The cultivation of Ordena done by Sages brought with it enlightenment in the three great laws that govern the land.
Time, Space, and Reality.
As one would gain enlightenment in these laws while cultivating, this would lead to the creation of techniques.
With different people come different forms of enlightenment which in turn would lead to differing thoughts on what techniques to create.
The creation of a law technique was what defined a true Sage!
For Max, he was lucky enough to be left alone to find his enlightenment, one which he was quite grateful for as he looked down at the hooded figure he had just manhandled.
Convergence and Divergence were the techniques Max created which correlated with the great law of Space.
Convergence allowed him to bend space toward a determined center, causing any attack to shift its course without alarming the attacker.
Divergence on the other hand was the opposite as it caused any attack to move away from a determined center.
Of course, one thing to note would be the strength behind the attack. If the attacker turned out stronger than Max, then the chances of bending space would be much slimmer.
Just now, he had made use of his body as the determined center to shift the hooded individual's attacks.
From their exchange, Max could tell that his attacker was roughly at the same power level as him which assured him.
"Is this the reason Sir Lloyd sent me out?... No, if he intended to kill me, there's no need to send an assailant much weaker than him, except he is trying to probe me in which case this would be an opportunity to show my skills."
Max nodded at his silent deduction. "That's most likely the case, he wants to be sure of what level I have reached before he can be assured that Laura would be safe with me… a bit much but I will gladly accept."
Ever since Max returned, he hadn't gotten a chance to test just how strong he was after four years of training with the frogs.
This was an opportunity to test himself in real combat and as one who wished to grow even stronger, he relished the challenge.
Thus, he prepared to give his best.
Meanwhile, the hooded figure still had his back on the ground as he struggled to push through the pain to his internal organs.
It was clear that Max's assault was quite damaging, but it helped to make him understand that he absolutely could not face off against Max in a head-on fight.
"For some reason, my attacks ended up missing their marks… I have to assume that he has something to do with this. I can't take any chances. I will take him down in one fell swoop."
Using his arm to clean the blood at the corner of his lips, the hooded figure got to his feet.
Max suddenly spoke up. "Care to explain why you are trying to kill me now?"
The hooded figure spared him a sidelong glance before he began to rapidly weave hand signs.
Max furrowed his brows. "Still not willing to talk… fine by me."
For now, he placed everything else behind him as he focused on the hooded individual. His fighting spirit soared as he waited in anticipation.
The hooded individual noticed Max's calm outlook with no intention of stopping him from summoning. "…is he that confident in his abilities or is it something else?"
Most Magicians would either initiate a summon at this point or at least stop the other person from summoning, thus Max's approach was off-putting.
"I was already preparing to meld into the shadows if he attacked but this… what exactly is he planning?"
If only the hooded individual realized that Max took him for a sparring partner that Sir Lloyd sent…
Max on the other hand was slightly confused as the hooded individual weaved hand signs. "Isn't he aware of the 'no summoning rule in public places?"
Max wanted to speak up but his senses made him realize that his thoughts were unnecessary.
The energy fluctuations in the air were still present.
"A domain?… How is he able to utilize it?"
Just then, Max saw the hooded individual complete his summoning.
"Heed my summon and hear my call, Come forth, Dark Thunder!"
A spatial tunnel appeared from behind him. Max watched as a majestic black wolf that was as large as an adult horse walked out from the tunnel.
For the first time, Max was stunned by the wolf's appearance.
Its Black fur melded into the night so well that if not for the purple streaks of lightning that snaked around its body, it would be almost invisible.
The hooded individual noticed Max's gaze and was satisfied by his stunned expression. "I'm sure you regret not stopping me before this unfortunately, it's too late to do anything."
Max pulled out the Staff of Order and it instantly grew to the length of a normal staff. Twirling it in his hand, he proceeded to take an offensive stance.
"An Advanced level Magician, as well as a Ruler rank summon… I believe that our battle shall be legendary!"
The hooded individual's expression twisted as his initial observation seemed wrong. "Tch, I can't be bothered to listen to the ramblings of a teen. Just die!"
With a thought, he achieved Will Assimilation with Dark Thunder and his body began to exude dark smoke and his eyes flashed a bright purple.
"Come!" Max remarked while pointing his staff at him.
The next moment, the hooded individual disappeared from his position as Dark Thunder spread it's legs out as it growled at Max.
The area around them slowly but surely was engulfed by dark clouds with purple lightning flashing.
Max was about to experience the might of a Summoner!