Chapter 444 - 357: An Existence That Cannot Be Countered (Part 2)

Chapter 444: Chapter 357: An Existence That Cannot Be Countered (Part 2)

For something like the Blast Flame Bomb spat out by a Flaming Dragon Snake, Water Curtain would definitely be more effective.

After reviewing all his Magic, Zelir had a much deeper understanding of the spells he had mastered.

"Huu..."

Zelir let out a long breath and sat down on the grass.

The continuous Casting had left him a little tired.

The blades of grass beside him were dotted with crystalline dewdrops, refracting endless colors in the sunlight.

’So far, all the Four Level Multi-layered Spell Structure Magic I’ve mastered are from the Elemental Magic System.’

’I wonder when I’ll be able to learn an Arcane Magic spell...’

Zelir remembered what Bev had once said.

Among Magic of the same Level, Arcane Magic has greater destructive power than Elemental Magic.

Moreover, Arcane Magic usually can’t be countered; it works just fine no matter what you’re up against.

More comprehensive and versatile.

He also recalled what Adrian had said before about the Magic Power transformation of a Middle Level Mage.

After going through the three stages of Enlightenment, Ascension, and Harmony, a Mage’s path was basically set.

Their developmental path would gradually abandon breadth and shift toward deep exploration of a single field.

’Good thing I have Technique Celestial Calculation. I can learn Magic from all sorts of systems.’

’No matter the situation, I can always pull out the right counter-Magic.’

’I just wonder, after I reach Enlightenment, which direction will my Magic Power transform toward...’

...

The training grounds.

In a corner by the courtyard wall grew a lush, ancient tree, its branches and leaves casting swaying shadows.

The training grounds in Sengu Town weren’t as drab as those in Black Stone Town; they were also more professional.

Within the open-air field, which was over twenty meters in both length and width, the space was divided into two areas.

One side was a sandy area covered in fine yellow sand, while the other was packed earth.

The weapon racks at the edge of the field were also stocked with a wide variety.

All kinds of standard-issue Training Swords, Short Swords, Battle Sabers, axes, Long Spears, flails, and even Bows and Arrows were fully prepared.

There were also several leather-wrapped wooden posts set to one side; if you wanted to use them, you just had to drag them to the center of the field.

Of course, the price was also steeper. The daily rental fee was ten Silver Coins.

In the sandy area, two men stood facing each other, weapons in hand.

They both maintained a cautious combat stance, their centers of gravity low, as if poised to strike.

The person on the left held a Training Longsword with a blunted edge, his mop of golden hair somewhat dazzling in the sunlight.

The muscular man on the right held an Iron Shield in his left hand and a Short Spear in his right, his expression focused.

"It’s been a while since we’ve sparred, Marcus."

Gray wore his signature frivolous smile. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you. A Vanguard is at a real disadvantage in a one-on-one fight."

"Less talk."

Marcus’s voice was low and focused. "Just bring it."

"Five Silver Coins, I bet on Marcus to win," Valles, who was watching from the side with his arms crossed, spoke up first.

"Hm? Gray has Special Attribute Fighting Qi, you know. Are you in a hurry to give me money?"

Zelir raised a slight eyebrow. "You’re on!"

The moment their words fell, the battle in the field erupted.

"Hah!"

Gray charged forward with his sword, seizing the initiative!

A faint stream of air swirled around his calves, making his movements more agile.

When he was still three meters from Marcus, Gray pushed off the ground for a burst of speed, his figure accelerating once more!

The Longsword in his hand slashed out with swift force.

Not to be outdone, Marcus let out a great roar and Charged with his Shield raised.

In an instant, the two of them slammed into each other.

The Longsword traced a semicircular arc of light. The moment the horizontal slash arrived, Marcus blocked it with his Shield, taking the full force of the blow.

Immediately after, before Gray could change his move.

Under the cover of his Iron Shield, the Short Spear in Marcus’s hand shot out in a sharp, simple, straight line—a direct Thrust!

"SWISH!"

It was a clean and decisive move, aimed straight for the center of Gray’s chest.

Gray’s expression changed slightly, his attack forced to a halt.

He twisted his body to the side, dodging the Thrust, and simultaneously swung his sword in a counter-slash!

"CLANG!"

It was again blocked solidly by Marcus.

What answered Gray was another Thrust from the Short Spear!

