A Small Test of Skill

"Fusion of light and fire," Robb murmured, his fingers gently brushing the surface of the crystal ball.

Over the next two days, Robb devoted most of his time to studying the spell Radiant Ring.

This was a composite spell that combined light and fire elements, and its structure was far more complex than any spell he had previously mastered.

The workshop's backyard had been temporarily transformed into a practice field, surrounded by various energy detection devices to monitor the spell's energy fluctuations and stability.

"The energy flow at this node needs to be adjusted," Robb muttered with a frown as he studied the spell model in his hand.

"The ratio between light and fire elements also needs fine-tuning. As it stands, the fire's burning effect is too strong, while the light's blinding effect is underwhelming."

[Elemental Perception EXP +1]

[Progress: Elemental Perception (Novice 36/50)]

After dozens of trials and adjustments, Robb finally found a relatively ideal ratio:

He increased the proportion of light element by about 15%, while also fine-tuning the point where the two elements merged, so the light would reach its peak blinding effect at the moment of initial burst, and the fire would sustain a burning effect afterward.

"Once more."

Robb took a deep breath, extended both hands, and used his mental focus to guide light and fire elements from the elemental pool into a fusion in front of his palms.

As his mental energy poured in, the two elements slowly merged into a golden-red energy orb.

With a flick of his fingers, the orb rapidly expanded into a ring about two meters in diameter.

The ring shimmered with bright golden light at its core, its edges flickering with tiny red flames.

"Radiant Ring!"

With Robb's low shout, the ring burst outward from around his body, sweeping through several wooden targets ahead.

The wooden stakes were instantly scorched with blackened rings, and the energy ring dissipated after passing through three targets.

"Better than expected," Robb nodded in satisfaction, examining the burn marks.

The char depth was even, indicating a balanced energy distribution. The ring's flight path was stable as well, showing no signs of energy leakage.

"The basic form is in place. Next, I need to test some tactical variations."

Robb muttered to himself, contemplating the combat applications of Radiant Ring.

With further experiments, he discovered the spell was far more flexible than he had anticipated.

By adjusting the energy input and mental control, he could alter the ring's size, thickness, speed, and even duration.

More importantly, he found that he could split the ring into several smaller ones, or embed additional energy structures within it to create more complex effects.

"No wonder it's a higher-tier spell model. It has far more potential than any zero-circle spell. Though my sonic tremor spell might catch up once perfected."

Robb couldn't help but marvel.

[Radiant Ring (Novice) EXP +1]

[Radiant Ring (Novice) EXP +1]

[Radiant Ring (Novice) EXP +1]

…

[Progress: Radiant Ring (Novice 13/50)]

Just as he was about to wrap up his training for the day, a knock came at the door.

Valenwood went to answer, and moments later, reported through the vines: "It's Lord Andrey."

"Let him in."

Robb quickly straightened his slightly messy clothes and went to the door.

Andrey was as elegant and composed as ever, still dressed like a noble.

But Robb keenly noticed that his eyes had completely turned into golden vertical pupils, and his skin looked smoother, with a metallic sheen.

Clearly, Andrey's bloodline activation had also made significant progress.

"Robb!" Andrey greeted enthusiastically, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. "I heard you've advanced again in alchemy? You always manage to outpace everyone's expectations."

"Same to you," Robb replied with a smile, pointing at Andrey's eyes. "Looks like your bloodline activation went smoothly too, those vertical pupils are fully formed."

Andrey nodded, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes: "The Crimsonblood Wyvern bloodline is fully integrated with my body now. I can generate and retract scales at will, and even breathe dragonfire for short bursts."

He glanced around and lowered his voice: "If it weren't for the damned rule against duels in our school, I'd love to give a few of those arrogant fools a taste of their own medicine."

Robb chuckled and led Andrey toward the academy's training ground: "Well, while revenge is off the table, I wouldn't mind a little sparring…"

…

At the center of the training ground, the two stood facing each other. The tension rose instantly.

"So? Don't you want to try out your new powers?"

Robb smiled, twirling his ironwood sword in a graceful arc through the air.

Excitement flickered in Andrey's golden pupils as he slowly drew the sword at his waist: "Gladly. Let's see whose bloodline gave the better upgrade."

Before the sentence had finished, Andrey shot forward like an arrow, his blade whistling toward Robb's vital point.

The strike was fast and powerful, a clear result of his enhanced physique after bloodline activation.

