Chapter 229
“Magic battles are always fascinating, you see. Each wizard has a different specialty, so when two magics collide, no one can predict what phenomena will occur. It’s the only moment to confront the mysteries of the world.”
Ritch’s excited voice sent magic energy forth from the tip of his wand, creating multiple circles.
Acella examined the form of the spellcasting and realized what it was.
“How arrogant.”
“Arrogant? What do you mean? I am merely ignited by the spirit of inquiry as a wizard.”
In response, Acella unfurled her own circle.
Soon, pop! small magic bullets began to shoot out from Ritch’s circle.
—swaaaash!
From Acella’s circle, the moisture in the air was instantly condensed, and ice spears shot forth. Boom! They collided in midair, scattering everywhere.
“You certainly mentioned that you acknowledged me as a wizard of a higher realm than yourself.”
“That’s correct. My thoughts on that haven’t changed.”
“That’s an arrogant notion indeed, far more so than any scoundrel I’ve seen. If you truly believe that, why do you not show any fear now?”
“Because my anticipation is greater. As I mentioned, I’m excited at the thought of having you as my subordinate.”
“That means you do not truly revere me.”
Ritch’s circle was a unique spell combining the generation of magic bullets with rapid-fire. Think of it like a gatling gun.
Acella quickly grasped its principle. She immediately set it up to replicate and counter it.
In a contest of understanding and knowledge about magic, battling with powered mana, even if one has the upper hand, without sufficient mana and magic energy, victory is impossible.
For the loser, only death awaits.
There is no wizard who would let go of another who has seen their high-tier magic and allow them to live.
That is the reality of magic battles.
“Tell me, Ritch. Have you ever had a wizard whom you truly revered?”
“Revere.”
Ritch fell into thought for a moment, caressing his jaw with his slender fingers.
“There is one. He currently rules the Demon Realm.”
Acella scoffed at Ritch’s answer.
“You may not believe it, but it’s true. If you were to witness him, you would bow your head in awe of that wondrous magic…”
“Look. You’re just a coward.”
“Is that so?”
“Why has he not taken you under his wing? If he wields such powerful magic, surely he could have employed your strength, couldn’t he?”
“…His magic is beyond my comprehension.”
“What a pathetic excuse from a loser.”
Acella looked at Ritch as if he were pitiable. Ritch felt the sensation of a nonexistent Adam’s apple gulping down air.
“Provocations will do you no good. I’ve seen many arrogant young wizards like you. Being a 6th-tier wizard is indeed considerable. But that doesn’t mean you are an absolute being.”
While magic bullets and ice spears rained down, Ritch moved forward.
He bent over and, swoosh, placed his palm on the ground, revealing a hidden golden spell.
“I acknowledged you as stronger than myself. The reason is simple: I lack expertise in both space magic and ice magic, just as much as you do. In this field, it is certainly apt to say you are the strong one.”
“So?”
“I’m rather angry.”
—WHOOSH!
Ritch’s fingertips quivered with black magic energy, releasing a massive amount.
It began to corrode Acella’s circle. It tainted the space that was constructed for their duel.
“‘Only the last one standing can leave this space.’ A battle of attrition. A spell you would likely think of, given your vigor. But…”
Slide.
The inscriptions at the edge of the circle began to overlay with the language of the demon race.
“I’m not entirely sure about the shape of this half-cubic spell and the projection plane, but it’s not that difficult to change the spell’s content. Now it says, ‘Those who are alive cannot leave this space.'”
Acella’s eyebrows twitched.
“Even if you defeat me, you will wither and die here, feeling despair within the ultimate magic you created, alone.”
“…Ha.”
“But I am of the undead. A being of the undead, so I can revert to an inanimate state and leave at any time. Of course.”
Ritch was exhilarated, initiating his next offensive magic.
“I will make you my minion after all.”
Acella glared at Ritch with icy eyes. The ice spear honed in on him more keenly. Ritch nonchalantly deflected it.
“You look curious as to how I layered a 6th-tier circle upon you. It’s not difficult, you know. You’re aware that mana and magic energy are essentially the same, aren’t you?”
Thicker magic energy poured from Ritch’s body, amplifying his spells.
“Mana occurs when life is active, while magic energy arises as we get closer to death. The difference is only that. Spells written with mana are like letters written on a chalkboard. They can easily be erased and corrected.”
—BANG! Two 6th-tier wizards’ spells clashed in a spectacular explosion. Should a lower being be caught nearby, it would face instant annihilation.
“Of course, interfering with another wizard’s circle is basically impossible unless there’s a considerable power gap. In the realm of absolute magic, I stand above you. It’s just that you were unfortunate. You are indeed a powerful wizard.”
Ritch’s circle layered six times.
“Next time you inscribe a spell in your circle, ensure a double protection spell on your mana. It’s already too late, though.”
—WHOOSH!
Black magic energy from Ritch’s wand oxidized into green as it shot towards Acella.
