Chapter 29: Battle Against Izpalut

Chapter 29: Battle — Izparut

Lu Cang was immersed in the joy of mastering new spells.

Compared to first-tier spells, second-tier spells were indeed much more versatile and varied.

First-tier spells were basically all offensive in nature, with almost no significant difference in functionality.

However, second-tier spells already possessed effects such as terrain generation, blowing enemies away, dispersing mist, or summoning continuous attacks after casting.

"Hmm... that's enough for today's lesson." After teaching the Shadow Mud technique, Iz nodded with a slightly satisfied smile.

"Master Iz?"

"Only six? I can learn many more."

Lu Cang was still full of energy; mastering new spells was truly a delight.

"Exploring the path of magic is a gradual process. While learning, you also need to have your own reflections."

"I know you can learn many more spells. As long as I am willing to teach, you could even learn all the second-tier spells I possess..."

"But that would deviate from the original intention of the path of magic."

"Lu Cang, remember... we are walking a path of exploring the very roots of magic."

"Exploration is not merely learning."

...

Lu Cang cooled the excitement in his heart and nodded. "I understand, Master Iz."

Iz was an excellent teacher.

His understanding of magic was far deeper than Lu Cang's.

Furthermore, Iz's words reminded Lu Cang of the promotion ritual.

The process of promotion was a demonstration of one's achievements in pursuing magic.

And those achievements were not just about how many spells one had learned.

"Come."

Iz walked to the center of the training ground.

"You have learned many spells, but you have not experienced much combat."

"Your control over spells is high, but your combat proficiency is still at the level of a Level 1 novice."

Iz raised a hand toward Lu Cang. "Attack me with everything you have. I will only use the mana level of a Level 2 mage to intercept you with first and second-tier spells."

"Don't hold back. I am far stronger than you think."

Lu Cang asked respectfully and seriously, "Master Iz, do you mean you will fight me at my level?"

The image of his Ice Shard piercing through Iz's chest flashed through Lu Cang's mind.

Izparut laughed brightly. "Exactly."

Lu Cang lowered his head, maintaining a respectful bowing posture. "Master Iz, I am afraid I might hurt you."

Boom!

「Lightning Flash (LV: 101)」

Triple cast!

Almost simultaneously, forty-two Ice Shards formed in the positions surrounding Iz—front, back, left, right, above, and below.

In an instant, they blasted toward Iz!

「Ice Shard (LV: 101)」

Triple cast!

Swish!

Three earthen walls rose, instantly surrounding Iz!

A Flame Sphere condensed from the sky and plummeted!

The Silent Wind Swarm had already formed, completely blending into the natural winds kicked up by the arena.

Though silent, if one were cut by this wind, it would leave bloody wounds.

The Holy Light Cross pinned Iz's shadow to the ground.

Cursed Arrows were hidden in the shadows of the earthen walls, piercing toward Iz along the direction of the darkness!

Stone Pillars erupted from the three earthen walls, squeezing toward Iz from three different directions!

Vines tore themselves from the ground!

Heh...

Worrying about hurting him?

Lu Cang would never worry about that again.

Kumironi had said that if there were ever another chance to hurt him, he should just fight to the death.

If he truly died to a mage below Level 7, then he might as well just stay dead.

Since such high praise had been given...

Then let me see if you are truly that strong, Iz!

Boom!

【God · Multi-Casting】

In a single instant, he released every spell he possessed!

And every single spell was a triple cast!

In that split second, Lu Cang clearly saw a flash of astonishment in Iz's eyes through the gaps in the stone walls.

*Oh, Iz, even you wouldn't have expected me to change this much, would you?*

But immediately following that, the corners of Iz's mouth curled into a smile.

"As expected of my disciple."

He did not speak, but the thought brushed through Lu Cang's mind instantly.

The next moment.

Boom!

Ice Shards collided with raging flames, Flame Spheres were blasted away by water pillars, Cursed Arrows were pinned by the Holy Light Cross... the stone walls were swept down by stone arms.

