Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 26 (Part 2)

When Rodin used moving casting, his spell completion speed was faster than number 155’s. Standing still and casting spells widened that gap even more.

Number 155 collapsed after repeatedly experiencing spell cancels. Spell cancel meant the magic was canceled due to losing concentration from the impact.

“Stop. Number 155, are you satisfied?”

“I… can’t… accept it.”

Number 155 groaned, clutching his abdomen.

Without the armor that blocked most of the spell’s power, or if number 108 targeted areas the armor couldn’t protect, number 155 would have been seriously injured by the 1st circle magic.

“Oh, really? You’ve got some spirit. What’s the problem?”

“I… couldn’t use magic even once.”

“So you really want to use your magic?”

“Yes, my magic is special.”

At number 155’s challenge, Instructor Serion looked at number 108. Number 108 nodded calmly.

Instructor Serion recalled the time when the 1st and 2nd years were consistently defeated by number 108. Back then, number 108 defeated all four of them in succession without taking a single hit.

Today, he saw number 108’s magic for the first time in a while. The casting speed had gotten faster. Though the power was still somewhat weak, he had grown in every other aspect.

“Number 155 can cast his spell first, and I’ll cast mine afterward.”

“Then go back to your place. Start in… No, let’s take a 10-minute break first.”

Number 155 wasn’t in good condition yet. They decided to give him some time to recover.

After a 20-minute break, not 10, number 155 and Rodin faced each other again. The distance was the same as before, about 30 meters.

“Number 155, cast your spell first.”

Since one of them was to cast first, throwing the flag was unnecessary.

Instructor Serion gave the order directly, signaling the start of the duel.

“Fire Arrow!”

After about two minutes of casting, number 155 launched his spell.

Fire Arrow.

Among the arrow-type 1st circle spells, it was the most powerful and consumed the most mana.

The Fire Arrow created at number 155’s fingertips flew rapidly towards Rodin. Rodin read the trajectory of the incoming arrow and chanted a short rune spell.

The spell casting was completed in an instant. A small, dull-colored orb formed at Rodin’s fingertips.

“Huh?”

“What’s that?”

Not only the 1st and 2nd year trainees but even Instructor Serion tilted their heads at the magic Rodin created. It was familiar, yet unidentifiable.

The spell number 155 launched collided with the dull-colored mana orb created by Rodin, and both spells disappeared in midair.

“Did he block the spell?”

“It feels like he used a simple spell to block it, but…”

Despite having his spell blocked once, number 155 didn’t give up.

Half-closing his eyes, he cast the spell for a longer time. It took almost five minutes, and he completed a spell with quite a lot of mana in it.

“Wind Spear!”

A spear of compressed wind flew towards Rodin. It was a higher-level spell than the arrow-type spells.

It had a speed similar to arrow-type spells. However, it contained much more mana. He added extra mana to increase its power.

“Hmm.”

Rodin created another dull-colored orb like before. The incoming Wind Spear collided with the dull orb and was deflected to the side before disappearing.

“What?”

“How does that work?”

Blocking or offsetting a spell required a spell of the same circle. Normally, a lower circle spell would break or be penetrated by a higher circle spell.

But a simple dull-colored orb blocked the 2nd circle Wind Spear. This was beyond their knowledge.

“Can that even be offset? Was that dull orb a 2nd circle spell?”

“No, it’s a 1st circle. And it didn’t block or offset the attack. It deflected it.”

Instructor Serion, who had been watching the duel closely, clarified the 1st and 2nd year trainees’ doubts.

“Deflected it?”

“He angled the outside of the orb slightly, causing the Wind Spear to miss. When it hit the orb, the Wind Spear didn’t disappear. It veered off course, narrowly passing by number 108 before disappearing.”

Rodin had adjusted the angle slightly. The Wind Spear, which originally had a slight chance of grazing his side, was deflected to barely miss his waist.

“Wind Spear!”

Rodin, who had been only defending, used magic. Stunned by the impact, number 155 couldn’t avoid the spell and got hit.

“Argh!”

Rodin used a 2nd circle spell for the first time. It was the same spell number 155 had used.

The power was incomparable to a 1st circle spell, and it struck number 155’s abdomen with great force.

Number 155 couldn’t withstand it and collapsed, losing consciousness.

Foaming at the mouth and trembling, Instructor Serion gestured toward the direction of the 4th year trainees, indicating they should take care of number 155.

It wasn’t a serious injury. His insides were just shaken from the impact, and a day or two of rest would heal him.

“Shall we continue?”

“That’s enough. Good job. But what was that gray orb earlier? It felt familiar but strange.”

“I removed the light from the Light spell.”

The Light spell consisted of four runes. It was the simplest 1st circle spell.

Rodin had removed the rune responsible for light from it. He had created an ultra-simple spell with just three runes.

“Hah! You blocked a 2nd circle spell with a spell of just three runes? Haha, that’s hilarious.”

“Thank you.”

The 1st and 2nd year trainees shook their heads in disbelief.

They knew he was a monster, but it was beyond their expectations. They felt sorry for number 155, who had dared to challenge such a person.

The 4th year trainees were even more shocked.

Number 155 was the hope of the 4th-year magic specialists. He had the greatest magical talent among all the cohorts and excelled in learning magic.

They believed without a doubt that one day, number 155 would become the best magician in the Special Forces Training Center.

That belief was shattered in a single duel. Even if they fought again, it seemed unlikely that number 155 would defeat number 108.

No matter how many times they imagined a new battle in their heads, the result was always number 108’s overwhelming victory.

“Well done, everyone. Today’s class is over. Take a rest.”

“Thank you, Instructor.”

The class ended. There was still an hour left until dinner.

The 4th year trainees took care of number 155 and headed to the barracks.

Rodin glanced at the retreating number 155 and turned his steps towards the library.

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