Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 686: Faux Spirit Magic II

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Brock Peyton and the other Combat Masters managed to shield against the assault with their aura coatings, but the impact forcefully shoved them away from the aged sorcerer. This outcome was precisely what Alex had maneuvered for. He aimed to gauge the effectiveness of his novel spell construct against a genuine sorcerer under actual combat circumstances. The elderly man, whose combat effectiveness had dwindled to that of a Late Stage Third Circle Sorcerer due to his advanced age—placing him around the mid-stage Elite on Pangea—served as the perfect test subject.

Simultaneously, Alex elongated his Draconic Baton into the shape of a longsword and directed his focus toward Peyton and the remaining Combat Master. If any lingering uncertainty existed within him before, Brock Peyton was now unequivocally convinced—he had blundered into a perilous situation. A Third Circle sorcerer capable of engaging three Combat Masters at once was undoubtedly a figure with formidable backing. Unfortunately, there was no avenue for regret; his sole remaining recourse was to vanquish Alex right there... and confront the ensuing repercussions afterward. He signaled to the other Combat Master. Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, both individuals moved without any hesitation, discarding any concern for reputation or honor.

Observing their synchronized advance, Alex did not remain passive. [Third Step – Wraith’s Crossing]! He seized the initiative. 'You dare confront us directly?' Peyton's eyes flared with disbelief. Channeling a greater quantity of combat energy into his blade, Peyton executed a potent downward slash toward Alex. The other Combat Master, displaying greater tactical acumen, adjusted his stance as he witnessed Peyton's attack. He shifted to an angle that would position him to thrust at the precise location Alex would likely maneuver to if he attempted an evasion. [Dragon Kumite: Burst]! Contrary to the expectations of both warriors, Alex did not evade. He directly stepped into Peyton's aggressive strike. With immaculate timing, he deflected Peyton's blade off course, redirecting its trajectory toward the other Combat Master, thus disrupting both their assaults in a singular, fluid maneuver.

An immediate opening presented itself. Alex drove a punch directly into Peyton's exposed flank. [Dragon Kumite: Ripple]! Peyton managed to intercept the punch—but before he could secure Alex’s hand and immobilize him, a powerful, undulating force coursed through the point of contact. The exerted energy penetrated his palm, compelling him to relinquish his grip as his aura coating fractured under the intense pressure. [Dragon Kumite: Blast]! Without any pause, Alex followed through with a mana-infused elbow strike that annihilated Peyton's defenses and impacted his jawline, sending a jarring shockwave through his entire body. The instant Peyton staggered backward, Alex pivoted smoothly on his heel and deflected the Sword Combat Master's incoming thrust—redirecting it instead toward Peyton. The blade narrowly missed piercing Peyton, but the Sword Combat Master managed to retract it just in time.

'Oh no...' Both their expressions shifted in unison. [Third Step – Wraith’s Crossing]! They had committed a grave miscalculation. They had permitted a spellcaster to establish spatial separation. And as anticipated— [Extinction Lance]! Alex eschewed any attempt at casting a high-tier spell. Instead, he unleashed a rapid barrage of Fire Lances, further augmented with both lightning and darkness mana. The spell launched forward with railgun-like velocity—its recoil forcing Alex several feet backward—as it reached Peyton and the Sword Combat Master in mere moments.

In a move that was as ruthless as it was entirely predictable, Peyton yanked the Sword Combat Master into the path of the incoming attack while simultaneously throwing himself aside. The lance pierced directly through the unprepared man's torso. "Huh...?" He gazed down at the fiery lance embedded in his chest... then shifted his sight toward Peyton. A wry chuckle escaped his lips. He couldn't claim to be surprised. There was no grand detonation—no violent explosion. His physical form simply began to disintegrate, dissolving under the spell's overwhelming power.

