* Date: September 30, 1173

* Time: 8:35 AM

* Location: Adel Village

''Catherine! Hector! Draw him out!''

''Understood!''

''With pleasure!''

The two tanks then dashed forward with their weapons in hand. The black knight and the frame charge directly at him, catching the Kaynian off guard. Catherine would deliver a massive blow to the Kaynian's energy shield using her hammer. The result caused the Kaynian Knight to fly backward. While in the air, the black knight would take a stab with his spear. The spear would connect with the Kaynian's energy shield and inflict damage. At the same time, the rest of the group got into position for a coordinated attack. Nadine was at the very rear of the formation. Meanwhile, Adelard and Pauline were in the air preparing their magics.

'We've caught him off guard and, with the rest in position, will be able to take him on!'

Adelard then gave Pauline a nod. Signaling her to prepare for a dive. Catherine and Hector flanked the Kaynian, giving him no chance at escape.

'We'll finish you off before the hero disables the gate!'

'Think you can just end our world that easily!'

'We're gonna rip you apart!'

'Death is what awaits you, invader!'

The thoughts of each member of Tip of the Spear resonated with anger. Each wants to inflict harm on the Kaynian for all he has done. It wouldn't be long until the Kaynian got to his bearings and took a defensive stance.

'Think a stance is gonna help you!'

In unison, the two dragon riders immediately went ahead and nose dive. Their respective wyverns prepared to unleash their powerful flames onto the invader. Besides that, the riders would also fire their lightning magic at the invader. The combined attack connected, but it also erupted smoke and dust. After attacking, the wyvern riders pulled themselves into the air, circling the invader. Adelard saw the shadowy silhouette of the invader, meaning it was still alive.

'We'll just have to keep pummeling you with our attacks until your magic shield shatters!'

Looking at the black knight and the frame spirit, Adelard gave them the signal to proceed.

''Give the invader no mercy!''

The frame spirit took the lead and hammered the invader. As the smoke cleared, the Kaynian Lord's virtual interface warned him, but it was too late. Catherine's hammer impacted the energy shield of the invader and sent him sideward.

''For Eldrant!''

Hector yelled as he charged on his horse to deliver his attack. His spear connects and damages the energy shield. Successfully performing a hit and run by the black knight concluded with him circling back to a distance. Meanwhile, the Kaynian Lord notices the cracks in his energy shield; if this continues, he won't be able to activate the gate.

'This will be your end, Invader...'

'...For my sister!'

Positioned at the rearmost part of the formation, the priestess readies her magic to summon a sizable energy ball.

''Lady Nadine! Let the invader have a taste of your magic!''

The Kaynian Knight stared at the priestess with uncertainty. Without a doubt, the substantial energy ball conjured by the priestess had the potential to eliminate him in a single shot. It was a situation where the Kaynian Lord would die. Instead of launching the energy ball at the invader, the priestess teleported her attack directly above the invader. The explosion resulted in a powerful shockwave that tore through the ruined houses of the village. The elves searched furiously for the invader's corpse, not letting their guard down before confirming its demise.

''Is that all you primitives can do!''

Emerging from the smoke was the glowing silhouette of the Kaynian Lord. His energy shield took the brunt of the explosion, but that was not all. The Kaynian utilized a master technique to absorb the incoming energy ball and power himself up.

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'Impossible! He should be dead...'

'...Wait a minute. I remembered how my magic reacted to the invader during the battle of Quake Town. I used the same magic as Lady Nadine and didn't damage or kill it. Instead, it suddenly glowed a bright blue color.'

Realizing what it was, Adelard froze as the invader walked out of the smoke. It seems the priestess's energy ball made the invader powerful. Brandishing its blade, the invader eyed the frame and the black knight.

''Catherine! Hector! Defensive positions!''

Hedding the advice of their commander. Both of them immediately took their stances. The invader would charge toward them.

''I will bring to you only pain, primitives!''

The invader would charge directly at the frame spirit. Leaping in the air, the Kaynian Lord delivers a powerful slash to his target. Catherine braced as she saw the invader make its way toward her. The frame managed to block the first slash but failed to do the other three. Instead, the frame's magic shield took the brunt of the attack head-on. Adelard watched from above as the invader chipped away Catherine's shield. The Kaynian Lord successfully shatters the primitive paladin's shield. Catherine stared at the invader with horror. To comprehend how it destroyed her magic shield in mere seconds.

''Die!''

The invader shouted before cutting the neck of the frame, severing its head from the body. The frame unit dropped to the ground, void of any spirit inhabiting it.

''You bastard! I'm going to kill you! Invader!''

''Adelard, wait!''

Pauline pleaded to her former rival but fell on deaf ears. She knew that Adelard wanted revenge for what happened to his subordinates. She gets that, but never had she seen her rival become this furious.

''Come, primitive! Face me in combat!''

Adelard responded in kind with his wyvern's flame directed at the invader. The Kaynian Knight saw this and braced because his energy shield had already regenerated after dispatching his first target. The attack connects and engulfs the invader in flames.

'I know you're still alive!'

The champion of Elvenia then dismounted his wyvern and leaped toward the flames with his sword. What emerged moments later was the invader's sword. Reacting accordingly, Adelard parried the sword while falling.

''I'll rip you apart!''

''Bring it on, invader!''

