The moment the spell changed direction, Runesguard Sphere reacted, shifting just as quickly to intercept it again. The two forces clash in midair, with the sphere continuously adjusting to block the unpredictable movement of the spell.
Then, just as the spell tried to slip past one last time, Runesguard Sphere struck first.
The metal orb crash at the green-black curse, colliding with it before it could adjust again. The effect was immediate.
The curse latched onto the Barrier surrounding the sphere, its corrosive nature beginning to eat through the protection. Hissing green smoke rose from the point of impact, the magic bubbling like acid as it rapidly devoured the layered shielding.
Alex's expression darkened. 'That spell, again.' This wasn't the first time he had seen this corrosive magic. Azalea had used something similar before. And now, these masked wizards were wielding it too. Was this some unique magic exclusive to the Silver Wands? He didn't have time to ponder it. Runesguard Sphere was strong, but even it wouldn't last much longer against this kind of curse. And losing it? Unacceptable.
That magic ball had cost him a fortune in rare materials. Letting it be destroyed here was out of the question. Alex made his decision. Abandoning his attack on the weakened wizard, he turned and flicked his wand at Runesguard Sphere. "Aguamenti!"
A torrent of crystal-clear water erupted from his wand, engulfing both the spell and the sphere in an instant. The reaction was violent. The moment the water met the curse, a harsh sizzling sound echoed through the battlefield, followed by a plume of thick, inky smoke. The spell fought back, bubbling and writhing like something alive before finally being extinguished.
The once-clear water was now a pitch-black sludge, polluted beyond recognition. But Runesguard Sphere was intact. Alex let out a breath of relief and quickly recalled the magic ball to his side. That relief didn't last long. A sudden pulse of magic surged from beneath his feet.
Alex's instincts screamed at him. He moved, fast. With a sharp kick off the ground, he launched himself into the air, flipping mid-motion just as a cluster of jagged stone spikes erupted from where he had been standing moments ago. His eyes narrowed. 'A stone-conjuring spell? That wasn't a common spell.' His opponents weren't just using brute force. They had a dangerous variety of spells at their disposal. His gaze flicked toward the masked wizard who had fired the attack. The man was already chanting another spell, his magic flaring to life.
Alex wasn't about to let his opponent gain the upper hand. The masked wizard was gathering power for another spell, one that likely required significant preparation.
Alex flicked his wrist, sending a silver chain flying through the air. It wasn't as advanced as his Spirit Binding Lock, which had neutralized the last spell, but this Spirit Binding Snake would do the job well enough. The small metallic serpent shot toward the masked wizard with precision.
Realizing the threat, the wizard was forced to abandon his incantation and swiftly counter the incoming attack. The spell he had been preparing fizzled out as he redirected his focus to defending himself.
That was exactly what Alex wanted. Without wasting a second, he spun around. The first masked wizard, the one who had barely held up against his earlier assault, was on the verge of collapse. His defense had flickered in and out of existence for too long, and his movements had slowed. He was nearly spent. 'Time to finish this.' Alex turned his full attention back to him
The moment the wizard realized Alex had singled him out again, a chill ran down his spine. 'Again? This bastard doesn't let up!' His hand trembled around his wand. Exhaustion weighed on him heavily, and his body was reaching its limit. A direct confrontation was no longer an option. He needed to escape. With the last of his magic, he pointed his wand at the ground beneath his feet. Immediately, his body began to sink into the earth.
Alex sneered. 'Trying to escape? Not a chance.' With a crackle of lightning, he leaped high into the air, then brought his wand down the moment he landed. A surge of raw electricity surged into the ground.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, "AAAAHHH!" A horrific scream split through the night. The masked wizard's body convulsed violently, his form still halfway submerged in the ground. Smoke curled from his twitching limbs, and the air was filled with the unmistakable stench of scorched flesh. A final shudder wracked his form, then he went still.One down.
From behind, the remaining masked wizard finally freed himself from the Spirit Binding Snake, only to look up and see his comrade electrocuted to death. His breath caught in his throat. Two of his teammates. Dead. He didn't feel sorrow. Only fear. If he was left alone against this monster, he had no chance of winning. His grip on his wand tightened, desperation clawing at the edges of his mind. He needed to turn the tide. Now. "Avada Kedavra!" A sickly green light erupted from his wand, streaking straight toward Alex.
Under normal circumstances, Silver Wands members avoided using the Unforgivable Curses, not because of morality, but because they weren't practical in high-level duels. The Killing Curse required significant magical consumption, making it inefficient against opponents skilled in counterplay. Worse, every use of it left a lasting negative impact on the caster's spirit. But at this moment, the masked wizard was too panicked to care. He just wanted Alex dead.
Alex didn't flinch. The Runesguard Sphere floating beside him reacted instantly, shifting into a round metal shield and intercepting the curse before it could reach him. The green light struck the shield head-on, then dissipated. Completely ineffective. Alex smirked. "Nice try."
At that moment, a powerful gust of wind roared across the battlefield. "Ventus Revelare!" Tina's voice rang out through the fog. The mist that had cloaked the battlefield was swept away in an instant, revealing the full scene for the first time.
Tina, gripping her wand tightly, approached the two figures still locked in confrontation. Her sharp gaze swept over the masked man who had been electrocuted to death by Alex, his severed head the only thing remaining on the ground.
Then, she looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Sir, I appreciate your help, but could you put my grandson down now? It's late, and it's freezing out here. What if he catches a cold?" Tina frowned slightly as she addressed Alex.
Alex didn't respond verbally. Instead, he gave a slight nod before making a simple motion in the air with his hand. The cloak wrapped around Rolf loosened and gently floated down towards Tina, delivering the boy safely into her arms before swiftly soaring back to drape itself over Alex's shoulders with a soft whoosh.