’Are these two putting on a show for me?’

’I haven’t agreed to anything yet.’

"Your Majesty, if I defeat him, I should be able to choose whether or not to become the Chief Mage, correct?"

"Haha... Of course, you can."

"But it seems you don’t yet understand just how prestigious the title of Chief Mage of our Lorren Kingdom is."

’Oh...’

’So, is this person before me the strongest Mage in the Lorren Kingdom?’

’Isn’t the strongest a Level 6 Magic Saint?’

’I’ve met the Lorren Kingdom’s Level 6 Magic Saint once before. It was Feize, the Chairman of the Mage Association.’

’Feize is one of the Lorren People, too.’

’The man before me isn’t Feize, yet he has a widespread reputation. I suppose he’s probably not a Level 6 Mage.’

’Then he’s most likely Level 5.’

Lu Cang said to the man before him, "I’m not purely a Mage. I might use techniques from other Professions."

"Being able to multiclass is a testament to your own skill."

The Chief Mage, known as Jie Zhu, replied, "Naturally, I won’t ask you to use only Magic."

"Is the battle to take place right here?"

Luo Tedan looked pleased and said, "That’s right. Right here."

Lu Cang took out the Spiritual Star Ring Staff.

The Spiritual Star Ring Staff’s pommel was now like a sharp spearhead. This was a modification Ai Jin had helped him with, allowing it to be used, in a pinch, as a War Spear.

The thought that Lu Cang would use the Void Spirit Star Wood for close combat had pained Ai Jin somewhat.

"Alright then. Let’s begin."

The instant the words left his mouth, Lu Cang appeared right in front of Jie Zhu.

Source Body·Shining Flash (Tier Four) (Level 301)

Lu Cang hadn’t been idle during his journey.

Under Iz’s tutelage, his progress on the journey could only be described as terrifying.

Invincible Stream - Third Form·Army-Breaking Heavy Slash

As he arrived in front of him, Lu Cang was already sweeping the Spiritual Star Ring Staff horizontally!

He swung the staff with the crushing weight of a Giant Sword!

As he swung, magical runes lit up one after another on the staff!

Just then, Lu Cang’s intuition blared a warning!

Without a second thought, Lu Cang immediately retracted his attack!

He retreated at extreme speed while simultaneously unleashing Falling Stone, Giant Wall, Ice Water Balls, and Shadow Swamp!

Instantly enveloping his opponent completely!

"Tier Five Root Magic."

"All magic is my magic."

SWOOSH!

Lu Cang found that he had lost control of all his Magic in an instant. At almost the same moment, all the spells he had just cast came crashing back toward him like an avalanche!

’Tsk...’

’No wonder he was so confident.’

’A Root Magic that controls others’ spells.’

’As expected of a Mage, always full of surprises.’

’But even though he seized control of those spells, the reversed onslaught seemed to move in slow motion. My thought processes are just too fast now.’

’To me, the actions of most enemies are in slow motion.’ 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’He had already set up a trap with a triggered spell in front of him.’

’This danger isn’t life-threatening, but I should still dodge it if I can.’

’That shimmering white film that flashed around his body just now, was that a Magic Shield that reflects attacks?’

’How insidious. If I had just hit him with my Combat Skill, I would’ve been hitting myself.’

’By now, the white film has vanished. A reflection-type spell like that can only be maintained for an instant.’

Source Body·Shining Flash

CRACK—

With a crackle of displaced air, Lu Cang’s body flickered and reappeared behind Jie Zhu.

All the spells Jie Zhu had seized control of were still hurtling forward.

Compared to Instant White Flash, the Tier Four Flash of Light was faster by more than just a little.

Invincible Stream—Army-Breaking Heavy Slash!

The heavy staff swept out again!

BANG!

Jie Zhu’s Shield on his flank shattered like glass!

BOOM!

This time, the Void Spirit Star Wood struck Jie Zhu’s body squarely.

A tremendous force penetrated through!

His figure flew sideways and smashed into a distant palace wall!

Lu Cang stood his ground, Magic Staff in hand.

’This isn’t the Battle Arena. People die when they are killed.’

’I have no intention of pursuing him with the intent to kill.’

’So I’ll leave it at that.’

As for the spells that were hurtling into the distance, Lu Cang directly cast Source·Flash·Light, turning it into Void Reabsorption to swallow up the errant, uncontrolled Magic.

"It’s over."

The entire battle was utterly brutish.

The first close-quarters attack was blocked by a premeditated defense. The second time, he got behind his opponent and sent him flying with a single blow from his staff.

Lu Cang watched the figure slide down from the wall in the distance.

’This guy.’

’He’s surprisingly meticulous for someone who seems so reckless. He deliberately provoked me to make me careless...’

’...but he had actually already prepared a trap. He also knew beforehand that I use Combat Skills and Body Techniques, so he specifically pre-chanted a reflective shield.’

A special characteristic of a Level 5 Mage is the ability to pre-chant. After Chanting, they can hold a spell without releasing it, casting it after a certain period of time.

This period of time varies from person to person.

Some can only hold it for a few seconds, while others can hold it for several minutes.

’If I had truly thought he was just being reckless, I would have fallen for it. If I had struck him with my staff like that, the force reflecting back onto me probably wouldn’t have felt very good.’

’But unfortunately for him...’

’...my intuition is too sharp. I knew the danger was coming before it arrived, so there was no way I’d fall for the trap.’

’Being able to foresee all danger is just too broken, in the end.’

"Haha, brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

"Lord Jie Zhu, do you have any objections?"

Two Healing Mages were already gathered around Jie Zhu, tending to his wounds.

He sat on the floor and shook his head weakly. "Your Majesty, are you truly set on this? I have served Lorren for so many years."

"What is the meaning of this, Lord Jie Zhu? Have you forgotten how you came into power in the first place?"