Chapter 39: The Unwritten Law of Mages
1enPCrackle!vogj
kJkjAn electric explosion burst in front of Yuren.ekZ2G
UxrRDIn front of him, a blue barrier shone.JDW
M2PDtHMagic Shield, a fourth-level spell.LJSQnBg
OdJHe had reacted by reflex and did not have a single wound, but he could barely contain the shock in his chest.tn8
zxfr‘Was that Elemental Bolt just now?’ly4AHf
2scmElemental Bolt, a third-level spell.J8cXd9c
cIzwNPMore powerful than Mana Shot, and with effects that vary depending on the attribute assigned to it.MqPPjM
8LCH4v‘The attribute was electricity then it was Lightning Bolt.’MblG
r2jElectricity is a type of magic specialized in speed, ideal for catching an opponent off guard.pSFeBw
6Dpd9bIn Elemental Bolt, that attribute also translates into speed, being on average three times faster than others.d79h
I88‘It was as if the arrow of a divine archer had been fired.’9CO
vw9hLIf he had not reacted in time, he would have undoubtedly lost some part of his body.cUM
EOTzLk‘Is that guy really a third-circle mage?’mdAAsT
jETPPerda was a third-circle mage, but that did not mean he underestimated him.28mCBbC
dyhHe was a bearer of a Red Circle, and those who possess one always have great affinity with their attribute.lh416
nW8WUIt was already known that he had defeated Tesalos Wolcher while still only first circle.I9OihN
ybSHNWEBecause of that, even among mages of the same level, he was considered high-ranking.sLl5z8
8HOWza‘I even thought he might be at the level of a fourth circle.’vzjQjlF
uiggZEABut not even that was enough.XieXE
hb5He was using magic with power that exceeded all expectations.yFgj
NtQKo‘What kind of trick is he using?’Z5T0w
ZdG97Yuren’s eyes scanned Perda.Tue
t0xA2VAHe thought that perhaps he was receiving help from some hidden artifact.DvVTeg7
XxutmHImpossible.lEd6OH
S8mLbBefore entering the sealed warehouse, carrying weapons was not allowed.RKu
4zM‘Without a wand or support staff, he achieves that casting speed using only his mind?’ESmVHQ
9baThe only way to increase casting speed is repetition and mastery.TVY9UrH
WJYfQKwAnd it is not about superficial practice.Y2n
mutIt must be as natural as breathing, to the point of being able to cast magic even while asleep.JCV5jio
mNZjThat was something impossible for Yuren.EHV0h0
svpPerda’s talent was worthy of admiration.voie
hDL3X“It seems you are curious about the spell.”F7z
NUYITPerda spoke in a relaxed tone, provoking him.s7DTGv
6FYk6m“So you know, it is Elemental Bolt.”I97ZT
KxVb“You arrogant brat.”Q0abegS
O2BFBWYuren’s face flushed red.6GbAGB
ySrxNo matter how high his status was, he was still just a third-circle mage.YfT6ez8
5BFYno1A novice.VJk
tcBA magic circle formed in Yuren’s hand.aCRE2
6fR11SC“Let’s see if you keep that arrogance!”BNfST3
ZWmraMIn a duel to the death, titles and ranks no longer mattered.C2wpR
JYVThe magic circle did not disappear, but instead floated in the air.V1e7z
jrSD‘A continuous concentration magic circle.’rtU8
k99TNormally, circles consume their mana when they turn into magic.pna
RJ7ZXNrBut continuous concentration ones keep the circle active, feeding it mana to fire repeatedly.Vyqwi
zPy0AA basic technique for a fifth-circle mage.RGXCi
Tm1n‘The circle is the same as mine Elemental Bolt.’PJd9
LLwZFSZHe deduced it from the shape and the runes.fpFwWlp
mL8WAAnd just as he thought, pure white ice spikes began to form.UVULV
