[Curse of Exhaustion]
It was a curse that drained the opponent’s energy, leaving them exhausted.
Although it was a basic level curse of dark magic, she unleashed it with 3-star magic.
Naturally, there was no comparison in power.
But Christian didn’t even flinch.
Soon, something amazing happened.
Clang!
A black barrier unfolded, deflecting the dark magic.
It was a 3-star defense dark magic, Shadow Shield.
He didn’t deploy it directly.
Darkness was emanating from Christian’s necklace.
“Artifact?”
“Yes. I secretly stole it from the family safe. It blocks all dark magic below 3-stars.”
Count Kazar looked puzzled.
He had no idea when it was taken from the safe where it was hidden.
“I guess that’s fine, right? Since we agreed to fight like in real combat. In real combat, tactics and skill are just as important as prowess.”
Melin let out a hollow laugh.
It was a contradiction, but not entirely wrong.
If this was really a real battle, you couldn’t even question why the enemy was using such artifacts.
But Melin didn’t know.
This was not the end of what Christian had prepared.
“Let me show you the true power of tactics!”
More accurately, it was the power of money.
Christian had acquired several artifacts with the money he had extorted from corrupt upper-class figures.
He pulled out a bead from his pocket with a dull color and threw it.
Clang!
The bead shattered in mid-air, releasing black smoke.
It was a venomous magic of the deadliest kind, Poison Magic!
Melin stepped back to avoid the range of the poison.
Christian’s attack didn’t end there.
Anticipating Melin’s movement, he threw another bead in that direction.
This time, it was the dark magic of destruction, Dark Flame.
Similar to the light magic “Fireball,” but with a difference. It exploded near the opponent, darkening the surroundings.
It had a sinister effect typical of dark magic.
For a moment, Melin’s surroundings were plunged into darkness.
But it didn’t stop there. Christian threw the last bead.
It was a grim red-colored bead.
A 2-star curse dark magic, Rusting Blade.
“!!”
Rusting Blade weakened the opponent’s weapon durability, leading to its destruction.
The problem was that Melin’s reaction was delayed due to the darkness.
This dark magic was impossible to dodge when caught in its range, being an area-of-effect dark magic.
Zing.
The sword Melin was holding began to corrode instantly.
“You are so crafty!”
But Melin didn’t falter.
She resisted the dark magic by drawing up her magic.
Since it was just a 2-star curse, she could easily dispel it.
But then something happened.
Christian emerged from the smoke of Dark Flame and swung the Holy Sword!
Clang!
Although she easily blocked it, there was a problem.
The magic Melin was using to counter Rusting Blade had dispersed because of the Holy Sword.
As the magic dissipated, the curse corroded the sword.
“Oh no!”
Melin’s face stiffened.
The sword she was holding was of excellent quality, but it was inevitable that its durability would decrease.
And with such a weakened sword, she couldn’t block the Holy Sword.
Clang!
Christian’s sword struck Melin’s sword again.
Melin’s sword broke against the Holy Sword.
“Gotcha!”
Melin made a troubled face.
Her weapon was her sword.
She had trained in martial arts, but compared to a sword, it was much weaker.
And another weapon, curse magic, was useless against Christian’s defensive artifact.
Her energy was drained in an instant.
“Considering both hands are tied, I guess this could be considered as a 3-star power? It falls far short of 4 stars.”
Then she could win.
“This is my victory.”
Christian’s eyes flashed with intense ambition.
His sword pushed against Melin.
It was a strange sight.
Melin was a strong mage.
Even if her power was sealed, her physical abilities and magic were much stronger than Christian’s.
Yet she was the one being pushed back.
Her faster and stronger attacks were repeatedly blocked by Christian’s sword.
Meanwhile, Christian’s slow and weak sword repeatedly pierced Melin’s defenses.
“!!”
Melin twisted her shoulders in surprise.
She almost got her shoulder cut.
In fact, someone like her wouldn’t feel any impact even if she took a sword blow to her body, because she defended with magic.
But that sword was the Holy Sword.
It would pierce through magic and deal a fatal blow.
“Am I… losing?”
Melin’s eyes shook.
No, it wasn’t just that.
As hard as it was to imagine, she could be defeated.
Thinking that way, Melin’s heart pounded wildly.
“Damn, this is too good.”
Melin reveled in pure combat, taking pleasure in battling strong opponents.
Christian’s insane talent sent shivers through her heart.
“I will definitely defeat you.”
Melin’s eyes glazed over.
Caught up in heated excitement, she even forgot that her opponent was her young master.
She wanted to defeat this genius and make him kneel.
This single thought dominated her mind, intensifying her attacks unlike before.
