NOVEL WEB Chapter 157: Silverleaf Academy (5)
Aestrea's eyes narrowed as he watched the fusion closely.
Without wasting a second, he decided to make the first move.
『 Mixed Ice Series: Frozen Mirage! (✦ 4th-level Spell ✦)』
In the blink of an eye, Aestrea vanished from sight.
The air around him shimmered, and instantly, dozens of frozen figures of him appeared, spreading throughout the arena.
The fusion's eyes darted around, trying to find the real Aestrea.
His gaze swept across the ice figures, but they all looked the same. He was frozen in place, unsure which one was the real one.
Crack!
The sudden sound of ice breaking behind him made his head snap around. He quickly spun, just in time to chant.
『 Earth Series: Falling Rocks! (✦ 4th-level Spell ✦) 』
The ground shook as large chunks of earth and rocks shot up, aimed at the spot where Aestrea had been.
Splash!
But when the dust settled, the figure he'd attacked wasn't Aestrea. It had melted into water, leaving nothing behind but a puddle.
"Damn it!"
SWOOSH!
Aestrea's real form appeared behind the fusion in an instant, his scythe swinging down, creating a wide arc.
CLANG!
The fusion barely managed to block the blow with his double-headed axe, but the force of the strike sent him stumbling backward.
The sound of metal scraping against metal echoed through the arena.
"Close."
Aestrea muttered with a small smile.
The fusion growled, eyes flashing with frustration.
"Not bad, Aestrea," the fusion said, his voice a mix of James and Derek's, still cold but tinged with a growing intensity.
"But you won't get me that easily."
Aestrea chuckled softly, shifting his stance and holding his scythe in front of him like a deadly barrier.
"I'm just getting started."
Before the fusion could react, Aestrea's hand flicked out, and a series of sharp ice shards shot toward the fusion, each one aimed for a different spot.
『 Ice Series: Frost Spikes! (✦ 3rd-level Spell ✦)』
PSSSSHHH!
The spikes flew with a shrill sound, but the fusion quickly swung his axe, shattering the incoming projectiles midair.
The arena shook with the power of his strike.
"Impressive..."
But before the fusion could regroup, Aestrea leaped into the air, his scythe whistling through the air as it slashed downward.
SWOOSH!
The fusion barely avoided the strike, twisting and spinning away.
『 Ice Series: Glacial Dash! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』
But Aestrea was already on the move, closing the distance with another flash of ice.
『 Mixed Ice Series: Ice Lotus Explosion! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦)』
The ground beneath the fusion cracked as a series of ice lotus flowers erupted, their petals sharp as daggers.
The fusion had no choice but to leap backward, narrowly avoiding the deadly explosion of ice.
BOOM!
The explosion left a fog of ice and snow in the air, and when it cleared, the fusion was already in a defensive stance, ready for whatever came next.
"Not bad, but not enough!" the fusion shouted, his double-headed axe raised high.
Then, he quickly chanted a spell.
『 Mixed Earth Series: Earthquake Slam! (✦ Peak 6th-level Spell ✦)』
Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. Cracks split the arena floor, and massive boulders shot upward with terrifying force.
Aestrea's eyes flashed.
Raising his left hand, he quickly summoned a barrier of ice in front of him.
『 Shield Series: Winter's Barrier! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』
The barrier solidified just in time to block the barrage of boulders, each one slamming against the ice with a thunderous CRASH.
The fusion, now visibly strained, lowered his axe.
His body was already starting to show signs of the toll the battle had taken on him.
Aestrea smirked.
"You're running out of time," he taunted.
The fusion snarled, gritting his teeth.
"Not yet. I've still got more to give!"
As he lunged forward, swinging his double-headed axe with all his might, Aestrea's eyes locked onto his every movement.
And just as the fusion's axe came down, Aestrea was gone.
SWOOSH!
In a split second, he appeared behind the fusion, and before he could react, Aestrea's scythe sliced through the air.
"Goodbye."
The scythe's edge glinted as it came down on the fusion's exposed back.
SLASH!
But to Aestrea's surprise, instead of crumpling, the fusion grinned.
"Not so fast."
A massive pulse of energy shot out from the fusion, and the ground beneath them rumbled.
