Battle Izpalut

Chapter 29: Battle—Izpalut

Lu Cang was immersed in the joy of mastering new spells.

Compared with first-tier spells, second-tier spells were indeed much more versatile.

First-tier spells were basically all for attacking, with very little difference in their functionality.

But second-tier spells could already create terrain, blow enemies away, clear away fog, or keep attacking after being summoned.

"Hmm... That's probably enough for today." After teaching him Shadow Mud Technique, Iz nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Master Iz?"

"Are we only learning six? I can learn more."

Lu Cang was still full of energy. Mastering new spells really was a joy.

"Exploring the path of magic is a gradual process. As you learn, you also need to think for yourself."

"I know you can learn more spells. If I wanted to teach you, you could even learn every second-tier spell I know..."

"But that would stray from magic's original purpose."

"Lu Cang, remember... We're on a path to explore the Source of magic."

"Exploration isn't just about learning."

Lu Cang calmed his excitement and nodded. "I understand, Master Iz."

Iz was a very good teacher.

He understood magic more deeply than I did.

And Iz's words reminded Lu Cang of the Promotion Ritual.

The promotion process was a demonstration of the results of one's pursuit of magic.

Those results weren't just about how many spells one had learned.

"Come."

Iz walked to the center of the training ground.

"You've learned many spells, but you haven't been in many battles."

"You have a high degree of control over your spells, but your combat ability is still at the level of a level-one novice."

Iz raised a hand to Lu Cang. "Attack me with all your strength. I'll only use the mana of a level-two mage, and I'll counter with first- and second-tier spells."

"Don't hold back. I'm far stronger than you think."

Lu Cang asked earnestly and respectfully, "Master Iz, does that mean we'll be fighting at the same level?"

Lu Cang recalled the image of his ice shard piercing Iz's chest.

Izpalut smiled cheerfully. "That's right."

Lu Cang lowered his head, maintaining his cupped-hands salute. "Master Iz, I'm afraid I'll hurt you."

Boom!

"Thunder Flash (LV:101)"

Triple cast!

At almost the same time, forty-two ice shards formed all around Iz—before and behind him, to his left and right, above and below.

They shot toward Iz in an instant!

"Ice Shard (LV:101)"

Triple cast!

Whoosh!

Three earthen walls rose, instantly enclosing Iz!

A Flame Ball coalesced in the sky and plummeted down!

Silent Wind Swarm had already formed, blending perfectly with the natural wind stirred up across the training ground.

Though silent, anyone cut by this wind would be left with bloody wounds.

A Holy Light Cross pinned Iz's shadow in place.

Cursed Arrows hid in the earthen walls' shadows, piercing toward Iz along the darkness!

Stone pillars thrust up from the three earthen walls, crushing toward Iz from three different directions!

Vines sprang up from the ground!

Heh...

Worry about him getting hurt?

Lu Cang wasn't going to worry about that anymore.

Kumiloni had said that if he got another chance to hurt him, he should just beat him to death.

If he really got killed by a mage below level seven, then he might as well stay dead.

With such high praise, let's see if you really are that strong, Iz!

Boom!

[Godly Multiple Casting]

Release every spell he knew all at once!

Every spell was cast three times!

At that instant, through the gaps in the stone walls, Lu Cang clearly saw a flicker of surprise in Iz's eyes.

Iz, you never expected me to change this much, did you?

But the very next moment, Iz's lips curved into a smile.

"Just as I'd expect from my disciple."

He didn't speak aloud, but the thought swept through Lu Cang's mind.

The next instant—

Boom!

Ice shards collided with flames, water pillars blasted apart the Flame Balls, Cursed Arrows were pinned by crosses... Stone walls were swept down by stone arms.

Vines were scorched by flames, Wind Blades were scattered by gale-force winds, and the exploding thunder was canceled out by flashes of reverse-sparking red lightning!

