Unable to escape

"How about you let me explain?"

An Old Elf that neither Nial nor Mathias had seen before emerged from the Forest of Life.

His movements were slow, and he was limping while moving around with a cane.

The eyes of the old Elf were covered with a bandage, but one could clearly see huge claw marks on his head, arm, and leg. 

He was clearly a retired Warrior or someone, who had survived a lethal predatory attack.

Nial's visualization with the use of his Innate ability [Mana Sense] did not allow him to perceive the scars on the old Elf's body.

However, what Nial was able to perceive was the fact that the old Elf's mana veins were severed.

Not only was the old Elf not able to advance his mana core anymore but it looked like his mana core itself had been injured as well.

'His rank deteriorated…' Nial deduced within seconds.