The impact shattered some of his ribs, leaving him gasping for air and his limbs throbbing in pain. His vision was blurred as blood flowed from his head. Despite his best efforts to stay standing, he wobbled as the weight of the blow resonated through his bones.
Kael used this opportunity to re-evaluate the situation; two of his opponents are already down, and he knows where the others are.
The teleporter would be his only problem.
However, teleportation spells require significant concentration and sufficient mana reserves, and using them in quick succession can be taxing on the caster.
Because the teleporter had only used the spell twice, and in critical situations such as saving the enchantress and launching a surprise attack to finish it in one go, it is possible that this is their limit.
If Kael wants to reach the enchantress and marksman, he must first determine whether or not the teleporter can still cast the spell.
To lure them, Kael must present them with the perfect opportunity. He walked slowly, his right blade planted on the ground, showing the aftermath of the previous punch. The impact had undoubtedly left a mark, but it had also provided him with an opportunity. Kael gave the impression of a vulnerable target by allowing his right arm to hang limp, as if severely injured.
With only his left blade at the ready, he has provided them with the opportunity to try the swordsman teleportation technique once more.
They'll likely strike down with a powerful swing that he won't be able to block with just one sword, as they did before.
However, that scenario never played out. Instead, the swordsman and warrior moved slowly towards Kael, implying that the teleporter could no longer use their spell.
Kael's lips curled into a sinister grin, and he burst out manically laughing. Despite his denial, the rush of adrenaline he feels when fighting is almost unbearable.
He relaxed his muscles, extending his arms and retrieving his blade as if he had never been injured.
The swordsman and warrior froze in their tracks, fear on their faces, as they witnessed Kael's maniacal laughter and his blood-soaked body, followed by his quick recovery.
Kael's laughter grew louder as he noticed the swordsman's trembling hands. Even with the enchantress's buffs, he realized that the strain of the swordsman wielding his own magic had taken its toll.
Kael charged towards the swordsman, easily dodging the warrior's attacks because the earth-armor spell hinders the user's mobility and agility, and with the addition of the haste enchantment in Kael's armor, it became very easy for him to dodge.
In a series of intense clashes, Kael's blades collided with the swordsman's sword, each strike throwing the swordsman further off balance. Kael spotted an opening and prepared himself for a decisive strike.
The marksman jumped down from a nearby tree just as Kael was about to strike, releasing a barrage of arrows in an attempt to stop him. Kael moved quickly, hiding behind the swordsman and the warrior as shields to avoid the incoming arrows.
When Kael noticed the swordsman was protected by the enchantress' defensive barrier, he decided to attempt the 'Ogre's Rage' stance again. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and swung horizontally with controlled force, aiming to strike the swordsman without causing significant harm.
The force of Kael's strike sent the swordsman flying through the air and crashing into a tree, landing unconscious near his fallen allies.
Because the marksman had nowhere to hide anymore, he quickly fired a barrage of arrows at Kael, but his aim was hindered by his panic.
Kael easily avoided each of them, closing the gap with each step as he delivered a swift and decisive kick that sent the marksman crashing to the ground.
Despite their lack of combat experience, the enchantress and teleporter emerged from their hiding places and positioned themselves in front of their defenseless allies, leaving only them and the warrior remaining.
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The warrior took an attacking stance and moved closer to Kael, who was on the other side of his remaining allies.
However, a monstrous presence overwhelmed Kael at that precise moment, causing his aura to activate without his intention.
The warrior's eyes widened with a mixture of fear and realization as he sensed Kael's overwhelming aura. A person's aura can reveal their inner strength.
Because the warrior realized he was no match for Kael, he immediately stopped attacking and took a protective stance in front of his allies.
With a growing sense of unease, Kael walked slowly towards his giant-sword, activating all of his rings, each of which contained a powerful self-buff.
He infused the hilt of the giant-sword with some of his mana once his hand gripped it.
A small circular shield appeared, and he firmly planted the giant-sword in the ground, turning around to face the direction from which he had sensed the presence.