The fusion raised both arms, and a mixture of water and earth swirled around his form, merging together in a violent, churning fusion of elements.
『 Mixed Earth-Water Series: Quicksand Flood! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦)』
CRASH!
The ground cracked, and a flood of thick, muddy water poured forth, sweeping across the arena floor, pulling at Aestrea's feet as it surged.
The water and mud churned with an almost living intensity, the force enough to make Aestrea momentarily lose his footing.
His eyes widened as the fusion's attack continued to grow.
Mud and water coiled around him, their combined power strong enough to overwhelm his own movements.
"What the fuck?" Aestrea muttered, struggling to push himself out of the rushing sludge.
The muddy water rose higher and higher, almost threatening to swallow him whole.
Without hesitation, Aestrea summoned a weak barrier.
『 Ice Series: Ice Barrier! (✦ 1st-level Spell ✦)』
With a flick of his wrist, an ice shield erupted from the ground, spreading out like a thick wall of freezing frost, blocking the water's flow.
The sound of water splashing and freezing echoed in the air as the barrier solidified.
But the fusion wasn't done.
With another swing of his fused form's double-headed axe, he slammed it down into the earth.
『 Mixed Earth-Water Series: Mud Torrent! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦)』
Suddenly, the ground beneath Aestrea's ice barrier split open, and an enormous torrent of mud and water blasted from the split, pushing against his ice shield with terrifying pressure.
The mud, thick and heavy, started to crack through the ice layer, bit by bit.
Aestrea's eyes sharpened.
"I see..." he muttered to himself, his gaze flicking back and forth.
"You're combining two elements... It's the first time someone used this against me."
He gritted his teeth and spun, his scythe cutting the air with a vicious swoosh.
『 Ice Series: Glacial Dash! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』
Aestrea propelled himself through the icy mist he had created, sliding toward the fusion, his figure disappearing into the chaos.
Before the fusion could react, Aestrea was right in front of him, his scythe raised high.
SLASH!
CLANG!
The fusion swung his double-headed axe, meeting Aestrea's strike head-on, the sound of metal scraping against metal echoing in the arena.
CLANG!
The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the air, making the ground tremble beneath them.
Aestrea twisted his scythe, knocking the fusion's axe off course, and delivered a quick, brutal strike to the fusion's side.
But instead of faltering, the fusion grinned wildly.
"This is far from over, Aestrea," he snarled.
The fusion pulled back and swung his axe in a wide arc, while the water swirling around him suddenly froze into sharp ice crystals.
With a massive roar, the fusion sent a barrage of ice spikes shooting directly at Aestrea.
"Dammit..." Aestrea cursed, quickly raising his scythe in a defensive stance.
『 Ice Series: Ice Wall! (✦ 3rd-level Spell ✦)』
The wall of ice shot up just in time, deflecting the barrage of ice spikes, but the fusion wasn't done yet.
As the wall of ice began to crack, the fusion reached down, slamming his hands to the ground.
The earth trembled violently.
『 Mixed Earth-Water Series: Glacier Surge! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦)』
Suddenly, massive chunks of ice erupted from the ground, forming huge pillars that shot toward Aestrea like massive spears.
At the same time, torrents of water spiraled up, crashing against the ice like waves against rocks.
Without wasting time, Aestrea took a deep breath, and in a split second, his body shimmered as he activated another spell.
『 Frost Reversal (✦ Counter Technique ✦)』
Time seemed to freeze for a brief moment as the surrounding air dropped in temperature, and Aestrea's figure was cloaked in a layer of frost.
The ice pillars and torrents of water stopped in mid-air, frozen solid by the overwhelming cold.
The fusion's eyes widened in shock.
"What—?!"
Aestrea's form reappeared in front of the fusion in an instant, his scythe glowing with an icy blue hue.
With a mighty slash, he broke through the frozen earth and water, sending shards of ice flying as the fusion barely managed to raise his axe in time to block.
CLANG!
The impact of the blow sent both fighters sliding backward, but Aestrea immediately regained his footing, looking down on the fusion.
"Is that all?"
The fusion, breathing heavily, narrowed his eyes.
