Chapter 82: Clash of Blade and Spell

Amidst the wreckage of what was once a picturesque flower field, a fierce battle raged between two individuals. One wielded a massive greatsword, preferring the art of close combat over magic. Despite the modern age's emphasis on mage techniques, this warrior fought with a raw and relentless style, eschewing magic in favor of physical prowess.

The other combatant, Jack, exhibited a mage-like presence in his fighting style. He seamlessly integrated magical attacks with his close combat maneuvers, effortlessly transitioning between spells and physical strikes. His combination of magic and physical prowess showcased a remarkable display of skill and precision.

The intensity of their clash grew, and the combatants revealed themselves to be none other than William and Jack. William, determined to lure Jack away from the tower's vicinity, constantly put himself at risk. He knew that if Jack utilized his magic, it would be challenging to match him on equal footing, let alone drag him away. However, with each passing moment, Jack's power continued to surge, and William found himself gradually being overwhelmed.

After a grueling exchange, both fighters momentarily retreated. It was during this respite that Jack unexpectedly posed a question to William. "You are a warrior, aren't you?"

Startled by the inquiry, William was taken aback. Up until now, only his master and Uncle Dawnson were aware that he was not a mage but a warrior. His friends, including Sarah and the rest of the group, believed he possessed a unique constitution. However, Jack, standing before him, had discerned his true identity.

Choosing to remain silent, William responded by raising his sword, ready to resume the battle.

"No answer, hm? I thought someone who managed to capture my interest would at least respond, but it seems you truly are a nobody," Jack remarked, raising his hand as a massive magic circle materialized. Dark energy concentrated within his hand, foretelling a devastating spell.

"Dark Repulsor."

In an instant, Jack unleashed the spell—a concentrated blast of dark energy directed at William. Having encountered this spell before, William was prepared to handle it, or so he thought. However, he quickly realized that Jack was already casting his next incantation.

"Hellfire, Dark Chain."

Simultaneously unleashing two spells in rapid succession, Jack showcased his genius as a mage. Hellfire was an area-of-effect spell that would inflict damage regardless of William's evasion, while Dark Chain aimed to restrict his movements. William found himself facing three formidable spells simultaneously, each serving its purpose. It became evident that he would have to prepare himself for injury, as avoiding damage entirely seemed impossible.

Aware that dodging unscathed was implausible, William made a bold decision—to charge forward directly. He swiftly swung his sword to neutralize the Dark Repulsor spell, clearing his path to advance. Despite feeling the pressure and enduring the pain inflicted by the Hellfire spell, William pressed forward, his enhanced strength and Darkmoon's characteristics aiding him in achieving the seemingly impossible.

With the path cleared, William ignored the pain and initiated a direct assault on Jack. The element of surprise was on his side as he closed in, intending to land a decisive blow. However, to his astonishment, Jack was already prepared, his hand covered in dark purple scales, as if he had anticipated William's precise movements.

Reacting with lightning speed, William managed to evade Jack's grasp, narrowly escaping a devastating injury. Nonetheless, he sustained a wound on his shoulder. Undeterred, William gripped Darkmoon tightly and swiftly retaliated, slashing at Jack while evading his counterattack. The seamless execution of these movements exemplified William's exceptional body control.

Despite William's valiant effort, Jack appeared unfazed by the attack. As their weapons clashed, William sensed an opposing force nullifying the impact of his strike. This sudden turn of events shocked William, for until now, they had been evenly matched. Now, it seemed that his attacks had lost their effectiveness.

Aware that Jack's power continued to grow, William knew that facing him head-on would become increasingly difficult. He had initially believed that Jack's power surge would eventually plateau since the human body couldn't sustain such rapid enhancements. However, his assumption had been proven wrong. Jack's power kept escalating, surpassing even William's own power enhancements.

"Give up. Even if you really are a warrior, a master of close combat, you can never defeat someone like me, who inherits the legacy of humanity's greatest genius," Jack proclaimed calmly.

In response, William simply replied with a short, determined sentence, "We'll see about that."