Chapter 38 Ch. 38: Is This... A Test? [4]



—Boom!

The bandit's body crashed to the floor, billowing dust and debris into the air.

Seizing this opportunity, Adrian conjured a massive cube of earth and sent it hurtling toward the fallen man.

Just when the block was about to land, four giant earth pillars emerged from the ground, suspending it in mid-air.

Although the columns were slowly being crushed, they managed to buy the man time.

And in a split second before the giant cube slammed onto the ground, the man rolled sideways, succeeding to escape.

—Boom!

A gust of wind unleashed, swirling dirt all over the direction.

Nevertheless, the bandit's relief was short-lived.

Just right after he narrowly escaped death—amidst the mist of dust, a shadow loomed over him and forced him to spring into action.

—Stab!

A spear stabbed his previous spot.

The wheat-haired boy soon twirled his spear vertically and the bandit executed a backflip to dodge.

"Tsk."

The man clicked his tongue in annoyance while hovering in the air.

Facing the black-robed kid alone was already difficult enough, but with his friend now joining the fray, the battle had become even more arduous.

·ƈθm Darting sideways, his obsidian eyes bulged at the sight of a wind bullet rushing toward him.

—Boom!

The explosion's deafening roar echoed and a violent blast of wind swept through the surrounding area. 

The bandit's body flung and hit the ground with a loud thud.

As the man was lying on the floor unmoving, Péréz dashed and tightened his grip on the shaft.

The moment the gap came nearer, the boy jumped up and lifted his weapon.

Unexpectedly, an earth spear shot up, aiming at his heart; causing Péréz to widen his eyes.

He realized that it was too late for him to evade.

—Boom!

The earth palisade in front of him exploded; struck by a wind bullet, and sent Péréz rolling on the ground several times due to the impact.

Sensing a condensed mana beneath him, Péréz hastily rose and leaped up.

—Thrust!

A similar earth spike emerged from his previous foothold. 

Directly after his feet touched the soil, Péréz immediately bounced once more as the magic continued to pop out and distanced him from the man.

—Thrust! —Thrust! —Thrust!

Only after he landed next to Adrian, did the magic stop and the bandit could be seen struggling to get up in the faraway.

"Are you okay?"

Adrian asked Péréz without removing his eyes from the man.

"Better than impaled by an earth spear."

"Good."

Regained his footing and stood upright, the man's body riddled with numerous cuts and wounds that poured blood.

"Haa… haa…"

His feral eyes watched the children with a menacing glare whilst gasping for air.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, his vision began to haze and his stomach churned, making him stagger.

"Cough, cough!"

The bandit threw up a mouthful of blood before spatting the remaining blood to the side.

'Damn it.'

He couldn't help but curse inside.

Just who the hell were those kids?

And how come the black-robed boy did not show any sign of Mana Exhaustion like him?

Not only surpassed him in Magic Power but also Mana Pool, huh?

"Haa… Haa…"

Regardless, it seemed he had to finish this battle as soon as possible.

"What now?"

Péréz asked.

"Let's do it like earlier. You engage him in combat and I will cover you from behind. His mana is running low, so he won't be able to cast any powerful spells for a while. Just be careful not to get hit directly."

"Understood."

With that, Péréz swung his weapon and began to charge forward once again.

He chanted a spell inwardly and shortly his spear points were covered in flames.

The moment the space between them shrank, Péréz hopped and waved his weapon; fiery embers mirrored his movement.

—Bang!

Their blades clashed and Péréz could feel a slight numbness in his hands, but it was bearable.

Well, it looked like their strength ranks were not too far apart.

Recovering their weapons, they launched another strike.

—Bang!

The man parried it and unthinkably, the boy rotated his spear; compelling him to deflect Péréz's incoming attack on his left side.

—Bang!

Their weapon collided and just like before, Péréz speedily brought forth his spear point to his right flank.

—Bang!

With that, Péréz relentlessly engaged him in battle.

—Bang! —Bang! —Bang!

The bandit clenched his teeth in frustration, he was desperately trying to fend off Péréz's continuous attacks.

Blood dripped from his skin and splattered on the ground as the spear point continued to graze his flesh from both sides.

Not only his Mana, but his stamina was also running low.

"HAA!!"

With a sudden burst of strength, he thwarted the spear downward and immediately stepped on it, halting the boy's attack.

Unfazed, Péréz quickly bent his shaft and released it. 

—Whack!

"Argh!"

The man groaned in agony after the shaft struck him squarely in the face.

He stumbled backward, blood pouring from his nose.

When the man's foot left his spear, Péréz swiftly seized the shaft and propelled himself into the air, delivering a powerful kick to the man's chest.

"Ugh!"

Blood jumped out of the bandit's mouth and he wobbled backward.

Unfortunately, just a moment after he regained his footing, his body was thrown sideways, slammed by a wind bullet.

—Boom!

The man's body flailed uncontrollably, blood splashed everywhere as he crashed into various pieces of debris before coming to a complete stop, motionless.

Despite this, Adrian didn't stop shooting; he mercilessly continued to fire at the bandit.

—Boom! —Boom! —Boom!

The ground erupted in a series of explosions, each sending rubbles and clouds of dust to the surroundings.

"Ian, stop! This is just a test!"

Adrian glanced at the voice and Péréz was seen running toward him, his face contorted with anger.

"Tsk."

Clucking his tongue in annoyance, Adrian dismissed the Magic Circle in front of him.

"What are you doing?! You could have killed him!"

Deafening his ears, he shrugged insouciantly.

He could have killed him? 

What bullshit was that?

That man had a high Magical Defense and Physical Defense, he wouldn't die so easily.

Péréz opened his mouth to protest again, but Adrian cut him off; he wasn't interested in listening to a child grumble.

"Let's go check on him."