Chapter 23 — Duel of Flames and Shadows
The dueling arena glowed as mana surged through the runes in its floor. The protective barrier shimmered, sealing me and Kael inside while the guild hall erupted with cheers and wagers.
Kael's silver hair glinted under the magical lights, his staff humming with restrained power. "You should forfeit, Protector. I don't enjoy humiliating the weak."
I cracked my neck. "That's funny. Neither do I. So how about you just… skip to the part where you lose?"
The crowd howled.
[Observation: Provocation successful. Kael's composure dropped by 18%.]
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The Duel Begins
Kael moved first, faster than expected. Flames burst from his staff, forming a spiraling dragon that roared toward me.
The heat scorched the air.
"Whoa—okay, that's hot!" I leapt sideways, mana surging through my legs. My new agility kicked in, letting me blur past the dragon's maw as it slammed into the barrier, shaking the arena.
Kael smirked. "Quick reflexes. But can you dodge this?"
The dragon split into three smaller serpents, each weaving through the air like living fire.
Bran shouted from the crowd, "Watch out!"
Elira crossed her arms. "He'll be fine. He's too stubborn to die here."
Lyra gripped her staff nervously. "Please be careful, Yuto…"
---
I inhaled, letting my mana spread through my body. Test time.
Mana Shaping flared, forming a translucent shield around me. The first serpent slammed into it, exploding in sparks. My shield cracked but held.
The second serpent dove at me, I twisted, letting it skim past, singeing my cloak.
The third serpent came from behind.
I spun, summoning a blade of condensed mana, and sliced. The serpent dispersed in a burst of fire.
The guild hall erupted.
"Did he just.."
"Cut through a spell?!"
"What is he?!"
Kael's smirk faltered.
---
"You're not half-bad," he admitted. His staff pulsed again, this time summoning a massive firestorm above us. "But let's see how long you last against real magic!"
The storm condensed into a blazing sphere the size of a carriage.
I squinted. "…That's not concerning at all."
[Observation: Host survival chance if hit: 3%. Suggest dodging.]
"Gee, thanks, advisor ."
---
I crouched low, mana flooding my muscles. My feet cracked the arena floor as I launched upward, sprinting up the wall of the barrier itself. Gasps echoed as I ran sideways, my agility carrying me higher, faster until I was level with the fireball.
Kael's eyes widened. "Impossible !"
"Surprise." I slashed with my mana blade, cleaving through the fireball. The explosion rocked the arena, flames scattering harmlessly against the shield.
Smoke billowed. The crowd fell silent.
Through the haze, I emerged unscathed, cloak fluttering dramatically.
I grinned. "That all you got?"
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Kael's face twisted with frustration. "You… you're mocking me."
He thrust his staff down. Runes blazed around his body, multiplying his speed. He dashed forward, faster than most eyes could follow.
"Finally," I muttered. "A real fight."
He swung his staff. I caught it with my forearm. his eyes widened as the shockwave rippled outward, my Regeneration immediately repairing the bruise.
"You healed? Instantly?!"
"Yeah," I said, smirking. "Perk of being me."
---
The duel exploded into close combat.
Kael unleashed rapid-fire spells: ice shards, fire blasts, bolts of lightning.
I countered with raw speed and strength, weaving between his attacks, redirecting flames with mana shields, and shattering ice with my fists.
Every exchange pushed my body harder, my stats sharpening, my instincts flowing smoother.
The crowd roared with every clash, torn between awe and disbelief.
---
Finally, Kael raised his staff high, gathering all his mana. A massive array lit the arena, forming a final spell: a blazing phoenix of pure fire, wings stretching across the dome.
"This is my masterpiece!" Kael shouted. "Fall, Protector!"
The phoenix screeched, diving at me.
For a split second, I almost admired it. Then I grinned.
"Alright. My turn."
I let my mana erupt, shaping it with absolute focus. A colossal arm of translucent energy burst from my aura, gripping the phoenix mid-dive.
Gasps filled the guild.
"Did he just.."
"He caught it?!"
"Impossible!"
I clenched my fist. The phoenix shattered in a spray of sparks.
The backlash sent Kael crashing to his knees, drained. His staff clattered to the ground.
---
The arena fell silent.
I stood tall, brushing dust from my shoulder. "Guess that's game."
Kael glared up at me, trembling, but his smirk returned faintly. "…I'll admit it. You're strong. Stronger than I expected. But this isn't over, Protector. Not by far."
The guild erupted in cheers, chants of "Protector! Protector!" echoing through the hall.
[Status Update]
Level: 8
HP: 250/250
MP: 410/420
Strength: 32
Agility: 38
Endurance: 30
Intelligence: 30
New Skill Gained: Flame Resistance (Minor)
Body Evolution Pending… Progress: .....%
I grinned, feeling the energy surge through me. Eridale wasn't just a city of opportunities. it was a city of rivals.
And I was just getting started.
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