CHAPTER 524: CHAPTER D193: VICTORY (PART 3)

Amidst the cry of pain from the girl, the flames guarding her suddenly surged violently toward the youth, causing the entire training ground’s space to warp under the high temperature, resembling the shimmering ripples of a scorching midday desert.

[Pure Holy Flame Sea]

2d39=d39(27)+d39(8)=35

[Brother activates skill: High Wind Chanting (can instant-cast intermediate level and below magic)]

2d143+30=(48)+(33)+30=111

[Brother’s Battle Intent]

D100=d100(36)=36

The youth’s face was equally ashen, yet he remained composed, lightly swung his sword-staff, and within a few syllables, the magic had been unleashed.

As cold magic power spread, the ground rapidly became covered in frost, forming an icefield shrouded in white mist. Ice walls rose abruptly, standing tall, isolating the heat of the flames outside.

With a speed never imagined by the Hero in dreams, brother instantaneously cast several protective spells, the stacking magic techniques effortlessly preventing the fire sea from spreading.

But after completing the construction of the formation, he did not continue moving, the radiance of his sword-staff slowly quelled, quietly watching the Hero.

The field fell into silence momentarily.

The uncomfortable sensation made the Hero furrow her brows, golden eyes reflected some ripples.

The stinging pain still echoed within her body, but she knew it wasn’t a special effect attached to the ice sword, rather a side effect brought by her overly sensitive senses.

Unable to help but reminisce about her previous self who was unaffected by cold or heat, able to run in single clothing during the harsh winter on highlands, the Hero remained vigilant, confronting her stationary brother without moving.

Brother looked at her and after a few seconds of silence finally spoke softly:

"You... held back? Why?"

Hearing this, the Hero was slightly surprised, opened her mouth, yet couldn’t find the words to say.

The stinging pain brought by brother’s magic gradually subsided, turning into a sort of bridge, allowing the confusion from the youth opposite to also be conveyed.

"To use a melee technique to unleash a massive burst of magic power... it’s hard to imagine your magic reserves being accustomed to this combat style."

Having personally endured that powerful strike, brother exhaled and said: "The only explanation is that you learned this from fighting alongside Ancient Heroic Spirits."

Without averting his gaze from the Hero, as if he saw her fighting with the Corrupted Phoenix, punching out a sea of golden radiance, brother’s tone gained a hint of conviction:

"A squandering approach, technically unrefined, but for you, perhaps this is the best way to counter the Great Demon — hence I shouldn’t have caught your earlier strike."

The abrupt conclusion left the Hero stunned, yet without giving her a chance to argue, brother asserted with certainty.

"You have this battle experience, the magic consumed is genuine, it doesn’t deceive.

"If you struck that punch with the Great Demon as your imaginary enemy, I, standing here without any protective spell applied, certainly wouldn’t be able to stand and talk to you now."

His eyes were blazing, speaking in a deep voice, issuing the same query again.

"You held back, why?"

[Response (dialogue corresponds to different people)]

1. I’ve already said it just now

2. I lost

3. Seems like I arrived late?

4. Yes, I’m sorry

5. You won ♛

6. Shameful display

7. Because killing you would dirty the Queen’s hands!

8. Blood relatives should not harm each other

9. Daughter, come here, I have something to ask you

10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(5)=5

The golden fire sea burned calmly, its bright glow illuminating the shattered training ground, also reflecting on the Hero’s slightly troubled expression.

"Not answering? It’s fine either way."

The youth opposite looked at her, with a hint of impatience in his tone, yet did not continue to press, merely shook his head.

"No matter what your motive for holding back is, or if it wasn’t holding back, simply poor control of strength...

"These subjective things won’t impact the objective reality."

Brother’s gaze swept across the continuously spreading flame sea, now almost covering the entire training ground.

"You broke my predictions, saw through my setup, and easily blocked my rapid attack. Although you held no killing intent towards me, just a single counterattack nearly pierced through my shield."

