Chapter 114: Chapter 97: Intense Duel_1

“Here I come!!!”

Confronted with the Ice Dragon in front of him, Duanmu Huai let out a ferocious roar, accompanied by the emergence of several puppets out of thin air, which surged towards the Ice Dragon!

“ROAAAARRR-!!!”

The tiny puppets were certainly not a threat to the Ice Dragon. With a roar, it swung its tail violently, the next second shattering into pieces all the puppets summoned by Duanmu Huai.

However, this was within Duanmu Huai’s expectations. The summoning of the puppets was not aimed at killing the enemy, but to trigger a special effect!

Suddenly summoning [Mobile Armor]!

In a flash, Duanmu Huai’s body was clad in a mechanized heavy armor that radiated a rainbow-colored glow whilst he gripped his War Hammer tightly, charging towards the Ice Dragon. Simultaneously, several small knives appeared behind him, flying towards the Ice Dragon.

Activating magic [Knife Play Magic (1): Inflict 1 point of damage to an enemy unit]!

For the Ice Dragon, these small knives weren’t a threat at all. It didn’t even bother to dodge and allowed these knives to hit its body. The Ice Dragon lifted its claws to take a swing at Duanmu Huai. However, at that moment, Duanmu Huai raised his right hand.

Activate–Gravity Gloves!

“———!!!”

The next moment, the right claw of the Ice Dragon, mid-swing, changed its direction abruptly, lifting high up, as though bound by invisible chains. The Ice Dragon was surprised to see its claw not obeying its command and looked at it in disbelief.

In reality, all Duanmu Huai had done was change the direction of the gravity that weighed down the Ice Dragon’s right hand. Even though the dragon was huge and the Gravity Gloves couldn’t completely take effect, they did work if limited to certain parts of the body.

With a surprise maneuver, Duanmu Huai deflected the Ice Dragon’s attack and leaped high, wielding his Thunder Warhammer and slamming it hard onto the Ice Dragon’s head!

“Boom!!”

With a flash of lightning, Duanmu Huai’s Giant Hammer slammed heavily onto the Ice Dragon’s head, instantly cracking its tough skull. The Ice Dragon roared angerly, its tail lashing out, hitting Duanmu Huai directly and hurling him away. Then it raised its head high, took a deep breath and faced Duanmu Huai.

“———-!!!”

A chilling bluish breath howled out directly following the retreating Duanmu Huai and engulfing him.

“Sir Knight!!!”

Seeing this, Lorena screamed out in terror, gripping her hands tightly. Everyone else also watched the battlefield in grave silence. At that moment, a sudden purple ray of light streaked past the frosty breath, striking the Ice Dragon’s body and abruptly halting its attack.

After the frosty breath dissipated, the crowd saw Duanmu Huai standing on the ground, unscathed, with a purple glow gently falling around him, as if the Ice Dragon’s breath hadn’t caused him any damage.

[Counter magic (2): Randomly inflicts 3 points of damage on an enemy unit and makes the damage inflicted on the attacking unit ‘zero’ for the next attack]

“The knight seems to be quite strong.”

Watching this, Ann also couldn’t help but nod with admiration. Although Ann was just a rookie in the field of adventure, she was still considered as one of the most powerful mages in the Kingdom of Manaria, so her experience and knowledge in magical combat were unmatched. Thus, she naturally recognized the strategical thinking behind Duanmu Huai’s spells.

Most mages were simply bombardment units, but Duanmu Huai was different. His primary mode of attack was close combat, with magic serving only as a support. Thus, every time he used magic, it was essentially between gaps when he couldn’t attack the enemy himself. The primary function was not to annihilate the enemy, but rather to restrain the enemy’s attacks. After all, for fighters like Duanmu Huai, once the enemy begins to create distance, they would clearly be at a disadvantage. To prevent being kited before close combat, Duanmu Huai would use this method to distract the enemy.

He didn’t seek to cause heavy damage, just to cause some disruption, preventing the enemy from kiting him. Once he was able to approach the enemy, he would then attack at will.

This particularly smooth style of fighting found was visually pleasing to Ann, as she was not proficient at close combat. These combat techniques were useless to her, but seeing Duanmu Huai maximize the use of magic, made Ann feel very emotional.

It is important to note that even in Manaria College, many students can’t achieve this.

However…….

“Mr. Knight is capable of casting spells directly without any incantations, which is quite surprising.”

Greiya also looked at Duanmu Huai with surprise and uttered softly. Although she could do something similar, it seemed more like a natural ability of her dragon race. On many occasions, when Ann was casting spells, incantations were required. After all, what Manaria had taught were mostly conventional magic-users who spent most of their time in battle chanting spells under protection. As for anomalies like Duanmu Huai…. there probably only one.

