Chapter 280
"Six spells at once, you say?"
At Zeke's question, Xeros nodded and replayed the hologram.
"Yes, I'll show you in slow motion. The amazing thing about Dragon Tongue magic isn't just that it's chantless, but that the combinations, linked together based on the spells' properties, are incredible."
Xeros pointed out each spell as they unfolded in an instant.
"The ones you can see are Lightning, Freeze, and Fire magic, but a few support spells were actually cast just before them."
"What kind of support spells?"
"First, a Slow spell was cast to reduce the knight's speed, then the Lightning spell hit, stopping his movements completely. Next came a Grease spell to make him lose his balance, followed by the Freeze to immobilize his body. And if you look closely, a Confusion spell was cast here. With his mind affected by the mental magic, the Fire spell hit, and he was completely helpless."
"So instead of using a big spell from the start, you used support magic to create an opening and maximize the effects of the main spells."
"Exactly. Modern combat mages use similar combinations, but it's difficult to cast spells without incantations in the first place, and the Circle of spells they can cast that way is so low that it's not very useful. Knights can easily dodge or break through magic of that level before closing the distance and slicing them up."
Zeke nodded in agreement. On the battlefield, the role of a combat mage was to use Area of Effect spells that, despite their casting time, could damage many enemies at once. For smaller, quicker attacks, archers with bows and crossbows were more effective.
Besides, spells of the 3rd Circle and above were effective enough against regular soldiers and in sieges, so mages who could cast high-Circle area of Effect spells were far more valued than those who focused on combinations.
'For me, who can use chantless spells, it would be far more advantageous to use a combination of support spells rather than just powerful Area of Effect Buff attacks.'
Since he could acquire skills by absorbing artifacts with Gluttony, he could obtain support skills as well. He simply hadn't bothered until now because he hadn't felt the need to use such low-Circle magic as skills.
Zeke asked Xeros,
"Could I possibly see the data you have on the combinations and support skills commonly used in chantless magic?"
Thrilled that Zeke was interested in his research, Xeros ran to his room and brought back all of his research materials.
"Pant, pant. Here it is, Sir Zeke."
Zeke calmly looked through the documents Xeros brought.
'There's a lot of theoretical material here.'
Zeke decided to save all of it and review it slowly later.
'System, save all of this material.'
The System, linked with Zeke's Dragon Eye, saved all of Xeros's research into his secure archive.
[Save complete. Please specify a name.]
'Chantless Magic Theory.'
After quickly naming the file, Zeke pretended to continue browsing the materials while asking about the combinations mages typically used. Listening to Xeros explain the fundamentals of combat magic, he found many interesting points.
"So, like the stances in swordsmanship, magic also has basic forms."
"Yes. In a duel between two mages, the most important skill is actually defense."
"Wouldn't it be better to just attack first?"
Xeros shook his head,
"That's difficult with magic. If your opponent defends against your spell and reflects it back at you, the damage is much greater."
"So timing the first strike is incredibly important."
"Exactly. A duel between mages is like a game of chess. You can't waste a single move if you want to exploit an opening."
Hixson shook his head at Xeros's explanation.
"Sir Zeke, what Xeros is saying won't be very helpful. That's only possible because he's a top-tier Warlock. It's rare to find someone who can use combat magic with such precision. His nickname, back when he was working outside, was 'The Artist'."
"The Artist?"
At Zeke's question, Xeros scratched his head,
"It's because I'm told I use combat magic with a bit more finesse than most."
Intrigued by the nickname, Zeke's eyes lit up as he asked,
"Is there a training area here?"
Xeros was taken aback,
"Huh? We have a magic practice room, but... surely you don't mean?"
Zeke nodded,
"I'd like to request a match."
Hixson clapped his hands in delight,
"Oh, this is going to be fun! Magical combat is your specialty, isn't it? Go on, show us what you've got."
Xeros hesitated for a moment, then nodded,
"Umm, very well! My skills are lacking, but if it means I get to spar with you, Sir Zeke!"
