Theron was still a bit focused on the last of the three techniques when he looked up and found Blackmaul there. Of course, he recognized the young man with exceptional quickness, and he was even faster to sense that his aura was now that of someone in the Quasi Cloud Resonance Realm.

However, one would have never guessed by his expression that he recognized Blackmaul at all. His thinking speed was exceptional, and his Third Eye was still far superior to those of the same level. Even if he was stupid enough to express shock, he would have hidden it so quickly that even the likes of Blackmaul wouldn't be able to sense it.

Blackmaul, though, saw something completely different. He hadn't seen Theron's full face back then, but a piece of the mask had fallen off. In addition, this Theron was the exact same height as the Theron of back then, even though their auras were vastly different.

What were the odds that this Quasi Gold Mancer would share the same lower quarter of a face, the same cultivation, and the same height?

"First Senior Brother…" Lyra said cautiously, feeling that the atmosphere was off, but Blackmaul had already pulled his enormous club from his back.

It oozed with a black, foggy aura, its power menacing and heavy. To his credit, he was easily three or more times more powerful than the last time Theron faced him.

By comparison, Theron himself had actually regressed a small bit because of the Goddess Sacharro's actions. The Theron of back then was probably only just about equal to the current Blackmaul in terms of raw power. In terms of combat effectiveness and skill, he had left the latter far behind.

Whether Blackmaul had improved in that was unknown, but it was unlikely. How much better could he become in a few weeks?

Without a word, Blackmaul attacked.

Theron didn't seem surprised by this. The moment he had seen Kaelen's actions, he could guess what they wanted to do.

Blackmaul was smart enough to know that since Theron was here, he had somehow managed to trick the elders and pull the wool over their eyes. That meant that there was almost certainly no evidence on Theron that could expose him right now.

In that case, Blackmaul would kill first and accept punishment later. Even if Theron wasn't the Demon Chosen and all of these things really were just coincidences, killing him would still get rid of an extra mouth to feed.

"Blackmaul!" Lyra screamed, but Theron had already pushed her by the shoulder. With her strength, she would just get in the way. He didn't have time to deal with her.

By the time he completed the action, Blackmaul's weapon was already right above his head.

Theron's gaze flickered, and a foggy darkness formed in his eyes.

[Shadow Step].

He tapped a foot and his body seemed to split one way, then two, then three. Flashing copies of himself formed in the air.

BOOM.

Blackmaul missed, but when Theron appeared again, just a half meter away, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Dark Mana wasn't capable of true teleportation. It deconstructed and then reconstructed, and because Theron had been a step late in activating this new technique of his, Blackmaul's club had passed through some of his first afterimage.

That damage transferred to him when his body snapped into one.

Lyra tumbled across the ground before hopping to her feet. She too was a Core Disciple, so though Theron had caught her off guard, it wasn't enough to leave her in a sorry state.

Unfortunately, just when she wanted to close in the distance to help, Kaelen blocked her path.

"I think it's best if you just stay here," he said coldly.

"Get out of my way, Kaelen!" Lyra shrieked.

Kaelen reacted as though he hadn't heard her at all.

By this point, the many disciples in the surroundings were alerted, confused about exactly what was going on. They, of course, recognized their First Senior Brother. But why was he attacking a Silver Mancer?

They were so shocked by this that they didn't have the time to register the fact that this Silver Mancer had actually managed to dodge.

As for Elder Bulzen, he felt like he was in over his head. He wanted to report this matter, but he received a particularly cold message and froze in place.

He was just a small managing Elder, not even at the level of Peak Elder Lotus. He couldn't afford to offend a Core Disciple; he was barely in the high tiers of Gold Mancy himself. Even Lyra could defeat him in a move or two with casual ease.

Blackmaul pulled his club up and out of the shattered cobblestone, his expression ice-cold. There was a hint of doubt in his mind. The Demon Chosen definitely hadn't had the aura of a Dark Mancer.

But he suppressed those thoughts. The only reason Theron could be here was if he had managed to find a way to trick elders with far greater sight than himself. Trying to figure it out would only dull his attacks.

All he had to do was focus on one thing.

Kill.

Blood leaked from Theron's lips, but he didn't even get the chance to wipe it away when a second strike came.

With a flip of his palm, a slender black spear a head taller than himself appeared in Theron's hand. His eyes flashed with coldness and his expression became entirely unreadable.

He shifted his stance and seemed to take the posture of a veteran of polearms.

In that instant, it felt as though the ocean itself was building up tall waves behind Theron, his momentum rising like a raging tide.

Blackmaul pressed down the new wave of doubt toward the unfamiliar weapon. This time, it was even easier as he felt those very same illusory waves become ebbs of danger pressing against his mind.

He would go all out.

Mana in the surroundings almost screeched into obedience, slamming down with his next attack.

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