With the Ancient One's experience, just one glance was enough for her to realize that Alaric was not giving his all.
Instead of using his full power, he maintained his strength roughly on the same level as Mordo and competed with him.
"This… even this he can learn so quickly? Is there anything he cannot master?"
"Of course, asking him to leave Kamar-Taj was the most correct choice!"
"If this continues, I'm afraid I will really get angry with him!"
The Ancient One immediately shook her head and returned to the hall.
Suddenly she once again wanted to drink something.
"Alaric! Aren't you fighting seriously?!"
Mordo shouted in surprise.
"No! I'm serious!!"
"…"
We'll see whether to believe you or not!!
Mordo looked at Alaric's relaxed expression and simply couldn't get angry.
Damn it!
How can you fight for so long without a single drop of sweat appearing on you!?
You even secretly yawned just now, don't think I didn't notice!
And also… why is your body so hard?
Every strike of mine was like hitting a steel plate. My hand hurt, while Alaric, on the other hand, looked as if he didn't feel pain at all.
Not only that, no matter how fast and strong my attack was, Alaric blocked it every time, without mistake.
This feeling was like a student fighting with a teacher.
No matter how hard I tried, the teacher could effortlessly accept every move of mine.
And of course, I lost again!
This bastard surely grasped some new magic!
I hate it!
Why do I never learn my lesson?
Mordo cried inside and regretted it.
He even thought that if he could turn back time and get another chance, without hesitation he would run away the moment Alaric spoke!
You can't mess with him, nor hide from him!
"Enough!"
Mordo couldn't endure anymore.
Knowing that the other side was far stronger than him, but still consciously lowering his power to his level, that feeling of being restrained was unbearable!
Better for him to crush me directly. In that case, Mordo would at least feel a little better.
"Don't you want to fight?"
Alaric paused and asked suspiciously.
"Have you been letting me win all this time?"
"Whatever! I'm serious, okay?!"
Alaric would never admit that he was lowering his power!
"Alaric, maybe my strength is average, but that I can feel." Mordo said bitterly.
"Well… I did learn and master a new magic."
Alaric saw that Mordo was dejected, so he decided to tell the truth.
"Then why did you lie earlier?"
"That… I was afraid you wouldn't be able to take it…"
Alaric lowered his head, kicked an imaginary stone, and muttered.
Damn it, I was careless again!
Right after mastering something new, I should have retreated and teleported back to my room instead of making a fool of others here.
Mordo had barely recovered from the blow Alaric had already dealt him, and now he had to listen to his worries about not "embarrassing" him.
Mordo: "…"
Thank you so much for thinking of me!
Actually, I was the one worried I couldn't endure, so I let myself off the hook!!
"I understand. Then show me the new magic you learned."
Mordo closed his eyes, adjusted his breath, and spoke.
Although he had suffered a blow, he still wanted to see what new power Alaric had discovered.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"All right then."
Alaric nodded.
Then, in a single step, he suddenly disappeared from his spot and appeared behind Mordo.
Alaric placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Something like this is what it looks like."
"?"
Mordo looked at Alaric beside him in confusion.
"What's the difference between this and your teleportation magic?"
"Oh… don't you see?"
Alaric scratched his head.
"You see, this is speed."
He looked completely calm.
"All right then, here, take a look." said Alaric, then went to the open space at the side, clenched his fists and struck them against the ground.
Rumble!
Smoke, dust, and shattered pieces of stone scattered everywhere.
All who saw this scene subconsciously opened their mouths wide, staring in disbelief.
"You… you… did you do all this with just your physical strength?!"
Mordo clearly saw and understood.
It turned out Alaric had appeared behind him earlier not by using teleportation, but relying on his own physical strength and speed, which was too fast to be seen.
"That's right. I just strengthened my body with magical energy."
Alaric nodded and explained.
Mordo fell silent.
Indeed, the imagination and talent of such a man could not be compared with ordinary people.
To strengthen the body with magical energy, as if it were the most normal thing in the world!?
No, the question should be, who could even do that!?
Isn't magical energy already not enough to exhaust you?!
Even if there is enough, doesn't the power borrowed from Vishanti consume itself over time?!
Damn it!
I can't understand!
Mordo was completely confused.
"Unfortunately…"
Forget it, I need to calm down.
I should be happy that Alaric is leaving tomorrow.
But why, the more I try to be happy, the heavier it feels in my chest?
"Mordo, are you all right?"
Alaric noticed that Mordo was silent and wanted to step closer to comfort him, but Mordo suddenly made a quick step forward and bowed deeply to Alaric.
"Big Brother!"
"!"
Mordo's sudden behavior shocked Alaric so much his whole body trembled.
"Don't do that, you scared me…"
Before Alaric could finish his sentence, Mordo turned around and quickly left.
"Hm?"
Alaric remained confused, not understanding what that was supposed to mean.
"Is it possible that he couldn't endure and had a mental breakdown?"
"You're the one who just broke down."
The Ancient One suddenly spoke from behind his back.
"Don't scare me like that!"
Alaric rolled his eyes.
Why does everyone here always appear behind my back?
"Then why did he suddenly call me big brother?"
"He surely made some oath in his heart."
Considering how well she knew Mordo, the Ancient One was sure that without an inner oath he would never have shown such strange behavior.
"These are oaths in the heart, others don't know about them. Don't take it too seriously."
Alaric thought Mordo was stubborn, but it was also now clear why his strength later suddenly increased when he chose the darker path.
"Mordo is like that. And, let me remind you, you're leaving tomorrow, so pull yourself together already!"
"I am very calm…"
"Calm this place down and wake me early in the morning! I'm already tired of your face."
The Ancient One rolled her eyes, shook her fan, and went on her way.
"I smell wine…"
"…"
The Ancient One suddenly froze, realizing that Alaric might have just caught the trace from her recent glass.
"Just kidding~"
Alaric laughed, then with one wave of his hand activated time magic, restoring the entire courtyard to its original state.
Before the Ancient One could react, he had already teleported back to his room.
"This bastard really dares to trick me!"
The Ancient One clenched her fists, angry.
"But… time magic?"
"He can really use it without the help of the Eye of Agamotto?"
"It's truly getting harder and harder to see through him."
–––
Support me on Patreon:
patreon.com/_BlackRose
Enjoy 20+ advanced chapters for just $3.
Your support would mean a lot to me. ❤️