"You'll regret underestimating us, Aestrea."
With a deep breath, the fusion raised his arms, and the ground trembled beneath him as he summoned the last of his power.
『 Mixed Earth-Water Series: Cataclysmic Surge! (✯ 7th-level Spell ✯)』
A massive wave of earth and water combined, forming a colossal pillar that shot high into the air, crashing down like a falling mountain, ready to obliterate everything in its path.
The water and earth spiraled together, crackling with energy as the fusion called upon the raw power of his combined elements.
"GO!"
The fusion shouted, slamming his hands down.
The entire arena shook as the pillar of earth and water roared toward Aestrea with deadly intent.
The sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the air, the ground cracking under the pressure.
Aestrea's eyes narrowed.
He wasn't going to dodge it—this time, he'd meet it head-on.
The silver aura crackling around his body diminished, and it slowly turned into a lavender colored one.
Now, Aestrea was using both his mana and aura.
In an instant, Aestrea's body started shimmering as he gathered both mana and aura in the tip of his fingertips.
He slowly flicked his fingers, and a small, icy blue ball of energy appeared at his fingertips.
『 Frost Explosion! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』
Snap!
With a snap of his fingers, the ball shot forward, glowing brightly.
The fusion's eyes widened as the ball of energy hurtled toward his strongest attack, and before he could react, it exploded with a deafening BOOM!
KABOOM!
The shockwave ripped through the arena, a blinding flash of silver-blue light expanding outward.
The fusion was thrown backward, his body flung across the arena like a ragdoll, the force of the explosion splitting the ground apart as ice and water mixed, sending chunks of earth flying.
The fusion's body came crashing down, the earth beneath him now littered with ice shards and broken rock.
He struggled to push himself up, but the damage was too much. His body was covered in frost, the power of Aestrea's explosion leaving him unable to move.
"Mhn... not bad at all."
Aestrea cracked his neck as a thin trail of smoke rose from his fingertips.
And finally...
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena as the crowd erupted into cheers and gasps.
"THE WINNER OF THIS DUEL... IS AESTREA MOON, OUR DEAR NUMBER ONE STUDENT!"
The crowd went wild.
Cheers and shouts filled the air as Aestrea's name was shouted from all corners of the arena.
Derek and James, their bodies now fully separated, lay in the center of the arena, defeated but still breathing.
They were alive, but their strength had been overwhelmed by Aestrea's overwhelming power.
They exchanged a weak glance, each silently acknowledging that they had given it their all, but Aestrea was simply too strong.
Then, Aestrea walked over to the twins.
Derek, still lying on his back, let out a soft chuckle, wincing as he moved.
"Guess... we gave it everything we had."
James groaned, pushing himself up on his elbows, trying to gather enough strength to stand.
"You weren't... kidding about being too strong..."
Aestrea crouched down beside them, his expression softening slightly as he reached out to help Derek to his feet.
"You guys really gave me a challenge," Aestrea said, offering a small smile.
"That fusion technique of yours... impressive."
Derek managed a tired grin.
"Who are you trying to fool?! You only started using REAL magic after we fused!"
Aestrea only chuckled at his words.
Then, he turned his attention to James, who was slowly getting up, his face scrunched in pain but determined to stand tall.
With a gentle push, Aestrea helped James to his feet as well, steadying him with a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You alright?" Aestrea asked in concern.
James nodded, though his breath was still heavy.
"I'm fine... just... not used to being on the receiving end of your power."
The twins shared a tired but appreciative look, and then Derek spoke again.
"You're a beast, Aestrea. But... thanks for going easy on us. Guess we learned a thing or two."
Aestrea gave them a wry smile, nodding.
"Don't worry about it. You two pushed me harder than I expected. That's what makes this fun."
The crowd's cheers continued in the background, but for a moment, it was just the three of them, standing in the middle of the arena.
"Alright! Since you two lost, you both have to buy me a meal." Aestrea declared with a small grin.
Derek's mouth twitched slightly at his words while James let out a faint smile with a sigh.
"Yeah... the losers have to listen to the winners..." Derek said, furrowing his eyebrows with a tired expression.
Aestrea laughed once more at their responses.
"Let's go."