Seeing that it was actually a phantom taking the stage, Alama immediately wanted to interrupt this contest.
Illusions were ultimately just to deceive eyes and ears. Once in actual combat, they would be easily seen through, and the scene would probably become awkward then.
Although he was happy to see Adin learn some lessons, he was even more unwilling to let this banquet meticulously prepared for Inanna become a joke.
However, just as he was about to get up, he surprisingly saw that the phantom Adin on stage, without using any scrolls, actually split into phantoms again and condensed real Mana Bursts to launch attacks!
One must know that normal phantoms were just virtual images infused with mana. At most, they could be remotely controlled to inject part of the mana contained in the spell into a magic scroll to activate the magic on it.
But Adin could actually cast spells through this phantom?
No, if it could cast spells, it shouldn't count as a phantom, but a clone.
Thinking of this, Alama remembered that in the background check on Adin previously, it seemed to mention that the founder of the Clare Family established a foothold in the Kingdom precisely by winning merits on the battlefield with a unique clone illusion technique.
It was just that neither Adin's father nor grandfather had ever displayed this magic, so Alama thought it had long been lost.
Looking at it now, this lost art actually saw the light of day again in Adin's hands!
In fact, it was never truly lost.
Even when the family declined to the point of losing all fiefs, the ancient scroll recording this secret art was always treasured by Adin close to his body.
To be precise, what was recorded wasn't a direct spell incantation, but the casting technique of a special magic item.
The reason no one in the Clare Family could cast this spell for generations was simple: they couldn't afford the necessary materials—two S-grade magic crystals.
The core of the clone dealing with Phineas on stage right now was an S-grade magic crystal quenched by secret methods, while the true Adin sitting peacefully off stage held another resonating magic crystal in his sleeve, driving every spell casting of the clone like manipulating a puppet.
Adin looked around. Except for Inanna, a fellow mushroom connected to the mycelial network, it seemed only Alama noticed the clone matter.
Although the Duke didn't study magic deeply, everything he wore was top-tier detection equipment, so seeing through his reality and falsehood was reasonable.
Adin was quite satisfied with this result.
It wasn't in vain that he risked life and death under the Boss's command to exchange for these precious magic crystals.
...
On stage, the rapier in Phineas's hand drew silver arcs, piercing the phantoms split by Adin around him one by one.
The instant the blade tip penetrated a phantom, a real Mana Burst bullet roared from the side.
He didn't turn back. With a light turn of his wrist, the rapier spun half a round in his palm, blocking the Mana Burst with the spine of the sword. The mana-blocking material added to the sword body caused this Mana Burst to dissipate, turning into fine magical light spots scattering.
Phineas slid taking advantage of the momentum, his posture like a dance, calmly dodging the second attack.
"Is this all, Viscount Adin?" His voice contained just the right amount of smile. With a light pick of the sword tip, the third phantom was sliced open from the middle.
Phineas even had the leeway to turn his head slightly, casting a perfect smile toward Inanna on the main seat through the crowd.
On the field, not many phantoms remained.
Inanna wore a polite smile on her face, but was talking to the "fighting" Adin in the mycelial network.
"If you are discovered doing this, he will definitely hate you to death."
Inanna meant well, not wanting Adin to get into trouble because of her affairs.
"Don't worry, I know the limits."
Saying this, the "Adin" on the field was finally forced into a corner by Phineas and admitted defeat cleanly.
Polite applause from the guests rang out around them.
In their eyes, Adin's illusion technique was exquisite, but unfortunately, Phineas was clearly superior.
This was undoubtedly a wonderful contest, worth cheering for both sides.
Phineas bowed to everyone in return amidst the praise, that posture as if victory was already in his grasp.
Only Alama in the distance covered his face with his hand, almost unable to watch anymore!
Phineas, this guy, fought back and forth with someone's illusion clone and didn't realize anything wrong until the end; he was completely being played.
As an opponent engaging personally, with Phineas's strength, even if he didn't see through the clone illusion directly, he should have detected some abnormalities during the battle.
Being kept completely in the dark showed that this guy was a flashy rack with levels but lacking actual combat experience.
Too embarrassing...
Adding to his narrow-minded behavior when competing with Warren earlier, if the opportunity to be alone with his daughter was really given to this kind of person, Alama himself would feel aggrieved for Inanna.
But looking at the current situation, Phineas really seemed about to win this contest.
Alama rubbed his chin, sighing secretly.
It seemed he could only think of a way to take Inanna away from the scene first.
