Chapter 19
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 019
Chapter Title: Bandit Gang and Relief Holy Knight Order (3)
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'Huh?'
Just as we were locked in a fierce staring contest.
The black mage who'd hurled fireballs at us earlier pointed his finger at me and began muttering something.
The one who'd been glaring daggers at me turned to him and replied.
I couldn't catch their exact conversation, but from the situation unfolding, I could make a pretty good guess.
The boss-looking guy had probably ordered him to take me down, and the lackey-looking one had acknowledged it.
This works in my favor.
The black mage I'd singled out was now less likely to dodge a fight with me, which wasn't bad for me at all.
Slipping away stealthily.
The first thing I did ahead of the duel?
Put some distance between me and the battlefield.
The bandits might charge at me, or my spells could accidentally hit the wrong target.
It was all about minimizing variables.
Creeping along.
The black mage and I stood facing each other from a good distance apart.
He started mirroring my movements, shifting position too.
He seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Good.
My hunch looked right.
Otherwise, there'd be no reason for him to follow me.
With the bandit gang and Relief Holy Knights in between, I'd have to watch my back while casting, making it hard to focus.
Not so for him, the black mage.
From his perspective, staying put for the duel would've been far more advantageous.
Yet here he was, trailing me.
Clear orders to take me out.
This should do it.
About ten minutes later?
We'd put enough space from the battlefield to set up a proper one-on-one.
Attacking first feels a bit iffy.
At this range, it'd have to be Lightning Bolt, but that spell guzzled mana.
Plus, he might block it like before.
If he spotted the flash and whipped up a defensive spell in time, he'd handle it with ease.
But letting him strike first isn't great either. No clue what spell he'll pull.
If I knew his mana reserves, I could decide without hesitation.
I shot him a glance laced with that frustration.
But he just glared back—no sign of prepping a spell.
Instinct kicked in.
He's not that impressive either.
Not picking a fight even after seeing my face?
On the surface, I was just a fifteen-year-old boy.
Baby-faced enough to get underestimated.
Yet he neither looked down on me nor struck first.
Meant he lacked confidence in his skills.
Hmm, still, better safe...
"Hey, come at me."
I taunted the black mage.
A kid provoking an adult in this era?
Wouldn't be weird if he got slapped for it.
This was a brutally harsh world—plenty died for lesser rudeness.
"Hmph."
But the black mage just snorted, brushing it off.
That reaction sealed it.
This guy's a coward...!
No reason to hesitate on striking first now.
Let's crunch the numbers.
My total mana: 160.
One Lightning Bolt earlier, so 135 left.
Enough for five more.
But the worry didn't stop there.
Can I end this before burning through all five?
That nagging doubt surfaced.
His unnamed defensive spell was a real pain.
Maybe close the distance first?
We were so far apart that even Lightning Bolt would take time to reach him.
High chance he'd react.
Up close, though? Casting it point-blank would make defense trickier.
Or go for melee.
I hadn't ruled out hand-to-hand.
Once in range, Ignition could neutralize him easy.
Step by step.
Mind made up, I advanced on him.
Never taking my eyes off his every twitch.
All focus locked on him.
Any hint of spellcasting, and I'd Lightning Bolt him on the spot.
But...
His reaction threw me.
Padding backward.
As I closed in, he retreated.
Keeping the exact same gap.
What? Luring me?
I checked for tricks—nope.
His face screamed tension.
He's scared of me.
Press the advantage.
Decision made, I broke into a sprint toward the black mage.
"Gah!"
He freaked, thrusting his right hand my way.
Mana surged at the same instant.
Spell incoming.
What kind?
Fire magic.
Sensing his mana flow let me vaguely pinpoint the spell type.
I'd felt this flavor before.
Perfectly recalled the vibe.
Can't let that fly.
I couldn't predict exactly, but fire magic for sure.
Powerful stuff.
Best to shut it down.
Crackle!
Lightning flashed without warning.
Lightning Bolt to check him.
"You madman!"
The black mage panicked.
Mana gathering in his hand scattered everywhere.
Spell canceled, no doubt.
Then mana pooled again.
Not fire this time.
That defense spell from before.
The one that blocked my Lightning Bolt.
Thud!
Spot on.
My Lightning Bolt slammed into a transparent barrier mid-air.
Not wasted mana, though.
I'd rattled him good.
"Cough!"
The black mage hacked up a lung.
His face gone pale as a ghost.
Tried fire, aborted, no recovery time—straight to defense.
Overload inevitable.
Hit him harder now.
No time for pity.
Black mage, after all.
Murderer of many, twisted necromancer aiming to raise their corpses.
Why spare him?
"Die."
Lightning Bolt again.
He threw up his defense spell, face ashen.
Thump!
Blocked once more.
Fine by me.
Never planned to drop him in one shot.
Crackle!
Lightning vanished with the barrier, followed by another bolt on its heels.
Thud!
Shield held.
Considering my casting speed outpaced most mages, this was impressive.
He was keeping up.
Probably specialized in that defense spell—tons of practice.
Didn't stop overload, though.
"Urk!"
Post-block, he vomited blood.
Couldn't even stand straight—definitely hurting.
"How are you fine after chaining spells like that?! Normal to overload spamming like a brute!"
He yelled at me then.
Voice dripping injustice.
Pity?
Try reincarnation.
"Talent."
Short reply twisted his face.
Anger? Jealousy?
Both?
Who knew.
One thing clear:
Mana building in his hand.
Final desperate strike.
Think I'll let you?
Lightning Bolt flew.
He stared wide-eyed.
This time, different result.
Boom!
Bolt hit home with a bang.
Simultaneously, flames erupted from his outstretched hand, engulfing me.
All-or-nothing attack.
Whoosh.
Fire licked my clothes.
No burns, though.
Moisture-soaked Tree Bark shielded my skin.
Combo I'd prepped the moment I clocked his fire magic.
Hot.
Blaze died down after ten seconds.
Clothes scorched, belly exposed smooth and navel-less—otherwise unscathed.
Hmm, cover up.
Swish.
Draped remnants over my stomach.
Navel absence was my body complex.
Always hid it—even Master didn't know.
Mage duels favor the aggressor. Relentless offense leaves them scrambling defensively— no counterplay. Frees me from worrying about blocks too. Of course, desperate final blasts like his mean no slacking till the end.
Lesson from this: attack-heavy style wins mage fights.
Spam offense, they just block—no breather.
I stay safe, no defense needed.
Barring suicide plays.
Bottom line?
Read more Grimoires.
More mana means more casts.
Variety covers any scenario.
Solves my worries.
Why not?
With that settled, I approached the black mage.
Time for loot.
Dead?
Squatted by him, checked breathing.
None.
Yep.
Rifled his pockets.
Found it quick.
Necklace with scythe pendant.
Eremus mark.
Better pocket this.
Might come in handy.
Stood up—victory sank in.
Beat a mage in a magic duel.
Older one too.
Felt like a real mage.
Elation swelled.
Someday, I'll have a cool nickname like Master.
Daydreaming blissfully.
Then—a boom from the battlefield.
Snapped me alert.
Right, war's not over.
No time to celebrate.
But...
No mana left for spells.
All depleted—nothing till regen.
Useless in the fight now.
One option left.
Observe.
That black mage Master targeted looked tough. Their duel'll teach me plenty.
Stood to watch.
Easy to spot.
Constant explosions marked the spot.