My System Just Exploded, And You Ask Me to Become a God?-Chapter 64 --I’ve Got Powerful Connections Above Me

Chapter 64: Chapter64-I’ve Got Powerful Connections Above Me

"Don’t just stand there—use your mana to protect yourselves!"

Within the breakthrough magic array, the Crown Prince still managed to uphold the last trace of his royal dignity.

At this critical moment, he stepped forward, taking on the role of leader and began barking orders in a commanding voice.

At the same time, he no longer concealed any of his treasured magical items.

He unleashed them all without reservation to fend off the backlash of the residual mana.

Yet despite his efforts, the assault of the mana remnants never once relented—in fact, it was growing even fiercer.

The few survivors left had no choice but to huddle together in the very center of the Luminous Pearl Barrier.

Desperation filled their eyes as they watched the protective glow of the shield slowly dim.

Among them, Clark was in the most miserable state.

As the second poor soul to step into the breakthrough magic array, he had practically borne the brunt of the residual mana’s attacks.

The tri-layered magic array he had painstakingly formed had already been obliterated in the relentless onslaught.

Just then, the observers at the foot of the mountain finally moved.

They rushed toward the scene at high speed.

Even though they represented a neutral hosting organization, they clearly didn’t want the Luminous Pearl Kingdom’s test candidates to suffer heavy losses.

In the end, they couldn’t resist stepping in.

"What’s going on?!"

"This magic array... it’s that dangerous?!"

Though most of them were elite mages, the moment they entered Leit’s breakthrough array, they had no choice but to confront the savage residual mana beasts directly.

And the result? Predictable.

No normal human, burdened by the instinct of fear, could withstand the relentless slaughter driven by these unfeeling constructs of pure mana.

Soon enough, the elite mages began retreating under pressure.

Some were even wounded in the process.

Still, their interference wasn’t without merit.

With new targets drawing the enemy’s attention, the pressure on Belzebuth and the other young elites was significantly reduced.

Taking advantage of the moment, they scrambled to flee the breakthrough array with everything they had.

Once all the survivors had successfully escaped, the observers finally frowned.

A few cast sharp glances toward Joad, who was still standing some distance away.

"Don’t tell me... this kid knew Leit was about to attempt a breakthrough recently, so he stirred up trouble at the banquet, provoked the crowd, and lured everyone here to share the burden of the mana backlash for Leit?!"

"The trial hasn’t even started yet, and this brat’s already playing such a vicious game? Absolutely deranged!"

"Now, now... that’s not fair."

Just then, the most powerful of the observers—an archmage—stepped forward and chuckled.

"Let’s be honest. Those youngsters could have simply ignored Joad’s provocations and continued chatting and drinking at the banquet."

"But the fact that things escalated this far only proves one thing—Joad knows exactly how to exploit the weaknesses of human nature."

"If you ask me, he’s not as vile as you’re saying. In fact... he might even be a genius."

A genius?!

The moment he said that, the faces of the other observers darkened immediately.

A white-haired elder glared and snapped,

"Max, what are you implying? Are you seriously planning to defend this Joad kid?"

The middle-aged man named Max gave a faint smile.

"Why would I? I barely even know him. I’m just stating the facts."

"’Stating the facts,’ huh?!"

Another elder, this one with long brown hair, roared in fury.

A gray cedar crest gleamed on his chest—an unmistakable symbol of nobility.

He was none other than the legendary Count Greypine himself.

"My son was tricked into coming here by him and suffered grievous injuries—he nearly lost his life!"

"I don’t care if that brat is a trial candidate or even a royal prince. I won’t let this go lightly!"

As he finished, Count Greypine yanked off his robe.

An overwhelming concentration of mana gathered around him, swirling wildly.

He was clearly preparing to unleash an immensely destructive spell.

But before he could act, Max suddenly appeared behind him and smacked him hard on the shoulder.

The mana that Count Greypine had been painstakingly gathering instantly scattered.

Max wore a fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Greypine, bullying the weak isn’t exactly what I’d call chivalrous," he said coldly. "Besides, you saw the whole thing yourself. It was your son and Clark who acted rudely first—arrogant and self-important, even treating Ilan folk like second-rate trash."

"So Joad retaliated. And that’s human nature, plain and simple."

The other observers fell silent, caught off guard by the rebuttal.

The white-haired elder narrowed his eyes in confusion, then finally asked,

"Max... are you sure you’re not taking Joad’s side?"

Max shook his head, letting out a slow sigh.

"That’s not it. I’m saying all this... for your sakes."

"For us?"

Count Greypine laughed in disbelief, face flushing with rage.

"You keep siding with an outsider, and now you’re pretending it’s for our benefit? Max, are you insane?"

Max shot him a cold glare and spoke in a low voice,

"You may not know Joad’s background—but I do. I can’t tell you the details right now for... certain reasons."

"But I’ll say this much—if any of you try to harm Joad, then whether it’s Greypine, the royal family, or the entire Luminous Pearl Kingdom...

You’ll all go down with him."

"What?!"

A stunned silence fell across the group.

Even Count Greypine, who had just been fuming moments ago, stood frozen like a statue.

Max tapped his temple and added mockingly,

"Think about it. Who’s really the one not thinking straight here?"

The observers stood there in silence for a long time, finally starting to grasp the weight of what Max was implying.

All their gazes slowly turned toward Joad.

A mere apprentice mage—someone not even officially recognized as a proper mage—actually had a backer so terrifyingly powerful behind him?

Surely this had to be a joke.

But they all knew Max’s personality.

He never lied. He never made idle threats.

Although it was frustrating, after considering all the pros and cons, Count Greypine had no choice but to swallow his anger.

He could only sigh and admit defeat.

After all, it was partly his fault—he’d failed to discipline his arrogant, unruly son properly.

...

Everything the observers had said was heard word for word by Joad.

He felt more and more confused.

His thoughts drifted back to what Grand Duke Ilan had told him before the trial began.

According to the Grand Duke, Joad had powerful allies within the Luminous Pearl Kingdom—people who could shield him no matter how recklessly he behaved.

Joad had dismissed that claim at the time, thinking the Grand Duke was just making excuses to force him to participate in the trial.

But looking at the situation now... it might actually be true?

"Don’t tell me... that useless old man of mine—who only knows how to drink and party—has finally turned his life around?

Did he go through a string of brutal tests, rise to power in the Pyrothian Kingdom, and now, without revealing his identity to me or my brother, is secretly arranging things to help us gain some prestige in the Trial of the Luminous Pearl?"

The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded.

He’d rather believe that the Goddess of Magic statue in the academy would one day come to life and give him a lap pillow...

...than believe his sorry excuse of a father was actually doing something worthwhile for once.