"It is you.....finally we found you"
I looked at the man in front of me and knew he was the same man who led that ambush.
"I am really thankful for Apollo, if it weren't for the fact he has a list of every believer on each temple, I won't be able to find you"
Inside the underground passage, I saw a group of people that strangely resembled the one who led the attack that day.
"Since we are here, how about we try to reminisce that day"
Blair suddenly came forward, his sword already drawn.
"Let me at least kill the other guys"
"Sure Blair just leave that guy to me"
Ten paladins and five priests stood at the other side of the path. They were trapped since two Apollos blocked the path they were supposed to take while Blair and Mckenzie with the remaining Apollo stood at the opposite end. It was a one-way tunnel so there was no other path to take.
"Apollo, give us a bit of leverage"
"Sure Mckenzie"
The ground was touched by a light when a conquering spell was cast.
"Debuff"
With the power of the spell, a wide range area was covered in a debuffing effect while Apollo and his two friends were protected by a dome of protection.
"I brought their level close to yours so feel free to fight"
"Thanks, Apollo"
McKenzie and Blair came forward before making a fast lunge.
They have fifteen enemies while it was only the two of them. Apollo won't interfere unless they ask so the fight will be decided by Blair and Mckenzie.
The battle starts and Mckenzie takes the strongest paladin, the one that leads a group of traitors against his master's cousin.
"Hello Theon" the boy greeted while his blade was blocked by his opponent.
"Don't get ahead of yourself brat!"
"Really? I wonder? what about the scar on your face, it says a lot "
The boy retorted referring to the paladin's right cheek.
"You!"
Anger by his words he recklessly put more strength on his grip, then he pushed Mckenzie's blade trying to create a chance to put another attack. However, the boy used Theon's pushing force to provide an ample distance between the two of them.
"What? Is that it?"
"You brat!"
An enemy who loses his cool during a match will lose his capacity to hide his intention and think carefully about his next move.
Sparks ignited when two blades collided with each other. Splendidly Mckenzie was able to redirect the attacks while keeping his stance steady. He did this in order to conserve energy since blocking requires a significant amount of energy to execute.
The boy continues his tactic trying to control the flow of the fight but soon after Theon notices this pattern and immediately changes his approach.
A sword bathed with light made its appearance. It was a green dense light that coated the paladin's body and weapon.
Apollo frowned and became worried for a moment.
"An aura," he thought while forcing himself to calm down.
"Finally bringing in the big guns no?"
He was still confident, though Apollo debuffs their stats, their use of Aura won't be affected since this technique requires the wielder's mastery and experience not just attributes.
A violet color light escapes from Mckenzie's body surprising even Apollo.
"He is a violet?"
He moves his sword and swiftly stabs the paladin's heart.
"May you rest in peace" he added letting the man fall to the ground.
"Now I wonder if those three have calmed down, I can't really interfere with their thoughts if they are getting this crazy"
The boy thought while looking at the two priests who were trying to calm their ally.
"Are all of you okay?"
Blair asked, his voice sounding excessively concerned resulting in the two priests glaring at him.
"You bastard!"
"I'll skin you alive!"
They both position themselves to cast a gospel but a voice halted their movements.
"Don't cast"
Then he pointed his temple before continuing "Point your attacks here"
And just like what he said the two priests cast their gospel and attacked their own brains killing themselves in the process.
"Then I am done"
"I am really impressed how those paladins and priests struggle to keep their minds intact"
[Creator it seems like his proficiency over the blessing is quite better now]
"Yes but it still puts too much burden on his mind"
Blair's blessing came from the God of Mystics which has the power of interfering with the thoughts and actions of someone. This blessing relies heavily on mental powers which is why Blair's mind should remain calm during a fight.
Since Blair's fight ended Apollo looked at Mckenzie and saw how he deflected all his opponent's attacks.
Theon will try to feign attacks but Mckenzie doesn't follow how his opponent tried to lead the fight. He would rather retreat than head-on fight an enemy with much higher experience.
"Brat is that all you got!"
Theon tried to provoke Mckenzie but instead of an answer, an aggressive energy hit him.
"What is going on"
"Sorry you see my mana doesn't like you, so instead of talking you should focus on surviving"
He waved his blade and Theon's aura-coated sword intercepted it.
"Argh!"
With Mckenzie's attack, Theon felt his arms go numb from the force.
"How is this possible" he questioned while controlling more ki to his arms, he aimed to push his opponent's sword but unfortunately it wouldn't move.
"Damn debuff!" he cursed if it weren't for that then he could pull off a better technique.
However, he has to endure it to survive.
"I can't believe it, so the main reason Professor Adolfo taught us that technique was to prepare us in case we were to fight someone who can use Aura"
[He must have predicted that one day you and your classmates will meet an opponent like him, an aura user]
"Yes he knows the path we are taking is dangerous, that must be the reason for all those training"
[Must be]
Jeremiah and Apollo talked amongst themselves until Mckenzie landed a solid hit to Theon.
"Argh!" Blood spurted from his shoulder because Mckenzie just cut it.
"That is for sir Justus!"
His voice draws more unpleasant feelings before pinning down his opponent.
"Because of you, he won't be able to hold a sword again!