Chapter 691: Entrance Guardian

Chapter 691: Entrance Guardian

ENTRANCE GUARDIAN

Species AETHER LION

Class: MAGIC

Health: 100%

Traits:

- BODY 20

- MIND 40

- PERCEPTION 40

- REACTION 40

- MAGIC 40

Skills

- ATTACK

- GUARD

- SPELLCRAFT

- MAGIC SURGE (Species Unique)

Weakness: HEART

The white rectangle appeared in the air. Simultaneously, the magic beam split into smaller threads, each of which twisted, bursting in all directions. At first it seemed like an explosion of thin magical streamers, but soon enough the threads created an outline, an outline of something very massive, and thanks to the rectangle, Dallion didnt need to see the complete form to know what he would be facing.

Move back! Dallion shouted as he split into instances.

Towering above everyone, the creature was the size of a castle. Its claws and teeth were several times larger than any of the five participants.

From the corner of his eye, Dallion saw Cheska start a spell. According to the symbols, it was a protective spell. That meant he had to act before she finished it.

Charging his blade with spark, he did a horizontal line attack at the creature. The shimmering line of destruction flew forward, just in time to avoid the green magic barrier that emerged moments later. Mercilessly, it hit the vast creature and

AVERAGE STRIKE

Damage dealt is increased by 50%

The moment the thread dug into the lion, part of its body transformed into clusters of threads. Tens of thousands of them were snapped without issue, yet the further the strike went, the more strength it lost, until it simply vanished away. The moment that happened, the threads merged together again, recreating the lions body.

So much about spark attacks, Dallion thought. Of course, he could keep on attacking and eventually kill off the guardian through brute force. A spark infused line attack had managed to shave off five percent of the monsters life total. Nineteen more and victory was guaranteed. Of course, that would leave Dallion a bit too vulnerable for the challenges to follow. Besides, that was not the proper way to do things. The test wasnt meant to test advanced hunting techniques, it was meant to test the spellcraft skills of gifted children.

Iksa also crafted a few spells of her own. Dallion expected the standard lightning or fire attack that were so common, but instead, the girl composed a four-circle projectile spell of hardened magic. That definitely wasnt something that had been taught in class. Dallion couldnt recognize half of the symbols that went into creating it.

Does everyone have echo advisors? he asked, focusing on the creatures right eye. Within moments, a targeting marker appeared so as to facilitate anyone with attack spells.

I can kill it, Raven shouted. I just need to strike its heart.

Just that?

Even if it were achievable, which it wasnt, Dallion didnt see what good it would do. Raven had no weapons and even if he could summon one, there wasnt much he could do, not against a creature so big. Even so, Ravens request did present an idea.

Surround the guardian! Dallion turned back around, charging at the aether lions head. Ill keep attracting his attacks. Cheska, Iksa, focus on defensive spells.

If there was a moment when Raven would try to reclaim his authority, this was it. Dallion could see blobs of anger form within the boy like mushrooms after rain. To his surprise, the black-haired didnt say a thing. It was as if he wanted to, but a far wiser echo had told him to follow the instructions.

Another series of symbols appeared on the guardians mane, this time changing his body into fire. While impressive, that wasnt particularly threatening. No one was using standard attacks, and spells had the tendency to work on everything.

A series of defense barriers of magic formed on both sides of the massive creature. Iska and Cheska were doing their job. Also, everyone had resorted to the ever so popular spell haste allowing them to traverse the huge distance and flank the guardian.

Dallion did another point attack. Before it could reach its target, a circle or symbols emerged on the fiery mane, creating a magic shield in front of the aether lions face. A loud clash thundered, pushing the massive monster dozens of feet back. In the grand scheme of things that was hardly anything at all, but from the point of view of those on the ground, it appeared to be a devastating blow.

Nice to see youve picked up on my attacks, Dallion said, using his music skills to fill his words with anger and self-confidence.

In more cases than not, magic had the ability to counteract music, but that was only true when the target was paying attention. If not, mages and magical creatures were just as gullible as everyone else, and Dallion there were no scholar skills in the guardians white rectangle.

Having trouble against a bunch of kids? Dallion kept on taunting. If I were my usual size, Id have sliced you up by now. Even now I could.

A deep growl came from the guardian. The large eyes narrowed, focusing on Dallion as the main irritant. The large orbs of anger that formed within the creature only showed Dallion that he was on the right track. Of course, now that he had attracted its attention, there was the small problem of him having to deal with its response.

Normally, a creature this size would try to squish Dallion or cut him to shreds with its massive claws. In this case, though, it chose something different. The aether lion opened its mouth in a majestic roar, yet along with the sound came the triple spell circle on the verse of completion.

Crap!

Dallion did another series of point attacks in the hope of piercing the magic barrier and disrupting the spell. Unfortunately, he failed.

The symbols of the spell flashed into existence. A tear emerged from the guardians mouth, ripping reality itself as it moved forward. The barrier, nearly all of Dallions instances, even the sky of the realm itself was torn like a sheet of paper.

What the heck was that? Dallion asked.

Thats Moon magic, Harp replied from within his realm.

Moon magic. Up to recently, it existed only as a theoretical concept in an old scroll. Seeing it in practice, Dallion understood why he had been sought after. He didnt have nearly the knowledge to pull that off, but when he did, hed be able to tear realms apart, then stitch them back together again.

Three of his remaining instances looked back. The tear in the sky was still there, as if opening a portal to a realm of glowing magenta. If Dallions reaction trait hadnt been so high, if the instances he was able to create were a bit less, the trial might have ended for him before it started.

Get ready! Dallion shouted, more to his teammates than the guardian.

After what had happened, no one had the luxury to hesitate. It had become clear that the guardian couldnt be defeated through normal means, so the only solution was to give it a taste of its own medicine.

Bursting into instances yet again, Dallion darted to the ground. His aim was to reach the space right between the aether lions front paws.

The guardian must have feared an attack on his side, for his mane cast another magic barrier protecting all the lions head and front torso.

Nice trick! Dallion shouted, gripping the hilt of his harpsisword. Jokes are on you, though! I never planned on attacking you outright!

Spellcraft and attack, he thought.

Everyone! Draw a symbol in front of you! Lets do a combined spell!