3RZbnKIce Bolt.WJxtaQ
x9g“Try dodging this too!”vNlw
VStAnd it was not a single shot, but a barrage.RPy
hRtzokBPerda threw himself behind a pedestal to evade.Szgxv
IpHFThe ice projectiles struck the white stone structure, breaking it.44TqnAe
fAMXO1The cold was so intense that the pedestal began to crack under the continuous bombardment.euUF
i1dUF4V‘Continuous concentration circles are troublesome.’qvV1SY
QVGIt was not a minor disadvantage.gLUr8r
5KhAt that moment of hesitation, a dark voice whispered in his mind.f4DQ8
JKC6xC— Do you need my power?q9GZ
LlpIt was the temptation of demons.ZVe
A4343When someone is cornered, they offer absurd contracts in exchange for power.IahnAPt
NPyk9L‘They have noticed my talent.’j3HJ
nWbnsUDemons do not seduce just anyone.cuyYCnx
OG30oBut Perda was not shaken at all.AXqV
NrlbCYNow he had to focus on the battle.LTM5
7Ttx‘Mana is not infinite.’59LC
njeNeither he nor his opponent had unlimited mana.HMJZ
wa7Before the pedestal was completely destroyed, the rain of Ice Bolts ceased.GDY
lb29Perda stood up immediately and looked at the magic circle.Sw0
BbwfqThe way to nullify a continuous concentration circle is.5tBLow
ooYZk‘Interrupt the opponent’s concentration.’9Msm
EFZctAt the moment Yuren tried to resume the attack, Perda cast his spell.VnR
kTy0qD“Lightning Bolt.”accmUQf
jF3n9cAn electric projectile fired in a straight line.6yJwopd
fpKM4MExtremely fast, but with a predictable trajectory.Pf4ANUP
XrSI1Yuren read the attack and raised a blue barrier.nJqF
PZJsrxCrackle!HD4zg
pFsroThe Lightning Bolt disintegrated upon impact with the Magic Shield.ynJp1q
jPqIt was fast, but lacked great destructive power.lgFM0z
cv1‘If I could combine two attributes, I would have pierced it.’8zBx
yDOfCombining darkness, the most destructive attribute, with electricity, the fastest.SGi
rxWDuKBut with only third circle, it was still impossible.Iy3
iNKdg3‘Then…’onh
qgEXOnPerda shifted his gaze to the magic circle.iZc
WPJYEAlthough Yuren had stopped injecting mana, three Ice Bolts were still advancing toward him.s81iK7
cMp‘Magic Intercept.’dOjmudH
OVHM4A technique to intercept magic.x645Ix
zgFUQZHe created threads of mana to deflect the projectiles.kAz
03tAlthough he had once been an eighth-circle Archmage, now he was only third.3i6S
7Xf1He could not take all three.tfdz6
IYpgEIf he abandoned one, he could take two.0G4sMcq
uI2‘I discard the one that is not vital.’pIB
1fmA quick and logical decision.K6rphO9
qRTw8The Ice Bolt he let pass tore through his thigh.R7q
hErThe flesh split open, blood gushed out, and pain ran through his body.EcCho
JYU3QBut it did not matter.Kit
CCM15The two projectiles he took now aimed at their creator.lfpqP
td5w0g“I will return them to you.”zqCt
Dl4wwA magic circle appeared in Perda’s hand.W66DaG4
tNWXThe same Lightning Bolt.mxV
XHq1But this time, it was fired from behind the Ice Bolts.KPZh
rvat“Lightning Bolt.”PMgldJr
p0qWhoosh!AiZwzjQ
OWxQThe Ice Bolts, propelled at electrical speed, were launched.6I7I
6HWFoThey pierced through Yuren’s blue barrier.JbAXi
7wJiCrack!sqWyiT3
mLHDThe ice shattered, and the barrier broke.bDPDS
bSRcwYuren’s eyes widened.mEF
q5UW2P3‘My barrier broke?’Ya3LM
HRVNThe hardness of the Ice Bolt and the speed of the Lightning Bolt combined, and the barrier could not withstand the impact.XdT
MM9YtThat confusion lasted only an instant.rQpSLt
WipDYuren felt death.7H9GLlW
