As the battle commenced, Leon transformed into a stream of silver light, heading straight towards Audric thirty paces away.
Thirty paces was but a blink for a Level 2 Knight.
Yet, it wasnât just a simple knightâs charge.
The Duke sat in the stands, his eyes slightly squinted.
He sensed clearly that the silver aura surrounding Leon was unlike any Fighting Spirit he had seen before.
Deep within that light flowed a more pure and essential power.
That was Magic Power.
Fighting Spirit and Magic Power, two utterly different energies, perfectly fused within Leon.
They intertwined, amplified, making his speed almost beyond the limits of human perception.
"So quick!"
Someone exclaimed from the stands.
Leon had already reached Audric, his right hand gripping the sword, directly thrusting towards Audricâs chest.
This thrust was plain, without flashy moves or dazzling effects.
But the overwhelming pressure made spectators in the stands, separated by a spatial barrier, instinctively hold their breath.
Audric didnât retreat.
He didnât even move his feet.
He merely raised his right hand, extending his index finger.
The instant the finger touched the sword tip, it was suddenly covered with thin, faintly golden scales.
"Clangâ!"
A crisp metallic clash echoed throughout the arena.
Leonâs sword stopped in mid-air.
Held firmly by a single finger.
The entire place fell silent for a moment.
Audric remained standing where he was, not moving an inch.
His finger covered in golden scales pressed against the sword tip, unwavering.
His facial expression hadnât changed, still wearing that faint, careless smile.
"Is this it?" he asked softly.
Leon didnât answer.
His figure suddenly twisted, the sword blade sweeping horizontally, straight towards Audricâs side.
At the same time, he raised his left hand, gathering a highly compressed sphere of silver light in his palm, striking fiercely towards Audricâs face.
There was a restrained gasp from the stands.
"How is this possible..."
"Using both Fighting Spirit and Magic Power simultaneously? Manipulating two forces at such a moment..."
"No... Look at the glow around him, those two forces are together..."
The Dukeâs eye twitched slightly.
Saint Silver Breathing Technique.
This was the long-lost Saint Silver Breathing Technique, allowing Fighting Spirit and Magic Power to originate simultaneously, coexist in one, without conflict.
Audricâs reaction was still composed.
He didnât intercept the sphere of light, merely tilted his head slightly, letting the light ball brush past his ear.
Meanwhile, he raised his left hand, using a similarly scaled finger, again blocking Leonâs sweeping sword blade.
"Clang!"
Another crisp clang.
The sword blade was blocked once more.
But the dodged sphere of light didnât dissipate.
It drew an arc in the air, surprisingly looping back towards Audricâs back.
"Hmm?"
Audricâs brow slightly raised.
He finally moved his feet, stepping to the left, just enough for the light ball to sweep past his side.
Then he raised his left hand, fingers spread, palm aimed at the light ball that intended to turn again.
"Pop."
The light sphere was grasped and crushed.
Silver light burst from between his fingers, illuminating the deepening smile on his face.
Leon did not cease his assault.
The sword light was like snow.
Leonâs figure turned into countless silver afterimages, attacking Audric from every direction.
Every afterimage was real, each sword carrying the screech of tearing through the air.
The sword glow formed by intertwining Fighting Spirit and Magic Power could easily pierce through the defense of a regular Level 2 Mage.
Audric still stood in place.
He raised both hands.
Ten fingers, each covered in faint golden scales.
"Clang clang clang clang clang clang clangâ!"
Dense metallic clashes, like raindrops on the ground, continued incessantly.
Every one of Leonâs swords was steadily blocked by Audric with a single finger.
He seemingly stood there without moving, yet his hands seemed to have eyes, precisely intercepting every attack.
Every block was done with just one finger.
Every block was precise as if rehearsed countless times.
Leonâs offensive grew faster and fiercer.
The sword light nearly wove into a silver net, engulfing Audric from head to toe.
The aftermath of Fighting Spirit and Magic Power spread in all directions, striking the spatial barrier, creating visible ripples.
But at the center of that web, Audric stood.
He was even smiling.
Within those pale golden slit pupils burned a gleam of excitement, the corners of his mouth curving ever wider.
The ten scaled fingers were like ten meticulous daggers, navigating the gaps within the sword net, accurately intercepting each attack.
Audric suddenly stepped forward, as he did, his finger flicked.
With just a gentle flick, using the same scaled index finger.
The sword vibrated violently.
Leon, together with his sword, slid backward over ten meters, his feet carving deep furrows into the gray stone ground.
He steadied himself, raising his head.
Audric stood still, his dark red cloak was spotless. He retracted his hand, looking down at his finger, as if checking the scales for scratches.
Then he raised his head, gazing at Leon.
"Too weak."
These three words slipped into Leonâs ears, yet they felt like a heavy hammer pounding on his chest.