Alexander's POV:

-Honey, this grand party for king Leo's daughter, Sabrina, was perfect, hic! - shouted my wife Lucy, while slowly, unsuccessfully trying to get up from her seat.

She really shouldn't drink so much in a palace but personally, I'm not any better. Cause how could anyone resist this heavenly taste of chocolate served here? Amazing cakes prepared by the best chefs in the country - how could I not eat the twenty-eighth slice of this treasure before I have to leave? King's party equals royal food, when will I get another chance to eat so well for free?

-... and all of you should leave if you don't want to get hurt!

I woke up from my 'only me and my chocolate' state because of loud shouts all around me. My wife, as well as other guests, seemed terrified by about 20 guys in black, armored clothing, pointing at everyone with their guns.

Why is everyone so scared? Did they all forget that we're magicians? Especially the bad guys, they should've been better prepared. So... why aren't the guards doing anything? All of them should be capable wizards to work for the royal family, they wouldn't be here otherwise.

-Hahaha! This magic-disrupting device really works! Mwahahaha!! Now they're like sheep and WE are the wolfs! HahaHAHA! Whoever wants to live, leave now! All we want is the royal family! Everyone else, if you value your safety, get away from here! You wouldn't want to see what 's gonna happen later, buahaha!

What an idiot. Wait, what did this ant just say? A device that stops our power? I tried to feel for my inner power and it was there but when I started casting a spell... Nothing happened.

Let's see... Mana still works but leading it outside of my body seems impossible... So the problem is outside, most likely in the air then.

Could it be...?

I focused on sensing the little, invisible particles of magic in the air and it was still there... but something was different. It felt... how do I say it - stronger? At the same time easier to spot and harder to find after always using the other, weaker version of the same power.

That's why my spell didn't work - I wanted to use the old kind of mana and not the new, stronger one present here. Think of bigger, compressed together spots of natural mana flying freely in the air - the size and density of it changed, making it completely different from before. I wonder if anyone else figured it out? None of them will be able to use their power if they won't get it.

While thinking I was stuffing myself with this gorgeous, chocolate-flavored cake and watching my dear Lucy sobering up quickly due to fear. What's there to worry about? Whatever these guys used, it can only make our magic stronger than before.

At that moment Lucy shook my arm:

-Come on, let's leave now before something bad happens!

I looked at her as if she was a retard. And then I remembered that not everyone could figure out the solution to use our magic. I looked around with a smirk on my face, wondering who else found out this obvious factor. All I saw were faces filled with terror, shame and defeat! Really? Not even one of these mages noticed it? And they always boast so much about their abilities...

So disappointed. Since that was the case I guess I'm the one that should deal with this situation then. So annoying. I willed the changed mana to fill all of the bandits' guns and corroded it from the inside, which wouldn't be seen on the surface. Then... I did the most reasonable thing for me - I focused on finishing my cake. Only then can I go elsewhere - if I were to leave it here like this I'm certain I would feel eternal regret.

-Honey, hurry up! They'll kill us if we stay any longer!

There was a long queue of people heading to the exit, escorted by the guys in black. Their target was the royal family who looked dejectedly at their 'friends' simply leaving them with the bad guys. Friends, who should theoretically possess the strongest power in this kingdom - after all most of the people invited to this ceremony were wizards with varying strengths and abilities - me and my wife, as a highly appreciated couple of strong mages, even if guests from a foreign country, were also invited since we happened to be here for a few days.

Anyways, what good friends the royal family of Blackhill kingdom has... But I guess everybody thinks about their own safety first, others are less important. Lucy leaned closer to my ear and whispered nervously, confused about my carefree demeanor:

-How does this small kingdom have such a thing as a magic canceling device? I've never heard of something similar even in our Saghara kingdom!

-Right? Isn't it exciting?!

She punched my shoulder, saying:

-It's not exciting! It's terrifying! Imagine what could be done with such a tool! You can conquer basically any country in one day if they don't possess enough warriors apart from the obvious magicians!

-My dear, I think that's what they're trying to do now, right? But instead of fighting the whole country, they wisely decided to get rid of the ruling family where no warriors are able to protect them - what better place and time then a party consisted mostly of mages with whom you found a way to deal with?

At that moment I noticed the king's eyes looking in my direction...