Seeing that it was a phantom who took the stage, Alama immediately wanted to interrupt this match.

After all, illusions are merely a distraction, easily seen through in real combat, which could make the scene embarrassing.

Although he was happy to see Edin learn a lesson, he didn’t want this carefully prepared banquet for Inanna to become a joke.

However, just as he was about to stand up, he was surprised to see the phantom Edin on stage, without using any scrolls, create another phantom and even conjure a real magic burst to attack!

It is important to know that a normal phantom is merely an image infused with magic power, at most remotely controlling it to inject some magic power from a spell into a magic scroll to activate the magic on it.

But Edin managed to cast a spell through this phantom?

No, if it can cast spells, it shouldn’t be considered a phantom, but rather a clone.

Saying so, Alama recalled during the background check on Edin that there was mention of the founder of the Klar family who supposedly used this unique cloning illusion technique to earn his merit on the battlefield, thus securing a place in the kingdom.

However, Edin’s father and grandfather had never demonstrated this magic, and Alama thought it had long been lost.

Now it seems, this lost skill has reemerged in Edin’s hands!

In fact, it had never truly been lost.

Even though the family’s influence waned and their fiefs were lost, the ancient scroll documenting this secret technique was always kept close to Edin.

More accurately, what’s recorded wasn’t the direct spell incantation, but the craftsmanship of a special magic item.

The reason why several generations of the Klar family couldn’t perform this spell was simple: they couldn’t afford the necessary materials—two S-Class Demon Crystals.

At this moment, the clone circling Phineas on stage has an S-Class Demon Crystal refined by secret techniques at its core, while the real Edin seated below is holding another crystal that resonates with it, controlling the clone’s every spell like a puppet.

Edin glanced around; it seemed that aside from Inanna, who’s connected by Fungal Network, only Alama noticed the clone.

Although the Duke is not particularly skilled in magic, he’s equipped with the top-tier detection items, making it reasonable for him to see through its reality.

Edin was quite pleased with this result.

Not in vain did he risk his life under the command of the elder, in exchange for these precious demon crystals.

...

On stage, the thrusting sword in Phineas’ hand traced arcs of silver, piercing Edin’s phantoms one by one.

As the sword pierced through a shadow, a real magic burst came howling from the side.

He didn’t turn around; a slight twist of the wrist caused the thrusting sword to spin half a turn in his palm, blocking the magic burst with the sword’s spine, and the anti-magic material within the sword dissolved the burst into tiny particles of magical light scattered around.

With this momentum, Phineas glided gracefully, evading the second attack with a movement as fluid as a dance.

"Is that all, Mr. Edin?" He said with an appropriately amused tone, lifting the sword lightly to split the third illusion in half.

Phineas even had the leisure to slightly turn his head, casting a perfect smile towards Inanna seated among the crowd.

On the stage, not many phantoms remained.

Inanna kept a polite smile on her face, while within the Fungal Network, she was talking with Edin engaged in "combat".

"If you get caught doing this, he’s definitely going to hate you."

Inanna meant well, wanting Edin to avoid trouble on her account.

"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

As he spoke, the Edin on stage was finally cornered by Phineas, who swiftly conceded.

Polite applause erupted from the guests around them.

In their eyes, Edin’s illusion technique was exquisite, but it was clear that Phineas was even better.

This was undoubtedly an impressive duel, worthy of applause for both parties.

Amidst the acclaim, Phineas bowed in response, his posture claiming victory entirely secure.

Only in the distance, Alama shielded his face with his hands, almost unable to watch anymore!

Phineas, that guy, was having a back-and-forth with a mere illusion clone, unaware of anything till the end; he’s completely being played.

As a direct opponent, given Phineas’s strength, even if he didn’t outright see through the clone illusion, he should have sensed some anomaly in battle.

Being completely left in the dark showed he’s someone who only has the level but lacks practical combat experience—a mere facade.

It’s so embarrassing...

Added to his prior narrow-minded behavior when competing with Warren, if he were indeed given the chance to be alone with the daughter, Alama himself would feel sorry for Inanna.

But as things stand, Phineas seemed actually likely to win this match.

Alama rubbed his chin, sighing secretly.

It seems the only thing to do would be to find a way to take Inanna away from the scene.

As for Phineas... at worst, let him pick an item from the treasury as compensation.

Just as the Duke was about to lose face, a round figure suddenly jumped onto the stage with a "Puki" sound!

No. 4 untied the tablecloth wrapped under its mushroom cap, flicked it back, and beckoned to Phineas with a tentacle.

The guests froze for a moment, and even Phineas on stage failed to control his expression for the first time, looking at the Puki with a dumbfounded look.

"Sorry," Inanna blinked her pink eyes, her tone full of apology, "Little Four seems very eager to participate in the match... Is this acceptable?"

Phineas quickly recovered his composure and gracefully replied, "Since it’s Miss Inanna’s wish, of course, it’s not a problem."