184. Fight without Killing
“My name is Clyde and as a teacher of this academy, I’ve been authorized to oversee this duel. There is only one rule. Defeat your opponent.” Teacher Clyde is standing at the center of gymnasium. To his left are three bulky men leaning on the wall. While they look bored, they are actually hiding their laughter as a foolish kid dared to challenge the most difficult way to promote oneself.
Teacher Clyde looked to his right where a meek boy is standing then said, “You can choose your opponent.”
“The guy in the middle. He looks decent.” Clay nonchalantly responded causing the three Warriors to laugh
[Ha ha ha]
[Ha ha ha]
Teacher Clyde ignored the ridicule and with a serious look, he said, “Step forward, Jonas.” then moved to the side.
[Ha ha ha]
“Listen kid. You should learn to listen to your elders.” A tall and tanish brawny man with hipster beard released a threatening aura he looks like a dangerous domineering predator walking towards the center. “I heard you hail from the Royal Army and as someone of the same background, I will give you a chance.”
Jonas took out a small box from his pocket and drew a small cigarette. “In about twenty breaths, attack me with all you can. In that period, you can even withdraw and choose a teacher who will further nurture skill as if you’ve never chosen this method of promotion.”
Clay assessed what strength should he display. According to Dirk, 2ND Circle Mages without Essences needs at least fifteen to 30 seconds to cast a Level 4 Spell but the casting time can be halved but geniuses can shorten it further to two to five seconds. If people find out he can instantly cast Level 4 Spells even without a wand, it would certainly spark a curious greedy mind and crack up his skull and search his secrets.
Clay looked at Jonas. There is about twenty meters distance between them. As much as he would like to finish it by overpowering his opponent, he can only settle with a Level 3 Spell to avoid exposing his secret. From his estimate, he should win even without using his Beast Essence.
“However, once I’ve smoked out this cigar and you still haven’t forfeited…” Jonas lit his cigar and puffed a smoke.
At the same time, Clay took out his self-crafted wand that looked like a big long nail. It sill baffles him why Mages of this world would not imbue the rune on a glove or other items but according to Dirk, the shaft of the wand is used as a melee weapon when properly crafted. Clay slowly pointed the wand at the noisy Jonas.
“Then I’m afraid this duel shall become official and you will have lost your cha…” Jonas eyes widened and replaced the cigar on his hand with a shield.
*BOOM!
In an instant, Jonas is on a defensive position holding a shield as he blocked a speeding Air Bullet the size of an adult head.
*Huh
*Huh
While trying to catch his breath, he lowered his shield and when he confirmed where the spell came from, the countenance on his face changed.
“You have guts, kid.” Earlier, he was prepared to slap and knock Clay off then beg Teacher Clyde to accept this stupid boy but who would have thought this helpless and innocent looking boy is tiger hiding in sheep’s clothing. If he did not blocked that spell just now, he would have had been blasted to the wall.
Meanwhile, Clay moved his wand and pointed at space not far from Jones and when his hand stopped, a runic circle formed at the tip of his wand and fired a Level 1 Air Bullet.
*Boom!
This time, the explosion was not as strong as the initial spell but enough to make a small crater on the floor. Clay’s target was Jonas’ cigar which had been thrown away earlier.
“Give it all your strength or you will regret being defeated without showing your best.” Clay imbued his voice with mana and taunted the prideful man.
Seconds ago, Jonas saw Clay’s wand move and used his peripheral vision to observe where the spell was pointed and similar to first spell, it was too fast but he did saw his cigar targeted before it exploded.
He gritted his teeth and immediately summoned his armor.
“You little cocky bastard. I’ll break all your bones!” In anger, veins popped out of Jonas’ forehead and reinforced his body with Qi. Judging from Clay’s casting speed, he knew that if he lowers his guard, he will instantly lose. As to how Clay managed to advance to 2ND Circle, now is not the time to be impressed.
Jonas’ eyes squinted and assessed his opponent. He can tell that Clay had not yet integrated with an Essence and from his experience, his strength as a Warrior should be slightly stronger.
AEGIS BLESSING
Jonas did not hesitate to cast another defensive barrier around him and unto his armor but this time, using his mana. While it was shameless to give everything he got, his pride as both Warrior and a 1ST Circle Mage is on the line.
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*Swish!
Jonas vanished from spot and dashed towards Clay.
At the same time, Clay watched Jonas’ reaction. He had been wondering how strong Peak Late Qi Condensation Cultivators are but he was appalled to discover how weak they are in this world. Comparing it to the limited strength derived from the six Mana Nodes from his Mana Heart, a Warrior’s power may be stronger but it can easily be overturned if a Mage is integrated with an Essence.
Here he thought he might accidentally reveal his secrets but from his estimate, bombarding Jonas should give him an easy win. He just needed to make an opening on his over buffed enemy.
Clay took out another wand from his spatial ring and instead of holding it on his left hand, he let it fell on his left foot and prepared for the incoming attack.
To someone observing Jonas, his figure looked like he vanished from his spot due to his insane speed but to Clay who had numerous life and death encounters, the moving Jonas looked like Taichi performer.
Clay’s left foot stepped on the wand and at the same time, activated a Level 2 Spell on his right hand.
Swish!
Boom!
Boom!
Clay released four consecutive Air Bullets towards the approaching Jonas and after a split second, he sent his mana on his left foot activating another Air Bullet on the ground.
Boom!
