Book 1 Chapter 320

Gooooo-!

Seeing Leo emitting gray mana, Duran tightened his grip on his sword.

'Three of you… are you going to attack me together?'

Duran's eyes narrowed.

'You want us to prove if we're worthy of standing on the same stage as you?'

It was an incomprehensible statement.

But one thing was certain.

'Are you testing me… and us, Leo Flove?'

Duran had disliked Leo from the moment he enrolled.

It was natural, as Leo, an unknown person, had been chosen as the representative of their year, surpassing all the other talented individuals, including himself.

However, it took only an instant for the person he thought was below him to become the target he had to catch up to.

When he came to his senses, Leo was already far ahead, a receding back that he couldn't catch up to no matter how madly he ran.

His fingers crushed, his arms dislocated.

He swung his sword wildly, again and again.

Despite his incredible growth, there was no sign of catching up.

Stubbornness and determination took over.

He relentlessly devoted himself to training, desperately trying to catch up to Leo Flove without giving up.

Fizzle-!

An unusual golden current flowed from Duran's body.

"Wardens, or Eliza Hergin."

Duran turned to the two with eyes flashing with golden light.

"You two, don't intervene."

Leaving those words behind, Duran stood before Leo.

Fizzle-

An unusual current swirled.

Whoosh-!

Gray aura formed on Leo's sword.

Seeing that, Duran narrowed his eyes.

'Leo Flove, I know you sometimes use a gray aura, not the Zerdinger's Flame aura.'

He recalled Leo using the gray aura several times.

'If Zerdinger's Flame is specialized for attack power… his gray aura is a balanced type, excellent in both offense and defense.'

His swordsmanship is also much more stable when using the gray aura.

Duran knew.

He knew that Leo's statement about attacking them all three was not an empty boast or recklessness.

He knew it was said because Leo was confident.

That's why he disliked the situation even more.

'Your eyes have always bothered me, Leo Flove.'

Golden sparks flew in Duran's eyes.

'Your eyes that look towards a distant place, as if nothing else matters.'

Duran also knew.

Not just Duran, but everyone chasing Leo knew.

They knew that Leo was looking at somewhere far away.

A distant place they couldn't see.

Duran had always achieved everything through his skills since he was young.

Kingdom of Moira.

Though he lived a life of apparent privilege as the prince of a kingdom called the Knight Kingdom, it took strenuous effort to gain the position of Crown Prince.

He had achieved fame befitting his grandfather, the founder of the kingdom.

Although he, as the third prince, had secured the position of Crown Prince, he sought to acquire even more by honing his already formidable skills.

Only the strong were granted such qualification.

That's why Duran acknowledged Leo.

It was somewhat natural for someone strong to not even consider his peers.

However…

'I couldn't help but feel infuriated.'

In such a situation, Leo looked back at them for the first time.

And he proposed to test them.

He didn't know what his intentions were.

However…

'I will not follow your will.'

Even if he were to be utterly crushed in a one-on-one battle right now.

Duran vowed he would never fight as Leo wished.

Leo chuckled at Duran's demeanor.

Crack-!

The moment Duran saw the gray current erupt from Leo's sword, his eyes widened.

"You…"

As Duran's face contorted, Leo lowered his stance.

Flash-!

With incredible speed, Leo charged towards Duran.

Gray sparks adorned the path Leo took as he dashed forward.

Clang-!

Crack-!

Fizzle-!

Golden and gray lightning clashed, destroying their surroundings.

Leo's mana attribute was Purity.

It was the ability to freely manipulate all attributes without specializing in any one.

Clack! Clack!

Their crossed swords contended for power.

Grind-! Dent-!

Duran was pushed back, his feet sinking into the ground.

Tremendous power.

Duran was taller and larger.

However, Leo was the strongest in pure physical strength among the second-year students.

Duran, his face grim, put force into his sword and pushed Leo away.

Fizzle-!

Simultaneously, he summoned a greatsword with his free hand.

WHOOSH-! FZZZT-!

The greatsword, imbued with lightning aura, swung with a murderous aura.

FLASH-!

The sword swung with lightning speed, cleaving the air.

Duran's eyes fell on Leo, who had landed on the greatsword.

'I anticipated it!'

Just as Duran was about to inject aura into the longsword in his other hand, having anticipated Leo's move.

Crack-!

"Ugh?!"

The gray aura extending from Leo's hand momentarily paralyzed Duran's body.

"Kha!"

Duran let out a cry of effort and shook off Leo's gray aura that enveloped his body.

Flash! KABOOOM-!

For a moment, lightning swept through the area around Duran.

Thwack-!

However, Leo, with incredible speed, escaped Duran's aura range.

"Leo… Flove!"

Duran tried to pursue Leo.

But despite Duran's superior lightning power, Leo was faster.

Easily outmaneuvering Duran, Leo charged towards Wardens and Eliza.

"If you won't fight us three together, I'll make you fight us three by force."

Seeing that, Wardens summoned a spirit.

Spirit Armored.

The highest-level spirit art, armoring the body with spirits.

Seeing that, Leo reached out.

A low-level water spirit manifested in Leo's hand.

The same Spirit Armored.

However, Wardens was not flustered.

He didn't believe Leo couldn't do what he could.

Wardens took a stance, swinging his fist as if reloading.

Fizzle-!

Leo's gray lightning, amplified by water, raged even more fiercely.

As Wardens swung his fist, Leo also threw a punch.

CRACK-! KABOOOM-!