QJ98He still had one Ice Bolt left.Nnm
VyQFpAx“Lightning Bolt.”TWTfJx
nik4CThis time, the ice projectile was heading for his forehead.ZBydwr
qxW“Uaaah!”weq6g
Qb3TYuren broke his concentration and threw himself to the side.DY16rXt
ZHZen9The continuous concentration magic circle collapsed and disappeared.dne
vujG10TFeeling adrenaline rushing through his head, Yuren stood up.w4d
WgW“Phew… you caught me off guard. Are you really a third-circle mage?”nRT1
6jqsnPerda replied.iYuqvI
8Z4K2“Are you so mediocre that you need to ask me directly?”Kci
8eb“It is just that everything you do gives that impression. Not even that old Archmage of the court could respond like this at third circle.”VvTwjpb
BVx5lvw“That old man is still one of the wisest in this palace.”fmGglCa
TwpQ2vq“You speak as if you know him. You have not even seen him.”7P8uugf
2DrkHad he not seen him?CPZr7bt
qAefIt was that old man whom he had faced until the emperor ended up bowing his head.N68d1
CyrdWhile Perda thought that, Yuren took something out of his clothes.XgToQSN
LFFNpYaA magic object a wooden stick with a round crystal embedded in it.T3DEN
VCFbfdA wand.ZPW641
A0AAWith just mana flowing into it, the magic circle engraved inside activated and cast the spell.Hd8Mmk
fBh5AuThe fact that he took that out had a clear meaning.9mgpWem
GVue“Are you admitting that you lost in skill?”CG7QW
WBvAEW“Laugh all you want. As long as I eliminate you, it is enough!”dQwt
4T0CH0oHe injected mana and the magic circle appeared.a2O
HD2X883Perda quickly analyzed its shape.Q44Cq
B1UW‘At a glance, it is a fourth-level spell.’vmVFC
Yamo3bOJust as he thought, it was fourth-level magic.VgIZEfw
vwAThe mana of the circle gathered, releasing a white cold and sharpening into a pointed form.T4PPw
xL9wuXiIts shape was similar to the Ice Bolts he had launched before.jQ8aD
ICxUBut it was not a simple Ice Bolt.gm8qho
TD4WrvpPerda’s perception sharpened.LRKa
pNz‘It is loaded with excessive cold.’ECHEeeT
6WTS0SIt was a Frost Bomb disguised as an Ice Bolt.mcp4
DDVMP0nAt the moment it hit or broke, it would release the cold contained within it.HKjf
b0XIf you tried to dodge it clumsily, defend, or intercept it, it would hit you instead.e9K0
pULOsle‘Then it must be brought down.’PzWG9
StNO2Perda launched the mana orb he had on his finger to collide with the Frost Bomb.ISNtLts
omH9rIFwoosh!EzXPz4
FlcMQIuA freezing vapor burst out, freezing everything around.PBprT3
9ghTujPerda’s own mana orb froze and rolled along the ground.miyaEl
m8NcEwVIt was a magic so destructive that it could freeze even mana.ByE7
P0j13‘He has discovered my Frost Bomb.’QMY
jfWIt was not surprising.MK9n
YP1TEYA mage capable of using Magic Intercept would not fall for such a simple trick.mwL
4u9At that moment, Yuren began to recite another spell.BMagOn
VJTw1“Shield of the Empire!”XmEr9K
TO73lQA highly concentrated mana magic circle took shape and became a shield.6F0M23
PUiIcxGAegis, a fifth-level defensive spell.hNme
3BpNamed after a hero of the past, it offered absolute defense.cHkTbJ
ta9That shield would move on its own, detecting attacks without needing commands.epINkr
i2G3vZ‘An annoying type.’ZsAt
YMyFor someone who has never seen it, it is an extremely troublesome spell.bBy
2C3hFq‘…that is what it seems.’qWs
DabOBut Perda knew it well.Mgdd
zPkodWThe more troublesome something is, the more clearly he remembers it.5A093
GSsrThat is why he waited.XNfT8