Life absorption. A dangerous offensive magic that siphons the opponent’s mana to death. It would be powerful enough to bypass even considerable high-tier barriers. Even if a saint were here, defending against it would be impossible.
Those who reach the 6th tier become heroes etched in history. To block that fatal strike, one would either have to neutralize it with a spell of the same tier or pierce through it with a higher tier.
Acella, bored with the imminent death flying towards her, merely chuckled.
“You talk too much for something without a vocal cord.”
Swipe, she casually extended her wand.
—KABBOOM!!
The green light of life absorption collided with her wand. At the same time, a phenomenon occurred that Ritch could hardly believe.
His magic was turning golden, its effect disappearing.
“What…?”
“You did say it.”
The pressure wave caused Acella’s hair to flutter.
“It’s easy for a wizard of higher standing to taint the circle of a lesser one.”
And it was exactly as Acella said. The life absorption spell shot forth by Ritch began to blaze fiercely in the intricate symbols drawn with magic energy on the outer edge of the circle.
The empty spaces were overtaken by golden mana.
“This can’t be…!”
Ritch felt threatened. This wasn’t the time to be relaxed. WHOOSH! All the magic energy he had been saving for summoning an army for war began to erupt in that instant.
Urgently, he drew another circle with a swift motion. Combined with life absorption at the 6th tier, it enhanced it to a higher tier.
The life absorption transformed into a 7th tier, the ultimate offensive magic, ‘Instant Death.’
Any being touched by this magic would perish immediately.
It could snatch life from any opponent, regardless of who they were, proving absolute power.
“If it’s 7th tier!”
There was no way she could escape now.
However.
—Siiiih…
The tide of battle had not changed at all.
His green ultimate spell was still melting away into the golden witch’s wand, and the inscriptions of the circle were being erased beautifully.
“…This can’t be.”
Ritch finally felt something was wrong and took a step back.
The circle, the circle…
This was the attack magic he had researched his entire life. From the fundamental 2nd tier ‘Death Call,’ he had meticulously built up to find his own construction method.
He had dedicated endless time and effort to reach the transcendent level of the 7th tier.
Yet, so easily.
By mana that isn’t even magic energy, but human mana.
“The spell, the spell is…!”
It’s disappearing.
The writing inscribed in the language of the demon race was being deleted one by one, replaced with different characters.
The meaning of the phenomenon was simple.
The wizard before him had reached a level higher than his own.
And in the brief moment he had witnessed, she could replicate his technique as if it was her own, filled with knowledge and insight about magic.
Clop, clap.
With every step the golden witch took closer, the sound of her heels echoed like a death sentence.
Instant Death had already lost its green hue, tinged instead with golden mana, losing all power.
The light clearly illuminated the enemy’s face.
Ritch, seeing a smile more wicked than any demon he had ever encountered, momentarily doubted if she was truly human.
“You’re scared, aren’t you.”
“Ugh…!”
Ritch swung his wand widely. He interrupted the casting of Instant Death and severed his connection with Acella.
—KABOOM!!
The backlash caused the released magic energy and mana to explode, creating a thunderous sound.
The ground between the two cracked as the dirt rose into the air.
‘Not yet over.’
Taking advantage of the moment where his sight was obscured, Ritch quickly drew a new circle. He caused a small explosion underfoot, using the recoil to fly towards Acella.
‘In a magic battle, there are ways to win beyond just overwhelming with magic.’
A skilled warrior, Ritch knew various underhanded tactics. This was a fight with no referee; all that mattered was winning.
Having already pinpointed her position before his vision was blocked.
Thud!
When the dust cleared, a second wand was in Ritch’s hand.
‘Succeeded.’
The simplest way to seal a wizard’s magic is to steal their wand.
The wand is essential; it allows a wizard to draw a large magic circle and amplify their magic power through materials.
Without a wand, a wizard’s magical capabilities are severely restricted.
Wizards typically possess weak physical strength. If you ambush them, it’s easy to seize their wand. That’s why they must never move without a front line.
It’s a cowardly tactic, but given the enemy was deemed to be a higher-tier wizard, this was the best option.
‘Next time, I shouldn’t underestimate humans.’
As Ritch aimed the wand into the dust…
—WHOOSH!
Light sparked brightly.
Even without eyes, Ritch found himself overwhelmed not only in body but at the very edge of his spirit, unable to think about drawing a defensive magic circle.
“O… oh.”
A rift in space opened up.
Peeking through the gap, he saw another realm.
This is not this continent.
A sacred space, which could also be referred to as the divine realm.
From there, a beautiful lance summoned, slowly rotating, aiming to pierce Ritch’s skull.
It was beautiful.
Such a marvelous weapon could never be found in this world.
Not even the ancient dragons who forged the continent had seen it.
The spear of the primordial deity.
“Indeed.”
Ritch acknowledged the vast divide.
A woman who could summon such an extraordinary weapon using ultimate magic, all alone, without a wand or circle…
Indeed, she had achieved the realm of a true wizard.