Fists met, and the surrounding area was devastated.

Wardens' body, armored with an earth spirit, steadfastly withstood Leo's attack.

Seeing that, Leo raised his sword.

"……!"

The sword was faster than Wardens' grim expression and attempt to retreat.

WHOOSH-!

Leo's sword left a long gash on Wardens' body.

However, it was not a fatal blow.

The powerful defense of Spirit Armored had protected Wardens.

But it was enough to make Wardens retreat.

"Leo Flove!"

By now, Duran had caught up to Leo's back.

Seeing Duran, Leo stomped on the ground.

Fizzle-!

Leo's final destination was Eliza.

Eliza's face hardened, and she raised her spiritual power.

FLASH-!

Instantly, a summoned Wind Wyvern carried Eliza and soared into the sky.

"Hmph."

Leo exhaled lightly and swung his sword at Duran, who was aiming for his back.

By now, Wardens were also aiming for Leo's back.

Flash! KABOOOM-!

Leo's sword emitted a gray flash.

Clang-!

Duran quickly defended his sword.

Crack-!

However, he couldn't block all the attacks and sustained a sword wound.

Duran's face contorted.

'His swordsmanship…!'

It was different from Leo's usual swordsmanship.

Killing intent imbued his sword, making it much sharper.

Duran increased the distance.

Wardens, who had forcibly closed the gap, used his massive body to ram into Leo.

CRASH-!

With a loud noise, Leo was thrown back.

A shock like a giant cannonball hitting him.

CRASH-! PWOOOOSH-!

Leo, sent flying, crashed directly into the water.

Water erupted into the sky.

Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle-

Leo, submerged in the water, narrowed his eyes.

A dolphin caught Leo's eye.

Delphinus.

It was Eliza's familiar, known as the highest-ranked water familiar.

Delphinus began to circle around Leo.

Its speed gradually increased, creating a whirlpool.

WHOOOOOOOOOOSH-!

A waterspout formed.

"If you want to face all three of us at once, prepare yourself! Leo Flove!"

Eliza growled in a fierce voice.

Fizzzzzzzzzz-!

Duran raised his greatsword.

Flash! KABOOOM-!

Lightning struck Duran's sword.

A colossal golden sword the size of the waterspout was formed.

PWOOOOOSH-!

Wardens summoned a water spirit and created a giant spear.

The Wind Wyvern carrying Eliza opened its mouth wide.

A powerful wind breath formed in its mouth.

Flash-!

WHOOSH-!

FLASH-!

The attacks of the three rained down on Leo, trapped in the waterspout.

Seeing that, Leo generated mana.

Flash-!

BOOM-! CRACKLE-!

The swollen waterspout instantly disappeared as if it had exploded.

The lake water fell in a rain-like shower around them.

The lightning aura meant to cut Leo.

The water spear meant to pierce Leo.

The breath of wind meant to blow Leo away.

They vanished as if they had never existed.

Leo wiped the blood from his lips and raised his head.

Seeing that, the three felt a chill run through their bodies.

For a moment, Leo's pupils shone black before returning to red.

***

"What happened?"

"How did he nullify the attack?"

Muffled voices of the spectators could be heard.

The first-year students also wore expressions of bewilderment.

"Wh-what happened? Th-the magic was clear."

Juen said, seemingly at a loss.

Just as they were panicking.

"It's Draconic Magic."

Mel explained with a smile to the first-year magic students.

At that, all the students' eyes widened.

"Draconic Magic?"

"Draconic Magic is magic that can only be used if you understand the Draconic language!"

The students were astonished to hear the term Draconic Magic, a magic unique to dragons.

"Yes. You all know well that it's magic that can be used if you understand the Draconic language."

The problem was that understanding the Draconic language was not easy.

In a way, it was magic as demanding as 'Star Magic.'

While the first-year students wore expressions of shock, Mel gazed at the screen.

'Lord Lisinas' unique magic, Nihil.'

It's a defensive magic that reduces everything to nothing.

'He's really fighting seriously against the second-year students.'

***

'I won't be able to use magic for a while.'

Using Nihil just now overloaded my mana circuits.

'I can handle Duran and Wardens. But…'

Leo's gaze turned to Eliza.

Currently, the most troublesome opponent was Eliza.

No, in a one-against-many battle, a skilled Familiar Summoner like Eliza was the most difficult enemy.

Thanks to powerful summoned beasts, her firepower was comparable to a mage's.

Furthermore, a Familiar Summoner could support the front-line fighters.

Therefore, the biggest threat at this moment was none other than Eliza.

WHOOSH-!

Leo summoned Fiora.

Fiora gracefully perched on Leo's arm.

"Fiora, keep Eliza in check."

"Peep."

FLASH-!

Fiora, who had been flapping her wings gracefully, flew fiercely towards Eliza.

Seeing that, Eliza firmly gripped her whip.

'Without your Phoenix, it would be difficult to face Wardens and Duran, no matter how strong you are?'

Eliza, who had been looking at Leo with narrowed eyes, faltered for a moment.

Whoosh-!

A summoning circle appeared on Leo's palm.

And the moment she recognized the pattern of the summoning circle.

Eliza's eyes filled with shock.

As a Familiar Summoner, she couldn't *not* know that pattern.

The summon that pattern symbolized was…

'A fairy…?!'

For a moment, a noble silver light spread from Leo's palm.

Along with it, a being exuding a noble presence revealed itself.

The fairy, Kirian, appeared.