Rebirth : The Alchemist's Path

Meylan was initially stunned by Sylvus' words.

Then, it dawned on him—Sylvus thought he hadn't hit Reggie hard enough.

"Well, I can't be blamed for this. After all, you're the one who angered the boss."

As soon as Meylan finished speaking, he vanished from his spot.

"Smack..."

"Ah... Ugh..."

In the next second, the crisp sound of another slap echoed through the air.

Reggie, who had just managed to stand up, was once again sent flying, spewing a mouthful of blood. He nearly passed out as his vision blurred.

"That felt good!"

Meylan couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction as he watched Reggie fly over ten meters away.

Meanwhile, the other two Enforcement Hall members stood frozen in place, completely dumbfounded.

Their captain was being humiliated—again. And from the look on Sylvus and Meylan's faces, neither of them seemed the least bit afraid.

Didn't they realize that the Enforcement Hall represented the royal family?

"You… you… You're both finished! How dare you assault a law enforcement officer? I swear, I'll make sure you—"

Reggie struggled to his feet, his face marked with a clear handprint.

But he showed no fear. His pride as an Enforcement Hall officer fueled his defiance.

Even though he wasn't a match for Meylan, this was still the Sacred City of the Boc Empire. There was no way the royal family would allow him to be humiliated like this.

"Meylan, didn't I say my hearing isn't great? Can't you put in a little more effort?"

Seeing that Reggie still dared to make threats, Sylvus sighed, shaking his head in disappointment as he slowly stood up.

"Boss, I…"

Meylan was taken aback. He had already used considerable force with his last slap.

If he increased his strength further, he'd likely kill Reggie with one hit.

Could it be that Sylvus really wanted him to kill Reggie?

"Looks like I'll have to teach you how to deliver a proper slap."

"Buzz…"

Before Reggie could react, he suddenly felt an invisible force envelop him.

The next second, his body was lifted into the air and drawn toward Sylvus.

"What are you doing? Let me go, or I swear I'll…"

As he came face to face with Sylvus, Reggie's eyes filled with terror.

He hadn't expected someone who appeared so young to possess such strength. Despite being a Sage ArchMage, he couldn't break free.

"Too noisy."

Sylvus snorted, and with a flick of his hand, an invisible force struck Reggie across the face.

"Smack…"

"Ah…"

The sharp sound echoed once more, and Reggie was sent flying, landing several meters away. His face burned with pain.

Meylan watched the scene unfold, puzzled.

The slap had been loud and crisp, but it didn't seem much different from the one he had delivered earlier. What was Sylvus trying to teach him?

"Ah… What have you done to me? My magic power… It's disappearing! My rank… It's falling… Ah…"

But in the next moment, Reggie let out a miserable scream.

Meylan quickly glanced over, only to realize that Reggie, who had just been a Grand ArchMage, had now regressed to the rank of ArchMage.

His magic power was dissipating rapidly, and within three breaths, Reggie had been reduced to an ordinary person.

*Gasp...*

Meylan inhaled sharply, casting a terrified glance at Sylvus.

Now he understood the difference between his slap and Sylvus'. Sylvus had completely crippled Reggie with a single strike.

"Boss… this is brutal," Meylan thought to himself.

Crippling Reggie's strength was even more vicious than killing him.

Reggie had achieved his high status solely because of his magical abilities.

Without that power, he would be cast out of the Enforcement Hall.

And all those enemies he had made over the years wouldn't spare him once he lost the protection of the Hall.

Meylan could already picture it—without his magic, Reggie wouldn't last a day before being killed in some dark alley.

"I've been crippled! My magic is gone! You… you're all dead! You two, why are you just standing there? Contact the higher-ups in the Enforcement Hall! Tell them to come save me!"

Reggie, having realized his condition, screamed in despair, directing his anger at the other two Enforcement Hall members.

But the two men hesitated.

They hadn't expected that a simple visit to buy elixirs would lead to this disaster.

And if they informed the higher-ups, they too would be implicated in this mess. Who knew what fate would await them afterward?

"Boom…"

"Oh, really? Then go ahead, have the Enforcement Hall come and try."

Meylan's voice echoed coldly as he unleashed his aura.

The oppressive presence of a Nine-Star Saint Archmage filled the room, suffocating everyone in the vicinity.

In that moment, it felt as if Meylan controlled the very heavens and earth.

"S-Saint Archmage? Ugh…"

Reggie, who had some knowledge of magic, immediately recognized the power radiating from Meylan.

The anger in his eyes transformed into shock. His blood surged within his body, and he coughed up blood once more.

A Saint Archmage?

How could someone like that be here?

The Enforcement Hall might be powerful, but not even they could stand against a Saint Archmage.

Even if the royal family were informed, would they really risk provoking such a powerful figure for the sake of a crippled captain?

Moreover, if the elderly man was a Saint Archmage and still treated the young shopkeeper with such respect, then what level of power did Sylvus possess?

A Mage Emperor?

The thought sent a shiver down Reggie's spine. He collapsed to the ground, utterly defeated.

His eyes filled with despair, and he realized his life was truly over.

Meylan and the other two Enforcement Hall members cast a sympathetic glance at Reggie. His misfortune was undeniable.

Just as they were reflecting on the situation, Sylvus suddenly appeared in front of Reggie with a flicker.

Unlike before, Sylvus now wore a gentle smile as he looked down at Reggie.

"Do you want to regain your strength?"