Lu Cang saw a dazzling wave of elements sweep past, and the offensive he'd built up was crushed as easily as dead branches beneath a storm!

"Transcendent Magic—Ice Wave"

"Transcendent Magic—Mighty Stone Arm"

"Transcendent Magic—Water Surge"

Lu Cang could tell that the magic Iz used wasn't ordinary mastered spells.

It was the same as his own.

Transcendent Magic.

And Iz was also casting multiple spells at once, releasing several spells in an instant without following the rules of spellcasting at all.

Their clash lasted barely an instant. Lu Cang's spells had only just taken shape when Iz swept them all away.

What incredible reflexes.

He'd even countered Lu Cang's fastest spell, "Thunder Flash."

There was no chance of catching him off guard!

But—

"Thunder Flash"

Boom!

The instant Thunder Flash was countered, it exploded in front of Iz again!

Ice shards formed once more!

In the blink of an eye, every spell was cast again!

Iz raised both hands and stepped toward Lu Cang.

Boom!

Elements exploded around him!

His spells collided with Lu Cang's, bursting into brilliant colors across the training ground!

He looked thoroughly excited.

"Whoa!"

"Little Lu Cang, you really do know how to surprise me!"

Had he really used only the mana and spells of a level-two mage?

Was he a monster?

I can't win? I have two God-Tier Talents now!

If Proficiency Evolution was a talent focused on growth, then Multiple Casting was purely a combat talent.

Releasing every spell at once could increase one's combat strength a hundredfold compared with casting them one by one.

Spells could work together and complement each other—especially when each one was cast three times.

Iz's voice brimmed with delight. Seeing Lu Cang's growth filled him with excitement!

"You're still trying to overcome skill with brute force."

Bang!

In that instant, all of Iz's spells exploded!

He changed his spells into exactly the same ones Lu Cang was using.

But there were only a third as many.

Bang!

Yet ice shards collided with ice shards, and Flame Balls merged with Flame Balls...

Though they were the same spells, Iz controlled them so well that they firmly suppressed Lu Cang's spells, despite being outnumbered three to one.

"Magic requires skill, too."

"You need to use the techniques of spellcasting..."

Whoosh!

Just as Iz was planning to hold back while calmly teaching Lu Cang how to use magic, a fine cut appeared on his cheek.

Iz lightly touched his cheek and saw a trace of blood on the back of his hand.

"Is this what you mean, Master Iz?" Lu Cang managed a strained smile, a hint of confidence in his success showing through.

In Lu Cang's eyes, Iz could actually see an emotion called "defiance."

[Silent Wind Swarm—Instant Wind Blade]

It was the pride of someone unwilling to be looked down on, the pride of someone who believed he wouldn't lose to Izpalut.

It was... the arrogance of someone who thought he could surpass Izpalut.

How long had it been since he'd seen a look like that?

No—not how long. He'd never seen one before.

No one had ever thought they could be a mage stronger than Izpalut.

All he'd ever seen was the humility of those being instructed, the respect of those being taught, and the resignation of those who accepted defeat as only right.

Never once had he seen the arrogance of someone who believed they could surpass him.

"Ha—hahahahahahahahahahahaha—!!!!!!!"

Iz threw his head back and roared with laughter!

"Excellent!"

"That's the look!"

The elements were in turmoil!

Lu Cang could feel mana surging and roaring! This feeling was completely different from before, and the pressure was unlike anything he'd ever experienced!

"I underestimated you! Lu Cang! You're a powerful mage!"

"You're worthy of being treated as my opponent!"

Mana pressed down like gravity, making Lu Cang feel as though his body had grown heavy.

In the thick mana, Izpalut's figure twisted before Lu Cang's eyes, seeming to transform completely into a shadow. All Lu Cang could see was his wildly laughing mouth and his eyes shining with excitement.

The elements stirred—

Silent Wind Swarm filled every inch of the training ground. Every gust of wind was a Wind Blade!