The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Chapter 171: The Futile Defense Mechanism

Draven moved forward without pause, his expression cold and unflinching. The onslaught of spells seemed almost trivial in his presence, as if the very notion of danger had been rendered meaningless by his sheer will. His arrogance was palpable, an aura that dwarfed even the chaotic magic swirling around him.

Each spell that was cast seemed to dissipate before it could reach him, dissolving into harmless sparks that fizzled out in the air.

The heads of the great families watched in stunned silence as Draven continued his march toward the Magic Tower University, undeterred by the barrier's relentless attacks. There was something almost surreal about the scene—this lone figure, advancing with absolute confidence while the world around him erupted in chaos.

It was as if Draven had become the eye of the storm, a place of eerie calm amidst the raging tempest.

Duchess Blackthorn was the first to break the silence. She turned to her servant, who was standing nearby with a look of awe on his face. "Prepare my mana reserves," she ordered, her voice sharp and commanding. "We'll need every drop if we're to match his pace."

The servant nodded quickly and began weaving the necessary spells, his hands moving with practiced precision. The Duchess's expression remained composed, but there was a glint in her eyes that spoke of both admiration and determination. She had always prided herself on her magical prowess, but seeing Draven in action had reminded her that there were still heights she had yet to reach.

Earl Falken, not to be outdone, barked out orders to his own retinue. "Ready the leyline amplifiers!" he demanded, his voice booming with authority. "We're going in, and I want every ounce of power at our disposal."

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His servants scrambled to comply, channeling the raw magic of the earth itself into their master's spells. Falken's jaw was set in a grim line, his eyes never leaving Draven's form. The man might be arrogant, but he was also undeniably powerful—and Falken wasn't about to let him face this challenge alone.

Duke Lancefroz simply nodded to his knights, who immediately began their own preparations. The Duke's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a steely resolve that brooked no argument. "We march with him," he said, his words carrying the weight of unspoken command. "It would be a lack of dignity to let him face this alone."

The knights saluted in unison, their hands already moving to draw their swords and ready their shields. The Duke's presence was enough to instill confidence in them, but even they could not deny the respect they felt for Draven's display of power. There was no shame in following a leader of such caliber—only honor.

As the heads of the great families gathered their forces, they moved in unison toward the barrier, their steps echoing with purpose. They might have had their differences, their rivalries and suspicions, but in this moment, they were united by a common cause. And that cause was embodied in the figure of Draven, who had already proven himself more than worthy of their respect.

Draven cast a barrier of his own, a shimmering dome of translucent energy that enveloped him as he advanced. The magic circles around him faltered, their power redirected and absorbed by the barrier, which began to grow in size and intensity. The more the barrier's defenses threw at him, the stronger his own barrier became, feeding off the very magic that sought to destroy him.

"This is convenient," Draven muttered, his voice as cold and detached as ever. He showed no sign of strain, no indication that the increasing power of his barrier was anything more than a minor adjustment to his plans.

The heads of the great families, seeing the opportunity, moved closer to Draven, each of them channeling their mana into his barrier. Duchess Blackthorn's icy magic blended seamlessly with Draven's own, enhancing the barrier with a layer of freezing cold that repelled the flames and lightning striking against it.

Earl Falken's raw elemental energy surged into the barrier, adding a crackling edge of power that sizzled through the air. Duke Lancefroz, ever the stalwart warrior, poured his own mana into the barrier, reinforcing it with the strength of steel-like ice and the unyielding resolve of his will.

"Tsk, I guess it can't be helped," Count Valen put his own mana imbued with golden mana, the same attribute, but slightly weaker from her daughter, but clad in experience and perfection that her daughter still lacks of.

The barrier swelled, growing larger and more formidable with each contribution, until it encompassed not only Draven but also the heads of the great families, their servants, and the knights of Drakhan who had arrived to support their lord.

It was a sight to behold—a shimmering, multi-hued dome of pure magical energy, pulsating with the combined power of some of the greatest mages and warriors in the kingdom.

Anyone who made up the plan of this dungeonification would never guessed that the heads of the great families would be spearheading the magic tower personally like this.

Draven's expression remained impassive, his cold blue eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Stay close," he instructed, his voice carrying effortlessly over the hum of the barrier. "We're moving in together."

The heads of the great families nodded, their expressions focused and determined. They knew what was at stake, and they knew that Draven's leadership was their best chance of success. The servants and knights, buoyed by the presence of their masters and the palpable power of the barrier, tightened their formation, ready to follow Draven into whatever awaited them inside the Magic Tower University.

As they advanced, the barrier continued to absorb the attacks of the defense mechanism, growing brighter and more resilient with each passing moment. The mist that had shrouded the tower swirled angrily around them, but it could not penetrate the barrier's defenses.

The magic circles that had once threatened to overwhelm Draven now served only to fuel the barrier's power, their energy redirected and repurposed by Draven's unyielding will.

"Forward," Draven commanded, his voice as cold and unyielding as the barrier itself.

With that single word, the group moved as one, their steps synchronized and their resolve unshakable. The heads of the great families flanked Draven on either side, their mana pouring steadily into the barrier, while the servants and knights followed close behind, their weapons at the ready.

The Magic Tower University loomed before them, its spires shrouded in darkness and mystery. But as they drew closer, the barrier pulsed with renewed vigor, pushing back the encroaching mist and illuminating the path ahead. There was no turning back now—only forward, into the heart of the storm.

Draven's cold, efficient mind continued to analyze every aspect of the barrier, every nuance of the defense mechanism that had been arrayed against them. He could see the patterns, the intricacies of the magic that had been woven into the tower's transformation. It was a masterful creation, to be sure, but it was also flawed—its power derived from the very magic it sought to control.

As they reached the base of the tower, Draven raised a hand, signaling the group to halt. The barrier pulsed once more, expanding outward to encompass the entire entrance of the tower. The mist recoiled, unable to withstand the overwhelming power of the combined forces that had been arrayed against it.

Draven's gaze was cold and calculating as he regarded the entrance, his mind already working through the next steps. The barrier was strong, but it was not invincible. They would need to move quickly and decisively if they were to breach the defenses and reach the heart of the dungeon that had consumed the tower.

"Prepare yourselves," Draven said, his voice steady and unwavering. "This is only the beginning."

The heads of the great families exchanged glances, their expressions grim but resolute. They had come this far, and they would see it through to the end, no matter what awaited them inside.

As Draven took the first step forward, the barrier surged with power, pushing back the last vestiges of the mist and clearing the way into the darkness beyond. The group followed, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they crossed the threshold and entered the unknown.

The Magic Tower University had been transformed into a dungeon, a place of danger and uncertainty, but Draven's cold, unyielding arrogance would guide them through. It's as if his arrogance itself is far greater than this whole dungeonification of the magic tower university.