Excited, Hixson went to the wall, picked up a receiver that looked like an intercom, and shouted into it.
"Hey, you shut-in losers! Xeros is about to fight Sir Zeke Draker!"
Hixson placed the receiver back and grabbed a door next to it.
"This way, please. The practice room is downstairs."
Zeke smirked at Hixson's reaction, stood up, and followed him. The door opened directly to an elevator. Zeke rode down with Hixson and Xeros.
After exiting the elevator and walking down a narrow corridor, they entered a vast, open space.
'So this is a magic practice room?'
The area looked like an indoor gymnasium. Magic stones were embedded in the ceiling, and a control device was humming in the center. On the floor, several circles of various sizes were drawn.
Hixson pointed to the largest of the circles,
"Alright, stand over there. I'm starting the system now."
Hixson went to the center and touched the control device. A translucent wall rose from the circle on the floor, quickly forming a dome.
Zeke watched the translucent dome form with fascination.
"Impressive. Is this a protective barrier?"
Xeros nodded,
"Yes. After all, you never know where a spell might go."
Hixson explained the rules to Zeke,
"Sir Zeke, here are the rules. First, you cannot take off your gloves. You may use your aura, but Aura Blades are forbidden. In return, Xeros is also limited to using magic up to the 4th Circle."
This was Zeke's first formal duel against a mage, and he hadn't realized there would be a specific set of rules.
Zeke nodded, drew Bahamut, and stood facing Xeros. Just then, the door to the practice room burst open, and a crowd of people poured in. They were all mages, and every one of them had dark circles under their eyes and haggard faces. The zombie-like mages appeared in a horde, murmuring amongst themselves.
"Ooh. Xeros is actually fighting."
"Wow, this is a rare sight."
Hixson raised a hand,
"Alright, alright, you losers, the betting's open! Let's get this started."
At his words, the mages raised their hands.
"I bet 10 pesos on Xeros!"
"I've got 20 pesos on Xeros!"
Listening to the mages, Zeke tilted his head,
"What's a 'peso'? I've never heard of that unit before."
Xeros scratched his cheek,
"It's a kind of virtual currency that's only used within Nirvana."
"I understand currency, but what's a virtual currency?"
"Umm... It's a currency that has value, but no physical form, I guess."
Zeke didn't press further and simply nodded. He wasn't a fan of needlessly complicated matters.
"So it's a currency, then. Can it be converted to gold?"
"Yes. The current exchange rate is about 1 gold for 10 pesos."
Zeke looked at Hixson and asked,
"Has anyone bet on me?"
Hixson shook his head.
Zeke smiled,
"I'll bet ten thousand pesos on myself."
Hixson's jaw dropped. The other mages, hearing Zeke's wager, all rushed to place more bets. But surprisingly, every single one of them bet on Xeros, not Zeke. It was a testament to how much the Nirvana mages trusted in Xeros's skill.
As Xeros wore a slightly embarrassed expression, Hixson raised his hand and shouted.
"Alright then! Begin!"
The moment the duel started, Zeke raised his sword and charged at Xeros.
SWOOSH!
Zeke sent a light sword strike toward him. In response, Xeros's body vanished, leaving only an afterimage, and in the next moment, he reappeared behind Zeke.
Simultaneously, Xeros extended his hands, and a magic circle formed on each one.
VMMMM!
A Grease spell activated beneath Zeke's feet, removing all friction, while a Confusion spell targeted his mind to amplify the chaos. A typical knight would have panicked, lost their balance, and fallen.
But Zeke was different.
THUNK!
He stabbed his sword into the floor to anchor himself and pivoted, stepping out of the area affected by the Grease spell. At the same time, he used Phantom Step to instantly close the distance and press the attack.
WHOOSH!
Xeros’s body slid backward at high speed as he waved his hand, casting a spell.
PAPAPAK!
A series of small explosions erupted by Zeke’s legs, arms, and next to his ears.
Simultaneously, Xeros flicked his fingers.
VMMMMMM!
This was a technique Zeke recognized.
'Dissonance.'
