The air vacuum preventing him from breathing would not pose much of a problem for him, nor would the sudden drop in temperature as he could resist the cold for a while.
However, the lack of atmospheric pressure was a completely different matter.
Without an immortal body, individuals below the magus level still rely heavily on the flesh to survive. With 60% of the human body being made of water, the lack of atmospheric pressure will cause the liquid in the human body to reach a boiling point at a rapid pace, turning it into gas.
In such a situation, a normal human being without special protection would die in a matter of seconds. Although Emery would be able to last considerably longer with his level of physical constitution, it still would not be able to last him more than a few minutes.
To make matters worst, his enemy out here was not just the space, but also the metal magus who purposely created the hole while floating in space to capture him.
Fortunately, the magus Wilf’s first agenda was to grab the floating science minister and throw him to the other magus. Seizing the precious few seconds the metal magus needed to achieve that, Emery immediately cast the first spell he thought to be fit for the situation.
He channeled the energy inside his dark core into both of his palms and created a bubble of space around his body, a void that allowed his body to be separated from the vacuum in the space.
[Aegis of Void]
Emery sighed relief, realizing it was able to protect him from the pressure of the space, and without wasting a moment, he then swiftly cast [Wings of Light] to deal with the weightlessness.
A pair of wings were formed to help him gain his balance and float in space. By the time Wilf turned around to deal with him, Emery had already finished arming himself.
A hint of astonishment briefly appeared on the metal magus’s face, but it was soon replaced by a smile.
Despite the inability of sound to travel through space, Emery was still able to hear the magus’s voice loud and clear. It did not just reach his ears, but his mind.
“I must admit, you are indeed an impressive acolyte. Still, you will not be able to win against us here. Surrender now, and I will talk to the principal to find the best solution for our situation”
Emery warily looked at the magus. While it might seem as if his chance of making it out increased after his preparation, in truth, it was still incredibly abysmal.
He could try using the spells he already cast to escape, but there was a high chance that he would not have enough spirit pool to fly back to the planet. At the same time, his main objective could only be achieved in the station.
With only a margin of five hours, until the alliance arrived, it would be best for him to stay within the station than to be helpless on the ground. Not to mention, the minister did say that he has lost his access and the key to stopping the stargate was with the principal.
He needs to stay close to the principal and prevent him from opening the stargate within that window of time.
After contemplating it for a while longer, Emery ultimately nodded with reluctance.
Without moving a step, the metal magus threw him a chain that could restrict his spirit force. Emery cooperatively caught it, but before he put it on himself, he secretly cast [Light Whisper] and sent it to Julian, telling him about the situation.
With his hands chained, Emery allowed himself to be taken back to the station without struggle. As they returned to the station, the magus quickly closed the hole in the metal ceiling before bringing him and the science minister to see the principal once again.
…
When the three of them entered the principal’s sight, the middle-aged man on the throne immediately sat upright. The look on his face turned into disbelief and anger as he looked at the man with them.
“Otto! I am so disappointed that you are actually helping them!”
Facing the principal’s shout, the science minister only stayed silent. He was ready to accept the consequences of his actions, but this silence angered the principal even more.
“Wilf you only got three! There must be more of them!”
Emery had just begun to wonder about who this third person was when two more Nexus magus entered the room with a familiar face. It was the wounded Stildar, and like Emery, he also had his hands chained.
“Did you succeed?!” Stildar hurriedly asked about the most important matter the moment the two’s eyes met, but Emery could only shake his head regretfully.
Stildar’s eyes immediately became bloodshot as he turned his head toward the principal.
“You lunatic!! Don’t do it! Don’t open the gate for them!!”
The principal, however, treated him like air and instead asked another minister, “How long until Protocol 66 is completed?”
“Reporting, Principal, Protocol 66 will be done in less than two hours.”
“Tsk… I am certain that the alliance is already on its way here. Speed it up, you have one hour!”
“Yes, Principal!”
From his darting eyes to his feet repeatedly tapping against the ground, the principal’s impatience could not be any more apparent. It was at this moment that the Nexus vice commander, Wilf, stepped forward with a respectful bow.
“Principal, I am here to implore you to reconsider the plan.”
The metal magus’s words quickly caused the principal’s face to darken. “You… Wilf, have you gone mad?! We have already gone this far, there is no going back for us!”
The metal magus fell silent for a second before confidently answering, “My Lord, I would understand if we are simply going to leave the planet and the alliance, but I find it difficult for us to let an elven stargate be opened here. It is not only the 30 million people down there who will suffer but also all the humans in the surrounding galaxy.”
As the words left the metal magus’s mouth, a somewhat suppressed laugh suddenly sounded in the room. The laughter came from Stildar as he said, “Haha… Very good, Wilf… it seems that we still have an honorable magus here in Nexus after all!”
“Huh! Shut your mouth, rebel!” Upon hearing the captive’s remark, the principal raised his voice once more before turning to look at Wilf with obvious displeasure. “Your concerns are duly noted, but no! We will carry on as planned!”