"Just so you know," Luke said, his voice dripping with mockery, "I kill mercy either." His smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with unshakable confidence.
Garrick's grin twisted into something feral. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his chain whipping through the air with a sharp metallic clang. The force of his motion carved white trails of wind behind him, a testament to the raw speed and power in his charge.
His approach was bold, almost reckless, but it was the kind of recklessness born from bloodlust and confidence in his weapon.
Behind Luke, Lea acted swiftly. Her arms stretched outward, glowing with an ethereal yellow light. She began casting, her voice low but steady, as faint golden particles surrounded both herself and Luke.
"Fortivis!"
A soft hum of power followed, and Luke's movements became sharper, quicker—his strength bolstered by the spell. The particles shimmered like fireflies, dancing in the air around them.
Luke didn't need to look back to acknowledge her support. His smirk remained as he muttered, "Not bad."
Then, he propelled himself forward with a forceful thrust of his legs, meeting Garrick head-on. The collision was immediate, and the sound of fists meeting steel echoed like thunder across the battlefield.
Garrick's chain lashed with ferocity, striking in precise, calculated arcs, but Luke countered with equal precision. His fists blurred as he ducked, weaved, and struck back, each punch carrying the weight of enhanced strength.
The clash of chain and fist created shockwaves, small clouds of dirt kicking up around them. Each strike was an explosion of movement, neither of them willing to back down. Garrick's eyes gleamed with sadistic glee as he pressed his assault, his chain sweeping low in an attempt to trip Luke. But Luke leaped effortlessly over the strike, retaliating with a spinning punch that sent Garrick staggering back a step.
Meanwhile, Theron stood a short distance away, his left hand raised and pointed at Lea as a swirling purple magic circle materialized before him. His sharp gaze locked onto her, recognizing her as the linchpin of Luke's power.
With a voice as cold as steel, he chanted, "Sagitta Penetrans!"
The magic circle pulsed, releasing a jagged bolt of purple lightning that tore through the air with deadly speed. It crackled like a serpent, leaving a faint trail of scorched ozone in its wake.
Lea's eyes widened as she saw the attack coming, but she reacted with practiced agility, throwing herself to the side just as the bolt struck the ground. The impact was explosive, scattering rubble and smoke into the air, the earth beneath her feet trembling.
Theron's expression remained unreadable as he began channeling another spell, the magic circle glowing ominously once more.
Lea landed gracefully on the grass, her knees bent to absorb the impact. She straightened quickly, her eyes narrowing at Theron.
"This is nothing. You'll have to do better than that," she muttered under her breath, her hands beginning to glow with a bright yellow-orange hue.
The magic around her intensified, crackling with raw energy.
It was now a duel—Lea versus Theron on the grassy field beside the road. The two stared each other down, their respective auras clashing invisibly as they prepared for the next move.
On the road, Luke and Garrick's battle raged on. Garrick's chain struck like a viper, the steel links whistling through the air with every swing. But Luke's movements were fluid, almost playful as if he were toying with Garrick. He dodged a strike aimed at his torso, then closed the gap in an instant, landing a crushing elbow to Garrick's ribs. The impact forced a grunt from Garrick, but it only seemed to fuel his bloodlust.
"You think you're fast?" Garrick growled, twirling his chain in a circular motion. "Let's see how fast you are against this!"
With a roar, Garrick unleashed his chain in a wild, spiraling arc that seemed to cover every angle. The move was designed to overwhelm, to leave no room for evasion. Luke, however, stood his ground. His eyes sharpened as he focused, his smirk replaced by a cold, calculating glare.
At the last second, Luke ducked low, the chain grazing just above his head. He sprang forward with incredible speed, closing the distance before Garrick could retract his weapon. Luke's fist connected with Garrick's jaw in a devastating uppercut, the force lifting Garrick off his feet and sending him crashing to the ground.
"You're all bark," Luke said, rolling his shoulder casually, "but your bite's not that impressive."
"Arrogant bastard," Garrick mutters with a crooked grin, crouching as he wipes the corner of his mouth.
On the sidelines, Lea and Theron's duel had erupted into a flurry of spells. Theron launched a volley of purple lightning bolts, each one tearing through the grass and leaving scorched craters in their wake. Lea countered by conjuring barriers of yellow light, each shield shattering under the relentless assault but buying her precious seconds.
"Lumenstra!"
She retaliated with bursts of golden energy, sharp and precise, forcing Theron to sidestep and dodge.
"As expected from the daughter of the Vitalis Faction, you're persistent," Theron muttered, his tone laced with irritation. "But persistence only delays the inevitable."
Lea smirked, her confidence growing with each passing moment. "Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you."
Seems like Luke's personality is surprisingly contagious.
The battlefield was alive with chaos—a symphony of clashing metal, crackling magic, and the unyielding determination of four combatants. Each clash carried the weight of their resolve, every strike and spell pushing them closer to their limits.
For Luke, the fight was exhilarating, a reminder of battles past and the thrill of testing his strength. For Lea, it was a test of her growth, a chance to prove she could hold her own against a powerful foe. And for Garrick and Theron, it was a game, a dance of destruction they refused to lose, after all, it was for the contract.
"I'm not playing easy with you," Theron declared coldly, his stern gaze unyielding.
With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a black orb in his right hand.
The orb pulsed with dark, malevolent energy, tendrils of shadowy aura twisting around it like serpents. As Theron channeled his mana, the orb began to shift and distort, its form unraveling until it coalesced into the shape of a raven. The spectral creature emitted an unsettling screech before taking flight, its black wings leaving faint trails of darkness in the air as it ascended.
