The Golem Mage Chapter 1071: The Last Loser Bracket Match.

Once the embraces ended, Alec swiftly inquired about the events. When he learned of their defeat and the statuses of Lucas and Beatrice, his eyes grew icy.

Yet, moments later, his face relaxed, and he let out a breath of relief, thankful that he had returned just in time before the loser's bracket started. His words emerged as:

“Thank God there’s still a loser’s bracket match, let’s win that and get revenge for the loss against The Silent Night. I’m back now.”

Following that, he visited Lucas’s room and flung him a Tier 7 healing pill. Upon seeing this, Lucas nearly refused it because of its immense value; even he was aware that rival academies were providing their mages with Tier 5 healing pills.

However, Alec merely rubbed his head at Lucas's protest and remarked that if Lucas didn't accept it, he could simply toss it out the window, since he wouldn't reclaim it.

Witnessing Alec's casual demeanor while saying this stirred a whirlwind of feelings in Lucas, leaving him speechless in voicing his thanks, as he realized the Tier 7 healing pill far exceeded what was required for his complete recovery.

“Seriously, consider it from my perspective—I need you fighting alongside me tomorrow. It's time we flaunt our skills a bit. I've been quite relaxed about this tournament from the beginning, but how about it? Starting tomorrow, let's give it our all?” Alec told Lucas, rolling his neck uncomfortably at first before advancing and jabbing a finger toward him.

Observing Alec so fired up and enthusiastic, Lucas unwittingly slipped the pill into his mouth and gulped it down without thinking.

Right away, transformations surged through his body, his aura strengthening noticeably. He even felt he was close to advancing to the Tier 7 mage level.

The pill didn't merely mend his wounds; it eradicated numerous concealed damages accumulated so far. He couldn't ignore the results, sensing his mana circulating far smoother than it had in ages.

As Alec departed the room, Lucas gazed after him with deep gratitude. He always believed he owed Alec more than he could ever compensate.

This was a key reason he had battled to rejoin the War God Mage Academy, despite the clan elders' attempts to sway him with promises of rewards and exclusive training sessions.

If someone had predicted such a prospect would come his way and that he'd decline it, he would have dismissed it as falsehood, never having imagined such a possibility, much less turning it away.

Yet, pondering all the benefits he'd reaped simply from associating with Alec made his choice seem straightforward, as he was convinced he'd advance more effectively with Alec and the squad—who motivated him to improve and evolve—rather than in the clan, where rivalry was ruthlessly intense.

After exiting Lucas’s quarters, he stopped by Beatrice’s and discreetly placed a mental pill on her tongue, and within two minutes, her eyes fluttered open.

Spotting Alec's return, she exhaled deeply in relief, aware she no longer had to overexert herself now that the reliable one was present once more.

In this manner, Alec handed out Tier 6 healing pills to the remaining team members, directing them to consume them right away since he refused to let anyone carry lingering injuries.

Once these tasks were settled, he announced he'd tackle the upcoming match by himself; nevertheless, the team strongly opposed, emphasizing it was a five-person loser's bracket event and he couldn't enter alone.

_ _

“Alec!!!”

Although several minutes had elapsed since Alec mounted the stage, the audience's roars persisted. Even when the judge lifted his hand to hush them, it required additional moments for the noise to subside.

“It looks like you're all excited and prepared for this fight to start?” the judge inquired, met with thunderous “YES!” shouts resounding from all directions.

“Then I declare this bout underway.” He announced, launching skyward at such incredible velocity that a subtle sonic boom echoed long after he disappeared from sight.

Alec eyed the two rival squads, then faced his companions.

“What about you all? You won't have to exert yourselves; just let me handle everything. I'll wrap it up fast,” Alec urged, attempting once again—seemingly for the umpteenth time—to persuade his allies that no effort was required from them, aiming to atone for his sudden absence.

“I'm not sure about the others, but I'd like to take on the leader of the Blade team,” Lucas stated, glancing toward the Blades' position, prompting Alec—who was facing away—to turn his head that way.

At once, he nodded, as though grasping the intent.

“That can be arranged,” Alec replied.

“I'd be up against another mage as well,” Brandon quickly added before Alec's enthusiasm waned.

“Count me in too!” Arthur exclaimed without delay, unwilling to miss out. And before Alec could fully comprehend the shift, even Knight declared he'd confront one mage from the enemies.

Alec surveyed his teammates and realized no argument would deter them from facing at least one opponent each.

“Alright!!” he conceded eventually. While Alec and the War God Mage crew chatted, the spectators observed in astonishment at their laid-back attitude.

On the other hand, the opposing duos, positioned nearby with enhanced hearing, caught the entire exchange. Alec's brazen assurance only fueled their rage.

During this, Hoshino Ren capitalized on the moment to invoke his Bound spirit, Akagami, as a scarlet aura enveloped and merged with him.

“Damn, we got distracted by that puny team's bravado and forgot to concentrate on our primary foes this round,” Kealus muttered, shifting his gaze to Ren.

But he spotted an anomaly: Ren had already charged forward, targeting Alec Gordons directly. Alec stood with arms folded, hands nestled in the kimono's surplus sleeves.

In response, Alec grinned and commanded,

“Spread out.” With that, he extracted his Bloody Changdao from its sheath using his left hand in a reverse hold, hoisting the blade aloft in a guarding posture. Ren, gliding like a phantom, materialized in front of him and slashed downward with his Qi-formed Katana.

Bang!

A deafening blast erupted, but contrary to Ren's anticipation, Alec remained rooted, his footing steady—the blocking arm didn't even recoil.

In all the visions Ren had conjured, where one strike would demolish Alec's aggravating poise, nothing unfolded as planned. Instead, the sole result was a minor dip in Alec's raised hand.

Yet, in a fluid gesture, Alec swept his right hand across the space, middle and index fingers outstretched, a spark dancing at their ends and following along until they aimed directly at Hoshino’s forehead.

[> Innate Combination Spell - Flaming Bullet. <]

Suspended in the air, tiny earth fragments rapidly assembled into a sniper-like bullet form, but that was merely the start; it shimmered with a blazing orange-red hue, resembling something just drawn from a blacksmith's fire.

The moment the projectile formed, Ren's instincts blared warnings of peril. With such intense alarm, he understood that a hit would bring dire consequences.