Chapter 527 528-The Encounter

Chapter 527 Chapter528-The Encounter

"You're quite good, half-elf."

Code 19's voice resonated near Ali's ear, laced with amusement as if a venomous snake were flicking its tongue.

"Among level 3 magi, you're the first to capture my movements. I'm beginning to wonder what your brain is made of, capable of supporting such levels of reaction and deduction."

"When you're dead, I'll open it up and see for myself."

Code 19's voice was gentle, but the cruelty in his words sent shivers down the spine.

Ali, exerting force on her hand, pushed Code 19's shortsword aside and advanced, her eyes fixed on the obscure face beneath the dark cloak, her gaze filled with anger and brilliant gold.

A stroke of gold suddenly appeared amidst the azure mana ripples, causing the entire mana pattern to vibrate at high speed.

Overclocking.

This was a mana technique Ali rarely used, characterized by an outburst of spirit that controlled mana to oscillate intensely, creating a thin but incredibly sharp blade. n0ve(l)bi(n.)co/m

By utilizing the oscillation of mana, even a wooden sword could rival those made of fine steel in sharpness, because it's not the sword itself that cuts, but the mana enveloping the blade's surface.

However, this technique significantly drains mana.

Ali's mana capacity was not outstanding, merely above average.

Using such a technique like overclocking would quickly deplete her mana, leaving her essentially defenseless.

Hum—

This was the sound of the mana blade activating.

A dazzling golden light swept up from the hilt, slicing through the air in an instant, causing an odd distortion at the point where their visions intersected.

This was the air being split by the oscillating mana, dispersing outward then refilling inward under the invisible hand of natural laws, forming a miniature cycle of disruption.

Almost simultaneously with the golden light flashing across Ali's sword, Code 19 withdrew, his form distorting and fluctuating like a phantom.

It seemed as though Code 19 was moving between the gaps in time, effortlessly evading Ali's counterattack with a mere flicker, reappearing some twenty meters away.

With his shortsword angled towards the ground, a light azure mana mist rose around Code 19.

Mana itself is attribute-less, but through a magus's transformation, it can take on various characteristics, forming the foundation of a magus's abilities.

Taking Ali as an example, her mana is compatible with both energy-based and sculpting properties, allowing for rapid shaping and efficient conversion into pure energy for outward radiation.

Hence, Ali's combat style typically involves mid-to-close range hit-and-run tactics, rather than engaging in close-quarters combat or actively maintaining distance.

The former would waste the potential of energy-based properties, while the latter would render sculpting properties useless and provide ranged opponents with opportunities for counterattacks.

In essence, a magus's mana characteristics determine their combat style.

From the previous battle, Code 19 is undoubtedly a pure enhancing magus, with mana traits focused on the augmentation of the body and objects.

This explains why the seemingly rust-covered shortsword in his hand could withstand so many collisions between them.

For a purely enhancing magus, distance is indeed life.

Once the distance is created, they essentially lose the ability to counter, left only with passive defense.

At this thought, Ali raised her sword while her left hand already aimed at Code 19's position, mana coalescing into a fist-sized orb of blue and gold light.

That move had come unexpectedly; Code 19 had not anticipated that Ali possessed a mid-range attack method.

Caught off guard and by the time he reacted, Ali had already launched her attack.

In the final moment, Code 19 only managed to dodge the attack aimed directly at his face, but the rest of his body was not so lucky, and the ribbon of light ultimately struck him.

His shoulder, unable to evade in time, was pierced through.

This was far beyond a mere flesh wound; without prompt treatment, Code 19 might very well lose the use of that arm.

Pain, intense pain, like being torn apart! Code 19 licked his lips, his gaze becoming as ferocious as a wounded beast, baring his teeth in a grimace.

How long had it been since he last sustained an injury?

A month? Two months? Half a year?

It had certainly been a considerable length of time.

With his extraordinary speed, even when facing opponents he could not defeat, he always managed to escape a step ahead.

But today, here, just now, a level 3 magus made him bleed.

Truly, how interesting.

Code 19 raised his hand to touch the wound, a red light flickered, and his body trembled slightly.

Ali caught the scent of burning flesh.

Code 19 used mana to generate high heat, cauterizing the blood vessels near the wound.

This method was crude but effective, though the pain it inflicted was not something just anyone could endure.

Ali took a slight step back, suddenly feeling that her use of Thorn Strike had been a mistake.

She should have followed up with another strike!

"Half-elf, I admit, you are a worthy warrior," Code 19 straightened up, raising his hand to remove the hood from his head, revealing the young face hidden underneath.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, with an exaggerated scar stretching almost across his entire face, from below one eye to the other.

"I will use all my techniques, employ all my tactics, to defeat you thoroughly, to kill you!"

The protective mana on Code 19's shortsword dissipated, but the mana reaction from his body began to escalate, setting off alarms in Ali's instincts like a screaming kettle.

Iridescent cyan and purple mana patterns meandered across Code 19's face, while in the depths of his eyes, a pale blue flame burned quietly.

His muscles writhed, and Code 19's stature stretched upwards, growing half a foot taller in a single breath, breaking past two meters.

His limbs' muscles became more pronounced, the joints and major bone structures deformed, and the nails on his fingertips thickened and mutated, almost turning into the claws of a monster.

With a light clink, Code 19's dagger dropped to the ground.

His hands flexed, claws continuing to evolve.

Though not as glaringly bright as a blade, Ali had no doubt that those seemingly dull claws would unleash astonishing destructive power under Code 19's now tremendous strength.

Ali recognized Code 19's current state.

Mana boiling over, mutating!