The raven hovered for a moment, then locked onto its target: Lea. Its glowing red eyes burned like embers as it dived toward her with the precision of a predator.
"...!"
Lea gasped, her instincts kicking in as she ducked just in time. She pressed her hands against her head for protection as the raven's shadowy form streaked past her, a cold, unnatural chill brushing against her skin. The familiar didn't relent. With a sharp caw, it spiraled upward before swooping back down for a second attack, its talons outstretched as it sought to rend her.
Lea's heart raced, but she refused to panic. Glancing up at the incoming attack, she quickly extended her arms, summoning her magic. A grey magic circle materialized before her, glowing faintly as she focused her energy.
"Oblivara!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the pressure.
The nullification spell shot forward in a wave of muted light, striking the raven mid-dive. For a moment, the creature faltered, its dark form shimmering with a grey hue as the spell took effect. Lea's breath caught—had it worked?
But then the raven let out a guttural screech and shook off the spell, its shadowy form stabilizing almost instantly. It continued its dive unabated, forcing Lea to leap to the side to evade it. She landed in a crouch, her chest heaving as she turned to face the creature again.
Her eyes narrowed. It didn't disperse...?
From his position, Theron smirked his expression one of quiet superiority.
"It's futile," he said, his voice calm yet tinged with condescension. "My familiar spells are refined. They're designed to resist nullification."
Lea's brow furrowed, her mind racing. She stole a glance at Theron, who stood motionless. A single bead of sweat rolled down her temple as she tried to suppress the pang of frustration rising within her.
Her spell had connected—she was sure of it—but it hadn't been enough. The raven was no ordinary familiar. Its resilience was a testament to Theron's skill and meticulous craft.
Lea tightened her grip, her fingers curling into fists as she steadied her breathing. Alright, if nullification doesn't work, then I'll have to find another way.
The raven circled overhead, its shadow passing over her like a hunter stalking its prey. Its sharp caw echoed through the battlefield, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. But Lea's resolve hardened.
Theron crossed his arms, his smirk widening ever so slightly. "Admit it," he said, his voice carrying across the distance between them. "You can't keep up."
Lea didn't respond. She didn't need to. Instead, she rose to her feet, her expression steeled. Her magic flared around her, the faint golden particles from her earlier spell merging with new energy—brighter, sharper, and more resolute.
Theron raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hmm… so you're not giving up. Good. Let's see how long you last."
The battle wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
"Vayrenth!"
Lea's voice rang out with determination as she thrust her arms forward. A green magic circle flared to life, pulsating with power before releasing a roaring gale toward Theron's position. The blast surged forward, tearing through the battlefield with a force that bent the grass and sent loose debris spiraling into the air.
The raven, caught in the trajectory, let out a sharp caw as it dived to evade. Its wings flapped furiously, attempting to climb above the wind's relentless pull. Lea seized the opening, her sharp gaze locking onto the spectral familiar. She quickly aimed a finger at the raven, a focused burst of mana channeling into her next spell.
"Fulmina Astra!"
A purple lightning bolt streaked through the air like a viper, crackling with raw energy. It struck the raven mid-flight, engulfing it in a burst of light and smoke. The impact left the familiar momentarily obscured, but Lea wasn't finished yet.
She pivoted with urgency, her hands shooting upward before slamming onto the ground. A brown magic circle materialized beneath her palms, its intricate patterns glowing as the ground began to quake.
"Terrascindo!"
The earth trembled violently before erupting into jagged, solid blocks that shot forward like a relentless wave of stone. The blocks surged toward Theron, each one a formidable mass aimed to crush him under their weight.
Theron narrowed his eyes, his smirk replaced with a focused frown. With a swift motion, he extended his hand, his dark aura swirling around him.
"Umbrazeal!"
A black arrow of pure energy exploded from his palm, its trajectory precise and deadly. The projectile collided with the advancing blocks, shattering the final one in a shower of debris. Dust filled the air as Theron stood firm, his confidence shaken but unbroken.
She's resourceful, Theron thought, his gaze analyzing Lea with growing concern.
'Offense, defense, and multi-elemental casting... she's a greater nuisance than I anticipated. Her mana reserves seem almost endless, while mine are dwindling. If this keeps up, this could be tougher than I thought...'
He clenched his teeth, pushing the thought aside. Theron raised his hand, gesturing toward the dissipating smoke above. His familiar re-emerged with an ear-piercing caw, its crimson eyes gleaming with malice. Without hesitation, the raven dived straight for Lea, its beak aimed like a dagger.
Lea's sharp instincts kicked in as she glanced upward. She swiftly summoned her energy, forming a golden barrier just in time to intercept the attack. The raven slammed into the shield, its momentum halted, but the force reverberated around her.
Theron's lips curled into a devious smile as he saw his chance. Extending his hand, he pointed a finger toward the kneeling Lea, muttering under his breath:
"Fulmina Astra."
Another purple lightning bolt crackled to life, darting forward with terrifying speed. It tore through the battlefield, piercing the remnants of the broken earthblocks in its path.
Lea's barrier glowed brilliantly as the lightning struck it, creating an ear-splitting explosion. The shield splintered under the relentless power, shattering with a burst of golden fragments. The force of the impact sent Lea staggering backward, her arms raised defensively as she grunted in pain.
The raven, momentarily repelled by the shattering force, screeched and circled overhead. Lea's breathing was ragged as she steadied herself, her mind racing to counter both the familiar and Theron's assault.
Theron smirked, lowering his hand as his piercing gaze locked onto Lea.
"Impressive resilience. "But let's see how much longer you can hold out."