nGHMxd7For the moment when Yuren would trust his magic.d02OGln
tpW9F3‘Now.’Y2Dx28A
M6av8VThat moment came when Yuren used the Frost Bomb with the wand.v2497
nBQ4At the same time, two orbs appeared in Perda’s hand.1U7r
Fg76XOne was a normal Mana Shot.Jj8io
NfLxgrThe other, a Mana Bomb, formed with a much larger amount of mana.By0
LUsAlYf‘It cannot be…’miLBcGP
T1ySe57Upon seeing the Mana Bomb, Yuren’s intuition activated.Ccey
oneyHe tried to deny that premonition.C5pg5qt
ytoz8L7It was impossible.rW9bVeC
UjVR3j0A third-circle mage knowing how to counter fifth-level magic?GP68haf
IrchgZfBut even if he denied it, Perda’s orbs flew toward him.Y3boW
naK2fThe first to arrive was the Mana Bomb.dZ2il
bQ3XqSqThe Aegis shield reacted and moved to intercept it.pZvUMjV
Fg3JJWBoom!OWJTqV
lOKvdYaThe area filled with scattered mana.9QH
HUjAnd in that instant, the movement of the shield became clumsy and irregular.Gik
ExHSYRIYuren’s eyes widened.Xi5aAY
dVy9‘He knows how to counter Aegis?’hEAzSY
jFaX02GThe fight between mages consists of playing hidden cards.X65CjL
J0CXuAnd normally, they are used assuming the opponent will not know what they are.AFxO
gGHKJIn fact, that is the norm.k7uU5hs
9wrIf one tried to cover all possibilities, even the unusual ones, no spell could be used.cO8rfZ
rTq1Yuren was facing the impossible.DoC
K395GPT‘Then, the second attack…’WoPXsb
HJiIt would target the Frost Bomb.XbXP
9pHdxA spell that has already been cast can be canceled by the mage’s will.iYux
OzWjBut those generated by wands or staffs cannot be stopped midway.5tBb9
Yt1GPerda would wait for the Frost Bomb to complete, touch it, and make it explode.H7zoTxK
Sz3F‘So that is his plan!’z3WJTnu
nUHdaHYuren quickly cast Magic Shield.YhSz4k7
KyI5A blue barrier covered his front.qm6L
PTZJqkSA defensive spell that could not be broken with a single Lightning Bolt.Yz1vNI
xECpqThe mana orb would not be able to reach the Frost Bomb.9dJ
XVeK05qOnce created, it would be enough to throw it elsewhere.preNr
kyIOvvGBut, contrary to what he thought.3J7NVX
zWbCfThe spell Perda cast was.h9GP8
4cr‘Lightning Bolt?’bLI3zrK
BCSIt was the same electric arrow.zmQ
J2foqYuren did not understand.qM1
5m8‘It cannot pierce it why choose that?’1UNy
wdqNo matter how powerful it was, it did not have enough strength to break his barrier.1dm
rcrWhile Yuren tried to find the answer, something began to become visible.0qIH9z
EysgFgIn the dark background, there was something even darker attached to Perda’s back.3sAT
hVUtIt looked like a hidden arm.cCOPKK
FxaDbZkAnd that arm was making a throwing motion from a low position.qVmo
tXB3t“Ah.”9VpG8Q9
EOiWhat entered his field of vision was a frozen mana orb.11Nee
iJtKh4It had completely hardened due to the effect of the Frost Bomb.tKejk
KnDSo solid that it could be used as a metallic projectile.08ebHC
RMZuK0He had picked it up from the blind spot of his vision.17pZq8q
Yf2q“Lightning Bolt.”6sp
8MiWjAt the instant the projectile entered its trajectory, the lightning was fired.qiGvvD
lno9UThe Lightning Bolt advanced carrying the solid ice block.Z22S
TIktZJdCrash!4CB
FbUlThe Magic Shield broke.hquj5
3RM2Yuren’s body shook violently.m50Z
JvXEwEven so, Yuren was an experienced mage.gBb
KVI4He did not close his eyes before the enemy.EbO
1pMta0KIn his field of vision, he saw the mana orb that Perda had saved, flying toward him.Yr5OA
