The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 42

The man's face shifted subtly, and with decisive agility, he dodged aside. As he turned, a sword light, twisted like a ribbon of water, lashed out in an instant, aiming straight for Galos' throat with the force of a swinging iron flail. Tricky and fluid, the move drew gasps from the onlookers, who hadn't expected such intensity right from the start.

Before the tip of the blade could reach him, Galos sensed the impending threat, feeling as though the sword's edge was already pressing against his throat. Yet instead of evading, a cold smirk played on his lips, and with a swift clap of his hands that snapped crisply through the air, he caught the long sword firmly between his palms.

"Not good..." the Protégé hurriedly tried to withdraw.

But it was too late....

"Thundervein Valor, stage one, lightning stretch to the heavens!" Galos' hands suddenly erupted with a resounding clang, and intense lightning burst forth like an explosion, blinding light flashing in an instant. With a sizzle, the lightning shattered the long sword, and the electric glare traveled up the blade to strike the man's right hand, flinging him back with a vicious jolt.

The man let out a pained cry. His eyesight and hearing were momentarily lost in the roar; his right arm felt numb, and he stumbled in disarray.

With the swiftness of a shooting arrow, Galos lunged ahead, launching himself into the air. He descended upon the Protégé with a forceful stomp to the chest, as electric lightning gathered and exploded from his feet like relentless, powerful thunderclaps, their echoes reverberating around them. In the blink of an eye, he delivered five kicks, sending the Protégé flying backward to crash to the ground more than ten meters away, utterly defeated.

Two moves to end the fight, swift and decisive, with effortless grace.

"Galos, I love you!" A girl screamed in excitement.

"So powerful! Truly worthy of being an Elite apprentice. His use of magic is as smooth as the flowing clouds, without the slightest hindrance. That is the difference."

"Lightning holds a natural advantage. its blinding flash impacts visibility, and deafening thunder affects hearing. Amplified in power, it is capable of paralyzing and even obliterating the sense of touch. Thus, a solitary lightning strike can potentially deprive three of vital senses."

"Not satisfying enough. Who else will come? It's just a spar, I'll be merciful." Galos stood in the center of the arena, dashing and charming, basking in the cheers and adoration of the crowd. He reveled in the spotlight, and he certainly had the talent for it.

"I will." A twenty-something senior Protégé ascended the stage, carrying a two-meter-long greatsword and striding confidently to the center.

"Broden, haha, excellent!" Galos shrugged his shoulders, facing his opponent head-on. This was a headstrong man, not particularly known for his innate talent but renowned for his formidable combat strength among the ranks of Cobalt Strike Protégés.

"Broden, go get him! Show him what we average Protégés are made of."

"Mad Blade Broden, haha, this will be good."

"Broden has been training at Novice Mage Stage VII for a year now, and it's said he's about to break through to Stage VIII."

"Don't be careless, Galos."

The watching crowd cheered for both competitors, their voices filling the air.

Alavin watched from afar, in no hurry to leave. He admired Galos' 'Thundervein Valor,' a combat magic that he had envied countless times.

Like a tide, shouts rose around the dueling platform as Broden charged at Galos with the ferocity of a tiger. His whole body seemingly generated a fierce gale, and the arena was filled with flying sand and stones, an impressive display of might.

"Wahhh!" Broden bellowed as he leaped into the air and gripped his sword. The wind whirled around the blade as he brought it crashing down towards Galos with a savage force that thrilled the audience into frenzied shouts.

Galos advanced instead of retreating, stomping into the air and spinning his fists to meet the greatsword. His body crackled with lightning that rapidly converged into his fists, forming solid lightning energy fists that shielded his hands.

Alavin's eyes sparkled with recognition. Could one truly condense lightning into energy fists? He had tried many times, hundreds if not thousands, but had never succeeded. It required not just exquisite control but also a special conduit.

Boom! A thunderous collision echoed midair as Galos and Broden both staggered back, each retreating five steps upon landing.

Were they evenly matched?

"Broden, well done, that was splendid!"

"Galos, crush him, crush him!"

The two combatants put on a thrilling fight in the arena, and the surrounding Protégés watched with excitement.

"This is interesting." Galos shrugged his shoulders, laughing as he rushed towards Broden again.

Broden, silent and teeth gritted, charged once more.

Sand flew, thunderous noises resounded, and lightning dazzled as both fighters exchanged blows in wide arcs, battling fiercely in the arena.