Ch.143Chapter 143: The Decisive Battle in the East (11).

Facing Balt’s magic that struck down with a spinning motion, Hains deployed his decisive technique, but it was insufficient to block Balt’s magic which had gained additional acceleration from gravity.

Of course, a Master’s techniques possess tremendous power, but techniques that strike down over such a large area like magic are rarely used or developed, even with one’s aura capacity, due to their impracticality.

Aura is refined within the body. Using a technique that would drain you completely after a single use is worse than not using it at all.

“ARGHHHH!!”

Hains’ counter-attack engulfed Balt’s drill hammer, but Balt’s intensely rotating magic began to tear through Hains’ decisive technique.

CRASH!

“Ugh! This, this is impossible!!”

Isn’t magic something that defies common sense?

Hains couldn’t comprehend the current situation.

No matter how powerful magic might be, this was cast by a barbarian mage who hadn’t even reached Arch Mage status.

Yet a Master couldn’t block such magic—it felt like a dream.

His kingdom, Inotel, had no Arch Mages.

Even the highest-ranking royal magician was only at the 7th circle. Inotel Kingdom concentrated its power in knights and military might.

Perhaps because of this atmosphere, knights in Inotel tended to look down on mages.

“Useless people who can’t do much without others’ help.”

That was the perception of mages held by the people of Inotel Kingdom.

While magic could indeed be powerful in various situations, the deeply rooted belief was that knights ultimately dominated the battlefield.

Delfon Hains, the eldest son of the Hains family, was born into the most renowned knightly house among Inotel’s nobility.

With overflowing talent and the perfect environment, Delfon grew stronger at a terrifying pace, showcasing his insane talent by reaching Master status at just 35 years of age.

His only goal was to surpass Master and become a Grand Master, and for that purpose, he believed his only worthy opponents were knights and warriors, not mages.

But now, that belief was crumbling.

The overwhelming pressure of magic bearing down on him.

A single strike of tremendous power, difficult to create even with aura.

Just as his decisive technique was being torn apart, something inside Delfon’s heart was also being shredded.

CRASH!!

However, he couldn’t lose his life in such a duel.

Though it wounded his pride, he had a duty and responsibility to uphold Inotel Kingdom’s reputation.

In the end, despite claiming he would accept any first attack, Delfon used his decisive technique to defend against Balt’s magic, but even that failed, forcing him to hastily escape from the impact point of Balt’s magic.

A spectacular sight unfolded—a Master gasping for breath and dodging a blow from a mere 5th circle mage.

This would have been impossible if Delfon weren’t a Master.

At the moment his decisive technique was torn apart, Delfon poured his remaining strength to push it outward, and in that brief instant when Balt’s magic hesitated, he pulled his body away.

BOOM!

CRACK!

CRACKLE!

RUMBLE!

RRRUMBLE!!

CRACK!

THUD!

Being all skilled practitioners, everyone present knew that Delfon had dodged Balt’s magic just before taking a direct hit.

Had he fought without his initial arrogance, it would have been impossible for Balt to easily defeat Delfon, given his skill level.

So while they knew he wouldn’t die, such a humiliating defeat was unexpected.

The onlookers began to wonder if they could have blocked that technique themselves, and this question prevented anyone from laughing.

Except for one person.

“Pfft! HAHAHAHAHA! What is this?! That’s incredible!!? Delfon looks so ridiculous!? HAHAHAHAHA! This unbelievable power!! Whew~ I definitely couldn’t block that head-on either!”

It was the frivolous red-haired man who had first spoken to Balt.

The man had been watching the clash between Balt and Delfon with sparkling eyes, and as soon as the result was clear, he burst into hearty laughter.

A comrade standing nearby said to the red-haired man:

“Hey, Alex. Our comrade just got beaten, what’s so funny?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? That Gerungtu mage is our comrade too, isn’t he? What’s wrong with laughing a bit watching comrades duel? Don’t be so stingy.”

Whoosh—

Meanwhile, the aftermath of Balt’s magic began to settle, and the dust started to clear.

Delfon was coughing up blood due to the sudden surge of aura he had drawn up to avoid the magic, which had backflowed.

