(Argenti mansion, Training arena)
In the center of a colosseum- shaped arena the silver haired teen, Luke Argenti and the black-haired woman, Amanda Argenti both clad in a dark blue combat attire, faced each other.
Raising her hand, the air temperature dropped, and various ice shards materialized above her and shot with an immense speed towards Luke.
Anticipating this Luke already finished preparing his spell. A magic circle appeared under his feet and a wall rose from the floor, blocking the ice shards.
(1st rank magic, rock wall)
However, the shards easily tore through the wall after a few hits like it made of paper.
Luke knew it wouldn't block the attack, so he used the wall to by him enough time to cast his spell.
Another magic circle appeared under him and instantly mana covered him like a thin layer of armor, it was the basic body strengthening spell. Normally it's a spell that doesn't need a magic circle to cast but in Luke's case using this method activates the spell faster.
The downside is that it basically tells your opponent your next spell.
Using his newfound strength Luke dashed in his mother's direction while preparing his next spell.
Seeing her son's direct approach, she gave a soft smile and snaped her fingers, launching more ice shards his way.
Luke reacted quickly ad launched his spell.
The magic circle in his hand transformed into a medium sized fireball and shot towards the shards, splitting into several small fireballs before the impact.
(2nd rank spell flame scattershot)
Unfortunately, the fireballs lacked power, so they were only able to divert the trajectory of the shards, clearing the path for Luke.
Maintaining her smile, Amanda put her hand forward and clenched into a fist.
*BOOMM
Various shards scattered through the arena exploded, leaving a blue mist in the area.
Quickly focusing mana into his legs, Luke transitioned from a full sprint, into a high arching backflip, escaping the mist range.
'It was the same spell from before! Did she modify the spell mid casting?'
Luke couldn't sense it but there was a small magic circle embedded into the shards, making them turn to mist on the caster's command. Despite not being an active mage, she still practiced from time to time.
Luke quicky conjured a spell, the wind gathered and condensed on him on his palm, launching towards the mist to disperse it.
(1st rank spell gust palm)
As the gust touched the mist, it froze, breaking into pieces and expanding its area of effect.
'So, it freezes any spell and converts the mana to increase its effects?'
Although it didn't look powerful it certainly was a troublesome thing to deal with since Luke style involved in being in constant movement.
'I need to think of someth… Shit!'
Breaking out f his thoughts, a rain of shards was launched towards him.
Increasing the supply of mana towards his body, Luke dashed around the arena at high speeds, effectively avoiding getting hit. But because of the mist covering a large part of the arena his ground was small to avoid all the shards, soon him combat suit's protection color was changing from blue to orange, indicating a loss of durability.
Increasing the pressure, Amanda took a step forward, freezing the ground under her feet, under seconds the whole floor was covered in ice, and it wasn't a spell just a burst of mana infused with the ice element.
She took another step, Ice spikes filled the arena, further narrowing, Luke's space to maneuver.
- I know you can do better my dear child.
Seeing her mother's scary smile, he knew it was going to get even harden if he continued to act this way.
'Guess I will have to gamble oh that move.'
He came to a complete standstill, and in just 2 seconds a spell was formed and manifested. 3 stone domes rose at the same time, providing him with the needed protection.
He began casting the spell, 3 magic circles simultaneous appeared under him.
While he managed to develop the ability to multicast, it required a considerable amount of time to prepare the spells, and maintaining a spell while casting another was impossible with his current level.
His mother didn't stay still and continued with the barrage of shards, but barely managed to crack the first layer of the dome.
Dispersing her spell, she gathered her mana, converting into a large ice spear.
Grabbing the spear, she positioned herself in a throwing motion and hurdled it at the dome at high speeds like a javelin.
The spear easily tore through the dome, but Luke's spell was already complete.
From the smoke of the debris, Luke appeared coated in a raging flame aura.
By combining the body strengthening spell with a modified version of the 1st ranks spells flamethrower and gust palm he was able to infuse his coated mana with a flame strong enough to melt her mother's ice and increase the area of effect thanks to the wind.
The downside aside from the long casting time is that it depletes his mana at a rapid rate, he has a minute to end this before he runs out of it.
Leaving cracks on the ground he exploded towards the mist. Thanks to the fire, his mana acquired a more explosive trait, allowing him to display more power in his movements.
As he met the mist, its freezing effect became ineffective thanks to the power of the flames. Every time ice started to form it instantly turned to steam.
Amanda didn't idle and began firing ice shards at him, but he easily dodged most and the ones that he couldn't were melted by the burning winds surrounding him.
- Impressive, I guess you can easily handle this then!
Satisfied by her son's newfound prowess she decided to put more effort in her attacks.
She started to multicast, various ice spears along with ice spikes from all directions were fired at Luke.
