#393 - You want to fight me in close combat? (Seeking monthly ticket recommendation)
Just as Aselia was about to speak, seizing the opportunity while Anduin prepared to talk, she swiftly drew the wand from her waist. With a flick of her wrist, she instantly unleashed three potent Stunning Spells. These spells, arranged in a triangular formation, shot towards Anduin, clearly demonstrating Aselia's use of the 'Multi-Shot Spell' technique.
At the same time, she knew that Anduin, as an alchemist, undoubtedly possessed numerous defensive items.
Fearing that such an attack might not completely penetrate his defenses, and that trouble would ensue if Anduin had time to react, Aselia began to close the distance with agile steps, rapidly approaching Anduin.
She was determined to use close-quarters spellcasting to quickly subdue him.
In Aselia's eyes, Anduin was nothing more than an underage wizard with some alchemical achievements, hardly a threat. This aligned with the conclusion reached during her discussion with 'Thunderbird': how strong could a young man be?
Therefore, she acted decisively. As she closed in, the tip of her wand already glowed with a prepared Paralysis Curse. A direct hit at close range would surely render Anduin instantly helpless.
That is, until her right hand, holding the wand, was seized in a death grip!
Upon seeing Aselia's reaction, Anduin hadn't even bothered to draw his own wand. Instead, a surge of intense electricity erupted around him, instantly obliterating the three incoming spells with a wave of his hand.
Then, as she approached, he nimbly sidestepped Aselia's pointing wand, before suddenly raising his hand and seizing her wrist.
“Heh, it's been a long time since someone chose to fight me at close range.” Anduin's lips curled into a slight smile. “I didn't expect you to make such a decision, Aselia. I must say, you're quite imaginative, and especially courageous.”
This battle began and ended abruptly. Aselia hadn't even been able to clearly see Anduin's movements before realizing she had been disarmed. The aspen wand in her hand had been snatched away the moment Anduin grabbed her.
“You!” Aselia, realizing she had been instantly defeated, looked at Anduin in disbelief. “Are you the one who fought ‘Thunderbird’?”
If she hadn't realized it by now, she would be too foolish.
Aselia was well aware of her own strength. Her spells were not so easily neutralized, yet Anduin's lightning magic had effortlessly destroyed her spells. She had never heard of such a method.
“Realizing that now is far too late.” Anduin shook his head. “You dared to attack me? Are the people in Silver Spear all reckless fools? ‘Thunderbird’ is like that, and so were the four Silver Spears who attacked the Scamander family.”
“The Scamander family? Were you the one who dealt with the infiltration team?” Aselia looked at Anduin with near despair.
“You didn't even know that? It seems the Ministry of Magic's confidentiality measures aren't completely terrible.” Anduin had thought that Aselia would recognize him after he used his lightning magic. He hadn't expected her to be unaware of what had happened to the Scamander family, which greatly changed his opinion of the Ministry of Magic.
But now was not the time to consider these things. Anduin squeezed her hand forcefully. Aselia cried out in pain before he twisted her arm behind her back. Then, a 'Spirit Binding Snake' emerged from Anduin's sleeve, tightly binding Aselia's hands.
After doing all this, Anduin directly Apparated away with Aselia.
When they reappeared, Aselia found herself in a simply decorated room, surrounded by various magical instruments and rows of transparent glass cabinets. The cabinets were filled with various potions and magical ingredients.
In the center of the room stood something resembling an upright bed frame, upon which was bound a man with a blank expression. Strange metal wires were attached to his body, connecting to unfamiliar instruments. The scene was unsettling.
As Anduin appeared in the room with Aselia, he secured her to a bed frame similar to the one holding the catatonic man, all while she watched with growing dread.
“Anduin! What are you going to do to me? Where is this place? You…”
Before Aselia could finish speaking, Anduin glanced at her sharply, and her lips sealed shut as if taped together, allowing her to only emit muffled “Uhh Uhh” sounds.
Soon, Aselia was completely restrained by Anduin. He did not question her, but instead took out a syringe and drew a large tube of blood from her arm.
Seeing this, Aselia became extremely agitated, but could only make helpless muffled sounds.
“Magic power of 627 points? Although it's a bit less than ‘Iseron,’ her age must be considered. Her strength is not bad.”
After muttering to himself, Anduin continued to examine Aselia. In addition to magic power, he also specifically tested her various physiological indicators and recorded them in detail.
He knew that he would be interrogating her next, and interrogation inevitably involved some methods. If Aselia's health was poor, it would be a great loss if Anduin accidentally killed her.
After the physical examination was completed, Anduin began to search Aselia's belongings. He quickly found her spatial equipment, a leather pocket worn close to the body, and also found her faceless mask inside.
And Anduin did everything in front of Aselia.
Aselia watched the young man draw blood, take her temperature, measure her heart rate, and even touch her all over, not missing any spot.
But looking at Anduin doing all this, Aselia felt not anger and shame, but deep fear.
Because Anduin's face showed no change in expression while he was doing these things to her, maintaining absolute indifference, as if the person in front of him was not a beautiful woman, but a corpse, or some alchemical tool about to be studied.
Anduin's emotionless demeanor constantly impacted Aselia's psychological defenses. She couldn't imagine what she would face next. All that remained in her heart was despair.
Her face changed from fear, incomprehension, anger, and back to fear, to the current numbness.
