“Your words are as useless as your attacks,” Lucas taunted, hoping to make himself seem even worse in the eyes of the onlookers. This wasn’t part of his plan, but he was going to take advantage of the boon presented to him. He could already tell that his actions and abuse had roused the players since almost everyone had transitioned from passively watching to staring daggers at him, even if Malik alone had raised his sword. “How can you frighten me with such a feeble performance?”

“What’s going on? Is this an event?” one of the other players in the back asked.

“You will not get away with this!” Valerie shouted. She pulled out a staff and began channeling a spell aimed at Lucas.

“No, I think it’s you who won’t get away with it,” Lucas said. He began channeling his own spell, Meddling Minds, on Malik. “You’re the one who is constantly guarded and protected by Malik, but it’s clear from your behavior that he means nothing to you—even if you mean everything to him. Do you think he’ll always be watching out for you?”

Unfortunately for Lucas, Valerie’s spell was faster; and, to Lucas’s surprise, she had also figured out a way around the barrier. Instead of shooting directly at him along the path blocked by the Force Shield, she shot to the right, and Lucas watched in horror as a curving blade of wind spun around the shield and then raced straight toward his chest. He stopped channeling mid-spell and backed away from what could have been a fatal attack.

Agghh!! Lucas mentally screamed as the channeling was canceled. Energy from the uncast spell flooded back into his own mind when he broke his concentration and canceled the cast. The world spun around him for a brief moment before turning black. His head pounded with pain, leaving him nearly incoherent. Almost 15% of his life had been consumed as a result of the interrupted spell.

System Notice: Due to the powerful nature and heavy Arcane Energy requirements of Meddling Minds, attacks or movements that break concentration will cause already-channeled Arcane Energy to go berserk within the caster’s body.

Lucas grunted. Coulda freaking told me that earlier. He ground his teeth together and tried not to let any of the agonies he felt show as he struggled to remain upright. It took a massive amount of willpower and focus, and the angry woman pounding on his back with her tiny fists did not help at all.

Bonnie erected a Force Shield just to stop a second Wind Blade from making its way to him and finishing him off while he recovered his senses.

No, I need to make a show of this. “Ha! Your blade is as slow as your mind,” Lucas taunted, once again channeling Meddling Minds while more and more players, civilians, and guards began crowding around. “Leading on men must be all you’re good for!”

“Stop! Saying! Stupid! Things!” Malik gasped out between attacks. The shield was already looking near the verge of collapse.