In the quiet of the night, Poll activated a spell that absorbed the light around him, wrapping his body in complete darkness. With a simple motion of his hand, he cast another spell to suppress his mana, making his presence undetectable. His mana signature disappeared entirely—like he was never there—turning him into a ghost in the shadows, hidden from both normal sight and the sharp senses of skilled mages.
In his hands, a sleek 3D projection flickered to life, displaying intricate details of his current state with a soft, holographic glow.
Mana Cloak Activation:
Light Absorption Rate: 98.7%
Shadow Density Index: 452 LUX
Mana Suppression Efficiency: 96.3%
Residual Mana Trace: 1.345% (near undetectable)
Energy Consumption: 35 MP/sec
With these precise calculations, Poll ensured that no stray energy would give him away, allowing him to move unseen, even under the watchful eyes of the most experienced mages.
From his vantage point, Poll observed the intruders steadily closing in—approximately 700 meters away. He could sense their careful movements, the faint ripples of mana betraying their cautious approach. Not bad, he thought with a faint smirk. But not good enough.
Poll spread his mana carefully, like a spider spinning its web, sending out thin, invisible threads across the area.
The traps he had set earlier quietly came to life, unnoticed by anyone but him. These weren't ordinary traps—they were special spells he had designed himself. Each one could latch onto a person's mana without them realizing it.
Once connected, the trap created a hidden link back to Poll, allowing him to cast spells from a distance without being detected.
It was a clever trick, leaving no obvious signs that anything was there.
The traps had another advantage—a unique marking system visible only to Poll. Through this, he could track each target's position and movements without them realizing they were compromised. He watched with satisfaction as faint markers began to light up on his mental map, one by one.
Gotcha.
With his web set, Poll moved soundlessly, scaling the side of his home to the rooftop. The cool night air brushed against his face as he settled into position just beyond the boundary of his safe zone. From here, he had a perfect view of the surrounding terrain—a predator lying in wait, calm and calculating.
The enemies were near now, their silhouettes barely visible under the dim moonlight. Poll's keen eyes caught the slightest flicker of movement, and his sharpened senses detected subtle shifts in mana.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the steady pulse of mana flowing through his gloves. The small embedded stones gave off a faint glow, a comforting reminder of the power he held. This was his domain, a world crafted by his intellect and mastery of magic.
Settling into a crouch, Poll whispered to the night, his voice a low murmur filled with anticipation. "Come on… Enter my world."
The moment stretched, tension thickening in the air. Poll's heart remained steady, his mind a maelstrom of strategy. This was no ordinary defense—it was a game, and he was always three steps ahead.
Poll paused, a prickling unease creeping up his spine like icy fingers. Wait… something's different here
***