Chapter 343: Magic, Unleashed!

Chapter 343: Magic, Unleashed!

  "Compete in magic with us elves?"

  Allison couldn't help but laugh in exasperation at those words.

  The Grey Elves' magic originated from the teachings of Melian. Although Melian was a Maia, she shared her source with Yavanna, the Goddess of Plants, and had served both Vána, the Goddess of Blossoms, and Estë, the Goddess of Rest, while still in Valinor.

  Therefore, the Grey Elves could master plant-based, sound-based, and hypnotic magic.

  In terms of the sheer variety of magic they could wield, the Grey Elves were in no way inferior to the Noldor Elves.

  "Plant Binding!"

  Allison chanted a spell, and thick vines as wide as a wrist instantly sprouted beneath his feet, curling rapidly toward George.

  He thought he might not even need to resort to swordsmanship or archery—his plant magic alone would suffice to teach this arrogant human a lesson.

  But as the vines surged toward him, George didn't even raise a hand. He simply opened his mouth, and a burst of tri-colored flames roared out, instantly reducing the vines to ashes.

  "Such an attack is useless against me."

  "That flame!"

  King Kull, who had been seated on the throne and ready to watch the show, immediately straightened up when he sensed the overwhelming power within the fire George had released.

  "It seems you do have some skill."

  Allison was momentarily stunned to see George breathe fire, but he wasn't discouraged—he still didn't believe he would lose.

  To the elves, magic was only a supporting tool. True combat relied on close quarters and archery.

  He drew the elven bow from his back, nocked an arrow, and aimed at George, his tone full of confidence:

  "Next, I'll fire five arrows. They'll strike both your arms, both legs, and the pants between your legs—pinning you straight to the ground."

  When it came to archery, he ranked among the top thirty in the entire Grey Elf Kingdom. Besides, elven arrows were forged of metal—resistant to fire.

  In a flash, Allison pulled his longbow to full draw. The five arrows were fired in rapid succession. His speed and skill were so advanced that the later arrows actually caught up with the ones before them, and they all flew toward George at an even, deadly pace.

  "Allison's archery has improved again!"

  The elven nobles, upon witnessing his five-arrow flurry, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

  On the battlefield, this kind of move could absolutely wipe out five orcs at once.

  "Arrows? I can do that too—but mine are Light Arrows!"

  A white magic circle glowed in front of George.

  "Light Magic: Rain of Light!"

  Countless radiant arrows shot forth, striking down Allison's five arrows instantly and then surged toward him.

  Allison swiftly sidestepped to dodge the barrage of light arrows and drew his elven longsword, charging toward George.

  No matter how masterful his archery was, he couldn't match the other side's ability to unleash such a flood of magical arrows. A long-range duel would only end in his defeat.

  So, his only hope was to fight in close combat.

  Allison's speed was incredible—within a blink, he was at George's side, unleashing swordsmanship he had practiced for over a thousand years.

  "Watch out!"

  At that moment, Lucien, standing beside the throne, couldn't help but cry out a warning. She had noticed that George hadn't even turned to look at Allison, as if unaware of his attack.

  But she was mistaken. Just as Allison's sword was within a meter of George, the magic circle beneath George's feet lit up.   

  "Light Magic: Domain of Light!"

  A radiant barrier instantly formed around George, then exploded outward in a shockwave. When it collided with Allison's elven longsword, it forcefully knocked it from his hand.

  "Giant Magic: Arm Enlargement!"

  At the same moment, George extended his right arm, which rapidly expanded into a massive giant limb and seized Allison in its grasp. No matter how he struggled with all his might, he couldn't break free.

  Holding Allison aloft, George turned to Kull and the gathered elven nobles.

  "The few spells I just demonstrated are examples of the Light Magic and Giant Magic I currently teach at my school. I believe, with elven intelligence, it shouldn't be difficult to learn them if you come study with us."

  Kull and the nobles all fell silent upon hearing George's words.

  The magic George had just showcased clearly held potent light energy—precisely what the Grey Elves lacked.

  The Noldor were stronger than the Grey Elves primarily because they had basked in the light of the Two Trees and carried that light within them, allowing them to suppress Morgoth's dark legions.

  But if the Grey Elves could learn this human's magic, they too would wield light-like power and need not fear Morgoth's army.

  Back in the Age of the Two Trees, before the Noldor had even arrived in Middle-earth, Morgoth—armed with the three Silmarils—had led numerous orc invasions into the Grey Elf Kingdom.

  Melian had erected her Girdle to hold them back, but Morgoth's influence steadily encroached upon their lands.

  To relieve the burden on his wife Melian, Kull had led the Grey Elf army into many fierce battles against Morgoth's orc legions at the borders of Doriath.

  But the orcs, with their thick hides, fearlessness, and overwhelming numbers, made every fight a bitter struggle.

  If not for the arrival of the Noldor and Morgoth's subsequent withdrawal, the survival of the Grey Elf Kingdom would have been in doubt.

  Still, the elves were proud. The idea of learning magic from a human, whom they regarded with disdain, was hard to accept. Thus, they were now caught in inner conflict.

  Seeing the elves fall into silence, a smile spread across George's face.

  Silence meant hesitation. And hesitation meant the Grey Elves were already tempted—he just needed to add a bit more.

  "Actually, because I was afraid of hurting him, the magic I used just now was less than one percent of its normal power."

  Noticing the elves' eyes widen, he continued:

  "Elves are far more talented in magic than humans. If even I, a mere human, can wield such power, then elves—blessed with eternal life and endless time for study—will only be able to perform even greater feats with the same magic."

  "The power of the magic you just used... was really less than one percent of normal?"

  Kull shot up from his throne.

  If George's magic was truly that powerful, and the Grey Elves could learn it, what more would they have to fear from Morgoth and his army?

  "If you don't believe me, I can give you a proper demonstration—though this space is too small. We should go outside."

  George released Allison, and his arm returned to normal as he responded.

  Without hesitation, Kull waved his hand and declared:

  "Very well, then let us all go outside the palace and watch your demonstration!"

  Even if the power increased tenfold—let alone a hundredfold—he would immediately agree to send Grey Elves to George's school to study magic.

  The elves were proud, yes, but they weren't fools. This kind of magic, capable of elevating the entire kingdom's combat strength, could not be forsaken for the sake of pride.

  (End of Chapter)