Random small excerpt:

“Lightning Blast!”

No, it wasn’t an Ultra spell, but those took ages to cast, and would alert the demon to what I was doing. This was just an incredibly powerful spell with far, far, far more mana than I’d usually put into it.

The ball of lightning was brighter than the sun, and I winced as it roared off towards the target, knocking me backwards.

I heard the Lady cry out, and then there was an enormous explosion. The ground jumped, throwing Millicent and me into the air. Still, I landed on my feet, ready to cast again if needed, squinting through the dust, trying to see what had happened.

Slowly the air cleared, and I heard the others gasp in shock.

The Pale Lady was standing there, surrounded by ground that had been charred black.

She appeared to be, if not untouched, at least unharmed. Her snakes were going a bit mad, and she had soot on her face, plus some of her clothing now showed scorch marks.

“Impressive, for one so young,” she said, in perfect human. “I knew you were strong, but that was something else. Although you were using power from my little toy, weren’t you? So maybe it wasn’t just you. In any case, still impressive.”

I threw three more Lightning Blasts at her in quick succession. One managed to hit her shoulder, knocking her back half a step and charring her outfit further. Not exactly the major damage I’d been looking for.

“Shit,” I heard Mizza say.

“Really, you are the strongest human mage I’ve encountered in many years,” The Pale Lady said, dusting the affected area. “But I’ve had a lot more time and practice. For example…” She threw her hands out, and a half circle of black energy erupted from her.

I cast the strongest Wind Wall I could in front of Millicent and me, and even then it nearly broke under the attack. As it was, the only people left standing after the dark energy storm passed were Mizza, who had performed her own defence, Millicent and me.

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Gisel, Ella, Crow and Samantha had been blown backwards a good twenty metres, and now lay still on the ground behind us. I wanted to run and check on them, but I dare not get distracted.

“And you, little girl, you’re another strong one, aren’t you?” The Pale Lady raised an eyebrow and focussed on Mizza. She threw some kind of dark bolt at her, but Mizza countered with one of her own spells. I took advantage of the distraction by launching strong Giant Stone Bullets and Ice Storms at the demon.

The Pale Lady jumped back, avoiding and deflecting both, but her attacks against Mizza faltered, which allowed Mizza to cast Blazewind, sending a wave of fire crashing over the demon.

“Curses!” the Pale Lady screamed, as some of her cloak went up in flames.

I added to her woes by casting Inferno, backed by Millicent’s power. The demon countered at least some of this, and did a spectacular leap to avoid the rest, landing about ten metres from her original position, with dark smoke curling up from her clothes.

“This is annoying me!” she growled. Raising her hands, I found myself on the receiving end of multiple black lightning bolts. My wards intercepted about half, and my nullification necklace took most of the rest, but some got through, and I was suddenly gasping for breath and looking up at the sky, a terrible pain in my side.

“Ouch!” I groaned, as, somehow, I managed to stagger to my feet, only to have to leap to the left to avoid another bolt heading my way.

I landed, breathing hard, and with my vision swimming. Millicent was lying on the floor, not moving, and Mizza was splayed out on her back. I think she was breathing, but her robes were charred.

“Still upright eh?”

I was forced to face the Pale Lady again, who was once more composed.

“Damn right,” I snarled, and managed to loose a fireball at her.

It was a weak attempt though, and she simply batted it away.

“Give up boy, you’ve done well, and despite what your species thinks, I’m not one for needless killing. Besides, I admire your pluck. I’ve not had anyone challenge me in a long time. Not that you ever stood a chance of beating me, but even so, this has been quite fun. Still, you’re overmatched. Be the wise mage, and realise it. I’ll leave you and your friends alive. I’ve only come for my property after all.”

Staggering over to where Millicent was lying, I drew my sword. “Come on then. I can still take you.”

She laughed, throwing her head back in amusement.

“What spirit! Very well, let’s entertain you a little, I’m not in a great rush.” She pulled her own sword out, a long, slim affair, and before I could blink was upon me, battering at me in a style I wasn’t familiar with.

Still, I’d faced Hungerford and, well, not won, but managed to hold him off for seconds sometimes. Hence, after a minute, I was only bleeding in multiple places, and not dead.

But then she threw a spell at me and knocked me flying. My sword fell from my hand, and once more I was on my back, looking up at her face.

“Are you done?” she asked. “I’m getting bored now.” She slid her sword back into the scabbard. “I repeat, you’re no match for me, for now at least.”