As for Phineas... at worst, allow him to pick one more collection item from the treasury as compensation.
Just as the Duke prepared to lose some face, a round figure leaped onto the ring with a "puchi" sound!
No. 4 untied the tablecloth wrapped under its mushroom cap, threw it backward, and hooked a tentacle at Phineas.
The guests were stunned for a moment. Even Phineas on stage failed to control his expression for the first time, looking at that Puchi with astonishment.
"Sorry," Inanna blinked her pink eyes, her tone full of apology, "Little Four seems to want to participate in the contest very much... wonder if it's convenient?"
Phineas recovered quickly, immediately restoring his graceful demeanor: "Since it is Miss Inanna's wish, naturally there is no problem."
Inanna reminded again: "Don't be too serious; it wouldn't be good if you really hurt him."
No. 4 tapped its mushroom cap, deciding not to self-destruct this round.
Phineas also smiled slightly: "Please rest assured, I know the limits."
Phineas stood holding his sword, his face still carrying a trace of ease and calmness. He only took this as an amusing interlude during the banquet, making a "please" gesture gracefully toward that Puchi.
However, the instant the referee waved his hand—
At the tips of No. 4's few soft mycelial tentacles, with a shing, three inches of cold light popped out in unison, sweeping across with a howl! Phineas's pupils contracted abruptly. He leaned back in panic; the sharp blades sliced past close to his scalp, giving him a short haircut in the front.
Before he could stand firm, the second strike arrived.
A Mushroom Cannon hit his chest armor solidly. Phineas was blown backward, rolling twice wretchedly.
Beaten somewhat dazed by a series of sudden attacks, Phineas momentarily forgot the opponent was a Puchi, shouting angrily: "You dare sneak—"
Good chance!
A section of soft, bouncy, slightly cool mycelium chunk was flung into his open mouth—a small piece of tentacle tip No. 4 actively broke off.
The taste of [Delicious LV10] exploded on the tip of his tongue. Phineas swallowed uncontrollably, an oblivion-filled moan spilling from his throat:
"Mmm... hng..."
That sound was close to an intoxicated pig grunt.
Taking advantage of the instant his consciousness scattered, No. 4's tentacles lashed down like a storm, cracking sounds incessant.
Phineas had no power to parry, whipped left and right, finally collapsing limp on the ground, formal suit tattered, blond hair messy.
In the dead silence, No. 4 approached with short legs, tilted its head to observe for a moment—imitating the Marshal Puchi's posture of stepping on prey in memory—and stepped "puchi" on Phineas's face written with blankness.
Silence below the stage.
Only No. 5 jumped up and down excitedly below, cheering constantly in the mycelial network: "Brother Four is mighty! Brother Four is the strongest!"
The referee was stunned for several breaths before announcing loudly as if waking from a dream: "Mushroom Tribe No. 4... Wins!"
Hearing this, No. 4 immediately retracted its tentacles, cold light vanishing. Its round body leaped lightly off the ring, diving straight into Inanna's already open arms.
Inanna caught it with a smile, giving it a victorious pat.
Just when everyone's gaze was attracted by No. 4, Adin quietly lowered his hand, a smear of brilliance at his fingertips dissipating silently.
A suggestive illusion prepared long ago shrouded Phineas's heart.
Humiliation, frustration, mental trance... at this moment, Phineas's mental defense was as fragile as paper.
He didn't even notice anything strange, only feeling a slight dizziness. Immediately, the scene before his eyes changed quietly—
Being defeated by a Puchi or whatever was just his own wild imagination!
He saw himself standing proudly on the stage, sword tip pointing at the fallen Puchi.
Guests cheered for him; Duke Alama nodded approvingly.
And Inanna... Inanna was walking toward him gracefully, pink eyes rippling with admiring luster he had never seen. She placed her hand gently into his palm.
The illusion flowed rapidly.
He and Inanna stood side by side under the garden moonlight. She had become his fiancée. Then a grand wedding; she wore a white veil, smiling at him.
Fame, status, beauty in arms... the illusion of huge success made him smug, losing all vigilance.
In the illusion, after a certain family dinner, he shed all disguises in front of Inanna, who had become his wife.
"For those social entertainments, you just need to be present with a smile. As for the rest... women better ask less." The Phineas in the illusion swirled his wine glass, tone arrogant.
Inanna seemed to want to say something, but he frowned, slamming the wine glass heavily on the table.
"Remember your status, Inanna. I am the master of this family!" His voice turned cold, carrying full desire for control. "Do your part well, obey your husband; that is your greatest value. The family's future and planning don't need a woman like you to participate, otherwise don't blame me for getting angry."