Jonas mind went into overdrive. As he brandished his fortified shield and blocked the incoming spells, he was positive he can narrow their distance and regardless how fast Clay’s casting speed is, that ability will be nulled with melee combat.
Boom!
Jonas blocked the fourth Air Bullet and when he felt the delay on the fifth spell, he smiled as he can already smell victory however that moment of hope immediately faded when his shield barrier did not come in contact with the fifth speeding Air Bullet. He just felt his foot blasted away causing him to lose balance and trip.
Boom!
Crack!
Jonas felt like time slowed down. He had no time to be impressed who Clay managed to deliver the 5th Air Bullet on his foot but knew that once he his body floats, his back will be exposed.
Argggghhh!!!
Jonas gripped his sword and forcefully stabbed the ground to stop his momentum and regain his balance but before he could lift his shield up, he saw another Air Bullet came right to his face.
Boom!
Jonas felt his consciousness fading away but nevertheless, he was still aware he is in the middle of a fight. He could feel another spell is about to be launched at him but he was not willing to go down.
His knew he won’t be able to block the next spell on time so he can only face it head on.
“Go to hell!”
Boom!
Jonas concentrated all his Qi on his head as he staggered backwards and at the same time, he gripped his sword and forced his left foot do a circular motion and when his foot reached a 180 degree position, he stomped it and shifted his weight then maneuvered his body to turn around and countered with his sword thrown away towards Clay.
LAYERED BULLET SWORD
Swish!
Clay noticed how Jonas imbued the sword with concentrated amounts of mana and just like his Level 3 Air Bullet, the incoming sword is fused with a Level 3 Spell. Without any hesitation, he fired another Air Bullet to intercept the sword.
Boom!
The two spells collided.
Clay wanted to continue bombarding Jonas with his spells but in that instant after the explosion, he felt an object moved and before he could cast another spell to intercept it, the object moved too fast he felt his right chest pierced.
ZZzzzk!!!
Clay was staggered backwards and after a few steps he stopped and looked at Jonas. Not even a second passed yet this Warrior already had another sword on his hand.
*Drip!
*Drip!
Blood dripped from Clay’s chest but he ignored the pain and circulated his Mana around his wound to stop the bleeding. This is the reason he did not like fighting on equal footing. Had that sneak attack aimed his head, his skull should have already cracked.
*Sigh
Clay exhaled in dejection. He thought Jonas would surrender after receiving two direct attacks from him yet he just realized how he had underestimated his opponent too much. Had he known, he should not have given Jonas a chance to attack at all.
Using his left hand, Clay held the dagger that is currently imbedded through his chest and when his hand got in contact with the handle, he immediately understood how Jonas managed to control the dagger even during explosion.
“Runic Inscription, huh?” Clay muttered to himself then looked at Jonas in the eye.
Had it been a real fight, he would had used his Spirit Essence and project his mana to form a gigantic hand and squish Jonas but right now, it was a friendly duel.
Clay imbued his mana into the dagger and decided to use this weapon to completely incapacitate Jonas. Unlike his wand, the dagger was inscribed with more complex functions allowing it to be controlled even without holding it.
Had he had better materials, he would have crafted a wand with similar inscriptions.
Clay thought as he fired another Air Bullet. “You should have knocked me when you had the chance.”
*Swish!
Boom!
That instant after casting his spell, he gripped the dagger and pulled it out from his chest then threw it into the air above him.
Meanwhile, a few seconds ago, Jonas felt relieved his counter attack connected. From his estimate, the wounds he inflicted should be more than enough to stop the fight but to his surprise again, Clay even looked unaffected. He continued to observe Clay to determine if his opponent is feigning but when their eyes met, he felt like being stared and looked down by a giant. He felt this inexplicable aura coming out from Clay and for the first time, he his body trembled in fear.
When he was facing those Air Bullets earlier, he even got excited and despite how powerful they were, he would never thought of backing down but right now, the air bullet felt like it had been imbued with a monumental force.
Like a turtle retreating inside shell, Jonas’ body unknowingly cowered and surrounded his body with his shield.
Boom!
“STOP!!!!!!”
Teacher Clyde shouted and released a wave of aura and shot the floating dagger with a Flame Ball.
*Clank!
He could not believe what just transpired. Counting when Jonas stepped forward, it was not even 30 seconds and in only 30 seconds, he had witnessed an amazing yet mad display of combat.
Initially, when Jonas said he will give Clay a chance, he had anticipated some begging but when he saw Clay fired the first Air Bullet, he would even proactively accept Clay as his student or ensure that Clay gets a proper teacher for Inscriptions.
As a Mage, his level is only at 3RD Circle but as a teacher, his knowledge is vast. Judging from the spell generated by Clay’s wand, he was able to discern it was a simple derivative. Had Clay used a real Tier 3 Wand, Jonas would probably had surrendered.
But what really struck him was the sudden change of air surrounding Clay like he transformed into a terrifying beast.
When Clay threw the dagger into the air, he was surprised again that Clay was able to control it. In fact, that moment when the dagger was thrown in the air, he guessed it will be used to pierce Jonas from above and the reason he stepped in and put a halt on the fight is because he felt like Jonas would die the moment the dagger descends.
“I assume I won?” Clay lowered his wand and looked Clyde.
Seeing that Clay stopped, Teacher Clyde felt relieved.
“Drink this and go to the infirmary to have your wounds checked.” Clyde approached Clay then handed a Minor Healing Potion. “We’ll talk about your rewards later.”
Clay did not respond and opened the bottle of Healing Potion then walked towards the exit.