Both combatants then pushed each other away. Adelard's enchanted sword, composed of magic, fended off the invader's foreign weapon. The Kaynian Lord would take the initiative first and release a powerful shockwave. Adelard then summoned a magic barrier to shield himself from the shockwave. The powerful burst of magic the invader released prompted Pauline and Hector to seek cover. It seems the commander has to face the invader all alone this time.

''Face me, primitive!''

The invader taunted, making Adelard use another type of magic and retaliate by teleporting in front of the invader.

''As you wish!''

The champion then attacked by thrusting at the invader. In return, the Kaynian Lord dodged the attack by firing a small shockwave, blasting him backward. Adelard didn't anticipate the invader to dodge, but unbeknownst to his enemy. The commander already had another magic ready at his fingertips. After missing his attack, Adelard pointed his finger at the invader and fired. The lightning made its way toward the Kaynian and electrocuted him. However, this didn't stop the movement of the lone invader. And unlike what had happened to the hero during his confrontation with him. The invader seems to be immune to the lightning magic. Instead of shunning him in place, it did no damage to the invader's body.

''Pathetic!''

In response, the solitary invader lifted various remnants surrounding them and hurled them in Adelard's direction. Adrenaline persuaded the champion to utilize teleporting magic to avoid the incoming projectiles. Adelard would then appear several meters away from the bombarded area.

'I need to get close to him!'

His magic is utterly useless to the invader. It just empowers the invader each time they hit him with their magic. The sole method to defeat the invader is by getting in close and engaging in a direct sword duel. Teleporting once again. The champion tightened his grip on his sword before vanishing. Pauline, Hector, and Nadine observed as Adelard confronted the invader. As the Kaynian Lord searched for his opponent. The champion of Elvenia would appear in front of the invader once more. Catching the invader off guard, Adelard then delivered several slashes at the invader. Unleashing his anger at the one responsible for the death of his subordinates. The Kaynian lord suffered several wounds on his torso, primarily his chest piece. After attacking with ferocity at the invader, the champion prepared another magic to push the invader away. Using telekinesis magic. Adelard successfully pushes the invader several meters away from him. After that, the champion readied another magic and released it at the invader.

'Let's see if intense heat wouldn't burn you!'

Adelard thought as he conjured a fireball in his palm. The only thing the commander had in mind was burning the invader. Similar to how the invader killed Marie. The Kaynian would notice the elve's ploy. Luckily, his energy shield has returned to its regular state. An explosion erupted as the fireball made contact with the invader's energy shield. Smoke and dust covered the area surrounding the village hall. Emerging out of the smoke was the Kaynian Lord, ready to deliver his attacks to the champion.

''Die!''

Reacting accordingly, Adelard managed to block the incoming attack. Denying the invader the chance of killing him. Adelard successfully parries each attack from the invader. Although, the battle would finally take its toll on his body. Several minutes had elapsed since Catherine's demise, and the adrenaline coursing through his veins had finally subsided.

'Damnit! I need to end this quickly.'

Indeed, the champion needed to end this quickly. It wouldn't be long until magic exhaustion kicks in. So, to finish this, Adelard would need to use another magic.

'Boost!'

Boost magic is used for a short burst of strength in the heat of combat. This kind of magic is prohibited throughout Elvenia for fear of its side effects. But right now, Adelard did not have time for a debate about whether or not he was allowed to use it. The magic did its work and overclocked the champion's body. Radiating throughout his body was a coating of his very own magic in red color. The Kaynian Lord was surprised by this trick and confronted the champion head-on. Both combatants from two different worlds clash. Each time, Adelard delivers a blow in his boosted state. The Kaynian would return the favor and amplify it. Swing after swing, both warriors did their best to weaken each other. But even with magic, Adelard couldn't compete. His strength, durability, and magic paled in comparison to the invader. It wouldn't take long until the champion's magic shield shattered like glass.

'Damnit! I need- Ack!'

A powerful slash caught the champion off guard. Severing the champion's left arm in the process. Blood erupted from his severed arm as pain drowned his senses. The commander would drop his sword and attend to his wound. But this left him open to the Kaynian's next attack, getting impaled by the Kaynian's sword. The invader's enormous sword impaled the champion's chest. Pulling his blade out, the Kaynian eyed his opponent, satisfied about his kill. In the air, Pauline had seen the outcome and wanted to rescue her old friend.

'You're an idiot, Adelard! Facing the invader alone, are you this inept...'

'...Don't you dare die on me!'

Pauline would execute a nose dive, and the rider refrained from utilizing magic or wyvern flame to deter the invader. Instead, she would pull her bowstring and fire at the invader while diving. Now that the smoke and dust dissipated, Hector was shocked to see the champion on the ground, bleeding. Moving forward, the black knight charged at the occupied invader. Noticing the other rider makes her move. The Kaynian Lord canceled his attempt at slaying another primitive and charged up his energy shield. The arrows fired by the rider wouldn't pierce through the invader's magic shield. It did distract the invader for Hector to deliver a powerful thrust. Destroying the Kaynian's energy shield in a single strike and inflicting damage on his shoulder plate.

''Lady Pauline, get the commander out of here!''

Hedding her comrade's word. Pauline immediately levitated Adelard to her wyvern before flying. Hector followed behind as his horse was slower than a wyvern's flying capability. The priestess watched from afar and contemplated how she and Adelard's magic were utterly useless to the invader. Nadine deduced that the invader can absorb magic that is energy-based. If she had known this, she could have changed the outcome of this operation.

'Only the hero can stop him.'

She thought, and in a way, it was true.

To Be Continued.