Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Spirit User (5)
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Galen's smirking face was utterly infuriating. Redna ground her teeth.
"For blocking just once...!"
Her fury transmitted straight to the spirit. The fire spirit responded to its master's rage.
The spirit, transformed into a glove, enveloped Redna's right hand. She thrust her arm skyward, and flames erupted like a pillar.
"Ooh!"
Feeling a bit cheered by the crowd's admiration, Redna swung her raised arm with full force. The flame pillar whipped forward, scattering like a lash.
Splitting into dozens of chunks, the flames rained down on the enemy lines like a meteor shower. How could those fools block all this? Redna thought triumphantly.
Splash!
Then, from behind Galen, a fountain surged violently. A water column shot skyward like an inverted waterfall, splintering into dozens of globs that flew every which way.
Boom! Boomboom! Boom! Boomboomboom!
Fire globs clashed with water globs, turning to steam. The flames, barely vaporizing the water, shriveled pathetically—not even embers.
Not a single flame projectile escaped interception.
Piercing the steam, fierce flames charged again. Ground-crawling fire gaped like a massive serpent to devour Galen.
Sizzle!
But once more, a water jet from nowhere blocked its path. Fire and water, tearing at each other's throats, vanished together.
"No way! This is impossible!"
Redna shrieked as her trusted spirit's flames were utterly rebuffed.
"G-go, commence attack!"
The slightly stuttered order boomed out. The Narok commander, dazed by the fire-water spectacle, finally snapped to and bellowed.
"Waaaaah!"
Process be damned—the Narok warriors, morale sky-high, charged roaring.
Galens's vision was ordinary, so discernible enemy faces meant closer than expected. For frontline Silver-rank warriors, mere seconds to close the gap.
"B-block them!"
The Gaud commander, equally entranced, belatedly shrieked in panic.
Thankfully, Gaud warriors' credentials weren't hollow; they didn't meekly offer necks. Instinct kicked in, bodies countering fiercely.
"Fall back!"
"This... this can't be happening..."
"Fall back now!"
Redna's wildly shaking eyes betrayed her as guards forcibly yanked her arms, dragging her rearward.
Moments later, Narok Bronzes trailing Silvers swarmed Gaud ranks. Savage melee erupted.
Yet merely flipping the script from Gaud's usual first strike tipped victory's scales.
Even amid battlefield chaos, serenity cloaked Galen. He lounged against the cart, butt planted.
"Too comfy, aren't you?"
Terti grumbled. Galen fired back casually.
"Can't say the same for you, Mr. Terti. See those Silvers up front fighting for their lives?"
"Not comrades—just allies. Big difference."
"Allies slugging it out, and you're sightseeing."
"Tch, sightseeing? I'm guarding you."
"If Gaud punches through here, we're toast, right?"
"Fair point. Lucky no crossbows spotted."
Not mere words—Terti heightened senses scanned ceaselessly. Beyond him, three Bronze escorts guarded flanks and rear.
Close range? No sweat. But a distant sniper? Body-block time.
Narok hired Terti precisely for that—like Redna's clingy guards. Galen favored known Terti over strangers.
Thus, Galen's gripe was pure ribbing. Close enough for banter.
Terti's retort? Playful too. Vigilantly eyeing the field, he knew Galen wasn't idle.
"Ugh, at it again."
Galen tsked, flicking his hand.
Water jetted from a cart jar. Mid-air, it shaped into a spear, rocketing battlefield-ward.
Splash!
Flames poised to engulf a Narok warrior smashed into the water spear, snuffing out. Spear dissolved, drenching the target—trifle versus burns.
Direct duels failing, Redna sporadically jabbed everywhere. Galen parried nonstop.
"Few jars left—sure you're good?"
Terti eyed the cart. Galen nodded.
"Fine. Mana's not overflowing."
"...That ain't fine."
"Opponent's likely same. Spirits guzzle unless hyper-efficient."
"Ah."
"Mana depletes before water."
Cart? Basic Narok anti-Redna fire truck: jars brimming water.
Far from Earth's rigs—just haul burning rearward, servants douse. Better than nothing, but post-facto only.
Galen wielding water? Game-changer. Instant ranged counters to spirit hints.
Galen's Bruno request: water carts aplenty. Troll-fight style—no shortage, spam freely.
"Spirit fire packs punch, but no matchup flip. Sans cart, different tale."
"But we got it—no debate."
"Yeah. Firepower aside, frankly underwhelming."
"That so?"
"No fire mage seen, but me handling flames? More versatile. All spirits this basic? Or weakling?"
"First spirit user for me too."
Bluntly: fire spirit? Hurl fireballs. Power/quantity variants only.
Uncounterable? Shredded foes. Water access? Child's play—lob back.
"Watched for trump cards—nada. Arrogance source baffles."
"Frankly, Galen, you undervalue yourself."
"Me?"
"Merc mages? All that type. Mage average."
Self-taught mages: weeds or geniuses. Pride standard.
Pride skirts hubris; most self-taught hubristic.
Nobles? Haughty birthright, but skill-realistic—elite peers abound.
Self-taught? Lowly roots, peers too—self-overrate rampant.
"Young, that skill: top talent. Post-awakening? Meteoric. Fire utility?"
"Undouseable, tough block/dodge. Merc stamina synergy perfect."
"Flattered nonstop. Years? Personality sets. Why you so normal—enviable."
"Normal an issue?"
Galen chuckled. Months back? Fawning manservant—personality forged.
"Anyway... wrap it. Pre-mana dry."
"More fights for insight, no?"
"Pre-clash plan. Post? Unneeded."
Galen side-eyed corner status window.
Bron Haven single clash: 2%.
Dozens here—opponent fire-spamming, him water-flinging—progress skyrocketed.
No postponing. Today. Calming thrill, Galen said,
"Advance."
"Yes!"
Three escorts shoved cart. Galen posse strolled forward.
Melee frenzy—no blockers. Post-Terti one-shots on path dummies? Clear sailing.
Distance to retreated Redna shrank. In range, Galen loosed water cannonball.
Boom!
Her guard slammed shield protectively. Impact dented shield, guard's face crumpling.
"No beef with you."
Muttering, Galen swept hand—water pillar launched. Whip-force buckled guard sideways.
Gap exploited: strike at Redna. Freaked Redna summoned spirit hastily.
Whoosh!
Attack vaporized. Irrelevant. Progress ticked.
Endgame intent: Galen hosed mercilessly.
Nuisances? Mass-water blasts. Redna? Precision torment.
Offense inverted. Spirit water-juggling frenzy. Overflow? Mud pit surrounds.
Then, at last.
Zing—
Sudden headache crushed Galen.
Body birthed mana alien to Water Flow Manipulation, coiling anew. New spell knowledge etched experientially.
Dazed, Galen staggered. Shocked Terti clutched him.
"What? You good?"
"Ugh..."
Soft groan, Galen checked status first.
Proof confirmed. Pain-racked, Galen grinned.
"Aaaaaaah!"
Stagger? Last chance! Redna mustered milk-suck strength, hurling flames. Spirit ballooned, body-slammed.
No mercy due.
New magic shelved, Galen scraped every mana drop.
Surrounding waters reversed. Ground waves rampaged.
Kwaaaang!
Spirit and Redna swept away.