ptdyc‘I have to find a way…!’CDZ
7gqBut it was already too late.zAtX
N2jUT28The mana orb had touched the Frost Bomb.YgoF4
Gk0tEBooom!GIxqYED
Y6fjOA white vapor exploded and the area turned into a field of frost.lxGa
4yvNw0The mist did not dissipate easily.DK0Wq
rTC9xM‘He must be dead.’Bl7MTn
OzHkSCrGiven the magnitude of the attack, it would not be strange if Yuren had died.bzl
PdgHis defense had been neutralized, and even with magical resistance, he could not survive a direct explosion of cold.HFFirf
oo56vaEven so—bOIz8
bdX9NPerda did not lower his guard.gx9r3R
GFqltThis was the sealed warehouse.oxY
zfPAnd what keeps a human alive is their will.sfD2
KcLsed‘And demons can make that will come true.’87GC
yALa3And his concern became reality.ENv84Im
00DH5tCrack—qTNI
RCTY6Yuren’s figure, turned into an ice mage covered in frost, moved.enYOEK
Nv8Er2His frozen clothes and the wand shattered into fragments of ice, but he did not.kA6LQT
xhz91And at some point, a book appeared in his hand.08epWGv
962TiD“Khihihihit…!”X4I
GpAR6XA laugh filled with madness echoed with ecstasy.BFwnf
RN5“Ah… so this is how it feels to obtain the power of a demon…”IvJ5y
al8It was the typical reaction of someone who has surrendered to demonic power.3rAEfZs
VixThe book he held was the Ice Manifestation Technique of Marbas.W8i
7bcT1X‘Marbas, demon of extreme cold and destruction.’dfkS
9lkIWfiOne of the seven great demons, lord of the frozen hell.cJTqt
sysdPerfect for an ice mage like Yuren.lCSnf2
v3izte‘He made a contract just before the explosion and survived.’jEyAf5N
TbOhWhoever sells their soul to Marbas receives the blessing of resisting extreme cold.nQcd
OQT5Seeing that, Perda let himself fall to the ground.8plIEn
58RlsHe had lost too much blood, and his thigh no longer responded.hjr7
uLUzHis concentration, which had been superhuman, was reaching its limit.olIS
9Bg“Well… where did that confident regent go? Come on, let us keep fighting.”vnZZLw
zkzvYuren mocked him.GigFh
sFWEverything was tilting against Perda.LC7I
qinGwpAt that moment—LeJo
r3cThe malicious presences that filled the room began to move again.0bfUWe
rCsflAll the demonic books in the sealed warehouse trembled.ZFOrU
otly— Give me your soul. I will give you the power to kill that insignificant one.bQJ09
zgb— I will give you the power to burn that insolent one! Give me your soul!IDqE1x
B4lK3— I will give you power. Is it not better to live, even if crawling in the mud?HmSzz
xDEThe whispers of the demons shook Perda.HRpaWpD
q5PxzIt was as if they were trying to tear him apart and take over his body.4OGOR
Raf1PProof that he had been pushed to the edge of the abyss.YgqOFSh
M9cyK3fPerda, barely breathing with difficulty, opened his mouth.M88Jz
DWrRFV“When one is about to die…”nmX
6r2MmA smile appeared on his lips.F1ZO0
QmC9MTIt was different from the few smiles he had shown until now.p6sTPF
z0dutIt was a smile born from his emotions.jNUl
ANcXaK“They say that when you are about to die, the first thing you see is the face of the person you love.”YuX
e1tKc9Yuren frowned at seeing Perda say such nonsense all of a sudden.RcmMwQB
TqJ7t“And do you know what I am seeing right now? You. Do you know what that means?”HOoYz3Q
jD6eX4F“What the hell are you talking about? Do not tell me you are going to say you love me.”A9Tlda0
vt3MPPerda’s blue eyes stared at him.iil
cOGR0They shone while he used magic.zb5U
