Necromancy, Flesh and Skin

Banville stamped his right foot, and a stone wall rose to block Virdan's spell.

Before Virdan could react, flames erupted around his feet and climbed his legs.

Virdan remained calm, even thoughtful. "Another Combination Spell. So you really do have a mental trait that Formal Wizards would find both precious and rare."

"If this were a few years ago, when I was still at the Tower of Dawn, I probably wouldn't have been your match. But I'm different now."

Smiling, Virdan cast another spell.

An arrow glowing blue shot toward Banville.

Banville's expression did not change. "That's the Spatial Exchange Spell from Evocation."

"And the exact position of this spell is..."

Banville swung a palm toward the arrow.

A fierce wind broke into turbulent currents, sending the blue arrow darting erratically in place.

"Impressive," Virdan said. "I underestimated you."

Virdan had assumed that anyone Leo could defeat would be no match for him either.

But as they fought, he discovered that Banville was strong.

Far stronger than Virdan had expected.

Virdan smiled. "Looks like I'll have to get serious too. I was saving this move to show off to Wizard Leo when we met. It seems you'll get to experience it first."

He raised a finger and tapped the air.

A small black sphere formed overhead.

The flames burning around Virdan, the earth Banville had conjured—those constructs of magic streamed toward the black sphere.

"This is my Combination Spell, the Attraction-Absorption Spell."

Banville took half a step back.

Then he noticed something. "It only attracts things created by spells!"

"Clever."

Virdan did not mind. The spell's effect was easy enough to see through.

He watched Banville at his leisure. "Well, Wizard Banville? How will you deal with this spell?"

Banville frowned.

Combination Spells were the source of Banville's strength.

Ordinarily,