“It seems he uses an unusual method to store his magic in advance, and then releases it at the right moment.”

Ann was indeed the first genius mage of Manaria. While the battle between Duanmu Huai and the Ice Dragon lasted just a moment, she had already thoroughly understood Duanmu Huai’s method, her eyes gleaming.

“This technique is really great, I want to try it too…!”

While the two were talking, Duanmu Huai had already regrouped and rushed towards the Ice Dragon. The latter also realized Duanmu Huai’s plan. Swiftly, a frosty wind started to howl, and numerous hard blocks of ice rose from the ground. At the same time, Duanmu Huai reached out his hand and swung it forward.

“Boom!!!”

Immediately, a series of burning flames erupted on the body of the Ice Dragon, interrupting its next action.

[Fiery Explosion (2): Inflicts 3 points of damage]

But it’s far from over!!

Bursting through the shattered ice wall, Duanmu Huai raises his war hammer high while a fiery red glow of magic power radiates from him!

[Inferno Bomb (5-5): Inflicts 6 points of damage on one servant]

“Break!!!”

With a roar, the war hammer in Duanmu Huai’s hand smashes directly onto the body of the Ice Dragon, and at the same time, the prepared magic bursts forth.

The[Inferno Bomb]is one of the most powerful attack magics Duanmu Huai has learned thus far. It initially requires 500 spiritual energy, even holding up against the consumption of Ogis and Lorena. However, with the blessing of [Mana Amplification], through the several low-level magics Duanmu Huai used previously, he has successfully reduced the consumption of [Inferno Bomb]to zero!

This is the terrifying aspect of [Mana Amplification], pile up a bunch of advanced magics, and then blast them all out at once!!

“Boom! Boom!! Boom!!!”

The intense explosion covers the entire high tower, even the floor shatters under the impact, and the Ice Dragon formed by ice blocks, also crumbles under the relentless bombardment of Duanmu Huai, its huge body torn apart under the intense shockwave, the giant dragon is completely blasted open.

Within the spreading mist, Duanmu Huai sees Felin again, currently wielding the battle axe, swinging towards himself!

Of course, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t be polite in response. He repels Felin’s attack head-on, charging straight at her!

“Bang!!”

With Felin’s axe swipe, the [Mobile Armor]on Duanmu Huai’s body directly shatters, but Duanmu Huai doesn’t mind, in fact, this is why he summoned the[Mobile Armor]- the [Mobile Armor]with the feature of [Guardian] gives Duanmu Huai an extra life. He can hard tank the opponent’s attack, then strike directly!

Accompanied by the shattering of the [Mobile Armor], Duanmu Huai in the Power Armor charges into Felin like a bull, directly sending her flying away. Then, Duanmu Huai raises his war hammer high, leaps up and strikes hard at Felin!!

The Thunder Warhammer, gleaming with lightning, traces an arc through the air, then…… smashes heavily into the ground next to Felin’s head.

“Okay, it’s decided, Miss Felin.”

Duanmu Huai takes a breath, looking at the Dragonkin girl lying in front of him.

“That should be enough.”

“………”

However, in response to Duanmu Huai’s question, Felin just gazes at him blankly, then slowly opens her mouth.

“Why…… didn’t you kill me?”

“……Why should I kill you??”

Hearing Felin’s question, Duanmu Huai frowns. He did indeed notice that Felin had lost her will to fight, showing no resistance, but he doesn’t have a reason to kill her, right?

Could it be that the seal can only be lifted if he kills her?

That would be a problem……

“So, what can I do if I’m alive?”

Felin looks at Duanmu Huai blankly, confusion and doubt appearing in her eyes.

“I want to fulfill my mission, but if I don’t have a mission, what should I do? I don’t understand…… I’m just afraid…… afraid of not knowing where to go after gaining freedom ……”

“Such things, wouldn’t it be better to think about them later?”

Hearing Felin’s words, Duanmu Huai snorts coldly, then grabs Felin’s neck, lifting the Dragonkin girl straight up.

“Listen, miss, don’t think about those things now. What you want to do in the future can be decided later. Look at me!”

As he says that, Duanmu Huai removes his helmet, staring at Felin. And seeing Duanmu Huai’s face, Felin’s previously expressionless face stiffens.

“See, I look like this, and I’m still alive and well. A cute and beautiful girl like you wants to seek death now? That’s too early! If you don’t know what to do, wait until we destroy the evil dragon after the demonic dragons, and then you simply go with us to defeat the evil dragon! If you still don’t know what to do in the future, follow us on our adventures until you do! Understand?”

“………”

Whether it was Duanmu Huai’s face or his tone that frightened her, Felin was stunned for a while before slowly nodding.

“…… I understand……”