These sharp words echoed in the banquet hall.
"Uh...!"
"Heavens..."
Below the stage, several female noble relatives covered their mouths first, letting out uncontrollable low gasps of surprise.
Many guests' expressions changed abruptly. Gazes involuntarily moved from Phineas, who was paralyzed on the ground talking nonsense, slowly turning to the Duke behind.
The silver wine cup in Duke Alama's hand had been crushed out of shape at some point.
Veins bulged on his forehead. Those eyes were currently churning with anger almost solidifying into substance, locking dead onto Phineas.
At this moment, the thought in all guests' brains was surprisingly unified—Phineas, this kid, is finished.
No. 4 had absolutely no awareness that it just crushed the ambitious future of a noble genius.
It just curled up contentedly in the crook of Inanna's arm, mycelium trembling slightly with pleasure, immersed in the warmth of petting and the sense of achievement from the new move.
[Delicious LV10]!
What a perfect control skill!
It even started planning improvement schemes. Maybe next time try combining with [Juicy] skill; fling delicious juice around randomly when fighting. As long as the enemy accidentally ate a bit, their body would be uncontrolled!
Finally, the winner of the contest, the glorious Mushroom Tribe No. 4, was carried by Inanna to be alone in the garden. They were going to discuss picking some good things for No. 4 from the old man's warehouse.
As for Phineas, still paralyzed on the ground with trance-like consciousness, no one cast a glance at him anymore.
Everyone saw clearly that when Duke Alama left with a flick of his sleeves, the anger churning around him almost condensed into substance.
Not crushing him on the spot was already the last restraint of etiquette, but he definitely wouldn't let this guy off easily later.
The figures of No. 4 and Inanna disappeared behind the corridor pillars. Seeing no familiar partners around, No. 5 shook its mushroom cap, moved its short legs, trotted back, and finally clung onto Vera's back again.
Vera and the three, who witnessed the whole process, were currently leaning against the stone pillar by the corridor. Fayling pinched a piece of crystalline melon fruit, chewing while lamenting vaguely: "This noble circle... is really scary. Vera, you won't become like that in the future, right?"
Vera didn't even bother to reply, just throwing her a "what nonsense are you talking about" look, casually swatting away Fayin's hand reaching for wine—she drank a bit too much tonight.
Had enough wine and food, watched the show too.
Seeing the banquet gradually dispersing and guests leaving in twos and threes to say goodbye, the three also patted their clothes preparing to leave.
Just then, Warren, who had changed into a new set of clothes, walked toward them through the sparse crowd.
He stopped not far away, right hand lightly touching left chest, performing a concise yet solemn etiquette. "Many thanks to Lord Vera for intervening just now. If not for your pull, I'm afraid I would have become the laughingstock of the whole venue at this moment."
He paused slightly, gaze sweeping over the three: "If you don't mind, allow me to show you around the Royal Capital tomorrow."
This was like adventurers returning a favor with wine; Vera naturally would give this face, agreed, and the group left together talking and laughing.
After exiting the Ducal Mansion, Adin turned into a secluded alley, split into two, two into four, leaving in different directions.
While the invisible true body quietly found another small path and slipped away.
This was completely just in case.
As the culprit guiding Phineas to speak his inner thoughts, putting it nicely, he helped Alama see the true colors of these young talents clearly, avoiding harming Inanna.
Putting it badly, he turned this blind date banquet into a joke.
Lord Duke shut in the room might get angrier the more he thought about it, finally chasing up to beat him up.
Without life danger, the Boss definitely wouldn't care about him.
But Adin didn't want to get beaten up extra, so better be cautious...
...
The plan went quite smoothly.
This way, seeing Alama pacing back and forth alone in annoyance, he shouldn't have such thoughts again in the short term.
After Inanna returned to the Mushroom Garden, Lin Jun made a birthday cake and casually went through the motions for her too.
Afterward, attention turned to Fatty Xi.
Fatty Xi just received a new piece of news.
Urbic Territory, the territory of the Vampire Marquis who came to the Northern Territory via teleportation array, fell into chaos after his disappearance.
And just not long ago, the Hand of Passage actually held a large-scale sacrifice ritual in it. One city, two affiliated towns, and six villages were sacrificed together.
Nearly one-third of the Urbic Territory became a dead zone.
For the Empire, what was worse was that the people inside not only died completely but also seemed to have transformed into evil spirits?
(End of Chapter)
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