"That's enough, Thunderbird."
Ashwinder, still crouching low, his wand extended forward with its tip glowing faintly, looked gravely at the figure still holding the long blade. "This is just an authorization assessment. If you really kill this guy, we'll all be in trouble."
Ashwinder knew it was bad when he saw Thunderbird cast Fiendfyre. Seriously, it was just a normal assessment; was it necessary to use the Fire Blade Curse right off the bat? Sure enough, once someone angered that guy, he was capable of anything.
After Thunderbird pulled out his signature move, the Fire Blade Curse, Ashwinder, besides screaming holy cow internally, also knew he couldn't just watch anymore. Fortunately, he had prepared beforehand. Just as Thunderbird was about to swing his blade, he quickly used his secret art to rush in front of Nundu. It was a good thing he arrived in time and Thunderbird didn't use his full power; otherwise, the Counter-Charm he cast wouldn't have extinguished such a large area of Fiendfyre so easily.
But even so, Ashwinder's hasty casting of the spell made him suffer greatly. The sudden, powerful magic left his limbs sore, and the green smoke still rising from his body was from the residual heat of the Fiendfyre. At the same time, Ashwinder glared angrily at Nundu behind him. *This idiot—couldn't you tell that the person in front of you wasn't quite right in the head? Why would you provoke a lunatic for no reason?*
*But this is also my own fault for being a masochist,* Ashwinder secretly mocked himself. If he had known, he wouldn't have suggested that Thunderbird preside over this broken assessment. Looking at the floor and walls of the dueling hall sizzling with smoke from the Fiendfyre and in danger of melting and cracking, his heart ached. *You guys just fight and walk away, but I'm the one who has to clean up this mess in the end, aren't I?*
Thunderbird, seeing Ashwinder block him in advance, didn't continue to make trouble. He just snorted coldly, then flicked the wand in his hand, extinguishing the Fire Blade Curse.
"Don't be so nervous. I just wanted to test the quick reaction capability of that good-for-nothing behind you. If it came down to it, I would have stopped anyway." Thunderbird couldn't help but sneer as he said this.
*I believe you, you old scoundrel—you're full of lies!* Ashwinder cursed inwardly. He wouldn't believe Thunderbird's nonsense. He could guarantee that if he hadn't stopped him in time, Nundu would have been incinerated without a trace. Perhaps that guy would even mock him afterward, saying something like, "I didn't even put in much effort, and this guy died as soon as I made a move; it's all because Nundu's strength was too weak."
As if Ashwinder had hit the nail on the head, Thunderbird indeed continued to mock.
"Speaking of which, this good-for-nothing truly deserves to be called a good-for-nothing. Even though I didn't exert much effort, this fool froze like an idiot at the last moment, not even knowing how to resist. So, is this kind of person now worthy of becoming a leader in the club?"
"To be honest, I'm a bit worried about the club's future. I hope Golden Knight can provide a reasonable explanation for this."
"And back to the assessment—with this good-for-nothing's standard, he would have been completely unqualified during the years I presided over the club's assessments. As for now, well, it's up to you."
Although they were both members of the club, Thunderbird's sarcasm remained merciless. After coldly leaving a few words, he turned and returned to the reception room.
Seeing Thunderbird leave, Ashwinder finally let out a long sigh of relief. He was really afraid that Thunderbird would disregard everything and insist on killing Nundu. No one could guess what that lunatic was thinking.
At this moment, Nundu, who had escaped death, seemed to finally realize that he had snatched his life back from the jaws of death. For a moment, his limbs went weak, and he slumped to the ground with a thud, trembling and gasping for breath.
Seeing Nundu's current pathetic state, Ashwinder couldn't help but glance at him with disdain, but he quickly adjusted his mood and said with a relaxed smile, "Congratulations, Nundu, you have successfully passed this authorization assessment. You have now unlocked the club's third-level authorization."
However, Nundu, upon hearing Ashwinder's congratulations, couldn't feel any joy at all. He even felt that this so-called promotion notification was deeply ironic.
"Who was that person just now? Why is his strength so terrifying? Is this the true foundation of the Silver Spears that Golden Knight spoke of?" Nundu sighed with lingering fear, then stared blankly at Ashwinder, trying to get an answer from him.
"Heh, foundation? Maybe he counts as one." Ashwinder chuckled softly. "You don't really need to pay too much attention to that guy. He's always like that—looking for a beating, but no one can beat him. Thankfully, his range of activity isn't in Europe."
