Fighting indoors was not possible, but the Logan family had a large fortune, and not only did they have an open-air training ground, but also specialized lighting fixtures. They used oil as fuel for shadowless lamps, which, although they couldn't completely illuminate the entire field, were enough for both sides to clearly see each other and their surroundings.
Jason picked up a military training sword, made of solid wood and wrapped in cloth, bound with sinew: "It's a bit light, but it's better than nothing."
Then he entered the field and stood firm, looking at Malin who was still at the edge of the arena: "I'm already an adult, and a Tier Nine apprentice knight. I've heard people say you're a top student from the Church of the Harvest Goddess, so, apart from Shaping Spells and permanent Curse Formulas, feel free to use anything else."
"Really?" Malin asked, barely suppressing a smile.
"There are so many people here," Jason replied with a smile. "I can face defeat, but I can't afford to lose face by breaking my word. Besides, Logan said you're only ten years old. If I weren't so eager to clash with a Frost Giant, I wouldn't have challenged you."
"Alright then." Malin loosened his muscles and took off his overcoat, handing it to Faye, then selected a training short sword from the weapon rack.
"Hey, little brother Malin, a short sword is a bit of a disadvantage," Jason remarked with a chuckle.
"It's okay, I've always believed in something—if luck is against you, even the biggest weapon is of no use." Having said that, Malin began to cast spells.
First came the Blessing of Strength. In order to compete with the Tier Nine, Malin specially chose an extremely effective Super Ability. The last time he used this Super Ability, he was even able to make some of the weaker instructors drop their weapons.
Next was Keen Instinct, an Assistance Magic spell that significantly increased Malin's reaction speed and agility.
The third spell was the Blessing of Courage, a Blessing Spell. Although Malin was immune to mind control, battle cries and similar combat skills still made him uncomfortable. If he got too close, even his eardrums could be directly damaged, so the significance of this spell was to allow Malin to ignore the damage these skills could do to his body.
The fourth spell was Pure Shell, an Assistance Magic spell that gave Malin immunity to bruising. His opponent's training sword was still wrapped in cloth, which would certainly result in real bruises, and Malin had no intention of suffering a swollen face.
The fifth spell was Divine Guidance, a Blessing Spell. Honestly, this was an unnecessary spell to use. It could add a divine attribute to Malin's weapon, which was especially effective against intangible Spirits and Spiritual Bodies; against his opponent, it was merely a special effect that made the weapon glow. But who could deny that the glow was admittedly cool.
Jason frowned slightly: "Little brother Malin, you've mastered quite a number of spells, more than I've seen Logan use."
Without turning his head, Malin could imagine Logan's sullen face, so he chuckled sheepishly: "Can I use a different Curse on you? I'll only use a Tier One spell."
"Tier One, can it penetrate my spell resistance?" Jason asked doubtfully. "Although I'm skeptical, you can use whatever you like, as long as it's not a permanent Curse or a Shaping Spell."
So Malin raised his hand and cast a Weakening Flesh spell. Because he too was skeptical about the effect, Malin used an extremely effective Super Ability.
A gray ray struck Jason.
The big man furrowed his brow: "I..." Before he could finish his sentence, he fell backward to the ground.
Although everyone present was rather young, they were all worldly-wise and wouldn't scream. Instead, a few of the bolder ones crowded around: "He's still alive!" They quickly confirmed it.
"Is that really a Tier One Curse formula?!" Someone looked at Malin: "A Tier One Curse doesn't have a ray!"
"Forget Tier One, even Tier Four doesn't have one!" Another person shouted: "Did you use a Magical Item?!"
"I don't think so, there's no fluctuation from a Magical Item. Instead, he used six spells in a row without even showing signs of spiritual energy depletion," his friend immediately retorted.
As the youngsters chattered on, Malin noticed that adults had entered the arena as well.
So he threw the training short sword back onto the weapon rack and looked at Logan approaching, pursing his lips: "Does your cousin really have spell resistance?"
"Of course, my curses don't affect him at all. An apprentice knight's spell resistance allows him to ignore any Tier Two and below curses, and to reduce the damage from Tier Two and below Shaping Spells," Logan said with a sigh as he watched his family's Mage come over to check on his cousin. "What level was your spell?"
"Tier One, Weakening Flesh," Malin answered honestly. "I can also cast a few Tier Two touch spells, but those have to be used at close range."
"Custom spell modifications, Malin, you really are the strangest monster I've ever seen," Logan rolled his eyes. "It's okay, we're all witnesses here, and besides, I've heard that Colin was hit by your Weakening Flesh before and he's still bouncing around. I guess my cousin won't have any problems, perhaps just a longer recovery time."
