Michael had skills at [Advanced Mastery] too. He knew what that meant—he could call them forth with a thought. This didn't mean magic circles were still needed. Without circles, the spell maybe only 70% effective.
Michael's mind scrambled for an explanation. Three months since awakening… if this was the only skill he focused on nonstop, maybe it's possible. Possible—but still insane.
Then the air rippled.
Without warning, a fireball bloomed in Brian's hand. No circle. No delay. Just heat, raw and blazing, compressed into his palm before hurling forward.
Michael's blood ran cold.
"…That's not just Fire Spear."
He barely managed to twist aside as the fireball slammed into the cliff wall, detonating in a wave of force that knocked him stumbling.
Michael's eyes widened. The thought crashed through him like thunder.
Two skills. At advanced mastery. Both without circles…
*
