Chapter 576 - 575: The Start of the Exam

Chapter 576: Chapter 575: The Start of the Exam

Colin cleared his throat. "Alright, let’s get back to that guy’s potential weaknesses."

He fell silent, thinking it over carefully.

Dorn, standing nearby, said, "Are you going to take all day?"

"Be patient," Colin said. "From what I can tell, the guy is going to be very agile. If he hits us with his sword, any Magic he casts on us will be more powerful. Then there’s his[Curse Sword], which he uses his Casting Ability for. It’s basically an offensive Magic that he imbues into his blade."

"What about weaknesses?" Kase asked.

"His weakness is low resistance to certain Illusion Techniques. [Tasha’s Hideous Laughter] would be a good choice, but he looks like a Ghost, so I don’t know if he’ll be affected by that Magic."

Colin frowned. "But since this is a testing ground, the examiner’s Casting Ability must be formidable. I’m not sure if I can even get any Magic off in front of a master like that."

Dorn shrugged. "Sounds like we’re doomed."

"On the bright side, becoming a Ghost means the armor he’s wearing probably offers no Defense. That’s something, at least," Colin added.

"Any other ideas?" Dorn glanced back the way they had come. "I get the feeling an instructor who uses traps like that for a test isn’t going to be friendly. We haven’t found an exit, so facing that Ghost is our only option."

"Then we’ll have to bite the bullet," Colin said, sitting down cross-legged on the spot. "I need an hour to recover the energy for Casting. I’m sure a Tier Four Magic will significantly improve our odds."

"I agree." Dorn plopped down on the ground.

The others saw this and also began to rest.

An hour later, the well-prepared party returned to the front of the large door.

Just as they reached the door, a slightly hoarse voice drifted from behind it. "Apprentices, this is your second time here. What are you waiting for? This is the final test."

Hearing the Ghost speak, the group froze for a moment.

Dorn turned to Colin and whispered, "What’s the plan?"

"We should go in. There’s more room inside," Colin said. "I don’t know if he has any Range Magic, but at least this way we can spread out and not get hit all at once."

With that, he led the way into the hall.

Following behind him, Orelia raised the[Lost Wanderer’s Holy Emblem]high. Its power, which increased the party’s Defense against Undead attacks, took immediate effect.

"Reciting incantations is forbidden during the test. Show me the results of your training," the Ghost said, as if they were truly Murmurer apprentices awaiting their examination.

Colin drew his Elf Giant Sword and entered his Sword Dance stance.

Just as planned, he cast [Tasha’s Hideous Laughter] at the Ghost, using his [Instantaneous Instant Cast] technique.

As he did so, the blade in his hand began to vibrate slightly, emitting an almost imperceptible hum.

The moment the blade began to vibrate, the Magic was unleashed.

Colin directed the surrounding Magic Net to surge toward his opponent’s mind, attempting to seize control of the Ghost’s thoughts.

The Ghost simply lifted an arm.

In that instant, Colin felt his connection to the Magic Net snap, as if he had been thrown back into a world without Magic.

[Counterspell].

’His reactions are incredible,’ Colin thought. ’[Instantaneous Instant Cast] can’t prevent a Counterspell; its only advantage is casting before the enemy notices. But now, it’s clear that plan has failed.’

"Interesting Magic. I’ve never seen that one before," the Ghost said, raising its Long Sword.

Based on Colin’s knowledge of the ability, the Ghost was most likely entering a [Sword Dance] stance.

Kase let out a great roar and drew the Giant Axe from his back.

He entered a [Frenzy] and charged at the stationary Ghost, while Dorn instantly turned Invisible, vanishing to an unknown location.

Ale and Orelia scattered to avoid being caught together should the Ghost cast [Silence].

The Ghost took two quick steps back, putting distance between itself and the doorway.

Lightning-like patterns, glowing with a faint blue light, appeared on its ethereal blue form. Colin was about to use Counterspell but realized his opponent was already out of range.

After finishing the Casting, the Ghost charged at Kase. The freshly cast [Haste] made its movements dazzlingly fast.

"How strange... I don’t recall any Orc Apprentices here..."

Muttering to itself, the Ghost rushed up to Kase and drifted lightly past the Half-Orc.

Kase, who was in mid-charge, suddenly faltered.

He turned stiffly and flung his Giant Axe at the Ghost’s back. But the Ghost, as if anticipating the move, ducked under the axe and continued its charge toward Colin and the others.

Colin noticed a gray line appear on Kase’s neck, apparently left by a slash from the Ghost’s sword.

Just then, the other two on either side also began to cast.

The moment they began reciting their incantations, the Ghost’s voice rang out, "Reciting incantations is forbidden during the test. You are breaking the rules!"

As its words faded, a silvery mist suddenly appeared at the Ghost’s side.

Ale, mid-cast, didn’t hesitate. She threw the orange-red ball of fire in her hand onto the floor in front of her as wisps of silver mist materialized right before her.

The instant the Ghost’s figure appeared, the orange-red fireball on the ground was snuffed out—another [Counterspell].

’I can’t let Ale face that Ghost alone. Kase can’t stop it.’

’Should I use[Jade Water Ball]? No, the Ghost isn’t corporeal. It can even pass through walls. A water sphere would never hold it.’

With that thought, Colin held his breath, focused, and used [Misty Step] to appear at Ale’s side.

The Flame dissipated quickly, revealing the Ghost and Ale. He also saw the Ghost’s Long Sword, which pulsed with a faint blue light.

Colin quickly found his footing and swung his own sword to meet the descending blade.

In that split second, he acutely realized he couldn’t hear anything. They were clearly inside the radius of a [Silence] spell.

’It’s not surprising that a master of Magic like this can maintain two concentration-based spells,’ Colin thought. ’But when did he cast it? Besides, [Silence] isn’t even part of the current Mage spell system, is it?’

The Ghost watched the tip of Colin’s blade and began adjusting its footwork, controlling the distance between them.

The next moment, their blades clashed.