Robb remained calm. With a light step and a sidestep, he deflected the powerful blow with precision.

Their blades clashed, emitting a sharp metallic ring and a burst of sparks.

"Good speed," Robb commented, then countered with a slash toward Andrey's shoulder.

Andrey ducked swiftly, then launched himself into a low glide along the ground like a streak of red-gold lightning, stabbing upward from Robb's side.

"Hah!" he shouted, his blade searing with heat.

A glint of sharp focus flashed in Robb's eyes. He shifted his steps and twisted his torso.

Dawn Ring!

His ironwood sword swept in a wide arc, not only deflecting Andrey's stab but also grazing his chest with a light cut.

Robb's swordsmanship flowed like water, precise and elegant, the mark of someone who had truly mastered the fundamentals.

Andrey wasn't about to back down. The Crimsonblood Wyvern within him surged, and a layer of red scales instantly covered his chest, blocking the cut.

He laughed: "Looks like these scales do come in handy!"

Their fight intensified. Sword clashed against sword, each strike ringing through the air like a hammer on an anvil.

Andrey's attacks carried tremendous force, like hammer blows.

But Robb's movements were smooth and calculated, always exploiting the smallest openings with surgical precision.

"Your swordsmanship is a cut above mine," Andrey admitted, breathing heavily.

He bore several shallow cuts, but the scales on his body rapidly regrew, minimizing the damage.

"But in terms of overall power, I might still have the edge!"

With that, he leapt high, thrusting his sword at Robb's throat with blinding speed and a razor-sharp angle.

It was fast. Deadly. Almost impossible to dodge.

Almost.

Robb twisted in midair, his body bending at an impossible angle, and sliced across Andrey's wrist with the ironwood blade.

"Ugh!" Andrey winced, but the wound was quickly sealed by the regenerating scales.

"We're pretty evenly matched in close combat."

Robb smiled and lowered his sword.

"Why don't we try something else?"

Andrey wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded: "Sure. Show me what you've got."

Robb's expression turned sharp. His eyes deepened, like he could see through the world.

Andrey instinctively felt a surge of danger and began to back away, too late.

"Sonic Tremor!"

An invisible wave burst through the air and slammed straight into Andrey's chest.

Even with his scales, the impact sent him flying several meters back, crashing into the wooden fence of the training ground.

"What the hell was that?!"

Andrey scrambled to his feet, stunned. His dragon scales were tough, but this kind of formless energy was hard to block.

But Robb didn't give him time to recover.

He thrust both hands forward, golden-red energy gathering in his palms and quickly forming a ring.

"Radiant Ring!"

The glowing ring streaked outward like a meteor, passing through Andrey.

Instantly, Andrey's eyes burned with pain. The world around him turned into a blur.

At the same time, searing heat crawled over his skin like a raging inferno.

"Damn it!" Andrey cursed, blindly unleashing dragonfire in retaliation.

But with his vision impaired, the flame missed entirely.

A few seconds later, his sight returned, just in time to see Robb standing calmly in place, smiling in victory.

"You really are a freak!"

Andrey said with a wry smile as he propped himself up with his sword.

"There's no way I can beat you with just raw bloodline power."

Robb stepped forward and pulled a pale blue vial from his pouch: "Healing potion. My own formula, about thirty percent more effective than the stuff on the market."

"Thanks."

Andrey accepted the potion and laughed bitterly.

"Looks like I underestimated how far you've come. That ring, what the hell is it? That's no low-tier spell."

"Just a little experiment," Robb answered casually as he watched the potion rapidly heal Andrey's wounds.

"I've been trying to fuse different elements and energy forms to build more efficient spell models."

Andrey shook his head in admiration: "You're a monster, Robb. I thought my progress was impressive, but you're on another level."

Once Andrey's injuries had fully healed, Robb's expression turned serious: "I need to head to Lizard Alley tomorrow morning. There's something important I have to take care of. Will you come with me?"

"Lizard Alley? That place isn't exactly friendly," Andrey replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Exactly why I need backup. Last time we had a few... complications. This time might be the same."

Robb met Andrey's eyes.

"With your current strength, you should be able to handle it."

Andrey didn't hesitate: "Of course. Just say when."

"Noon tomorrow. Meet me at the south gate," Robb said.

"Be ready for combat. Bring your best gear."

Andrey patted the sword at his waist with a confident grin: "You got it. I've been itching for a good fight anyway. See you tomorrow, Robb."