8IqpJWeThat unwavering glow was pride.MQlp
33cAnd those eyes made Yuren feel insignificant.MONW
rAE“It means that it is not my time to die yet.”GEneVJ
KBu7At that moment, Yuren’s intuition activated again.ftJ
kG2l‘Can I not… defeat this man?’1YjcsMy
fWPRUfWEven after making a contract with the demon Marbas?cqK
XUNuD‘That cannot be.’sIZ
g0sBThen what was he, who had sold his soul?jT7
wGJWhat did it mean that, even after abandoning everything in the face of death, he could not defeat a third-circle mage?di9Gn
CwlMaqAs he tried to compose himself, Perda asked.2YB
vzsWH“Do you know what the unwritten law of mages is?”ODbJ
OFeThe unwritten law of mages.nl2K
JLSJkNever reveal your final trump card, not even at the moment of death.Uko
Fo1In other words, a joker capable of turning everything around.roC93Y
csf“So you are going to use your final magic? You do not have enough mana left for that.”LcB
fEAE2L8Yuren was right.WuaDv6
AGmPerda only had enough mana left to cast, at most, an Elemental Bolt.udJrWbR
Jun3LThe blood flowing from his thigh had not even been stopped.YYrjk
3TjXlMYHe no longer had strength.U7gF9
YvH9F3The one who was cornered was clearly not Yuren, but Perda.PMT
yZTPerda smiled broadly.Zf4B4
iPlA“Do not jump to conclusions. When did I say it would be magic?”DL5
XR2eCSdNot magic?2GuVxV
lOR75At that moment, Yuren felt a presence behind him.LX2oH
W3th1“It seems it is not too late yet.”Kp1TS1
egWN0gkA male voice sounded suddenly.79HhO
mNIOQYuren turned his head.UvCcwE2
Udz3lWThere was a brown-haired man dressed as a guard.gN9tc
EjVYvB1‘That… cannot be a guard.’cLSNRD
t1XA guard could not be in a security zone like this.UetUa
yCqaUHe was clearly an intruder.8IOP
tviAnd not just any intruder someone skilled enough to infiltrate the sealed warehouse.Kl0uNB
bymThe first to move was that man.iWIlu
VrkONCHe closed the distance with agility.kqm4Fqm
3rmybBR‘I have to react.’zDl
3zjnWAzYuren drew a magic circle.x5xoEaT
C8Ff3YXAt that instant, the man’s ordinary eyes turned deep red.oFLO
lGY‘What…? Why is the mana…?’d0aqcv
0sWE2VAt the point where that gaze landed, the mana that was gathering in the magic circle was forcibly dispersed.tNT2l0Z
0xTva‘It cannot be…!’sqSiYe
ogF2cxIn his mind appeared a race he believed extinct.RpUxow
NaHP7X“Are you of the red-eyed race?!”D49UYNL
aCbsAlso known as mage killers.SQ2r6
PjgTSKkThe dagger in the man’s hand pierced his neck.jXnMkhg
2BaAA9m“Ggh…!”R8e
B8csIt precisely pierced the trachea and the artery.DZaxg
Mnk2RBThe only thing he could produce was a choked sound.nD7rUP
BZ2SJu9From behind, watching everything, Perda spoke familiarly.MpkL
afmv2Ht“Be careful. That one sold himself to a demon.”DhMFg
dO4“I know.”MvDVMa
AqwX40The man gripped the dagger with both hands and took a stance.G5hpe
fNPhw3e“After all, I have quite a relationship with demons.”eIZtmHw
rAKHe pulled out the dagger and drew a wide arc.hCccLDJ
i4VYuren’s field of vision inverted as his head went flying.5csIr
0eosrXiIn the consciousness that had not yet faded, he saw Perda.zs1W
5tKu2eHe was casting a Lightning Bolt toward his head.bYu
vAV“Have a good trip. Beast that lost its pride.”AwPco
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationAmazing fight 👏 but Mc still wins.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationZed my bro you are arrived at perfect timing
Elite Phantom
MortalHolyyy, what a peak fighting scene yo 🙏🙏🔥