Chapter 28: Battle with Marcus, the Power of "Sharp"

Ron looked at Marcus coldly. "Your servant attempted theft. I believe the enforcement team can easily verify that."

"Oh?" Marcus narrowed his eyes.

"Unfortunately, there are only three of us here. By the time the enforcement team arrives, I'm afraid only Dani and I will be able to testify."

As he spoke, a strange gleam appeared in his eyes, and an invisible mental fluctuation began to spread through the corridor.

This was Mental Interference, an ability gained after breaking through to the Apprentice level. It could directly influence the target's thoughts and reactions. This ability was the cornerstone of a Wizard's superiority over other transcendent systems.

In the mortal kingdoms, this form of interference was enough to plunge any powerful Knight into disarray. Only Demon Hunters, who also trained in mental techniques, could resist it.

At the level of a Formal Wizard, such mental fluctuations could outright destroy someone's mind.[Detected Mental Interference (Elementary Apprentice)]

[Mind Judgment activated!]

[Current Spirit: 1.6]

[Judgment Passed!]Ron's mind wavered momentarily but quickly regained clarity.

Gripping his ironwood sword, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Marcus's expression shifted when he saw Ron resisting the mental interference. However, he quickly replaced it with a sinister smile.

"As expected of someone who could kill a distorted creature. Your mental strength is impressive. But…"

A ball of dark red energy began condensing in his palm. It was a zero-ring offensive spell.

"Do you really think a broken ironwood sword is enough to block an Apprentice's power?"

Ron remained calm, the ironwood sword steady in his hand, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

This sword was not the original one—it had been replaced days ago at the Apprentice Market for six shards of magic stone. It was crafted from a rare material known as Blackheart Ironwood.

This tree, found deep in the Black Mist Forest, had wood as hard as refined steel and—most remarkably—a natural trace of magic resistance.

Ron's posture was relaxed yet dangerous. The tip of his sword angled slightly downward, light in motion yet brimming with lethal intent.

"How would you know if it's enough... without trying it yourself?"

A flash of fury passed through Marcus's eyes. His face twisted, ugly and tense.

The dark red energy in his hand condensed further, forming a dense sphere the size of a clenched fist. Arcs of dark light flickered on its surface, releasing a nauseating burnt smell.

"Die!"

With a roar, Marcus launched the energy ball forward.

This was his signature zero-ring spell—Burning Orb—enhanced by his brother's improvements to give it formidable power.

The orb streaked through the air, leaving a dark red trail. Heat distorted the air along its path.

Just before impact, Ron moved.

At that moment, the rhythm of the Corona Breathing Method synchronized flawlessly with his sword technique.

Inhalation gathered sword momentum.

Breath held solidified the momentum.

Exhalation released it like a rushing stream.

His swordsmanship, already at a Proficient level, burst forth with astonishing power.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The energy ball slammed into the blade, erupting in a deafening roar.

Waves of dark red energy exploded outward, scorching the walls around them.

Yet the Blackheart Ironwood sword in Ron's hands remained unmoved.

Its innate magic resistance, coupled with the breathing rhythm of the Corona Swordsmanship, completely neutralized the fiery spell.

Ripples shimmered on the blade's surface. After cutting through the energy ball, it showed no signs of damage.

"This... this is impossible!"

Marcus's eyes widened in disbelief, his cruel smirk collapsing into panic.

He knew exactly how powerful his spell was. Even weapons made from refined steel would be twisted and scorched under its heat.

But Ron's sword remained intact.

Before he could process the shock, Ron had already closed the distance—like a shadow flickering forward.

The ironwood sword sliced through the air in a strange arc. Though the movement seemed effortless, it carried terrifying force.

"Energy Barrier!"

Marcus desperately activated a defensive spell.

A translucent shield materialized in front of him, intricate runes flickering on its surface.

As an Elementary Apprentice, he possessed only a handful of spells and couldn't normally cast this level of shield instantaneously.

But his powerful brother had set up a disposable spell model for him—one that could trigger automatically.

Marcus had barely begun to feel relieved when Ron's sword collided with the barrier.

Despite its unassuming motion, the strike synchronized perfectly with the Corona Breathing Method.

The coordination between breathing and sword momentum imbued his slashes with a unique penetrative quality.["Sharpness" characteristic triggered: Weak point broken!]

[Basic Swordsmanship experience +3]Crack!

Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the shield's surface.

Marcus felt icy fear crawl up his spine and quickly retreated to increase the distance.

His precious Mind Shield—a source of pride—was nearly shattered by a single strike from a candidate Apprentice!

"You... How could you…"

His voice trembled.

As someone used to bullying the weak and avoiding the strong, Marcus had never been humiliated like this at the School. And now, a candidate Apprentice had overpowered him!

Before the tension could escalate, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

"Enforcement team, stop right there!"

A group of enforcers in gray-white uniforms arrived, led by a tall man wearing a dark blue badge. His aura was lazy, but the badge marked him as a High Apprentice.

Yawning, he glanced around casually.

"You lot again?"

The enforcement captain shook his head, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"How many times has it been this month?"

Marcus immediately straightened, a humble smile pasted on his face.

"Captain Peter, sir. This candidate Apprentice attacked my servant unprovoked, and—"

"Shut up." Peter cut him off with a bored expression.

"Oliver is your brother, right? I'm familiar with him. But that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want here."

His gaze swept over the scene, lingering on Dani's severed hand and the blood-stained floor. He sighed.

"My judgment: both of you will be confined for half a month. Cool your heads."

Marcus's face contorted in disbelief. He hadn't expected the captain to disregard his background so completely.

"But—"

"No buts." Peter waved lazily.

"Take them away."

As enforcement officers moved to escort Ron and Marcus, Peter leaned closer to Ron and whispered quietly:

"Holt said to keep an eye out for you. Consider this a favor—for his sake. Just... try not to stir up such chaos next time."

Ron offered a small, respectful nod. He hadn't wanted to cause such a commotion to begin with.

Still, he silently made note of Holt's favor in his heart.

Chapter 28 ends.

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