He was surrounded by hundreds of people—at least two hundred of them.
But Kael completely ignored them, his entire focus consumed by a singular, monstrous presence that overshadowed them all. He is clearly terrified; his heart won't stop racing.
A towering, two-meter-tall figure appeared in the distance. The elderly man had snow-white hair, crystal-like eyes, and a flowing beard. His left side was covered in icy scales, and his back extended a long, powerful crystal tail. It was no surprise that he got the title 'Glacial Dragon'.
Kael's terror reached its peak, and he broke out into uncontrollable maniacal laughter, which rang out loudly and clearly.
Kael's body shook with fear as the elderly man approached, and his instincts screamed at him to flee, but he stood his ground, his feet firmly planted in place, clutching his twin-blades.
The Lightbearers Academy's principal,
Seth Hanma, The Glacial Dragon, is deserving of every bit of his title.
Kael concentrated all of his energy on his unique eyes, pushing them to their limits until their veins bulged and tears of blood dropped down his face.
Every fiber of his being is focused and honed to detect even the smallest movement; his life depends on it.
The 'Glacial Dragon' came to a stop at a far distance, raising his hand in a striking position towards the sky, indicating his intention to execute a vertical strike.
Following suit, Kael planted his feet firmly and extended his arms, holding his twin blades parallel and towards the sky, a mirrored motion that conveyed his intention to execute the 'Titan's Strike'.
A stance designed to land a single, devastating vertical blow.
In an instant,
"I see it!" Kael screamed,
quickly lowering his twin blades towards the ground. Despite the distance, the 'Glacial Dragon' appeared instantly, but Kael was ready.
The 'Glacial Dragon' effortlessly shattered the Greater-grade barrier with his aura-coated right hand. It continued downward, severing Kael's left arm with a clean, quick cut before Kael's attack could even connect.
Kael didn't flinch from the pain of his severed arm; instead, he screamed with all his might,
"AUUGHH!" as he lowered the remaining sword towards the 'Glacial Dragon's neck, pouring every ounce of his strength into it.
A lightning-fast arrow pierced Kael's right arm, forcefully knocking it aside and shattering his stance as the attack approached the 'Glacial Dragon's neck.
The 'Glacial Dragon' raised his foot and stomped Kael's chest with incredible force, pinning him to the ground and shattering the earth beneath him.
The 'Glacial Dragon' crystal eyes gazed deep into Kael's as he said,
"Your instincts are admirable," his voice deep and commanding,
"But I must ask: why fight? We're not enemies, are we?"
The 'Glacial Dragon's' rage was evident as he asked after barely sparing Kael from death.
Kael lay motionless on the ground, almost unconscious, unable to respond. The powerful stomp broke all of his remaining ribs, leaving him gasping for air and barely clinging to life.
'It's over before it even began...' Kael reflected,
His thoughts wandered to another dim memory, one in which one of the main pillars of hope against the approaching monster war had cracked.
In that memory, Kael stood before the 'Hero of Hope,' a lone warrior who had triumphed over countless waves of monsters.
The once-mighty pillar appeared frail and defenseless, muttering something in a trembling voice as his crystal-ice tears fell to the ground.
"Just one step too late... One breath too late..."
His lifeless, beloved granddaughter was in his embrace, a young soul who admired heroes like her grandfather who fought selflessly for justice. As she aspired to be like them, she fought fearlessly to save those who couldn't be saved, sacrificing herself in the process.
Kael's eyes sparked and glowed as he returned to reality after recalling that memory. He gritted his teeth and endured the pain as blood stained his lips. A wide grin spread across his face as he fiercely grabbed the 'Glacial Dragon's' leg and lifted it away with all the strength he could muster in his remaining, bleeding arm. He only needed time.
The 'Glacial Dragon' had no intention of prolonging this because he had something more pressing on his mind. With an overwhelming push, he drove Kael deeper into the ground, leaving him even more firmly pinned.
With that final overwhelming push, Kael fell unconscious, his energy completely gone.