Chapter 53: Is the Match Decided?

Qiaolin was methodically absorbing Aurora’s toxins.

The three different poisons had little effect on him, but he keenly noticed the skin on his arm, where black veins pulsed, beginning to show unusual wrinkles.

“Is this Aging?”

Qiaolin murmured.

Not only was his skin changing, but his own Magic Power was also being mysteriously disturbed.

He could feel the effects of the spells he cast significantly decreasing.

‘There is also the power of Degradation. It can not only weaken the physical body but also reduce the effects of magic. This antidote likely won’t work anymore.’

The effect of Degradation could minimize the efficacy of an antidote, and the absorption of medicine by an aging body would also become an issue.

Fortunately, the Nine-Headed Black Venom Dragon-Serpent venom only mutated within Qiaolin’s body.

Given Aurora’s current condition, if she had been afflicted by other types of toxins, she wouldn’t have lasted until Qiaolin finished absorbing everything.

However, Qiaolin still had to keep a constant eye on the situation with Fenris.

Her healing speed was gradually surpassing his.

‘Besides continuing to absorb Aurora’s toxins, what else can I do to finish the treatment as quickly as possible?’

A bold idea surfaced in Qiaolin’s mind.

Since the poison of Degradation could simultaneously affect both matter and magic, then the reverse must also be true.

As long as it was controlled properly, he could use it to eliminate the other toxins within Aurora’s body.

The risk of doing this was extremely high.

One wrong move would let the Degradation poison invade her further, and Aurora would die even faster.

Qiaolin didn’t care about such risks.

He wasn’t some novice Healing Mage.

In his eyes, any medical method that was useful to the patient was worth a try.

And so, Qiaolin sliced a small opening on his own arm.

Black blood flowed out, and pure white threads of Magic Power precisely separated the Degradation poison before injecting it into Aurora’s body.

This wasn’t a simple injection.

Qiaolin used his own Magic Power as a carrier, letting the Degradation poison ride his magic threads to reach every corner and every blood vessel in Aurora’s body.

When the Degradation poison began its indiscriminate destruction, Qiaolin had to focus on using his Magic Power to protect Aurora’s body.

This process wasn’t entirely smooth.

After all, his magic was invading her body, so it naturally faced rejection from Aurora’s own Magic Power.

Although Qiaolin had prepared for this, the obstacle forced him to slow down the speed of toxin removal.

“What is that fellow doing now?”

Fenris couldn’t help but look toward Qiaolin.

His palm was suspended in the air, his fingers moving with agility as if he were manipulating a puppet.

She couldn’t see the magic threads that were thinner than a strand of hair, nor could she feel Qiaolin’s magic.

However, Aurora’s complexion was rapidly returning to normal.

Fenris felt the pressure on her own shoulders increase.

‘Where on earth did this kid come from? And why hasn’t the Nine-Headed Black Venom Dragon-Serpent venom affected him much?’

There was no time for questions and no room to worry about other risks.

Fenris could only mobilize all her Magic Power.

The magic circle for the Detoxification Art became clearer and clearer upon the White-bearded Counselor’s body.

This was no longer just about curing a person; it had become a race.

The competition had entered its peak.

Qiaolin’s calm and composed expression stood in stark contrast to Fenris’s anxious face, which was now drenched in sweat.

‘Is Fenris getting senile? To think she would be inferior to someone younger than her in the field of healing—especially against the Terror Dragon Venom she knows best!’

At this moment, the anxiety in Mode’s heart was no less than that of Fenris on the field.

He had seen it long ago; that black-haired youth was no ordinary person.

At the very least, his strength might even exceed his own.

He had poisoned Aurora in advance specifically to prevent this kind of situation.

Fenris could be said to have every advantage, yet she was gradually falling into a disadvantage against the opponent.

It was clear how terrifying this man named Qiaolin was.

Under Mode’s planning, this was supposed to have been the deciding match.

Under Qiaolin’s treatment, Aurora regained her senses and woke up.

“Miss Aurora!”

Everyone present saw the young girl open her eyes.

The scorched-hearted Lockes felt an impulse to rush down and check on her.

“Aurora!”

He could only call out her name.

The girl heard the boy’s voice from a distance and subconsciously tried to sit up.

“Don’t move. You’ve only just escaped danger,” Qiaolin said calmly.

Aurora looked at the man’s silent eyes, which glowed with a faint blue light.

She felt a strange sense of familiarity, but she didn’t think much of it, her face sporting a bitter smile.

“I really don’t know how to thank you, Mr. Qiaolin.”

“Be more on your guard next time. It’s not a good thing for the Lord of Forest City to be reduced to a gambling chip.”

“I… I know.”

Even though Aurora had been careful enough and had tried to scrutinize every word Mode said during their meeting, she hadn’t expected them to resort to direct poisoning.

Those people were even more vile than she had imagined.

‘If all humans in the outside world are this despicable, then there’s no need to communicate with them anymore…’

“However, not everyone is like them. Don’t let this lesson change your perception of the Human Race. Don’t be swayed by your emotions.”

Qiaolin’s words were like a needle pricking her skin—slightly painful, but not harsh.

It served as a timely reminder.

Aurora smiled slightly and immediately mobilized her Magic Power to help Qiaolin share some of the workload.

Perhaps because Qiaolin’s Magic Power was too refined, Aurora hadn’t even felt its presence within her body.

When she actively used her magic, the rejection reaction inevitably intensified.

“Wait, Aurora, don’t—”

Qiaolin tried to stop her, but it was too late.

The moment their magics collided, Qiaolin hurriedly tried to withdraw his own power.

Otherwise, he would hurt Aurora and cause the Degradation poison to spiral out of control.

If that happened, her body would be a total mess!

Unfortunately, Qiaolin’s magic was already spread throughout her body and couldn’t be pulled back before contact.

With no other choice, Qiaolin had to forcibly suppress Aurora’s Magic Power!

*Whoom!*

“Sorry, this might hurt a little.”

“Eh?”

Qiaolin increased his Magic Power output slightly.

Aurora’s magic, which had just broken free from the influence of the poison, was suppressed in an instant by another powerful force.

The girl clearly felt a sense of heaviness.

She furrowed her brows, but they soon relaxed.

Qiaolin also sensed something unusual.

The Magic Power of the two individuals didn’t actually repel each other.

Instead, they harmoniously intertwined like knotted strings.

‘What is going on?’

Aurora saw a rare look of astonishment on Qiaolin’s face, and she herself was in a daze.

Qiaolin was only surprised for a moment before snapping back to his senses.

“Well, this works. Now I don’t have to waste energy worrying about your magic rejecting mine.”

The man grinned and then released his magic at full strength.

The Degradation poison transformed into a blade in his hand, eradicating the remaining toxins within Aurora’s body.

“It’s time to wrap this up.”

Qiaolin withdrew his magic and raised his hand.

A golden-yellow magic circle rapidly constructed itself.

“Holy Earth Magic Synthesis — Holy Word of the Earth!”

A golden light purified Aurora’s entire body, dispelling every last drop of toxin remaining in her system.

Qiaolin’s treatment of Aurora had finally reached its conclusion.

“How regrettable. It seems this old woman has claimed victory.”

“Hmm?”

Fenris’s laughter drifted over from the opposite side.

Qiaolin raised his eyes and saw the White-bearded Counselor, who appeared fully restored.

The other side had finished curing their patient faster than he had.