A silver chain wound around the black-haired apprentice's waist, and blue sparks of electricity crackled between his hands from time to time.
"Ha ha... Jiamen, I told you before—you'd end up in my hands one day!"
The black-haired apprentice cackled wildly. With a wave of his hand, a bolt of blue lightning tore through the void and struck Jiamen's green vine armor.
Crack!!!
Jiamen was blasted away as if struck head-on by a runaway locomotive, smashing into the ground and cratering the earth.
"Tell me—where's that arrogant swagger you had back when you stole my Lightning Heart from me?"
The black-haired apprentice taunted, unleashing another spell that tore a gaping wound in Jiamen's body.
A chunk of green vines was blasted away, exposing the skin beneath. A large patch had been scorched black, and Leilin could faintly smell the scent of roasting meat.
"Don't think a damaged Magical Item can save you!"
The black-haired apprentice's face was brimming with the satisfaction of long-overdue revenge. Whatever history he had with Jiamen clearly ran deep.
"Chip! Scan Jiamen!"
Leilin didn't dare scan the black-haired apprentice directly—he targeted the gravely wounded Jiamen instead.
"Ding! Jiamen: Strength 1.9, Agility 2.7, Constitution 2.1 (3.5), Spirit 3 (10.8). Status: Moderate injury! Paralysis!"
No matter how the opponent sneered and mocked him, Jiamen remained utterly silent, fixing the enemy with nothing but a cold, unwavering stare.
"This isn't good! Jiamen has already advanced to third-rank Apprentice, and he even has a Magical Item—yet he still can't beat the other guy!"
Leilin's thoughts raced.
He'd been drawn here by the mention of Jiamen's name, purely out of curiosity. He had no intention of risking his life for the man.
To be honest, if the enemy hadn't been so strong, Leilin would have stepped in to save Jiamen on account of the tip-off the man had given him before. But now, the opponent's strength was obviously formidable, and Leilin hesitated.
"Chip! Scan the opponent's data, simulate combat, predict win probability!"
Leilin issued the command internally.
"Ding!!! Task established. Simulating combat..."
The Chip crunched through the calculations at lightning speed, then delivered its verdict: "Primary win probability: 77%. Projected outcome: opponent eliminated, primary sustains minor injuries!"
"That probability... feels a bit low." Leilin frowned.
"Look! There really is someone over there!"
Just as Leilin was wavering, a woman's voice rang out—one he recognized all too well. He had even heard not long ago the more seductive gasps of its owner.
On the other side of the battlefield, Biji and a female apprentice had arrived.
"It's Biji! What's she doing here?"
Leilin let out a deep sigh. He had a sudden feeling that things were about to get complicated.
"Someone's fighting—oh! It's Senior Jiamen!!!"
The girl with Biji clearly knew Jiamen, and she had her own reasons for caring. The moment she saw his injuries, she rushed over.
"A woman? Your friend?"
The black-haired apprentice scowled, then suddenly clapped his hands. "The humiliation you brought me when you took what was mine—I'm going to pay it back double today. For starters, I'll take this woman right in front of you..."
He let out a lewd laugh, his hands moving as nimbly as a butterfly's wings.
Crackling and popping!
Blue currents surged between his fingers, writhing like electric serpents, coalescing into chains that pierced straight through the hastily conjured fireball of the female apprentice and sent her crashing to the ground.
"Jasmine!" Biji's face was pale with panic as she ran straight toward the scene.
"This idiot!!!"
Leilin shook his head helplessly and rose to his feet.
He still had some feelings for Biji. He could take a calculated risk for her, so long as it didn't put his own life in genuine danger.
Of course, his greatest confidence lay in the win probability the Chip had given him.
If the Chip had determined that Leilin stood no chance against the opponent, he might have chosen to leave and come back for Biji's revenge after advancing to first-level Wizard.
And if Leilin could win but only at the cost of severe injury or even death, he absolutely would not do it.
But if it was only minor injuries? Then Biji, in Leilin's heart, was still worth the risk.
"Deep down, I really am an extremely rational person—cold and detached to the core."