She launched a genuine attack, a departure from her usual restraint to avoid serious injury.
“!!”
“This is getting dangerous!!”
Spectators exclaimed in alarm.
Merian furrowed her brows tightly.
“Melin’s lost it. We need to stop her.”
Melin was from the main family house.
Therefore, Merian knew her personality well.
When excited, she became recklessly… no, a combat fanatic.
If left unchecked, an accident was likely to happen.
“I’ll intervene.”
“…Thank you.”
Count Kazar nodded in agreement, but Merian hesitated.
Christian was faintly smiling, even as he was pushed back by the fierce attack.
It was a victor’s smile.
“What? Is he exploiting her excited lapse?”
But that was a misjudgment.
Melin was not so sloppy. Despite her excitement, she maintained her cool rationality.
Christian knew this well.
Still, Christian looked into Melin’s eyes.
A fierce, predatory glare.
The look of a beast ready to pounce at the slightest opening.
If so, the way to defeat Melin was clear.
Just make her overcommit.
‘Crude traps won’t work. I need to show a real opening.’
Christian acted immediately.
He stumbled.
For a moment, his stance wavered.
He tried to regain his stance, but it was too late.
Melin didn’t miss the brief opening—a warrior wouldn’t miss such a chance.
Melin unleashed a punch enveloped in magi.
She thought it was finally over, as nobody could properly respond from such a faltered stance.
And everyone in the arena thought the same.
However, Christian’s combat sense exceeded their expectations.
An unbelievable feat occurred.
Even from his twisted, stumbled stance, Christian countered her attack.
With his unarmed hand, he reached for her punch.
“How can this be?”
Melin wondered.
Her fist was wrapped in magic. Blocking it with a bare hand would only cause severe injury.
All spectators shared this question.
And the moment her fist met Christian’s palm.
His hand slid forward, skillfully grazing past Melin’s magic, and lightly touched her wrist.
That simple motion altered the trajectory of her punch.
Barely missing Christian’s body.
“Ha!”
Melin, along with everyone else, was astonished.
An incredible feat from a faltering stance!
That was the turning point.
Christian completely regained his stance, while Melin’s became disordered.
Christian didn’t miss the opening.
The duel was decided.
Thud.
His sacred sword touched Melin’s neck.
“……”
The arena fell silent.
No one could speak.
Everyone stared, as if their eyes would pop out, at Christian’s sword aimed at Melin’s neck.
It seemed unbelievable, but it was reality.
A 4-star, even a high-ranked warrior, kneeled at the hands of a mere 1-star novice!
Despite all the artifacts and tricks, it was an unbelievable sight.
Christian shrugged nonchalantly.
“Looks like I’ve won?”
“!!”
He then addressed the dazed Melin.
“Was the duel to your satisfaction?”
“!!”
Melin clenched her mouth shut.
Satisfied? What kind of question was that?
She looked at her forearm, shivering with chills.
The sensation she just felt, and the excitement from Christian’s insane talent throughout the duel, hadn’t subsided.
“Considering your reaction, it seems it was a satisfying duel. Please take some time to consider the proposal I made to you earlier. While I did win, I respect the vice-captain’s opinion.”
It was a call for her allegiance.
He had won the duel but didn’t use that to force loyalty.
Loyalty isn’t forced. He hoped Melin would sincerely join his side.
“It seems you’re already considering it.”
Christian observed Melin’s trembling eyes.
Indeed, Melin said.
“No, let’s talk now.”
Melin looked at Christian for a moment.
“If I serve under you, will you continue to offer such duels?”
Melin had her reasons for this decision.
She was curious.
‘How strong will he become in the future?’
Even at a mere 1-star level, he had given her such a thrill.
If Christian became even stronger, how much more joy could he bring her?
With that thought, she reached her decision.
No other young master could provide her with such pleasure.
“Absolutely.”
Christian’s smile widened.
“But remember this.”
“What is it?”
“I will soon surpass the vice-captain.”
“!!”
“And as time goes on, the gap will only widen. The vice-captain won’t be able to match me. If you can handle that, I’ll gladly spar with you.”
Melin almost burst out laughing.
Christian was just a 1-star newbie.
Yet, he was making such outrageous claims to her, a 4-star.
But it didn’t seem wrong.
Even now, Christian had displayed such an astonishing ability.
He would swiftly outpace her and soar to heights unseen.
“That would be enjoyable in its own right.”
She answered with a light heart.
“Come to me after you’ve formally become a Prince. I can serve under you only after you’ve earned the title of a Prince.”
That was her agreement!
Later, Christian turned to the shocked Merian watching him.
“What does Aunt think?”
“!!”
Christian grinned.
“Did I pass in Aunt’s eyes too?”
