Jeffery watched Daniel as he stood up from his chair. The middle-aged man straightened his black suit, the joyous smile still on his face. He was really happy.He wanted to wipe that smile off the man's face but he couldn't do so. He was still suffering from the abilities of the other advanced alchemist. It would take him more than just getting angry to break out of that effect.For now he remained seated, bound by metal straps to an iron chair. Although he was still affected by the advanced alchemist's abilities, they still too precautionary measures.And because of this he wouldn't be able to escape quickly if he want to. Since he couldn't rely on his elemental abilities right now due to his weak mind, there was nothing he could do. His physical condition wouldn't help him in any way. It was too weak."Jeffery Flamel, I never thought you'd be an alchemist yourself," Daniel said. "I always thought you were another random unlicensed pharmacist."Jeffery didn't say anything. He didn't

Several minutes passed and the two advanced alchemists were still fighting. Their battle left more destruction in their wake. And just like the factory suffered under the clash, their bodies experienced the same as well.Jeffery struck Dantes' face with a tremendous force. The advanced alchemist was quick and moved his face in a flash. He watched as the punch swept past his face, a gust of wind whooshing past.Dantes instantly skidded backwards to keep a space between him and Jeffery. This time Jeffery didn't attack. He paused and watched Dantes.He's very powerful, he thought within himself as he caught his breath. I can't defeat him with just combat...As he was thinking within himself Dantes was also observing him. The advanced alchemist's eyes followed him for some moments."You're really impressive," Dantes finally said. "I never thought you'd be able to match me in terms of combat..."Jeffery didn't say anything. He was not going to engage Dantes in any conversation again. He wa

"No!" Dan Kimiko yelled the moment the assassin vanished from his sight. He instantly knew who the advanced alchemist was going to strike next.After all, he had also seen Mark and Rita trying to escape. He had been engaging the assassin to keep him occupied. Who would have thought that he possessed the ability to teleport?I can't let anything happen to Rita Stirling! he thought within himself as he instantly kicked into action. Not under my watch!His eyes blazed as he suddenly raised both hands. His fingers splayed wide, and the ground quaked violently under the surge of his alchemical power. The marble concrete beneath them cracked and splintered as the ground itself responded to his will.In an instant, a massive wall of solid stone erupted from the ground, shooting up to shield Rita and Mark from the assassin's next strike. Dust filled the air, the sound of cracking rock travelling beyond the manor's vicinity."What?" the assassin's pupils dilated. He had thought that Kimiko was

The smoke thinned gradually, settling over the wreckage of the ruined factory. Jeffery lay still for several moments, catching his breath, the taste of blood still hot in his mouth. His body trembled with exhaustion, but his will refused to break. With a grunt, he forced himself upright, staggering to his feet.At least he had recovered to some degree now. Even if he was not fully powerful, he was only twenty percent away from it.Then he heard it—among the rubble. A weak cough broke the silence.Daniel, his eyes flashed with animosity.The middle-aged man stirred from unconsciousness, his eyes fluttering open. He groaned, trying to push himself up on trembling arms. But he couldn't. They were like jelly.Then his gaze lifted and landed on Jeffery. The colour drained from his face instantly as if he had seen a ghost. He also saw the lifeless body of Dantes—the advanced alchemist who was supposed to be his trump card—and terror seized him."How..." Daniel stammered, his voice shaking.

The air was thick with smoke, dust, and the copper tang of blood. The ruined courtyard of the Stirling manor seemed to hold its breath, as if the earth itself was terrified of what would happen next. Sparks of fire crackled against toppled stone, an ominous feeling stretching like claws around the surviving guards and cops who lay trapped in Osborne's air constricts—helpless, their eyes wide with dread.The only person who would have somehow saved them was now dead. Even if someone else—Jeffery Flamel—had appeared to face the assassin, it didn't change anything. They didn't have high hopes that the young man was going to win the battle. After all, they had seen how powerful Osborne was.And at the very center of it all stood Osborne, tall and menacing, his dark coat fluttering in the heated wind. His hand hovered casually before Rita Stirling's throat, a faint shimmer of invisible air coiled like a blade against her skin. One flick of his fingers, one slip on Jeffery's advance, and he