Chapter 49: The Magus’s Woes

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The Pyromancer had two weaknesses. First is the eyes, the second is the ear canals of the Pyromancer. The eyes if turned into iron would make the Pyromancer unable to see. His cornea, iris, pupil, sclera and even the tear ducts of the Pyromancer’s eyes are not turned into iron. The top lid, the bottom lid, and the Pyromancer’s brow ridge are rather softer than the rest of his body which has turned into iron. The ear canals of the Pyromancer are also targetable. The ears are the softest bones that a humanoid possessed. Orcs have rather large ear canals that one could tuck a dagger in it. If connected there is a possibility that one would be able to strike the brain of the Pyromancer and kill him.

Arden could target the eyes and the ears of the Pyromancer. The problem is that the Pyromancer was no fool either. The moment Arden tried to plunge his short sword right at the eyes of the Pyromancer. The Pyromancer raise his forearms and is now actively defending his weaknesses while also emitting heat that makes Arden unable to come near him.

The defense of the Pyromancer is tough. Striking with his mithril short sword isn’t viable. It is useless to strike iron and try to poke it with his current weapon. Arden is also tired from killing all the others Orcs. So using his stamina to dodge right now was his only option.

He’s in total defense while occasionally trying to probe the Pyromancer. He’s seen intervals when the heat is less. The Pyromancer isn’t someone that possesses unlimited fuel. To produce fire one would need fuel. And that fuel is mana. Arden could win by waiting for the Mana of the Pyromancer to dry out. But that strategy would not only drag out the battle. But there is also a possibility that Arden will lose the battle of stamina. The heat is already making him breathe less. Oxygen is needed to make him function well. The fire is consuming all of the air around him and so far breathing in the warm air made Arden feel dizzy.

Adding to that the Pyromancer is no fool. He could see Arden’s state and the fact that he is magic less and is just a mere fighter makes the Pyromancer know that he would win if he strikes far. The Pyromancer can endure the heat considering he trained his body to the point that enduring the magma’s of a volcano won’t hurt him.

This is one of Arden’s advantages. The Pyromancer has the confidence to kill him. And to Arden confidence is a slow insidious killer. His foster father has spoken that every Mage has that confidence in them that makes them look down in the magic-less. And if there is anyone who Arden would listen to well, then it would be the Mage Killer. His father killed enough Mages to the point he would get such title. From Magus to Necromancers, to Shamans and Elemental Mancers like the one Arden is standing against at.

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So even with his crest sealed tightly, Arden can still face the Pyromancer by calmly making his moves. His situation, however, isn’t good. And the real reason why is here in the first place is to give time for the two who are carrying the Lady out of the hill.

The Pyromancer tried to burn them but he was able to somehow take the attention of the Pyromancer by trying to strike the Pyromancer’s eyes. The ‘chance’ that Arden has is when the Pyromancer tries to attack him with his flames. The Pyromancer would have a second of opening but that seconds are rather tight. The Pyromancer by the time Arden arrives would be able to cover his head with his arms.

The Pyromancer has iron flesh. His moves are very slow to the point that Arden could dodge it well. The Lady really could have beaten the Pyromancer if she was calmer. Iron flesh indeed makes the body tough as Iron but it also turns the body as heavy as iron. He has taken advantage of this weakness in order to survive so far. The Pyromancer should weigh about five hundred pounds with his flesh turn into Iron.

Arden dodged the blows of the Pyromancer so far but it doesn’t mean that he can continue doing so. The heat that the Pyromancer radiates when Arden tries to attack was like that of a boiling smelter. Due to this Arden’s skin was so dry. His lips were so parched that he could even barely feel any of his saliva. His eyes were also so arid that he wonders how long he could stay on the hill of fire.

At the moment he is merely circling around the Pyromancer. The Pyromancer could try to attack Arden but he has seen how Arden tries to stab his eyes. Using his brute strength also has no use when Arden is agile enough to dodge them. He could try and overpower Arden but the Pyromancer feels like that would just be letting the human in front of him take advantage of the situation and counter him.

So the Pyromancer is now doing his best to wait it out until the fire exhausts the air. Sooner or later the human in front of him would be too weak to move and he can crush him by then without effort. The human was like a panther but if anything animals are afraid of fire. And the Pyromancer thinks that the panther that is giving him quite a trouble would soon succumb to it.

And indeed Arden is at a great disadvantage. He has so far dodged the attacks of the Pyromancer by hair’s breadth but he can feel that heat was getting to him. His legs were getting unsteady. His arms were getting heavier and the heat haze was making his breathing slower.

His eyes twitched and dilated as he slowly succumbs to the heat.