War Marcus: The Power of "Sharpness"

Ron looked at him coldly. "Your servant clearly intended to steal. I believe the Enforcement Squad will have no trouble finding that out."

"Oh?" Marcus narrowed his eyes.

"Unfortunately, there are only the three of us here. By the time the Enforcement Squad arrives, there will probably be only Danni's testimony and mine left."

As he spoke, a strange light radiated from his eyes, and an invisible Mental Fluctuation began to spread through the corridor.

This was the Mental Interference ability gained after breaking through to apprentice rank. It could directly affect a target's thoughts and reactions, and was the fundamental ability that made wizards stronger than other supernatural systems.

In the mortal Kingdom, this kind of Mental Interference was enough to throw any powerful Knight into confusion. Only Witch Hunters, who were likewise skilled in matters of the mind, could resist it to any extent.

At the Formal Wizard level, however, this Mental Fluctuation was no longer interference. It became Brain Blast.

Ron only felt his thoughts turn hazy for an instant before quickly regaining clarity.

He tightened his grip on the wooden sword, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Marcus's expression changed slightly when he saw that Ron could actually resist the Mental Interference, but soon he revealed another sinister smile.

"No wonder you were able to kill an Aberrant. Your mental power really is quite strong, but..."

Taking advantage of Ron's brief dizziness, he had already begun condensing a mass of dark-red energy in his hand. It was some kind of offensive Zero-ring Spell.

"Do you think a lousy wooden sword alone can stand against an apprentice's power?"

Ron held the wooden sword in his hand, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

He had already replaced his sword once. He had bought this one a few days ago at the Apprentice Market for six Magic Stone Fragments. It was made from a rare wood called Blackheart Ironwood.

The trees grew deep in the Black Mist Forest, and their wood was as hard as refined steel. Even more precious was the trace of natural magic resistance it possessed.

Ron calmly watched Marcus. The Ironwood Sword rotated lightly in his hand, its tip drooping slightly as he took up a posture that seemed relaxed yet concealed killing intent everywhere.

"If we don't try, how will we know whether it's enough?"

A trace of anger flashed through Marcus's eyes, and his ugly face nearly twisted into a lump.

The dark-red energy continued to condense in his palm. By now, it had formed an energy sphere the size of a fist.

Dark glimmers like electric arcs flickered constantly across its surface, while an unpleasant, scorching aura filled the air.

"Drop dead!"

Marcus roared, and the energy sphere shot forward.

This was the Zero-ring Spell he was best at, "Scorching Orb." After being improved by his elder brother, its power was extraordinary.

The energy sphere left a dark-red trail through the air. Everywhere it passed, the air twisted and warped from the intense heat.

Knowing he could not dodge now, Ron moved his body slightly at the instant the energy sphere was about to hit him.

The breathing rhythm of the "Corona Breathing Technique" merged perfectly with his sword technique at that moment.

At the instant he inhaled, the Ironwood Sword began to gather momentum. During the moment he held his breath, the sword's force condensed without being released. When he exhaled, sword light poured forth like flowing water.

His proficient swordsmanship displayed astonishing power.

"Vrrrrm..."

The energy sphere slammed directly into the blade, releasing a booming roar that made the heart tremble.

Dark-red energy ripples spread in all directions like raging waves, leaving scorched marks across the corridor walls.

Yet the Ironwood Sword in Ron's hand remained utterly unmoved.

The unique magic resistance of Blackheart Ironwood, combined with the Rhythm of "Corona Swordsmanship," perfectly neutralized the violent energy.

Ripples spread across the surface of the blade. Even after splitting the energy sphere apart, it showed no significant damage.

"Th-this is impossible!"

Marcus's eyes widened. The savagery on his face instantly transformed into disbelief.

He knew all too well how powerful this attack was. Even a weapon forged from refined steel would twist and deform under its impact and the intense heat.

But his shock was not over yet.

The instant the energy sphere was neutralized, Ron's figure had already closed in like a ghost.

The Ironwood Sword traced a strange arc through the air. The sword's momentum looked light and graceful, yet it contained a terrifying force.

"Energy Barrier!"

Marcus hurriedly activated a defensive spell.

A shield took shape before him, and complex runes flickered across the translucent barrier.

As only a Primary Apprentice, he actually knew very few spells that he could use in battle. Under normal circumstances, he had no ability to instantly cast such a fairly sturdy energy shield.

But he had a powerful elder brother, who had given him a one-time Spell Model that automatically activated.

Marcus had only just begun to congratulate himself inwardly when, in the next moment, he felt a tremendous force slash into the shield.

Ron's sword technique looked plain and unremarkable, yet it concealed the special Rhythm of the "Corona Breathing Technique."

His sword's momentum and breathing worked together perfectly. Each breath drove changes in the sword's force, causing even seemingly ordinary slashes to possess a special penetrating quality.

"Sharpness" trait triggered. Weak-point Break! Basic Swordsmanship experience +2

"Crack!"

Spiderweb-like cracks suddenly appeared across the shield's surface.

Marcus felt a chill shoot from his spine straight to the crown of his head and hurriedly retreated to widen the distance.

His vaunted Mental Shield had nearly been split apart by a single strike from a Candidate Apprentice!

"Y-you... how could you possibly..."

His voice trembled slightly.

As someone who relied on connections and bullied the weak while fearing the strong, when had he ever suffered such a setback in the School? And his opponent was only a Candidate Apprentice!

At that tense moment, a burst of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

"Enforcement Squad! All of you, stop!"

A team of enforcement officers in gray-and-white uniforms hurried over. Leading them was a High-level Apprentice wearing a deep-blue sapphire badge and looking somewhat lazy.

He yawned and casually swept his gaze over the scene.

"You unruly lot again."

The Enforcement Squad captain shook his head helplessly. "How many times has this been now?"

Marcus immediately put on a deferential expression.

"Esteemed Captain Peter, this Candidate Apprentice attacked my servant without cause, and—"

"Shut up!" Peter impatiently cut him off.

"Oliver is your brother, right? I'm fairly familiar with him myself, but that doesn't mean you can behave outrageously here."

He glanced casually at Danni's severed hand and the bloodstains on the floor before speaking lazily.

"My verdict is that both of you will spend half a month in the Confinement Room. You can calm down together."

Marcus's face became extremely unpleasant. He had not expected the other man not to play along at all. "But..."

"There are no buts." Peter waved his hand, signaling the other enforcement officers to step forward. "Take them away."

Just as the enforcement officers were about to take the two of them away, Peter suddenly whispered into Ron's ear.

"Holt told us to look after you a little. Consider this me giving him some face. But next time, you'd better not make such a huge commotion."

It wasn't as if Ron had wanted to cause such a commotion either...

Ron nodded slightly, somewhat helplessly, and silently committed this favor from Holt to memory.