Vines were scorched by flames, wind blades were scattered by the gale, and the exploding thunder was neutralized by a reverse flash of red lightning!

Lu Cang only saw a magnificent storm of elements sweep past, his constructed offensive crushing through everything like a tidal wave!

「Transcendent Magic — Ice Wave」

「Transcendent Magic — Grand Stone Arm」

「Transcendent Magic — Raging Water Surge」

...

Lu Cang could tell that the magic being used was not ordinary proficient spells.

They were just like his own.

Transcendent Magic.

Furthermore, Iz was also casting simultaneously, releasing multiple spells in an instant, completely ignoring the standard rules of spellcasting.

The clash between the two lasted barely a thought; just as Lu Cang's spells had formed, they were all swept away by Iz in a single moment!

Such fast reactions.

Even Lu Cang's fastest 「Lightning Flash」 was countered.

There was simply no situation where he couldn't react!

However—

「Lightning Flash」

Boom!

Just as the Lightning Flash was neutralized, it immediately exploded again in front of Iz!

Ice Shards formed once more!

Every spell was completed again in an instant!

Iz raised both hands high and stepped toward Lu Cang.

Boom!

Elements exploded around him!

His spells collided with Lu Cang's, erupting into kaleidoscopic colors across the arena!

His expression was highly excited.

"Oh! Oh!"

"Little Lu Cang, you really do always bring me surprises!"

*Did he really only use the mana and spells of a Level 2 mage?*

*Is he a monster?*

*Can't beat him? I have two God-tier talents right now!*

If 「Proficiency Evolution」 belonged to the development-type talents, then 「Multi-Casting」 was a pure combat-type talent.

Releasing all spells instantly, compared to releasing them one by one, could be said to increase combat power by a hundredfold.

Spells could form links and synergies with one another, not to mention... triple casting.

Iz's tone was joyful; seeing Lu Cang's growth like this made him extremely excited!

"You are still thinking of breaking skill with brute force."

Bang!

In that instant, all of Iz's spells exploded!

He transformed his spells to be exactly the same as Lu Cang's.

However, the quantity was only one-third.

Bang!

Yet, Ice Shard collided with Ice Shard, Flame Sphere merged with Flame Sphere...

Even though they were the same spells, under his control, they ruthlessly suppressed Lu Cang's triple-cast spells.

"Magic also requires technique."

"The technique of casting..."

Swish!

Just as Iz intended to hold back slightly while calmly educating Lu Cang on how to use magic, a tiny blood scratch appeared on his cheek.

Iz lightly touched his cheek, seeing a small smear of blood on the back of his hand.

"Master Iz, is this what you meant?" Amidst Lu Cang's strained smile, there was a hint of confident triumph.

From Lu Cang's eyes, Iz could actually discern an emotion called "provocation."

【Silent Wind Swarm — Instant Wind Blade】

It was a streak of pride that refused to be looked down upon; it was the pride of believing he would not lose to Izparut.

It was... the arrogance of believing he would become stronger than Izparut.

How long had it been since he had seen such a look?

No, not how long, but... he had never seen it.

No one had ever thought: *I will be a stronger mage than Izparut.*

All he had ever seen were: the humility of being guided, the respect of being taught, and the resignation of accepting defeat as natural.

Never once had there been... the arrogance of *I can surpass him.*

"Haha—Hahahahahahahahahahaha—!!!!!!!"

Iz laughed toward the heavens!

"Good!"

"A magnificent expression!"

The elements were churning!

Lu Cang could feel his mana surging and roaring! This was a completely different feeling from before, a sense of pressure he had never experienced!

"I underestimated you too much! Lu Cang! You are a powerful mage!"

"You are worthy of being treated as an opponent!"

Mana pressed down like gravity, making Lu Cang feel as if his body were becoming heavy.

Before his eyes, Izparut's figure distorted within the dense mana, appearing almost like a shadow; one could only see the corners of his mouth laughing wildly and his eyes shining with excitement.

The elements surged—

The Silent Wind Swarm filled every inch of the training ground; every gust of wind was a wind blade!

(End of Chapter)