord Adam, what happened?!"

"Mr. Adam, has the experiment failed?"

"What?" Adam looked at them curiously. "No! The experiment was successful -- each of you will receive two ether crystals as a bonus in your accounts. I will submit the conclusions to the Academic Department later, so expect additional rewards!"

Adam was in a good mood, generously rewarding everyone for their efforts.

"As for the sudden disappearance of ether... I can't be promoted yet. Personal reasons."

Adam could barely control his transformation of the soul, and he had to force himself to break free and activate the sealing crystals of his pendant, interrupting the promotion process.

Adam could be considered a half-mage, he guesses.

However, Adam felt that if he called himself a half-mage, something terrible might happen, so he kept quiet.

The current Adam was several times stronger than the Adam before the experiment. Knowledge rushed into his soul, and knowledge is power in the Mage World.

After answering the questions of his assistants and issuing the bonus, Adam went back to his office to rewrite his thesis. He needed to make a report before handing it over to the Academy.

Before entering his office, he turned around and ordered, "You will all be granted a month's vacation -- Korver, inform James of this."

James...

The assistant who spoke to Elliott hurriedly stopped Adam, "Mr. Adam... about that -- Mr. James seems to be in trouble!"

"Excuse me?"

Adam pushed open the door to his office, seeing that the devil had disappeared as well, "James? Our James?"

"Mr. Elliott was here earlier, and it was related to the apprentices of Monte Carlo... Mr. James is duelling them..."

"How long ago was this?"

"An hour ago."

Adam immediately rushed out of the laboratory. After all, James was his dearest friend. He felt that he should take a look.

...

Meanwhile, at the arena, the battle between James and Francis was coming to an end.

Both of them were suspended in the air, Francis losing his previous arrogance, and his magic was gradually slowing down. James was still wrapped in layers and layers of psychic barriers, but everyone could tell James was reaching his limits.

Elliott and the devil could only watch anxiously. They had tried to help, but James rejected them, stating that this was his battle.

They both cursed him for being stubborn, but they knew nobody could intervene in an official duel.

The apprentices didn't know they would be watching a duel that lasted nearly two hours -- telekinesis wasn't as flashy as magic, but it was near-impervious to attacks, as if James had put on a defensive shell.

Francis dodged a giant psychic arm in the air, releasing a giant wind blade. This process has been repeated countless times - he thought his wind blade would dissipate as usual, but he saw a huge hole in James' defence.

"Looks like your guard is down, time to die!" Francis bellowed, overjoyed, lunging forward.

James was at his limit, but he did not panic. He calmly took out the injection from his robe, and stabbed himself.

Elliott's eyes widened, recognising the injection and shouting in horror, "No!"

The onlookers were attracted by Elliott's roar and realised that the battle might come to an end.

James smiled at Elliott one last time.

"You're courting death!" Francis yelled, not knowing what James had done, lunging towards James.

James didn't dodge, and his body was gradually enveloped in flames -- the flames spread out from his body, spreading towards his psychic arms.

Everyone could feel the huge energy fluctuations, and Francis watched in horror as he desperately tried to stop himself from lunging at James.

James shone brightly, like he was a second Sun. He lunged forward with a psychic arm, grabbing Francis before falling forward.

With a loud crash, both of them crashed on the floor, and the light dimmed.

This was the last thing Adam saw before he could rush over.

Elliott and the devil immediately rushed towards the arena, while Monte Carlo's apprentices stepped onto the stage. Lord Bill said in surprise, "They're both dead."

Just as he was about to verify their deaths, lightning crashed from the heavens, hitting him at his feet. Anger flashed on Lord Bill's face, yelling, "A sneak attack! Who is it?!"

With this expertise in electric magic, only Adam could yield it. Elliott and the devil sighed in relief, looking at the descending Adam and muttering, "James..."

Ignoring Lord Bill's glare, Adam retrieved the injection and waved it at Elliott, asking, "What is this?"

Before Elliott could answer him, Lord Bill stepped forward to interrupt him, but he heard Adam's cold voice, "Go away, or die."