At that moment a powerful explosion rose from Luke, turning all the spells along with the mist into a thick steam, covering the whole arena.
Amanda spread her mana, trying to sense Luke but couldn't find a trace of him.
A chill ran up her spine. Before she could turn around, she felt a thin blade of mana pointed at her neck from behind, along with the sound of the protective barrier from the combat suit being broken.
-This time it's my win mother…
Barely managing to stay conscious Luke fell on the floor due to mana exhaustion.
- It only took 30 attempts, but you finally managed, congratulations son!!!
Amanda tossed him some mana potions which he drank in one go. Feeling the energy return to him, he managed to get up from his sorry state.
Before he could say anything a brown-haired maid, about 25 years old, came down from the stands carrying a first aid kit with a worried face.
- Young master are you okay?? – The maid, Elise askes in a worried voice
- Calm down Elise I'm fine the suit had protection.
Despite Luke's assurance Her worried didn't disappear.
- But still we got to make sure, hurry up and come!!
Elise forcefully grabbed him by the hand and dragged him away from the arena.
- Hey, wait I got to talk to my mother first!!!
- Your health comes first now come!
'She may have matured on the outside, but her worried attitude still remained!'
**
After getting rid of his maid's worries, Luke went to his mother's garden to have lunch since both were hungry after an intensive sparring.
Taking a sip of the tea Luke asked.
- So mother, what's your assessment of today's match?
For 9 years since his father proposed the deal to him, Luke has been sparring with his mother after condensing his mana and having some mastery of the basic spells.
And after every battle she gives an assessment on his performance.
- Your casting speed has improved a lot, along with your mana control, although you still lack variety in your arsenal you make it up with quick thinking and adaptability.
-Thank you!
- Also, is you speed improvement related to the strange way you build your magic circles?
- Correct.
After the first matches, Luke searched for a method to quickly cast magic. however, the existing methods of using scrolls or engraving the circle in one's body didn't suit his fighting style and his control wasn't at a level to not use circles.
Instead, by analyzing the various spells he managed to find similarities between magic of the same element, allowing him to make circle templates akin to a mathematical formula for each element. by engraving those templates near his solar plexus, where he accumulated his mana, he only needs to input the spell's, form, power, and range.
- Impressive, can you teach me??
- You don't need something like that mother, besides this technique only works on 3rd rank and lower spells.
- Shame. Alright then last question, how did you manage to hide from my senses after that explosion???
Unbothered by his mother's shift in tone, he calmly answered.
- I temporarily mimicked your mana's wavelength, that's why you couldn't sense me even after you spread your mana.
This was one of the techniques he managed to create by adapting a technique used by knights to erase their presence through their breathing. In Luke's method he mimicked the environment mana's wavelength to blend.
But with his current abilities it takes a sometime to blend with the environment, the reason he manages to do it quickly is because he chose to mimic his mother's mana since their wavelengths were similar.
Amanda widened her eyes at her son's answer. mimicking one's mana signature was unheard of since everyone's mana was different even for relatives.
-Is something wrong mother?
Luke called out to her, snapping back from the surprise she responded.
- Ohh nothing I was just amazed by your growth, well done!
Luke sensed something was amiss put didn't pursue it further.
'Didn't think it was a big deal.'
- Anyways with this I think you're ready for whatever task your father gives you. Do you already know when you leave?
-It was supposed to be in 3 days but now I think it's after we get back from the capital.
Yesterday, an invitation from the royal family arrived. It was for the second princess's 14th birthday happening in two weeks.
Usually, our family doesn't attend these types of events, but since it's the royal family that's hosting, we can't exactly refuse without a valid reason. Thanks to that my departure was delayed.
- Still, it is surprise that the 2nd princesses decided to have a birthday party.
- True, she avoided appearing in public ever since she was born, it's a bit strange to suddenly announce a party.
Contrary to the other heirs, there's no information about the 2nd princess, the only thing we know is that she exists, not even her name was revealed to the public.
Added her nonexistent public presence everyone assumed that she isolated herself to stay out of the succession race for the throne. One other rumor is that she has fragile body and therefore can't leave the royal palace, but that was quickly dismissed by the queen herself and this invitation further solidifies it.
'Still why show herself now?'
The only thing Luke could be certain, is that it was not going to be a peaceful party.
**
In a dark room, 5 robed figures sat in a round table. The light of a small candle illuminated their faces, showing part of their masks.
One of the figures spoke up.
- Is everything ready?
-Yes sir, our spies have successfully placed the bombs and secured the escape routes.
- What about the royal guard?
-the paralyzers were installed; it should give us 10 minutes before they recover.
-Excellent, this time we will show those arrogant nobles why they should fear us!
The figure rose and lifted his hand.
-For equality!!!!
The other figures repeated his pose and shouted.
- FOR EQUALITY!!!!!