24 Augustus Tarin 1 (2/2)

”Dispense with the formality. It has been some time since Tarin wielded the blade. I confess, I am anticipating this duel. ”

—

Light shimmered around Caine and Tarin.

Two gloves and an armor manifested on Caine.

A sword and a glove manifested on Tarin.

Lines of Aether energy lanced out from Caine's gloves and connected with his Steel golems.

The golems immediately moved towards Tarin in a formation- keeping Caine well in the backline with 3 golems guarding him.

Tarin's glove glowed green, and he advanced in a burst of speed to the side and tried to approach Caine from an angle.

Caine moved his golems to block Tarin's path.

(As long as he is entangled with the 6 golems, it is my victory) thought Caine.

(However, I fully expect him to break through the 6 in front. The 3 golems by my side are my true ace.)

(Will he approach?)

Seeing his path to Caine blocked, Tarin engaged the golems.

Tarin's glove glowed yellow. Roots sprang from the ground and held down the first golem. Tarin then engaged the remaining 5 golems.

His glove glowed green and white. As he flitted like a shadow amongst the golems, Tarin's arms were a blur as he hacked, slashed and riposted, whenever a heavy blow was about to land on him, a white shield would materialize.

Caine's hand movements increased in tempo as he tried to land blows on Tarin with his golems.

(Three stars swordsman, adept usage of Aether spells. I have yet to land a hit on his barrier. Did Edward say he was a former adamant combatant? Which part of this is former? Caine thought as his mind searched for ways to damage Tarin.)

Caine then began a combination move that exposed an opening in the formation encircling Tarin in return for an aggressive rate of attack.

Tarin's glove glowed green. His blade became blurrier as he attacked the opening and broke through. Tarin's boots pounded the ground as he made towards Caine.

(Got him!) Caine's armor glowed with a purple light.

A purple lightning hydra materialized behind Tarin and spat a bolt of lightning at Tarin's back. At the same time, all three of the golems unsheathed blades from their forearms extending their range in an instant and attacked Tarin from different directions.

A white shield formed behind Tarin, blocking the lightning bolt.

He parried a blow from the golem facing in front of him and received two blows from the remaining golems. Tarin's barrier dimmed by half.

Tarin broke past the 3 golems and resumed his advance to Caine..

Caine detached the Aether threads and both his gloves glowed purple.

Bolt.

A purple lightning bolt lanced from Caine's right hand towards Tarin.

Tarin dodged it without even batting an eyelid.

As Tarin landed on his feet a lightning bolt smashed its way onto his right leg.

Tarin's barrier dimmed to quarter radiance.

Tarin's blade whipped forth towards Caine and as it connected, Caine's barrier glow reduced to half strength.

The combatants separated after that.

(This is it) thought Caine as both his gloves glowed purple and red.

Tarin advanced.

Bolt. Scattershot.

A lightning bolt lanced from Caine's front and a series of mini-fireballs shot from Caine's right side.

Both missed as Tarin dodged towards Caine's left and landed a barrier breaking blow on Caine.

”Augustus Tarin wins!” The mage at the arena end announced to great roars of cheering.

—

Johan shared a look with Aureus. Aureus smiled and nodded.

Johan ceased frowning and started applauding.

Edward did not catch the looks passed between Aureus and Johan as he was conversing with Tiffany. ”Tif, what was that hydra? Is that the ability granted by an artificial grade 5 monster core? Is that not valuable even amongst the mages?”

”You are correct, on both counts. The artificial core was a gift by one of Tarin's mentor at the institute.”

”Those three golems appear different from the six. Are the blades of golems normally so powerful?” asked Edward as he narrowed his eyes in the direction of the three golems.

”Nah, those golems were just upgraded by Caine yesterday. He came up with the plan to put the six golems up as bait to lure his opponent into closing within the three upgraded golems. We practiced the encirclement tactic last night. I could only break through the three golems after several attempts.”