Terradin Forest, Hensberg Kingdom, Northern Continent.
Dam! Dam! Dam! Dam!
The sound of Lilith's Dark Spears rained down onto the ground around me. Whatever happened, I had to find a way to protect the girl named Elena behind me.
"What will you do, Aella? You, as you are now, are no match for me! Hahahaha...!"
Lilith's laughter echoed amidst the thunderous impact of her Dark Spears striking the earth.
"O mediocris ventus, da mihi praesidium venti. et arma hostium destrue coram me."
(O spirit of the wind, grant me the protection of the wind. And destroy the weapons of my enemies before me.)
I began chanting my wind magic,
"Ventus Scutum!"
(Wind Shield!)
Raising my magic staff toward the sky, I conjured a barrier of wind—Wind Shield. This spell redirected all incoming attacks, sending them away from the user. It was an exclusive wind magic possessed only by the Elf race.
Lilith's spears were successfully deflected by my magic. Without wasting time, I chanted another spell.
"Maceria Lapidea!"
(Stone Wall!)
The spell I cast was an earth-element defensive magic, commonly known as Stone Wall.
There was a significant difference between chanting a full incantation and using a shortened one. The difference lay in mana consumption and the spell's effectiveness. A full incantation produced a stronger and more potent magic effect, but it required a large amount of mana. Conversely, a shortened incantation reduced the spell's power but consumed far less mana.
Therefore, in magic battles, experience was key. A mage had to balance and synchronize both full and shortened spell chants. Through experience, they developed their own judgment of the battlefield, deciding which combination of spells to use in different situations.
I had encased the girl named Elena in my Stone Wall barrier. Now, I could focus more on my battle against Lilith.
"Aella!"
Lilith shouted my name as she sprinted toward me. She grabbed one of her Dark Spears embedded in the ground, then leaped and swung it at me.
I blocked the strike with my magic staff, Indurta.
"Aella... let's play again, like we used to! Like those beautiful times when we clashed our weapons and magic in the Southern Continent!"
"Stop your nonsense, Lilith!"
"Hahahahaha! Show me… show me all of your power, Aella. Entertain me! You know, I've been so bored all this time. I haven't found a single opponent who can fight me equally, who can match my magic. I'm so happy, Aella! I can see you again… I can fight you again! Hahahahaha...!"
"I have no interest in your twisted fetish, Lilith!"
"Hahahahaha...! Aella... Aella!"
Lilith laughed as she continuously swung her spear at me. The clashing of my magic staff and her spear produced ear-piercing sounds, echoing through the silent Terradin Forest. Simultaneously, I could hear the roars of wyvern flames and the clashing of swords from Swordmaster-san, who was also engaged in battle nearby.
Trang!
Lilith swung her spear upward with immense force, creating a deafening impact against my staff. The sheer force sent me flying backward. I tumbled, quickly adjusting my stance. As I knelt on one knee and faced Lilith, she hurled the Dark Spear in her hand straight at me. I leaped sideways to evade the throw.
But Lilith sprinted forward, seizing another Dark Spear from the ground and throwing it again. She repeated the attack over and over.
I dodged the incoming spears while chanting my wind magic.
"O mediocris venti, da vires tuas. et da mihi gladium ut interficias inimicos meos."
(O spirit of the wind, grant me your power. And give me a sword to slay my enemies.)
Raising my right hand toward the sky, I chanted my final incantation.
"Ventus Gladius!"
(Wind Blades!)
Fifteen swords formed in the sky—Wind Blades, created by my wind magic. Swinging my right hand downward toward Lilith, I unleashed the swords upon her while sprinting forward.
Lilith ran toward me, deflecting my Wind Blades with her spear. She couldn't use Dark Barrier to block them, as my wind magic would disperse the dark mist and pierce through the defense with ease.
Amidst deflecting my blades, Lilith chanted a short spell.
"Ignis Tenebrarum."
(Dark Flame!)
Black flames erupted, consuming my magic swords. It was one of Lilith's darkness-element spells—Dark Flame.
She then cast Dark Flame once more, sending a torrent of black fire toward me.
"Maceria Lapidea!"
(Stone Wall!)
I activated my Stone Wall once again to shield myself from the scorching dark flames. Through the flickering fire, I caught sight of Lilith advancing toward Elena's location.
Seeing this, I began chanting a full incantation for Wind Blades behind my stone wall.
Then, I shouted and dashed toward Lilith.
"Where do you think you're going, Demon Woman... Ventus Gladius!"
Once again, I released my Wind Blades toward Lilith. She countered by summoning another Dark Flame to incinerate them.
"O magne Uriel, rex omnium nundinarum, da mihi potestatem tuam. commoda mihi gladium sanctum tuum... Seraphis!"
(O great Uriel, king of all spirits, grant me your power. Lend me your sacred sword... Seraphis!)
This was my strongest spell—the sacred blade Seraphis, a sword bestowed by the king of spirits, Uriel.
Upon finishing my chant, my staff Indurta transformed into a sword—Seraphis.
Seraphis was a long sword with a radiant white blade, its spine shimmering with a brilliant green hue, as dazzling as an emerald gemstone. The hilt was a gentle light green, blending harmoniously with the soothing white.
With Seraphis gripped firmly in both hands, I leaped through the black flames and slashed at Lilith.
Lilith, caught off guard by my attack, instinctively blocked it with her Dark Spear—but her spear shattered in two, unable to withstand Seraphis. My blade sliced through, leaving a deep gash on her chest.
Spontaneously, Lilith jumped back to avoid further injury.
"Aarrrrggghhh!"
Lilith let out a scream of agony, her hands clutching the wound on her chest. Staggering, she retreated from me.
I would protect her—this girl named Elena.
I swore I would protect her!
***
"At last, Aella has revealed her strongest magic—the sacred sword Seraphis. This pain is unbearable. The wound on my chest feels like it's burning my flesh. But I am a general of the demon army. There's no way I would fall so easily! Hahahahaha!
"Don't forget to read the next episode, titled 'Infernox, The Dark Sword from Hell.' I will strike back, Aella!"
—Lilith Nightshade