Chapter 57: Chapter 57: System's Confrontation

Lucien's gaze swept over Estin and Mordred's forms, noting the telltale bulk beneath their robes. "And wearing level 5 armor, no less. I'm almost flattered by the precautions."

Estin snarled, "Enough talk! Take him down!"

Without wasting a second, Lucien summoned a water ball that hit the ceiling. He took advantage of its moisture and that generated by his familiar to create a dense fog that quickly began to fill the room.

Mordred's eyes widened. "Now!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the commotion.

In an instant, four large frogs materialized around the room, each summoned by a different Summoner. Only Kairos's familiar remained small, the salamander on his shoulder hissing in anticipation.

Lucien's eyes scanned the room, assessing the situation. Five against one. The odds were overwhelmingly against him, but a small smile played on his lips.

"Attack!" Mordred roared, his voice barely audible through the thick mist.

The room erupted into a frenzy of magical attacks. But Lucien was ready.

With a grace that belied his imposing stature, Lucien danced between the attacks. His movements were fluid, economical, each step calculated to bring him closer to his opponents while using their own attacks against them.

Just as the mist covered all the room, a jet of water from Estin's frog narrowly missed Lucien, instead striking Lotar.

Lotar: 140 - 14 = 126

Lucien moved like a shadow through the mist, his mana sword glowing faintly. The fog gave him a chance to level the playing field.

Suddenly, a rain of ice projectiles emerged from the fog, heading towards him from multiple directions. It seemed impossible to dodge them all.

With a fluid motion, Lucien's mana sword seemed to come to life. The blade cut through the air at dizzying speed, deflecting the ice projectiles with millimetric precision. The fragments fell harmlessly at his feet, melting instantly.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Lucien counterattacked. Concentrating, he created two fireballs and launched them in different directions. The cries of pain that followed confirmed they had hit their mark.

Mordred: 140 - 14 = 126

Estin: 140 - 14 = 126

But Lucien's advantage didn't last long. Varen, the most astute in combat of the five, shouted, "The mist! Dispel it!"

But Mordred's attack was just a distraction. Taking advantage of Lucien's focus on defending himself, Varen and Estin launched a coordinated attack.

Two powerful ice attacks converged on Lucien from opposite directions. Caught in the middle of his defense against Mordred's attack, Lucien couldn't dodge completely.

The attacks impacted, one grazing his left arm and the other his right leg. The intense cold penetrated to his bones, slowing his movements.

Lucien: 103 - 14 - 14 = 75

Lucien fell to one knee, panting in pain. But he wouldn't give up. Because while they were busy playing politics and indulging in luxury, he was training. Every day, pushing his limits, honing his skills. That was the difference between a true leader and a parasite.

Despite the pain, Lucien maintained his concentration. Without wasting a second, he summoned a wave of water that spread across the floor, then instantly cooled it, freezing his opponents' feet.

Mordred: 126 - 14 = 112

Estin: 126 - 14 = 112

Lotar: 112 - 14 = 98

Varen: 126 - 14 = 112

Kairos: 112 - 14 = 98

Mordred and Varen managed to free themselves quickly, but Lotar, Estin, and Kairos were momentarily immobilized.

Taking advantage of the situation, Lucien jumped 4 meters in the air and launched an ice ball followed by a massive wind attack at his feet. Ice shards filled the air, heading towards all opponents from every direction.

Mordred: 112 - 14 crit = 26 Resistance / 58 Armor Resistance

Estin: 112 - 14 crit = 26 / 58

Lotar: 98 - 14 crit = 26 / 44

Varen: 112 - 14 crit = 26 / 58

Kairos: 98 - 14 crit = 26 / 44

The Summoners cried out in pain as some shards directly hit their faces. But the attack had also exhausted Lucien. His mana was low, and he could feel his strength beginning to falter.