"You can cast your spell first," the battle mage said as he waved his longsword, "otherwise, once I close in, the situation will become very favorable for me."
Malin shook his head, "No need."
The countdown ended swiftly, and the young man started with a trick in an attempt to disrupt Malin's spellcasting while moving towards Malin's empty side.
But Malin sidestepped, dodging the spark aimed straight at his face, and with a pause of his staff, he silently released a Fireball. It interrupted the young man's movement, and as Malin took a step back, moving out of his charge range—a battle mage's charge combined with Blink is a method that doesn't even need a second to close in and unleash attacks. Malin had used it more than once to send apprentices flying, so naturally, he was on guard against this youngster.
