CH686 Faux Spirit Magic II

***

Brock Peyton and the other Combat Master managed to block the attack with their aura coating, but the blast forcefully separated them from the old sorcerer.

This was precisely what Alex intended. He wanted to test the viability of his new spell platform against an actual sorcerer in real combat conditions.

Considering the old man’s effective combat output had declined to that of a Late Stage Third Circle Sorcerer due to age—placing him around mid-stage Elite by Pangean standards—he was the ideal test subject.

Meanwhile, Alex extended his Draconic Baton into the form of a longsword and turned his attention to Peyton and the remaining Combat Master.

If there had been any doubt before, Brock Peyton was now certain—he had kicked an iron plank.

A Third Circle sorcerer capable of contending against three Combat Masters simultaneously was not someone without powerful backing.

Unfortunately, there was no room for regret. His only option now was to defeat Alex here... and deal with whatever consequences might follow afterwards.

He signalled to the other Combat Master.

Both men understood the urgency. Without hesitation, they attacked together, casting aside any concern for reputation or honour.

Seeing them advance in tandem, Alex did not remain idle.

[Third Step – Wraith’s Crossing]!

He took the initiative.

’You dare face us head-on?’ Peyton’s eyes flashed with disbelief.

Channeling more combat energy into his blade, Peyton brought his sword down in a powerful slash towards Alex.

The other Combat Master, far more calculating, adjusted his footing upon seeing Peyton’s attack. He shifted into an angle that would allow him to thrust at the most likely position Alex would move to should he attempt to evade.

[Dragon Kumite: Burst]!

However, contrary to both men’s expectations, Alex did not evade.

He stepped directly into Peyton’s attack.

With precise timing, he parried Peyton’s blade off course, redirecting it towards the other Combat Master and disrupting both of their attacks in a single motion.

An opening revealed itself immediately.

Alex drove a punch straight into Peyton’s exposed side.

[Dragon Kumite: Ripple]!

Peyton managed to catch the punch—but before he could secure Alex’s hand and restrain him, a violent rippling force surged through the contact point.

The energy tore into his palm, forcing him to release his grip as his aura coating broke under the strain.

[Dragon Kumite: Blast]!

Without pause, Alex followed through with a mana-charged elbow strike that shattered Peyton’s defences and slammed into his jaw, sending a jolt through his entire body.

In the instant Peyton staggered back, Alex pivoted smoothly on his heel and parried the Sword Combat Master’s incoming thrust— directing it instead at Peyton.

The blade came dangerously close to piercing Peyton, but the Sword Combat Master managed to pull back just in time.

’Oh no...’

Both their expressions changed simultaneously.

[Third Step – Wraith’s Crossing]!

They had made a critical mistake.

They had allowed a spellcaster to create distance.

And as expected—

[Extinction Lance]!

Alex did not waste time attempting to cast a high-grade spell. Instead, he unleashed a rapid-fire Fire Lance, but also infused with both lightning and darkness mana.

The spell shot forward like a railgun—its recoil forcing Alex back several feet—as it reached Peyton and the Sword Combat Master in an instant.

In a move that was both ruthless and entirely unsurprising, Peyton yanked the Sword Combat Master into the path of the attack while throwing himself aside.

The lance tore straight through the unprepared man’s torso.

"Huh...?"

He stared down at the burning lance protruding from his chest... then turned his gaze towards Peyton.

A wry chuckle escaped his lips.

He could not say he was surprised.

There was no grand explosion—no violent blast. His body simply began to come apart, disintegrating under the overwhelming energy of the spell.

But Peyton had no time to celebrate his survival.

A surge of searing heat rushed towards him from the side.

From the corner of his eye, he barely caught sight of a blazing claw swinging towards him. His body reacted instinctively, moving before his mind could fully process the threat.

After narrowly dodging the attack, his pupils shrank as he finally saw his assailant clearly.

The Five-Clawed Divine Dragon.

He did not need to look to know the old sorcerer’s condition.

He could already guess.

’Useless fool...!’ Peyton cursed inwardly.

Enraged, he surged forward and retaliated with a powerful slash.

Swoosh!

His blade severed one of the dragon’s limbs cleanly.

"Ahhh—!!"

The dragon, or rather AetherKindle, released a pained cry—one that caused Alex to glance at it with a strange expression.

However, in the very next moment, vast amounts of fire and light mana surged into the construct, rapidly regenerating the severed limb.

The dragon resumed its assault without hesitation, throwing itself at Peyton with reckless abandon.

Claws. Bites. Body slams. Tail sweeps.

At close range, it attacked with its entire body like a frenzied beast. At a distance, it unleashed a barrage of [Fireball] spells of varying sizes.

It was relentless and unyielding.

The Five-Clawed Divine Dragon kept Peyton completely occupied, giving him no room to breathe.

Unbeknownst to Peyton, the old sorcerer was not yet dead.

Though, in truth, he hovered at death’s very threshold.

His body was scorched in multiple places, burns of varying severity marring what little remained of his strength.

Just as he began to wish for death to claim him, a gentle, soothing light washed over his body.

It granted him just enough strength to open his eyes once more.

To his dismay, the first thing he saw was Alex.

The youth had healed him.

But not out of kindness.

Alex dragged the old man into a seated position against a nearby rock.

"Your student did not die without leaving something behind. Behold—this is the evolution of the [Flame Dragon] mystic art used by your school of sorcery.

"Do not worry. From one spellcaster to another... it will serve me well."

The old man could not grasp Alex’s intent.

Before he could form a coherent thought, Alex raised a hand towards Peyton. In a seamless sequence, two high-tier spells were cast in rapid succession.

[Shadow Lock]!

Thick tendrils of darkness erupted from the ground, binding Peyton in place.

[Judgement Bolt]!

Dark clouds gathered overhead, unleashing a massive bolt of lightning that struck down upon him.

When the dust settled, Peyton was—surprisingly—still alive.

However, his current state revealed the reason why.

His outer garments had been obliterated, leaving behind only a layer of intact leather armour that still clung to his body.

’An enchanted piece... and a high-quality one at that,’ Alex noted with a raised brow.

For a brief moment, temptation flickered within his thoughts.

Then he dismissed it.

"Do it," he ordered.

At once, the Five-Clawed Divine Dragon surged forward, opening its maw and swallowing Peyton whole.

It then ascended into the sky—high enough for all upon the battlefield, and even those beyond it, to witness what came next.

And then—

BOOM!!!

The dragon detonated in a spectacular explosion, a blazing display of fire and light that painted the heavens.

As the brilliance faded, so too did the final flicker of life within the old sorcerer.

He died quietly, his gaze fixed upon the most powerful manifestation of the spell his disciple had once wielded.

Whether Alex’s actions had been an act of mercy... or a final, cruel mockery—

Only the old man could have told.

***