While Ethan was dwelling over the fact that Asher could be a genius that has never before been seen and Aurora was radiating killing intent at Asher, the battle between the latter and Ezra was getting more heated.
Ezra couldn't get a win over Asher no matter how small it was. His opponent was just too good despite not having a speed-based element or artefact, and he was able to keep up with him.
If Ezra responded with a wind spell, Asher would somehow dodge at the last minute despite the spell being invisible and rapid. Ezra just couldn't understand how this was so.
Against all his other competitors, they usually failed to spot Ezra's attacks. Even against the geniuses from similar ranks he had fought in the past, they'd either tank his attacks and close the gap to engage in close combat, or read his attacks via the motion of his hands. However, Ezra had learnt a new trick which he added to his hand movements to make it difficult to read the trajectory of his attacks through them, but even so, Asher could still see it. It was almost as if Asher could actually see the wind blades and attacks despite the fact that they were invisible.
'How, how is he doing it?' Ezra steamed.
Asher, on the other hand, calmly read the flow of mana through the air and expanded his senses to catch Ezra's attacks and dodge them. It was just like Ezra had suspected; Asher could indeed see the wind attacks as if they were never invisible to start with. The combination of his fifth-stage mental sense and battle experience from the past made it such that the dangerous and swift attacks from his Azure Wind opponent were no different from a toddler's assault on an adult.
Irritated, Ezra suddenly formed a hand seal before pushing his arms forward.
An invisible ball of air came into existence in mid-air through a contrasting flow of air from opposite directions.
Bang.
Once the air ball was formed, it abruptly exploded releasing five Azure Wind blades that attacked Asher from five different angles. However, hidden in the midst of the wind blades were three wind needles four inches long.
This was a combination attack that Ezra had invented used to combat mages who could somewhat sense his regular attacks.
Ezra doubted that Asher could see his wind blades as only fourth-stage mages or talented third-stage Guardian mages could sense such easily and Asher was neither. Hence, whatever technique Asher was using to dodge Ezra's wind blades could be classified as inferior. Since that was the case, Ezra just needed to confuse Asher.
The five large Azure Wind blades would serve as a distraction and garner the attention of the target towards them. In the background however, the three Azure Wind needles would hide under the cover of the wind blades and strike the target's blindspot, and since the target was unable to clearly see the Azure Wind projectiles, there was a high chance for this technique to succeed.
'You're done.' Ezra grinned.
Asher however, glanced at the attack and couldn't help but praise Ezra's wit.
Against a trained or much stronger mage, this combo attack was useless. However, when facing someone of the same level and experience, Ezra's move was a lethal attack, and that was the problem.
'Although the five wind blades are distractions, they're still deadly attacks. A slight mistake and I would lose a limb at least. Even if I manage to dodge them, if I fail to sense the needles, I would similarly end up in a disastrous situation or even in a near-date state. He might not be trying to kill me but this kid wants to put an end to my mage journey.' Asher frowned just as the wind blades got close.
As the wind blades approached, Asher moved his hand in mid-air as if he was pulling the air. An ice shield erected before him, obstructing the wind blades from reaching him.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
The five wind blades struck the shield but despite their ferocity and incisiveness, they failed to break through it. It was only the fifth and final wind blade that finally broke the ice shield into pieces, albeit it also dissipated right after doing so.
Right after that, the three wind needles appeared right in front of Asher and from the looks of things, he would be caught by them.
Ezra was just beginning to rejoice when Asher took a step back. Even as he did so, a figure was left behind in Asher's previous position; a wood replica of Asher's frontal view.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The three ice needles struck the wooden replica but just like with the wind blades and ice shield, they failed to penetrate the wooden half clone.
"That was close." Asher smiled.
Ezra appeared by his side, using a wind movement technique, not giving up on the attack even after his grand scheme had failed to bear fruit. His right fist was wrapped in a thick layer of water -which happened to be Ezra's second element- as he punched at Asher.
Just as always, Asher also dodged this attack by a hair's breadth, but Ezra didn't seem bothered. On the contrary, he smirked.
"Engulf."
Ezra whispered as the layer of water in his abruptly expanded to form a wave that covered every direction and was expanding from the fist.
A genius never had only one trick.
This move of his was a special technique Ezra used to dominate close combat battles. His Azure Wind element allowed him to be superior in speed whereas this fist spell technique enabled Ezra to win close combat battles with just one move. He had avoided using it at the start to get Asher comfortable and less on guard just to make sure the one-hit move resulted in his victory. And now, it seemed like all the wait was worth it.
'This is the end for you, Asher Arnhaunt. I'd like to see how you'll survive this.' Ezra grinned as he watched the wages expand.
Being the spellcaster and a water user, although he was similarly engulfed, Ezra had made preparations so wasn't as affected. But the same wouldn't be so for Asher, was how things was supposed to be.
"How, how come?!"