Even by the standards of the man's extensive experience, chantless magicians were still as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
He was not a magician himself. He could use a few simple beginner-level spells, but compared to his accomplishments in other areas, they were hardly worth mentioning.
Even so, he knew very well just how rare chantless magicians were.
Usually, only one or two appeared every few decades, or even every century.
He had thought from the beginning that this child might surprise him.
But this surprise was a little too great.
While his thoughts raced, Hilde had already assumed her stance.
She lowered her body, holding her sword in one hand while leaving the other completely free.
Unlike her previous stance, where she held the sword with both hands and seemed to be going all out, this posture was the one that allowed her to bring out her true "full strength."
"Come," Hilde said.
"Good!"
The man grinned and stepped forward again...
But he did not move.
The instant he lifted his foot, Hilde unleashed the spell she had been preparing.
"Mire!"
Sorry, Rudeus.
Let me borrow your combo for a moment.
In an instant, the ground beneath the man's feet turned into a muddy swamp, swallowing more than half of one foot.
"A chantless instant spell? Good! Do you have more?" The man was both startled and delighted.
At the same time, he lowered his body and stomped fiercely on the mire beneath him with astonishing explosive force.
Mud and water splashed everywhere as his body broke free.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"
A sharp whistling sound rang through the air.
Without even raising his head, the man reached forward and grabbed at empty space.
The next moment, three bullet-shaped stone pellets, still steaming with heat, appeared in his