V3: Chapter 33: The Backbone
There were simply too many tentacles; the lightsaber in her hand was no longer enough to handle them.
Octaville turned and grabbed her staff.
The tentacles attacked again, but Octaville reacted swiftly. With a flick of her staff, a dazzling blue light barrier instantly formed around her, deflecting the first few tentacles that attacked.
The tentacles struck the light barrier, emitting a piercing shriek, but failed to penetrate the magical barrier. Octaville took the opportunity to retreat a few steps, regaining her footing, and quickly formulated a countermeasure.
There were simply too many magicians still trapped in the illusion around her. Octaville looked around and felt somewhat constrained. They were too easily harmed if they remained stationary.
What she needed to do now was to awaken them first.
Octaville chanted a spell, and the tip of her staff burst forth with dazzling light, transforming into beams of light that accurately struck the most active tentacles.
The tentacles, struck by the light arrows, immediately withered and vanished, but more tentacles surged in from all directions, seemingly endless.
However, Octaville's true purpose wasn't to eliminate all the tentacles, but to awaken more people around her.
Sure enough, enveloped in the bright light and healing spells, a third of the people awoke, including Prescott and Gladys.
"Hiss!"
He gasped, looking at the dense swarm of tentacles in the room.
He hadn't witnessed such a scene in a long time.
"Professor Prescott, step back a bit. I know you're not good at fighting. I need to deal with these tentacles now. Pull everyone aside so I don't accidentally hurt them."
Octaville gripped her staff tightly.
"Okay."
Although Gladys was still trembling, she proved reliable in this crucial moment. She, Prescott, and the remaining conscious magicians—those still unconscious—were forcibly dragged to a corner of the room where the tentacles were less numerous.
Now, Octaville could fight with peace of mind.
At this moment, Octaville realized that simple attacks wouldn't solve the problem. So, she changed her strategy and began trying to guide the tentacles.
Octaville closed her eyes, focusing on the flow of magic in the room. Then, she suddenly opened them, her staff tracing a complex arc in the air as she chanted an ancient guiding incantation. The air in the room seemed to come alive; the tentacles slowed their movements, some even intertwining.
Just as Octaville was preparing to deliver her decisive blow, an unusually thick tentacle suddenly slammed down from the ceiling, aiming straight for her heart. She dodged narrowly, and simultaneously swung her staff, unleashing a powerful shockwave that shattered the tentacle.
But this was just the beginning. More tentacles were enraged, their attacks growing increasingly fierce.
Octaville took a deep breath, deciding to use one of her more powerful spells—"Soul Shackles."
She raised her staff, all her magic power converging at its tip. The gem erupted with unprecedented light, illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime.
With a deafening incantation, an invisible chain shot from the staff, precisely binding the core tentacle, hidden within the box.
Clatter!
The box fell from Laura's hands.
The tentacles instantly ceased their attack, beginning to tremble violently, as if struggling against an unseen force.
Octaville gritted her teeth, continuing to pour in magic. Finally, with a piercing wail, all the tentacles vanished simultaneously. The room returned to silence, leaving only a faint smell of burning flesh and lingering magical fluctuations.
At the same time, Laura's eyes rolled back.
Thump!
She collapsed heavily to the ground.
Octaville let out a long sigh. The people around her instantly gathered, looking at Laura lying on the ground and the small box beside her.
"Lord Tower Master, I have a feeling Laura was just trapped in some kind of illusion."
"No, I don't think it was an illusion. It's more like something... well, more like someone possessed her body."
"Yes, the Laura just now wasn't Laura, but someone else. There was a very unfamiliar aura and feeling about her."
The people around chattered. They didn't dare touch the box on the ground, so they picked up the unconscious Laura and placed her on a nearby sofa.
Octaville didn't say a word, her expression grave as she squatted down.
She looked at the small box on the ground.
The small box closed again, tightly shut, and lay motionless on the ground.
Prescott crouched down to examine the small box.
“Lord Tower Master, perhaps we shouldn’t open it for now. Let Miss Liang Di open it after she gives birth.”
Liang Di has the most tentacle blood vessels; she can easily break free from most illusions.
Octaville remained silent, staring at the small box on the ground.
After observing it for a while, Prescott looked at Octaville again.
“Little Fu, what do you think?”
Octaville didn’t answer the question, but instead looked away from the box and at Prescott. She pursed her lips and sighed softly.
Prescott seemed to understand and nodded slightly.
“Hmm, it seems you feel the same way. It seems I’m not the only one.”
The surrounding magicians, not quite understanding Prescott’s words, turned their attention to Octaville.
Octavian nodded this time as well, though she didn't speak, her hand resting on the small box.
"Lord Tower Master!"
The crowd behind her erupted in cheers, their voices rising in volume.
"Lord Tower Master, please don't open it! It's far too dangerous!"
"Lord Tower Master! Even if you must open it, let me do it. You shouldn't do something so dangerous..."
"Lord Tower Master! I'll open it! I'll open it!"
The surrounding magicians vied to help Octaville open the box.
They were all worried that Octaville would faint like Laura. Octaville was their backbone, the backbone of the Magic Tower. If she fell ill or was injured, it would be detrimental to them and the Magic Tower.
Octaville raised her hand.
"Quiet down."
"I can no longer sense any danger."
Octaville gave the crowd a reassuring smile.
"I'll open it myself. After all, I'm the Tower Master, the strongest among you. I'm sure I won't get hurt if I open something this dangerous."
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