"Brat, are you underestimating me? I can't sense any mana circle around you!" Jerald taunted, his confidence brimming. But Robin had instructed Malsa to conceal all traces of his mana, making it extremely difficult to detect.
In response, Robin unleashed a burst of his energy, a stunning display of power that filled the room. "Truly a prodigy! A Mid-Level Mage!!" Jerald exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and malice. "I'll beat you into submission and make you my apprentice! Hahaha!" His maniacal laughter echoed through the castle, alarming everyone within its walls.
Then, turning his gaze to Aria, Jerald sneered, "Ah, I thought all elves perished in the last battle. But it doesn't matter—I'll make you my personal doll once I'm done with this brat."
"Brat, soon you'll feel your limbs before you despair!" he threatened, his tone dripping with menace.
At that point, Robin's patience began to wear thin. _This old man talks too much,_ he thought, a spark of irritation igniting within him. The more Jerald boasted, the more Robin's resolve hardened. He was not about to let himself be intimidated or dragged into a battle that wasn't on his terms.
Robin led the way deep into the forest, with Aria trailing close behind. Meanwhile, back in the castle, King Lion arrived at Robin's room and found the steward lying battered, struggling to stand. "Where did they take Robin!?" King Lion demanded, fury flashing in his eyes. The steward, blood trickling from his mouth, managed to gasp, "…the forest…" before losing consciousness.
"Someone get the steward to the healer immediately!" King Lion ordered. Soldiers rushed to carry him out as Lion stormed toward the throne room, where he found the queen, Duke Ashton, and Mary, the duke's wife, who had just arrived. "They took Robin. What do we do? And one of the empire's generals is here," Lion said, frustration clear in his voice.
Mary, her gaze steely, spoke up, "Why not confront the envoys and make a deal?"
Lion shook his head. "We can't. Not with one of the empire's generals present. They'd see it as defiance."
Unbeknownst to them, Robin had no intention of being taken quietly. As they deliberated, an intense battle had erupted in the forest.
Boom! The air crackled with energy as dark orbs surrounded Robin, his body shrouded in a shimmering coat of mana. Jerald's eyes widened slightly, surprised at the boy's apparent power. "You brat, it seems you actually have some skill," he sneered.
Aria, standing just behind Robin, cast healing magic on him, a skill she had mastered over the past five years under his guidance. Robin had initially thought healing magic would be difficult for her, but she'd proven to be a natural.
"Malsa, can you analyze the envoy's abilities?" Robin asked calmly.
"Scanning now, Master. Please wait a moment," Malsa responded.
Jerald, irritated by Robin's calm, lunged at him. "How dare you ignore me!" he shouted. The dark orbs spun forward, targeting Jerald, who dodged them with ease. Thinking Robin's strength lay only in magic, he aimed to overpower him in close combat, throwing a punch toward Robin's head. But to his shock, Robin blocked the blow and countered with a forceful strike to Jerald's stomach, sending him hurtling back into the trees.
"YOU BASTARD!" Jerald roared, enraged. Being struck by a child was an insult he couldn't ignore. This was no longer about taking him as an apprentice—it was about reclaiming his honor.
---
[ System Panel ]
Name: Jerald
Age: 45/150
Mana Level: Arch Mage
Body Level: Junior Knight
---
Seeing Jerald's stats, Robin smirked. An Arch Mage was a formidable opponent, but Jerald's physical level was only that of a Junior Knight. Robin's chances of winning didn't seem as slim as he'd thought. He was now even more impressed could now see the age and lifespan which he decided he would ask Malsa at the end of the battle.
Noticing the smirk on Robin's face, Jerald's anger flared even hotter. He felt utterly disrespected. Glaring at Robin, he reached for a flask of red liquid, downing it in one swift gulp. His mana flared even higher as the potion's effects took hold.
Just then, King Lion and the duke arrived at the forest's edge, drawn by the clashing mana surges and explosions echoing through the trees. It was impossible to ignore the raging battle in front of them.
As King Lion and the duke arrived at the forest's edge, they were struck by the sight of the general hovering above the treetops, watching the battle below with an intense gaze. His voice echoed menacingly through the trees, "Don't even think about interfering." The weight of his authority was undeniable; they had no choice but to obey. Reluctantly, they moved to a nearby cliff overlooking the forest, hoping to get a clear view of the battle and praying that Robin wouldn't be harmed.
King Lion's face was etched with worry, his fists clenched tightly. Sensing his distress, Mary placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Don't underestimate that boy of yours," she said, her voice steady and calm. "He's stronger than you think. Not only did he create those martial techniques—techniques far superior to anything we have in the kingdom—but he's also mastered powerful magic. He should be able to come out of this, if not victorious, then at least alive."
King Lion nodded, trying to calm himself. He remembered when Robin had shared those techniques, surprising everyone with their sophistication and effectiveness. Robin had explained that he'd developed them after reading countless volumes and perfecting the moves through rigorous self-practice. Now, as he watched his son's figure facing off against Jerald in the forest below, he could only hope that all of Robin's hard work would pay off.
Down below, Robin was prepared, his stance steady and his dark energy pulsing with confidence. Jerald sneered as he began hurling fire missiles at Robin, each one blazing through the air with fierce intensity. Robin evaded them with swift precision, his movements calm and collected.
"Boy, it seems you've grown confident!" Jerald's voice dripped with menace. "Then take this!"
Robin narrowed his eyes, feeling the energy surge within him as he called out, **"Ashton Stance!"** A strong, golden aura surrounded him, a technique his father had taught him, King Lion. With a powerful leap, he soared toward the mage, his fists ready to strike.
But just as he reached mid-air, he felt an invisible force hold him in place. **"Dark Domain,"** Jerald muttered, his gaze fixed on Robin with chilling intensity. Dark tendrils of energy wrapped around Robin, freezing him in place. Jerald's hands ignited with dark flames, and with a grin, he conjured an enormous fireball, larger than anything Robin had seen before, and hurled it straight toward him.
At that moment, the restraints around Robin loosened, and he managed to bring his arms forward just in time. **"Divine Shield!"** he commanded. A shimmering golden barrier manifested in front of him, absorbing the dark flames as they crashed against it. The impact was powerful, forcing Robin back toward the ground, but his shield held strong.
He landed on the forest floor, unscathed, his golden barrier still gleaming. Rising to his feet, Robin locked eyes with Jerald, his determination unwavering. The mage's powers were formidable, but Robin knew he had more in him—he would not back down.
"Aria, go join my father and the others on the cliff for now," Robin said firmly, his eyes focused on Jerald, who loomed ominously ahead. He'd already noticed the figures watching from the cliff's edge, their silhouettes barely visible through the trees.
"But… Master…" Aria began, her voice trembling. She wanted to stay by his side, to support him with healing magic whenever he needed it.
Robin turned to her, his expression softening for a moment as he placed a reassuring hand on her head. "I don't want to see you hurt, Aria," he said gently but firmly. "This battle is my own."
Reluctantly, Aria nodded, guilt flickering in her eyes as she took a step back. She felt frustration gnaw at her, blaming herself for not being strong enough to protect him. With a final glance, she turned and began making her way toward the cliff, where the king, the queen, and the others waited, her heart heavy but resolute.
As she disappeared into the forest, Robin steeled himself and advanced toward Jerald, who watched him with a predatory gleam in his eyes. The time for holding back was over—Robin would need everything he had to face this opponent.