"If this were a real skirmish, continuing the fight, although it can’t be said there’s no chance of victory, it’s also fair to say life and death are unpredictable..."

Analyzing word by word, brother clicked his tongue slightly, tightened his grip on the sword-staff, with veins faintly visible.

His brows knitted, clearly extremely dissatisfied with his performance in this duel.

"At this point, the outcome is already clear, and there’s no point in denying it."

He took a deep breath, as if he had made some kind of decision.

"Brother—" Upon hearing this, the Hero’s eyes lit up, and his expression was somewhat incredulous.

"Ah, that’s right." Pressing his lips together, the young man lowered his sword staff, his emerald green eyes filled with mixed emotions.

"You have won."

1. Let me see your strongest strike (+Experience)

2. As a loser, I can promise you one thing

3. Introduction letter from the Mage Association

4. Gift item

5.1

6.2

7.3

8.4

9. — I should also go out and train. ♛

10. Great Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(9)=9

The sword staff was put away, and the Magic Power supporting the ice wall dissipated with it, causing the ice wall to collapse into countless ice shards, turning into a faint cold mist, which was then evaporated by the flames.

The Hero stood stunned in place, staring at the sword staff hanging down from his brother’s hand, his mind still echoing with his brother’s words just now.

Never had he imagined that his brother would so calmly admit her victory; the Hero was filled with countless emotions, almost making her want to jump up and dance joyfully on the spot.

But doing so would be too disrespectful to her brother; she could only suppress the rising corner of her mouth, slightly bend her waist, and lightly raise her hand to end the dance with an impeccable bow.

As the stage’s curtain fell, the flames dissipated accordingly, and the light returned to its original brightness; only the training ground, like a ruin, signaled the battle that had just occurred.

In the Magic Element environment, imperceptible to the naked eye, a vast ripple spread with the Hero at its center, its holy waves prompting the brother to raise his head in surprise.

Completely unaware of the environmental changes, the Hero looked somewhat concernedly at the shattered stone slabs beneath his feet, but upon seeing his brother’s complete disregard for the damage, she understood; this was a combat-specific training ground, and specialized personnel would naturally repair it afterward.

"Solidifying aura effect... is this also Phoenix... no, is it her own Strength..."

After glancing at the bewildered Hero, the young man rubbed his still aching brow and walked towards the manor, and the Hero naturally followed.

"I’ve told you before that the Mage is the strongest Profession."

His brother’s tone was low.

"Yes, you even said that only Mages can explore the truth..." the Hero nodded in response.

Although she didn’t understand why this topic was suddenly brought up, it was rare for her brother to initiate a conversation with her.

"My opinion remains unchanged even now, but maybe I should add one more thing... Mages are the strongest Profession, but they are not necessarily the strongest."

"For the truth of the world, what ’humans’ as vessels can carry is far too small, knowledge is only a part of the truth, which is why there are Six Major Guilds instead of just one Mage Guild."

"Some people spend their lives learning and studying, yet the Strength they ultimately obtain might not even match that of a warrior who trained for three months... How to acquire knowledge, and what knowledge to acquire, I have always considered this the most crucial issue for Mages."

"That’s why my brother likes to read so much." Remembering how her brother almost always had a book in hand, the Hero admired him somewhat.

"—But I am ultimately only revolving around the ’known’ domain." But hearing the Hero’s admiration, the young man curled his lips as if being mocked.

"Even if I stepped onto the Legendary Road and reached the Palace’s doorstep, the so-called ’mysteries’ I mastered are ultimately obtained based on the foundation of predecessors, which is why I lost to you, lost to your unique ’unknown.’

"Therefore, it’s time for me to go out and train as well, as a reward for reminding me."

Under the Hero’s puzzled and shocked gaze, his brother stopped and knocked on their father’s study door.

[Where should I go to train? (Brother will draw a Transmission Array at the destination for the Hero)]

1. Western Realm ♛

2. South Sea

3. Gray Moon Dungeon

4. Wutong Volcano

5.1

6.2

7.3

8.4

9. Dragon Valley

10. Great Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(1)=1