Kael Darkmoore moved with terrifying speed, his Silver Rank cultivation making him blur across the room. His first strike was aimed at Phantom, a dark energy-wreathed punch that would drain mana on contact.
Phantom dodged by inches, feeling the cold pull of the draining technique as it passed. That was the key—avoid direct contact at all costs. If Kael touched them, he could drain their cultivation and add it to his own power.
Lucian attacked from the side, his sword enhanced with Bronze Peak mana. The strike was well-timed, precise, showing he'd internalized their training. But Kael simply caught the blade with his bare hand, dark energy surging through the metal.
Lucian gasped as he felt his mana being pulled through the sword. He released it immediately, stumbling back.
"Interesting," Kael said, examining the weapon now coated in his draining energy. "Bronze Peak Stage, both of you. Well-trained, coordinated. But ultimately futile against someone who's consumed eight cultivators." He tossed the sword aside. "I wonder what Bronze Peak cultivation tastes like. Let's find out."
He lunged at Lucian, faster than the young genius could react. Phantom intercepted, his poisoned Hellfire Dagger slashing across Kael's extended arm.
The blade cut deep, injecting Legendary-grade Serpent's Whisper poison directly into Kael's bloodstream.
Kael hissed in pain, pulling back. "Poison? How crude." But then he smiled. "Also useless."
His dark energy surged, and Phantom watched in shock as the poison was purged from Kael's system—burned away by the draining technique converting it to raw energy. The paralysis never set in. The organ failure never started.
"My cultivation technique doesn't just drain others," Kael explained, circling them like a predator. "It converts anything harmful into power. Poison, curses, even physical damage—all fuel for my advancement. You can't hurt me with tricks."
Phantom's mind raced. If poison didn't work, and direct combat was suicide against Silver Rank, they needed a different strategy.
Behind Kael, Professor Aldwin was still paralyzed on the bed, his Gold Rank mana being slowly drained. If Kael absorbed a Gold Rank cultivator, he'd become unstoppable.
"Lucian," Phantom said quietly. "The professor. Stop the drain."
Lucian understood immediately. While Phantom engaged Kael directly, Lucian circled toward the bed, pulling out a mana disruption talisman—one of the academy-issued emergency items all students carried.
Kael noticed. "Oh no, you don't—"
Phantom threw three smoke bombs simultaneously, filling the room with thick magical smoke. Then he activated his 100x Effect.
100X EFFECT ACTIVATED. DURATION: 30 MINUTES.
Power exploded through him. His Bronze Peak Stage cultivation multiplied to what felt like high Diamond or even Master Rank. The world slowed down as his perception enhanced exponentially. His Midas Touch range extended to over a hundred feet.
Phantom moved through the smoke with supernatural speed, his amplified senses tracking Kael's position perfectly. He grabbed a metal bedpost and transmitted his amplified Midas Touch through it.
The entire bed—including the dark energy draining Professor Aldwin—crystallized instantly. The draining connection was severed, saving Aldwin's life.
Kael felt his technique disrupted and roared with frustration. "What did you—that's impossible! That level of transmutation is Grandmaster Rank at minimum!"
Phantom didn't answer. He pressed his advantage, closing distance with speed that Kael couldn't match even with Silver Rank cultivation. His hands reached for Kael's chest, both aspects of Midas Touch ready.
Kael threw up a defensive barrier, but the amplified transmutation simply converted it to crystal, then gold, then shattered it.
"You're not Bronze Peak!" Kael screamed, backing away in genuine fear now. "What are you?!"
"Someone having a very good day," Phantom replied coldly.
He touched Kael's shoulder. Right hand, left hand, both transmutations flowing simultaneously.
Kael's body began to crystallize and transform to gold at the same time, the conflicting transmutations creating a horrific effect—his flesh couldn't decide which transformation to complete, resulting in a grotesque mixture of crystal and metal spreading across his body.
"No! Wait! I can tell you about others like me! There's a whole organization! We're everywhere!" Kael's red eyes were wide with terror. "Please! Mercy!"
"You drained eight people to death," Phantom said. "Including a fifteen-year-old student two weeks ago. Where was your mercy?"
The transmutation completed. Kael Darkmoore became a twisted statue, half mana crystal and half gold, frozen in his final moment of terror.
Phantom released his 100x Effect immediately—he'd only used three minutes, saving the remaining twenty-seven for emergencies. His cultivation returned to normal Bronze Peak Stage.
Lucian emerged from the smoke, staring at the statue. "That's... that's horrifying. What did you do to him?"
"Both transmutations at once. The conflict tears the body apart while converting it. I don't usually do it—too cruel—but he was draining a professor and would have escaped otherwise."
"Cruel? Marcus, he killed eight people. He deserved worse." Lucian moved to Professor Aldwin, who was slowly regaining consciousness. "Professor? Can you hear me?"
Aldwin's eyes fluttered open. "L-Lucian? What... what happened?"
"You were attacked by a cultivation drainer. We stopped him. You're safe now." Lucian helped the professor sit up. "Though you'll need to report this to the headmaster. A student was attempting to kill you."
"Kael Darkmoore," Aldwin said, his voice strengthening as Gold Rank recovery kicked in. "Third-year student. Always seemed... off. But I never suspected..." He looked at the twisted statue, then at Phantom's masked form. "You're the assassin. Phantom. You saved my life."
"I was hunting him anyway. You just happened to be his target tonight." Phantom moved toward the window. "The City Guard will want to question everyone. I'd prefer not to be here when they arrive."
"Wait." Aldwin stood, testing his stability. "I owe you a debt. Phantom or not, assassin or not, you saved my life from a monster. If you ever need assistance from a Gold Rank mage, you have it."
"I'll remember that." Phantom glanced at Lucian. "You should stay. Play the student who heard a disturbance and came to investigate. Finds the professor recovering and the attacker dead. Simple story."
"Understood." Lucian met his eyes through the mask, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. "Same time tomorrow for training?"
"Of course."
Phantom vanished through the window, leaving Lucian to handle the aftermath. He trusted the young genius to sell the cover story convincingly.