However, Peyton had no time to savor his survival. A wave of intense heat surged toward him from his side. From the periphery of his vision, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a blazing claw swinging in his direction. His body reacted purely on instinct, moving before his mind could fully process the imminent danger. After narrowly evading the strike, his pupils constricted as he finally identified his aggressor clearly. The Five-Clawed Divine Dragon. He didn't need to confirm the old sorcerer’s condition; he could already surmise it.

'Useless fool...!' Peyton cursed under his breath. Enraged, he surged forward and retaliated with a fearsome slash. Swoosh! His blade cleanly severed one of the dragon's limbs. "Ahhh—!!" The dragon, or rather AetherKindle, let out a cry of pain—a sound that caused Alex to regard it with a peculiar expression. However, in the very next moment, substantial quantities of fire and light mana flooded into the construct, rapidly mending the severed limb.

The dragon fiercely attacked again without the slightest pause, launching itself at Peyton with utter ferocity.

Claws striking. Teeth gnashing. Its body slamming. Its tail sweeping.

At point-blank range, its assaults were those of a maddened beast utilizing its entire form. From a distance, it unleashed a relentless storm of [Fireball] spells, varying in size and intensity.

Its assault was ceaseless and unbreakable.

The Five-Clawed Divine Dragon was completely engrossing Peyton, leaving him absolutely no breathing room.

Unbeknownst to the fighter, the elder sorcerer was, in fact, not yet deceased.

Although, to be precise, he was teetering right at the precipice of death.

His body bore the marks of multiple burns, the scorched flesh a testament to the diminishing strength he possessed.

Just as he started to yearn for the sweet release of death, a gentle, calming luminescence enveloped his form.

It imparted sufficient vitality for him to pry his eyes open one final time.

He found, to his profound dismay, that Alex was the first sight to greet him.

The young man had inexplicably mended him.

Yet, it was not an act born of compassion.

Alex hauled the old man into a sitting posture, propping him against a nearby boulder.

"Your disciple did not perish without leaving something behind. Observe—this is the perfected sequence of the [Flame Dragon] mystic art, renowned in your sorcery lineage.

"Rest assured. From one practitioner of the arcane arts to another... this will serve me exceptionally well."

The old man struggled to comprehend Alex's underlying motive.

Before a single coherent thought could fully form in his mind, Alex raised a hand in the sorcerer's direction. In a fluid, unbroken sequence, two formidable high-tier spells were unleashed in rapid succession.

[Shadow Lock]!

Dense, shadowy tendrils writhed forth from the very earth, ensnaring Peyton and immobilizing him completely.

[Judgement Bolt]!

Dark clouds converged ominously above, and from their depths plummeted a colossal bolt of lightning, striking him with devastating force.

Once the swirling debris and dust subsided, Peyton was—remarkably—still clinging to life.

However, his current battered condition clearly illuminated the means of his survival.

His external attire had been utterly annihilated, leaving only a layer of intact leather armor that remained fastened to his body.

'A magically imbued item... and a particularly potent one at that,' Alex mused, his brow arching slightly.

For a fleeting instant, a flicker of avarice sparked within his thoughts.

Then, he firmly suppressed the impulse.

"Proceed," he commanded.

Instantly, the Five-Clawed Divine Dragon lunged forward, its massive maw gaping open to engulf Peyton entirely.

It then ascended into the vast expanse of the sky—climbing high enough for every soul on the battlefield, and indeed any observer far beyond it, to witness the unfolding spectacle.

And then—

BOOM!!!

The dragon detonated in a breathtaking explosion, a brilliant conflagration of fire and light that set the heavens ablaze.

As the blinding radiance gradually receded, so too did the final, faint ember of life within the old sorcerer.

He passed away peacefully, his gaze fixed upon the most potent manifestation of the spell his own disciple had once commanded.

Whether Alex's ultimate action was a gesture of profound mercy... or a final, stinging act of cruel derision—

That was a truth only the old man himself could ever have revealed.

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