Back in his Blue Knight days, the combination of Dissonance and a flashbang was a technique Zeke had used often. As if Xeros favored the same combination, he formed a sphere of light in his hand, threw it at Zeke, and detonated it.
VWOOOM!
An intense light exploded in front of Zeke, engulfing the surroundings in a blinding flash. Xeros didn't stop there, weaving hand signs to prepare his next spell.
Four magic circles appeared around his body. The mages, including Hixson, watched in awe.
"Whoa, that's insane. He's conjuring four spell-weaving circles at once."
"He's crazy. For real."
"There's no blocking that."
The four floating magic circles gradually grew larger, flying to surround the spot where the flash had occurred. Once they were locked in position, Xeros activated his magic.
KZZZZZZZT!
Four lightning spells fired simultaneously from the fixed magic circles. Individually, they were 4th Circle Raiden spells, but with four activated at once, their combined power was comparable to the 5th Circle spell, Mega Raiden.
"Unbelievable. A quadruple-layered spell."
"That's The Artist for you. A true work of art."
However, the expression of Xeros, the one casting the spell, was completely stiff.
'Why is there no reaction?'
Out of his deep respect for Zeke, Xeros had unleashed the most powerful magic he could muster without holding back, believing that his opponent would be able to handle it. But with no response coming from Zeke, he began to grow worried.
Just then, the flash faded, revealing the scene within.
KZZZZZZZT!
Amazingly, Bahamut, which had been stabbed into the ground, was absorbing Xeros's lightning magic and channeling it into the floor. However, Zeke himself was nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, Xeros sensed a menacing presence behind him.
FWOOSH!
Zeke was throwing a straight punch directly at him.
Xeros twisted his body, teleporting with Blink.
POP!
He reappeared on the opposite side of the arena, his face deathly pale. Zeke’s punch had only grazed his side, but his lungs felt like they were being stabbed every time he took a breath.
'So this is the power of a knight.'
The flow of the battle was completely different from a duel between mages. Xeros dismissed the lightning magic and reset his stance.
Zeke calmly walked back to the center and pulled Bahamut from the ground. The mages watching the two held their breath.
Surprisingly, it was Xeros who moved first. He instantly conjured dozens of Magic Missiles in the air and sent them flying toward Zeke.
PABABABAK!
The Magic Missiles flew at Zeke from all directions in a staggered barrage. Zeke raised his sword to deflect them, and while he was occupied, Xeros retreated to create more distance and began weaving hand signs again.
VWOOONG!
A magic circle was inscribed on the floor, and something began to emerge from within.
GRRRROOOOAN!
A summoned creature with a body made of wood burst forth and stood in Zeke’s path.
'Is that a Stump? You don't see those often.'
It was less a monster and more a spirit born from an ancient tree.
GRRRROOOOAN!
The Stump extended its wooden branches to grab Zeke. He slashed them away with Bahamut as he charged forward, then unleashed a Dragon Slaying Art at the creature.
SHRIIIIIP!
Zeke's sword split the Stump's torso in half.
Grrrrhhh!
The Stump's summon was dispelled, its wooden branches sinking into the floor as if melting away. The spectating mages gasped in awe as the Stump vanished in a single blow.
"Whoa, that's crazy. He took out a Stump in one shot..."
"So that must be the famous Dragon Slaying Art. Its power is insane."
"Defensive magic would be useless against something like that."
After dispatching the Stump, Zeke changed direction and charged toward Xeros. In that short time, Xeros had finished weaving his hand signs and completed his spell.
VWOOOOOONG!
Six magic circles appeared behind him. The watching mages' jaws dropped.
"No way, a six-layered spell?"
"That's seriously overkill."
VMMMMMMMM!
The magic circles began to vibrate, and from within them, whips of flame shot out.
CHL-L-LAK!
The flame whips flew at Zeke, binding his arms and legs.
FWOOSH!
Once Zeke's body was restrained, Xeros's real magic activated.
RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE!
A giant of fire emerged from his magic circles and rushed toward Zeke.