The Golem Mage Chapter 1064: The First Three 2.

Typically, the Blood Needle spell was seen as a basic Bloodline spell, yet the elite members of the Sorin bloodline and fellow clans skilled in blood-related powers understood it couldn't be fully assessed just by its rank.

When wielded by an inexperienced blood mage, its full capabilities remained untapped, but for the skilled blood mage, it turned into one of their go-to spells in frequent use.

This is precisely why numerous mages puzzled over the blood mages' continued dependence on the lower-tier Blood Needle spell, despite claims of superior options; in reality, blood spells always carried the potential to surge in strength provided the right elements aligned.

For someone like Damien, boasting not just a superior bloodline potential surpassing many clan elders but also remarkable mastery in blood control, it equated to possessing the skills needed to elevate the spell well past its designated tier.

Aeron suffered around three blood needles piercing his left shoulder, initially dismissing the injury, but right after the impact, Damien directed his sister to handle the leftover Blade clansmen together with their allies.

In the midst of the intense clash, Darius succeeded in tying down Connor, stopping him from deploying his immense werewolf might against the other Blade clansmen. Yet, as he focused on holding Connor back, Carmilla stayed unhindered.

Aided by Kira Nightfang, the surviving pair of Blade clansmen fell rapidly; afterward, they returned to the spot where Connor continued battling Darius, and with the trio uniting their efforts, they soon forced Darius from the battle ring.

Unlike the Blade clansmen, the Bloodline Academy participants showed seamless coordination whether in groups or solo, having evidently addressed their flaws since their prior involvement in the Northern Kingdom tournament.

Among the most notable shifts was Dragov himself, who no longer flailed his greatsword recklessly or overindulged in his bloodline abilities like in the past.

Now, Dragov performed fluid sword maneuvers, and at a brisk tempo too; he brandished the enormous greatsword single-handedly like it was featherlight, each blow delivering devastating force and thick Qi, rendering it almost impossible for Kaelus to showcase his abilities effectively.

Whatever Kaelus tried, Dragov's superior might shattered through it.

Realizing the bout might extend tediously this way, Dragov opted to engage his Stage One Bloodline form.

Upon shifting, he ditched all defense and dove headlong into attack, each blade swing unleashing huge crescent wind blades that ripped through the field.

This bold change compelled Kaelus into pure defense, desperately parrying sword strikes and batting away the approaching wind blades, shoving them aside sequentially.

Yet even as his ripostes connected, even as his boosted Qi sliced into Dragov’s Dragon scales, the wounds mended nearly right away.

The healing speed in Dragov’s initial stage stunned Kaelus; even worse, the wind blades he'd redirected didn't vanish, but lingered airborne, suspended as though anchored by some invisible power.

Soon, over a hundred wind blades hovered in his wake, trailing the combat's path, then Dragov retreated a step, plunged his greatsword into the earth, and swept his idle hand across the space like tugging hidden strings.

[> Mid Tier Spell – Wind Blade Barrage <]

That instant revealed to Kaelus he'd stumbled into a meticulously set snare, for the floating blades abruptly showered upon him in unison with Dragov’s gesture, leaving no chance to fend off every one.

He even had to expose his back to Dragov merely to endure the onslaught; once it ceased, though he'd blocked many, severe wounds that cut to the bone marred his frame, leaving him drenched in blood and rattled.

But precisely then, Kaelus caught a crisp clap—Dragov had clapped his palms, invoking the Wind Slam spell.

As Kaelus labored to repel the deluge, Dragov had prepped his follow-up, and the ensuing wind force left the observing mages in awe.

Just moments before, they'd witnessed Wind Takeda execute a comparable spell, but Dragov’s span and raw intensity highlighted the vast differences in proficiency.

Kaelus attempted flight, yet the spell's coverage proved too vast, and the force slammed him down to his knees without delay.

Noting his persistent resistance, Dragov understood maintaining the spell's latter phase would prove taxing. Thus, he charged ahead and slammed a powerful kick into Kaelus’s neck while the wind slam pinned him immobile, rendering him senseless on impact.

He chased with a second strike to the gut, launching Kaelus briefly into the air and beyond the battle ring.

As Dragov pivoted around, the Damien-Aeron duel had concluded. Damien lounged on the dirt with a weary grin, unscathed yet evidently depleted of mana.

He'd unleashed everything early on, intent on dispatching Aeron fast; via the Blood Needles lodged in Aeron’s form, he hampered his left arm actions and subsequently triggered a blood spike spell.

The needle within Aeron’s hand spawned enormous spikes that erupted externally, inflicting excruciating agony and almost shattering his mind, since portions of his blood fell under manipulation too.

Still, Aeron persevered, despite profuse bleeding, persisting in combat with his scant remaining vigor. He guarded, struck back where feasible, and resisted collapsing right away.

Ultimately, Damien depleted his mana ahead, compelling him to rest on the ground as Aeron stood firm, though worn and defiant, yet his squad had crumbled once more, prompting a resigned sigh.

“You’re one tough guy, I’ll give you that,” Damien remarked right as Aeron succumbed to unconsciousness after such endurance, his Qi armor dissolving.