These herbs are ridiculously hard to find... and it's not like I have any tracking ability to help me locate them either...
"Hm? And who might you be, old man?" Angel asked with a raised brow.
"Hoho, I am indeed quite old," the man replied with a smile that carried both wisdom and warmth.
"Watch your mouth, commoner! Do you not know who stands before you? This is Ferdinand Reias, headmaster of the academy and one of the most powerful magicians on the entire continent!" snapped a girl beside him.
"Don't shout, Clementine," Ferdinand said calmly. "A noble should carry herself with grace, not bark like a cornered mutt."
The title 'one of the strongest' isn't just for show, Angel thought. I can feel it—his mana is thick, oppressive even. If I were leading my old squad, I'd consider him a match for our elite.
"Apologies for her behavior," Ferdinand continued with a chuckle. "She's usually more composed, but sometimes her noble blood gets the better of her."
"It's fine," Angel said with a smirk. "She couldn't harm me anyway—not with that weak magic."
Heh. Let's prod her a little.
"You…!" Clementine's face turned red with fury. "Headmaster Ferdinand, I demand a duel! A proper magic duel!"
Yes. Hook, line, and sinker.
"You can't just—" Ferdinand began, but was promptly cut off.
"I accept!" Angel shouted with a grin. "I accept your challenge to a magic duel!"
Ferdinand sighed, rubbing his temple. "Very well. You may use the Magic Colosseum. Don't destroy the walls."
---
A crowd had already begun to gather, the students having caught wind of the duel thanks to their ever-vigilant instructors.
"Isn't that… Sir Angel?" gasped Lyla Astallon from the stands.
"What? You know him?" asked Camus de Fresnel, looking surprised.
"Yes! He's the one who escorted me to the academy," Lyla said, waving. "Sir Angel! I'm over here!"
Angel caught her wave and returned it with a small nod.
"This is a magic-only duel. No physical attacks. Begin when ready," Ferdinand announced as he floated to the edge of the arena.
Angel cracked his knuckles and whispered, "[Arts Switch: Elemental]."
Elemental Arts. A martial-arcane hybrid that combines elemental power with physical techniques. Versatile and devastating.
"Multi-Casting Intermediate Fire Magic: Fire Lance!" Clementine chanted, flinging several flaming spears toward Angel.
"She's using multi-casting already? He's done for," murmured a student in awe.
Angel held up a single hand. "[Inferno Arts: Heat Control]."
In an instant, the fire lances halted in mid-air, floating like harmless candles.
"What!? Why won't they move!?" Clementine cried out.
"Take them back," Angel replied coolly.
The flames whirled in place, then turned and flew back toward their caster.
"Intermediate Support Magic: Barrier!" she shouted, erecting a glowing shield that deflected the incoming fire.
"Impressive. But try blocking this—[Mountain Arts: Earth Dragon]."
The ground rumbled. From beneath the arena, a massive stone dragon burst forth, coiling with earthen majesty before crashing into Clementine's barrier. The shield shattered under the sheer force, and the dragon dispersed into dust.
"What was that technique?" Ferdinand muttered to himself. "That wasn't recorded in any spellbooks…"
"Did you see that?" "What kind of magic is that?" "That wasn't just chanting!" whispered the students.
"It's not over yet!" Clementine shouted, breathing hard. "Grand Magic: Great Thunderbolt!"
So, she's going all out. Time to respond in kind.
"Don't bother," Angel said flatly. "Lightning doesn't work on me."
"Excuses won't save you! Take this!"
A colossal bolt of lightning came crashing down from the sky. Smoke rose from the ground where it struck.
"He couldn't have survived that," Clementine muttered, catching her breath.
"Oh? Who said that?" came a voice from within the smoke.
Angel stepped out, completely unscathed.
"But… how?!"
"I'm just stronger. Accept it."
Clementine staggered backward, mana-drained and humiliated. "Fine… I accept my defeat…"
She collapsed as the last of her energy faded.
---
Clementine was quickly carried away by several students, her body limp with exhaustion. Whispers buzzed throughout the colosseum as speculation about Angel's origin and magic style filled the air.
---
"Your performance in the duel was… eye-opening," Ferdinand said, sipping tea. "What kind of magic were you using? You didn't chant, yet you invoked advanced spells just by moving your hands and fingers."
"I'd love to chat, Headmaster," Angel replied, standing, "but I'm on an errand for an alchemist. She's likely waiting for me, and it's already getting dark."
Angel handed him a small scroll. "This is the list of herbs she asked for."
"Ah, I see. Well then, allow me to help. There's a vacant room in the teacher's dormitory—spend the night there. I'll have these herbs delivered to your room in the morning."
"You're being awfully generous all of a sudden," Angel said, raising an eyebrow. "But I won't refuse. Thanks."
I already know why he's being nice. But for now, I'll get some rest.
---
As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, Angel found a neat pouch of herbs laid on the table.
He made his way back to Ferdinand's office for a quick goodbye.
"There's an open position for a magic instructor," the Headmaster said with a knowing smile. "I'd be honored if you considered it. The students could learn a great deal from you—especially when it comes to real combat."
"I'll think about it," Angel said, already halfway out the door.
"Please do."
---
"Hey, Amelia! Got your herbs," Angel called as he stepped up to her house.
"You're back! I thought you ran off on me," Amelia replied with a grin.
"Not a chance. Here—get to brewing."
"With this, I can finally make it. It'll take a bit of time though."
"I'll go check on the blacksmith while you work. Be back later."
---
"Sir Bralmulir! How's the sword?"
"Haha! Done and reforged! Feast your eyes—reinforced with the Rock Dragon's skull! A true masterpiece!"
The blade shimmered a soft pink, reflecting the dragon's hue. Angel could feel it—Tempest's aura, blended now with a new stormy force.
"The color came from the dragon's scale, I assume," Angel said, swinging it lightly. "And it's sharper. Stronger."
"Bufir already paid. Go ahead, test it!"
"Thanks. I will."
DarkGhost Forest should be a fine testing ground…
---
"Here they come… Dark Hounds."
Angel gripped the sword tightly.
The Tempest Sword's ability grants a temporary speed boost, letting me blitz through enemies with ease… at the cost of some stamina.
"Tempest Sword… Release!"
With a rush of wind, Angel vanished into motion—cutting down the first pack of beasts with blinding precision.