And this time, Marcus seemed to have figured out that Gray didn’t dare to take a hit from him, so he attacked continuously, seizing the offensive advantage.

"SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!"

Under the dense barrage of straight thrusts, the once-confident Gray was now completely suppressed.

He was forced to retreat again and again.

The rhythm of the battle had fallen completely into Marcus’s hands.

Every time Gray wanted to attack from the flank, he was met with Marcus’s Iron Shield, which was like a fortress wall.

’Alright, if I can’t break through the front, I’ll find an opening!’

But Gray soon discovered that even when he tried to counter-attack during the recovery after Marcus’s strikes, he couldn’t find any opening.

This was because a spear Thrust was different from a Battle Saber slash.

A slash with a Battle Saber required swinging the arm and turning the body, exposing half of one’s torso.

But a straight Thrust with a Short Spear required a very small and subtle range of motion, which could be completed using just the wrist and forearm!

Marcus attacked with impunity from behind the cover of his Iron Shield.

Gray couldn’t find any of Marcus’s openings at all.

He could only dodge and retreat in a sorry state, and was quickly forced into a corner of the sandy area.

"Damn it... I wasn’t wrong calling it the turtle-style before!" Gray cursed under his breath after dodging another straight Thrust.

"Then what does that make the guy being chased by the turtle?"

Marcus continued to maintain his forward, suppressive posture.

With his back to the wall, Gray had nowhere left to retreat.

He could only go for broke.

Gray roared and lunged forward with an explosive front kick, slamming it into Marcus’s Iron Shield.

The immense force knocked the Iron Shield aside, briefly exposing Marcus’s body.

But what was waiting for Gray wasn’t a golden opportunity to attack, but the Short Spear that had already thrust out from behind the Shield.

A standard, direct Thrust!

"THUD...!"

A somewhat muffled sound.

The Short Spear struck Gray squarely in the chest. Even though the spearhead had been removed and it was covered with cloth...

...the jab still sent a sharp pain through Gray.

"Ugh... cough, cough!"

The Training Sword fell from his hand as his face contorted and he squatted down.

"Ha... I win." Valles flashed a triumphant smile and took the five Silver Coins from Zelir’s hand.

"Gray, how could you be so useless..." Zelir’s face was filled with exasperation.

"It was just a slip-up... a total slip-up!"

Gray stood up, clutching his chest and grimacing. "One more time! I’m sure I can crack Marcus’s shell!"

"Here, hold still."

Zelir drew Night Peace and aimed it at Gray. "I’m going to test a new Magic spell."

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?"

Seeing the Magic Wand aimed at him, Gray’s face went pale with fright.

He forgot all about clutching his chest and quickly dodged left and right. "I only lost you five Silver Coins, it’s not that serious, is it?!"

"Let me tell you, casting Magic around recklessly can kill someone! Your Arcane Missiles are really powerful! If you want to test something, go find Marcus! He’s got thicker skin and can take a few more hits!"

The moment the Magic Wand locked onto him, Gray felt a chill shoot up from the soles of his feet.

The image of Demons being blasted to pieces by Zelir floated into his mind.

’So this is what it feels like to be his enemy...’

"Relax... it’s not an Attack Magic."

Zelir waved his hand. "It’s the Healing Skill."

This was a Casting method he had been researching for the past two days.

Shaman had previously demonstrated the technique of casting the Healing Skill from a distance, so Zelir wanted to practice and master this method himself.

’Using Praise of Life for long-range healing is a bit of a drain on my Magic Power. Every little bit I can save counts.’

To shoot out a Healing Skill like an Arcane Missile, the key was the precision of his Magic Power control.

In his sea of consciousness, the Spell Structure for the Healing Skill was quickly sketched out.

However, he didn’t release it immediately, but instead let it build up bit by bit.

Gentle energy gathered at the tip of the Night Peace Staff, growing more and more, and the orb of light grew considerably larger.

Then...

With a "BANG," it shot directly at Gray.

Gray struggled to control his legs, stopping them from running away.

The moment the green ball of light touched Gray, it merged directly into him.

Then, it spread throughout his entire body.

"Feel anything?" Zelir asked impatiently.

"Mmm..."

Gray rubbed his chest, looking a little unsatisfied.

"It seems a little weak... It’s not as strong as when you cast the Healing Skill on me up close."