“Ugh, cough! HACK, ptooey!!”

Balt walked steadily toward Delfon.

Thud—

Thud—

Thud—

The earth resonated with each step Balt took.

The dust spread widely as if guiding Balt to Delfon, creating a majestic scene like the descent of an earth deity.

“Oh? The finishing blow? The match seems decided already. Hey, you know Gerungtu have no middle ground in duels, right?”

“Then, we should stop him!”

While these strange words were being exchanged, Balt extended his hand to Delfon.

“Are you alright?”

Delfon looked at Balt’s thick hand with round eyes, alternating his gaze between Balt’s hand and face.

“You’re truly impressive. That was the strongest anti-personnel magic I can use, yet you managed to dodge it. For reference, I could easily take down an Orc Lord with that magic.”

Balt’s shocking statement.

An Orc Lord is a monster that even a Master can’t guarantee victory against in a one-on-one fight.

Balt had just acknowledged Delfon as a being far stronger than an Orc Lord.

“Cough, is, is that true? A mage taking down an Orc Lord in one shot?”

“If you have ears, you must have heard. I’m the one who took down two Orc Lords from the supply route detachment.”

Fortunately, Delfon and others present knew about this story.

The tale of Princess Grace of Oscar Kingdom using external help to deal with an Orc detachment.

However, they didn’t know exactly what this “external help” was.

“So, that was…”

“Yes, I split their heads open with my magic.”

Delfon grabbed Balt’s hand firmly as Balt smiled slightly.

“Damn, the ancient sages were right about not overextending oneself. I’ve made quite a fool of myself.”

“Did you not hear what I just said? You’re already stronger than an Orc Lord.”

It was a somewhat comical situation.

A 5th circle mage evaluating an 8th tier Aura Master—an absurd scenario.

But if the rumors about him taking down two Orc Lords single-handedly were true, this situation was understandable.

Then Balt took something out from his spatial pouch.

“Drinking this will help with your recovery.”

It was a recovery potion, one of the various items Lamrfo had prepared for Balt.

Naturally, only top-grade items with excellent effects had been given to Balt.

Balt handed it to Delfon without hesitation.

“I’m, I’m speechless. Your chivalry is perfect. I admit defeat. I welcome your transfer.”

Moved by Balt’s attitude of respecting the defeated despite being the victor, Delfon shrugged and acknowledged Balt.

Delfon took a deep breath and shouted loud enough for everyone to hear:

“I, Delfon Hains, officially acknowledge Balt Gerungtu! Anyone who has a problem with this will have to deal with me first!”

After being slightly coaxed, Delfon took the initiative to advocate for Balt.

Knights are so easy to handle.

Pat pat—

“It was a good match. I learned a lot too.”

Delfon, who had just shouted loudly, cleared his throat and made an incredulous expression.

“Huh? After such an incredible attack? What did you learn? I only remember getting beaten.”

“Hehe, I clearly memorized how aura users break through magic.”

“Hmm… so that’s how it works. A mage who hunts knights… You must be strong in close combat too, right?”

Balt showed his still-equipped magic gauntlets and threw a punch into empty space.

BOOM!

Magic extended from Balt’s fist, striking the empty space and clearing away all the surrounding dust.

Showing magic that activated simply by extending his fist, without incantation or calculation, Balt grinned at Delfon and said:

“Close combat is actually my specialty. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m a Gerungtu.”

Though it was just a simple Wind Fist, Delfon knew very well the power of the magic Balt had just unleashed.

After looking at Balt with an incredulous expression, Delfon finally relaxed and laughed heartily.

This Gerungtu was the real deal. He hadn’t lost because of his own arrogance; he had simply been defeated by someone stronger than himself.

This was a very important matter for knights, so Delfon’s heart felt much lighter.

“Ha, haha! HAHAHA. That’s right! You’re a Gerungtu! I must have lost my mind to suggest a Gerungtu would be weak in close combat! HAHAHA! Impressive! A mage who beats down knights!”

Balt’s attitude toward Delfon became a significant performance that helped the unit members accept Balt.

With just one spell, he had naturally integrated into the unit.