It wasn't just a little longer—Jason woke up within half an hour. By the time he reappeared at the party, Malin, Faye, and Logan were still discussing their academic plans for the latter half of the year.
"Awake already? That was quick; apprentice knights sure are tough," Logan teased his cousin with a laugh.
"Don't bring it up, at that moment I felt like I was hit by some monster, then I just lost consciousness," Jason said with a wry smile, then patted Selena's head, her eyes still red: "It's all your fault, you silly girl. If I had known Malin was Master Hoffman's apprentice, I wouldn't have made a fool of myself."
"It's okay, I went too far by invoking the extreme Super Ability," Malin apologized somewhat awkwardly, trying to defuse the awkwardness of the situation.
"Damn! You even learned that?!" Logan exploded in frustration: "The teacher only gave four lessons! I haven't even figured out the spell circuits!"
"It's true. There's always someone better out there," Faye said with a smile, while discreetly opening her fan.
"Brother Gaiate could use super abilities with extreme effectiveness after only the second lesson," Maya, a young and conscientious Historian, chimed in at this time.
It was a fact that could make men silent and women weep.
Jason forced a smile as he said goodbye to Malin, then quickly ran off with his little girlfriend.
"I'll never foolishly think about defeating you again. You're really a monster in human skin," Logan said, looking incredulously at Malin. "Tell me, did you also learn the second-circle assistance magic that was taught yesterday?"
"You mean Endurance of Pain?" Malin asked; then, with a loud gesture, he cast the spell on his friend in front of him.
"...Forget I said anything, thanks," Logan licked the corner of his mouth, smiling with great difficulty.
............
After this episode, Malin not only harvested a wave of envy on the field but also had many peers making an effort to leave their contact information with him, saying it was to ask for Malin's help during the apprentices' field trials in the future.
Both the academy and the Church didn't prohibit apprentices from asking for help during trials, as networking was also a form of strength, but they didn't need to warn anyone that everyone knew only one's own power was the most effective and reliable strength.
And helpers weren't cheap. A peer as capable as Malin, with his familiar routes after so many years, was surely better than hiring a stranger when the time came.
A very normal long-term investment.
Malin was happy to accept—life is full of times when one needs others and is needed by others, and making some money is always better than not making any.
"Seeing how popular you are makes me anxious. When I call you to come help, you'd better save me some time," Logan said, snatching up a slot when Malin was free.
"No problem, we're brothers," Malin said, finding his little brother figure amusing. After all, he was a man of courage who had come forward to declare his interest and act as a bag carrier for the sake of a young lady.
And so the host and the guest were all happy.
Of course, Malin also met Logan's parents.
His father was a very cultured middle-aged man, dressed neatly in a black suit, with immaculately pressed trousers, and shoes that could reflect someone's image, his hair fixed in place by hair gel.
As the head of the household, he rarely spoke, usually just nodding or smiling.
This time, according to what Logan said later, it was the first time he saw him speak to one of his classmates.
"You're Malin, Gaiate, right?"
"Yes."
The middle-aged man's voice was husky, somewhat unexpectedly, but seeing the way he handled his cigarette, Malin wasn't surprised.
"My child is your classmate. You must help each other out," the man said with a smile. Then, he offered a cigarette: "Young man, would you like one?"
He was then, quite predictably, tapped on the elbow very discreetly by his wife, who took the opportunity to hijack the conversation smoothly: "Logan is a bit clumsy. I've heard that you're the most formidable in his grade, Mr. Malin. I entrust my child to you."
"You flatter me, ma'am. Logan is a friend, and it's only natural for us to look out for each other," Malin smoothly took over the conversation with a smile. "I also thank you very much for your hospitality."
This time, Maya indeed had her fill. Logan didn't lie—the variety of 'meat' dishes actually made from vegetables and mushrooms successfully left Maya overstuffed.
"Seeing you young ones reminds my husband and me of the good old days in the nursery school. How wonderful, it will be your era soon. Keep it up, ladies and gentlemen," she said, smiling as she saw off her son's classmates, making sure everyone got into the carriage.
"She's a good lady," Faye remarked.
"Indeed, she's a good lady," Malin thought being without airs sometimes was the biggest air of all.
The carriage rolled out of the noble district along the street, and noticing the route, Malin frowned: "This isn't the way to the Church, is it?"
"Who wants to go back to the Church? Let's spend the night at my estate today. Sister Margaret is on duty at the Church, so it will be a sweet time for just the three of us," Faye explained with a mischievous smile.
Wait a minute, Miss Faye, are you sure it won't be a joyful time where your Head Maid flays and debones me?