"But I must warn you..." Ashwinder's tone suddenly became serious. "That guy wasn't lying about one thing just now, and that is he really didn't use his full power—or rather, he barely exerted any effort at all. So, don't provoke him for no reason, or don't blame me for not warning you if you end up inexplicably dying by his hand one day. That bastard isn't quite right in the head; he's capable of anything."
After being scared by Ashwinder, Nundu couldn't help but swallow hard. He then stumbled to his feet and nodded very solemnly to Ashwinder. After the battle just now, he was truly terrified. That overwhelming rage made him feel nothing but his own insignificance. He certainly didn't want to experience that feeling again—of being able to be crushed to death at any moment, as weak as an ant.
Seeing Nundu's reaction, Ashwinder also secretly nodded. Although having Thunderbird preside over the assessment was indeed a bit dangerous, the effect was surprisingly good; at least it could make these arrogant newcomers behave a little. Didn't Nundu used to be so arrogant? Now he was as timid as a quail. As expected, to make these guys obedient, one should show them what absolute strength was, instead of just luring them with benefits like Golden Knight.
After spending some more time sending Nundu away, Ashwinder returned to the reception room. He still hadn't given Thunderbird the potion and Portkey he wanted.
Upon returning to the reception room, Ashwinder saw Thunderbird leisurely sitting on the sofa and couldn't help but tease him, "That guy was really scared by you. It's a shame you didn't see his final reaction; I think he almost peed his pants."
"He brought it upon himself." Thunderbird snorted coldly, then looked at Ashwinder again. "A Short Spear with a second-level authorization possesses a spell like Whirlwind Ice Storm, plus the pre-determined leader qualification. I don't know what Rune Serpent and Golden Knight are planning, but this is somewhat against the rules, isn't it?"
"This..." Ashwinder was also a bit embarrassed when he heard Thunderbird's questioning. "Regarding how Nundu obtained Whirlwind Ice Storm, I'm not particularly clear either. You'll have to ask them for the specifics."
"Then arrange the Longspear Meeting quickly. If possible, I'd also like to meet Rune Serpent. What exactly his thoughts are, it's best for me to verify myself," Thunderbird said in a cold tone.
When Ashwinder heard Thunderbird's words, he knew that Thunderbird was questioning Golden Knight's actions, and had even begun to suspect whether the current actions were personally authorized by the leader.
It should be known that Rune Serpent's whereabouts were inherently elusive, and the communication channels with him had always been monopolized by Golden Knight. Now that Rune Serpent hadn't shown his face for a long time, no one knew whether Golden Knight had falsely transmitted messages during this period.
In fact, Ashwinder also had some doubts in his heart. Although the headquarters' strategies in recent years had been very successful, if the current plans and objectives could be achieved smoothly, the club's profits would indeed be very substantial. But Rune Serpent always failing to show up in person still made everyone feel a bit uneasy.
"Understood, I will convey your request to Golden Knight, and no matter what the outcome, I will inform you via the mask," Ashwinder said in a flat tone.
Thunderbird, however, looked at the other party with some surprise upon hearing this. He understood the meaning conveyed behind Ashwinder's words. In the past, whether it was a request to hold a Longspear Meeting or to meet Rune Serpent, regardless of the outcome, it was usually Golden Knight who would notify them. Ashwinder usually would not participate in club affairs, and privately contacting other leaders could be considered a violation of discipline.
*It seems he also has doubts and dissatisfaction with Golden Knight's current actions. Is he trying to show his support for me by contacting me alone?* Alan secretly nodded. It seemed Thunderbird was right; everyone in the Silver Spears had their own hidden agendas.
"That's for the best. I will initiate an inquiry with Golden Knight. Give me what I need quickly. I will be staying in Germany for the near future, and you can send me messages at any time." Thunderbird's words meant, "I'll be the one to stick my neck out, and if you're willing to support me, remember to send me information."
"No problem, just a moment." Ashwinder looked deeply at Thunderbird, then passed through the side door of the reception room.
*It seems being direct isn't so bad after all. If everyone were as straightforward as Thunderbird, people wouldn't have to be so suspicious all the time,* Ashwinder muttered to himself.
Alan, at this moment, also gazed at Ashwinder's retreating figure. Besides pondering the complex interpersonal relationships within the club, he also became interested in Ashwinder. In the previous battle, Ashwinder had suddenly appeared directly in front of his blade, and he could be certain that this guy had not used Apparition. At the same time, he had keenly perceived the afterimage of this guy's movement with his magical sense, which meant that Ashwinder had moved at an incredibly fast speed, as if he had used Apparition.